I looked at this wine 12 months ago and it has softened up significantly since. Quite tense not long after release, this is a glorious and dangerously smooth expression of Grenache.
The Tri-Centenary is the flagship Grenache in the Yalumba stable. Although it doesn't get rewarded at wine shows, despite entering many, this is a typical example of a wine that is not built for the show arena. I'm happy to be corrected but this 2019 is also the first Tri-Centenary I've seen under screw cap, not cork.
Coming off 820 Ancestor bush vines (125+ years) planted in 1889, this single vineyard block in Vine Vale is some treasured dirt. An interplay of blue and red fruit gets deep with an undertow of earthiness, dark chocolate and a sour cherry finish. The time on skins (249 days) is telling leaving a delightful savoury trail. And it's that point of difference that works against it in shows where pretty and polished is the order of the day. But there are no losers here. Get this in your glass and you'll see why. It's a wine to pursue and consider given the bountiful layers of interest that are eager to pique your curiosity. An age-worthy Grenache, this is an excellent wine.
Drink to ten years+
95/100
Region: BarossaSource: Sample
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