2023 Aphelion Wait Grenache, McLaren Vale

It seems these wines have been sealed with cork for a few years now, and yet, it kind of took me by surprise today. This is Blewitt Springs, from 1940 plantings, and given 100% whole bunch.

A whole load of exotic spice, rose oil, earl grey tea, raspberry and dried cherry, and most certainly, the whole bunch thing here rides high and gives it something of a mezcal smokiness and sappy tang, though it doesn’t (quite) obfuscate the quality of the fruit. It’s all poached strawberry and curry spice, bright orange-laced acidity, with a juicy almost grapefruity and kind of salty/bloody finish of excellent length. Lots of tang. Lots of energy, albeit with maybe a little too much enthusiasm for whole bunch, given the cooler nature of the vintage.

94 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au Drink 2025 - 2033+

Got it — thank you for the clarification!

Aphelion Wait Grenache from McLaren Vale is a finely tuned, small-batch wine that showcases the modern, minimalist side of Australian Grenache. Crafted by Rob Mack, this bottling comes from old bush vines grown on deep sand soils in Blewitt Springs — a subregion renowned for producing Grenache with perfume, finesse and delicate structure. The name Wait reflects both the patience required to grow and vinify Grenache well, and the way this wine rewards those who take their time with it.

This is a lighter, more ethereal expression compared to Aphelion’s Rapture or Confluence Grenache. The fruit is hand picked early for freshness and elegance, wild fermented with a high proportion of whole bunches to build aromatic lift and savoury structure. There’s no new oak — ageing takes place in old puncheons and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The nose is fragrant and spicy, with rose petals, wild strawberry, redcurrant, pink peppercorn and dried herbs. The palate is light to medium bodied, juicy and energetic, with bright acidity and fine, dusty tannins. Flavours of sour cherry, cranberry, rhubarb and crushed rock lead into a precise, savoury finish. It’s pure, vibrant and incredibly drinkable.

Food pairing: perfect with charcuterie, duck breast, roast eggplant, or spiced lentil dishes. Also great slightly chilled with grilled salmon or a mushroom tart.

Cellar potential: best over the next 5 to 8 years. It will evolve gently, gaining more savoury and herbal detail while maintaining freshness.