For a start, I really like Grenache and when I think of Australia I don't understand why it isn't more prevalent as a grape variety. When I think of similar temperature wine regions, the Southern Rhone And parts of Spain spring to mind - hot and arid.
With this in mind, I'm curious to understand: what other forum posters think of Grenache in general; Australian Grenache; and then lastly but most importantly, what should I be buying? Your recommendations are highly welcome...preferably something with some cellar potential.
I quite like Grenache and Grenache blends in general. Unless I have tasted a Grenache at a cellar door I am reluctant to buy it.
I can’t comment on Australia’s ‘Greatest’ but in terms of a straight Grenache I like:
Rusden Wines Christine’s Vineyard Greenock Creek Cornerstone Kilikanoon Kelly 1932 (too pricey for me to justify buying) Kilikanoon Duke Reserve Kilikanoon Prodigal (not bad value)
All of the above have ability to cellar well.
Rusden Wines do a lighter style Grenache blend called the Driftsand. It goes very well with a lot of different food types, but is a drink now proposition.
Kalleske Grenache, especially after 10 years of age. Best ever AU and best aging AU Grenache. If you can, get your hands on a 2003 and find out how good AU Grenache can age.
I can also recommend Torbreck Les Amis as a great candidate for cellaring, I've picked up a number of bottles over the past 5 years. I have opened a 2004 and 2005 in the past year, and both were drinking very well, with a good amount of time to go. Interestingly, price at auction tends to be around 60% of RRP (it was positioned by David Powell to be priced as Australia's most expensive grenache) - so worth picking up on the secondary market, rather than direct from cellar door if you can.
ufo wrote:Kalleske Grenache, especially after 10 years of age. Best ever AU and best aging AU Grenache. If you can, get your hands on a 2003 and find out how good AU Grenache can age.
My red wine of the year so far - and its a 50th birthday year, so I have drunk some great bottles - is the 05 2 Hands Aerope Granche. Great depth of fruit, with a mind boggling mid palate, and will last years yet. Shame about the size of the bottle (almost a magnum) and the price. No idea if it was a 1 off wonder, but I cant believe there are better wines out there of this style - saved the empty and its sitting on my trophy shelf between a 73 Lafleur, 1911 Vouvray.
I have tasted a lot of the old Clarendon Hills Grenaches and while they age, they are a bit restrained for my palate.
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ufo wrote:Kalleske Grenache, especially after 10 years of age. Best ever AU and best aging AU Grenache. If you can, get your hands on a 2003 and find out how good AU Grenache can age.
The 2002 is even better IMO
Do you still have some? Drank my last 2003 last year.
Grenache is my favourite red grape and I also really enjoy Grenache blends as well. I probably have too much Grenache in my cellar but I love the stuff. I have been disappointed in many so called excellent Grenache's Ochota Barrels comes to mind amongst others.
My favourites are in no particular order except for the Greenock Creek which is my go to Grenache.
Greenock Creek Cornerstone Grenache - Can be high in alcohol but ages very well. A recent 02 was stunning. Charles Melton Richelieu - Only made in certain vintages. A recent 06 was beautiful. Burge Family Garnacha - Great value. Mid term ager. S.C. Pannell Grenache - McLaren Vale's best for my money. Larry Cherubino Laissez Faire - Amazing nose and a real surprise. Drinks really well young. Not many Grenache's from WA but this is worth tracking down. Cirillo 1850's Old Vine - 06 the best vintage I've had but a recent bottle of 04 was all over the shop, although some loved it. Needs cellar time. Cirillo Vincent - Great value but will age too. Head Old Vine - Needs time in the cellar but recent releases are excellent. Kalleske Old Vines - Same as the Head Old Vine, needs cellar time. Can get high in alcohol. Eperosa Stonegarden - Eden Valley's oldest Grenache vineyard. Best nose I have experienced in a Grenache. Will age well.
If you include Grenache dominant blends the list gets very long.
Cheers Ian
If you had to choose between drinking great wine or winning Lotto, which would you choose - Red or White?
ticklenow1 wrote: Charles Melton Richelieu - Only made in certain vintages. A recent 06 was beautiful.
Cheers Ian
Apologies for slightly off topic, but great to hear Ian, I have one of these stashed in the cellar. Thoughts on amount of time it has left in the tank?
michel wrote:funny how there is no mention of Henschke Johanns GSM first two releases were quite lovely recent years they are clumsy and too big
I like the Johann's also Michel and have a few vintages tucked away also. The last one I actually drank was a '13, I thought this was a very good wine. I tried the '14 at the cellar door just after it was bottled and agree it was clumsy. I did not include it in my list as it is a blend. On the blended front I would then add Torbreck The Steading to the list also.
michel wrote:funny how there is no mention of Henschke Johanns GSM first two releases were quite lovely recent years they are clumsy and too big
I like the Johann's also Michel and have a few vintages tucked away also. The last one I actually drank was a '13, I thought this was a very good wine. I tried the '14 at the cellar door just after it was bottled and agree it was clumsy. I did not include it in my list as it is a blend. On the blended front I would then add Torbreck The Steading to the list also.
havent had a steading for a while I used to enjoy the mouthfeel of them kinda unfiltered genuine red can drink a lot of that style
ticklenow1 wrote: Charles Melton Richelieu - Only made in certain vintages. A recent 06 was beautiful.
Cheers Ian
Apologies for slightly off topic, but great to hear Ian, I have one of these stashed in the cellar. Thoughts on amount of time it has left in the tank?
Don't want to start another argument, but maybe due to the screw cap it was actually quite fresh. Easy go another 5 years. Was quite young for it's age, particularly for an Barossa Grenache. Very nice wine though. Not a big confected Grenache like some higher alcohol Barossa ones can become. Savoury even.
Cheers Ian
If you had to choose between drinking great wine or winning Lotto, which would you choose - Red or White?
Seems nobody's yet mentioned Teusner, they have some lovely ancient gnarled Grenache vines making great wines... Very friendly people, too, if you happen to be in the Barossa give them a call.
