1998 Old Vines Grenache Clarendon Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 1998 Grenache Clarendon Vineyard reveals such textbook Chateauneuf du Pape characteristics as kirsch liqueur, spicy pepper, a touch of peach-like fruit from its overripeness, and the dried herb, earthy concoction the French call garrigue. Full-bodied and ripe, with a fleshy, high alcohol personality, this voluptuous Chateauneuf du Pape look-alike should drink well for 8-10 years. This immense, super-concentrated, muscular wine appears to mirror the personality and stature of proprietor/winemaker Roman Bratasiuk. Clarendon Hills produces some of my favorite Australian wines, and readers looking for flavor, personality, and pleasure, should seek out this limited production gem. Imported by The Australian Premium Wine Collection, John Larchet, USA Wine West, LLC, San Rafael, CA; phone: (800)-485-5753 and Chicago Brands, Chicago, IL; tel. (312) 466-9300.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Medium ruby. Spicy black raspberry, cherry, bitter chocolate, eucalyptus and sandalwood on the nose. Thick and very intensely flavored, with raspberry, strawberry, pepper and spice flavors complicated by mineral and earth notes. Very ripe but quite dry, with the wine minerality giving lift to the flavors. Very powerfully structured grenache. Finishes firmly tannic and impressively long.
About the producer

Based in the McLaren Vale, Clarendon Hills has been one of the pioneering names in Australian wine. Focusing on single-site expressions of individual grapes, working with old dry-farmed vineyards, it has become one of the world’s leading producers, best known for its iconic Astralis Shiraz.