Winemaker Notes
On the palate, the wine the fruit is very sweet, with almost a confectionery character. The spicy overtones really come to the fore as the sweetness of the fruit seems to highlight the secondary flavors. Texturally, the wine is quite dense and has great richness and body. The finish sees a medium acid level supported by plenty of firm tannins.
This wine is drinking superbly as a young and fresh wine. It is built with ample structure, however, and will age well in the short to medium term. It will be wonderfully balanced at 4-6 years, and will still develop in the bottle for several years after that, however if you don't drink the wine in the next 3-4 years you will miss all the fresh fruit that makes the wine so attractive right now.
With the combination of fruit sweetness, spicy and herbal overtones this wine is quite versatile in matching with food. A variety of different meats can be used in conjunction with the wine. Specifically those with gamy flavors such as Venison or Hare would be superb. The type of dish should include plenty of spice and herbs. The fragrance of the dish will be matched by the fragrance of the wine.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.