We had a very dry spring leading up to vintage 2016 and it was windy, too. We expect these kinds of conditions in Willunga, but this was pretty intense. October and December were both pretty warm, whereas November was mild. Very healthy crops were recorded across all varieties in McLaren Vale. We had a huge downpour at the end of January a few days before the whites were due to be picked; this kind of weather event tends to give Joch a sense of tightening around the left chest area, neck and sometimes down the arm. However this 50mm downpour succeeded in refreshing the vines, giving us a few more days before picking and bringing the lawns back from the brink. February was mild with cool nights and March provided pretty good picking conditions, give or take a few warm days.

Graciano comes originally from Spain and is grown mainly in the Rioja region, where it is usually blended with Tempranillo to make the Gran Reserva wines. Graciano is a tough little cookie as a variety – it loves hot dry conditions and it maintains its acidity well in these conditions, and has great aging ability. Our Graciano is made traditionally in open fermenters, spends no time in oak and was bottled pretty early.

• The Wine Front September 2017 Campbell Mattinson

  (McLaren Vale graciano, no oak, bottled fresh)

  Buoyant with fruit. Berries and spices, some herbs, plenty of acid tang, refreshing from start to finish. Lots of perfume and fruit upfront but it then turns into a more mouthwatering style. You could chill this and it would work a treat, though that’s certainly not it’s only use. A good style and a good drink.

  Rated : 88 Points
  Tasted : Sep17

• 2016
• 2015