Greenock Creek "Cornerstone" Grenache, Barossa Valley 2002

Red.

Earth/nut and raspberry jam on the deep nose. Some (oak?) spice and hazelnut action too.

Hugely sweet in the mouth, and a bit high-toned with alcohol. But this resolves itself pretty well. Raspberry liqueur/sauce. No complexity to speak of. Acid dominant structure is relatively mild, but really doesn't "fit". This is a pretty good example of what folks in the Rhone need not fear. I wonder why no great Chateauneuf producer has followed Chapoutier to the land of Oz? Chapoutier said at an HdR seminar years ago that he was importing (very old) Aussie Grenache budwood, as it was pre-phylloxera. What could the Ferauds or Avrils do with a 80-100 year old Grenache in Australia? Maybe Chester Osborn is already working with one of them.

Day 2 - Well, after all my BS, this is tasting far better today. Much deeper, more plush in the mouth with acidity less abrasive. Clearly, the raw materials were stellar. But I would still love to see a wine made by an Avril from the same fruit.

$55