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From $51.66 /Per Bottle
Grenache is our specialty. This pack curated by Rob "Mr Grenache" Mack is the best way for you to discover the breadth of flavour possible from Grenache grown in McLaren Vale.
Each six pack includes:
1 x bottle Welkin Grenache 2024 RRP $28
1 x bottle Callow Grenache Blanc 2024 RRP $42
1 x bottle Confluence Grenache 2024 RRP $42 each
2 x bottle Affinity Grenache Mourvedre 2024 RRP $42
1 x bottle Rapture 2022 RRP $150
RRP $346. Special pack price: $310. Save $36 and 10%!
(N.B: 12 bottle cases contain double these amounts).
Each of our Grenache wines has its’ own distinct personality.
Why not gather some friends and open all five different bottles at once?
About The Wines
Welkin Grenache 2024 is a juicy and vibrant wine with outrageous aromatics. Designed to be enjoyed immediately, with goat chevre, tapas or as an aperitif on its' own.
Callow Grenache Blanc 2024 Our love affair with Grenache now extends to it's white wine form. Intense citrus and spice aromatics. A textural edge provides a food friendly aspect. Cinnamon and nutmeg spice complement the nashi pear and stone fruit flavours.
Confluence 2024 Grenache is the coming together of premium Grenache from a number of vineyards in the sandy soil dress-circle of Blewitt Springs. It showcases the best of McLaren Vale's elegant, savoury Grenache style.
Affinity 2024 Grenache Mourvèdre Here premium barrels of Brini Grenache and Lacey Mourvèdre are brought together to make a truly rounded and balanced wine with juicy acid, powdery tannin and the best of juicy red berries from Grenache and earthy mid and back palate from Mourvedre.
Rapture 2022 Grenache is our pinnacle of Grenache. The finest barrels from our portfolio of Grenache parcels. Elegant. Poised. Balanced. Built to age or to savour now.
Select between a 6 bottle pack or 12 bottle case to Buy the Aphelion Grenache Pack.
From $220.00
Something old is new again. And also old.
Back for a good time, not a long time is the NB Grenache 2024.
The wine that kept us guessing… and which told its own story.
Named for its evolving aromas, flavours that changed every time Rob tasted it, and yes… it overflowed its fermenter!
A wine with a mind of its own.
A one of a kind, a one off, well now the name comes alive again. A worthy recipient of the "Naughty Boy" moniker.
100 cases.
100 year old vines.
$220 a dozen.
Meet NB Grenache 2024
Tasting Note:
Black cherry. Star anise. 1/4 teaspoon of crushed blueberries.
Then sniff again.
The back of nanna's dried herb cupboard.
Another sniff.
Bright raspberry and cranberry!
Told you it's a chameleon.
It tastes like early summer in the early afternoon. The BBQ is on, the friends are on the deck chairs while the kids shout from the trampoline and the dog drools every time someone pops cheese and cracker in their mouth.
It's juicy with raspberry, supported by dark undertones and a welcome lick of tannin.
Honestly, at $220 a dozen for a Rob Mack made Grenache, from 100 year old vines in Blewitt Springs, why on earth wouldn't you add to cart?!
Goes With Food: Grilled lamb cutlets with rosemary, wood-fired pizza, charred capsicum & haloumi skewers, or anything shared straight from the BBQ plate before it reaches the table.
Goes With Cheese: Vintage cheddar, aged Manchego, or a creamy D’Affinois — bonus points if there are crackers and you’re eating standing up, chatting, distracted.
Goes With Music: Culture Club – Karma Chameleon.
Goes With Life: When you are smiling and the sun is shining.
Serve At: 16-18 degrees Celsius.
When to Drink: Enjoy now. Or make an experiment and see how it evolves. It has the acid and tannin to evolve over time.
ABV%: 13.5%
Unfiltered | Unfined | Vegan
Buy the NB Grenache by Aphelion 2024 by 12 bottle case.
From $199.00
Three intriguing wines that explore the power of terroir within tiny, discrete micro-parcels of a single vineyard. Paired with the ability of Grenache to clearly express those differences.
Not only can McLaren Vale Grenache evoke sense of place of a whole vineyard, it can also highlight with great clarity the difference that mere metres can make within a vineyard - at a sub-vineyard, micro-plot level.
