Dandelion Vineyards Sleeping Beauty GSM 2018

This is not your usual version of the Barossa Grenache blend. Often they are big, dense and rich wines – with grenache’s sweeter side on show. But that’s not what you’ll find here. This is more a journey into the darker, mysterious side of this variety, which is not such as bad thing.

Deep cherry colour, it is a wine that currently needs a day or two to come out of its shell so pop it into a decanter if you are drinking it young. Slowly dark cherry, ground spice and earth unfold with oak aging also in the mix. The aromas are generous too, and given additional interest thanks to a slight meaty edge. The plate is dry, open knit and fleshy, even elegant for grenache, again with that spicy meaty character sitting pretty over a lingering and supple finish. It’s more a drink young style but certainly has plenty to offer.