Yangarra Ovitelli Grenache 2023

Two immediate things. The colour, and the alcohol. This is a pale grenache, and at 13.5% it’s relatively low alcohol – every previous release of Yangarra Ovitelli Grenache has been listed at 14.5% alcohol save for the 2017, which was also listed at 13.5%, and the 2019, which was 14%. We’re clearly in lighter, lacier territory here, and with it comes fragrance, finely stitched tannin, exotic herb notes and exquisitely pure, red berried, floral-infused fruit. This is a red wine from South Australia with a delicate air to it. It’s wine as a delicacy. It has lilt, lift, life and length. It’s a wine for large-bowled glassware. It’s a wine that you both want to sit back and admire, and guzzle. In short, it’s a wine of the best kind. Points: 95/100

The Wine Front ∙ 11th May 2025

From original '46 vines next to the High Sands block. The '23 grenache wines are very pale in the glass, and they are all a degree lighter in alcohol due to the cool year (one I love). A vintage like this really illustrates the kinship with the avant-garde grenache of Gredos, and with Barbaresco, and refined Etno Rosso (Girolamo Russo in particular), rather than almost anything from the Rhône. Savoury, dried red fruits, cranberry, cherry and redcurrant, warm terracotta, bergamot, potpourri, sumac, ground cinnamon, star anise, so tightly coiled, but also tensile, finely expansive in its flavour delivery. There’s tension aplenty, and it promises to unfurl over a long life. Superb. Points: 97/100

Halliday Wine Companion ∙ 9th May 2025

The 2023 Grenache Ovitelli is stunning. This has wonderful purity of energetic red cherry, dried herb and subtle meaty tones. Savory complexity builds on a textural palate while holding impressive composure through to a finish of serious length accented by a twist of tannins.  Points: 95/100

Vinous ∙ 23rd Apr 2025