Winetastic

We have been fortunate enough to receive samples of three premium reds from Yelland & Papps in the Barossa, all of which should be released very soon. First up we have the Yelland & Papps Old Vine Grenache 2007.

Some alcoholic heat detracts from the vibrant red berry and dusty earth aromas. Medium bodied and silky smooth, the persistant finish is nice and savoury with a refreshing acidic bite.

Like the 2006 vintage, this wine is held together with acidity rather than tannin, however it seems to be missing the “x-factor” of the older sibling. Given that the balance is there now, I think this will be looking very good with a few years in the bottle.

Score: 89/100
Price: $30
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: None I could find yet…
Would I buy this wine?
Make haste and snap up some of the 2006 before it sells out!

We have saved the best for last from Yelland & Papps, the Old Vine Grenache 2006 is atypical for the region, however in a very good way.

Mid ruby red, initially the aromas are of subtle sweet berries, though the full flavoured palate is full of red cherry, rich dark chocolate and an earthyness I rather appreciate. Acidity rather than tannin binds the whole lot together, though there is some fine tannin evident on the long finish. Smooth, easy drinking, well balanced and full of interest.

This is a wine that has polarised opinion somewhat, I feel that if you prefer your wines in a more savoury style: eg Italian or Hunter Valley, then this Grenache will hit the spot. I feel it’s a classy number and food friendly to boot.

Score: 92/100
Price: $30
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Yelland & Papps, Torbwine
Would I buy this wine?
Yes

I have been really slack and left my notes on the 2005 Vinrock Grenache sitting in my bag for around a month. We first came across Vinrock at a wine festival in Sydney, where their red wines from the McLaren Vale outshone most other producers at the show.

Lots of sweet fruit aromas of blueberry and blackberry contrast with the slightly tart red fruit flavours of cherry, raspberry & spices on the palate. Chewy tannins leave the finish nice and dry with a hint of well balanced oak and an underlying earthyness. It tastes very much like Grenache, but has a better structure than others I had tried in the past.

Overall this is a smooth and easy drinking red which I found went surprisingly well with mildly spiced chinese food. As a general rule im not big on the variety, perhaps this is the Shiraz drinkers Grenache?

Score: 90/100
Price: $20
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.5%
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes, for the record I ordered a split dozen of Vinrock reds after the wine show tasting.

This was the first straight Grenache I have tasted, selected the bottle based on the fact d’Arenberg have been making the stuff since 1927. Details of the long history and tasting notes can be found at the d’Arenberg website.

The wine is very dark in the glass, exciting and feisty on the palate, with dark fruits and spices dominating. The finish is surprisingly soft with powdery tannins. I was expecting more of a tannic backbone to the wine, it is drinking very well young.

The decision to decant this wine was taken, given the advice on the bottle for extended cellaring. However I found a lot of the excitement was simply removed after an hour in the decanter. It did seem to improve once again a couple of hours later, although my senses were surely dulled having drank half a bottle of its 14.5% goodness.

Score: 7/10
Would I buy this wine again?
I will reserve judgement until I have tasted some more grenache, however I definitely enjoyed the change from shiraz/cab/merlot/pinot.