Purple Hands Wines Planta Circa Ancestor Vine Grenache 2025
- 96
- $175
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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The fruit for this magical Grenache comes from the Zerk Vineyard at Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley, the vines planted back in 1880, which qualifies them as Ancestor Vines. The team like to include a small percentage of whole bunches in the fermentation, after which it is transferred to old puncheons and spends time on lees. Just 2,400 bottles made. Crimson/russet in hue, this is a wine of balance and intensity with good focus throughout. Aromas weave through notes of dried herbs, strawberries, rose petals, aniseed, raspberries and freshly unearthed beetroot. There is impressive direction here and exceptional length, through to very fine, silky tannins. Stunning stuff and it should remain so for at least the next twelve to fifteen years.
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.
