Larnook Blewitt Springs Grenache 2023

"Larnook is an address on the rapid ascent."  Marcus Ellis

Larnook is a small label to watch. Quality is high across the board. Winemaker Alexia (Lexi) Roberts had been crafting award-winning wines for almost two decades in the McLaren Vale region for brands such as Penny's Hill, Black Chook and Wirra Wirra when she and her family found a property on top of a hill in the sandy soils of Blewitt Springs. The picturesque property contained a small vineyard at an elevation of 140m planted with two of McLaren Vale’s regional hero varieties, Grenache and Shiraz. The old bush-vine Grenache was planted in 1922, making the vines over 100 years old. They knew they'd found their new home. The family launched their Larnook label in 2022.

"Centurion estate vines on deep sandy soil; matured in old French puncheons for eight months. Elegant and fragrant, and savoury with it, flush with amarena cherry, fresh redcurrant, strawberry, cranberry, rhubarb, cinnamon, musk, rosewater and sumac. This is expressly pretty and lithe, eschewing heft for vigour – with a finely structured line of nebbiolo-esque tannin – and that feels a function of site, vintage and vine material as much as purposeful stewardship. It's no blockbuster – if that's even relevant these days – but it surely is a lovely, lovely thing. This is an address on the rapid ascent."  Marcus Ellis

Old vine Grenache looking east towards the Mt Lofty ranges.

"100 year old bush vine Grenache grown on our property in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. An elegant and fine expression of Blewitt Springs Grenache with floral notes, red fruits and underlying five spice, anise and cardamon. The palate has great purity and power, a fine and balanced expression of this wonderful McLaren Vale sub-region."  Larnook

Expert reviews

"Centurion estate vines on deep sandy soil; matured in old French puncheons for eight months. Elegant and fragrant, and savoury with it, flush with amarena cherry, fresh redcurrant, strawberry, cranberry, rhubarb, cinnamon, musk, rosewater and sumac. This is expressly pretty and lithe, eschewing heft for vigour – with a finely structured line of nebbiolo-esque tannin – and that feels a function of site, vintage and vine material as much as purposeful stewardship. It’s no blockbuster – if that’s even relevant these days – but it surely is a lovely, lovely thing. This is an address on the rapid ascent. Drink: 2024-2030."  Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion - 95 points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

"This has all the hallmarks of modern-day Grenache in the high quality spectrum from this area. It’s expressive, and light-footed, though at no expense to power and detail.  100 year old bush vines rooted in the coveted sandy soils of Blewitt Springs at the Larnook vineyard. 25% whole bunch and matured in old French puncheons for eight months. Lifted white pepper sits above red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb and sweet pops of plum before an emergent savoury drive of warm sand and tilled earth builds beneath. Air unlocks further earthen notes along with rhubarb and a subtle saline twang adding allure. There’s an interesting interplay of red fruit compote, earth and spice that packs this with interest and intrigue. The palate is svelte, fine and restrained while still brilliantly intense with unmistakable old vine depth. Raspberry, plum, warm sand, and white pepper sit within fine, powdery tannins and red fruited acidity. The finish is long and wonderfully poised. There’s fine detail here, and excellent complexity. A classy release of excellent depth and character."  Tom Kline, Wine Pilot - 95 points  

Awards

Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion  ★ 

Alexia Roberts

Winemaker Alexia (Lexi) Roberts has been crafting award-winning wines for over two decades in the McLaren Vale region for brands such as Penny's Hill, Black Chook and Wirra Wirra. Her extensive experience and innovative approach to winemaking have solidified her reputation for crafting exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of McLaren Vale.

Lexi is currently the Chief Winemaker at Penny’s Hill and winemaker of her own wine brand, Larnook. In addition, she was recently appointed CEO of the Randall Wine Group, the largest private premium vineyard holder in Australia, owning over 9,000 acres in eight South Australian wine regions. How she manages to juggle these multiple roles, as well as being the mother of two children, is anyone's guess.

Recently, at the 20242 McLaren Vale Wine Show, she was crowned Bushing Queen - awarded to the winemaker of the Best Wine of Show, in this case the 2023 Penny’s Hill Single Vineyard Grenache. At the same show, Larnook Wines won two trophies, Best New and Emerging White Wine for the 2024 Grenache Gris and Best Small Producer.

Larnook, established in 2022, focuses on small-batch, hand-crafted wines from the family's Blewitt Springs home block, together with a collection of small batch wines made from fruit sourced from quality growers in the McLaren Vale region. Larnook quickly garnered attention by winning the Chairperson's Trophy at the 2022 McLaren Vale Wine Show for their inaugural Grenache Gris, highlighting Lexi's ability to be innovative while staying deeply connected to the region's hero varieties

With recognition from both the McLaren Vale Wine Show and competitions like the James Halliday Grenache Challenge, Alexia Roberts continues to shape the future of McLaren Vale wine through her creative vision and dedication to excellence.

