• About Me – Andrew Graham
  • Scoring
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy + Disclaimer
  • Beer

  • About Me – Andrew Graham
  • Scoring
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy + Disclaimer
  • Beer

Is this the Australian Grenache moment?

November 3, 2017

In theory at least, Australian Grenache just had a jumpstart.

For the first time ever, a Grenache has won the most famous wine award in Australian wine, with the Turkey Flat Grenache 2016 taking out the 2017 Jimmy Watson Trophy.

Then, to follow it up, this week the inaugural results of the 2017 James Halliday Grenache Challenge were announced, with the Kay Brothers Griffon’s Key Grenache 2016 taking out the gong.

All this attention on Grenache begs the question – has Grenache, as a single premium red variety, come of age?

McLaren Vale Grenache

From a pure statistics point of view, the answer is that Grenache is definitely on the rise. According to the 2016 WFA Vintage Report, Grenache plantings increased by 5% between 2015/2016 and prices went up by an average of 23%. That’s the highest recorded rise of any mainstream red variety, and 5% above the closest grape Cabernet Sauvignon.

Anecdotally, however, reports are mixed. The runner up wine in the Grenache Challenge was a Bethany Old Vine Grenache 2016 that comes off old vines that were apparently ripped out after the wine had been made. In turn, a few retailers that I’ve talked to say that sales is still uneven, and ‘anything without points’ still something of a slow burner. Conversely, Marco at Cirillo (caveat – I’ve worked with Marco before) reports that he can’t bottle his Vincent Grenache fast enough.

No matter what happens, Grenache is definitely a variety to watch, particularly as there is still plenty of old vine fruit out there that can be bought for a very reasonable price (especially in the Barossa and Clare).

Personally I’m a big fan of Grenache and can see how it has a real untapped potential both locally and in our export markets. A quality bottle of medium bodied, vibrant, energetic Grenache is both delicious and rather Australian. We just need to own it.

Meanwhile, here are four fine Grenache to have passed the bench recently. It’s interesting that McLaren Vale seems to be overrepresented in my Grenache highlights package, as there isn’t that much planted – with most of the fruit sourced from just a few grower vineyards in Blewitt Springs and McLaren Flat (with d’Arenberg also having considerable plantings).

Oh and the pic above? Old vine McLaren Vale Grenache that Wirra Wirra prize. Bikes are for adornment 🙂

Chapel Hill Grenache 2016

Wirra Wirra Absconder Grenache 2016

This has been a standout wine for years now. From the Waite Vineyard in the Onkaparinga Gorge and Tony Blagrove’s 1918 block at McLaren Flat. Luxurious and rather silky, this captures the exuberant fruit of Grenache, spending just 9 months in older oak. It’s even, well handled and perfectly medium weight, the finish soft and yet long, the joy all Grenache. Here’s the perfect example of the appeal of Grenache. Yum. Best drinking: 2017-2030. 18.5/20, 94/100. 14.5%, $70. Would I buy it? Not cheap but worth a few glasses at the very least.

Chapel Hill Bush Vine Grenache 2016

From the mature plantings at Chapel Hill. Bright ruby with a little violet, there’s a slightly furry edge on the nose, over a palate that alternates between curranty, blueberry fruit and something lighter. Lovely expansively juicy palate, a silky flow of fruit that is slightly syrupy, the silky, rather chunky fruit only interrupted by alcohol on the warm finish. Nice wine and lots of flavour and character here. Best drinking: 2017-203o. 17.7/20, 92/100. 14.5%, $30. Would I buy it? I’d share a bottle.

d’Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2013

Chester says that ‘This fruit comes in with quite high acidity. A portion spends time on lees. Not picking too ripe is very important. I think this could live into its 40s’. As ever with the d’Arenberg wines the tannins are the hero here. Squishy red fruit but sailing in a savoury direction. Thick tannins are great, but are they too gritty? I like it. Welcome juiciness too, if slightly rustic to finish. A more earthen wine than the Chapel Hill, and again high quality. Best drinking: 2017-2030. 17.7/20, 92/100. 14.2%, $29. Would I buy it? I’d go a few glasses.