The extremely limited production Hickinbotham Series is from a triangle of three very small Grenache blocks at one of the highest elevation points of the whole Hickinbotham of Clarendon vineyard.
All picked the same day.
All made the same way.
Strikingly different, yet with the same exquisite core of balance.
The climate, sunshine, rain, geology, soil, topography and the soil–water relations even as close as just meters apart are clearly discernible in these wines.
A special pack with all three Aphelion Hickinbotham Series Grenache Wines:
- 1 x Aphelion Hickinbotham Series Block 111 Grenache 2024 ;
- 1 x Aphelion Hickinbotham Series Block 112 Grenache 2024 ;
- 1 x Aphelion Hickinbotham Series Block 113 Grenache 2024.
Available as a 3 Pack, a 6 Pack, or a 12 Bottle Case.
Extremely limited production. Just 360 bottles of each wine.
Fill your glass with this thought and conversation provoking trio.
They'll impress taking pride of place on your table.
Why not gather some friends and open one of each?
#shopsmall
About Aphelion Hickinbotham Series Block 111 Grenache 2024
111 is the smallest block located at the top of the triangle. The highest altitude wine in the series at 245m to 250m ASL, it showcases finesse and great elegance.
Tasting Note: Crunchy red berry fruit flavours are carried by juicy and crisp acidity. A light to medium body with a lovely purity. The fruit dances along the palate followed by the fine tannins which spread out to provide significant length of flavour.
Click For Tasting Note of Block 111.
About Aphelion Hickinbotham Series Block 112 Grenache 2024.
112 a larger contour of the triangle, around twice the size of Block 111. The second highest altitude wine in the series at 240m to 245m ASL, it showcases spice, texture and structure.
Tasting Note: Cinnamon and nutmeg spices float from the glass with red berry fruit in support. Tannins are moderate with a cat’s tongue texture and provide a good framework for the flavours through the palate. Acidity is slightly lower than the Block 111 wine which results in a rounder mouthfeel. Flavours linger long on the palate thanks to the good concentration and density of fruit.
Click For Tasting Note of Block 112.
About Aphelion Hickinbotham Series Block 113 Grenache 2024.
113 hugs the base contour of the triangle and is slightly larger in area than 111 + 112 combined. The lowest highest altitude wine in the series, at 235m to 240m ASL, this wine showcases dark fruit, structure and vibrancy.
Tasting Note: The fruit moves into the blue and black spectrum and the body of the wine is medium – the fullest of the trio. Tannins are dense and well-rounded and carry the blackberry and plum fruit long through the palate. Fresh acidity keeps the wine vibrant and light on its feet, but this is undoubtedly the most hedonistic of the three block wines.
Click For Tasting Note of Block 113.
More Information About the Hickinbotham Series
Detailed information about the vineyard, the Blocks, winemaking and resulting wines can be found on the Aphelion blog by clicking here.
From $28.00 /Per Bottle
The Welkin Grenache By Aphelion 2024 is part of our special range of vibrant, early release, ready to enjoy, but delightfully complex wines.
We like to call the Welkin Grenache "furiously aromatic".
It fairly leaps out of the glass at you!
Delicately hand picked with 50% from a 20 year old Grenache vineyard towards the sea in Whites Valley and 50% from the hilly, sandy Blewitt Springs.
Revel in this wine's light body, heady spiciness and juicy acidity.
Meet Welkin Grenache
Tasting Note: Beautifully intense purple colour. Pure fruited aromas of redcurrant and cinnamon follow through on to the palate with fresh acidity keeping the wine lively and
vibrant. A small percentage of whole bunch fermentation in the wine adds a savoury element and herbal notes. The Welkin Grenache is a light bodied wine that works very well in an aperitivo setting.
Goes With Food: Perfect with light tapas or light to medium bodied cuisine.
Goes With Cheese: Fresh chevre matches this wine’s youthful vibrancy.
Goes With Music: Jake Bugg – Lightning Bolt.
Goes With Life: A great wine to kick off with, it’s light body keeps the drinkability factor high.
Serve At: 16-18 degrees Celsius.
When to Drink: Ready to drink now whilst it retains it’s youthful vibrancy but will drink well over the next 5 – 8 years.
ABV%: 13%
Unfiltered | Unfined | Vegan
Select between a 6 bottle pack or 12 bottle case to Buy the Welkin Grenache by Aphelion 2024.
Sale
-12%
From $99.00
$112.00
Discover why Aphelion are known as Grenache specialists with this Glorious Grenache 3 Pack.
Sample Grenache three ways with Rob Mack's signature attention to aromatics. Includes a white wine Grenache, the Grenache Blanc.
Introduce a friend to our range or discover us yourself.
A special pack with three Aphelion Cellar Door Best Selling Wines:
- 1 x Aphelion Callow Grenache Blanc 2025 RRP $42;
- 1 x Welkin Grenache 2024 RRP $28;
- 1 x Aphelion Confluence Grenache 2024 RRP $42.
Fill your glass with this classy collection.
They'll impress taking pride of place on your table.
Why not gather some friends and open one of each?
#shopsmall
P.S That's an 11% discount on RRP, just because we would like you to try our Grenache or gift it to someone special!
Get to Know Callow
Grenache Blanc is one of the permissible Chateauneuf du Pape varieties, so is beautifully suited to our McLaren Vale climate. A crisp white full of interest and very worthy of the name 'Grenache'. More information.
Get to Know Welkin Grenache.
We like to call the Welkin Grenache "furiously aromatic". It fairly leaps out of the glass at you! Delicately hand picked from a 20 year old Grenache vineyard towards the sea in Whites Valley. Revel in this wine's light body, heady spiciness and juicy acidity. More Information.
Get to Know Confluence
Our first wine. The one that sparked our passion, and set our reputation for brilliant Grenache. Premium, ancient, twisted bush vine vineyards come together. Winemaking techniques of whole berry ferments, whole bunch ferments, careful pressing converge. Beautiful art and science. Elegant, savoury, delicious. More Information.
From $42.00
McLaren Vale Grenache from Multiple Remarkable Sites | 95 Points | Limited Release
What happens when you bring some of McLaren Vale's most distinctive Grenache sites together?
You get Confluence.
Our original Grenache.
A wine that has been with us from the very beginning.
And if you want to understand why we're so obsessed with Grenache, this is a pretty good place to start.
Meet Confluence Grenache Noir 2025
Confluence is our expression of what happens when different sites, different soils and different expressions of Grenache come together.
The 2025 vintage brings together fruit predominantly from Blewitt Springs, with a touch of Clarendon, creating a McLaren Vale Grenache that is aromatic, complex, structured and remarkably easy to drink.
It's serious enough for dinner.
Relaxed enough for the back deck.
And interesting enough that you'll probably find yourself going back to the glass to see what changed.
That's Confluence.
Why Buy Confluence Grenache 2025?
🍇 McLaren Vale Grenache
Fruit from Blewitt Springs and Clarendon, two distinctive sub-regions within McLaren Vale.
🌿 30% Whole Bunch
Whole-bunch fermentation contributes savoury complexity, structure and aromatic lift.
🪨 Multiple Sites
Fruit from Brini, Hickinbotham and Plaisted's vineyards in Blewitt Springs, plus Hickinbotham in Clarendon.
🍷 95 Points
Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion.
✨ Limited Production
Just 1,100 six-packs and 100 Magnums produced.
🌱 Unfiltered | Unfined | Vegan
Made with minimal intervention and bottled without fining or filtration.
What Does Confluence Grenache Taste Like?
Pour it and you'll see the vibrant red colour with purple hues in the glass.
At first, there's a savoury core of olive and briar.
Give it some air.
That's when the fruit starts to emerge.
Crunchy raspberry. Cranberry.
Then the palate opens up into Satsuma plum, wild strawberry and fine sandalwood, carried by fine tannins that give the wine impressive length.
There's real intensity and concentration here, but without heaviness or cloying sweetness.
It's the kind of Grenache that rewards attention without demanding it.
Pour a glass. Give it some air. Come back to it.
You'll probably find something new.
A Confluence of McLaren Vale Sites
Confluence isn't a single-site wine.
That's the point.
