Clarendon Hills : Grenache Old Vines Kangarilla Vineyard 2001

This shows a ruby-red color with slight bricking at the rim. It began a touch funky with some medicinal and burnt notes, which blew off with air, and the wine overall was absolutely delicious. Black-cherry and subtle raspberry aromas are backed by loads of underbrush, herbs, tar paper, and charred earth on the nose, leading into a balanced, medium- to full-bodied palate. Ripe and packed with sweet fruit, it delivers a silky-smooth texture, perfectly integrated tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, enjoyable finish. Not jammy or viscous, it showed great poise, and the acidity gave the wine a precise edge.

Even better is the 2001 Grenache Romas Vineyard. It offers classic kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with lavender, licorice, spice box, and a hint of earth. This fully mature, peppery, spicy, full-bodied wine displays lots of character. The lesson with respect to these Clarendon Hills Grenaches is to drink them during their first 6-8 years of life.