Bekkers McLaren Vale Grenache 2012
James Halliday Wine Companion 2015. BEKKERS: 5-star winery.
“This brings together two high performance, highly experienced and highly credentialled business and life partners. Husband Toby Bekkers graduated with an honours degree in applied science in agriculture from the University of Adelaide, and over the ensuing 15 years has had broad-ranging responsibility as general manager of Paxton Wines in McLaren Vale, and as a leading exponent of organic and biodynamic viticulture. Wife Emmanuelle was born in Bandol in the south of France, gaining two university degrees in biochemistry and oenology before working for the Hardys in the south of France, which lead her to Australia and a wide ranging career, including an ongoing role as winemaker at Chalk Hill.”
McLaren Vale Grenache 2012. Tiny production never guarantees quality but this old vine Grenache franks the promise. Flavours are a clean combination of blueberry, raspberry and clovey/smokey oak. It’s essentially a fruit-driven wine yet it’s clearly earthen and savoury, even a touch briny. A sure hand of tannin gives the wine a muscular edge. Screwcap. 15% alc. Rating: 94. To 2024. $80. CM
James Halliday Wine Companion 2015