From a small Barossa family producer who of course grows shiraz and crafts several versions of it as a mainstay, the Schwarz Wine Co also have a superb range of Grenache, from the GSM to the Meta and Thiele Road Grenache, each revealing another delightful pathway to fine regional styling.
The 2019 GSM ($30; 90/100) is out and about now, and is a smart crossover of just ripe darker fruit and underlying dried herb and spice seasonings. The Schwarz 2019 Meta with its fancy green label ($35; 94/100) is just rolling into the marketplace in 2020 Autumn, and suits the season perfectly; a mix of Bethany and Marananga vineyards, fermented with wild yeast and 80% whole bunch inclusion. If ever there was a case study in what this can bring to grenache, this is worth exploring. It’s glorious, pure grenache that captures a subtle dose of sappiness and savoury sensibilities that balance and layer its otherwise slurpy, grapey fruit spectrum.
And for a further step into grenache varietal expression, the 2018 Thiele Road Grenache ($45; 95/100) ticks all the boxes if you like more umami in your red wine pleasures. It’s fleshy, subtly saline, blood lippy and a touch meaty, like rare roast beef juices. For mine this is complex, grenache holy grail territory. All three make a terrific grenache masterclass.
