1997 Clarendon Hills Clarendon Grenache

An interesting wine, in that it gains much of its complexity and radical flavour due to the very unorthodox terroir. Planted on a cool site with southerly slopes (virtually back to front for a Australian vineyard). The Southern slopes being cooler, seem to make a positive contribution to the terroir of the Grenache. Being a grape variety that is prone to over ripening, the coolness of the site prolongs the ripening period and adds a mixed spice and herbal flavour component, associated with some under ripe berries. Like the white and blackpepper qualities in cool climate Shiraz, these spice herbal qualities add an acceptable new dimension to Grenache. Medium weight, crimson colour. The nose displays smoky, raspberry aromas with notes of mixed spice / herbs, liquorice and floral end notes. The palate has good weight with raspberry and smoky liquorice flavours dominating. Fine tannin structure, with long raspberry liquorice aftertaste. Cellar 2-3 years.