I spent some time with Jennifer Graham and Dirk Pettigrew from Pirate Cru Wines earlier this week. Their passion for the Barossa and their brand is infectious. There is a terrific story behind this wine. Jen and Dirk are very well researched and the links to their wines is impressive. This Ban Shé refers to the Victorian period with "romantic" being the keyword. Romantic in terms of dreaming and what's on the horizon Dirk tells me. A period of enlightenment you could say. This Grenache provides enlightenment. Ten years old without a splinter of oak. Gee, it looks good. Very good.
Sourced from a single vineyard, this Grenache comes from ancestor vines that are 125 years+. Swirl the glass to see raspberries, char and earthiness rush early. Black plums then swoop and take hold. A lick of fruit sweetness cuts in before moving on. For a ten-year-old, it holds its form impressively. Dark chocolate comes late finishing with dusty and what could be seen as slippery tannins. A really clever Grenache. Given its age. not surprisingly it is sold out, but I was grateful for the opportunity to have a look.
93/100
Region: Barossa
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