Chateau Tanunda The Everest Old Vine Barossa Grenache 2018

The drinker is left in no doubt that the producer is aiming high with The Everest name. The bottle is heavy, deep punted and expensive. The price tag is an eye-watering $330 a bottle and, weighing inattentive 15% alcohol, it is certainly in the upper reaches for the Grenache grape. That said, the Rhone grape carries it well.

There are structures in place – tannin and oak – holding firm and keeping the wine’s big, complex personality in check. Aromas are heady. Earth-clay, blackberry, liquorice, lifted spices of clove, rosemary and, throughout, the lilting thread of aromatic lavender. A lovely clarity of fruit on the palate together with grenache confection notes. It is matched by complimentary savouriness of earth, prune, leather. All is securely in place for a long life.