2021 d’Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 12 Pack

94 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

Ah, McLaren Vale Grenache is one of life’s great pleasures. In good years it takes that pleasure into a zone of pure hedonism. Perfumed red florals with a little liqueur chocolate and dried herbs. The palate is smooth, seamless and thoroughly delicious. It also has good weight and richness presented with typical finesse and poise.

92 POINTS

Ken Gargett - Winepilot

Grenache continues to thrill and when it hails from an ideal region and a superb vintage, not to mention makers who have been dealing with it for decades, much can be expected. But such cracking value is a delightful surprise. Crimson purple in colour, the floral aromas are to the fore with alluring notes of violets. There are also delightful touches of coffee grinds, chocolate, strawberries and raspberries. Those coffee/espresso notes emerge even more on the palate. There is solid grip here, but with ever-so-fine tannins. A wine of good length and great value. Enjoy this for the next six to eight years.

90 POINTS

James Suckling

Generous and plush aromas of plums, blackberry compote and licorice. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and balanced acidity, showing flavors of dark cherries, earth and kirsch. A bold and giving wine made for early drinking.

Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion

Rugged, earthy and savoury, bound with chewy tannin, flecked with iron-like minerals, crackling-dry laurel leaves and dried red fruits. This is not bowing to the modern trend for more lithe fragrant expressions of the grape, but nor is it occluding varietal integrity; it’s just a more craggy, structured, dry-toned take. If that’s your style, the value is keen.

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

This is pretty handy value. It gives a decent insight into the delights of McLaren Vale grenache, the fruit here perhaps a bit sweeter than is absolutely desirable and the tannin a touch rougher, but it feels honest and free and it drinks well as a result. There’s a salty edge to the fruit here, which could be called saltbush, and its effect too is pleasing.