From the Smart vineyard in Clarendon, and the Wait vineyard in Blewitt Springs, which are nearly 80 and 100 years old, respectively. And respectfully, what a treasure they are. Large format old oak, which is the right way to do Grenache. Kind of treat it like Nebbiolo, in a way. Anyway, I bought a few bottles of the 2018, and just nipped down to the cellar to grab one to taste alongside this. I think, maybe, my last bottle of that 2018, so I may have to source one or two more, out of interest, as I’m curious to see how it will age. So, the 2018 is richer, denser, more ‘mineral’, more mature tannin, a bit of dried mint and clove, firm and cool, clarity and length. The 2019 is what you might call, more ‘pretty’, rounder, more into the choc-liquorice sort of thing. Likely I’d better review it.
Raspberry, blackcurrant, cherry pip, hazelnut and biscuit spices, a flicker of mint and dried roses. It’s medium-bodied, silky and smooth, or so you might think, then the tannin digs in and lets you know this is a wine that’s made with some purpose. Something of an umami/mushroom character comes through, and there’s a husky peanut shell texture and flavour in the mix too. Clean acidity, and a fleshy finish packed with silty tannin and raw almond grip. Lovely wine. It’ll almost certainly roll out with a couple of years in the cellar.
95 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au Nov 2020 Drink: 2021 - 2028+