2024 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache
2024 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache

2024 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache

95 pts
Aphelion |McLaren Vale |Grenache
A bright, finely structured McLaren Vale Grenache that brings together the best of Aphelion’s grower sites with Rob Mack’s light, thoughtful touch.
4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
11 Reviews
Price:
$35.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Aphelion has built its reputation on Grenache, and The Confluence is the wine that best captures what they’re about – purity, energy and a real feel for McLaren Vale fruit. Winemaker Rob Mack works with a handful of trusted growers across Blewitt Springs and McLaren Vale proper, bringing together parcels that balance brightness, perfume and structure.

The 2024 vintage saw a mild, steady season, giving fruit that ripened slowly and kept its natural acidity. Each parcel was treated gently – lots of whole berries, some whole bunches, and older French oak – so the focus stays on fruit expression and fine, sandy tannins rather than oak or weight.

What you get in the glass is a Grenache that feels lifted and precise but still generous, with bright red fruits, spice and that lovely savoury edge that keeps you coming back. It’s made to drink now but will reward a bit of time in the cellar too.

Marcus Ellis

Marcus Ellis

Halliday Wine Companion 94 Points

70/30% Clarendon and Blewitt Springs; 40% whole bunch in steel and concrete; élevage in cocciopesto, concrete egg and seasoned French 2800L foudre and demi-muid. A warmer year than the few prior, but not by a lot. Sour cherry, pomegranate, rhubarb, amaro herbs, Campari, dried orange and rosehip tea, with a sinewy savouriness running through it. Medium weighted and equipped with fine, sandy tannin and crisp but not brisk acidity. It’s a fine release.

Erin Larkin

Erin Larkin

The Wine Advocate 95 Points

The 2024 season was a return to warmer, drier conditions, although nothing to excess. Here, the perfume in the 2024 Confluence Grenache speaks of red fruits in abundance, exotic spices and supple tannins to match it on the plate. This is superb and one of the better (best?) Confluence Grenaches made and released. 13.8% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Customer Reviews

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 11 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 9 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
11 reviews
  • RC
    Robert C.
    Verified Buyer
    8 months ago
    Reviewing
    2023 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    23 aphelion the confluence grenache

    A sound quality lighter weight grenache for everyday drinking.

    Still remember the 2021 which was stunning for the price.

    The 2023 not quite reaching that standard.

    Was this helpful?
  • JM
    Jo M.
    Verified Buyer
    1 year ago
    Reviewing
    2022 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Beautiful and elegant

    Very easy to drink. One I always bring out when I have guests and it never fails to impress!

    Was this helpful?
  • MB
    Matthieu B.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Reviewing
    2022 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Very nice Grenache

    Excellent - superb long lasting taste

    Was this helpful?
Show More

The Aphelion Confluence 2024 Grenache is a key flagstone wine for us.

It's been with us from the very beginning.

We are Grenache specialists and our Confluence is a perfect example of complex, delicious wine that works as beautifully with food as it does being savoured on its' own.

Meet the Confluence

Variety: Grenache from Blewitt Springs sub region of McLaren Vale.

Summary: This complex, aromatic, food friendly, but fantastically drinkable wine evolves in your glass. Good structure and length. Carries our signature savoury finish.

Vineyard: 70% Clarendon fruit from Hickinbotham vineyard, 30% Blewitt Springs from the Brini and Wait vineyards.

Winemaking: 40% whole bunch fermented in stainless steel and small concrete open top fermenters. Matured in a combination of 1,500L Drunk Turtle (cocciopesto), 950L concrete egg, and seasoned French 2,800L foudre and demi-muid oak. Bottled February 2025.

Tasting Note: Vibrant red with purple hues in the glass. A savoury core presents with olive and briar. Crunchy raspberry and cranberry come to the fore with some air. On the palate Satsuma plum, wild strawberry and fine sandalwood dominate with fine tannins giving the wine exemplary length. The palate shows great intensity and concentration without being heavy or cloying. A wine that shows great aging potential and which will continue to evolve over time.

Goes With Food: Pan seared duck matches the spice and body of the wine well.

Goes With Cheese: The mushroom characters of a quality Camembert or washed rind cheese will complement the wine’s flavours and won’t dominate its delicate structure.

Goes With Music: Nick Cave – Jubilee Street

Goes With Life: Out for a fancy dinner or aperitivo on the back deck.

Serve At: 18 degrees Celsius.

When to Drink: Ready to drink now, but will continue evolving through to 2035.

Unfiltered

Unfined

Vegan

<100ppm Sulphur

ABV%: 14.2%

Price Bracket $41 to $50
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Grenache
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
Critic Score 94
92
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure Screw Cap

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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