Alex Head has utilised a 68 year-old vineyard in Krondorf to craft a remarkable Barossan Grenache for the price. A remarkable Grenache full stop actually. Fermented using indigenous yeast and aged for twelve months in three year-old French oak puncheons. Small amounts of Shiraz and Mataro from the same vineyard are also incorporated.
Deeply fruited with cherries over raspberry. Sweet spice and pepper, flowers scattered in freshly turned earth. So much depth. Smoky notes alongside pan juices and aniseed with a little leaf matter. Texturally sublime, flowing like the old silk ribbon but with a bit of yielding flesh in the mouth as well. Integrated acidity and complex, tightly knit tannin. Terrific interplay between sweetness and savoury elements. And it’s long. Oh boy is it long. Will repay extended cellaring. Give it a good decant to get the most out of it now. 95 Excellent – Exceptional
Region: Barossa Valley
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $40
Tasted: May 2013
Wow. This sounds fantastic. I really enjoyed the 2009 & 2010 and have left a few of each in the cellar. Looks like another must buy. Really enjoying the Grenache and blends that are coming out of Barossa and McLaren Vale in the last few years. Ochota, Samuels Gorge, Sons of Eden, Teusner …. The list goes on.
I think the better producers in the Barossa and McLaren Vale (such as those you’ve mentioned, Cirillo, SC Pannell, Yangarra and others) now have a confident understanding of how to treat Grenache – which is to say, not like Shiraz
They’re also showing faith in the buying public. Hopefully consumers will respond in kind.