It brings together fruit from several remarkable vineyards to create something greater than any one parcel could achieve.
| Origin | Contribution to Confluence |
|---|---|
| Blewitt Springs | 80% of the blend, from Brini, Hickinbotham and Plaisted's vineyards |
| Clarendon | 20% of the blend, from Hickinbotham vineyard |
This is one of the reasons we love Grenache.
It can express the personality of a place with remarkable clarity — but it can also show what happens when different places are brought together deliberately.
Confluence is the latter.
How We Made Confluence Grenache 2025
Grenache fruit was hand-picked and a portion of the fruit was fermented as whole bunches.
30% whole bunch fermentation took place in stainless steel and small concrete open-top fermenters.
The wine was then matured in a combination of:
- 1,500L Drunk Turtle cocciopesto
- Seasoned French 2,800L foudre
- Demi-muid oak
The result is a wine with structure and complexity without letting oak dominate the fruit or site character.
Bottled February 2026.
Made for the Table
Confluence is deliberately food friendly.
It's got enough structure to stand up to dinner, enough freshness to keep you reaching for another glass and enough savoury character to make food taste better.
Goes With Food
Pan-seared duck.
The spice and body of the duck are a beautiful match for the wine.
Goes With Cheese
Camembert or a washed-rind cheese.
The mushroom characters in the cheese complement the wine without overwhelming its more delicate structure.
Goes With Music
Nick Cave – Jubilee Street.
Goes With Life
Out for a fancy dinner.
Or aperitivo on the back deck.
Because wine doesn't need an occasion.
Sometimes the occasion is simply that you've made it to the end of the day.
When Should You Drink Confluence 2025?
Now.
Confluence 2025 is ready to drink, but it has the structure, concentration and tannin to continue evolving through to 2035.
Serve at 18°C.
If you're drinking it tonight, give it some time in the glass.
If you're putting some away, expect the savoury and structural elements to become increasingly integrated with time.
Critic Recognition
95 points - Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion
Confluence has been one of the wines at the heart of Aphelion since the beginning, and the 2025 vintage continues that story with the combination we love: perfume, savouriness, structure, freshness and drinkability.
It's Grenache with enough going on to reward the serious wine drinker, without becoming a wine you have to think about.
Is Confluence the Right McLaren Vale Grenache for You?
Buy Confluence if you want a Grenache that's...
- Aromatic rather than heavy — expressive fruit and savoury complexity without excessive weight.
- Food friendly — structured enough for dinner but fresh enough to keep drinking.
- Complex without being complicated — there are layers here, but you don't need a wine degree to enjoy them.
- Distinctively McLaren Vale — drawing on fruit from some of the vineyards we know and work with closely.
- Built to evolve — ready now, with the structure to develop through 2035.
- A genuine Aphelion original — Confluence has been part of our Grenache story from the very beginning.
Confluence vs Single Site Grenache
Wondering whether you should choose Confluence or one of our Single Site Grenaches?
| Confluence Grenache 2025 | Single Site Grenache | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Multiple vineyards and sites | One specific block within one vineyard |
| Style | Aromatic, complex, savoury and beautifully drinkable | More site-specific and structurally distinctive |
| Fruit | Blewitt Springs + Clarendon | One defined site |
| Best for | Dinner, entertaining, aperitivo and everyday serious drinking | Exploring terroir and building a cellar |
If you want to explore what McLaren Vale Grenache can do across different sites, Confluence is the place to start.
If you want to go deeper into the difference a particular block can make, explore our Single Site Grenaches next.
Why Confluence Is Worth Buying Direct from Aphelion
You can find Aphelion wines through selected retailers.
But when you buy Confluence directly from us, you're buying from the people who made it.
You're closer to the vineyards.
Closer to the winemaking.
Closer to the stories behind the bottle.
And you're first in line for the wines that never make it as far as retail.
Our Wine Club members also receive early access to new and limited releases, exclusive wines, complimentary tastings and member benefits.
DISCOVER THE APHELION WINE CLUB →
Buy Confluence Grenache Noir 2025 Online
Ready to pour?
Choose between a 6-bottle pack or 12-bottle case of Aphelion Confluence Grenache Noir 2025.
