2025 Aphelion Brini Grenache, McLaren Vale

Brini vineyard, Blewitt Springs; 100% whole-bunch ferment; neutral French oak. The coolness of the whole bunch is there, more so than the other wines in this range, though still ever so discreetly. Yet there is also a darkness of fruit, a site thing, with black cherry, dark plum, a brooding quality, dark spices – ground anise, cassia, clove, perhaps – some celery salt and sarsaparilla/amaro accents, a little chocolate even. Like the rest of the '25 grenache suite (excepting Welkin), this needs air, unfolding over days, peeling back layers, revealing more and more. Day three, and it was even better. That compression, and the architecture of ripe, fine yet pithy tannin and energising acid tension, will stand this in good stead for cellaring. Drink to 2035.

96 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion, September 2026

Medium red with tints of purple; dried herbs and dried cherries to sniff; bunchy, bright and varietal, the palate firm and tense, finishing with some toughness. It demands food at this tender stage. Very smart wine with potential. Drink to 2038.

93 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, October 2026

The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Upper Tank block of the well-regarded Brini family vineyard in the Blewitt Springs subregion of McLaren Vale. Hand-picked on the 12th of March, all the fruit was kept as whole bunches for the cool and slow ferment, with the pressed wine matured on full lees in large format well-seasoned French oak. The wine was then racked and blended in preparation for bottling in February 2026 which took place without fining or filtration.

This wine is vegan friendly.

About this producer

Aphelion is the McLaren Vale based negociant business of Rob and Lou Mack. Founded in 2014, they focus on small batches of Grenache, with key long term growers including Marsh Brini, Jo Lepresti, Ben Lacey, Robyn and Gary Wait as well as Cathy Charnock and Peter Lockett.