Review: He did it again. Juxtaposed Old Vine Grenache 2018

Somehow this slipped through the net. A ball that went through to the keeper, when it should have been slotted through cover for an easy boundary. This Juxtaposed Old Vine Grenache 2018 is a natural four runs too.

While it doesn’t quite have the perfect poise of the 2017, it instead has breadth. From the famed Smart & Wait vineyards in McLaren Vale, Wes Pearson has delivered a Grenache with more lusciousness this vintage, which fits in with the 17 vs 18 harvest generalisations. Red fruit is the star here, complemented by trademark sandy varietal tannins. There’s a smidgen late warmth, but it’s the Grenache joy that drives this on and on. Another natural drinking wine #howgoodisGrenache.

Best drinking: drink it now of over the next five, maybe even ten years. Actually just drink it now as it is good to go. 18.5/20, 94/100. 14.3%, $29. Would I buy it? $29 is too cheap. I’d buy some in a flash.