Review: Hewitson Ungrafted Grenache 2023

Ungrafted is a nod to the 110-year-old undrafted vines that go into this Grenache. Old vines are amazing things too, which is why we all lose our shit about them. This Grenache has plenty to like, even if the oak is too dominant (just let the fruit shine!). Lovely bright red juice here, with all the soft, pastille raspberry of Grenache and a little of the carbonic maceration coinfected juiciness of whole berries. There’s a darker edge here, too, which is those old beauties giving off flavour complexity. The oak tannins are a little distracting, but the wine is plenty up to the task.

THE VERDICT

• Best drinking: now, probably even better in 2-3 years and a good decade
• Score (out of 20): 17.7
• Score (out of 100): 92
• Alcohol %: 14
• RRP (in $AUD): 50
• Winery website: https://www.hewitson.com.au/
• Would I buy it?: worth a glass or two