2023 Aphelion Wait Vineyard Grenache

Highly Rated
Broody, intense Grenache from a master of single-vineyard expressions of McLaren Vale terroir.

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Sale price$73.00
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Description

Aphelion winemaker Rob Mack sources his fruit from growers he knows and respects, with the fruit for this wine coming from the sandy soils of the Wait Vineyard in McLaren Vale's Blewitt Springs sub-region.

Originally planted in the 1940s, the vineyard is dry-grown and produces small berries with intense structure.

With only a single 600L barrel produced, this is a great example of truly age-worthy, collectable Grenache from a winemaker who loves the grape.

There's a little bit of ageing in neutral French oak, following a long and slow fermentation with 100% whole bunches.

96 points
"What a wine. This is a little edgier than the 2022 but lovely all the same. This is my favorite in the suite of 2023 Grenaches from Aphelion this year."
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

95 points
"That bunch sits up in this at present, with cooler, smoky herbal notes, interlocking with spice, faintly suggesting garam masala, green cardamom a feature, with cherry pit, dried cranberry, macerated strawberry, pressed flowers, umeboshi and bergamot strung across a web of chewy tannins. There’s a lot to give here, but a little time is required."
- Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "The 2022 Wait Single Site Grenache was one of my favorite Grenaches from Australia in the 2022 vintage. I bought some and have been enjoying them ever since; it is a superlative wine. So, you can imagine the anticipation for this 2023 vintage. Here, the 2023 Wait Single Site Grenache leads with shaved fennel and raspberry seed, pomegranate pearls, cherry, star anise and a little licorice. In the mouth, the ferruginous tannins are fine and grippy; much akin to the size and stature of Nebbiolo, saturated as they are with rose petals and asphalt, white pepper and dried herbs. This is savory, yet that is balanced by the supple red-stained core of Grenache fruit. What a wine. This is a little edgier than the 2022 but lovely all the same. This is my favorite in the suite of 2023 Grenaches from Aphelion this year. 14.1% alcohol, sealed under natural cork and wax." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

95 points - "From the highest dry-grown bush block on the Wait vineyard in Blewitt Springs, planted in the 1940s. Like all the ‘reserve’ single site bottlings for Aphelion, this is 100% whole bunch and matured in large, neutral oak. That bunch sits up in this at present, with cooler, smoky herbal notes, interlocking with spice, faintly suggesting garam masala, green cardamom a feature, with cherry pit, dried cranberry, macerated strawberry, pressed flowers, umeboshi and bergamot strung across a web of chewy tannins. There’s a lot to give here, but a little time is required." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points - "A whole load of exotic spice, rose oil, earl grey tea, raspberry and dried cherry, and most certainly, the whole bunch thing here rides high and gives it something of a mezcal smokiness and sappy tang, though it doesn’t (quite) obfuscate the quality of the fruit. It’s all poached strawberry and curry spice, bright orange-laced acidity, with a juicy almost grapefruity and kind of salty/bloody finish of excellent length. Lots of tang. Lots of energy, albeit with maybe a little too much enthusiasm for whole bunch, given the cooler nature of the vintage." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

94 points - "Good depth of red purple colour, a peppery/stemmy/bunchy iodine bouquet with rich dark cherry fruit beneath. The wine is medium-full bodied and has a boost of rich sweet fruit backed by a skein of drying tannins. Very attractive grenache with structure and persistence." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

The Wait Single Vineyard Grenache 2023 is sourced from the Top Bush block owned by the Wait family in the northeast corner of the Blewitt Springs area of McLaren Vale.

Planted in the mid 1940’s, this block is dry grown and provides small berries with intense flavour and prominent tannin.

The most structural and savoury wine in the range, brooding in character with earth and briary characters dominating the palate.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Grenache
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By The Real Review
Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Advocate
The Wine Front
Critic Score 96
95
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Cork

Aphelion

Aphelion was established by Rob Mack and Louise Rhodes with a clear vision. They had one thing on their mind, to craft: "Genuine, Authentic, Quality McLaren Vale Grenache."

A couple of vintages in and they are right on the money. They have close relationships with local growers in the Vale who provide them with excellent Grenache fruit and Rob's deft touch in the winery takes care of the rest.

The range is slowly growing, as is their family. Their investigation into their pet variety is deepening, as is their fan base. The small batches of wine that come out of the Aphelion stable should have a close eye kept on them, more often than not there's something exciting and great value in the bottle.

Winemaker Rob Mack Aphelion

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