This is excellent. Did not enjoy this wine until it was 20 years old. I believe the key to enjoying Aussie shiraz or grenache is to let it age to at least 20 years. Even the low end Torbreck Woodcutter turned a major corner at 20 years.
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Proud to be able to share this one and only bottle from my cellar with our usual suspects (DQ, WMK, JY, LF, LMC, SKT, MV), this comes from Grenache vines which are 80-100 years old!
Medium darkness garnet in color, with a light 2-3 mm rim. Nose of ripe cherries, light pepper and hints of gravel as well. Clearly, this has been a big beast all its life, but at this stage of over 20 years... Whilst it still comes across as full-bodied and concentrated, it also exhibits such fine tannins and roundness as well as balance.
I love that the acidity is still M to M+, with such an amazing complex palate of fruit of dark-berries, with secondaries such as leather too. Cellaring time? This could last at least another decade, but is in a stunning place now. Alas.. I can't imagine I may ever have the same wine again!
McLaren Vale is located south of Adelaide, or 110 km south of the Barossa Valley - I hope to visit one day too, having enjoyed Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills so much in 2023.
In 1990, Roman Bratasiuk founded Clarendon Hills winery in Clarendon, 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Adelaide, which is in the McLaren Vale Wine Region in South Australia. It was selected because of the significant number of old (aged 50 to 90 years) vineyards nearby.
The township of Clarendon was established in 1880 by European migrants, who brought with them original French vine cuttings. Grenache, Syrah Merlot, Mourvedre, and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are sourced by Clarendon Hills within the Clarendon, Blewitt Springs and Kangarilla districts.
Bratasiuk exclusively produces single-vineyard wines, which was unusual when he started in 1990!
Clarendon Hills produces eight Syrah, six Grenache, three Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as one Merlot and Mourvedre wine. All single vineyard, single varietal wines are produced from low yielding, dry-grown old vines which are hand pruned and hand-picked. They are all aged in French oak barriques.
The Clarendon Hills Romas Old Vine Grenache comes from the oldest and rockiest section of the Blewitt Springs vineyard.
A small parcel was first planted in 1920 and the majority of the lowermost rows planted in the 1940’s. Its very special indeed, and described as possibly the best terroir in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale.
The wine is always hand picked with specific rows selected from the start, then wild yeast fermented and macerated for an extended period of approximately 5 weeks. Before being carefully carefully pressed into a matrix of generally mature 3-6 year old barriques for 18 months.
My bottle shared at DQ's "Patio-warming" party, thanks a lot for having us over bro. The theme was.. Wines to pre-usher in Year of the Dragon, Big or Elegant, Young or Vintaged, and Classic or Rare. I think this wine met all 3 of those criteria!
Someone on Cellartracker described the Kangarilla as having “authority” and I think that is the perfect description for this wine too. Right from the get-go the nose was powerful, smoky and sweet with pure cherry and charred oak but in a really great way, not a cheap flabby way like so many other new-world Grenache. Super compelling. Palate is candied cherry, slight notes of hot rocks, lifted, so fresh even after 20+ years. Great acidity, strong but smooth tannins, long finish. Slight cocoa bitterness on the finish but it adds to rather than detracts from the experience. This is a great wine in a great spot right now.
Update: after a night in the fridge, the 1.5 glasses left in the bottle were really falling apart. Unbalanced, cognac-y notes. Definitely drink it if you’ve got it!
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From a Sotheby's auction: Labelled "Aulden Cellars (from the cellar of Thomas O. Rider. September 7, 2007)". Update: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_O._Ryder
I would admit, better than the original (on-release) purchase I consumed years back. At that time, I thought Kangarilla was better than Romas, better than Blewitt Springs (all Clarendon Hills Grenache).
This 21-year-old bottle? New world style? Definitely Yes. (Do not expect Rhone style). But no bretts (riskier with mature Rhones) Well-extracted? Definitely Yes (served at 57-60 degrees F, I did not notice the 14.5% ABV). Fruit still alive, with hardly any bricking? Yes. I was surprised. Tannin well-integrated? Yes. Did I like it? Yes. My wife and I are impressed. (Proves nothing, except to say we appreciate new world wines). Paired with lamb steak. Has a hint of bitter chocolate after-taste.
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Thanks to my son for bonfireside pour. Light nose. Light fruit quite well balanced structure. Unctuous and spicy. Tight tannins galore. Plenty of life left!
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Potent sweet kirsch nose that you get even before you put your nose in the glass Rich intense kirsch fruit with camphor and tar backing it up. The fruit is the star though and goes on and on at the finish. No hard edges or astringency and just a bit of Grenache pucker. You can still taste this wine at least 30 seconds after you've swallowed. Marvelous wine
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Definitely well into its drinking window, but still very nice.
Fruit both on the nose and taste is stewed plum. Lots of meat, leather, tobacco. Clearly high alcohol. Tannins are full but now soft. Finish is medium+.
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And I'm being generous. Absolute swill. A hot alcoholic mess. Not even wine. Super ripe, super extracted. What a joke some of Rhone varietals are-in the wrong hands.
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Pretty solid Grenache for being 16 yrs old. It wont get any better than it is now. Not as tight, tannic or flamboyant as it was in its youth. It has been 14 years since I have lasted tasted this wine. Aromatics are still excellent, blue fruits, blueberries, mulberries, Asian five spice, smoke, chocolate, tar and oak are all present. No discoloration at all, deep purple, great legs, aging very well. I believe it has at least 4 or 5 years before it starts to decline, maybe longer. Great mouth feel, very well balanced acrOss the board. Flavors mimic the aromatics, with the addition of violets, tar, and licorice. Tannins are sweet and well intergrated. Very yummy... Finish last almost a full minute, not bitterness,oak is well balanced in aromatics and in the mouth.
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Sparkling and Champagne (Amy and Scott's house): A small pour at a tasting. Heavy, sweet, lots of fruit, chocolate and raspberry/blackberry liqueur. Portish, a fair amount of alcohol. Not my favorite style, but I still enjoyed it, especially since it was the only red at this tasting.
