July 3, 2023 - I've drunk a dozen of these since release. The characters found in the wine are consistent across every bottle, with glacial evolution over time (how good for a $35 South Aussie!).
I've been a long-time fan of Head Grenache. This release demonstrates dark cherries, aniseed, some savouriness, great acid, malt and a finish that is plentiful with light and ashen tannin.
So moorish, with sweet and bitter licks to a balanced palate.
September 22, 2022 - Infinitely better after 3 days and aerated - smooth very drinkable and greatly enjoyed wine. I was sad when I finished it
Nicely paired with charcuterie board
September 16, 2022 - Really good stuff and excellent QPR. Must get more.
June 14, 2021 - Colour pale ruby slight bricking , caramel hues 14/15
Nose bit of funk on the nose smoky bramble , whole bunch stalkyness , reductive which does partial clear after 24 hours dark fruit dark cherries plum , wild raspberries, dusty tannins interesting aroma development at 4yo 27/30
Palate med bodied , flavours from the nose , very savoury but not bitter , velvety mouthfeel ,dusty tannins , long finish 39/44
Overall a Head Grenache will some age 4 years the rapid development concerns me because the 2020 and 2019 and so alive with red fruits . I think drink up IMO 8/11
November 6, 2020 - This is (still) cracking.
Opened quite meaty and reductive.
After two hours it is sappy, sweetly and spicey and a delicious bitterness of tannin.
A long and savoury length, with waves of paan masala spice mix. Musk. Mint. Aniseed.
This will no doubt hold, and probably develop, but it’s a real delight right now.
It’s not moved since last tasting.
Honesty, history, purity and clarity.
Drink now. 4.5/5. 95.
January 10, 2020 - Drank this within a few days of the 17 Yangarra Old Vine.
Such different styles of SA Grenache, but both TWF scores bang on for me.
Head
Sappy and higher glycerol feel. Like Burgundy, the flavours are on a more translucent and fuller bodied frame.
Complexity and depth are sublime.
It tastes a lot like Head Grenache and shows the Barossa vintage well.
Meaty, chewy tannins.
Components still coming together. A looser fit wine than the Yangarra.
Barossa Burgundy. 4.5 now to 5. Years.
Yangarra
A tighter, more compact, darker fruited and spiced wine relative to the Head.
Tannins here are all spice and powdery fine.
The parts are all a little bit closer together, a tighter fit at this stage.
Feels more medium bodied, and even. The details a bit more hidden at this point.
McLaren Barbaresco. 4.5. In 2 years, and then for 5 more.
Two cornered contest here, very different styles and strengths. If you are in the mood for Burgundy drink the sappy and slightly more overt Head. It’s more of a food and friends wine, to be drunk in very big gulps.
If you are drinking alone, want a more intellectual sipping wine and like Barbaresco, go for the Aussie tannin masterclass that is the Yangarra in this 2017 vintage.
I’ve not enjoyed this Yangarra wine as much as I have in the 2017 vintage. The Head 17 is very true to form, has a great track record, and if you’ve liked it in previous vintages you’ll like this very good example of a clear house style in a very balanced vintage.
There is no reason to spend big on SA Grenache when these two examples are this good. Bargains, pray that the marketing departments do not figure out how to position these wines well in international markets.
November 21, 2019 - Was best on day 3 with poached strawberry and black berry, redskins, rose water and musk. Some liquorice too. Built structure and complexity with silky tannins over 3 days. Starts with a little sweetness but finishes savoury and long.
December 23, 2018 - Pretty serious Grenache here. Strawberry and blackberry with red and black liquorice. It’s a little peppery and a little meaty. Nice aromatics. Good intensity and tannin structure. It’s enjoyable now but do yourself and the wine a favour and let it settle for a couple of years.