The wines of Yangarra   
Lovely wines from one of the world's largest biodynamic vineyards in McClaren Vale

I didn't have an appointment at Yangarra, but a spare slot gave me an opportunity to pop into the cellar door. It's quite good to do this occasionally, to see what sort of experience normal people get at wineries.

Fortunately, the experience was a good one. I got to taste through the range, although they'd run out of some of the high end bottles and the person serving didn't have the authority to open fresh ones.

Yangarra is owned by Jackson Family Wines (it was purchased in 2001), and is now run biodynamically. Peter Fraser (winemaking) and Michael Lane (viticulture) run things here, and are clearly doing a great job. With 100 hectares of vines in 35 different blocks, this is one of the largest biodynamic vineyards globally.

These days the emphasis is solidly on Southern Rhône and Mediterranean varieties that are well suited to the warm climate here, with Grenache the star turn. They've also planted some oddities, such as Terret noir, Vaccarèse, Counoise, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Picpoul blanc.

THE WINES

Yangarra Pet Nat 2016 McLaren Vale, Australia
Grenache, Cinsault and Graciano. Pale pink in colour with lovely bright, slightly sweet pear, spice and cherry fruit. Nicely textured with good detail. Pure and easy with a hint of complexity. Not disgorged and a bit cloudy, and all the better for it. 90/100

Yangarra Roussanne 2015 McLaren Vale, Australia
Lovely texture here: spicy and rich but with some freshness. Textural and spicy with nice acidity. Pear with spice and a bit of peach. A savoury, flavourful style. 91/100

Yangarra PF Shiraz 2015 McLaren Vale, Australia
This is unoaked and has not added sulphites. Sweetly fruited and aromatic with pure, fresh fruit. Vivid with nice focus. Juicy and berryish with sleek fruit. Pretty stylish. 92/100

Yangarra Grenache 2014 McLaren Vale, Australia
Old vines planted in 1946, dry grown, from sandier soils and higher elevation. Fresh, direct and peppery on the nose with a hint of tar. Lovely juicy freshness on the palate with fresh red berries and a bit of pepperiness. Shows brightness. 92/100

Yangarra GSM 2014 McLaren Vale, Australia
65% Grenache, 27% Shiraz, 8% Mourvedre. A lovely, direct, fruity wine with raspberries and cherries. Focused fruit here with nice direct berries. Has a hint of tar and some mineral notes. Nicely judged. 91/100 

Yangarra Mourvedre 2014 McLaren Vale, Australia
Aromatic, perfumed black cherry fruit with hints of roses, violets and tar. Lovely vibrant palate is fresh with black cherries and raspberries, and nice spicy definition. 93/100

Yangarra Shiraz 2014 McLaren Vale, Australia
Comes from all 12 plots of Shiraz on the property. Floral, open, sweet blackberry and blackcurrant nose. Sleek, ripe and yet fresh on the palate with nice juiciness. Spicy and peppery with nice balance and a hint of saltiness. 92/100

Yangarra Small Pot Whole Bunch Shiraz 2014 McLaren Vale, Australia
This is 25% whole bunch. Ripe, floral black fruits nose is fresh and bright with nice olive and salt characters. Sweet with slight earthy spiciness under the fruit. Taut and tannic with nice grip and depth, with some cedary notes. 91/100

Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2013 McLaren Vale, Australia
From ironstone soils. Brooding, finely spiced black fruits nose with some olive and pepper. The palate is sweet and vivid with concentrated blackberry and black cherry fruit and some savoury pepper, spicy, slightly earthy black fruits. Really lovely. 94/100

VISITING AUSTRALIA'S MCLAREN VALE

Brash Higgins
Dodgy Brothers
Kay Brothers
Yangarra
Bekkers
Noon
Fall From Grace

Wines tasted 07/17 
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com

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