Hentley Farm The Stray Mongrel 2015
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Robert
Parker
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Traditional aromatics of Strawberries and Raspberries are joined by alluringaromatics of Rose petal, Turkish delight and an underlying stone fruit lift. Softeven tannin manages to fill every crevice of the palate, providing the frameworkfor a flavor profile of luscious red fruits and a savory finish.
Blend: 57% Grenache, 39% Shiraz, 4% Zinfandel.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium garnet-purple colored, the 2015 The Stray Mongrel Grenache Shiraz Zinfandel has expressive spice box and incense notes over kirsch, dried mulberries and Sichuan pepper aromas. Medium to full-bodied, it has mouth-filling baking spices and red and black berry preserves flavors supported by rounded tannins, finishing with lingering pepper hints.
Set on the red-brown soils of the western Barossa Valley, Hentley Farm founders Keith and Alison Hentschke acquired the 150-acre vineyard and mixed farming property in the 1990s. Following extensive research to find out where the best red wine grapes in the Barossa Valley were being produced, their studies led them towards the rich red soils of the Seppeltsfield area. Keith used an old soil map from the 1950s to strategically locate the best parcels of land and after a number of years acquired Hentley Farm.
With a focus on perfecting the vineyards, the first wines weren’t released from the property until 2002. The estate was extended with the purchase of the neighboring high-quality, Clos Otto block in 2004.
The vineyards contain the following varietals: Shiraz (70%), Grenache (17%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Zinfandel (2%), and a small parcel of Viognier (1%). Blocks were carefully selected for orientation and aspect with different clonal material used according to suitability.
The depth and complexity of our wines arises from the great variety of terroirs at Hentley Farm, created by the diversity within the 150-acre estate’s east and west facing slopes and altitude variances. Subsoils of tightly structured friable clay offer huge water holding potential, offering respite for the vines in times of low rainfall.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.