Hentley Farm The Stray Mongrel Grenache Shiraz Zinfandel 2019 (Barossa Valley)

The addition of Zinfandel to the traditional blend of Grenache and Shiraz is unique to Hentley Farm...With each variety received, fermented and matured separately, the 'Stray Mongrel' displays the level of aromatics and flavour complexity you would expect from a blend of such diverse varietals. It is the perfect companion to a variety of culinary delights.

The Shiraz fruit is sourced from the ‘A’ block, on the Eastern side of Greenock Creek, with a Western aspect. The Grenache and Zinfandel vines are located on the Eastern facing slope of our vineyard. When founder Keith Hentschke purchased the property, this block was a quarry, and today the shallow soil profile overlaying the quarry limestone reduces the natural vigour of the vine, allowing vibrancy and intensity to shine in the fruit.

The majority of all three varieties underwent extended maceration, with an average of 80 days on skins. The wines were pressed out to a combination of old French (70%) and American (30%) oak barrels where they underwent natural malolactic fermentation before being racked off lees and returned to oak to mature for a total of 8 months. Winery Notes