With only 1,100 six-packs and 100 Magnums produced, this is a limited vintage.
Ready now. Delicious with dinner. Built to evolve.
Psst... Like the sound of exclusive wines, early access and free shipping? Our Wine Club members receive exclusive access to new and limited releases, complimentary tastings and member benefits.
Shipping
We deliver Aphelion wines throughout Australia by Australia Post.
- South Australia: $15 flat-rate shipping per order.
- Rest of Australia: $20 flat-rate shipping per order.
- Wine Club members: Free shipping.
- Orders are usually dispatched within 2 business days.
- Delivery generally takes between 2 and 10 business days depending on location.
Wines cannot be shipped to dry zones and will not be delivered to anyone under 18 years of age.
Frequently Asked Questions About Confluence Grenache 2025
What is Confluence Grenache 2025?
Confluence Grenache Noir 2025 is Aphelion's original Grenache, made from fruit grown across distinctive McLaren Vale sites in Blewitt Springs and Clarendon. It is complex, aromatic, savoury and food friendly, with fine tannins, good structure and a long finish.
What does Confluence Grenache 2025 taste like?
Confluence 2025 shows a savoury core of olive and briar, followed by crunchy raspberry and cranberry. The palate brings Satsuma plum, wild strawberry and fine sandalwood, with fine tannins providing excellent length.
Is Confluence Grenache a McLaren Vale wine?
Yes. Confluence Grenache 2025 is made from Grenache grown in McLaren Vale, with 80% of the blend from Blewitt Springs and 20% from Clarendon.
Where does Confluence Grenache 2025 come from?
The 2025 Confluence is made from 80% Blewitt Springs fruit from Brini, Hickinbotham and Plaisted's vineyards, plus 20% Clarendon fruit from the Hickinbotham vineyard.
What does “Confluence” mean in wine?
Confluence refers to the bringing together of different sources or influences. For Aphelion Confluence, it describes the deliberate combination of Grenache from different McLaren Vale vineyards and sites to create one complete wine.
Is Confluence a Single Site Grenache?
No. Confluence is deliberately made from multiple sites. Our Single Site Grenaches come from one specific block within a vineyard, while Confluence brings together different sites to create a broader expression of McLaren Vale Grenache.
Is Confluence Grenache 2025 a full-bodied red wine?
Confluence has real intensity, concentration and structure, but it is not heavy or cloying. Its freshness, fine tannins and savoury character make it a versatile and food-friendly McLaren Vale red wine.
Is Confluence Grenache suitable for food pairing?
Yes. Confluence is particularly food friendly and pairs beautifully with dishes such as pan-seared duck, roast meats, mushrooms and savoury Mediterranean-style dishes. It also works with Camembert and washed-rind cheeses.
Should I decant Confluence Grenache 2025?
It is not essential, but giving Confluence some air will allow its savoury, fruit and spice characters to unfold. Pouring it into a glass and returning to it over 20–30 minutes is an easy way to experience how the wine evolves.
How long can I cellar Confluence Grenache 2025?
Confluence 2025 is ready to drink now but has the structure, concentration and tannin to continue evolving through to 2035.
What percentage of Confluence 2025 is whole bunch?
30% of the fruit was fermented as whole bunches in stainless steel and small concrete open-top fermenters.
How was Confluence Grenache 2025 matured?
The wine was matured in a combination of 1,500L Drunk Turtle cocciopesto, seasoned French 2,800L foudre and demi-muid oak. It was bottled in February 2026.
Is Confluence Grenache 2025 vegan?
Yes. Confluence 2025 is unfiltered, unfined and vegan.
How much Confluence Grenache 2025 was produced?
Aphelion produced 1,100 six-packs and 100 Magnums of Confluence Grenache Noir 2025.
What is the alcohol percentage of Confluence Grenache 2025?
Confluence Grenache Noir 2025 has an alcohol content of 14.0% ABV.
What temperature should I serve Confluence Grenache 2025?
Serve Confluence Grenache 2025 at approximately 18°C.
Has Confluence Grenache 2025 received any critic reviews?
Yes. Confluence Grenache Noir 2025 received 95 points from Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion.
About Aphelion Wine Co.
