We have three small bush vine vineyards on the Coriole estate with majority of our estate grown grenache going to the Grenache MourveĢdre Shiraz blend, Dancing Fig.
We like to reserve the best 2-3 barrels that display quintessential McLaren Vale grenache characters for this single bottling.
The soils naturally produce a savoury wine, so we use 20% whole bunch and soft extraction during fermentation to get more floral aromatics and prettiness.
"Medium deep crimson. Attractive strawberry, red cherry, Parma violet aromas with savoury notes. Well-concentrated strawberry pastille, red cherry fruits, fine chalky textures, very good mid-palate viscosity and mineral length. Archetypal McLaren Vale Grenache that is drinking beautifully. Drink now–2028. 95 points"
Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
"Hand picked, open fermented and hand plunged. Matured for 12 months in used puncheons with a best barrels selection. Its spicy/savoury aspect has red fruits staring it down, with an honourable peace for each side. 95 points"
James Halliday, Wine Companion
"A middling ruby red colour without the deeper purplish hues of some new-wave young grenaches. Its subdued personality matches its appearance. It's not an out-there style, but it does have real savoury appeal. The nose has dry foresty notes, along with cherry kernel fruit and a whisper of Turkish delight. In the mouth it's dry and structured, restraint is the thing here, but it has presence, depth and length with a grippy tannin backbone that should ensure longevity. Really good. 92 points"
The Real Review
"Strawberry, red cherry, floral too, along with dried herb perfume. It’s medium-bodied, sweet red fruits and herbs, fine-grained emery tannin, almond paste, and a succulent finish of excellent length, with some saline/seaweed character in the aftertaste. It’s a lovely thing to drink. 92 points"
Gary Walsh, Winefront
"Aromas of rosemary and thyme mix with baked cherries and blackberries. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Mineral undertones give definition and articulation to the fresh red fruit. Lingering finish."
James Suckling