2023 Spinifex Esprit, Barossa Valley

Spinifex Esprit has become one of the Barossa’s modern benchmarks for Rhône style blending, a wine that captures the region’s old vine heritage while steering well clear of excess. Pete Schell sources fruit from a mosaic of sites across the Barossa and Eden Valleys, many of them dry grown and planted decades ago, then brings them together with a light hand to create something layered, savoury and quietly complex.

The 2023 release is built around Grenache, supported by Shiraz and Mataro, with each variety adding a different dimension. Aromatics are immediately inviting, red cherry and raspberry from the Grenache, deeper plum and blackberry from the Shiraz, and a savoury edge from the Mataro. There is a lift of dried herbs, spice and a faint floral note, along with a gentle earthiness that gives the wine real character.

On the palate it sits in that sweet spot between medium and full bodied, with fine, supple tannins and a line of freshness that keeps everything balanced. The fruit is generous but never heavy, moving into a savoury, lightly spicy finish with a subtle mineral thread. It feels harmonious, each component working together without any one element dominating.

Winemaking is thoughtful and restrained, often incorporating whole bunch and older oak, allowing texture and complexity to build while keeping the fruit front and centre. The result is a wine that feels both traditional and contemporary, very much a reflection of the modern Barossa.

This is made for food. Lamb shoulder slow cooked with herbs, grilled sausages, or Mediterranean style dishes with olive oil and spices all work beautifully. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables and earthy flavours.

It is drinking beautifully now, but will continue to evolve over the next six to ten years, developing more savoury depth, spice and complexity as the structure softens.