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Purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion, this bottle was double-decanted, allowing two hours in decanter prior to funneling back into the cleaned bottle. It was then presented to our tasting group in double-blind fashion. My taste was non-blind. The wine retains a youthful, deep ruby/red color. On the nose, it shows aromas of ripe boysenberries, tobacco, raisins and damp earth. There is additionally a component of volatile acidity which pushes the limit of tolerance. On the palate, it is full-bodied, massively extracted and packed with dark fruit; however, there is substantial alcoholic heat which becomes front-and-center even at a serving temperature of 55-60°F. Listed as 14.5%, I suspect that the true A.B.V. of this wine is substantially higher. Solid in the middle, it closes with impressive length, but this length (unfortunately) comes at the cost of enduring more heat. Even at this stage there will be fans of well-cellared bottles such as this one. To my palate, it is over-ripe and has become disjointed. Drink now-2015.
Amazing good. I was a bit surprised this was this good at 13 years of age. The fruit and tannins are drapped over a quaility backbone with demonstrates the bones of this wine.
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Still a young wine, complexities have emerged in the last few years that make this a delightful wine. It is what it is and it is not a French or Spanish grenache, and should not be expected to be. The sweetness it exhibits was a detractor for my wife. We drank it with a shrimp and pesto pizza with red bells and carmelized onions. It paired wonderfully.
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92 with my grilled steak, 89 out of the bottle.... Decanted and the wine softened and became a layered complex wine. Still, the edgy Grenache came thru and it was good but not what Parker told me to buy 10 years ago with a big score. Or maybe my tastes have changed.....
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Grenache from the barossa is very unlike any wine from anywhere else in the world. The flavors are rich and polished. The fruit is lively and on the red or bright side. The wine is anything but tired so no hurries on drinking this... I liked it during the Seahawks game but would be good with anything that you would pair with Pinot.
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The wine looks Garnet colored. The legs are Slow. It smells like Blueberry, Blackberry, Black currant (cassis), Fig, Prune, Apricot, Pear, Mango, Mushroom, Espresso, Smokey Bacon, Bark, Clove, and Meaty. It tastes like Prune, Raisin, Pear, Bark, Black Pepper, and Cinnamon. The body is Full. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Long. Very healthy cork and few stains. Port like flavor and taste and great sweetness.
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Open soft focused nose of blue berry compote, ripe red plum, strawberries. Took about 30 minutes to blow off VA. Palate is smooth, slightly tart, no noticeable heat. Very clean / clear palate, refreshing.
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Light red burgandian in colour. Oak notes and red fruit on the nose with a light to medium and balanced on the palate. A lot milder and rounder than 2 yrs ago and a lot better. A lot more finesse now too. 92 and drink from now.
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Boy these wines are good. One of the subtlest Aussi grenaches albeit with all sort of complexities. These grenaches typically expire early, but this one still has legs and is a wonderfull mixture of balanced fruit and integrated tannins. Tobacco, dark plum and a long finish. Clarendon Hills are unlike any of the Aussi big wines - distinguished by complexity.
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decanted for 1.5 hours, light sediment. light bricking. upon decant the nose has red plum, licorice, meat, espresso, and a cedary smoke note. so many nuances, it's hard to pick them up. the palate has cherry with a touch of spice and an empty glycerin texture which lengthily leads to a finish of clove.
after 2 hours and some time in the glass, the nose shows more strawberry than cherry with some earthy mushroom. the palate has gotten fuller and smoother, and the acid has come into nice balance. the finish is less complex but much smoother and sweeter with more fruit. a very nice wine, and very much an itellectual bottle.
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This is undrinkable. Alcohol on nose and palate. Dried prunes and almost port-like. Very unpleasant and not much different from when I tasted it after release. Time has not helped this wine.
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As much Amarone as Grenache - dark, ripe, porgy, and with significant amounts of both VA and alcohol. Some spice. Plummy and dense. Overblown and unbalanced. Not enjoyable.
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Medium garnet coloured. Black plums and white pepper on the nose. More going on in the mouth with cherries, plums, blackberries, anis seeds and licorice with a spicy finish. Low acidity, medium tannins, medium body, medium length. A bit too jammy and not quite worth the price.
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This would be an acceptable, decently enjoyable (though simple) wine but for the alcoholic heat, which for me was enough to significantly reduce the score, though perhaps not enough to technically make the wine "flawed". In any event, I'll leave this to others to rave about...
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First, a clarification there is zero Mourvedre in this wine. There never was any other varietal but Grenache, and probably never will be given the intent of the bottling. Secondly, being 100% old vines Grenache, it tastes like Grenache. If for some odd reason one drinks this wine while wanting it to be something else, the likely result will be frustration and skewering notes/score to match. In the past, our experience with Romas has been great and well-deserving of its outstanding score. Sadly, tonight it was several strokes over par compared to 2 years ago, which I don’t understand given purchase from a reputable shop and careful cellar time the last 7+ years. Aerate to decanter, significant purple sediment in the bottle. Color is medium density red with some black hues. Although I did not detect any hint of brown tinge against white background, there is a subtle ruddiness to the color that is off. No trace of TCA, as we are sensitive to that. The bouquet is Chambord-like, plus some macerated raspberries, milk chocolate, alcohol, and some stewed black plum. All of the aromas transfer to taste, with rich liqueur-like cherries, raspberries, and chocolate accompanied by oxidized black plum. The lengthy finish is marred with alcohol and oxidized dark fruit. To its favor the depth of fruit is still there, along with velvety CH texture, some polished tannins lending elegance to the structure. Disappointed? You bet, given the tariff and the anticipation this would be a memorable celebration for spouse. Gawdawful-dreck-for-the-drain-and-deserving-an-“F”? No, not even close. If you have some, I suggest checking in. I am left wondering how our sleeping Kangarilla and Hickinbotham Grenache’s from that era are faring.
