2024 Ministry of Clouds Grenache Carignan, McLaren Vale

60/40% grenache/carignan. This is gorgeously lifted and perfumed, floral and finely red fruited, dusted with white pepper, fennel seed, celery salt and sun-warmed flowering woody herbs. Effortlessly mid-weight, this floats across the palate – it’s a house signature – though clearly with deep consideration to crafting food-grade tannins, which are a quiet but determined presence. Excellent.

94 points Special Value Marcus Ellis winecompanion.com.au

Ministry of Clouds Grenache Carignan from McLaren Vale is a beautifully layered, aromatic red that brings together two Mediterranean varieties with deep roots in the region’s winemaking heritage. This blend captures the sun-warmed charm of old-vine Grenache and the structural backbone of Carignan, all wrapped in a modern, detail-focused approach that has become the hallmark of Ministry of Clouds.

Julian Forwood and Bernice Ong, the duo behind Ministry of Clouds, are known for producing wines of nuance and integrity. They work with low-yielding, dry-grown vineyards and favour minimal intervention in the winery. Their Grenache and Carignan fruit is sourced from two separate parcels in McLaren Vale — Grenache from gnarly old bush vines in Blewitt Springs and Carignan from a dry-grown site in Seaview. These are seriously old vines, with the Grenache dating back to the 1940s and Carignan even older, lending natural complexity and concentration.

The Grenache component brings lifted red fruits, wild herbs and floral perfume, while the Carignan adds darker fruit, spice, and a firm but silky tannin profile. Wild fermented with a portion of whole bunches, the wine is matured in older French oak to preserve freshness and transparency.

In the glass, it’s vibrant and expressive. Aromas of raspberry, red cherry, rose petal and dried thyme give way to deeper notes of black plum, clove and earth. The palate is medium-bodied and finely textured, with bright acidity, supple tannins and a long, mineral finish. There’s a real tension and energy running through the wine, a push-pull between delicacy and depth.

It’s a wine that feels both timeless and current. One foot in the Mediterranean, one foot in modern McLaren Vale. Pair it with roast lamb with pomegranate and mint, grilled eggplant with tahini, or a spiced lentil and beetroot salad. Cellar for up to eight years if you want to see the earthy Carignan layers evolve further.