2021 Stonegarden Northwest Grenache, Eden Valley

Established in 1857, the Stonegarden vineyard, just outside Springton in the Eden Valley, is a much sought after source of grapes for some of the Barossa's top winemakers. Longtime Rockford winemaker Ben Radford makes this particular wine and it's a cracker. Lifted red cherry, raspberry and red plum fruits, cut with spice, gingerbread, dried citrus rind, citrus blossom, earth and crushed stone. Fine, powdered granitic tannins and an elegant line, tending to savoury on the extended finish. Lovely drinking.

93 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au  October 2024

Stonegarden Northwest Grenache from Eden Valley is a masterclass in elegance and restraint, sourced from one of the most unique and elevated old vine Grenache sites in South Australia. Planted in 1858, the vineyard sits in the cooler, stony reaches of the northwestern corner of the Stonegarden property, perched high in the Eden Valley at around 450 metres above sea level. These gnarled, dry-grown bush vines have weathered generations of vintages and continue to yield fruit of remarkable character and intensity.

Unlike its richer Barossa cousins, the Northwest Grenache is all about finesse. The cooler climate and granite-rich soils bring piercing aromatics and a taut, linear palate structure. Fermented with a significant portion of whole bunches and matured in seasoned oak, the wine is deliberately transparent, allowing the vineyard to speak.

The bouquet is a heady mix of crushed rose petals, wild strawberries, red cherry and pink peppercorn, with subtle hints of forest floor and dried thyme. The palate is sleek and focused, driven by bright acidity and ultra-fine tannins. It’s medium-bodied, with energy and lift that makes it incredibly food-friendly and cellar-worthy.

Pair it with duck breast, char siu pork, or earthy mushroom dishes. It’s a Grenache for Pinot lovers and Rhône purists alike.