New to Grenache? Grenache has been around since the beginning of Australia’s winegrowing history but it has only recently begun to break out and go solo playing an integral role in many red blends and single-varietal styles with the McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley leading the charge. These are full of richness and intensity and this StarDozen is a great place to start your Grenache journey with 3 bottles each from 4 renowned producers. All four wines have received 93 Points or better from Australia's leading wine critics which serves to highlight the tremendous quality.

The StarDozen consists of the following:

3 bottles      Curtis Heritage McLaren Vale Grenache 2021
3 bottles      JC’s Own Ferine Grenache 2021
3 bottles      Lone Palm Old Vine Barossa Grenache 2021
3 bottles      Whistler Get In My Belly Grenache 2021

Curtis Heritage McLaren Vale Grenache 2021
Another very fine, even more serious Grenache, again from a stellar vintage. An attractive pale red hue, the wine is redolent of warm earth, strawberries, florals and tobacco leaves. There is balance and finesse in this very fine example of what Grenache can offer when done well. The wine has focus and maintains its intensity along the journey to a long finish and silky tannins. There is lots to like here, enjoy this now and over the next six to seven years. Date: Aug 2023; Drink: 2023-2030; Price: $35.00; Rating: 93 Points; Ken Gargett; Wine Pilot'

JC’s Own Ferine Grenache 2021
Shy of medium weight, chewy, somewhat juicy, a little grippy, blasts that cherry juice, slaps the tastebuds with exotic spice and finishes with a minerally, briny, alpine herb lift. Yum. Huge in perfume, floral and pretty, a bit meaty, a bit jubey, lots of fun. The wine stinks of a good time and delivers a deliciousness and drinkability. Grenache, lighter, brighter, vivacious and yet with tension and energy. What a brilliant thing to drink. Tasted: Aug 2022; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $33; Closure: Cork; Drink: 2022-2025; Rated: 93 Points; Mike Bennie; The Wine Front

Lone Palm Old Vine Barossa Grenache 2021
This is very good. Octogenarian vines, conferring no dearth of plush vinosity to this full-bodied expression. This does not play the dainty card as with many grenache from a neighbouring region, but plies raspberry bonbon, violet, bergamot, dried Mediterranean herb, tapenade, clove, black rock and morello cherry across a cadence of supple grape tannins and just the right amount of oak. More Southern Rhone than Spain. Wonderful stuff, refraining from any slip into jam or excess. Drink or hold. Vegan. Screw cap. Rating: 95 Points; James Suckling

Whistler Get In My Belly Grenache 2021
Plenty of spice, vermouth and Campari sort of things, floral, maraschino cherries, brine. Juicy cherry and boysenberry, dusty spicy feel to tannin, a smattering of amaro herbs, some cranberry crunch to acidity, but keeps that ripe cherry thing going, and the finish is pretty long with it. Pumice stone tannin to close. Lovely stuff. Young, yet offers complexity, and no shortage of drinking appeal. Tasted: Sept 2021; Alcohol: 13.8%; Price: $35; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2021-2025; Rated: 94 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front