2020 Hillside Vineyard Grenache
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The 2020 Hillside Vineyard Grenache yielded around half of its normal tonnage in 2020. The flowering in the spring of 2019 was affected by heavy winds that shattered bunches across the region. The season that followed was warm and dry, and I have found the best wines from this vintage are very good indeed. Here, the 2020 Hillside Vineyard Grenache is aromatically fresh and red fruited, with none of the pomegranate molasses/sumac notes present in the earlier vintages. The tannins have an ashy, graphite note also not previously observed, and these linger long through the finish. 15% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
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Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
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Tasted from a mini sample 'packet'. Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certified. From vines planted in 1949, mass selection, unknown clones, at 190_250 m asl on red-brown earth over shale. Dry-grown bush vines. TA 5.59 g/l, pH 3.45. A gentle strawberry-toffee smooth wine without corners, swirling through the palate in soft-spiced contours. The high alcohol is remarkably well balanced. Molten strawberry texture. Hedonistic, no edges, all somnolent seduction. (TC)
Made from bush vines planted in 1949 with subtle cloves and black pepper. Some asphalt. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Chalky texture with black fruits and crushed stone minerality to it. Pure grenache. Spicy. Drink or hold.