Reductive. Modern handling. Opens nicely with air, expanding across a wave of darker-fruit allusions, star anise, thyme and dried lavender. There is a generosity and fine tension to this expression, all in perfect synchronicity. Drinkable now, but best after 2026. Alkina Grenache Assembly tasting. Points: 94/100
Points: 97/100
Pretty, perfumed and pristine with al dente red cherry and blue berry fruit, peonies, orange peel, musk and cherrystone with a saline ironstone tang on the finish. Smudgy-textured tannins and seamless oak – support by stealth – allow the fruit and florals to shine, but offer scope for ageing if you can resist this Cru Beaujolais-esque old-vine Grenache. Points: 94/100
Old vine grenache from Blewitt Springs promises great things and the 2021 MMAD vineyard Grenache delivers in truckloads. The cordial red syrup squeezed over old school snow cones meets fresh cranberry and maraschino cherry. Picked sage and bay leaf then lead to dusty nutmeg and red clay. Tannins are silty and fine and the wine is extremely well integrated for its youth. Drink with lamb loin chops that are pink in the middle and charred on the edges. Points: 96/100
Truly beautiful grenache. Sweet and ripe but savoury and, even, crunchy with it. Best of many worlds. Woodsmoke, herbs, raspberry, cloves and a sweet earth character. The presser mentions pomegranate and it’s a good call; it beings that seed-like crunch to the wine. Tannin is ultra fine and the finish is noteworthy. Blewitt Springs is a great place to grow red wine grapes and here, again, it’s off and away, in full voice. Points: 95/100
Very bright, youthful translucent purple-red colour, with a complex and appealing fragrance that is spicy and layered, with raspberry, red-cherry fruit laced with dried-herb and spice notes that include clove and pepper. The palate is rich and elegant, medium to full bodied and gloriously supple in its texture. It's a young but quite sophisticated grenache: a superb drink already and surely has a bright future if cellared. Points: 95/100
