E. J. McDougall McLaren Vale Old Vine Grenache 2023

This wine showcases Grenache's unique personality through whole-bunch fermentation in concrete, which preserves the variety's natural perfume and creates a more elegant, European-style expression. Unlike many Australian reds that emphasise power and extraction, this McLaren Vale Grenache balances intensity with finesse, offering floral aromatics and silky textures that highlight the variety's Mediterranean origins. The old vines contribute concentrated flavours while maintaining the grape's characteristic grace and complexity.

Blewitt Springs is renowned as one of McLaren Vale's premier sub-regions, particularly for Grenache, due to its unique terroir of ancient sand over ironstone and clay. This geological composition, combined with the area's elevation and cooling sea breezes, creates ideal conditions for old-vine Grenache to develop intense aromatics while retaining natural acidity. The sub-region's reputation for producing some of Australia's finest Grenache is reflected in this wine's exceptional 96-point ratings from multiple critics.

Whole-bunch fermentation involves fermenting grapes with their stems intact, which adds structural complexity and aromatic lift to the wine. This technique contributes to the wine's silky texture and enhances its floral perfume, while the stems provide natural tannins that create the described 'grainy' mouthfeel. The process also adds subtle spice notes and helps preserve the wine's natural freshness, explaining the pencil shavings and liquorice characters that add such distinctive detail to the flavour profile.

The wine's combination of floral aromatics, red fruit flavours, and earthy tannins makes it ideal for Mediterranean cuisine, particularly herb-crusted lamb, duck confit, or aged hard cheeses. The silky texture and medium body work beautifully with charcuterie boards featuring prosciutto and aged salami, while the wine's savoury liquorice notes complement dishes with rosemary, thyme, or fennel. Its elegant structure also pairs well with mushroom-based dishes or slow-cooked beef with aromatic spices.

Serve this Grenache slightly below room temperature (16-18°C) to highlight its aromatic complexity and prevent the alcohol from overwhelming the delicate floral notes. While approachable now, the wine's structure and old-vine concentration suggest it will develop additional complexity over 5-8 years in proper cellar conditions. Decanting for 30-60 minutes before serving will help integrate the tannins and allow the full spectrum of aromatics to emerge, particularly the rose water and pressed flower characteristics.