Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Grenache is being treated with more and more respect around Australia, which means more bottlings are reaching the variety's potential. Gentle herbal notes intertwine with bunches of black cherries and a hint of vanilla in this medium- to full-bodied example. Hints of red peppercorn capture a unique combination of fruit and spice, while the finish is long and crisp. #74 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 of 2016
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Grenache Fifth Wave offers primary fruit notes of crushed cherries and raspberries with nuances of violets, cinnamon stick, anise and mandarin peel. Big, full-bodied and voluptuous fruited in the mouth, this wine satisfies all your Grenache cravings and then some with a complex, nicely balanced example in its throws of youth, finishing long a spicy. It is lovely to drink at this stage but will certainly reward cellaring. Rating: 93+
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Would you like an explosion in your mouth? No, it will not be painful, the 2013 Langmeil The Fifth Wave is one of most memorable Grenaches in the world. This wine simply sings on the palate with superior fruit intensity. Pair with a savory beef stew and enjoy. Deep ruby color; loads of ripe raspberries leap from deep within the wine's soul; full bodied on the palate, mouth coating and beautiful; long and lusty in the aftertaste. (Tasted: February 29, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
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.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.