Old Plains
4 1/2 Stars - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2011-2012
Adelaide Plains, South Australia
oldplains.com
The Old Plains Old Vine series is the realisation of Domenic Torzi and Tim Freeland’s shared passion and belief in unearthing the Adelaide Plains’ last remnant plantings dating back to the 1950s. These vineyards are unique and have survived urban expansion and the pursuit of other agricultural profits. The remaining small vineyards are true masterpieces of wine grape flavour, weathered, gnarly and magnificent in their defiance of commercial expansion. Grapes for each wine are hand picked, open fermented, basket pressed and oak matured for 24 months before unfiltered bottling.
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Old Plains Winery
4 1/2 Star Winery
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2011-2012
Old Plains ‘Terreno’ Old Vine Grenache
Grenache has been part of the terrain in the Adelaide Plains since the 1940s. An icon to the region, a true family wine. Matured for 24 months in French oak barriques.
92/100 points “(…) Excellent intensity. (…) Rather delicious.” (2008 vintage)
“Terreno Grenache is from an Adelaide Plains vineyard planted in the 1950s. It was hand picked, open fermented and basket pressed. It saw 24 months in French oak, and was bottled unfiltered. It’s the kind of winemaking and vineyard-sourcing that Max Schubert would have been proud of. It’s a rare and individual offering; there aren’t many vines left in the Adelaide Plains. No indication of price was provided. Excellent intensity. Texture too – grainy and smooth at once. Notes of blackberry nip, tar, fresh raspberry and lots of spicy, earthy character. Both oomph and nuance. The alcohol is right up there, but the wine remains balanced. Violetty-aftertaste. Rather delicious.”
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, Dec 2010
‘Wine of the Week’ and 94/100 points (2008 vintage)
“This wine was made by Domenic Torzi (of Torzi Matthews) and Tim Freeland from grapes sourced from old-vine plantings on the Adelaide Plains; a somewhat neglected vignoble these days (just as grenache is a neglected grape). It is a stunner of a grenache: very ripe black-fruit and aniseed aromas with a slightly meaty overtone, then a concentrated palate with focus, power and balance. Superb flavour and at 15 per cent alcohol it’s harmonious. Very long-finishing and concentrated. Drink now to 15-plus years. (…)”
Huon Hooke, Sydney Morning Herald, Good Living, 7 Sept 2010
Old Plains ‘Alluvium’ Old Vine Cabernet Shiraz
For centuries the meandering Gawler River has flooded the Adelaide Plains. Vineyards sited in these alluvial deposits set the scene for our take on this classic Australian blend. Matured for 24 months in French and American oak.
94/100 points (2008 vintage)
“(…) It’s full-bodied, ripe and luscious but not over-powering or heavy – layers of fruit loll on a thick mattress of velveteen tannins. Flavours of blood plums and savoury oak crop up on the finish. Somewhat obvious, although pretty and highly appealing. No question marks over quality and integrity either.”
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, August 2011
Old Plains ‘Power of One’ Old Vine Shiraz
Share our passion for this greatest of Australian varieties. A tribute to the last remaining gnarly vines of the Plains. Matured for 24 months in French oak barriques.
90+/100 points (2008 vintage)
“(…) Mint, toasty vanilla oak and blackberry nip. Full bodied with concentrated dark fruit and more saucy spicy flavours. The acid looked a bit twangy and unsettled on the first night, but on a repeat visit looked altogether smoother and more settled, as did the strong, slightly desiccated tannins. Plenty of pounds per square inch on offer here – and character.”
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, Oct 2010
