Winemaker Notes
This wine possesses a beautifully complex, aromatic nose of violets, wild cherry, rosemary and warming spice. The palate is energetic yet polished and smooth with vibrant cherry, spice, wild strawberry and licorice on the palate. Medium bodied but multi-layered and textural with a very long, aromatic finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A powerful and detailed grenache that offers up Campari-like red fruit and herbs with raspberries and iron. The palate is polished, in that there’s plenty of ripe, deep-set tannin here, carrying red-fruit flavors long.
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Australian Wine Companion
Borne by elevated sand, flecked with Blewitt Springs ironstone. A wine that sits below the single-vineyard hierarchy albeit can, at times, equal if not better them. Raspberry liqueur, anise, white pepper, lilac and orange zest. Gorgeous aromatics framed by herb-doused tannins. Pinosity and grip. Flare and excitement. Length of finish eased across a throttle of dangerous drinkability.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 The Vagabond Old Vine Grenache is, if anything, even more tertiary than the 2019 I tasted prior to this. This has far more density and savory earthy notes than the now apparently febrile and fine 2019. There was a rarity in the former that is not here in the latter, but the personality of this wine is distinct, with black pepper, bone broth, star anise, red apples, forest floor and fresh mulch. The tannins here are far more pronounced, and the experience of the wine hinges on the textural experience. The yields in this year were tiny. 14.5% alcohol.
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Wine Enthusiast
From the comparatively cool climes of the Blewitt Springs sub region, this is a perfumed wine with ripe, high-toned blue and red fruits underpinned by orange, milk chocolate and a gentle line of dried spice and florals. It’s nicely crunchy in the mouth, a welcome buoy to the plush red berry and orange peel. Sandy, savory spiced tannins are subtle yet structured. There’s a touch of alcohol heat. Loudly and proudly Aussie Grenache.
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Wine Spectator
From the comparatively cool climes of the Blewitt Springs subregion, this is a perfumed wine with ripe, high-toned blue and red fruits underpinned by orange, milk chocolate and a gentle line of dried spice and florals. It’s nicely crunchy in the mouth, a welcome buoy to the plush red berry and orange peel. Sandy, savory spiced tannins are subtle yet structured. There’s a touch of alcohol heat. Loudly and proudly Aussie Grenache.
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.