New to Grenache? Grenache has been around since the beginning of Australia’s winegrowing history but it has only recently begun to break out and go solo playing an integral role in many red blends and single-varietal styles with the McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley leading the charge. These are full of richness and intensity and this StarDozen is a great place to start your Grenache journey with 3 bottles each from 4 renowned producers. All four wines have received 91 Points or better from Australia's leading wine critics which serves to highlight the tremendous quality.

The StarDozen consists of the following:

3 bottles      JC’s Own Ferine Grenache 2021
3 bottles      Purple Hands Barossa Valley Old Vine Grenache 2022
3 bottles      Watkins Langhorne Creek Grenache 2022
3 bottles      Longhop Old Vine Grenache 2022

JC’s Own Ferine Grenache 2021
Shy of medium weight, chewy, somewhat juicy, a little grippy, blasts that cherry juice, slaps the tastebuds with exotic spice and finishes with a minerally, briny, alpine herb lift. Yum. Huge in perfume, floral and pretty, a bit meaty, a bit jubey, lots of fun. The wine stinks of a good time and delivers a deliciousness and drinkability. Grenache, lighter, brighter, vivacious and yet with tension and energy. What a brilliant thing to drink. Tasted: Aug 2022; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $33; Closure: Cork; Drink: 2022-2025; Rated: 93 Points; Mike Bennie; The Wine Front

Purple Hands Barossa Valley Old Vine Grenache 2022
Zerk Vineyard, Lyndoch Planted 1961. 30% whole bunch, aged in old puncheons. Ripe raspberry, cherry, spice, paprika and a gently herbal/stalky top note. Medium-bodied, juicy and succulent red fruits, fine emery tannin offers grip and shape, acidity is fresh, and there’s a frisky spiced strawberry and orange peel flavour on finish of brightness and good length. Lovely wine. So charming and good to drink. Date: Feb 2023; Alcohol: 14%; Price: $35; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2023-2029; Rated: 93 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front

Watkins Langhorne Creek Grenache 2022
Oh Hi You! (accompanied by a bashful wave). That’s the kind of blushing this Langhorne Creek Grenache will impress upon you; with its exotic hibiscus and Rosella florals, red licorice and wild raspberry. Sicilian olives, picked rosemary and thyme with ground cumin and mace. The palate is more than succulent; it’s an explosion of red and black fireworks that taste like summer berry pudding in your mouth! Tannins are fine but sturdy and the palate is streamlined and elegant. This is significantly under priced and a wonder of a wine. Drink alone or with guests, with your dog for company. Either way its going to be an event. Drink: 2024 - 2030; Price: $24.00; Rating: 95 Points; Shanteh Wale

Longhop Old Vine Grenache 2022
Raspberry, hazelnut, a bit gluey, but also has perfume, along with mint and some spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, all poached strawberry and raspberry, a bit edgy and warm in alcohol, but sure-footed with light grainy tannin and a little graphite grip, and I like the nutty slightly umami flavours too. It’s a pleasing wine. strawberry jelly, mint and nuts, with a finish of solid length. Very easy to like. Tasted: Dec 2022; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $25; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2022-2026+; Rated: 91 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front