The Duke Grenache
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2034
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, Moroccan vegetable tagine
✨ Technical Specifications
Kilikanoon's 'The Duke' Grenache is a refined tribute to the diverse microclimates of South Australia's Clare Valley. Sourced from select, low-yielding vineyards, this wine captures the vibrant, expressive essence of old-school Grenache. The name 'The Duke' pays homage to the noble, commanding character of the varietal when grown in the region's unique terra rossa and limestone soils. Crafted using traditional open-top fermenters and basket pressing, followed by maturation in seasoned French oak, it balances rich red berry flavors with subtle kitchen spices and earthy undertones, showcasing a sophisticated harmony between power and elegance.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1997 by winemaker Kevin Mitchell alongside his viticulturist father Mort Mitchell, Kilikanoon has evolved into one of the Clare Valley’s definitive benchmark estates. Headquartered at an 1860s stone farmhouse in Penwortham, the estate commands access to premier vineyard parcels spanning diverse subregions, including Watervale, Leasingham, and Auburn. Altitudes range from 220 to over 600 meters above sea level, engendering dramatic diurnal shifts that preserve vital acidity and balance the Mediterranean sun. Kilikanoon champions sustainable farming across varied terroirs characterized by red terra rossa over limestone and slate-rich soils, most famously showcased in the ungrafted, dry-grown 1865 Attunga parcel. In the cellar, the winemaking philosophy pairs traditional fermentation techniques with precise maturation in French oak and unadorned vinification for aromatic whites. Revered for power paired with structural elegance, the estate's benchmark bottlings include the storied Attunga 1865 Shiraz, Oracle Shiraz, and the piercing, mineral-driven Mort's Reserve Watervale Riesling.
🍇 Grapes
Grenache
🍷 ABV
14.0% - 14.5%