Langmeil The Fifth Wave Grenache 2018  £32.67

Langmeil The Fifth Wave Grenache​

The Fifth Wave is Langmeil’s most treasured Old Vine Garden Grenache and is dedicated to the fifth generation of the Lindner family. Planted in the middle of the last century, The Fifth Wave is our ‘call to arms’ to protect, preserve and celebrate the best of the Barossa. Once a neglected Old Vine Garden in Lyndoch, The Fifth Wave vineyard was rejuvenated by Langmeil and in 1999 winemaker Paul Lindner saw the potential of the Grenache from this unique vineyard and with tenacity convinced the owners to produce a straight varietal, in all likelihood the first time Grenache from this time honoured Old Vine Garden had been truly prized. All Langmeil’s Old Vine Gardens are treated as national treasures and are all hand tended, from pruning to harvesting. We then employ traditional hands-on winemaking; gentle de-stemming, open fermentation and basket pressing into 100% seasoned French oak barrels, without fining or filtration, to capture the true essence of the variety and region.

The Lindner family of Langmeil Winery has been immersed in the Barossa’s culture of farming, food, wine and community for six generations. Their commitment to quality in all aspects is unwavering and any wine that bears the Langmeil name represents the family’s pursuit of excellence in wine and community.

In 2017tThe Barossa experienced a wetter and cooler (2°C) than average winter and spring with good soil moisture levels. Vines grew slowly but healthily, mostly flowering well and setting a good number of bunches. Temperatures were below average in December and January with few heat spikes and rains of 40mm spread evenly over four events kept the vines healthy with unhurried veraison. The 30-40mm summer rain of 4-6 February were followed by windy conditions and four consecutive 37°C days, helping to dry out canopies and preventing berry split. Additionally, soil moisture levels were topped-up, maintaining the canopies during a cooler than average summer. The rest of February remained dry, and a warm March (average maximum temperature 28°C) saw the beginning of an Indian Summer which lasted until the third week of April with above average temperatures (2.5°C). Perfect grape ripening weather with balanced sugars, colours and natural acidity. These conditions resulted in a later harvest, some three to four weeks, than recent years, which was a return to ‘normal’. The delayed harvest allowed grapes to ripen more slowly and evenly with a gradual accumulation of sugars and flavours, which is what we look for when making high-quality Barossa wines. The yields were around 20-30% higher than the five-year average. Eden Valley Riesling is predicted to be a stand-out this year and another great year for Barossa Valley Shiraz which promises to deliver an array of styles from bright and aromatic wines from the earlier-picked vineyards through to concentrated, intense and well-structured wines. 

Light to medium depth crimson with purple hues.  Dark cherry, raspberry and brambly spice mingle with hints of cedarwood and savoury tones add to the complexity. Juicy red berries and dark cherries flow through the palate, melting into lovely and sweet briary spices. The finish lingers on a fruity and spicy note with typical chalky yet fine-grained tannins.

Try with slow cooked lamb shanks; crispy skin salmon; roast pork or duck; dark chocolate.

James Halliday 87 Points

From 35-69yo vines, matured for 18 months in 11% new French and 89% used American oak. A thoroughly old-fashioned approach to grenache.​

James Halliday