2023 Glengrae Old Bush Block Grenache

$45.00

Glenn Becker’s dry grown bush block in Ebenezer is one of the true treasures of the Northern Barossa. A lost block of less than 2 acres planted generations ago. Traditionally farmed with no access to supplementary water, highly exposed and subject to frost more years than most. The vineyard is a true reflection of Glenn and his personality.

The yield in this vineyard is invariably very low, but with good winter rains such as experienced in 2022 the vineyard can sometimes yield two barrels or perhaps a little more as was the case in the 23 vintage.

The resulting wine is highly perfumed, yet savoury, combining great length of flavour and persistence that this great block can produce in the very good vintages. A special site that produces special wines.

Glenn Becker’s dry grown bush block in Ebenezer is one of the true treasures of the Northern Barossa. A lost block of less than 2 acres planted generations ago. Traditionally farmed with no access to supplementary water, highly exposed and subject to frost more years than most. The vineyard is a true reflection of Glenn and his personality.

The yield in this vineyard is invariably very low, but with good winter rains such as experienced in 2022 the vineyard can sometimes yield two barrels or perhaps a little more as was the case in the 23 vintage.

The resulting wine is highly perfumed, yet savoury, combining great length of flavour and persistence that this great block can produce in the very good vintages. A special site that produces special wines.

Technical Tasting Notes

2023 GLENGRAE OLD BUSH BLOCK GRENACHE

GROWING SEASON
The 2023 Barossa Valley vintage will be remembered as one of the latest vintages in recent memory. After a wet winter the rains continued well into November, it was certainly unlike any other. This meant the growing season was off to a slow start. The Barossa season from this point on was almost perfect. Warmer than the 2022 vintage, but cooler than the long term average.

TASTING NOTE
Glenn Becker’s dry grown bush block in Ebenezer is one of the true treasures of the Northern Barossa. A lost block of less than 2 acres planted generations ago. Traditionally farmed with no access to supplementary water, highly exposed and subject to frost more years than not. The vineyard is a true reflection of Glenn and his personality. It is unique and the wine that results in years where we get a crop is of such quality that when the conditions allow, we bottle a small volume as a Vineyard Series. 2023 was one such year.

The resulting wine is highly perfumed, medium to full bodied with a five spice character that we often see from this block. Dense fruit with a savoury edge. Great length and persistence. A wine that can be enjoyed for many years.

Reviews

2024 Vineyard Series Glengrae Grenache

Andrew Caillard MW (The Vintage Journal)

94 Points - Medium crimson. Redcurrant, hint marzipan aromas with nougat notes. Refined redcurrant strawberry aromas with marzipan/ roasted walnut notes and long supple textures. Tapers to a minerally finish.

Drink now– 2030

Vinous (Angus Hughson)

92 Points - Vinous (Angus Hughson)

The 2024 Grenache Glengrae is seductive, offering up waves of cherry pit, raspberry and floral aromas with impressive richness and generosity. This is flavoursome, with an instant youthful appeal of dark cherry while the tannins are silky smooth. The 2024 is simply delicious drinking.

Drinking 2025-2030

Steve Leszczynski (Qwinereviews.com)

93 Points - The prettiness of the Glengrae Old Bush Block rises up once more. A great Grenache, this release from Hayes Family Wines is delicious and then some. 

Super attractive scents, silky feels and an enticing moreishness sum it up best. It opens with juicy raspberries and raspberry coulis swarming for your attention. Sour cherries and red apple ride on their coattails adding splendour. A fine linear tension shapes the palate with nibbles of dark chocolate building momentum with some lively acidity. Drinking beautifully now, it will hold for the medium term. Great stuff.

