THE WINE FRONT – Campbell Mattinson, July 2011

It’s grown on 90 year old vines and blessedly it’s all about the fruit; there’s not a lot of oak here. It was a hot vintage but the conditions don’t seem to have done this grenache any harm. I may be under-rating it. It tastes of raspberry, licorice, five-spice and earth. The wine’s fleshy, velvety tannin keeps the warm flavour in tidy check. It has good length and good up-front appeal, but it’s likely to age well over many years. It’s a bright version of an old-fashioned South Australian burgundy. It had me lapping it up. Rating: 92 Points

AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION 2012 - James Halliday From a 90 year old estate vineyard. Excellent colour is the first sign of something special; the wine has far more depth and structure than most barossa Valley grenache, but age of itself is not the only reason - the terroir of the block is also important, as is the dedication of the winery team. Rating: 94 Points

Review by Natasha Hughes:- 04/10/2011 The Schulz family are renowned for their Rhône-style wines (albeit Rhône with an Aussie twist), and this varietal grenache is made predominantly from the fruit of 98-year-old vines. There’s oodles of sweet spice, mulberries and raspberry compote on the nose, but the palate is perhaps as marked by cracked pepper and fennel as much as it is by crushed red berries. The age of the vines shows in the concentration of fruit, which is balanced by ripe tannins and juicy acidity. The texture is rich and velvety, and the overall impression is of a smooth, fleshy, full-bodied wine that should age nicely for at least another five years. 16/20.

DANI GONGOOZLA- 04/10/2011 The bulk of the grenache is from vines planted in 1920 and only the top grapes are selected in production of this wine. The 2009 vintage was great for grenache – showing lifted fruit and peppery notes. This is a soft, warming, almost luscious & richly concentrated grenache showing great balance between body weight and grown-up acidity.

THE ADVERTISER; Tony Love-05/10/2011 Old-Vine, dry grown grenache from the heart of the barossa with all its varietal notes hit tunefully. There's black Cherry, earthy elements, woody spices and herbs given some air by a restrained oak profile, and there's a whiff faintly of licorice in the backdrops. There's a fair bit of fabulous grenanche going around at the moment. Wines like this deserve to have more of the spotlight.

From the Sunday Times, Ireland:

Many years ago grenache suffered castigation by the critics, at least beyond the confines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, as lacking colour, tannins and character, writes Ernie Whalley. The grape was judged to be a bit player in the red wine world and adversley compared with the more structured syrah. Still, it is one of the most widely planted red-wine grape varieties in the world and in Australia was overtaken by Shiraz only in the 1990's. A generally spicy wine, it is also known for being berry-flavoured and soft on the palate with a high alcohol content...

Turkey Flat 2009, Barossa, South Australia

GOLD

EW says: A gorgeous nose, pepper, anise and a hint of cinnamon with lush ripe fruit following close behind.

MM says: This begs to be sniffed again and againto reveal its peppery spice, bramble, cherry fruit and subtle vanilla. 18.5/20

Opens with appealing tomato bush, red cherry and bouquet garni notes. Has a wonderful tension between its slim frame and ripe, red berry fruit, finishing firm, but residual juiciness. Slender and savoury goodness.