Bekkers : McLaren Vale’s Newest Cellar Door Review

Rising like a phoenix out of the hills on Seaview Rd, McLaren Vale’s newest cellar door, Bekkers.

New arrival. Photo: Willunga Wino

The Bekkers – Toby & Emmanuelle – have been making wine under the Bekkers label for a few years, and the cellar door is the culmination of their dream (plus hard work, blood, sweat & tears!).

And what a stunner it is. 

Stunning architecture. Photo: Willunga Wino

Modern, clean architecture frames the district and Mount Lofty Ranges view. 

Inside cosy tasting space is created, while outside an inviting courtyard with a trickling fountain creates another space to relax and enjoy the wines. 

To me, it feels like a smaller version of the Primo Estate cellar door. 

Courtyard adjacent to tasting room. Photo: Willunga Wino

Emmanuelle welcomes us and explains the $10 tasting fee, then invites us to choose where we would like our tasting.

We opt for inside the new tasting room, with floor to ceiling glass windows, with its’ comfortable & almost Nordic furnishing.

Sleek but warm. Photo: Willunga Wino

From here we can see the house block of Syrah, and a grassy hill just made for children to roll down! 

Bekkers currently have three wines on tasting and available for sale. 

Grenache, Syrah Grenache, and a flagship Syrah.

Bekkers trio. Photo: Willunga Wino

The defining character of Bekkers wines is the silky mouthfeel, carefully crafted by Emmanuelle by infusing lots of oxygen at every stage of winemaking. Cold maceration and natural wild yeast ferment also contribute, as does hand sorting berries to ensure no overripe flavours make it into the elegant style.

Emanuelle sets up our tasting with comprehensive notes, a spittoon, and nibbles of parmesan and local almonds. 

Nibbles, fine wine and the winemaker’s time = WIN! Photo: Willunga Wino

Bekkers McLaren Vale Grenache 2013

Well Looky Here

Ruby hued with pink rim.

Sniff Sniff

Smells clean, restrained, French.
Soft red fruits, baking spice. 

Sip Sip

Earth and lovely sour cherry. 
Caramel hints.

Emmanuelle believes Grenache as a variety really speaks of the vintage. Thusly, this 2012 has more restrained aromatic spice than 2013 due to the weather conditions.

Bekkers McLaren Vale Grenache 2013. Photo: Willunga Wino

Bekkers McLaren Vale Syrah-Grenache 2013

Well Looky Here

Darker than the straight Grenache, with a crimson rim.

Sniff Sniff

Spicy, raspberry rather than strawberry from the Grenache, and plenty of black fruit from the Shiraz.

Emmanuelle tells us this is the characteristic of Blewitt Springs fruit.

Sip Sip

Silky mouthfeel – there is such balance with the tannin! The tannins are there but they are so nice, in perfect balance with the juicy acid finish.

I’ve never tried a wine with this mouthfeel before!

Syrah Grenache. Photo: Willunga Wino

Bekkers McLaren Vale Syrah 2012

Well Looky Here

Really vibrant purple depth of colour from the cold soak.

Sniff Sniff

Nice balance of fruit between blue/black and raspberry.

Emmanuelle tells us this is a characteristic of the Hickinbotham Clarendon fruit.

Hint of dried oregano, mint, also black olive and a bit of lifted florals.

Sip Sip

Bright strawberry fruit with a lovely coffee  and dark chocolate undertone.

Bekkers McLaren Vale Syrah. Photo: Willunga Wino

On display are samples of soil illustrating the difference between Clarendon and McLaren Vale, which is expressed through the finished wines.