Yalumba, Barossa (South Australia, Australia) Grenache 2008

 I confess that I tend to find more bottles of Grenache leaving me indifferent than enthusiastic, but the really good ones are damned appealing, and this one is very good.  Attractively priced too, and you’d have a hard time finding more sweet, soft, vivid fruit at this price point.  The fruit notes recall juicy red cherries with a dark berry backnote, and there’s a nice spiciness around the edges that lends a very nice accent.  Although the bottle indicates an alcohol level of 14.5%, there’s nothing hot or overblown in the wine’s actual performance.  The bottle that I tasted showed no discernable designation when re-tasted after being left open for two days–which is bloody impressive for a wine priced in the teens.