As usual, d’Arenberg have a wonderful and colourful story behind the name:

“At a time when Grenache was considered unfashionable, Chester acquired many old bush vine, overgrown and abandoned vineyards.”

d’Arenberg, The Derelict Vineyard Grenache, McLaren Vale 2012

Opens up with fly spray, rubber, drying Cola post-mix concentrate, bedside table wood, dark raspberry, almost blue meats, and cedary French oak. A little heady and blocky. All about structure up front, then raspberry jubey fruit then back to chewy tannins. Lingering Redskin lolly (but not confected) with a peppery spicy afterthought. Open it up, swirl it around then put it back for a day’s rest.  2012 vintage showing good things.

RRP: $29

Alc: 14.2%

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg