In 2021, the two blocks were wild fermented separately - the first 100% whole bunch, the second 30% whole bunch fruit, resulting in this outstanding expression of Vine Vale Grenache. Dark ruby in colour. Powerful cherry, pomegranate and boysenberry liqueur scents intriguingly combine with suggestions of incense, dark chocolate and herbs. The plush, velvety palate is juicy and delicious. Red and blue fruits are entwined in mocha flavours with a pinch of spicy white pepper and lingering dark berries on the long, refined, silky finish.

95 Points QWine Review

Softly textured, red fruits sing. It opens up and there is a savoury wrestle with fruit. Blue fruits rise up adding another level of prettiness. Picked at mid 13s brings a slight mintiness and red pepper character with it. But those soft blue and red berries waltz on and glisten. Superfine spices are draped through the mouth like a velvet blanket and that finish just goes on and on. A brilliant wine from a first-class Barossa vintage. Chase it down.

92 Points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Lighter weight expression today, sour-sweet, zesty almost, a tartness and some faint savouriness too. Feels laden with green herbs, dusted with sweet-ish spice and sports a light, game meat note too. Easy going expression of the vin de soif mode, feels unfettered and a bit au naturale. Nicely done.

The wines of the 2021 Barossa vintage are that of balance, style and exceptional varietal characteristics. Late winter and spring rains enabled the vines to grow well, establishing a good balance between crop and canopy. Summer was mild to warm with cool nights that led to the development of wonderful aromatics and flavours.

This old vine Grenache was crafted from two blocks on our Tri-Centenary Vineyard, planted in 1949 and 1929, in the tiny Barossa Valley subregion of Vine Vale. The vineyard features deep sandy loam layers underlain with red-brown clay. These soils tend to be deep, holding an abundance of water that is essential for early season growth. With careful management, these dry grown, low organic matter soils can consistently produce outstanding quality fruit.