Mr. Riggs The Magnet Grenache 2015

Easily my favourite of the wines under the Ben Riggs Mr. Riggs label. From the Dogridge Vineyard. Lovely sappy Grenache, with a little extra tang that could come form the 15% whole bunch. Lots of spice here. It’s a medium style, even though there is some cocoa sweetness through the generous middle. Full and so likeable in its richness and flow, though spicier and less rich than the more robust Chapel Hill. Best drinking: 2017-2029. 17.7/20, 92/100. 14.5%, $30. Would I buy it? I’d share a bottle.

(I use inklpay in lieu of a paywall. A small tip goes a long way to finally paying for hosting!)

Related Posts:

  • Wirra Wirra’s delicious new Original Grenache Shiraz
  • Lively The Other Wine Co. McLaren Vale Grenache 2016
  • Again – Wirra Wirra’s standout Absconder…
  • d’Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 2012

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • Reddit
  • Print
201320152016GrenacheMcLaren ValeTop Wine
Share

Wine

8 Comments


Paul Bishard
November 4, 2017 at 10:37 AM
Reply

A little like riesling… a long while to get deserved attention. Good publicity from key media certainly helps push momentum and now with the JH challenge, certainly going to be more prevalent in consumer’s eyes…



    Andrew Graham
    November 4, 2017 at 12:25 PM
    Reply

    Riesling still needs the love for that matter too…

page1
November 4, 2017 at 7:31 PM
Reply

Willunga 100 Tithing Grenache. Drinking the 2010, with pork/veal meatballs in dense tom/herb sauce. Muscular. Good pinot is above my pay grade, so this does nicely.



    Andrew Graham
    November 4, 2017 at 9:04 PM
    Reply

    That’s good Grenache too!

David
November 5, 2017 at 3:23 PM
Reply

I really like a good Grenache but too many sweet ones out there for my liking.



Travis
November 6, 2017 at 10:59 AM
Reply

Shared a bottle of Turkey Flat 2015 on Sat night. Uber young and delicious.



jessi marina
November 6, 2017 at 3:23 PM
Reply

i like the grenach , Good get attention



Marlene Angelloz
November 6, 2017 at 8:13 PM
Reply

Totally agree with you! That’s why a few producers created the Grenache Symposium and the Grenache Association in 2010. It’s great to see how Grenache is highlighted in Australia and many other countries. Thank you for your article, your comments about the wines. Let’s enjoy Grenache wnes!



Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Subscribe by email

    Enter your email address:

  • About me – Andrew Graham


    At 18 I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, doing a degree that I didn't really like, and a liquor shop seemed like fun. Needless to say I discovered wine, my uni degree morphed into something completely different and wine/beer took over my life.

    Almost twenty years later and I currently spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.

    While wearing my writer cap I write features for the likes of National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS plus I'm a Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here.

  • Recent Comments

    • Nina Javez on The drinking thread: 30 smashable Australian wines (for $30 or less) I’d drink on a hot January night
    • Andrew Graham on Almost Club January 2019 edition: A bumper new year of almostness inc. a $500 red
    • Colin Rose on Almost Club January 2019 edition: A bumper new year of almostness inc. a $500 red
    • Andrew Graham on Almost Club January 2019 edition: A bumper new year of almostness inc. a $500 red
    • Simon Colwell on Almost Club January 2019 edition: A bumper new year of almostness inc. a $500 red
  • Categories

    • Beer
    • Wine
  • Archives

  • Tags

    2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Adelaide Hills Barossa Beer Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot + Blends Canberra Chardonnay Clare Valley Coonawarra Eden Valley Great Southern Grenache Shiraz + Blends Hunter Margaret River Marlborough McLaren Vale Mega Tasting Mornington Peninsula Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Pyrenees Riesling Rosé Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Shiraz Sparkling Tasmania Top Wine Value pick Wine Wine Yarra Valley



© Copyright Andrew Graham 2018

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.