Wine Front 94+ Points!
Mike Bennie 94+ points!"Really attractive perfume, heady in the classic sense, hazelnut oak reveals red cherry, dark chocolate with cinnamon and nutmeg spice. The palate shows the dark side of Grenache " brooding, rustic and power packed yet with a gently confected lightness that proves attractive and intriguing all at once. Kiss of cedar and slate, then softly it builds into the firm, fresh fruit tannins and then yaws gently with a herbal note, smooth stone texture and more of the sweet spice. Tempered structure, complex, yet yielding to drink, this has to sit in the upper echelon of Australian Grenache."
The Wine Front, July 2011
"Smooth and dangerously easy drinking, it finds just the right balance of fruit and savoury characters. Vibrant, juicy fruits without sliding into confectionary as can so often be the case with this varietal."
Wine House
"... I have found this variety to be most sensitive to season, soil and site. In no two vintage does it seem to have sameness. 2009 being a vintage of moderation has resulted in a Grenache that is pretty and exotic. It is definitely a wine that is easily bruised. Like a cattle dog it can be a mongrel that needs work but will respond ten fold with a little love from its handler. Have you ever smelled a sweet almond from the tree just before the cockies get them? Then think of wandering through a Turkish bazaar or open markets spilling over with spices. Maybe a potpourri of Australian natives? There are many other subtle notes of liquorice root, aniseed, dark chocolate, liquorice allsorts, raspberry, chocolate bullets, a little cheeky dab of Pedro Ximenez. The tastes are strongly linked to the aroma. A matrix of vibrant fresh berry fruits, zesty blood orange rind, sweet roasted capsicum and maybe black olive Tapenade. A sticky chocolate and fig pudding with a complementary bitterness of a Campari shot, tangy without tart. We have had quite a journey with Old Vine Grenache in our region for well over a hundred years and for me more recently over the last fifteen or so. It is most engaging to make every year and polarising to taste. Prepare to be dumbfounded, amazed and satisfied all in the same mouthful. Turn off the lights to taste."
Samuels Gorge Wines July 2011
Country:
Australia
Region:
SA- McLaren Vale
Variety:
Wine Red - Grenache
Size:
750mL
