2022 Mystery McLaren Vale Grenache Deal No. 6345

This Grenache grows within sight of the sea. The estate vineyard sits high above Gulf St Vincent on the McLaren Vale coast. It’s planted only to Grenache and Shiraz, the region’s foundation varieties. 2022 was a superb year in the Vale, coming straight after the much-praised 2021. This is a big Grenache at 15.5%, and four years in bottle have rounded it off. Russell Gallagher at Vino Masters rated it 96 points. He picked up raspberry and red cherry woven with dried herbs, leather and earth. Campbell Mattinson was more measured at 90 points. Still, he enjoyed its sweet rush of red fruit and its dry, rusty finish. Expect raspberry, cherry and blood orange with sweet spice, then dried herbs and leather as it opens up. Fine tannins and fresh acidity keep it lively. Gallagher suggested roast porchetta with all the trimmings, and we wouldn’t argue. This is one to open, not one to hide in the cellar.