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Another wine I would like to like, but.... a year ago this seemed decent, but a bit of TCA masked whatever was there. This time no TCA, but unmasked it was a mess. Had since release and stored well, so I do not think it was cooked. However, the nose was like taking overripe plums and dripping a bit of brandy on them. On the palate, thick as cream, with the plum carrying through in a candied fashion. I will admit it had some spice characteristics that added some interest, but it was just too much stewed jam to save it.
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Wine Salon - November 2009 (Australia) (Chez Jahnke): Like the Noon Eclipse, this showed too big and ripe, and the Mourvedre in the blend overpowers the Grenache. I'd never even be able to taste that this is a Grenache based wine. Hollow on the finish and beginning to dry out ever so slightly. If you hold some, I suggest opening and consuming one to check in on your stash.
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Grenache Smackdown (Wally's, Arlington Heights): nose: succulent and rich nose with some heady tones of red and black cherries, herbal spices, black fruits, and melted licorice. Excellent depth with a real great purity to it and real class to it at the same time
taste: very refined medium feel that gives into pure and polished tones of roasted meats on the backend with tones of red and black cherries, herbs, and tones of melted licorice
overall: a real lovely and attractive grenache. I really liked the purity on this and it just came across as very classy with good depth and a great expression of tones on both the nose and palate
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Very nice. Tasted the '01 Kangarilla, Romas and Blewitt Springs blind with friends at work. All very nice, and surprisingly each wine was the favorite for some, so not a big gap between them, and more a matter of taste than anything else.
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We drank this with meatloaf on 2/23/09. It had a glorious bouquet of chocolate, coffee, cherry, licorice, flower and vanilla aromas. The palate followed exactly and had an intriguing combination of sweet and sour components…powerful and balanced with lots of finesse and a long, 50 second finish. This was incredibly good. I wish I had more. 95+
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Pegau Reserve Vertical Tasting: Black color with a red hue. Volatile aromas at first on the nose, notes of nail polish and brown apples, but it blows off and starts showing super ripe black plums and coconut. On the palate it is very sweet, coconut, liqueur, dark berries, blueberries and Malibu rum. More nuanced on the midpalate and finish with herbs, licorice and charcoal. Very good length and concentration.
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Just the slightest, smallest, almost imperceptible taint of tca, though nobody else noticed it. Huge extract or dark cherry and cinnamon. Fantastic taste. Almost syrup, but yet somehow still reasonably medium/full bodied and cashmere to drink. Great palate entry, though a bit short of the finish and the mid-palate did not quite match the entry. If one sign of a great wine is each sip gets better, this did not attain that either -- first sip was the best. Would love to try this again without the slight taint. Clearly a 92+ wine to me, hoping the next one will give me a better finish and may evolve a bit more while open.
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Huge, chewy liquor of raspberry, cloves and cherry pipe tobacco. Hot on the finish. The fruit, acid and tannin are balanced to the point of ordinary. Mature. Perfect if you're in the mood for a glass of sweet essence of Grenache grape juice. Good, but no way is this 'classic' serious
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Opened this at a friend's for a special occasion, so unfortunately it did not get the time it deserved. Decant and pour. Initial nose of perfumed raspberries and cherries with interesting notes of coffee, mocha and chocolate which really did remind me of RP's intriguing description of a Bohemian coffee house. Rich dark fruit throughout, but initially some tightness along with mild alcohol and tannins in the long finish. Although the coffee in the nose seemed to fade, by the time we hit the end of the second glass the fruit reminded me of Chambord, and people around the table commented independently that it was drinking beautifully. Will drink the next/last bottle in 3-4 years, and allow several hours to witness the interesting changes.
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Exceptionally great stuff. Literally got a few "ooohhh's" from around the table when tasted. JLL's description below just about nails the flavors for me -- pure essence of raspberry, almost like a Godiva raspberry truffle. Deep, rich, complex, unique and compelling -- but not at all heavy-handed or cloying. Absolutely world-class, and a wonderful expression of the varietal.
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from magnum. at least this 01 CH grenache was drinkable...virtually every other one (especially the blewitt, which has become a running joke among our group) has been bloody awful. this had some decent typicity and above average fruit, but ultimately is was too gooy/ jammy.
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Global GRENACHE BYO dinner at The French Bakery (The French Bakery, Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, FL): Flight 3A. David's wine. This was clearly the best flight. The Romas is a world class wine, and I believe I slightly preferred it to my Pandora's. This wine had a great red berry presence, and the bouquet, palte and finish of a fine wine. I have always liked the Clarendon Shirazes, and this was my first experience with the Grenache. Probably the WOTN.
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Dinner at Steve & Barb's house with Bob C. Completely inpenetrable dark purple color. This was as odd a bottle as I've ever had - of any wine. If someone described the effect to me without seeing/tasting it for myself I would probably think they were crazy. A completely schizophrenic wine that changed like a chameleon every 10 minutes or so for the roughly 2 hours I followed it. At times it was completely closed. At others it was overly open and sweet. One time it seemed to be almost in the same league as the SQN Grenaches we had with this. Back and forth between these states at dizzying speed. Judgment reserved.
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Somewhat disappointing like all my 2001 Clarendon Hills (Kargarilla, Blewitt Springs). Popped and poured at restaurant, this wine opened up in the next couple hours. At first, the sweetness and candied flavors were hard to handle, even with the grilled meats at Brazilian Steakhouse. Eventually, the sweetness subsided a bit and we were able to enjoy the layers of fruit and spices.
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Wow, I just love this stuff. A little bit sweet (I assume this is the alcohol level), giant flavors, tastes like a liquid chocolate covered cherry. Not the perfect match with many things, but absolutely perfect with barbecued ribs and chicken. The slightly sweet glaze on the ribs just goes great with this wine. And it's also really good at putting out the 'fire' that comes from cayenne pepper dry rubbed ribs...
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What a difference time makes. I was ready to write off my last 4 bottles of this at the start of the year due to the fact that the fruit was gone and the heat and acidity were flowing for two bottles in a row. What a difference:
First, decanted in a Reidel "O" for 3 hours, served with dry rub chicken.
