1996 Clarendon Hills Grenache Kangarilla Vineyard Old Vines
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Tasting notes
The 1996 Grenache Old Vines Kangarilla Vineyard is from what is now called the High Sands vineyard (owned by Yangarra, since 2002). "I knew the vineyard foreman, and I said to him, 'I wouldn't mind a bit of that,' and he said yes," Roman explains. The vineyard at the time was owned by the widely cherished late Bernard Smart (2023). The wine is meaty, savory and so fresh—these wines have the ability to show both savoriness and freshness at once. This has firm tannins, which Roman says he doesn't like as much as the Blewitt Springs vineyard; although that bears no reflection on his perspective of Bernie, or the vineyard, both of which are remembered with fondness. Personally, I love the tannin here in this wine—it is grainy and shapely and cups the fresh fruit. This is really good. 15% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Saturated deep ruby. Flamboyant nose combines dark berries, sappy black cherry, clove and shoe polish. Huge and seamless on the palate, with a primary crushed berry character and enough sheer material to buffer the 15% alcohol. Finishes with a boatload of tongue-coating but even tannins. Extraordinary grenache.
About the producer
Based in the McLaren Vale, Clarendon Hills has been one of the pioneering names in Australian wine. Focusing on single-site expressions of individual grapes, working with old dry-farmed vineyards, it has become one of the world’s leading producers, best known for its iconic Astralis Shiraz.