The Little Giant range are from the reliable Fourth Wave Wine. This is 94% Grenache with 6% Shiraz thrown in. Winemakers are Corey Ryan and Jim Zerella. Presented in a stocky, stout package, representative of its label showing southern hairy-nose wombat, South Australia’s fauna emblem.

Little Giant, Grenache, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 2019

A heady mix of savoury aromas and fruit forward elements. There’s varietal/regional raspberry, deeper cassis/pastille, earthy stewing rhubarb, easy cocoa, pink musk, pencil shaving oak and a bitter herb/menthol “Throatie” lozenge lilt.  Running full bodied and stretched to tension. Plenty of black and red fruit, easy cola and vanilla licks with fine (almost inconsequential) tannins but a tautness of acidity that makes the finish a little uncomfortable. That said, it would be perfect for cutting through some straight off the bbq spring lamb chops.

RRP: $22
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 17/20 (88/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Fourth Wave Wine