HARRISON WINES Fleur De La Lune Grenache, Barossa Valley

Bruno & George Old Vine Grenache, Barossa Valley Grenache is arguably the most exciting grape variety on Australian shores of late and indisputably the cultivar that bodes best for an increasingly challenged climate. Responsible for a number of stylistic interpretations, Australian Grenache has traditionally been round, generous and fruity, with an emphasis on wild strawberry, kirsch and Turkish Delight aromas. Bruno & Georges Joh Norman and his deep understanding of Spanish iterations of the variety, however, delivers a far more savoury experience that challenges the worlds best. Think riffs on wild strawberry, thyme, lavender and a weave of spindly tannins, firm and edgy, that serve as a legacy of vast international experience and the sort of confident extraction that comes with it.

A wine who’s reputation proceeds it, 0f particular note is the interesting winemaking on show here – it’s old school, yet cleverly so, with all the components co fermented, everything relying on the juice, rather than new oak to tell the story. I like that blend of old and new – its what the Barossa does best. A mid red colour, this has dried herbs, cherry, a waft of VA and tomato paste on the slightly forward savoury nose. There is even a hint of saddle, though its more winey than bretty. The palate is medium bodied, pleasurably soft and somewhat evolved, with spicy old oak the only influence, the rest derived from integrated, maturing fruit. It feels like a pair of favourite jeans – worn in all the right places and comfortable from the get go, yet without losing its style. Suffice to say its one very drinkable, enjoyable, medium bodied drink and its all the better for it. It probably won’t seduce you with its intensity and some will be looking for more primary fruit freshness (I’d like to see it in a screwcap too because I’m a stelvinista or even a vino-loker: now they are pretty sexy too) but I’d drink a ton more of this than so many heavier Barossan reds. 18.0

This bright, juicy Grenache displays peppery notes, along with raspberry, cherry and wild strawberries on the palate. Balancing blueberry and sandalwood, it finishes with a floral high note. Absolutely scrumptious.

The wines hallmark is its freshness due to no oak ageing and as the name describes it is a wine best drunk in its youth, poured by the glass at your favourite restaurant.

Schild Estate Old & Survivor Vine Barossa Valley Grenache 2019 The Old & Survivor Vine 2019 Barossa Valley Grenache is firmly in the red fruit register but at the darker end of the spectrum. Dark cherries and red currants are chaperoned by savoury spice. Slight creamy texture and soft tannins are offset by a bright edge. This isnt an over the top Barossa Grenache, its generous, layered and interesting without being indulgent. The fruit is sourced from two vineyards. The Kleemann Vineyard was established in 1985 at 320m asl on the Eastern Hills overlooking Rowland Flat and are now classified as Old Vines (35 years+). The second vineyard in the blend is the Three Springs. Established at 300m asl, the plot is adjacent to the original Schild family estate in Rowland Flat. The vines are 70+ years old Classified and Survivor Vines. At this altitude, the vines are much lower-yielding and, combined with the decades of growth, produce fruit of great concentration, complexity and character. Schild Estate then realises the potential of the fruit and presents it in this sumptuous 2019 cuvée.

Pretty and immediately expressive, multi layered aromas of raspberry, dried cherries, lifted spices and rhubarb.Medium bodied with layers of tannins and savoury earthy flavours balanced with a textured waves of spicy fruit. Complex, soft on the palate with a fineness and elegance counter balanced with generosity and depth of texture that speaks of it’s munda (land or country).