Yangarra Estate Old Vine Grenache 2003

Color-red garnet; Nose-cherry & cranberry; Mouth- earth, clove & red plum; Finish - Medium

buy it, share it, age it

July 2009

This is some of the Vale's most sought-after Grenache; it was planted by the Smart family in 1946 and narrowly escaped being pulled up a few years back. Mint, fresh herb and black pepper aromas are profound; on the palate, lifted black cherry and plum fruit is swathed in fine tannins. A wine worth seeking out, as it tends to sell out shortly after release. -Wine Enthusiast McLaren Vale is a bounteous basin washed by the pristine Gulf St. Vincent. Ten miles from these waters lies a hillock of 60 million-year-old sands, nicknamed The Beach. It's actually the weathered remnant of a long-gone read more...mountain range, revered for the earthy wholesomeness it feeds our dry-farmed 60 year-old bush vines. The rosy polished sheen of this Grenache, its blackberry and spicebox bouquet and long, intense finish, perfectly show what these ancient sands produce. Yangarra, by the way, is Aboriginal for from the earth. And Vincent is the patron Saint of vineyards. Coincidence?    (hide)

The palate is powerful and concentrated, with kirsch, abundance of black fruit, viscosity and depth that can only come from low croppingold bush vine Grenache.

Rating: 91/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 10/15/05

Rating: 91/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator

Rating: 91/100 - As reviewed by Wine Enthusiast