Willunga 100 Smart Vineyard Clarendon Grenache 2021
- 94
- $65
- Drink by: 2023-2038
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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!
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.
