With origins in Spain and southern France, where he still regularly distinguishes himself, this impressive figure first set foot here in 1840 and today also calls South Australia home. The Governor General may have been around a while but has an eye to the future. He mixes effortlessly, but is bold enough to stand alone. Possessed of great potential strength and power, he more often displays his lighter side, with seductive charm and finesse. For many, his approachable style is very refreshing, and even at his most chilled, you’ll always receive a warm welcome.

After almost three decades of shared experience in the wine industry, Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood decided to have a crack at their own venture sourcing fruit mainly from high quality vineyards in McLaren Vale to produce wines under their Ministry of Clouds label. This stellar example of Grenache is comprised 8 different Grenache ferments with varying amounts of whole bunch ranging from a couple of whole berry ferments to the highest being 28% whole bunch, skin time varying between 3 to 6 weeks. The 8 ferments are off four vineyards - three of which all neighbour each other in Blewitt Springs. One planted in 1930, another in 1939 and the last is believed to be planted in 1940s. These 3 vineyards make up 82% of the blend. The last component is from the oldest part of the Smart vineyard in Clarendon planted in 1920. Maturation took place in large old oak for 6 months. A Grenache of phenomenal intensity and power. Vibrant dark red coloured core with black shaded edges and a light purple red hue. Wafting from the glass with a perfumed like intensity are intoxicating aromas of dark raspberries, ripe cherries and red liquorice that are infused with an intriguing mix of fresh herbs and rose petals. Subtle vanillin earth and spice notes are also evident. Carrying only light to medium body, the palate has a power without weight quality, juicy dark raspberry, red liquorice and red cherry fruits unfolding like a never ending peacocks tail to deliver superb depth. Magnificent purity of fruit and with its concentration on another level. Lingering underneath are some vanillin confectionary, earth and subtle spicy pepper characters. Fresh acidity and a sturdy matrix of tannins provide a fine boned structure. Concludes with an explosively long, succulently fruited finish. Drink over the next 6-8 years. Alc. 14.7%

Grenache is enjoying a well-deserved moment, with a new generation of talented Aussie winemakers delivering deliciously fresh, approachable wines. This McLaren Vale Grenache is a superb example, from the exciting small-batch project Marsc Wine Co. Bringing acclaimed winemakers and prestige vineyards together covertly under a ‘masked’ label, they’re able to deliver great quality wines for brilliantly low prices. We can’t reveal who made this Grenache, but we can say that they have picked up some of Australia’s highest winemaking honours – namely, TWO Bushing Kings and a Jimmy Watson.

Mitolo Wines is a family owned business, borne of and led by the founder and owner Frank Mitolo's vision; to create a range of wines of individuality, integrity and utmost quality. The G.A.M. is deep purple, the nose is an intense combination of smoked herbs, liquorice and blackcurrants leading to a full bodied palate with notes of cassis and cracked pepper. Premium McLaren Vale at its best.

Bright and perfumed with chewy earth and spice characters, this is a fine example of what an evenly spread palate tastes like. A wine with a backbone of old bush vine Grenache planted in the 1940s. This wine will continue to evolve with cellaring, but can also be enjoyed in its youth alongside barbequed meats. The grapes from each block were hand-picked, de-stemmed and mechanically sorted. Whole berries were then transferred to open-top fermenters. We cold soaked the fermentation tanks for 5 days until the onset of wild fermentation, utilising the yeasts that naturally come in with the grapes from the vineyard. The open fermenters underwent a careful regime of plunging and drain and returns. The 2016 growing season was marked by a dry spring and was headed for a very early and compressed season. We had some mild summer rains which slowed the sugar ripening of the vines down, and helped give brightness and fleshiness to vintage. Peter Fraser The Yangarra philosophy centers around producing wines solely from our single-vineyard estate, where our bush-vine Grenache is the keystone variety. With our feet firm in history, and our eyes on the horizon, Yangarra Estate now exists to deliver the essence of this beautiful place to your glass. McLaren Vale folks like to think that their region on the Gulf St Vincent, patron of viticulturers, has the best Mediterranean climate on Earth. With this foremost in mind, Yangarra Estate is devoted solely to producing wines from the best grape varieties of the southern Rhone, which lies on the north-west Mediterranean coast. Yangarras combination of rare geologies, moderate altitude, abundant sunshine and cool evening breezes make it perfect for growing varieties that thrive in these moderate maritime environments. Our respect of this special piece of country is evident in the wines we make from its grapes - every Yangarra Estate wine is a confident reflection of the nature of this land.

Consistent Domaine Clarendon Syrah characters include and grilled meat, black currant fruit and crushed rock, graphite-like minerality throughout the palate. The Domaine Clarendon Syrah is a part of the Clarendon Hills Premier-Cru classification and generally drinks best after 8-10 years in the cellar, when its terroir is formally demonstrated. Exceptional vintages like 2015 offer a unique approachability to this world class Terroir and opening it before full maturity offers an opportunity to see a legend in the making.