Wine Code Breaker #418

2022 Penfolds Bin 21 Grenache, Barossa Valley, South Australia Australia is girt by sea. A fact that is irrefutable. You could argue that Barossa Grenache is girt by Shiraz. In fact, the girtage factor of Shiraz to Grenache is 10 to 1. And like Australia as an island of the Southern oceans, Barossa Grenache standsContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #418”

Wine Code Breaker #408

2021 Mac Forbes EB80 G-Train Grenache, Yarra Valley, Victoria The evolution of the Grenache style away from a blockbuster, high octane jube driven palate continues to amaze. It may even be a revolution. These wines are highly perfumed, textural, tauter / leaner framed while retaining the raspberry and blackberry fruit that makes it such aContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #408”

Wine Code Breaker #406

2021 Cherubino Uovo Grenache, Frankland River, Western Australia The phrase “afternoon delight” has over time become a reference to a dangerous liaison between two lovers when everything’s a little clearer in the light of day. This is all thanks to the Starland Vocal Band’s hit song of 1976, Afternoon Delight. A more recent version ofContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #406”

Wine Code Breaker #384

2020 Ox Hardy Grenache, South Australia Grenache from McLaren Vale like other areas of Australia has evolved over the years into something that is very different from where it started. Amazing to discover that Grenache accounts for only 6% of the annual crush of this amazing region. From bush or trellised vines, there is somethingContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #384”

Wine Code Breaker #260

2012 Yalumba Tri-Centenary Grenache, Barossa Valley, South Australia One from the archives of 2018…I have been lucky enough to have met Kevin Glastonbury once. Often referred to as KG, he is a winemaker from the Yalumba team. I made the mistake of calling him Wayne and those around at the time burst out in mirth while myContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #260”

Wine Code Breaker #379

2019 Yangarra Estate Old Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia International Grenache Day is celebrated on the 17th September each year and it is an opportunity to celebrate all that is good about Grenache. It can be lightly crushed for a rose, blended with Shiraz and Mataro to create a GSM or vinified on itsContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #379”

Wine Code Breaker #378

2017 RockBare Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia In the arts, a fine piece is one that is said to have light and shade. Simply put, light and shade can be a metaphor for things that evoke an emotional response. In wine, light and shade can be the colours as they are swirled, the aromas asContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #378”

Wine Code Breaker #367

2020 Spinifex Garçon Grenache, Barossa Valley, South Australia  Spinifex is a grass that is critical in holding back coastal foredunes from erosion in a harsh environment.  It appears delicate, yet can withstand much of what mother nature can throw at it.  It covers the surface of the dune and can be severely impacted by oneContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #367”

Wine Code Breaker #352

2016 Yagarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia Counting crows is a pastime oft spent during the long dry Summer months. They argk and squawk as only they can awaiting a carcass to appear. Counting Crows is also an alternative rock music group from California. In “Mrs Potter’s Lullaby” they poetically proposition, “if dreamsContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #352”

Wine Code Breaker #341

2019 Kalleske Old Vine Grenache, Barossa Valley, South Australia Captain Jack Sparrow is a fictional character from the Pirates of the Caribbean series of movies.  He meanders his way through the movies in a way that affects all.  He is a trickster who appears drunken.  He uses wit and deceit to end disputes and heContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #341”