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YANGARRA ESTATE Hickinbotham Grenache, McLaren Vale

BODEGAS Y VINEDOS ARTAZU Santa Cruz de Artazu Tinto Grenache, Navarra

Domaine Saint-Damien is run by Joel and Amie Saurel whose family has been tending vineyards for four generations, dating back to 1821. Until relatively recently they sold all of their grapes to negociants. In 1998 they brought on consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie and haven’t looked back. Of the estates 42 acres of vineyards, 30 acres are in Gigondas with vines that have an average age of 50 years. A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre matured in large old foudres for a period of 12 months. Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Heady black raspberry, liquorice and black cherry aromas fill the nostrils with scorched earth, herb du Provence, subtle dried meat and pepper notes also chiming in. Rich, concentrated black cherry, black raspberry and liquorice fruits overlay, scorched earth, peppered dried meat characters and spicy dried herbs. Ripe muscular tannins provide robust structure. Excellent power with a long succulent spicy pepper infused aftertaste that carries a chewy feel. Drink over the next 6-8 years. Alc. 15%

Thistledown Wines Fool on the Hill Grenache, Eden Valley Thistledown Wines are a leading name in the who’s-who of Australia’s modern grenache movement out of some of South Australia’s finest regions. The Fool on the Hill Grenache is sourced from two dry-grown plots high in the Eden Valley. The soils are tricky to work with, but the results are more than evident that the hard work required to yield Fool on the Hill has been worth it. Lifted aromatics pair with a palate of textural, chewy body with dark cherry, spice, and a refreshing line of minerality.

The quality of fruit and winemaking speaks volumes as to how this wine has turned out. The nose is abundant with red and blue fruits also seen on the palate, which is juicy, full bodied and underpinned by fine tannins. Further breathing reveals more layers of flavour and complexity after the initial tranche of bright fruits. A superb example of this most versatile of varietals

It’s fabulously fruited and perfumed on the nose showing Black Doris plum, cherry, mixed spice and rich floral aromas, followed by a concentrated palate delivering considerable weight and persistency. It’s succulent and fleshy with a prolonged satisfying finish. At its best: now to 2036.