The nose was a bit hesitant, with kir royal essence brought to a smoke The taste was raspberry ganache on top of an almond biscotti dipped into a cappucino. Stellar, far from the last two bottles (sourced for the same place)
The finish was what I first experienced when I tasted the 02 Romas upon delivery, long, washed in purple berry surrounded by all spice encapsulated in a burnt coffee.
Fabulous.....95pts.....
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Decant Time: tasted after 1 minute through 4 hours Color: bit lighter than the 02, reminded me of the color of an 03 RRV Pinot. The difference was the clear edges after swirling due to the legs- alcohol Nose: alcohol dominates and clears the dark berry and vanillan away even after 3.5 hours . When first poured into the decanter (and tasting glass), the nose was full of dark berry and slight vanilla (but also was tight when tasted). The time decanted did not reward the nose. Taste: Cinammon, Pepper, Blackberry, and Tannin. The wine was tight the first hour. At 3.5, the fruit was being overpowered by secondary flavors, none which are clear to me, other than the ones referenced above. Summary: 84pts This is the 3rd straight CH wine that I have been very disappointed in. The 02 CH RG, per my last tasting has fallen off dramatically. The 02 Syrahs from Piggot and Hickinbotham are tannic flavorless monsters at this point. Based on the fact that I still have 20 of these, I will not be buying any new releases, especially with the price hikes that have been instituted by the new importer.
Let me end by saying this bottle was in perfect condition (thanks to PC)...
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ERI Pre-Auction Tasting (Chicago IL): Wine tasting. Big red and black fruit on nose and palate. Spice as well on nose, then re-emerges on finish. Balanced with good textures, and alcohol seemingly in check. Drink young while primary.
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Nothing like the same stuff on release. On release this was stunning with massive spicy fruit and gingerbread. This bottle was really tightly wound - a brooding monster. Shut down - though we did enjoy this immensely and it did start to come around after some time in the glass and open bottle. I will wait a few years to try this again. Good thing I have my lion's share of Blewitt to keep my busy.
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Decided it was time to try this wine, as I've read some discussion questioning what kind of legs CH Grenache has. Served with grilled lamb chops. A saturated, deep red/purple inky wine--almost cloudy. Tightly wound upon opening with hints of dark fruit (plums?), earth and a hint of euchalyptus that become more prominent upon aeration. Not super-generous on the palate, but very concentrated with tannins that are definitely integrating into the wine. It could certainly last a few more years without any fear of going over the hill, but I didn't feel like a baby-killer by drinking it today.
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4/9/2024 - shutto1992@gmail.com Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is excellent. Did not enjoy this wine until it was 20 years old. I believe the key to enjoying Aussie shiraz or grenache is to let it age to at least 20 years. Even the low end Torbreck Woodcutter turned a major corner at 20 years.
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1/27/2024 - Joelene wrote: 91 Points
Still lots of fruit, new world style.
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1/21/2024 - Juliansi Likes this wine: 93 Points
Proud to be able to share this one and only bottle from my cellar with our usual suspects (DQ, WMK, JY, LF, LMC, SKT, MV), this comes from Grenache vines which are 80-100 years old!
Medium darkness garnet in color, with a light 2-3 mm rim. Nose of ripe cherries, light pepper and hints of gravel as well. Clearly, this has been a big beast all its life, but at this stage of over 20 years... Whilst it still comes across as full-bodied and concentrated, it also exhibits such fine tannins and roundness as well as balance.
I love that the acidity is still M to M+, with such an amazing complex palate of fruit of dark-berries, with secondaries such as leather too. Cellaring time? This could last at least another decade, but is in a stunning place now. Alas.. I can't imagine I may ever have the same wine again!
McLaren Vale is located south of Adelaide, or 110 km south of the Barossa Valley - I hope to visit one day too, having enjoyed Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills so much in 2023.
In 1990, Roman Bratasiuk founded Clarendon Hills winery in Clarendon, 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Adelaide, which is in the McLaren Vale Wine Region in South Australia. It was selected because of the significant number of old (aged 50 to 90 years) vineyards nearby.
The township of Clarendon was established in 1880 by European migrants, who brought with them original French vine cuttings. Grenache, Syrah Merlot, Mourvedre, and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are sourced by Clarendon Hills within the Clarendon, Blewitt Springs and Kangarilla districts.
Bratasiuk exclusively produces single-vineyard wines, which was unusual when he started in 1990!
Clarendon Hills produces eight Syrah, six Grenache, three Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as one Merlot and Mourvedre wine. All single vineyard, single varietal wines are produced from low yielding, dry-grown old vines which are hand pruned and hand-picked. They are all aged in French oak barriques.
The Clarendon Hills Romas Old Vine Grenache comes from the oldest and rockiest section of the Blewitt Springs vineyard.
A small parcel was first planted in 1920 and the majority of the lowermost rows planted in the 1940’s. Its very special indeed, and described as possibly the best terroir in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale.
The wine is always hand picked with specific rows selected from the start, then wild yeast fermented and macerated for an extended period of approximately 5 weeks. Before being carefully carefully pressed into a matrix of generally mature 3-6 year old barriques for 18 months.
My bottle shared at DQ's "Patio-warming" party, thanks a lot for having us over bro. The theme was.. Wines to pre-usher in Year of the Dragon, Big or Elegant, Young or Vintaged, and Classic or Rare. I think this wine met all 3 of those criteria!
21st Jan 2024
DQ's home, Malaysia
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1/16/2024 - jmcmchi Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted two-three hours, served cool
Superb
Bright crimson: blind I would have said 2014. Smallest 75cl bottle in a long time, so easy to drink, needed another two glasses atleast:)
Acidity and red fruit, darker spice than expected, beautiful balance
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1/21/2023 - mattym19 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Someone on Cellartracker described the Kangarilla as having “authority” and I think that is the perfect description for this wine too. Right from the get-go the nose was powerful, smoky and sweet with pure cherry and charred oak but in a really great way, not a cheap flabby way like so many other new-world Grenache. Super compelling. Palate is candied cherry, slight notes of hot rocks, lifted, so fresh even after 20+ years. Great acidity, strong but smooth tannins, long finish. Slight cocoa bitterness on the finish but it adds to rather than detracts from the experience. This is a great wine in a great spot right now.
