Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has a rich, red-plum, red-berry and pastry nose with some stony elements on offer, too. Offers perfume and an almost chalky edge and the spice is starting to build here. The palate has exceptional tautness and a lively, crunchy texture. Red and dark-berry flavors abound. Long finish. So smoothly resolved and powerful. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Grenache High Sands is powerful and rich aromatically, with roasted meat and star anise, licorice, clove, dark chocolate and even roasted fennel seed. This is deep and dark. I like it so much and am attracted to its difference in the context of the more recent vintage releases. The oak formats employed in some of these older vintages include smaller format, as opposed to the newer, larger seasoned oak vessels employed now. Rating: 95+
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.