Any price
Père Guillot Sablet
RedHeads The Reborn Grenache
Rex Mundi Shiraz Grenache
This irresistible black beauty is made from fabulously intense Shiraz and Grenache grapes grown on the craggy hillsides of France's Roussillon region. Look up from the vines and you will see ruins of castles perching precariously on rocky peaks. This inhospitable landscape and these ancient strongholds were home to medieval Cathars who lived in awe of evil god Rex Mundi ('King of the World'). He corrupted the faithful with promises of earthly pleasures and the forbidden delights of mortal flesh. Don't even try to resist, just sip and enjoy this lusciously ripe, juicy marriage of liquorice scented Shiraz and lush, silken Grenache. Gloriously easy to quaff on its own, it also goes well with barbecued meats, Cajun chicken or lamb chops.
La Porte des Princes Grenache
The Black Pig Reserve McLaren Vale GSM
There’s bundles of flavour in this classy Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvédre. A special blend that offers soft layers of fruit, and rich and velvety charm – The Black Pig delivers again!
Le Prince de Courthézon Côtes du Rhône
As close as you get to genuine Châteauneuf power – and with a Gold medal pedigree too, winning Gold for the last eight vintages. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are the three mainstays of this champion that boasts layers of velvety ripe black fruit, liquorice and spicy complexity. It's from the only co-operative cellar in Châteauneuf du Pape, the top appellation of the southern Rhône, and is owned and run by local growers. The grapes are from vineyards that abut the famous name appellation and share the same stone strewn soil that promotes superb ripeness and richness of fruit. The vines are old and gnarled, producing few grapes but with rare concentration of flavour. It's made by Châteauneuf winemaker Thierry Ferlay ... and it's very, very good!
Patronus 'The Antler' Barossa Grenache
Showing ripe cherry and raspberry aromas following on to fruitcake and blackberry flavours, with well integrated oak and a long velvety finish. An Aussie through and through – try it with barbecued kangaroo!
Kilikanoon Baudinet Blend Clare Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro
Sevenhill Cellars Estate Grown Inigo Clare Valley Grenache
Come savour pure, delicious 91pt Sevenhill Inigo Grenache from vines planted in the 1920s, without a hint of oak. Fresh aromas of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and a nice of cinnamon draw you in, leading to a pretty, finely detailed palate showcasing juicy fruits helmed by tart acidity. Another example of why Aussie Grenache is on the rise. "This is super-pale in the glass, and sets off with a magenta hue. Absolutely vibrant aromas, pretty and fresh; a cascade of pink fruit tumbles over itself to waft toward the nose. The palate is detailed, fresh and pretty, without the muscular, billowing density that grenache can achieve. A fine-boned wine that speaks of sumac strawberries, raspberry Freeza icypole, rhubarb pie, salted licorice and blackcurrant pastille... 91pts" (Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion).
Domaine Martin Rasteau
The Côtes du Rhône are home to many rich, warming reds that can be serious bargains, and those entitled to the Villages appellation promise even greater intensity and fruit power. Such has been the quality in Rasteau that the area was promoted in 2010 to full AOP status, putting it on a par with mighty Gigondas next door. Indeed, Domaine Martin can claim a key part in securing this promotion. The property goes back to 1905, when Julien Martin bought the 5-hectare estate. In 1947 his son Jules took over, expanding the vineyards and building a winery. Today it is run by David and Eric Martin, grandsons of the founder.This Grenache-based blend (70% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 10% Mourvèdre) from the Cote de Rhone opens with earthy, herbal aromas mingling with hints of blackberry and raspberry. Herbal-scented dark fruit flavours drive the supple palate with smoked meat and spicy notes adding complexity.