The custodian Grenache 2021
 McLaren Vale, Grenache (100%)
 The Name 
During the vine pull scheme in the 80s, 
d’Arry Osborn refused to remove his old 
Grenache vineyards. Today, d’Arenberg is 
the keeper of nearly one-third of McLaren 
Vale’s old bush vine Grenache, earning the 
title of ‘Custodian’ of the variety. 
The Vintage 
The preceding winter was beautifully wet, 
flushing the soil of salts and filling the soil 
profile. Spring was also wetter than average, 
with rainfall continuing until November, 
which was almost completely dry. November 
was hotter than normal, upsetting the 
setting of berries—just as well, as the bunch 
number was way up. 
Two inches of rain in early February were 
much appreciated by the relatively large 
crops. Where crops were smaller, berry size 
grew. The heat produced rapid flowering, 
set, and berry development, leading to an 
early veraison and the equal earliest start of 
vintage on record. A few consecutive days 
around 35°C in February rapidly ripened 
early, lower-cropping vineyards. From then 
on, the vintage was mild and dry. Average 
temperatures for autumn were lower than 
usual. Some warm 30°C days in late March 
and early April helped finish ripening the 
larger crops and late-ripening varieties. 
Harvest dates
 Residual sugar
 16 Feb - 13 Apr
 1.6 g/l
 The Winemaking 
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed 
and transferred to open fermenters. Foot 
treading is undertaken two-thirds of the way 
through fermentation. The wine is basket
pressed and transferred to old French oak 
to complete fermentation and mature. The 
barrel ferments are aged on lees, and there 
is no racking until final blending. This wine 
does not undergo fining or filtration prior to 
bottling. 
The Characteristics 
Bright ruby red. 
Lifted aromas of red cherries, cranberries, 
and red plums, with a hint of bouquet garni. 
Generous red fruits with a slight savoriness 
on the palate, rounded out with complex 
graphite tannins. 
An elegant and complex example with loads 
of flavor and interest