Yalumba The Tri-Centenary Grenache 2024

From a two acre block in the Yalumba Tri-Centenary vineyard where the vines were planted in 1889. This could easily be mistaken for a deeply coloured Rosé on account of its striking translucent cherry-red appearance. Seductive aromas of red cherry, cola, rhubarb, subtle kirsch, blood orange and warm sand kick things off, with a substratum of baking spices and white pepper adding further savoury appeal. With air, further red fruit notes emerge in raspberry coulis and wild strawberry, along with some red liquorice. The palate sits high in the mouth without any suggestion of weight, though not at the expense of complexity. Flavours mirror the nose — warm sand, blood orange bite, baking spice, rhubarb, red cherry, raspberry, white pepper and red liquorice. The tannins are so fine and interwoven that there’s a seamless feel. Chalky and pliant, they put up a delicate frame on which everything carries long. Complex, structured and modern, with finesse and litheness while still maintaining intensity and drive. There’s a lot of class on show here. Nicely done.