The Custodian Grenache

The Custodian Grenache by d’Arenberg produced in McLaren Vale.

During the vine pull scheme in the 80’s, d’Arry Osborn refused to remove his old grenache vineyards. Today d’Arenberg is the keeper of nearly one third of McLaren Vale’s old bush vine grenache, earning the title of ‘Custodian’ of the variety

d’Arenberg see themselves as the champions of this variety in the McLaren Vale. They continue to reap the benefits from their block of old vines (the oldest approaching their 120th season) producing modest quantities of small, highly flavoured grapes. The resultant wines being full and intense of great fruit flavours and finely grained fruit and oak tannins. These old vines continue to produce this full and intense wine.

When Grenache is good you know it straight away. This Custodian shows its class from the very first glimpse of bright crimson in the glass. The nose is packed with enticing fresh red fruit characters of raspberry, cherry, and even pomegranate. This wine punches well above its price class with fresh fruit dominating. Let it sit and breath though and complex notes of sooty black earth, coal dust, and cracked fennel seed begin to reveal themselves. With time the palate also evolves from those initial fresh red fruit characters into a darker brooding blackberry and Kalamata olive skin spectrum. The wine maintains its focus and drive on a long lingering palate held poised by a tight rhubarb-like acid line. The fine line is further supported by structured powdery lively tannin. This is really good Grenache, from first sight to final si

The 2014 Custodian is a jewel of a wine that is perfectly balanced and harmonious. The first look suggests an enticing simplicity displaying primary fruit characters of mulberry, blueberry and plum. Deeper inspection however starts to reveal more complex layers, conjuring images of aniseed, fennel and coriander seed. The palate is warm and juicy. The sweet and savoury fruits are laced by fine silken tannins which lead to a super persistent finish, again displaying a delightful fruitiness, accompanied by more savoury, cedary, baking spice like notes. Simply put, The Custodian Grenache is liquid velvet.

To see our full range of d’Arenberg product go to http://veganwineonline.co.uk/product-category/darenberg/

For more information on the winery go to https://www.darenberg.com.au/