Oliverhill Brady Block 2002 Grenache Sept 03

The bouquet of this wine is locked up tight but what is there is very unlike your average Grenache; there is subtle pencil shaving, menthol and coffee.

The fruit is deeply seated, the acid piquant and refreshing and the tannins are so smooth one can only wonder if they are there. Ample in weight, the consistency is firm despite the deceptive tannins and the structure is silky smooth, seamless but still tight. Unlike most Grenache wines, it’s intensely savoury, almost sour cherry in nature with dark chocolate, subtle white pepper, earthy mushrooms and mint. There is absolutely no sign of heat despite its 15% alcohol.

Rated as Recommended with **** for value, this is one of the few straight Grenache I would seriously recommend.