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      Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Grenache 2019
3 bottles      Pirramimma Ironstone Old Bush Vine Grenache 2016
3 bottles      Curtis Limited Series McLaren Vale Grenache 2016
3 bottles      SC Pannell Basso Garnacha 2017

Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Grenache 2019
14 days on skins in open fermenters and 8 months in used French wood. The delicious results suggest it an apposite approach. Hard to think of a better estate grenache than this! Raspberry bon-bon, morello cherry and a lick of briar- and white pepper-doused tannins, sandy textured and thirst-slaking, confer a welcome savouriness. Delicious. Drink to: 2024; Price: $30.00; Date Tasted: Nov 2020; Alcohol: 14.5%; Rating: 93 Points; Ned Goodwin MW; James Halliday Wine Companion

Pirramimma Ironstone Old Bush Vine Grenache 2016
This is a magnificent rendition of the variety; the inviting bouquet shows dark plum, dried cherry, vanilla pod, cake spice and smoked game characters, leading to a concentrated palate that’s expansive and mouthfilling. It’s wonderfully composed and styled with flowing texture backed by fine grainy tannins. Price: $70.00; Alcohol: 14.8%; At its best: Now to 2030. Rating: 95 Points; Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

Curtis Limited Series McLaren Vale Grenache 2016
Classic perfumed aromas of raspberry, dark plum, mocha and roasted hazelnut lead to a concentrated palate that is lush and beautifully flowing. The palate delivers wonderful weight and roundness, superbly complemented by silky texture and supple tannins. Gorgeously expressed and hugely appealing. At its best: now to 2026. Date Tasted: Oct 2018; Price: $100.00 Rating: 96 Points; Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

SC Pannell Basso Garnacha 2017
Stodart Trophy - Best Young Red Wine of Show - Royal Queensland Wine Show 2018
Trophy - Best Red - Royal Queensland Wine Show 2018
Trophy - Best Grenache - Royal Queensland Wine Show 2018
95 Points & Gold Medal - Royal Queensland Wine Show 2018

This is Pannell's take on a modern Grenache, which is sourced from McLaren Vale. It's designed as an early release and has no filtration at bottling. It's a beautifully seductive expression of Grenache, with perfumes on the nose and succulent medium-bodied fruit right on the palate. So, so good for current drinking. Rating: 93 Points; Ray Jordan; The West Australian