The following interview with Alexia Roberts is reproduced from Meet your Maker at https://mclarenvalewine.au.

We sat down with Alexia to learn more about her journey, her vision for McLaren Vale wine, and how she juggles multiple roles with effortless finesse. Here’s what she had to say ....

During your McLaren Vale Bushing Monarch acceptance speech, many of the audience members were on the brink of tears as they listened to you describe life as a working mum. With a high-profile day job, your own wine brand, a vineyard, AND two children - tell us, how do you do it!?

Life is a juggle, and I’m so grateful to be surrounded and supported by many wonderful people. My husband and children are resilient and understanding. They know how hard I work, and it’s been rewarding to show them the success of our family wine brand, Larnook, only two years after launching. I have a strong work ethic, and I hope I can teach our children to follow their dreams – as long as they know they need to roll up their sleeves and make it happen.

What are your thoughts on the recent recognition that the Penny's Hill 2023 Single Vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache has received at both the 2024 McLaren Vale Wine Show and the 2024 James Halliday Grenache Challenge?

It’s an outstanding achievement for the Penny’s Hill team and showcases our incredible Blewitt Springs vineyard site, meticulous winemaking approach, and our passion to produce world-class wines. We consider ourselves lucky to have access to some of the region’s most iconic vineyards and are proud to see McLaren Vale leading the way with Grenache.

How did you get started in the wine business?

As a high school student, I was fascinated with science and a love for being outdoors and connected with nature. At the age of 16, I organised some work experience at the Penfolds winery and was lucky enough to shadow a different winemaker each day. The team were passionate and enthusiastic and encouraged me to pursue a career in winemaking. I studied Oenology at the University of Adelaide and worked in wine retail before landing my first winemaking job in McLaren Vale in 2004.

What do you love about making wine in McLaren Vale?

McLaren Vale is such a consistent climate to grow premium grape varieties. We have lots to love here; diversity in terroir, emerging varieties, the maritime influence, old vines, innovation and sustainability. My greatest joy is watching McLaren Vale wines excel on the global stage – we should all be proud of the quality and styles of wine being made from McLaren Vale.

What is your favourite grape variety to work with and why?

It changes each year, but at the moment, I’m enjoying working with Grenache Gris. It’s been a rewarding journey and we are now regarded as the region's trailblazer for this variety. I’m continually learning and evolving as a winemaker and this variety has encouraged me to push boundaries and lean into my knowledge and winemaking experience. 

What's your favourite food and wine pairing?

Right now, it’s oysters and Picpoul. A perfect match for our Mediterranean lifestyle.

About the winery

Winemaker Alexia (Lexi) Roberts had been crafting award-winning wines for almost two decades in the McLaren Vale region for brands such as Penny's Hill, Black Chook and Wirra Wirra when she and her family found a property on top of a hill in the sandy soils of Blewitt Springs. The picturesque property contained a small vineyard at an elevation of 140m planted with two of McLaren Vale’s regional hero varieties, Grenache and Shiraz. The old bush-vine Grenache was planted in 1922, making the vines over 100 years old, while the Shiraz was planted in 1999. They knew they'd found their new home.

The family established Larnook Wines in 2022. Larnook is an aboriginal name meaning 'to build a camp or nest'. The aim and philosophy were simple – to hand craft premium wines that express the iconic McLaren Vale wine region. Larnook produces single vineyard wines from their Blewitt Springs home block, together with a collection of small batch wines made from fruit sourced from quality growers in the McLaren Vale region.

Larnook is a small label to watch. Quality is high across the board and Lexi hit the ground running by taking out the Chairperson's Trophy at the 2022 McLaren Vale Wine Show for her inaugural Grenache Gris - the first wine in Australia made from this variety to be awarded a major Trophy. Two years later, at the 20242 McLaren Vale Wine Show, she was crowned Bushing Queen - awarded to the winemaker of the Best Wine of Show, in this case the 2023 Penny’s Hill Single Vineyard Grenache. At the same show, Larnook Wines won two trophies, Best New and Emerging White Wine for the 2024 Grenache Gris and Best Small Producer.

Lexia is an advocate of planting alternative white grape varietals in McLaren Vale. In addition to a Grenache Gris she also produces a Picpoul, both of which are grown primarily in the south of France. "I think it's about connecting to the Mediterranean climate and producing wines that work really well with our lifestyle," she says. "We're a coastal wine region, with lots of seafood; we’re big on local, seasonal produce, and I want to make wines that have great drinkability, that work well with those food pairings. I'm looking to make whites that have interest, that have flavour and structure."