Winemaker Notes
"This wine continues the evolution of the Old Vines style but with a little more finesse on one hand, and a little more boldness and authority on the other. The slightly bitter wild black cherry and the more polite pickled Morello are even more to the fore. Check those fine, drawn-out, tapering tannins with their savoury hits of bay leaf and juniper. All these aspects combined in such forensic proportion make it a wine that will grow, smooth and bloom if you can possibly put some away for five or ten years." - Peter Fraser, Winemaker
Blend: 100% Grenache
Vegan
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A stunning old-vine rendering of grenache from a sandy outcrop of McLaren Vale, this has a very powerful yet composed feel to it. The nose has an almost brooding and cryptic air about it. It floats around in a spice-infused cloud of cloves, pepper and cinnamon; it's gently tarry, offering up red plums and dark-berry aromas that are concentrated and build momentum with air. Sturdy, clean-cut tannins deliver staggering fruit concentration with a wealth of ripe dark-cherry and plum flavors. Terrific length. This has much on offer now and much to come in time. Outstanding value.
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Tasting Panel
Velvety and succulent with minerality, depth, and spice; pure and tangy with racy energy from an Aussie producer specializing in Mediterranean varieties.
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.