THIS WEEK'S WINE REVIEW

PATRITTI 2015 McLAREN VALE SECTION 181 GRENACHE - To me this is exactly what a McLaren Vale Grenache should taste like in this day and age. www.patritti.com.au

Over the last one to two years I have been tasting too many “new style” Grenaches that are thin, light and very acidic - Yuck!

I love the big, rich old style that used to be made by the likes of David Noon, D’arry Osborne, Pirramimma, Yalumba- Bush Vine, Rockford’s, etc. Big and bold with lashings of flavour and body, made from fully ripe fruit. These wines were drinkable when young and aged magnificently.

Alas, most of the South Australian Grenache I have tasted in recent times have gone away from this luscious big style for a newer, leaner, considerably more “lighter” (austere) style that has masses of acidity when young. Yes, they are lower in alcohol, but unfortunately they are also lower in flavour and often taste like a mouthful of acid.

The PATRITTI SECTION 181, made from gnarly old McLaren Vale vines is a great step half-way between the old style and the new battery acid style. It has a lovely depth of purpley red colour, gorgeous plumy Grenache aromas and a great mouthful of delicious ripe flavours - without going OTT and being porty or jammy. Whilst it has a great mouthful of juicy, jube-like fruit, it is still a bit tight and just needs some time to soften off a bit and integrate.  It is, in my opinion, bloody-marvellous!