The Wine Front – Grown mostly on the Rayner vineyard in McLaren Vale. 43 year old grenache vines; 65 year old shiraz vines; mataro from nearby. Some whole bunches, mostly with the mataro. All old oak. Bottled unfined/unfiltered. Another fantastic release from Bondar. Just the right mix of structure, flavour and interest. This is a savoury, sinewy wine first and foremost though flavours of graphite, woodsmoke, black cherry and fennel mean that there’s plenty else going on. Those strains of spicy tannin though; those fistfuls of smoked twigs and spices; they really set the scene. It twirls and twists through the mouth like it’s mapping out genes. A light-but-exquisite red wine. 93 points, Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au
The Wine Front – Necessity is the mother of invention. In 1993 Tim Adams was desperately short of shiraz and cabernet so his neighbour, Fergus Mahon, sold him some grenache to keep him ticking over. Hence The Fergus blend was born, and has been made ever since. This release includes tempranillo and malbec, all of which is dry-grown.
Its usual reliable self. There was a time when I wasn’t a great fan of The Fergus but we’ve moved on from there in recent years. It’s well-balanced, fleshy, not too light and not too heavy. It’s red berried with star anise, cola and gum leaf highlights. It’s a well tailored red, perfect for casual drinking.
The Wine Front – Gary Walsh - 94 Points - So purple. So good. It’s spicy, floral, liquorice, dark fruits and boysenberry, with a bloody ‘mineral’ character from the Mataro. Light grip of open-weave tannin, freshness and vigour, and a long shapely finish. Wonderful expression of Barossa here.
James Halliday – It took me a while to reach a conclusion on this wine. It's big and ripe and concentrated with a mass of cedar, spice, dried red fruit, tobacco and black plum. And there's big grainy tannins that coat the mouth from the middle back, but under it all is a core of succulent fruit, waiting. Patience the key here. - 2020 Vintage Review
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Rose petal and tea leaves add nuance to the oodles of blueberries and cherries that form this wine's core, while the dense, rich palate carries those flavors on a velvety blanket of ripe tannins. - 2020 Vintage Review
The Wine Front – This hits it right on with its combination of easy drinking appeal and just-firm-enough structure. Raspberry and roses, hazelnut and mint, maybe a bit of new leather. Fine balance, gentle scratch of tannin, succulent red fruit and jelly flavour, yet savoury nutty complexity too. Finish is fresh and long. Warm climate Pinot, for sure. It’s a beauty.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Pale to medium ruby/purple, the Basket Pressed Grenache has intense, red currant jelly, cranberry sauce and raspberry coulis aromas with hints of Rosés, pepper and orange peel. Full-bodied, soft, rich and seductive, it finishes long and pure.
James Halliday – "Pete Schell makes a damn fine rosé. This year it's 52/30/16/2% grenache/mataro/shiraz/cinsault and it sits light salmon in the glass showing aromas of nectarine, raspberry and grapefruit along with hints of redcurrant jelly, white flowers, crushed stone and maybe a touch of lanolin. Sapid and fine with a lovely shimmering acid line and savoury palate shape and an endearing lipsmacking briny finish that begs another glass.” - Dave Brookes, Wine Companion
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – “Pale crimson/salmon-like colour, redcurrant flavours, dry, savoury, earthen, that kind of thing. Firmly in the ‘pale and dry’ camp. Watermelon characters, maybe some grapefruit, definitely some spice. Light in a good way. Frisky but with plenty going on. Good gear.” - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
James Halliday – A single-vineyard blend of 35/35/30% grenache/mourvèdre/shiraz. Pale salmon pink; bone dry though still fruity and spicy. Fresh finish to a wine that transcends the off-dry versions of rosé. James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2023
The Wine Front – This wine shows the adaptability of Grenache over Shiraz, to warm climates. 60 year old vines from the Noto vineyard. Ripe raspberry, biscuit spice, aniseed and dried mint, a stony ferrous thing happening. It’s rich and plush, a flood of sweet raspberry and baking spices, supple grainy tannin, dried roses and potpourri, some ‘mineral’ character, and a long slightly tarry finish. Fleshy, distinctive, and very good. Drink 2022-2029. - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.
