The appearance is vibrant and looks fabulous with its bright dark red appearance and dark cherry centre. Given time to breathe, you are struck with very distinct old vine brooding Grenache aromas dominated with fresh berries such as raspberries, cranberry, plums, bitumen/tarry characters and spices such as cinnamon, fragrant dates, toasted fennel seeds , dandelions - cut flower stem notes. The palate is richly flavoured with a mix of ripe strawberry and cranberry coulee and turkish delight. Then you hit a wall of black fruits and jubes, dark sour cherries, and then vanilla bean note comes back at you. This is serious stuff as the acidity almost suffocates the ripe chunky tannins and the finish is dominated by a mix of raspberries, cranberry syrup flavours. For a big wine it is surprisingly quite elegant and refined and has a level of softness which Grenache , made in the right ha nds, is capable of. The depth and concentration of this wine indicates a wine capable of extended cellaring.

OTHER NOTES

Shows McLaren Vale Grenache to perfection; has excellent structure underpinning the delicious red fruit flavours. 94 Points, James Halliday, The Australian Wine Companion 2009

Rustic and ethereal, wild and spicy, with earthy, briary aromas of dark plums, blackberries, blueberries and charcuterie meats preceding a firm deeply flavoured and beautifully structured palate of palate-staining intensity and explosive brightness. It's long and seamless, with a firm, drying undercarriage of tight-knit tannins. One of the best Australian grenaches I have tasted. - 95 Points, Jeremy Oliver - The Australian Wine Annual 2008

Aromas of cherry liqueur, licorice, almond, florals and some earthiness. A bit porty but very attractive. On the palate medium to full bodied with cherry, raspberry, licorice and marzipan flavours. Packed with flavour. Firm sandy tannins and warm (but not intrusive) alcohol. Very long spicy finish. A great example of McLaren Grenache. - 93 Points, Gary Walsh, Winorama August 11 2007