2024 Ox Hardy Blewitt Springs Grenache, McLaren Vale

The 2024 Blewitt Springs Grenache is perfumed and sandy, silty and floral. This is a gorgeous wine, one that transports me to the very place where the fruit was grown. This has all the rose-petal and pink-peppercorn notes, alongside cold tea and ferrous, with a Nebbiolo-esque splay of tannin that feels infused into the fruit at every juncture. It's a wonderful wine from a wonderful place. Grown in the sandy soils of Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale, the fruit was handpicked, saw open fermenters with 15% whole bunches in the mix and spent eight months of élevage in seasoned French oak. If this is $30—the closest I can find online puts it between $28 and $33AUD—then it offers tremendous value for money and comes warmly recommended. Drink to 2034.

93 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, August 2026

Bright ruby in the glass, with a fragrant nose of cedar spice, vanilla and raspberry coulis. Juby and juicy on the palate—red fruits galore—the tangy acidity and light grainy tannins carrying it through to a clean, bright finish. Drink to 2032.

92 points Melissa Moore for the Real Review, May 2026

From the elevated sands of Blewitt Springs comes a Grenache that highlights one of McLaren Vale’s most distinctive subregions. Ox Hardy represents the sixth generation of the historic Hardy winemaking family, whose story began in South Australia in 1853. With his own label, Ox focuses on vineyard driven wines that showcase individual sites across McLaren Vale. Blewitt Springs is renowned for its deep sandy soils over ironstone, producing Grenache with fragrance, fine tannins and natural elegance rather than heavy richness.

Bright ruby with vibrant crimson hues, the aromatics are lifted and expressive. Raspberry, wild strawberry and red cherry unfold alongside rose petal, white pepper and subtle dried herbs. There is a gentle earthiness and spice that reflect the sandy Blewitt Springs terroir.

On the palate it is medium bodied and beautifully poised. Juicy red berry fruit forms the core, supported by fine grained tannins and vibrant natural acidity that give both energy and length. Hints of clove, subtle oak and savoury spice add complexity through the mid palate, finishing long and silky with lingering cherry and pepper notes. It captures the perfume and finesse that make Blewitt Springs Grenache so highly regarded.

Pair with slow roasted lamb shoulder, grilled Mediterranean vegetables, duck with cherry glaze or aged pecorino. While delicious now for its vibrant fruit and aromatic lift, it will cellar confidently for ten to fifteen years, developing greater savoury complexity and integration.