The Artisans of Barossa Grenache Project offers a superb insight into how different winemaking techniques can radically alter the style and profile of Grenache. Picking times, use of stalks and oak regimes are just some of the key decisions that winemakers make in every vintage with the resulting wines here ranging from traditionally bold Barossans to more modern and ethereal wines. For the Artisans Grenache Project, a different vineyard is chosen every year, and in 2021 it was the Rosenzweig Vineyard in the small Light Pass district, purchased by James Rosenzweig in 1996, with vines going back to 1969 plantings. What was fascinating in the cooler 2021 vintage was the widespread use of whole bunches which has crafted a fascinating set of wines.
Artisans of Barossa Grenache Project Schell 2021
93 Points | 2026-2032
A typically fragrant example of Grenache from Peter Schell that is pretty and spicy thanks to 50% whole bunches in the ferment. So elegant and moreish, you can not help but be drawn in for a glass or three thanks to cranberry, spice and red cherry aromas. It then delivers excellent generosity of flavour, stalky tannins tightening up meaty/red licorice flavours with a distinctly savoury edge of earth and undergrowth to finish, firm tannins also guaranteeing longevity.
Artisans of Barossa Grenache Project Schwarz 2021
90+ Points | 2027-2030
Classic Schwarz bursting with juicy fruits and seductive upfront complexity. Bright and freshy, there’s an explosion of lifted raspberry and red licorice aromas with a dark earthy underbelly. It’s then quite firm and tight to begin, stalky tannins providing a dense backbone, before violets and meaty complexity start to emerge over a long, savoury finish. This needs time to show its full potential.
Artisans of Barossa Grenache Project Lienert 2021
93 Points | 2023-2027
A wild ferment with 40% whole bunches has delivered an upfront and appealing Barossan Grenache that offers up expressive aromas of cranberry, dark cherry and stalky spice, all beautifully aligned and in balance. It then takes a savoury turn with good impact delivering more dark cherry flavour but now joined by tobacco leaf and smoked meat complexity with an attractive bite of tannins before a long and engaging finish tops it all off nicely.
Artisans of Barossa Grenache Project Hobbs & Hobbs 2021
92 Points | 2022-2028
The Hobbs Shiraz style is for wines packed full of flavour, and this Grenache follows suit, delivering a real crowd-pleaser stacked full of dark berry fruits. It offers up fleshy, sweet and concentrated aromas of dark cherry and mulberry with a faint dusting of earth and spice, but this wine is definitely fruit first. Flashy flavours follow, with a rich volume of blackberry and new leather plus firmish tannins that add texture before a plush mouthfeel to finish. One for all fans of big Barossan reds.
Artisans of Barossa Grenache Project Hartwig Engela 2021
93 Points | 2023-2028
Just loved this wine which is drinking so well right now and beautifully pitched. A wild ferment with 50% whole bunches has delivered evocative aromas of fruit pastilles, spice and charcuterie with good power and focus. A vibrant and energetic palate follows, fleshy and mouthfilling but also held in check by stalky tannins, ethereal flavours of fresh raspberry and peppery spice well integrated with fine, well managed tannins before a long and supple finish. Very impressive and will improve in bottle.
