Château Tanunda 150-Year-Old Grenache 2022
- 95
- $280
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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A bucket list wine, surely. The fruit here comes from some of the oldest Grenache in the world, originally planted in 1858. It is a small block which is part of the Stonegarden Vineyard in the Eden Valley. The vines are bush vines which are dry grown on their original rootstocks. Total yield is around one tonne in a good year. Maturation will be for a year and a half in a mix of new and older French oak. Production is just around 700 bottles. The wine has the additional benefit of coming from an excellent vintage for the region. Under cork. A ruby/crimson colour, the nose provides notes of strawberries, kirsch, wild raspberries, dried herbs, tobacco leaves, charcuterie and aniseed. Gorgeous aromas they are, and certainly a highlight, but the wine continues to impress on the palate, which is seamless, supple and offers wonderful length. A fine line of acidity runs the full journey, through to silky tannins. A brilliant Grenache for enjoying over the next twelve to fifteen years.
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.
