2022 The Other Wine Co. Grenache
McLaren Vale
The wine that inspired The Other Wine Co. A deliciously vibrant, juicy Grenache, from 45-year-old bush vines in McLaren Vale. Wonderfully lifted aromatics, from sandy soils, and picked early, to retain acidity. Light on its feet, with power to finish.
Violets, Damson plums skin and black cherries. Mulberry and kalamata olive. Hot sand, black fungi and carob. Paperbark, clove and cinnamon powder. Compact sweet and spicy. The Blewitt fragrance is a key feature with soft pillowy tannins and a long black coffee bitterness that hums along. Alcohol heat is kept in check and the weight of black fruit spectrum is distinct. Drink now and will cellar 2-4 years. A wine that would sit nicely beside a Du Puy lentil ragout.
Shanteh Wale, The Wine Pilot, March 2024, 92 Points.
It’s cliched, but when I cracked this The Other Wine Co. Grenache 2022, I checked the sticker on the label with the RRP twice. Confirmed. Double confirmed. Not a reserve bottling. Not a special release. Just a $28 blinder. Hello x-factor. It’s just Grenache fruit (from the Blind Spot Vineyard in Blewitt Springs) and largely unadorned by winemaking influence, yet there is this sous bois mushroom layer beyond the purple fruit. Indeed, It’s quite dark and purple plummy (rather than the more traditional red fruit) for a Vale Grenache and a bit singularly juicy, but there’s a certain perfect power and energy to it that makes this a smashable delight (without being confected or shallow), especially for $28.
Andrew Graham, OZ Wine Review, February 2024, 93 Points.
Deep and bright red-purple with freshness in the aromas well as the colour. Dark cherry with subtle spice nuances, a touch of dried herbs and a traces of raspberry bonbon, the palate medium-full bodied and savoury with lots of nicely drying tannins, balanced and quite supple on the follow-through. A stylish grenache of charm and power. It promises to give more with a little more time in bottle, too.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, January 2024, 93 Points