2024 Yangarra Estate Old Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale

From the estate’s 13-odd hectares of 1946-planted dry-grown bush vines. It’s a precious resource and is treated as such. The making is quiet: half crushed, half whole berries, gentle pump-overs, some long maceration to detail tannins, then old foudre, puncheons, ceramic eggs and amphorae. There’s a more generous feel to this release, with the year a tad warmer. Wild raspberry, ripe Bing cherry, warm terracotta, fading roses, fennel seeds and caraway. It’s a wine of intensity and grace, with the old vines yielding a silky charm to the feel and flavour intensity, with a finish of considerable verve and stylishly etched tannins. The last three releases are all so different, and all of the highest order.

95+ points Special Value Marcus Ellis winecompanion.com.au

Remarkable purity and perfume with a fruit-driven, savory and herbal edge. Aromas of red and black berries, pomegranate, red licorice, citrus peel and earth. The textural, rounded palate shows firmly framed yet silken tannins and generous fruit that bring the wine together beautifully. An excellent release. Outstanding value. Made from dry-grown vines planted in 1946. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

96 points jamessuckling.com

A brooding nose of mulch and dark chocolate mixes with dark red raspberries and licorice. With air, the wine slowly unfolds. Rose petals and chocolate-dipped raspberries are tempered by earth notes of kelp and fresh leather. The tannins are impressive; long, sinewy and fine. Make some room in your cellar for this beauty. 29 Nov 2025 Drink 2025–2033

95 points Gabrielle Poy therealreview.com

Drawn from bush vines planted in 1946 on the deep sands of Blewitt Springs, this Grenache is the wine that helped redefine the variety in Australia. Yangarra treats these old vines as a cultural treasure, farming biodynamically and focusing on low yields that concentrate perfume and detail rather than weight. The site’s iron rich sands produce fruit with natural finesse and aromatic lift, shaping a style that feels closer to fine southern Rhône Grenache than traditional Barossa richness. It has become a major awards magnet and a cult favourite, regularly selling out soon after release.

Winemaking is tuned toward purity and structure. Whole bunch inclusion builds spice and tannin architecture, while careful élevage allows the wine to settle without softening its edge. The goal is a Grenache that is both expressive and age worthy, capturing fruit, earth and energy in balance.

Bright crimson in colour, the aromas soar with raspberry, wild strawberry and red cherry layered with rose petal, white pepper and dried herbs. The palate is medium bodied and tightly coiled, with vivid red fruit wrapped in fine, powdery tannins and electric acidity. Flavours of berry, spice and mineral tones run long through a dry, persistent finish that vibrates with tension.

It pairs beautifully with lamb, charcuterie and Mediterranean dishes. While already compelling with air, it will cellar confidently for fifteen years or more, gaining savoury and earthy complexity.