Vintage 2024
Winner of the James Halliday Grenache Challenge 2025 →
95 points Wine Pilot. The palate is so vibrant and red-fruited 95 Points Consistently one of my favourite Australian Grenache, and each year I look forward to seeing what it reveals. In this case, the season was very good and it comes from old vines planted in 1929 and 1949. The colour is quite pale crimson, and the body more light than medium. But the aromas are just the start. Strawberry, rose petal, a little spice, raspberry, and a touch of dried herb. The palate is so vibrant and red-fruited, with a crunchy fine acidity sustaining that slightly fleshy, plush, velvety smooth mid-palate. I’m loving it. Wine Pilot, 22 Sep 2025.
94 points Halliday Wine Companion. Savory and great drinking. Yalumba do good things with grenache, that's for sure. This sandy soils of Vine Vale at the base of the Eastern Range are just perfect for the variety, too. They coax the high tones and detail out of the variety that I just love. Supple red cherry, dark plum and raspberry fruits cut with exotic spice, subtle bunchy nuance, cola, gingerbread, citrus blossom and earth. Savoury and great drinking with powdery tannin and tail of raspberry, red cherry and spice.
Just three blocks of Grenache were wild fermented together with 30% whole bunch fruit, resulting in this outstanding expression. Aromas of fresh strawberry and a delicate hint of rose petal, underpinned by white pepper and subtle flintiness. Layers of crushed Mediterranean herbs mingle with grenadine, ironstone and savoury notes, while a touch of dried juniper berry adds complexity and intrigue. The palate is vibrant and energetic, flavours of redcurrant and cranberry wrapped in fine, talc-like tannins. There’s a distinct mineral edge that carries through to the finish, adding precision and structure to this expressive and layered wine.
