D'arenberg The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2018
The Name
At a time when Grenache was considered unfashionable, Chester acquired many old bush vine, overgrown and abandoned vineyards.
These vineyards still have a slightly dishevelled appearance, but they are back producing very low yields of exceptional fruit.
The Wine
What an exceptional year for Grenache.
An absolute abundance of fruit on the nose, with all the classics, blueberry, plum, liquorice, spice and earth.
The palate too is full of presence.
Juicy and generous but with a seam of crunchy tannin and lively acid that add structure and fresh punch to the wine.
All of these big rich fruits wrapped around a graphite almost ferrous like framework.
Immediately drinkable but undoubtedly a Grenache built for time.
If enjoyed young be sure to decant or at a minimum allow it to breath in the glass.
Your patience will reward you.