2021 Juxtaposed Wait Vineyard Grenache, McLaren Vale

Wes Pearson’s McLaren Vale Grenache single vineyard tour continues here, with a wine sourced from the Wait Vineyard at Blewitt Springs, with similar handling to the Smart Vineyard wine – old oak, low-touch winemaking. Still, this is a very different beast. Less opulent, with black jubes and rivers of boysenberry. Both single-block wines have Grenache charisma in droves, but this less obvious wine is my favourite. 

94 points Ozwine Reviews

Juxtaposed is the work of winemaker Wes Pearson, a small McLaren Vale project built around individual vineyards and varieties that suit the region’s increasingly exciting lighter, more fragrant side. Grenache is central to that story, and Wait Vineyard captures why the variety has enjoyed such a remarkable renaissance in McLaren Vale. Rather than chasing sheer ripeness, the emphasis is on perfume, texture and the personality of the site.

The Wait Vineyard sits in the Blewitt Springs area, where deep sandy soils and cooling coastal influence are particularly kind to Grenache. The excellent 2021 season delivered a long, even ripening period, giving the wine beautifully defined fruit without excessive sweetness or weight. A few years in bottle have started to draw out the savoury detail while leaving plenty of freshness and energy.

Bright ruby crimson, with wild raspberry, Morello cherry and redcurrant followed by rose petal and blood orange. Fennel seed, liquorice, lavender and cracked pepper add complexity, with a little dried thyme and earthy spice appearing with air. The palate is supple and flowing, its juicy red fruit framed by fine sandy tannins and fresh acidity. Cherry, orange peel and anise linger through a fragrant, savoury finish.

Charred octopus with romesco would be excellent, alongside Korean barbecue pork, lamb kofta with yoghurt and mint, smoky eggplant with chickpeas or grilled tuna with peppers and olives. Our pick is the octopus, its char and smoky pepper sauce making very good friends with all that Grenache fruit and spice.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2035.