Grenache - Australia

Jay Miller - "The 2005 Alexander Laing Old Vines Grenache was sourced from 100-year-old vines in the Greenock subregion of Barossa. Dark ruby-colored, it has a complex bouquet of damp earth, sage, smoked herbs, espresso, cassis, and kirsch. Velvety-textured with superb depth, it also has well-concealed tannins which will allow the wine to evolve for another 4-6 years. It has a pure, 45-second finish. This outstanding Grenache will drink well through 2020."

Winemaker - "Alexander Gordon Laing was yet another explorer from Scotland who trekked around West Africa in the 18th century. Alexander Laing, like the rest of our Single Vineyard Series, owes its existence to the blocks of weather-beaten bush vines that survived the vine-pull of the end of the last century."

91 Points - Jay Miller (erobertparker.com)

The 2006 John Speke GSM is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Shiraz, and 20% Mourvedre sourced from vines over 60 years of age. Dark ruby-coloured, it has an enticing nose of spice box, scorched earth, forest floor, cherry, and blueberry. Velvety-textured and elegantly-styled, this savoury blend conceals enough silky tannin to evolve for 2-3 years and will be at its best right up to 2020.

94 Points - Jay Miller (erobertparker.com)

The 2005 John Speke GSM is composed of 50% Grenache, 30% Shiraz, and 20% Mourvedre. Grapes were sourced from vines ranging in age from 60 to 100 years located near Nuriootpa. The nose features notes of spice box, damp earth, truffle, kirsch, black raspberry, and blueberry muffin. Velvety-textured and elegant on the palate, the wine offers serious depth and concentration, gobs of red and black fruits, and a long, pure finish. Drink this hedonistic effort over the next 12-15 years.

For Papillon the selection of vineyards, fruit and winemaking techniques are centered on capturing the fresh spice, fruit and herb aromas and flavors of Grenache and Cinsault in a supple, medium weight wine.

93 Points - Jay Miller (erobertparker.com)

The 2005 The Steading is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged for 22 months in used French oak. David Powell’s interpretation of top-of-the-line Chateauneuf du Pape is spot-on. Purple-colored, it offers a fabulous nose of damp earth, garrigue, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, rich, and layered, the wine is powerful, complex and yet surprisingly light on its feet.

95 Points - Robert Parker "The exotic, full-throttle, high velocity, mouth-staining, unctuously textured, dense ruby/purple-hued 2003 Grenache Old Vines Blewitt Springs is classic southern Australian Grenache. Pushed to the limit, but not over the top, it is a spectacular wine."

93 Points - Robert Parker "As usual for this cuvee, the 2004 Grenache Blewitt Springs possesses an extraordinary, exotic, flamboyant personality that causes Roman Bratasiuk to say it’s his “Dolly Parton-styled wine.” Terrific notes of blackberries, raspberries, and rich kirsch liqueur are accompanied by an opulent, flamboyant wine with tremendous viscosity and richness as well as a lusty, heady finish."

93 Points - Josh Raynolds "Deep ruby. Explosive raspberry, blackberry and blueberry scents, along with suave Asian spices and fresh rose. Mouth-filling red berry flavors offer impressive clarity and silky texture for such volume. Velvety tannins add shape to this dense, strikingly sweet fruit bomb. I'd be tempted to drink it now, just to wallow in the seductive fruit."

93 Points - Josh Raynolds "Deep ruby. Explosive raspberry, blackberry and blueberry scents, along with suave Asian spices and fresh rose. Mouth-filling red berry flavors offer impressive clarity and silky texture for such volume. Velvety tannins add shape to this dense, strikingly sweet fruit bomb. I'd be tempted to drink it now, just to wallow in the seductive fruit."

94 Points - Jeremy Oliver

A wild, heady and briary perfume of raspberries, red cherries, redcurrants and dark plums overlies a meaty, musky background of baked earth, spice and blueberries. It’s rich and voluptuous, robust and powerfully flavoured, with deep Black Forest Cake-like layers of intense, brambly berry influences supported by fine, drying undercarriage and finishing with lingering suggestions of black jelly beans. Likely to thicken out further.