Aphelion Welkin Grenache 2024

Half from Blewitt Springs (80-year-old vines) and half further south; 20% whole bunch, with 10 months in seasoned oak. As always, a clear bottle and a pale hue, speaking to application perhaps. And yes, immediacy seems the remit, the wine bright and forward, but thoughtfully so. It's spicy and zippy, sans confection, filigreed in texture, with a sour-fruited, rhubarb-laced tension adding complexity, a graphite mineral note elevating further. This fits the – sometimes tiresome – warm-climate pinot noir comparison, but it also shouts grenache, the arriviste that we should all be paying more attention to. A delight. Points: 93/100

Halliday Wine Companion ∙ 24th Jun 2025

Red fruit, spice, distinct floral perfume, some spicy sausage and light smokiness. It’s light in body, quite frisky, red fruits and dried herb, some orange peel, a positive gentle pumice stone grip to tannin, with a bright and tangy finish of good length. Nice. Easy to drink, but also has a fair bit of complexity. All the nouveau/joven things here, and done very well too. Points: 92/100

The Wine Front ∙ 14th Jun 2025