Taylors Jaraman McLaren Vale Grenache 2021

Always interesting to have a look at what a winery thinks of their wine, once one has done their own review, of course. And of course, even when one disagrees – and yes, it happens – the polite thing is to ignore it and go with one’s own thoughts. Sometimes, a line must be drawn. The team has described this McLaren Vale Grenache as “a lighter style red wine”. I suppose that technically that is true, but I am not sure that either Regan or Goneril was quite so demeaning to poor Lear with such a back-handed compliment. This is so much more than that and my favourite wine from this Jaraman range. It is a cracking Grenache and one of the value buys of the year, and it certainly deserves better than ‘a lighter style red’. Maturation was for nine months in older French oak hogsheads. From a great vintage for the region, and taking full advantage of that, the colour here is a pale crimson hue with some lightening on the rim. There are aromas of cherries and raspberries here with dry herbs, spices, smoked meats and florals. An utterly gorgeous Grenache nose, which is varietally immaculate. A silky texture leads to sleek tannins and a very long finish, with the balance perfect for the full journey. Six to eight years of pleasure ahead. This is an absolutely cracking Grenache and a bargain to boot. Now, Gods, stand up for Grenache.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

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.

Wine writer and critic