James Halliday – Hailing from one of the last remaining old vine sites in the Adelaide Plains, a region now awash with industrial fruit stalls and McMansions. Harking to the 1950s, these vignes are treated right: hand picked and basket pressed. The barrique ageing works surprisingly well, too, imparting tannic fibre as much as cocoa and coffee grind to a fleshy palate with a core of molten raspberry bonbon. Anise and dried herb stain the finish. Sumptuous, weighty and immensely characterful. - Ned Goodwin MW
James Halliday – Has many merits, though the colour is too reddish. That said, it has lovely, lacy mouthfeel and texture, and a spicy, rancio finish. Exceptional value. - JAMES HALLIDAY - HALLIDAY'S WINE COMPANION
The Wine Front – Raspberry jubes, cocoa and aniseed, fair perfume of dried herbs and flowers. Medium-bodied, choc-liquorice, juicy red berries, hazelnut, something a little more steely, saline, and ferrous, though that’s as yet more latent as the vibrant fruit is currently front and centre. A light graininess to tannin, freshness too, with a juicy finish of excellent length. It’s fun and bouncy now, though I reckon it will be better again in a few years when it settles down a bit. Tasted: Jan 23 14% alc. $28 Screwcap Drink: 2024 - 2030 - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.
James Halliday – The 22nd release of this particular grenache/shiraz/mourvèdre blend (this year 45/30/25%); from vines up to 90-plus years of age across Trial Hill, Light Pass, Nuriootpa, Seppeltsfield and Vine Vale. And it's a good 'un! Bright, perfumed and detailed with super-pure plummy fruit, layers of spice, earth, florals, gingerbread and roasting meat goodness. Driven by a vivid line of lacy acidity and framed with powdery tannin, it seems like it is a good place and will provide great drinking over the medium term. - Dave Brookes Published 06 July 2023
Originating from Spain, where it's affectionately known as Garnacha, Grenache has found a home in many wine regions worldwide, each place imparting its unique touch to the grape's inherent profile. This grape thrives in hot, dry conditions, making it perfectly suited for areas like Spain’s Priorat, Australia’s Barossa Valley, and France’s Southern Rhône, where it plays a starring role in the famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape blends.
Grenache's allure lies in its ability to produce wines that are both robust and approachable. Its naturally high sugar content can lead to higher alcohol wines, yet they seldom come across as overpowering. Instead, they entice with aromas of raspberry, cherry, and white pepper, often accompanied by hints of leather and herbaceous undertones. Its versatility allows it to be the primary grape in some wines, while in others, it complements and elevates accompanying varietals.
Historically, Grenache has been a cornerstone grape, often blended but seldom celebrated on its own. However, as winemakers and consumers alike began to recognize its potential, it has steadily gained the spotlight, resulting in wines that beautifully showcase its range and depth. Each bottle tells a story of the land from which it came, inviting those who partake to savor its nuanced flavors and history.
We don’t talk about Grenache like they do about Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Pinot Noir, but the warm-climate red grape is the fifth most planted variety in the world with stunning 163,000 hectares of vines – it is significant in terms of volume and variety. Grenache is the second most planted red grape in France and Spain, and both countries lay claim to the grape’s origin. Grenache can be used to make mono-varietal red and rosé wines. Still, given its fruity and peppery personality, it is also used in blends, along with Syrah and Mourvedre, but this is just the beginning. Let’s talk about Grenache.
Many famous wines use Grenache, either on its own or as part of a blend. Most red wines from the Southern Rhône Valley depend on the grape. Grenache is also used to make rosé in Provence, and it is the only grape allowed to produce the French fortified wines of Banyuls. Grenache in Spain is often blended with Tempranillo, typically in Rioja, but it is also crucial in Priorat. Grenache goes by the name of Cannonau in Sardinia, Italy, and it is also typical in the new world — you’ll find Grenache in many GSM blends in Australia and California, so the grape is a world phenomenon – many popular wines depend on it.
Grenache is an ancient varietal, which means there’s more than one variety. White and “grey” Grenache grapes exist, and they’re also used regularly in many wine regions worldwide. Still, the most significant type of Grenache is the red type. Grenache Noire is used to make robust red blends, elegant mono-varietals, refreshing rosé and bold fortified wine. This warm-climate varietal is even used to give colour to sparkling wines in Spain, specifically when making Cava Rosado. Grenache is known as Garnacha in the Iberian country. There’s no doubt Grenache is one of the most versatile red grapes on the planet!
Grenache wines can be incredibly economical but memorable and worthy of any wine cellar. Some of the most expensive wines made with the grape come from France and Spain. The acclaimed Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation allows for all types of Grenache. On the other hand, the robust and rustic wines from Priorat, in Spain’s Catalonia, can also be pricey, and they always contain at least some Grenache. Rosé made with Grenache is rarely expensive, and the same can be said about most GSM blends in both the old and new world. Cotes du Rhone is a reliable source of inexpensive Grenache, as are most GSM blends from South Australia.
Since Grenache is amongst the most planted grapes on the planet, given its versatility, it’s hard to say one wine made with the grape is better than others. We can safely say there’s a Grenache wine for every budget and occasion. If you want to know more, explore our selection of Grenache at World Wine — your source of fine wine in Australia. White, red or rosé, if it’s made with Grenache, we have it. Add Grenache to your wine rotation today and enjoy its versatility!
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
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To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
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If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.