Tag Archives: Grenache

Red Eye

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The 2017 blend is heavily weighted toward Shiraz (as usual) (72%), but it’s the Grenache  (28%) that makes itself known on the nose, adding lovely florals and raspberries to the slightly darker toned fruit of the Shiraz. Medium to full-bodied, this is supple yet crisp… but finishes with silky tannins and plenty of length.  Consider it peppery.

The fruit comes from the Ebenezer sub-region in the northern part of the Barossa, from Shiraz vines planted in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, and Grenache vines that are even older, centurions planted in the early years of the 20th century. The Shiraz component is matured for around 16 months in used oak, mostly French. The vibrancy of the Grenache component is protected by stainless steel handling.

SHIRAZ GRENACHE – GLAETZER WALLACE BAROSSA 2017

$29.99 regularly $33.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 09322246002008

Harmonious sustainability

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Harmonious sustainability.

it uses sustainable and biological farming techniques for viticulture. It has won various international awards and exports to countries worldwide. 

This is really good value for money, the Pirramimma is a beautifully balanced wine, with fruit, subtle oak and tannin in harmony. 

The Grenache  exhibits aromas of berry, with hints of pomegranate (Yes!). On the palate it’s rich and intense. Everything is in harmony.

This fruit driven Grenache was produced from fruit selected from the old War Horse block planted in 1943.

It offers excellent weight and plush texture.Most Yummy with home made pizza one night and lambsie the other.

GRENACHE – PIRRAMIMMA STOCK’S HILL

$24.99 regularly $28.99

14.5% Alcohol

UPC: 09315785006101

Raising the bar

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Some wines just deliver year in and year out and this Rasteau is one of them. A nice savoury, spicy palate. Dark red, slightly jammy red fruit.


A blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%) and Mourvede (10%) brings out the earthy terroir tones. 

 It’s full bodied and concentrated. It’s fresh and fruity yet earthy, complex and elegant too.
Egg noodle pasta, with mushrooms, spinach, red peppers, onion rings and shrimp worked so well with this.


RASTEAU – CAVE DE RASTEAU LA DOMELIERE 2019

$21.99 regularly $26.99

14.5% Alcohol

UPC: 03506707066419 

Plays nicely with Prosecco

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Summer lunches with friends on the deck are always a great way to spend an afternoon.  We let South Australia play with Italy.

And proved Real Men do eat quiche.

A gentle blending of Syrah, Cab Sauv and Grenache from Tread Softly got us started and then pushed ourselves away from the table to quafe away the Prosecco after downing ginger frozen yogurt.

Low carbon footprint (and trying to eliminate it), Tread Softly is planting native trees for every dozen sold.  Harvesting in the cool of mornings and then regular fermenting in steel with lots of erating … then a 3 month sleep before bottling.

It’s delicious and freshly flavoured.  Long Crisp dry finish.

Tread Softly – Rose

$16.99

10.9% alcohol

UPC: 09344154013969

Elevating Burger night

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On the rocky soil between Valréas and Vinsobres, where Grenache (75%) meets Syrah (25%), emerges this cuvée infused with a full-on Rhone identity.  The 9 to 12 months of élevage in concrete produces a wine first revealing accents of fruit , then making way for mild spices. The finale is supple, heady and persistent.

Father and son produce wines with a lovely expression of the rhythms of Valreas terroir.

It boasts big fruit, balanced by hints of orange zest and clove. It’s full-bodied, intense and concentrated, with supple tannins and a long, slightly warming finish.

A Very polished Cotes du Rhone Villages.

We heavied up on the rosemary for the burger spicing but kept in the subtleness of a little tarragon.

COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES VALREAS – MAS DE SAINTE CROIX TENDRE

$18.99 regularly $20.99

14.5% Alcohol

UPC: 03760236590290

Is it the 1%?

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33% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre & 1% Other

Berries, Cherries and Plums are the predominant flavours. Lots of silky, smooth bright cherry, blueberry and spicy.

