Willunga 100 Smart Vineyard Clarendon Grenache 2021

When a wine picks up the Grenache Trophy at the annual National Wine Show in Canberra, it comes with high expectations. In this case, it meets them and more. A single vineyard effort, from bush vines planted in 1922, in Bernard Smart’s vineyard in Clarendon, the wine underwent a whole berry ferment, ten days on skins and ten months maturation. Crimson/magenta, the nose is simply gorgeous. Cassis, chocolate, red currants, dry herbs and much more, there is a plushness here. Balanced, intense, supple, this is a mid-weight style, which, despite its youth, is already exhibiting complexity and good length. Very fine tannins and a lingering finish, during which delightful cherry notes come to the fore with intensity maintained. Enjoy it for at least eight to fifteen years. Definitely worth a trophy!