Grenache has its origins in Spain, in particular the Northern Province of Aragon. A favourite in Southern Australia due to its ability to withstand extremes of heat, aridity and wind, it produces wines of exceptional quality, providing yields are kept low (around 2 tonnes/acre or approximately 32 hectolitres/hectare). The vines are traditionally spur pruned, in the goblet style of Southern France.
The fruit for this wine was predominantly sourced from 98 year old Grenache vines grown on the Turkey Flat Vineyard. These old vines produce fantastically concentrated fruit which translates into a style of Grenache for which Turkey Flat has become famous. These vines are traditionally spur pruned, in the goblet style of Southern France and yields are kept low (around 2 tonnes/acre or approximately 32 hectolitres/hectare) producing wines of exceptional quality.
The 2009 vintage produced some exceptional Grenache, rich in colour and tannin structure. The result is a vibrant Grenache which displays primary fruit characters of fresh raspberry and plum. A balanced and elegant wine, with a pleasantly warming palate of sweet spice and clove. More savoury characters of fennel and black pepper give way to a lingering fine tannin finish. This wine will age gracefully with careful cellaring of up to 10 years.
From a 90 year old estate vineyard. Excellent colour is the first sign of something special; the wine has far more depth and structure than most barossa Valley grenache, but age of itself is not the only reason - the terroir of the block is also important, as is the dedication of the winery team. Rating: 94 Points; James Halliday
It was a hot vintage but the conditions don’t seem to have done this grenache any harm. I may be under-rating it. It tastes iof raspberry, licorice, five-spice and earth. The wine’s fleshy, velvety tannin keeps the warm flavour in tidy check. It has good length and good up-front appeal, but it’s likely to age well over many years. It’s a bright version of an old-fashioned South Australian burgundy. It had me lapping it up. 92+ Points Campbell Mattinson
Old-Vine, dry grown grenache from the heart of the barossa with all its varietal notes hit tunefully. There's black Cherry, earthy elements, woody spices and herbs given some air by a restrained oak profile, and there's a whiff faintly of licorice in the backdrops. There's a fair bit of fabulous grenanche going around at the moment. Wines like this deserve to have more of the spotlight. Tony Love; The Advertiser
It is a big contrast with the previous wine, showing grenache's versatility. It split the panel, but Bourne spoke up for it. "On the nose, beautiful raspberry jelly and lifted spices. Plenty of flavour and really clear characters". I found concentrated dark plum, other rich, ripe fruits and chewy tannins. Two other tasters thought it too tannic. Think of this as a typical Turkey Flat wine, with considerable power and depth, built for age and for richly flavoured foods, and you should be delighted. Rating: 91 Points; AGT WINE; Nick Bulleid MW, August 2011