Genista Wines Duck, Duck, Cat Grenache 2020

Possibly not the most conventionally named wine you’ll drink this year (and you definitely should drink it), but the reasoning is all explained on the bottle. It all relates to Rose, who runs the local Barossa Wildlife Rescue operation, and you should be aware that $3 from every bottle sold will go to that organisation. Good thing, too.

This was the first vintage this team has made from a single acre of their Grenache, planted back in 1944 – not a bad start to have access to such old vines first up! The fruit went into an open-top fermenter, with the bottom third being whole bunches and whole berries. The top 2/3rds were destemmed. Basket pressing to oak followed, two seasoned hogsheads, one French and one American for 11 months maturation.

An appealing crimson colour. The nose offers an array of aromas; warm earth, strawberries, roast meats and old leather. The palate is of mid-weight and there is a supple texture, through to very fine tannins, though they are a touch gritty, as one often encounters with this grape. Bright acidity too so drink over the next three to four years, and probably much longer. Very attractive.