2022 In Praise of Shadows Grenache
Community Tasting Note
Rote Kappelle Likes this wine:
Friday, May 10, 2024 - Don't get too hung up on the score - this is good juice, but it also is what it is - a $30 wine that really gives pleasure. Aside from the pleasure of this wine it is happy days because Huon Hooke and I are basically in agreement, so I feel I am not sailing off to Whackjob Land.
Easy enough to drink when first opened, this is way better on day 2. It is purple-red and bright. The nose is classic grenache, with lifted strawberry and raspberry and then some red cherry to close. Tannins are supple and supportive, although I think their is a hint of under-ripe tannin there. Some restrained spicy notes. Finish and intensity are good but not spectacular.
On the tannins, it has to be kept in mind that I struggle sometimes to overcome perceptions I develop about a vintage or a region. In this case, I have reservations about 2022 in much of Australia - not the Barossa and maybe not McLaren Vale. It was a cool, wet Spring and Summer and early Autumn was not without challenges. Good wine can still be made, maybe even very good, but my view is that over time vintage will out and difficult years will struggle to make truly great wine. The question still to be answered is how 'difficult' was 2022 and in which regions?
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