Update: after a night in the fridge, the 1.5 glasses left in the bottle were really falling apart. Unbalanced, cognac-y notes. Definitely drink it if you’ve got it!
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4/24/2022 - HJImperial wrote: 94 Points
From a Sotheby's auction: Labelled "Aulden Cellars (from the cellar of Thomas O. Rider. September 7, 2007)".
Update: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_O._Ryder
I would admit, better than the original (on-release) purchase I consumed years back. At that time, I thought Kangarilla was better than Romas, better than Blewitt Springs (all Clarendon Hills Grenache).
This 21-year-old bottle?
New world style? Definitely Yes. (Do not expect Rhone style). But no bretts (riskier with mature Rhones)
Well-extracted? Definitely Yes (served at 57-60 degrees F, I did not notice the 14.5% ABV).
Fruit still alive, with hardly any bricking? Yes. I was surprised.
Tannin well-integrated? Yes.
Did I like it? Yes. My wife and I are impressed. (Proves nothing, except to say we appreciate new world wines). Paired with lamb steak.
Has a hint of bitter chocolate after-taste.
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4/4/2021 - beej Likes this wine:
Thanks to my son for bonfireside pour.
Light nose.
Light fruit quite well balanced structure.
Unctuous and spicy.
Tight tannins galore.
Plenty of life left!
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1/25/2021 - SparkyMI Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last one.
I will miss this wine.
Consistently very good.
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11/15/2020 - Ruby99 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Potent sweet kirsch nose that you get even before you put your nose in the glass
Rich intense kirsch fruit with camphor and tar backing it up. The fruit is the star though and goes on and on at the finish. No hard edges or astringency and just a bit of Grenache pucker. You can still taste this wine at least 30 seconds after you've swallowed.
Marvelous wine
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3/19/2020 - SparkyMI Likes this wine: 89 Points
Great bottle that is beginning to fade.
Fruit in decline from our last visit.
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3/15/2020 - SparkyMI Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great bottle. Needs 1 hour of air after opening.
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2/7/2020 - Volleyball Likes this wine: 92 Points
Definitely well into its drinking window, but still very nice.
Fruit both on the nose and taste is stewed plum. Lots of meat, leather, tobacco. Clearly high alcohol. Tannins are full but now soft. Finish is medium+.
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9/7/2019 - essconsults Does not like this wine: 70 Points
And I'm being generous. Absolute swill. A hot alcoholic mess. Not even wine. Super ripe, super extracted. What a joke some of Rhone varietals are-in the wrong hands.
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2/15/2019 - bdeblank wrote: 88 Points
Decent but faded. If not over the hill, then on the cusp. Drinkable and pleasant but better a couple years ago and unlikely to improve.
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9/16/2018 - Easter Everywhere Likes this wine:
Soft, round grenache, bit of heat, quaffable though not particularly distinctive
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3/17/2018 - seattlecook Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich wine drinking smoothly at that moment. Not overly complex paired well with steak
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6/13/2017 - Rikster67 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pretty solid Grenache for being 16 yrs old. It wont get any better than it is now. Not as tight, tannic or flamboyant as it was in its youth. It has been 14 years since I have lasted tasted this wine. Aromatics are still excellent, blue fruits, blueberries, mulberries, Asian five spice, smoke, chocolate, tar and oak are all present. No discoloration at all, deep purple, great legs, aging very well. I believe it has at least 4 or 5 years before it starts to decline, maybe longer. Great mouth feel, very well balanced acrOss the board. Flavors mimic the aromatics, with the addition of violets, tar, and licorice. Tannins are sweet and well intergrated. Very yummy... Finish last almost a full minute, not bitterness,oak is well balanced in aromatics and in the mouth.
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5/21/2017 - nywine68 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still very much alive. Juicy mixed berry compote. Silky smooth. Not complex but very enjoyable.
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12/25/2016 - Boomer Sooner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very well integrated. Enjoyed with Christmas dinner. Probably has peaked. I would recommend drinking soon.
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7/25/2016 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
Sparkling and Champagne (Amy and Scott's house): A small pour at a tasting. Heavy, sweet, lots of fruit, chocolate and raspberry/blackberry liqueur. Portish, a fair amount of alcohol. Not my favorite style, but I still enjoyed it, especially since it was the only red at this tasting.
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12/5/2015 - rsazima Likes this wine: 94 Points
Awesome, no formal notes, but powerful, super fragrant / flavoursome, beautiful black fruit aromas, excellent balance! Paired well with lamb.
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10/3/2014 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 81 Points
Purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion, this bottle was double-decanted, allowing two hours in decanter prior to funneling back into the cleaned bottle. It was then presented to our tasting group in double-blind fashion. My taste was non-blind. The wine retains a youthful, deep ruby/red color. On the nose, it shows aromas of ripe boysenberries, tobacco, raisins and damp earth. There is additionally a component of volatile acidity which pushes the limit of tolerance. On the palate, it is full-bodied, massively extracted and packed with dark fruit; however, there is substantial alcoholic heat which becomes front-and-center even at a serving temperature of 55-60°F. Listed as 14.5%, I suspect that the true A.B.V. of this wine is substantially higher. Solid in the middle, it closes with impressive length, but this length (unfortunately) comes at the cost of enduring more heat. Even at this stage there will be fans of well-cellared bottles such as this one. To my palate, it is over-ripe and has become disjointed. Drink now-2015.
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9/28/2014 - bonedocnine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Amazing good. I was a bit surprised this was this good at 13 years of age. The fruit and tannins are drapped over a quaility backbone with demonstrates the bones of this wine.
