Grenache
McLaren Vale
TASTING NOTE
A vibrant, ruby-red, this 2024 McLaren Vale Grenache shines with youthful brightness. Aromas burst from the glass: fresh raspberry, red cherry and pomegranate layered with lifted rose petal, subtle white pepper and a hint of dusty earth.
The palate is juicy and finely textured, delivering pure red-fruited energy with silky tannins and a gentle glide. Bright acidity keeps everything lively, while notes of cranberry and soft spice add complexity. Elegant, supple and beautifully balanced, it captures the region’s hallmark brightness and modern, fruit-driven style.
RRP $28
9-day wild ferment with regular pump over. 30% whole bunch inclusion. 10 months in seasoned French oak puncheons. Bottled without fining or filtration in July 2023. Vegan friendly.
Perfect with chargrilled lamb cutlets, rosemary-rubbed chicken, or wood-fired pizza with prosciutto. Also excellent alongside roasted vegetables, Middle Eastern mezze, or soft, creamy cheeses that complement its bright red-fruited freshness.
93 points – Ray Jordan (Winepilot)
“Captures everything that’s good about modern-day Australian grenache. It comes off 75-year-old McLaren Vale dry-grown bush vines, so its pedigree is faultless. Then about 30% undergoes whole-bunch wild fermentation before further ageing in oak for about 15 months. It’s medium-weight and bright, with lovely cherry and raspberry notes on the nose, a lift of rose petal and a subtle earthy character. The palate is finely balanced, seamlessly structured and simply delicious drinking.”
93 points – Sam Kim (Wine Orbit)
“Sweetly ripe and fragrant, the wine shows dark plum, raspberry, rich floral, star anise, and toasted almond notes on the nose. The palate is silky-smooth and beautifully rounded, displaying supple texture and fine tannins, making it soothing and velvety with a delectable finish.”
93 points – Ken Gargett (Winepilot)
“McLaren Vale Grenache from the Romano Vineyard, which sits on sandy loam soil with vines which are seventy-five years of age. Fermentation is with wild yeasts, before the wine spends fifteen months in older French oak puncheons. The team include 30% whole bunches in the ferment. Vibrant purple/maroon in colour, the nose is largely red fruits with strawberries and cherries, hints of dry herbs, aniseed and a touch of pepper. A sleek and supple texture leads through to fine powdery tannins. There is good length here and this is a fine example of McLaren Vale Grenache, which should provide pleasure for the next decade.”
91 points – Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)
“The fruit for this wine comes from 75 year old vines, which are bush vines, from a single site. The wine sees a wild ferment and has about 30% whole bunches. Old oak is the go. There’s a crispness here, a shale-like mineral quality, tart red fruits, cranberry drink, rose water, some plusher, strawberry fruit notes, a little nougat and almond paste too. While generous it feels lively, a good little lick of chalky tannin and a bright, orangey finish. Easy drinking style. Easy good times.”