Alkina Polygon no.5 Grenache 2020

A singular expression of Grenache from Polygon 5, a tiny patch of our old vineyard that we have studied extensively and picked and vinified separately. Wild in nature and darker in fruit complexion, this is a structured, brooding and intense wine with great tension and svelte, mouth-coating tannins. It loves some air and opens up beautifully over time.

Season: 2020 was a low yielding vintage of excellent quality. Yields were at least 50% down on the long term average. And winter and spring saw lower than average rainfall. December and January were hot and dry, but February provided relief allowing gentle, slower ripening before vintage. 1244kg of fruit was picked at 13.1 baumé from P5 on 25 Feb 2020.

Vineyard: Polygon No. 5 consists of two very similar nearby parcels making up 0.37 hectares in size. Working with terroir specialist, Pedro Parra, we identified this polygon to be uniquely significant because of its heavily fractured schist composition. There are deeper soils sitting above a thick band of micaceous schist that contains veins of iron-rich clay within the fractures. NASAA certified organic and biodynamic. 

Winemaking: The fruit was hand picked and sorted before being fermented with only indigenous yeast in one concrete tulip. In 2020 we again chose to leave 100% of the fruit as whole bunches. Basket pressed and matured in one 700L Nomblot concrete egg for 15 months. 695 bottles and 90 magnums made. 

Varieties: 100% Grenache

Alcohol: 13.7% A

bout Alkina:

Alkina is a new story on an old place. We seek to understand, nurture and ultimately express this beautiful land in its wines, its values and its experiences for visitors and drinkers. Our certified organic and biodynamic farm sits on the traditional lands of the Ngadjuri people and we seek to honour the land’s Aboriginal history and to learn from their regenerative farming philosophy. We have 43 hectares of vines planted to Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro and Semillon, with the oldest vines dating from the 1950s.