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3/5/2014 - gondrik Likes this wine: 95 Points
Still a young wine, complexities have emerged in the last few years that make this a delightful wine. It is what it is and it is not a French or Spanish grenache, and should not be expected to be. The sweetness it exhibits was a detractor for my wife. We drank it with a shrimp and pesto pizza with red bells and carmelized onions. It paired wonderfully.
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12/6/2013 - WinoRick wrote: 90 Points
92 with my grilled steak, 89 out of the bottle.... Decanted and the wine softened and became a layered complex wine. Still, the edgy Grenache came thru and it was good but not what Parker told me to buy 10 years ago with a big score. Or maybe my tastes have changed.....
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11/17/2013 - bonedocnine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Grenache from the barossa is very unlike any wine from anywhere else in the world. The flavors are rich and polished. The fruit is lively and on the red or bright side. The wine is anything but tired so no hurries on drinking this... I liked it during the Seahawks game but would be good with anything that you would pair with Pinot.
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2/16/2013 - jmh st louis Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark red, in perfect balance w liquid dark chocolate an licorice and currants.
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11/26/2012 - TU:TA wrote: 91 Points
The wine looks Garnet colored. The legs are Slow. It smells like Blueberry, Blackberry, Black currant (cassis), Fig, Prune, Apricot, Pear, Mango, Mushroom, Espresso, Smokey Bacon, Bark, Clove, and Meaty.
It tastes like Prune, Raisin, Pear, Bark, Black Pepper, and Cinnamon. The body is Full. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Long. Very healthy cork and few stains. Port like flavor and taste and great sweetness.
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11/5/2012 - GTFreek wrote: 92 Points
Interesting stuff. Grenache fruit shines, drinking very well now. Balanced, layered, evolves as it opens.
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11/5/2012 - pilot360 wrote: 91 Points
Open soft focused nose of blue berry compote, ripe red plum, strawberries. Took about 30 minutes to blow off VA. Palate is smooth, slightly tart, no noticeable heat. Very clean / clear palate, refreshing.
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9/23/2012 - Jflawrence wrote: 87 Points
Port-like. Too sweet for my tastes. Prunes and berry on the nose. Perhaps this has past it's prime?
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6/9/2012 - Gargamel wrote: 91 Points
seemed just a bit flabbier and less complex than my first bottle. still good but probably not going to improve.
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1/16/2012 - John McCabe wrote: flawed
Was corked. Almost brown looking.
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1/3/2012 - Papies wrote: 92 Points
Light red burgandian in colour.
Oak notes and red fruit on the nose with a light to medium and balanced on the palate. A lot milder and rounder than 2 yrs ago and a lot better. A lot more finesse now too. 92 and drink from now.
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12/24/2011 - Winevestor wrote: 94 Points
Boy these wines are good. One of the subtlest Aussi grenaches albeit with all sort of complexities. These grenaches typically expire early, but this one still has legs and is a wonderfull mixture of balanced fruit and integrated tannins. Tobacco, dark plum and a long finish. Clarendon Hills are unlike any of the Aussi big wines - distinguished by complexity.
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9/25/2011 - Gargamel wrote: 94 Points
decanted for 1.5 hours, light sediment. light bricking. upon decant the nose has red plum, licorice, meat, espresso, and a cedary smoke note. so many nuances, it's hard to pick them up. the palate has cherry with a touch of spice and an empty glycerin texture which lengthily leads to a finish of clove.
after 2 hours and some time in the glass, the nose shows more strawberry than cherry with some earthy mushroom. the palate has gotten fuller and smoother, and the acid has come into nice balance. the finish is less complex but much smoother and sweeter with more fruit. a very nice wine, and very much an itellectual bottle.
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9/22/2011 - cubswinws wrote:
This is undrinkable. Alcohol on nose and palate. Dried prunes and almost port-like.
Very unpleasant and not much different from when I tasted it after release. Time has not helped this wine.
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7/29/2011 - Mr. Muga wrote: 95 Points
Like the man said!
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3/12/2011 - kellersc wrote: 87 Points
Warm smooth carmel type flavor, nicely drinkable. Rather fruity. Nice tannins. My wife liked it quite a lot. I was less excited.
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1/22/2011 - psmith wrote:
As much Amarone as Grenache - dark, ripe, porgy, and with significant amounts of both VA and alcohol. Some spice. Plummy and dense. Overblown and unbalanced. Not enjoyable.
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12/11/2010 - G&A wrote: 90 Points
Medium garnet coloured.
Black plums and white pepper on the nose.
More going on in the mouth with cherries, plums, blackberries, anis seeds and licorice with a spicy finish.
Low acidity, medium tannins, medium body, medium length.
A bit too jammy and not quite worth the price.
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7/5/2010 - bonedocnine wrote: 92 Points
prototypical of this warm climate grenache! Quite good and oh how I love this style.
I'm so glad I have more.
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6/19/2010 - Employee500 wrote: 83 Points
This would be an acceptable, decently enjoyable (though simple) wine but for the alcoholic heat, which for me was enough to significantly reduce the score, though perhaps not enough to technically make the wine "flawed". In any event, I'll leave this to others to rave about...
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4/18/2010 - Vinacull wrote: 85 Points
First, a clarification there is zero Mourvedre in this wine. There never was any other varietal but Grenache, and probably never will be given the intent of the bottling. Secondly, being 100% old vines Grenache, it tastes like Grenache. If for some odd reason one drinks this wine while wanting it to be something else, the likely result will be frustration and skewering notes/score to match. In the past, our experience with Romas has been great and well-deserving of its outstanding score. Sadly, tonight it was several strokes over par compared to 2 years ago, which I don’t understand given purchase from a reputable shop and careful cellar time the last 7+ years. Aerate to decanter, significant purple sediment in the bottle. Color is medium density red with some black hues. Although I did not detect any hint of brown tinge against white background, there is a subtle ruddiness to the color that is off. No trace of TCA, as we are sensitive to that. The bouquet is Chambord-like, plus some macerated raspberries, milk chocolate, alcohol, and some stewed black plum. All of the aromas transfer to taste, with rich liqueur-like cherries, raspberries, and chocolate accompanied by oxidized black plum. The lengthy finish is marred with alcohol and oxidized dark fruit. To its favor the depth of fruit is still there, along with velvety CH texture, some polished tannins lending elegance to the structure. Disappointed? You bet, given the tariff and the anticipation this would be a memorable celebration for spouse. Gawdawful-dreck-for-the-drain-and-deserving-an-“F”? No, not even close. If you have some, I suggest checking in. I am left wondering how our sleeping Kangarilla and Hickinbotham Grenache’s from that era are faring.
