2022 Kilikanoon Walton 1946 Grenache

Juicy, energetic and intensely flavoured.

From vines planted in 1946 with 5% whole bunch inclusion and maturation in seasoned French oak puncheons for 16 months.
Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red tinged hue. Fragrant red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and red cherry scents drift through the nostrils followed by some crushed rock, gentle vanillin spice and peppered earth notes. Juicy, energetic and intensely flavoured, the mid weighted palate is awash with red to dark raspberry, cherry and red liquorice fruits. Extending across the back half are notions of crushed rock, vanillin spice and pepper. Slightly muscular tannins together with fresh underlying acidity provide great structure. The long, sumptuous finish showing good tension.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews……
This Grenache, from vines planted in 1946 on the hills of Leasingham, remains one of my favourite examples of this variety. It’s been made with very light winemaking influence and is really designed to capture both that sense of place and variety from this vineyard. Medium-bodied, with floral, subtle damp turned earth characters and a hint of ironstone gravel. A little leafy lift adds further to the nose, and that slightly dry savoury finish provides further appeal. An excellent wine for current drinking, but with cellaring potential, as you might expect. Drink 2026-2036.
96 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com

Layer after layer after layer, Walton delivers an intriguing and astonishing level of Grenache flavour. Is it the old vines, the winemaking, the vintage? Maybe it’s all three, and a little bit extra. From the first sniff, it’s wonderfully complex – earth, leather, a touch of tar, dark berries, dark spices, black liquorice. Brings a concentration of flavour on the middle palate where those layers come into effect; a layering of savoury, earth, tar, leather and charcuterie melding into layers of dark fruits, spice, hints of fig and a splash of citrus peel. Tannins do a great job of producing a freshness, especially on the finish where bright tannins, red fruits and orange peel close what is an undoubted stunner of a Grenache with fabulous length. Drink 2026-2040.
96 Points
Jeni Port – WinePilot.com