The 2024 vintage of Wirra Wirra Church Block Grenache Shiraz from McLaren Vale is a true expression of the terroir of South Australia. The nose is greeted with aromas of ripe blackberries, cherries and plums, followed by hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and rich, with a velvety texture and balanced tannins. Flavors of dark fruit, chocolate and a touch of pepper dance on the tongue, leading to a long, lingering finish. The deep ruby color is a testament to the wine's intensity and depth. With its well-integrated oak and vibrant acidity, this wine is sure to age gracefully for years to come. A true gem from Wirra Wirra Vineyards, representing the best of McLaren Vale.
Critic Reviews
94 POINTS
Ray Jordan - Winepilot
What a thoroughly beautiful wine this is from one of McLaren Vale’s finest wineries. It’s about 60% Grenache and the remainder Shiraz, coaxed with individual parcels, plunging and pump over. Only the Grenache saw oak—French puncheons for about eight months—while the Shiraz rested in stainless steel, contributing a bright freshness to the blend. The wine is brightly fruited with a crimson red hue. The nose is spicy with red fruits, a little mulberry and cherry, and a lift of perfume. The palate is seamlessly medium-bodied, balanced, and with great poise. Everything about this wine appeals, making it a joy to drink.
92 POINTS
Tony Love - Winepilot
One of two new sibling releases, the other a straight varietal Shiraz, to enhance the Church Block brand, which for decades has come only in the form of a Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot blend. The back story is that this Grenache/Shiraz duo was the original Church Block combo from 1972 before changing to the Cabernet led style in the early 1980s. Here it is a 60/40 Grenache led mix with a lovely G-spotted aromatic – more cherry and crimson fruited than darker. It’s fleshy and juicy with just the faintest of earthy tannin dustings in the palate. Given the current love story with Grenache, this should go gangbusters, and deservedly so.
92 POINTS
Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion
A new wine under the Church Block banner. Rather, an old one, being the first varietal make up, the Original Blend tag now banished. Reclaiming its birthright, perhaps. Grenache is the major partner here, not just in percentage (60/40%), but considerably by impact. Redcurrant, glossy red cherries, juicy red plums, the effusiveness brought into line by the minority shareholder, dialling in blueberry, wild blackberry, spice and a subtle earthiness. It’s a good partnership, juicy and bright, yet equipped with tensioning tannins and savoury detail. And the value is stellar.
92 POINTS
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front
“Australia’s favourite bottled red blend is evolving with the release of two additions to the iconic Church Block label: Church Block Shiraz and Church Block Grenache Shiraz. These new wines will sit alongside the traditional Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot blend.” This is 60/40 grenache/shiraz.
There’s a lot to like here. In fact it’s a great example of the joy of blending; this wine essentially tastes of grenache, which is a great thing, but then there are darker more blueberry-and-plum characters, which give the wine an extra boost. Spice, raspberry and violet; these characters apply. It’s a happy drink. It’s juicy. It’s dry where it needs to be. It’s good.
91 POINTS
2025 - Decanter World Wine Awards
Lifted floral nose of crushed violets with notes of youthful raspberries, cassis and dark chocolate. Round and gentle tannins.
Award: Silver - DWWA 2025
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2024 Church Block Grenache Shiraz is juicy and bright, with earthy tannins and ripe fruit flavors in the mouth. It's composed of 60% Grenache and the balance Shiraz. The Grenache component was matured for eight months in 500-liter puncheons, while the Shiraz component was left in tank to preserve its fruit purity and freshness. The result is a great value-for-money wine, at $25 AUD. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
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Tasting Notes
The 2024 vintage of Wirra Wirra Church Block Grenache Shiraz from McLaren Vale is a true expression of the terroir of South Australia. The nose is greeted with aromas of ripe blackberries, cherries and plums, followed by hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and rich, with a velvety texture and balanced tannins. Flavors of dark fruit, chocolate and a touch of pepper dance on the tongue, leading to a long, lingering finish. The deep ruby color is a testament to the wine's intensity and depth. With its well-integrated oak and vibrant acidity, this wine is sure to age gracefully for years to come. A true gem from Wirra Wirra Vineyards, representing the best of McLaren Vale.
