2022 Schwarz Wine Co Thiele Road Grenache, Barossa Valley

This is an intriguing, full-weighted wine of compelling dry extract and savory, forceful length. Far from the archetype, or at least what I had construed that to be in these parts. Smoky and ferruginous, with aromas of Islay peat from a wild ferment and old vine je ne sais quoi. A darker brood, lathered with clove, anise, brush smoke and iodine, over the usual red fruited paradigm. The finish, biltong meaty and a tad drying. That said, this may well be reduction as the wine opens beautifully with time, boasting oodles of personality. Drink or hold.

94 points James Suckling, July 2023

Grenache from the Thiele Road vineyard in Bethany, wild-yeast ferment and some whole bunches. Light, bright magenta in the glass with characters of amaro-flecked red plum, raspberry and cranberry fruits framed by exotic spice, gingerbread, orange blossom, cola, earth and cherry clafoutis. There's a nice spacious feel to the palate, gamey and complex, too, with chalky tannin support and a brisk cadence. Finishes savoury and true. Drink to 2029.

93 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, May 2023

The Thiele Road Grenache shows a meatier side to Grenache. While nose flirts with raspberry candies, it is the flinty and smoky character that leads the way with notes of warm spices like black cardamom and cloves. The medium to full palate is led by the aromas, the complex, savoury flavours flanked by fine, chalky tannins.

Grenache loves sweet-and-savory spice profiles, and this wine would be a treat with wood-fired Iberian pork cheeks (carrilleras de cerdo) braised in red wine and smoked paprika, or charcoal-grilled cumin lamb skewers dusted with crushed Sichuan peppercorns, dried chili, and sea salt.

More about this wine

This is a single vineyard wine made from grapes grown in Schwarz family’s Thiele Road 1941 vineyard in Bethany. The hand harvested grapes were mostly de-stemmed, with a small inclusion of whole bunches. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in open fermenters with gentle pump overs and hand plunging of caps. The wine was matured in seasoned French oak puncheons.

About Schwarz Wine Co

Jason Schwarz is a sixth generation Barossan who grew up surrounded by vines at his parents’ property in Bethany. His own label presents a portfolio of small batch wines that reflect both the vineyard and season they came from.

His winemaking style seeks vibrant and balanced styles through intuition rather than restraining himself with rules or science.