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 91 Points or better from Australia's leading wine critics which serves to highlight the tremendous quality.

The StarDozen consists of the following:

3 bottles      JC’s Own Ferine Grenache 2021
3 bottles      Serafino McLaren Reserve Grenache 2022
3 bottles      Watkins Langhorne Creek Grenache 2022
3 bottles      Longhop Old Vine Grenache 2022

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

Serafino McLaren Reserve Grenache 2022
Yet another of the remarkable Grenache wines we are seeing these days. This multi-trophy winning wine shows just what Grenache can do in McLaren Vale. The fruit comes from Blewitt Springs, one of my favourite subregions, producing wines of finesse and generally medium weight while losing nothing in flavour intensity. So bright and pure with a light perfume of cherry and raspberry with a rose petal background. A wonderful example of the variety. Price: $40.00; Drink to: 2023 - 2031; Rating: 97 Points; Ray Jordan

Watkins Langhorne Creek Grenache 2022
Oh Hi You! (accompanied by a bashful wave). That’s the kind of blushing this Langhorne Creek Grenache will impress upon you; with its exotic hibiscus and Rosella florals, red licorice and wild raspberry. Sicilian olives, picked rosemary and thyme with ground cumin and mace. The palate is more than succulent; it’s an explosion of red and black fireworks that taste like summer berry pudding in your mouth! Tannins are fine but sturdy and the palate is streamlined and elegant. This is significantly under priced and a wonder of a wine. Drink alone or with guests, with your dog for company. Either way its going to be an event. Drink: 2024 - 2030; Price: $24.00; Rating: 95 Points; Shanteh Wale

Longhop Old Vine Grenache 2022
Raspberry, hazelnut, a bit gluey, but also has perfume, along with mint and some spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, all poached strawberry and raspberry, a bit edgy and warm in alcohol, but sure-footed with light grainy tannin and a little graphite grip, and I like the nutty slightly umami flavours too. It’s a pleasing wine. strawberry jelly, mint and nuts, with a finish of solid length. Very easy to like. Tasted: Dec 2022; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $25; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2022-2026+; Rated: 91 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front