Arila Gardens Sand Gardens Grenache 2020
- 96
- $85
- Drink by: 2023 - 2032
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The Clay family purchased what would become Arila Gardens in 2018 and in a very short, Covid-interrupted, period have established an enviable reputation for some truly exceptional reds. They have done so by, for wont of a better way to put it, sticking to the region’s knitting. Varietal Grenache and Shiraz, blends of GSM, using old vines and traditional methods. It is what has made the region famous and if it ain’t broke…
Love this varietal Grenache. At the moment, there is serious competition in both the Barossa and McLaren Vale – and a few other regions as well – for old vine, quality Grenache. These guys have firmly established themselves as part of the conversation. From vines planted in the Moppa subregion in 1900, this is a cracker. Bright red/crimson in colour, the aroma is an enticing mix of raspberry notes, bergamot, spices and root vegetables. Already complex, even at this early stage, dry herbs emerge on the palate. Seamless, focused, balanced and with excellent length through to silky, if ever so slightly sandy tannins, this is a joy now and has at least a decade ahead of it. Love it.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