Carbonic maceration is typically undertaken with light to medium-bodied wines to make them fruitier and to soften their tannins.  The grapes are not crushed, rather put whole bunch into a fermentation vessel then carbon dioxide is added and the vessel sealed so no oxygen can interact with the grapes.  There is no yeast to cause the grapes to ferment.  The fermentation happens within the grape where the carbon dioxide is used to break down the sugars and malic acid within the grape. Once the alcohol level reaches 2%, the berries burst to release their juice and at this point fermentation using yeast is undertaken to convert the remaining sugars from the grape juice to produce the wine.

Other reviewers give this a 91 points. I’m tempted to go a little higher. It’s robust and exceptional value.

CORBIERES AN 806 GRENACHE SYRAH MOURVEDRE – GERARD BERTRAND

$17.99 $19.99 regularly

14% alcohol

UPC: 03514123101768

Great 2021 Value

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Purchased by Michel Chapoutier in 1999, Bila-Haut is located in the best part of the Languedoc called the Ctes du Roussillon. Historically the site was one of the first areas planted for viticulture by the Greek Mariners and has been continuously a wine region known for making top quality wines. The House of Bila, the translation of the name of the estate, was once a house of refuge for the Knights Templar, which is why their cross is symbolically used on the label. 

“Bila Haut’s entry-level white is a super value. A blend of Grenache Blanc (60%), Roussanne, Macabeu (20%), and then smaller amounts of Marsanne and Vermentino,  the Ctes du Roussillon les Vignes de Bila Haut Blanc is richly textured and extremely refreshing.

The Grenache gives the wine the citrus with hints of lime and adds medium body, a roundness and hint of melon in the mid-palate. The Macabeo supplies the crisp mineral flavors with an almost saline note in the lingering finish. It is WAY better than Sauvignon Blanc and much more unique and rare.


It really shines at the dinner table, as well as just as a refreshing pick me up relaxing with friends.


ROUSSILLON BLANC – CHAPOUTIER BILA HAUT

$16.99 regularly $18.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 03391182410938

Successful Blends

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Syrah (74%) and Grenache (26%) blend from South Western France in the Languedoc / Roussillon Region. Aged in concrete andthen French Oak.


This is mouthwatering with minerality-  to give a full body, silky, almost seamless bouquet of aroma and flavours.I suspect this will age well for the next 4 or 5 years.


We think it overdelivers at the price.

COTES CATALANES SYRAH GRENACHE – LAFAGE BASTIDE MIRAFLORS 17

$22.97 on sale from $26.99 regularly

14.5 % alcohol

UPC 03760031472913

Is it the 5%?

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We have two favourite Vintners in the ‘reasonable’ price range.  The Wineries of Famille Perrin and Meffre.


Saint Mapalis is patron saint of the village of Jonquières, located at the heart of the “Plan de Dieu” vineyards. The quality of this vintage is wonderful.  Intense. Ripe and rounded.


Grenache 65 %, Syrah 30 %, Mourvèdre 5 %


At first I thought maybe it was the 5% Mourvedre that was the differentiating factor.  After the second sip we came to the conclusion that it was a glorious combination of true terroir.  Climate, Soil, full fruit and wine crafting experience.


Pleasure is taken in more than one glass.

COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES PLAN DE DIEU – MEFFRE ST MAPALIS

$17.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 03142920024401

Rack without the Ruin

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The chateau is in decay, but he staked everything on the vines.  

Improving production and vinification have put new recognition into the region and wines of the Minervois region of Languedoc Roussillon. 

And Jean Paux-Rosset (owner) and Claude Gros (winemaker) are using some of the best grape growers in the region.

It’s a mix of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault that takes advantage of the clay/limestone terroir.


 Sample slow and often to get the best of it.  Highly enjoyable.


Paux-Rosset Gros La Condamine Paulignan 2015

$22.99

14% alcohol