Grenache Barossa Grenache is becoming hugely popular, but styles vastly differ. The juicy and exuberant releases are delicious to drink young, but their ageing potential is limited. Cirillo’s 1850 Grenache, made from 1848-planted vines in Light Pass, is a reference style and is released with several years’ bottle age. It has a pinot-like viscosity, a lacy structure and the complexity of a classic. Yalumba Tri-Centenary Grenache is also gentle and silky-textured. The 2021 Hayes Family Estate Block 2 Grenache and 2021 Seppeltsfield Great Terraced Vineyard are both very good modern contemporary styles with a touch more colour, density and drive. The demand for these types of wines will continue to grow. GSM styles, renowned for their exuberance, juicy flavours and chocolaty complexity, are also becoming fashionable once again. There were some very good examples in this tasting, including First Drop Matador and Hayes Family Estate. Riesling The prolonged growing season leading up to the 2021 vintage lead to some outstanding reference-type rieslings. I loved their fruit purity, density, crispness and energy. I can imagine many of these wines ageing for the long term. The shift towards moderate alcohol levels has brought another regional expression, where fruit clarity and tension give a mouth-watering experience. Pewsey Vale Prima Riesling (9%alc) is an impressive example. The crunchy and beautifully balanced 2021 Elk Riesling highlights regional authenticity and generational change.
Barossa 2022
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