Yangarra Estate began planting as early as 1946 when the property was called Lalla Rookh, or ‘love nest’. These plantings included a plot of unirrigated bush vine Grenache named the High Sands vineyard. For years the fruit was sought after by local winemakers using it to improve wines from smaller holdings across Mclaren Vale.
Then in 2001 everything evolved. The American Jackson family, famous for their eclectic international winery holdings purchased Yangarra Estate Vineyard with the intention of producing world-class Grenache and Shiraz from these priceless old vines.
Jess Jackson appointed local boy Peter Fraser as winemaker. Which further cemented his vision to establish one of Australia’s greatest producers of Rhone Valley varieties.
Yangarra under Pete’s skilful guidance has continued to garnish impressive critical acclaim for its wines from the likes of James Halliday. The single vineyard estate is now farmed using biodynamic principles under the supervision of viticulturist Michael Lane.
100 Points James Suckling
So plush with a mix of red and blue-fruit aromas on the nose, as well as blood-orange and almost violet-like floral notes. The palate is very plush and juicy with such a long, seamless and silky feel. Super intense and very, very plush with deep, deep rich fruit. Mouthwatering. Super long. Super rich.
97 Points Halliday Wine Companion
Sourced from a propitiously sited plot within the oldest realm of 1946 plantings, all on deep sands. Destemmed to whole berries and fermented wild for 21 days on skins. Matured 11 months in older, large-format French wood and eggs. This is the benchmark of the region on many levels, made in a denser fashion, perhaps, than its siblings. Yet this vintage feels more elegant. The fruit, crunchy and of the red spectrum. The acidity, salty. The tannins, lithe and slinky with the embellishment of oak an accent of intrigue, rather than a jarring dialect. Resinous. Powerful. Yet pixelated of detail as it strides to a long finish clad with thyme, orange verbena and a whiff of cedar.
96 Points The Real Review
Bright ruby colour. A composed nose of raspberries, rosehip, fennel and sweet spice leads into a velvety core. Its harmonious flow is a standout feature of the wine, alongside its elegant composition of flavours. The palate features vibrant red fruits—raspberries and redcurrant and some savoury tones of fresh earth and bitter chocolate. It glides across with fine yet pliant tannins. Its presence could almost be called ethereal.
