2022 Hewitson Ungrafted Grenache, Barossa Valley

A wonderfully fragrant wine from ungrafted grenache that shows a gentle ruby in the glass, almost pinot-esque! It's an exercise in space and savoury/textural precision, a delicious one at that; 85% whole bunch in here, 110-year-old vines. It's ridiculously good to drink. There is a luminescence to the pure red fruits, the layered spice and amaro seeming pipette-precise in their harmony, with a ferrous edge to the powdery tannins; citrus blossom, blood orange, dried citrus rind and charcuterie notes fanning out on the extended finish. Beautiful stuff.

96 points Special Value Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

 Super example of Barossa Grenache made with more than a hint of Pinot technique. The dry grown vines are nearly 110 years old and, after picking, the fruit was fermented in old vats with about 85% whole bunch before finishing in old French barriques, resting on lees for nine months. It’s bright and so alive in the glass with a mix of rose petals, earthy turned soil and a little rusty nail ferrous character. This is a classic Grenache.

96 points Ray Jordan winepilot.com

This truly world class Grenache is from dry grown vines, almost 110 years of age, in a sandy loam vineyard next to the Para River in the Barossa Valley. The grapes went into open vats for three weeks for fermentation, with 85% of them whole bunches. Then pressed into old French barriques to sit for nine months on lees. Bottled under cork, it is a vibrant crimson hue. The aroma here is intoxicatingly alluring, just gorgeous. Fresh strawberries, spices, rose petals and juicy red fruits. This is fresh and juicy with ever-so-fine tannins and excellent length. A mid-weight style with a hint of sour cherries on the finish. While it will surely reward cellaring over the next decade, it can be drunk with immense pleasure now. Love it.

96 points Ken Gargett winepilot.com

Grenache is in the ascendancy and the Barossa wine region is well-placed to help lead the way. The choice of name, Ungrafted Grenache – maybe not the most romantic of wine names – underplays both the seriousness of the grapes employed – sourced off 100+ year old, dry grown vines – but also the wine itself. It’s a real beauty and quite fascinating in its complexity which changes each time you return to the glass. Delicate, exotic in scent – juniper, black tea, maraschino cherry, black pepper, rosemary, hibiscus. You have to admire the deceptive pleasure that old vines can bring to a grape like Grenache. On first look, it’s all red fruits and lively spice and herbs. On the second and third look, the fruit expands, the spice and herbs run longer and deeper, and there’s also the introduction of a touch – just – of smoked meat savouriness. It seems effortless. I’m sure the viticulturist and winemaker worked hard to make it all seem so easy, so pure.

96 points Jeni Port winepilot.com