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3/13/2010 - cadamson wrote: 79 Points
Another wine I would like to like, but.... a year ago this seemed decent, but a bit of TCA masked whatever was there. This time no TCA, but unmasked it was a mess. Had since release and stored well, so I do not think it was cooked. However, the nose was like taking overripe plums and dripping a bit of brandy on them. On the palate, thick as cream, with the plum carrying through in a candied fashion. I will admit it had some spice characteristics that added some interest, but it was just too much stewed jam to save it.
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3/3/2010 - Papies wrote: 91 Points
Full on grenache to our mind. Not over oaked and better than we expected. Still not our type of wine.
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2/6/2010 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 59 Points
Thunder from Down Under: This is terrible, but it could have been worse. At least it doesn't taste like grenache.
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2/6/2010 - salil wrote: 60 Points
Aussie classics (Keith's, NYC): Overripe, pruny red fruits, hideously alcoholic and candied. Atrocious!
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1/30/2010 - ghobby wrote: 92 Points
cherry nose; taste pomegranates; long finish; still a solid wine
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11/15/2009 - steffenpelz wrote:
Wine Salon - November 2009 (Australia) (Chez Jahnke): Like the Noon Eclipse, this showed too big and ripe, and the Mourvedre in the blend overpowers the Grenache. I'd never even be able to taste that this is a Grenache based wine. Hollow on the finish and beginning to dry out ever so slightly. If you hold some, I suggest opening and consuming one to check in on your stash.
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9/9/2009 - buckeye76 wrote: 94 Points
BLACK CHERRIES, RASPBERRIES AND SPICE IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR. NICE COMPLEXITY AND A LONG FINISH.
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8/28/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
Grenache Smackdown (Wally's, Arlington Heights): nose: succulent and rich nose with some heady tones of red and black cherries, herbal spices, black fruits, and melted licorice. Excellent depth with a real great purity to it and real class to it at the same time
taste: very refined medium feel that gives into pure and polished tones of roasted meats on the backend with tones of red and black cherries, herbs, and tones of melted licorice
overall: a real lovely and attractive grenache. I really liked the purity on this and it just came across as very classy with good depth and a great expression of tones on both the nose and palate
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7/17/2009 - Sterling Minor wrote: 92 Points
Clearly not the wine it was when I had my first bottle 2 years ago, and gave it a 95.
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4/28/2009 - John McCabe wrote: 95 Points
Very nice. Tasted the '01 Kangarilla, Romas and Blewitt Springs blind with friends at work. All very nice, and surprisingly each wine was the favorite for some, so not a big gap between them, and more a matter of taste than anything else.
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2/23/2009 - garambler wrote: 95 Points
We drank this with meatloaf on 2/23/09. It had a glorious bouquet of chocolate, coffee, cherry, licorice, flower and vanilla aromas. The palate followed exactly and had an intriguing combination of sweet and sour components…powerful and balanced with lots of finesse and a long, 50 second finish. This was incredibly good. I wish I had more. 95+
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2/22/2009 - John McCabe wrote: 96 Points
Almost sweet. Powerful yet light on its feet A beautiful wine.
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2/7/2009 - Terkel wrote: 93 Points
Pegau Reserve Vertical Tasting: Black color with a red hue. Volatile aromas at first on the nose, notes of nail polish and brown apples, but it blows off and starts showing super ripe black plums and coconut. On the palate it is very sweet, coconut, liqueur, dark berries, blueberries and Malibu rum. More nuanced on the midpalate and finish with herbs, licorice and charcoal. Very good length and concentration.
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1/17/2009 - cadamson wrote: flawed
Just the slightest, smallest, almost imperceptible taint of tca, though nobody else noticed it. Huge extract or dark cherry and cinnamon. Fantastic taste. Almost syrup, but yet somehow still reasonably medium/full bodied and cashmere to drink. Great palate entry, though a bit short of the finish and the mid-palate did not quite match the entry. If one sign of a great wine is each sip gets better, this did not attain that either -- first sip was the best. Would love to try this again without the slight taint. Clearly a 92+ wine to me, hoping the next one will give me a better finish and may evolve a bit more while open.
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1/5/2009 - Jody Smith wrote: 89 Points
Huge, chewy liquor of raspberry, cloves and cherry pipe tobacco. Hot on the finish. The fruit, acid and tannin are balanced to the point of ordinary. Mature. Perfect if you're in the mood for a glass of sweet essence of Grenache grape juice. Good, but no way is this 'classic' serious
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9/22/2008 - pll4 wrote: 88 Points
I have been dissapointed recently with some Clarendon offerings
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4/22/2008 - Vinacull wrote: 94 Points
Opened this at a friend's for a special occasion, so unfortunately it did not get the time it deserved. Decant and pour. Initial nose of perfumed raspberries and cherries with interesting notes of coffee, mocha and chocolate which really did remind me of RP's intriguing description of a Bohemian coffee house. Rich dark fruit throughout, but initially some tightness along with mild alcohol and tannins in the long finish. Although the coffee in the nose seemed to fade, by the time we hit the end of the second glass the fruit reminded me of Chambord, and people around the table commented independently that it was drinking beautifully. Will drink the next/last bottle in 3-4 years, and allow several hours to witness the interesting changes.
