Genista Wines Duck, Duck, Cat Grenache 2020
- 91
- $30
- Drink by: 2022-2026
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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.
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.
