Product Profile
Cigale Mourvèdre Shiraz Grenache 2009
Full Bodied, Dry, Red, (Mourvèdre, Grenache and Shiraz), Drink now over the next 2-3 years, 14% alc.
Tasting Notes
The blend is comprised of 43% Mourvèdre, 31% Grenache and 26% Shiraz. The fruit was sourced from six different Barossa Valley vineyards. The Mourvèdre component of the blend was sourced from two valley floor vineyards, one 90 year old bush vine vineyard in the Koonunga Hill sub-region of the Barossa Valley, the other a younger vineyard in the extreme south of the valley. The average yield was between 1 tonne and 2.5 tonnes per acre. The three old vine Grenache vineyards (30, 50 and 90 years old) are situated in the North and East of the valley. The majority of the Shiraz was sourced from a Koonunga Hill vineyard (at the northern end of the Barossa Valley) and a younger vineyard on the western extremity of the valley. Each varietal component contributes different flavours and textures which together work well: Mourvèdre gives the wine earthiness and complexity; Grenache perfume and aromatic spiciness; Shiraz structure and weight.. The final blend is aged 14 months in seasoned French oak and the resulting wine offers a beautiful deep garnet/ruby red colour and a bouquet of lifted fruit aromatics: dark cherry, ripe and sour plums. On the palate it is full-bodied with flavours that mirror the aromas; cherry, sour plum, mulberry and currants. Fine, lightly drying grape tannins give the wine freshness on the finish. It is excellent drinking now but will cellar 2-3 years. Rhone-inspired and superb value.
"2009 Cigale Mourvèdre Shiraz Grenache (Barossa Valley, SA), RRP $22 Cigale is Peter Schell’s second-tier range and follows in the footsteps of his Spinifex Papillon (RRP $28) with similarly fresh, bright flavours and concentrated yet light-footed structure. The flavours are of redcurrants and blackcurrants, with a touch of blackberry and fresh aniseed. The tannins are mild-mannered, making it a perfect partner to spicy chorizo sausages." Peter Bourne, The Sydney Magazine, April 2011.
(2007 vintage) "Brilliantly clear red hue; an elegant and supple wine with highly expressive spicy red fruit flavours lengthened by excellent acidity. 63/21/16% blend. Screwcap." 94 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion
Producer
Spinifex/Cigale
Peter Schell and Magali Gely have had a home in the Barossa Valley for over ten years and hold a strong commitment to and passion for the Barossa. They also have a strong French connection, both physically and philosophically. Magali's family, who up until recently were vignerons with a long lineage in Lunel, near Montpellier, still live in south west France, and over the last ten years Peter has worked six French vintages, in Provence, the Languedoc, Bordeaux and Burgundy. Time spent in the south of France has fuelled their interest in making unique, hand crafted wines with personality, which are generous and honest expressions of the varieties and their provenance. Grapes are sourced from a group of dedicated growers in both the Barossa and Eden Valleys, taking advantage of the great diversity of the soils and meso-climates of the Barossa to create wines with balance, character, depth of flavour and Barossan generosity.