Awards and Accolades 🏆

94 Points – Ray Jordan
This exciting single vineyard Tempranillo is praised for handling a warm Swan Valley year exceptionally well. He notes red berry and liquorice on the nose, soft and generous medium weight fruit on the palate and a juicy succulence that is typical of the variety. A vibrant, plush, fruit forward wine that is ideal for current drinking.

Tasting Notes 🍇

• Colour
  Deep ruby with a bright, youthful edge.
• Aromatics
  An aromatic and complex fruit profile featuring blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and black cherry. Hints of red berry, liquorice, spice and subtle French oak sit in the background, along with a gentle floral lift.
• Palate
  Medium bodied, round and velvety. Plush red and blue fruits roll across the palate with notes of raspberry, cherry, a touch of liquorice and soft spice. The whole bunch component adds gentle lift and a savoury thread, while the fine grained tannins give shape without harshness.
• Finish
  Soft, long and juicy with vibrant red fruit and a fine, chalky structure that keeps it balanced and moreish.

The Avant-Garde Story

The Avant-Garde range marks a shift in style and a new direction for Sittella’s single vineyard wines. Each wine is crafted to express a specific mesoclimate and to highlight varietal character alongside regional identity. For this Tempranillo, meticulous vineyard management, lower yields and careful picking decisions ensure ripeness without excessive sugar, producing a wine that is both generous and fresh.

Viticulture and Winemaking

• Region: Swan Valley, Western Australia

• Sub region: Estate block, single vineyard

• Variety: 100 percent Tempranillo, five clones

• Soil: Clay and loam

Vineyard Practices

• Planted 2003

• Spur pruned, shoot thinned and bunch thinned to achieve optimum ripeness while keeping sugars in check

• Handpicked and bunch sorted for quality control

Vinification

• Fruit destemmed as whole berries into open top fermenters

• Fermented on top of 25 percent whole bunches and 75 percent whole berries

• Wild fermentation for complexity and aromatic lift

• Twenty two days on skins for depth of flavour and fine tannin development

• Pressed to barrel with 100 percent seasoned French oak, zero new oak

• Style kept fruit driven with subtle oak support

Technical

• Alcohol: 14.0 percent

• pH: 3.72

• TA: 6.40 g per litre

• Residual sugar: 0 g per litre

• Winemakers: Yuri Berns and Mark Wallace

• Drink: Now to 2029

Serving and Cellaring ❄️

• Serve at 15 to 17 degrees

• Decant for 30 to 60 minutes to open up the aromatics and soften the structure

• Will drink beautifully young for its juicy red fruit, but has the balance to evolve over the next five years

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Jamon Serrano aged 18 months

• Wood fired pizza with chorizo or jamon and roasted capsicum

• Tapas plates with grilled mushrooms, meatballs and manchego

• Chargrilled lamb cutlets with smoked paprika rub

• Slow cooked pork shoulder with herbs and garlic

FAQ 🧐

Is this a heavy Tempranillo?
It sits in the medium bodied zone. Plenty of flavour and plush fruit, but with fresh acidity and fine tannins rather than heft.

Does the whole bunch make it stemmy?
No. At 25 percent whole bunch, it adds aromatic lift, a little spice and structure without any green or harsh characters.

How is Swan Valley Tempranillo different from Spanish styles?
The Swan Valley warmth gives generous fruit and plush texture, while careful picking and winemaking keep the wine fresh and balanced. Expect juicy red fruits and soft tannins rather than the more rustic, oakier styles sometimes seen in traditional regions.

A vibrant, plush and modern Swan Valley Tempranillo that shows off both the variety and Sittella’s Avant-Garde ambition in the best possible way. 🍷

Learn About Sittella Winery

Sittella Winery and vineyard are nestled in the heart of the Swan Valley, just a short 30-minute drive from Perth. The fertile soils and Mediterranean climate of the Swan Valley, characterised by hot dry summers and mild wet winters, provide ideal conditions for vine cultivation, resulting in a diverse range of rich, full-flavoured wines.

In the last two decades, the Margaret River Wine Region has gained global acclaim for producing some of Australia’s finest premium wines. Sittella sources fruit from Wildberry Springs and its own Margaret River Vineyard, as well as from the Frankland River region in the south.

Margaret River’s temperate maritime climate, featuring ample winter rainfall, moderate summer temperatures, and frost-free spring, offers optimal conditions for cultivating exceptional premium varietal wines. The vines thrive on undulating terrain, enriched by some of the region’s finest soils—red/brown, well-drained gravelly loams.

Catch up on the latest Ray Jordan Sittella Wine Reviews HERE

We can order in a Sittella Wine we don’t stock, email us at info@partnersinwine.com.au

The Swan Valley: A Rich Viticultural Heritage

The Swan Valley, located just northeast of Perth, is the oldest wine region in Western Australia and the second oldest in Australia. With a history that spans nearly two centuries, this region is celebrated for its diverse range of grape varietals that thrive in its unique climate and soil conditions.

Climate and Soil

The Swan Valley enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This climate is particularly conducive to grape growing, allowing for the development of complex flavours in the wines produced.

Soils

The region’s soils range from sandy loams to clay and ancient riverbank deposits rich in nutrients. This diversity contributes to the wide array of varietals that flourish here, enabling winemakers to craft wines with distinct characteristics.

Key Varietals of the Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

One of the standout varietals in the Swan Valley is Chenin Blanc. Cultivated since the 1830s, this grape adapts well to local conditions, producing a variety of styles from dry to sweet. The cooler nights help retain acidity, resulting in fresh wines with floral and stone fruit notes.

Shiraz

Shiraz is a prominent varietal that flourishes in the region’s warm climate. Swan Valley Shiraz is typically bold and full-bodied, showcasing rich dark fruit flavours, pepper, and chocolate. The warm growing season allows for full ripeness, resulting in expressive, approachable wines.

Grenache

Grenache plays a significant role in the Swan Valley, known for its fruit-driven wines with bright red fruit flavours and subtle spice. The grape’s adaptability allows for both varietal wines and blends, characterised by their juicy profiles and smooth tannins.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Though not as historically significant as Chenin Blanc or Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon has gained prominence in the Swan Valley. The warm days and cooler nights facilitate balanced wines with rich berry flavours, structured tannins, and good ageing potential.

Fortified Wines

The Swan Valley is also renowned for its exceptional fortified wines, particularly Apera (formerly known as Sherry) and Port. These wines benefit from the warm climate, resulting in intense flavours and richness. Traditional techniques combined with the unique terroir contribute to their distinctive profiles.

Commitment to Sustainability

Many wineries in the Swan Valley are embracing sustainable viticulture practices, including organic and biodynamic farming. This focus on sustainability enhances the terroir and contributes to the production of high-quality wines, benefiting both the environment and the region’s reputation in the global market.