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4/20/2008 - KevinS wrote: 96 Points
Exceptionally great stuff. Literally got a few "ooohhh's" from around the table when tasted. JLL's description below just about nails the flavors for me -- pure essence of raspberry, almost like a Godiva raspberry truffle. Deep, rich, complex, unique and compelling -- but not at all heavy-handed or cloying. Absolutely world-class, and a wonderful expression of the varietal.
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4/7/2008 - jeff nowak wrote: 89 Points
from magnum. at least this 01 CH grenache was drinkable...virtually every other one (especially the blewitt, which has become a running joke among our group) has been bloody awful. this had some decent typicity and above average fruit, but ultimately is was too gooy/ jammy.
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12/5/2007 - jmh st louis wrote: 94 Points
robust blend of fruit, tannins and must
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10/4/2007 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
Global GRENACHE BYO dinner at The French Bakery (The French Bakery, Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, FL): Flight 3A. David's wine. This was clearly the best flight. The Romas is a world class wine, and I believe I slightly preferred it to my Pandora's. This wine had a great red berry presence, and the bouquet, palte and finish of a fine wine. I have always liked the Clarendon Shirazes, and this was my first experience with the Grenache. Probably the WOTN.
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9/30/2007 - JeffGMorris wrote:
Dinner at Steve & Barb's house with Bob C. Completely inpenetrable dark purple color. This was as odd a bottle as I've ever had - of any wine. If someone described the effect to me without seeing/tasting it for myself I would probably think they were crazy. A completely schizophrenic wine that changed like a chameleon every 10 minutes or so for the roughly 2 hours I followed it. At times it was completely closed. At others it was overly open and sweet. One time it seemed to be almost in the same league as the SQN Grenaches we had with this. Back and forth between these states at dizzying speed. Judgment reserved.
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11/29/2006 - schaykin wrote: 89 Points
Somewhat disappointing like all my 2001 Clarendon Hills (Kargarilla, Blewitt Springs). Popped and poured at restaurant, this wine opened up in the next couple hours. At first, the sweetness and candied flavors were hard to handle, even with the grilled meats at Brazilian Steakhouse. Eventually, the sweetness subsided a bit and we were able to enjoy the layers of fruit and spices.
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7/23/2006 - JLL wrote: 94 Points
raspberry dipped in chambord then coated in light chocolate, wonderful and spicy, perfect for bbq last night
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7/22/2006 - PeterH wrote: 94 Points
Wow, I just love this stuff. A little bit sweet (I assume this is the alcohol level), giant flavors, tastes like a liquid chocolate covered cherry. Not the perfect match with many things, but absolutely perfect with barbecued ribs and chicken. The slightly sweet glaze on the ribs just goes great with this wine. And it's also really good at putting out the 'fire' that comes from cayenne pepper dry rubbed ribs...
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6/23/2006 - JLL wrote: 95 Points
What a difference time makes. I was ready to write off my last 4 bottles of this at the start of the year due to the fact that the fruit was gone and the heat and acidity were flowing for two bottles in a row. What a difference:
First, decanted in a Reidel "O" for 3 hours, served with dry rub chicken.
The nose was a bit hesitant, with kir royal essence brought to a smoke
The taste was raspberry ganache on top of an almond biscotti dipped into a cappucino. Stellar, far from the last two bottles (sourced for the same place)
The finish was what I first experienced when I tasted the 02 Romas upon delivery, long, washed in purple berry surrounded by all spice encapsulated in a burnt coffee.
Fabulous.....95pts.....
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4/22/2006 - JLL wrote: 84 Points
Decant Time: tasted after 1 minute through 4 hours
Color: bit lighter than the 02, reminded me of the color of an 03 RRV Pinot. The difference was the clear edges after swirling due to the legs- alcohol
Nose: alcohol dominates and clears the dark berry and vanillan away even after 3.5 hours . When first poured into the decanter (and tasting glass), the nose was full of dark berry and slight vanilla (but also was tight when tasted). The time decanted did not reward the nose.
Taste: Cinammon, Pepper, Blackberry, and Tannin. The wine was tight the first hour. At 3.5, the fruit was being overpowered by secondary flavors, none which are clear to me, other than the ones referenced above.
Summary: 84pts This is the 3rd straight CH wine that I have been very disappointed in. The 02 CH RG, per my last tasting has fallen off dramatically. The 02 Syrahs from Piggot and Hickinbotham are tannic flavorless monsters at this point. Based on the fact that I still have 20 of these, I will not be buying any new releases, especially with the price hikes that have been instituted by the new importer.
Let me end by saying this bottle was in perfect condition (thanks to PC)...
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4/13/2006 - shiv wrote: 90 Points
Needed to sit in the glass for a while. Somewhat disjointed early on but flavours came together after breathing for about an hour. Had it with AS.
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3/4/2006 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
ERI Pre-Auction Tasting (Chicago IL): Wine tasting. Big red and black fruit on nose and palate. Spice as well on nose, then re-emerges on finish. Balanced with good textures, and alcohol seemingly in check. Drink young while primary.
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3/1/2006 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
Bright purple red. Nice big rich lovely round swee purple fruit. Nice! Probably showed best of this otherwise pre-auction tasting. 3/06
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10/9/2005 - DrDave wrote:
Nothing like the same stuff on release. On release this was stunning with massive spicy fruit and gingerbread. This bottle was really tightly wound - a brooding monster. Shut down - though we did enjoy this immensely and it did start to come around after some time in the glass and open bottle. I will wait a few years to try this again. Good thing I have my lion's share of Blewitt to keep my busy.
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7/26/2005 - uhclem wrote: 92 Points
Decided it was time to try this wine, as I've read some discussion questioning what kind of legs CH Grenache has. Served with grilled lamb chops. A saturated, deep red/purple inky wine--almost cloudy. Tightly wound upon opening with hints of dark fruit (plums?), earth and a hint of euchalyptus that become more prominent upon aeration. Not super-generous on the palate, but very concentrated with tannins that are definitely integrating into the wine. It could certainly last a few more years without any fear of going over the hill, but I didn't feel like a baby-killer by drinking it today.
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