2019 Barr-Eden Estate Love Over Gold Grenache, Eden Valley

A new addition to the range, the 2019 Love Over Gold Grenache was produced in extremely limited quantities (one barrique, 25 cases) from vines planted in 1997 at 525 meters above sea level—believed to be some of the highest Grenache vines in South Australia. It's a cloudy medium-ruby hue in the glass, with effusive aromas of strawberries, thyme, bay leaf and raspberries—a juicy, mouthwatering bookend of red berries. Despite weighing in at more than 15% alcohol, it comes across as medium-bodied and almost lacy in texture, finishing taut and wiry yet seductive and generous, the sort of paradoxical juxtaposition that's especially intriguing. As this is the first vintage, I've been conservative with the drinking window (2021 - 2030), but it could surprise and drink well beyond that.

94 points Erin Larkin robertparker.com

Barr-Eden Estate is the new name for the Love Over Gold partnership between Tim Howser, Joel Mattschoss, Pierre-Henri Morel and Michael Twelftree. Morel is the general manager of Two Hands and Howser and Twelftree are owners of Two Hands, while Mattschoss is a grape grower, with vines on Mengler's Hill. The Love Over Gold Shiraz is sourced from vines planted in the 1920s, while the Avenue to Gold bottling comes from younger vines. Quantities of the top wines are very limited (25 cases of the Grenache and 50 cases of the Shiraz) and fall into the price category of "If you have to ask...," but the Dreams of Gold Shiraz, which comes from young vines, is more affordable and made in larger volumes.

Our “Love Over Grenache” is made from a few rows of our highest block in altitude and one of the highest Grenache in South Australia (545 m). Planted in 1997 this bush vine Grenache ripens slowly and has been hand picked on March 28th. The 463kg harvest was destemmed and tipped into a one tonne fermenter. Gentle pump over and slow extraction until full dryness. Only the free runs were put into a 3 year old French oak barrel.

The wine displays vibrant spice, pepper and mace behind dark cherry fruits. Soft palate with extremely precise and thin tannins that caress the palate and carry on with freshness.