2023 Grenache UNGRAFTED

Reviews

"Gracefully rich and complex, the wine shows dark berry, cured meat, warm spice and almond notes on the nose. The palate is impressively concentrated and expansive with plush mouthfeel combined with beautifully melded tannins, finishing persistent and velvety. Sensually textured and meticulously balanced, making it captivating and alluring. At its best: 2026 to 2043. 96 Points." - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"Ungrafted Grenache from the Barossa, under cork, this saw maturation in older French oak barrels. The vines providing the fruit are over a century in age. Purple/mauve in colour, this is simply gorgeous. The aromas here weave throughout plums, strawberries and blackberries with coffee beans, soy and licorice. Seamless in structure, with very good focus and sleek tannins before a long, lingering finish. Drink for a decade or more. Love it. 95 Points." - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

"The wonderful old Grenache vines underpinning this beautiful wine from a beautiful vintage are more than 100 years old. Interesting technique. The fruit was whole bunch fermented in open vats for three weeks and then pressed to old French barriques for another nine months on lees. The approach in the winery has allowed the fruit to express itself without excessive tannin or oak influence. In fact, they are almost dormant in the background, although you know there is tannin support in there. Bursting with red fruits and life. Super wine. 95 Points." - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

"The fruit comes from a centurion (110 years old) vineyard on the banks of the Para River. Whole bunch fermentation and 9 months in old French barriques. Spice and jubey red fruit with coffee grounds, rose petals reinforced by a savoury vein of fresh turned earth and iron. Vibrant and delicate with raspberry crystal fruit ably supported by darker herbed nuances. Tannins are hyperfine and a wonderful frame through a long, long finish. Quite exceptional value. 95 Points." - Regan Drew, Wine Pilot

"Old, dry-grown Grenache vines on own roots (ungrafted) are an increasing rarity, so a wine like this becomes a celebration of sorts. It makes for a powerful statement in that it isn’t a big wine but rather an intense, concentrated ball of the most delicious aromas and fruit flavours. Black cherry, juniper, rosemary, liquorice, a touch of clove and chocolate alight the aroma. Medium bodied, deep in fruit concentration and offset by fine tannins, the palate brings out the grape’s florals and herbal notes in league with plum and cherry. A flourish of sinewy, clean, astringent dryness to close. Great stuff. 94 Points." - Jeni Port, Wine Pilot

"Sourced from 100-year-old, dry-grown, ungrafted grenache vines aged for 9 months in old French oak. Wild strawberry, red plum and raspberry fruit notes with underlying hints of spice, gingerbread, rose petal, citrus blossom, white pepper and earth. Beautifully fine, sandy tannins provide the canvas, bright acidity the drive, there's a lot of enjoyment here; cellaring potential, too. 94 Points." - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

"With layers of jubey raspberry fruit, cherry cola spice and a savoury stemmy element, this Barossa Valley Grenache is from rare century-old, ungrafted vines grown in deep sandy soils, and is whole bunch fermented in open vats and matured in old French barrels. With lingering cedary tannins, I find it the most savoury of Dean’s wines and a brilliant match for slow roasted porchetta. 94 Points." - Melissa Moore, Wine Pilot