2010 d'Arenberg The Beautiful View Grenache, McLaren Vale

Dark and brooding. The nose is a swirl of plums, blueberries and licorice allsorts. This smells deep and rich with layers of woody spices, antique furniture and game. There’s a powerful entry to the palate. Fruit richness is tempered by the gritty tannins and the mineral acid backbone. There’s old vine concentration mixed with a meaty, gamy complexity, layered with brightness and fleshiness. This wine finishes long and powerfully. It’s a wine that is drinking really well on release, but it’s also set for a fascinating journey over the next fifteen years and definitely a wine to be carefully cellared.

Mid-crimson; the bouquet is savoury and full of dried herb complexity and spice, offset by a mere suggestion of red fruits; decidedly cool in character, the palate delivers taut acidity, tightly wound fruit and ample silky tannins. An interesting wine, that should reward a little patience in the cellar.