Thanks Errin, I went there after watching your Video, also to Pannells. It was an amazing Eexperience, especially at Bekkers. The tasting experience is great and so are the wine, the 2020 was just stunning, spices, savoury, structured and lovely fruit. love your videos. 👍
Don’t get me wrong - eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures… but the complex interaction between food and wine is not where my heart lies, you know?
I'm really getting into grenache atm and find it's trending pretty strong amongst mates - the SA Winegrape Crush Survey 2020 Regional Summary Report mentioned the average value of Grenache was higher than Shiraz for the first time. This trend feels like the equivalent of when people were first talking about Malbecs 5-10yrs ago haha. Some standout grenaches for me are the 2020 Samuel's Gorge - sold out on every website I checked, until one I found today which has 8 left, soon to be 4. And the 2021 XO Wine Co small batch - tried it yesterday and tastes like a $50 bottle, but $32; splitting half a case with some friends. Have you tried any old grenaches Erin? I was doing some reading and it seems like it can age as well as shiraz! Also curious to hear your thoughts on the previous SA weather events (hail storm and bush fires), how the wines and regions (Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, etc) responded. And thank you for being so responsive online! It's an absolute privilege to chat with someone so knowledgeable.
Hi Michael, sorry - I don't know how I missed replying to you. I have had old Grenache, they do age very well. The key - for this region at least - is the lower alcohol, because the acidity keeps the fruit far fresher in time. They morph from juicy, bright, spicy things into something very much like Norther Rhone Pinot: soy, enoki mushroom, blood, rust, forest floor... elegant and earthy. The recent weather in SA (and VIC, and Hunter and others) through the back end of 2022 has caused some major challenges, but I can't comment on how they got through until I see the wines. I would say that they worked bloody hard to salvage a tough vintage, and if they wines are very good and better, it will certainly be kudos to them. Never write off a vintage.
Fantastic interview Erin! I visited the cellar door about two months ago and their 2019 Grenache was up there with the best Grenache I’ve ever tasted. What were some of the other Grenaches that you really enjoyed during your trip?
Thanks Errin, I went there after watching your Video, also to Pannells. It was an amazing Eexperience, especially at Bekkers. The tasting experience is great and so are the wine, the 2020 was just stunning, spices, savoury, structured and lovely fruit. love your videos. 👍
So glad you went and had a great time - thanks for watching the videos Daniel!
"I don't care about food and wine, food just gets in the way" might be my favourite comment about wine ever.
Don’t get me wrong - eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures… but the complex interaction between food and wine is not where my heart lies, you know?
Excellent video Erin thanks
My good lady and I went ti the bekkers tasting and dinner at Lamont’s. Fantastic wine, lovely guy too
It looked like a fantastic event Chris!
I'm really getting into grenache atm and find it's trending pretty strong amongst mates - the SA Winegrape Crush Survey 2020 Regional Summary Report mentioned the average value of Grenache was higher than Shiraz for the first time. This trend feels like the equivalent of when people were first talking about Malbecs 5-10yrs ago haha.
Some standout grenaches for me are the 2020 Samuel's Gorge - sold out on every website I checked, until one I found today which has 8 left, soon to be 4. And the 2021 XO Wine Co small batch - tried it yesterday and tastes like a $50 bottle, but $32; splitting half a case with some friends.
Have you tried any old grenaches Erin? I was doing some reading and it seems like it can age as well as shiraz!
Also curious to hear your thoughts on the previous SA weather events (hail storm and bush fires), how the wines and regions (Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, etc) responded.
And thank you for being so responsive online! It's an absolute privilege to chat with someone so knowledgeable.
Hi Michael, sorry - I don't know how I missed replying to you. I have had old Grenache, they do age very well. The key - for this region at least - is the lower alcohol, because the acidity keeps the fruit far fresher in time. They morph from juicy, bright, spicy things into something very much like Norther Rhone Pinot: soy, enoki mushroom, blood, rust, forest floor... elegant and earthy. The recent weather in SA (and VIC, and Hunter and others) through the back end of 2022 has caused some major challenges, but I can't comment on how they got through until I see the wines. I would say that they worked bloody hard to salvage a tough vintage, and if they wines are very good and better, it will certainly be kudos to them. Never write off a vintage.
Fantastic interview Erin! I visited the cellar door about two months ago and their 2019 Grenache was up there with the best Grenache I’ve ever tasted.
What were some of the other Grenaches that you really enjoyed during your trip?
I loved Yangarra, Clarendon Hills, Bondar, Aphelion and SC Pannell. All very different producers but beautiful grenache wines