Deep Red a brownish tinge. Quite subdued aromas. Licorice coming out after a while. Tangy toasted and ripe. Dark berries. Good acid, tanins are smooth. Spice and pepper. Very long with persistent fruits. Good complexity. Smoother than the others so far but none the less a pushy ripe aussie. Together with the interesting story of the vinyard make this a good candidate for the tasting.
The explosively perfumed, rich, multidimensional 2002 The Derelict Vineyard Grenache displays a dense ruby, purple-tinged colour. This wine, which emerges from head-pruned vineyards, possesses classic kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with licorice, smoke, spice and earth. Medium to fullbodied, with a nicely layered midpalate, loads of fruit, good glycerin, and a succulent finish, this is a delicious Australian red to drink over the next 7-8 years.
The palate starts with a huge Wam! of flavor. Thick, ripe mulberries, blackberries and blueberries progress into a rich, gutsy, licorice and bitumen palate, followed by masses of powerful, youthful, gritty fruit tannins, layered with tones of flowery, cranberry and dark fruit flavors, and a youthful acidity. This is a wine of intense concentration. With time, the tannins will somewhat soften and integrate as the fruit flavors open. Enjoy with grilled chicken or lamb. Drink now or cellar for 5-7 years.
