Alfred Lord Tennyson, a rather esteemed English poet, once wrote, “Words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within.” I doubt very much that Tennyson was talking about wine reviews, but he could have been. When someone pens their thoughts about a wine, they really only reveal the two-dimensional aspect of it. To really experience the ‘soul’ within requires the reader to taste, and subsequently drink it. I think this Grenache is that type of wine. My tasting notes give an insight into the genuine flavour characteristics that tickle the senses of the reader vicariously. However, experiencing the wine itself will reveal the soul of this old vine Grenache to you, the consumer, in a tangible way. It is well worth it, believe me.
Region: McLaren Vale Price: $55 Source: Online purchase
To get things started, the lovely perfumed nose with bright red fruits lead the way with cherry and redcurrant giving it a fresh start with a slight savoury note and a hint of white pepper. The palate sits perfectly in that medium‑bodied zone, offering both brightness and some old‑vine depth at the same time. Oak plays a subtle supporting role, adding a touch of dry tannins without intruding on the lovely fruit on display. This may sound a bit odd (but that’s what I do sometimes) but there’s almost like a ‘feng shui’ with the fruit and spice working in harmony. The fruit concentration never tips into heaviness with this well‑balanced, thoughtfully made Grenache that shows just what centenarian vines have to offer in such a wine.
Words from a Wine Glass 