Winemaker Notes
The palate is rich and soft dominated by very pure, deep, exotic, spiced, red fruit and Turkish delight notes. This is followed by savoury edges of herbs, bitter chocolate and earthy/tarry leather flavours that are long, juicy and balanced with fine lacy acidity and ripe slippery tannins.
The richness of fruit, overall softness and very long finish is impressive and, for those who haven't really understood the complexities of Grenache, this wine could be quite captivating. Those Grenache converts will find this a real pleasure. Possibly the best we have crafted to date, we expect this will be a fascinating wine to taste and drink over the next 10 to 15 years ahead.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The deep crimson-colored 2006 The Derelict Vineyard Grenache is redolent of garrigue, lavender, and black cherry aromas. Dense, layered, and sweetly fruited, it will deliver pleasure over the next six years.
-
Wine & Spirits
This has the chocolate-dipped strawberry flavors of ripe grenache, with brightness to the fruit that gives a dynamic feel to the structure. It will make a clean, fresh contrast to braised lamb.
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.