Cadenzia is the name a number of McLaren Vale wineries have chosen to give their Grenache based wines. It stems from the word ‘Cadenza’; an improvisational piece played by a soloist at the end of a musical performance. So the soloist here is Grenache. In fact, checking the website, this is 100% Grenache. So I suppose it’s just an improvisational solo.
The positives (which far outweigh the negatives) first. It’s floral and sweetly spiced but not syrupy or too confected. Redcurrants, licorice and mulberries mostly with nutmeg and cinnamon chiming in. Maybe some pepper too. Earthen characters are hinted at and should emerge with time. There’s a good tug of tannin and the acidity is settled. It’s a touch compact and lacking great persistence at the moment but that may improve as the tannin begins to resolve. Also, there’s some heat on the back-palate, which is often comes with the territory when we’re talking about Grenache but is somewhat surprising in light of the listed ABV. Good drinking all the same. 91 Good – Very Good
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $30
Tasted: September 2012