Kilikanoon Prodigal Grenache, Clare Valley, Australia

Winemaker and proprietor Kevin Mitchell first purchased what later became the Kilikanoon estate in Clare Valley in 1997. Through meticulous site selection, Kevin makes vibrant wines with powerful elegance and distinct regional and varietal definition.

Kilikanoon Prodigal Grenache was one of the first Kilikanoon wines released. Each parcel of fruit for this single-vineyard Grenache is harvested and vinified separately prior to assemblage. Open-top fermenters are used and the wines remain on the skins throughout fermentation before being pressed into seasoned, French hogshead for 15 months maturation. The final blend is unrefined and unfiltered to maintain as much character and vineyard expression as possible.

The resulting wine has lifted aromas of dark cherry, pot pourri, a slight smokiness, and subtle notes of marzipan. The palate is fresh and lively, yet equally dark and brooding. A combination of morello cherry, dark chocolate, kirsch and sweet spice, supported by silky tannins and a linear finish.