The Impressive Patritti of McLaren Vale

By Halliday Wine Companion for Patritti

3 Jul, 2019

McLaren Vale's Patritti continue to impress with their collection of old vine wines; their grenache and shiraz being of particular note.

Although the long-time McLaren Vale producers craft a range of wines across different varieties and styles, they’ve earned a “well-justified reputation for high quality McLaren Vale grenache and shiraz”, according to James Halliday.

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Alike to many leading wineries, Patritti are family-owned, and as well as crafting wines that flavour the intricacies of the region, they taste also of love and devotion.

Founded by Giovanni Patritti in 1926, winemaking tradition is at the heart of this winery. Their cherished vines, that grow some of South Australia's finest grapes, were first planted in the 1960s, and now produce ‘old vine’ wines, that year upon year, receive 95 points and above by James Halliday.

Although most wines crafted by this award-winning winery are of first-class quality, their shiraz and grenache examples are synonymous with Australia’s best. Currently, they host 10 hectares of shiraz, and 6 hectares of grenache, which have both earned reputations for being world-class wines.

When talking shiraz, their vineyard in the sub-region of Blewitt Springs is much to thank for the complexities that present. Being a secluded area with thriving lands, three single-vineyard shiraz wines are produced here: JPB Limited Release Shiraz, Lot Three Single Vineyard Shiraz, and Merchant Shiraz.

Their grenache is raised in their Tatachilla vineyard, where flavourful grapes have flourished for 93 years. The Section 181 Single Vineyard Grenache, and Merchant GSM, are excellent examples of Patritti's unique approach to this variety.

For decades Patritti have produced excelling wines steeped in history and tradition, and continue to stand tall as prime producers of the McLaren Vale region.