Kilikanoon Duke Reserve Grenache 2018

This is a wine which has everything going for it – and it delivers accordingly. Picked from two discrete old vine Grenache vineyards in the Watervale sub-region – aged 74 and 80 years – which are dry-farmed, hand-pruned and hand-picked. The parcels are selected “for power and elegance”. Winemaking sees the use of small open fermenters and an extended period on skins. Basket pressing into older French oak of varying formats for fifteen months.

A deep crimson red with spices, hints of chocolate, tobacco leaf, rose petals, black fruits, cherries and leather on the nose. There is complexity here, good intensity and yet the balance is retained. A silky texture through to velvety tannins. Good length. This is delicious now but will easily impress over the next decade. A cracking Grenache.