Grenache has long been a stalwart of the South Australian wine scene and Penfolds have been blending Grenache with Shiraz since the 1950's. Recent years has seen a growing trend for the luscious perfumed styles like those emanating out of the northern Rhône and the Bin 138 produces a brilliant example. Going from strength to strength, this particular wine is quickly gathering momentum as one of the stand-out releases in the Bin series.

In 2002 John Duval left Penfolds after 29 years (17 as Chief Winemaker) and established his own, eponymous label. Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre (first vintage 2003) was the inaugural John Duval Wines release. As Duval says: in a region (the Barossa Valley) that boasts the oldest Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre vines in the world, I decided to focus on this famous Barossa Valley blend. Plexus is typically 50% Shiraz, 30% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre. Shiraz provides the blackberry core and structural backbone. Old vine, low yielding Grenache (some over 100 years old) provides aromatics and texture. Old vine, low yielding Mourvèdre (the oldest well over 100 years old) add savoury, spice and earthy notes. Stylistically, Duval is not aiming for the fruit bomb, high alcohol interpretation; rather Plexus aims to be a respectful, elegant expression of very old Barossa Valley vineyards. Plexus sees 100% barrel maturation in 300 litre French oak hogsheads (only 10% new). While drinking well as a young wine, Plexus matures well, showing a complex array of savoury and mature berry notes and a generous core of sweet fruit and soft tannins.

Bruno & George Old Vine Grenache, Barossa Valley Grenache is arguably the most exciting grape variety on Australian shores of late and indisputably the cultivar that bodes best for an increasingly challenged climate. Responsible for a number of stylistic interpretations, Australian Grenache has traditionally been round, generous and fruity, with an emphasis on wild strawberry, kirsch and Turkish Delight aromas. Bruno & Georges Joh Norman and his deep understanding of Spanish iterations of the variety, however, delivers a far more savoury experience that challenges the worlds best. Think riffs on wild strawberry, thyme, lavender and a weave of spindly tannins, firm and edgy, that serve as a legacy of vast international experience and the sort of confident extraction that comes with it.

The Holy Trinity is a richly flavoured and elegantly structured GSM that continues the long and lauded heritage for this traditional blend in the Barossa Valley. The nose is awash with ripe raspberries, plums and sweet spices of vanilla. The full-bodied wine is filled with vibrant flavours of fresh red fruits and vanilla, complemented by fine and ripe tannins that run the length of the palate. The dense, mouth-filling mid palate and long, textural finish combine to create a wine that is rich and elegant, sweet and savoury, and will sit beautifully on any table now, or cellar gracefully for 8-15 years.

Chateau de Beaucastel is one of the largest and most noted producers of wine in the Châteauneuf du Pape region. The Châteauneuf du Pape is a Mourvèdre dominant blend containing all 13 permitted varieties. Each variety is hand-harvested and vinified separately before assembly and maturation in large old oak foudres for 12 months. A traditional sturdy style with savoury spicy complexity typically showing dark berry fruit and notes of cured meat and dried herbs underpinned by grainy rustic tannins, Chateau de Beaucastel is one of the benchmark wines of the region.

DANDELION VINEYARDS Treasure Trove of McLaren Vale Grenache, McLaren Vale