Atlas 'The Spaniard' Red 2022
, Mataro , Grenache The vision for Atlas was pretty simple: to produce great wine from the highest-quality fruit available, not just from the Atlas estate vineyard but from vineyards with exceptional provenance in the surrounding regions. In searching out these vineyards, Adam has come to know intimately the complexity and diversity of the Clare Valley, and how the unique characteristics of different sites – geology, soil, groundwater, climate and weather, aspect, slope and more – produce fruit with unique qualities. It’s these qualities that he has sought to express through the wines he has made.
Fruit for this blend came from three select sites: the Tempranillo and Grenache from dry-grown, low-yielding vines grown in terra rossa soil in the Clare Valley; and the Mataro from old vines grown in sandy loams further north, a warmer site, well suited to this late ripening variety. These vineyards produced concentrated, bright fruited expressions of each variety, reflective of their Spanish origins.
The nose is bright and lifted with aromas of ripe satsuma plum, cherry and sweet spice, and hints of nutmeg, cardamom and earthiness.
The palate is fleshy and ripe with a core of red fruits and spice supported soft structural tannin and well rounded acidity. The oak influence is minimal, creating a fresh and satisfying drink.
