The 2009 Onkaparinga Vineyard Grenache has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and a smoky / gamey character over a core of kirsch, crushed red currants and black raspberries plus hints of aniseed and black pepper. The full bodied palate fills the mouth with a good melange of savory and warm red berry flavors supported by crisp acid and a firm level of grainy tannins, finishing with great persistence. Drink it 2012 to 2022+. Importer: Wine Brokers Unlimited, Hayward, CA

My favorite of the 2007 Grenache cuvees is the 2007 Grenache Onkaparinga. Aside from being the most approachable, it has the most enticing perfume with its notes of underbrush, incense, lavender, black cherry and blackberry liqueur. Velvety but with some underlying tannin, it has succulent fruit, impeccable balance, and a lengthy finish. It will benefit from 1-2 years of cellaring but can be enjoyed now. In a sign of the times, pricing for Roman Bratasiuk’s Clarendon Hills portfolio has been reduced by close to 50% across the board. Suddenly, most of the wines offer an excellent price to quality relationship. As usual, the Clarendon Hills wines are unblended, 100% varietal, sourced from mostly old-vine, ungrafted, single vineyards, fermented naturally, and bottled without fining or filtration. Only seasoned oak is used for the Grenache bottlings, 100% new French oak for the Merlot and Cabernets, and 50-100% new French oak for the Syrahs depending upon the cuvee. There is a new addition to the portfolio, a Mourvedre sourced from 12 year old vines and aged in 2 year old French oak. The year 2007 was more difficult than the three that preceded it, marked by a 45-50% reduction in crop levels and elevated tannin from the resulting thick skins. As Bratasiuk notes, “Tight, drying tannin is the hallmark of the vintage.” Nevertheless, this is an impressive collection from one of Australia’s icon wineries.Importer: E & J Gallo, Modesto, CA; www.clarendonhills.com.au

The 2006 Grenache Onkaparinga was reviewed as a barrel sample in Issue 173. Purple-colored, it has a reticent bouquet of black cherry, plum, and boysenberry. Layered on the palate with ample sweet fruit, this lengthy effort will deliver pleasure through 2016. In a sign of the times, pricing for Roman Bratasiuk’s Clarendon Hills portfolio has been reduced by close to 50% across the board. Suddenly, most of the wines offer an excellent price to quality relationship. As usual, the Clarendon Hills wines are unblended, 100% varietal, sourced from mostly old-vine, ungrafted, single vineyards, fermented naturally, and bottled without fining or filtration. Only seasoned oak is used for the Grenache bottlings, 100% new French oak for the Merlot and Cabernets, and 50-100% new French oak for the Syrahs depending upon the cuvee. There is a new addition to the portfolio, a Mourvedre sourced from 12 year old vines and aged in 2 year old French oak. The year 2007 was more difficult than the three that preceded it, marked by a 45-50% reduction in crop levels and elevated tannin from the resulting thick skins. As Bratasiuk notes, “Tight, drying tannin is the hallmark of the vintage.” Nevertheless, this is an impressive collection from one of Australia’s icon wineries.Importer: E & J Gallo, Modesto, CA; www.clarendonhills.com.au

The 2005 Grenache Onkaparinga has alluring notes of mineral, damp earth, and black cherry. Opulent and layered, it has great depth, intense flavors, and a long, pure finish. It will evolve for 6-8 years but, like most of the Grenache offerings, can be enjoyed in its youth. Importer: E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA; www.clarendonhills.com.au