Yangarra Estate, McLaren Vale (Australia) Grenache 2012

This black cherry bomb comes to us from a dry farmed vineyard of what the Aussies call "bush vines" — we say “head pruned” in California — that was planted in 1946.  The wine was fermented on wild yeast, meaning that the winemaker didn’t select particular strains of yeast in order to aim at a certain flavor profile.  The result here is marvelous — very forward aromas of black cherry, vanilla and fall spice blow out of the glass, followed up by a bright palate of cherry, leafy dried herb, white pepper, dill and spice, with a firm grip and some oak that’s yet to integrate fully, but will come into balance nicely with a bit of bottle age.  Very attractive!