About this WINE
Grenache/Garnacha
Grenache (Noir) is widely grown and comes in a variety of styles. Believed to originate in Spain, it was, in the late 20th century, the most widely planted black grape variety in the world. Today it hovers around seventh in the pecking order. It tends to produce very fruity, rich wines that can range quite widely in their level of tannin.
In many regions – most famously the Southern Rhône, where it complements Syrah and Mourvèdre, among other grapes – it adds backbone and colour to blends, but some of the most notable Châteauneuf du Pape producers (such as Château Rayas) make 100 percent Grenache wines. The grape is a component in many wines of the Languedoc (where you’ll also find its lighter-coloured forms, Grenache Gris and Blanc) and is responsible for much southern French rosé – taking the lead in most Provence styles.
Found all over Spain as Garnacha Tinta (spelt Garnaxa in Catalonia), the grape variety is increasingly detailed on wine labels there. Along with Tempranillo, it forms the majority of the blend for Rioja’s reds and has been adopted widely in Navarra, where it produces lighter styles of red and rosado (rosé). It can also be found operating under a pseudonym, Cannonau, in Sardinia.
Beyond Europe, Grenache is widely planted in California and Australia, largely thanks to its ability to operate in high temperatures and without much water. Particularly in the Barossa Valley, there are some extraordinary dry-farmed bush vines, some of which are centuries old and produce wines of startling intensity.
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Description
Introduced to showcase the quality of old vine Barossa fruit from these three celebrated Rhone varietals, Bin 138 has now firmly established itself amongst the Penfolds family of highly individual cuvées.
The blend in this vintage is 68% Grenache, 21% Shiraz and 11% Mourvedre. A very dry growing season in 2009 led to a smaller crop than usual, but one which is more concentrated as a logical consequence of the drought. The Grenache was particularly successful in terms of quality: this varietal is responsible for flesh, sweetness and generosity, with a nose reminiscent of black cherries and dark chocolate; the Shiraz provides acidity, wonderful blackberry fruit and firm acidity, while the Mourvedre’s contribution is to impart backbone, tannin and an earthy, almost licorice character. 12 months in American oak has added a hint of coconut and vanilla to the predominantly meaty, black fruit ensemble.
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