Drink to five years+

2023 Vineyard Series Glengrae Old Bush Block Grenache

2026 James Halliday Wine Companion (Dave Brookes)

93 Points - Bright crimson with aromas of red plum, cherry and raspberry fruits with hints of cola, warm earth, purple flowers, ginger cake, charcuterie, toffee apple and dried citrus rind. Plummy and laden with spice on the palate, bright acidity drives the wine along nicely and the tannins come through like fine pumice stone. 2025–2032

AARON BRASHER (therealreview.com)

92 Points - A youthful red in appearance. Lifted aromas of pudding spice, stewed plum, mulberry, cola, musk and red earth. Firm, fleshy and mid-weighted on the palate. There's plenty of dark fruits, a touch of peppermint, along with granular, shapely tannins and bright acidity. Quite pure and poised 2025–2035

2022 Vineyard Series Glengrae Old Bush Block Grenache

HUon Hooke (The Real Review)

94 Points - Medium-full red with a tint of purple in the rim, and a spicy, cherry aroma with hints of sarsaparilla and cherry brandy, succulent sweet ripe fruit at its core. Succulent fruit surrounded by a shroud of drying but supple tannins. Excellent grenache. 14 Jan 2024

WINEFRONT (GARY WALSH)

94 Points - A dry grown bush block vineyard in Ebenezer. 1300 bottles produced.

Lots of spice, dried flowers and mint, raspberry and strawberry. Medium-bodied, juicy red fruits, a slight earthiness, but also something of a toffee sponge character, light emery board tannin, sage-brushed and distantly spicy, with a finish of excellent length. I like this wine a lot. It’s both distinctive and charming.

Decanter Magazine (Tasted by: Beth Pearce MW, Sara Muirhead MW, Ben Chan)

92 Points - Black cherry, grilled mushroom and forest floor. Ripe tannins support complex layers of blackberry, pepper and savoury tobacco, while herbal and floral hints add lift. A lively finish with subtle, grainy tannins. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2026 (at Decanter tasting suite, London, 15 Oct 2024)

2021 Vineyard Series Glengrae Old Bush Block Grenache

Andrew Caillard MW (The Vintage Journal)

94 Points - Medium-deep crimson in colour and opens up with attractive inky musky plum, raspberry aromas and flavours. Slurpy wine with plentiful musky plum, raspberry pastille flavours, fine slinky textures and fresh juicy acidity, before finishing chalky and minerally.

Now–2028

Steve Leszczynski (Qwinereviews.com)

94 Points - Here's a challenge... Pour this and take one sip - I bet you can't stop there. It's hard to resist. A pretty and vibrant Barossa Valley Grenache awaits. Scents of raspberry rope and red fruits, there is a joyous flow about its make up. Soft petals add further prettiness but the clincher is the mid-palate density and grip that pulls you closer. Long and luscious, another brilliant Grenache from Hayes Family Wines.

Drink to five years+

2020 Vineyard Series Glengrae Old Bush Block Grenache

Not Yet Reviewed

2019 Vineyard Series Glengrae Old Bush Block Grenache

2021 Wine Companion (James Halliday)

96 Points - This is all about contained power reflecting a ‘lost' 0.8ha dry-grown block on an exposed ridge that yielded 750kg of fruit. Its perfumed bouquet foretells a wine that, while delicate, has a long, lingering palate destined to live for decades. A gift horse of rare magnitude.

Q-Wine Reviews - www.qwinereviews.com (Steve Leszczynski)

94 Points - Quite funky on opening. This Grenache is one out of the box and one I reckon will pulverise. For me, I'm a big fan.

Scents of truffles and black earth, dried herbs and dark chocolate before delicate ripples of red fruit cruise through the mouth. Some mushroom compost and lithe undergrowth add savoury appeal which could throw you to consider it as a Pinot only for the woodsy spices and Chinese Five Spice which chime in perfectly on close. Dangerously smooth with silky tannins, this is a treasure.

Drink to five years+

2018 Vineyard Series Glengrae Old Bush Block Grenache

2020 Wine Companion (James Halliday)

97 Points - From a 0.8ha dry-grown block exposed to the elements that doesn't often produce enough fruit to sustain separate vinification and bottling. Its bright, clear crimson hue, perfumed bouquet and pure flavours were shaped by late picking at low baume, ceramic egg fermentation, and maturation for several months in a used French puncheon. A truly lovely grenache, at a ridiculously low price. 50 dozen made.

Drink by: 2031

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