2020 Bekkers Grenache
G 96
Medium crimson. Attractive raspberry, strawberry fruits with hints of graphite/ herb garden. Elegant, silky textured and supple with lovely pure raspberry pastille, red plum, strawberry fruits, persistent fine lacy tannins, lovely mid-palate viscosity, underlying savoury notes and fresh crunchy/mineral acidity. All the elements fold into each other very well. Finishes long and juicy. A beautiful primary McLaren Vale Grenache based on Blewitt Springs and Kangarilla vineyard sites. Drink now–2028 2021 Thistledown Sands of Time Old Vine Single Vineyard Grenache G 96 Medium-deep crimson. Lovely dark plum, raspberry aromas with graphite, aniseed notes. Inky deep dark plum, raspberry, strawberry pastille flavours, fine loose-knit vigorous/chalky textures, pinot noir-esque viscosity and superb quartz-like acidity. Finishes crunchy/minerally with pure red and dark fruits. Superb density, vigour and presence. Drink now–2032 2018 Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Reserve G 96 Medium-deep crimson. Intense blackcurrant, blackberry, roasted chestnut, shellac aromas with tobacco leaf notes. Well balanced wine with fresh pure blackberry fruits, fine chocolaty/graphite textures, superb inky density and well-integrated roasted chestnut, vanilla oak notes. Finishes claret firm with lovely fruit complexity and tannin plume. A very classical and genuine ‘reserve’ style with 18 months’ oak maturation and 18 months’ bottle age before release. Drink now–2032 2020 Kilikanoon Walton 1946 Grenache G 96 It is fantastic to see the mighty Clare Valley getting in on the action with the rise of Grenache. As expected from Kilikanoon, it is a rich and bold style but also carries with it an impressive core of savoury fruits that provides very serious impact and appeal. Deeply coloured for Grenache, it is dark and moody with dense layers of slate, roasted meats and tar well supported by blackberry and cherry fruits. It’s then densely structured with hearty tannins and lashings of dark berry fruits before finishing long and strong. A very impressive Clare Grenache that will get even better with some time in bottle. Drink 2024–2030 2018 Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz G 96 Deep crimson. Classic blackberry, dark chocolate aromas with hints of liquorice/ herb garden. Generously proportioned with dense blackberry, black cherry flavours, plentiful ripe chocolaty tannins, very good mid-palate density and underlying mocha, roasted chestnut notes. Finishes gravelly firm with inky, chinotto, mineral notes. Very well balanced wine with the richness, concentration and power for long-term ageing. Best to cellar for some years, although drinking well already. Drink now–2032
Festive Wine 225
Powered by FlippingBook