2022 Spinifex Sol Solice Grenache, Barossa Valley

Grenache sourced from the high elevation of the Eden Valley and the Barossa Valley floor. An offering of the best grenache of the growing season, according to Peter Schell. Plenty of vibrant, aromatic fruit with juicy red plum, cranberry and mulberry fruits sheathed in gingery spice and hints of cola, earth, dried citrus rind, teacake, orange blossom, raspberry coulis and redcurrant paste. Firm, chalky tannin grip and a super lively, mineral-laden wine finishing juicy – just a pure, joyous rendition of the variety. A new wine for the crew from Spinifex and it is glorious drinking.

97 points Dave Brookes Halliday Wine Companion, August 2023

Fabulously deep, dark and vibrantly red in the glass. Lifted aromas of anise, blackberry, bramble, pastilles, ironstone and graphite, really complex and evocative. Full, plush and decadent on the palate, it has a core of dark fruit, all mulberry, blackberry and dark, pithy cherry. There is also some graphite and licorice at play. The tannins are textured, drying and layered and provide mouth-feel, length and presence. Delicious! Drink now to 2033.

95 points Aaron Brasher The Real Review, May 2023

Smells exotic; is exotic. Orange peel and raspberry, cranberry and chalk, floral elements and roasted spice notes. It’s both pretty and substantial, juicy and taut. There’s something ultra pure about this wine; something special. Woodsmoke and earth notes rise as the wine breathes. Apart from many things else, it’s a gorgeous drink.

95 points Campbell Mattinson The Wine Front 

Spinifex is one of the Barossa’s most thoughtful voices, with Pete Schell focusing on old vine material, sensitive farming and a style that favours finesse over sheer power. Grenache sits at the heart of the project, sourced from dry grown bush vines across the region, often from sandy soils that naturally temper richness and lift aromatics. Sol Solice is a pure expression of that philosophy, Barossa Grenache with clarity, perfume and structure.

The 2022 vintage shows a beautiful balance between ripeness and freshness. Aromatics are bright and layered, red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, with a gentle lift of rose petal and a dusting of spice. There is a subtle savoury thread too, dried herbs, a touch of earth and a faint hint of white pepper, giving the wine more than just fruit.

On the palate it is medium bodied and finely structured, with silky tannins and a line of acidity that keeps everything in check. The fruit is vibrant and detailed, flowing into a savoury, lightly mineral finish that lingers. It feels composed and elegant, a more restrained take on Barossa that still carries depth.

Winemaking is handled with a light touch, often incorporating whole bunch and minimal intervention, with older oak used to build texture rather than dominate. The result is a wine that feels transparent and expressive, allowing the vineyard character to shine through.

This is a natural with food that mirrors its finesse. Lamb cutlets, roast chicken, or even grilled tuna all work beautifully, and it also pairs well with Mediterranean style dishes where herbs and olive oil come into play.

Enjoy it now for its brightness and perfume, or cellar for eight to twelve years as it develops more savoury complexity, with notes of spice, dried herbs and earth coming forward.