Aphelion is a small, family-owned winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia, specialising in Grenache.
We work closely with growers and make wines from remarkable vineyards and specific sites across McLaren Vale.
Our wines are made to express place, season and the character of Grenache — and, most importantly, to be opened and enjoyed with good food and good people.
Aphelion began with Grenache.
Our focus is Grenache.
And our future is Grenache.
Sale
-2%
From $500.00
$510.00
Discover the Aphelion Reserve Mixed Pack. Five of the best McLaren Vale Grenache & Chenin Blanc single vineyard wines. Elegant, savoury and made for unforgettable moments.
Aphelion began with Grenache. Our focus is Grenache. And the white variety we champion is Chenin Blanc.
Presenting our five most exceptional McLaren Vale Reserve Range wines. Each highlights the diversity, beauty, and the terroirs of McLaren Vale. Guided by the deft and gentle hands of Rob Mack, they sing of their purity and place.
Extremely limited production.
"Memserisingly good, world class wines of imitable character." - Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion
A single pack to sample, taste and compare all five Reserve Range wines in one Reserve Range Mixed Pack.
This is the best way for you to discover the breadth of flavour possible from McLaren Vale.
Enjoy together with close friends or family, music playing, and with something delicious to eat. That's what memories are made of.
Each 5 bottle case includes:
1 x bottle Rapture Grenache 2024 RRP @ $150
1 x bottle Brini Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2024 RRP @ $90
1 x bottle Brini Single Vineyard Grenache 2024 RRP @ $90
1 x bottle Wait Single Vineyard Grenache 2023 RRP @ $90
1 x bottle Hickinbotham Single Vineyard Grenache 2024 RRP @ $90
Pack price: $500 (save $10).
About The Wines
Rapture Grenache 2024 Rapture is the best of vintage. The pinnacle of what we can produce with Grenache.
97 points Erin Larkin for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
97 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion
96 points David Sly for Decanter
96 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review
96 points Gary Walsh for The Wine Front
Brini Single Vineyard Grenache 2024 The lightest and most aromatic wine in the range, dark plum fruits dominate with earth and forest floor characters to create a wine of depth and richness. Sandy based loam soils provide fruit that gives intensity and a brooding edge.
95+ Erin Larkin for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
95 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion
Wait Single Vineyard Grenache 2023 The most structural and savoury wine in the range, brooding in character with earth and briary characters dominating the palate.
96 points Erin Larkin for Robert Parker Wine Advocate
96 points Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling
95 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion
94 points Huon Hooke The Real Review
NB: Wait Single Site Grenache 2024 is now sold out as at 28/08/2026
Hickinbotham Single Vineyard Grenache 2024 The lightest and most aromatic wine in the range, red fruits mingle with herbal briar characters to create a wine of freshness and depth.
97 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion Special Value
96 points Campbell Mattison for The Wine Front
95 points David Sly for Decanter
95 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review
From $90.00 /Per Bottle
Aphelion began with Grenache.
Our focus is Grenache.
Our future is Grenache.
Our original 2014 "Grenache project" has evolved.
Presenting three exceptional McLaren Vale Single Vineyard wines.
Each made the same way with 100% whole bunches. Each highlights the diversity and beauty of Grenache, and the many terroirs in McLaren Vale.
Guided by the deft and gentle hands of Rob Mack they sing of their purity.
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The Brini Single Vineyard Grenache 2024 is sourced from the upper tank block owned by the Brini family in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of McLaren Vale.
This block has been a staple of Aphelion from our first vintage and forms the backbone of the Confluence Grenache.
The roundest and most intense wine in the range, dark plum fruits dominate with earth and forest floor characters to create a wine of depth and richness. Sandy based loam soils provide fruit that gives intensity and a brooding edge.
_______________________________________________________
Unfiltered | Unfined | Vegan
_______________________________________________________
Production: 800 bottles produced under Diam Origine.
ABV: 13.5%
Accolades:
95 points Erin Larkin for Robert Parker Wine Advocate
95 points Huon Hooke The Real Review
93 points Gary Walsh for The Wine Front
92 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion
"It’s a little sinewy and spicy, and also edgy in a savoury way... There are floral notes present, if a little restrained, a little compressed. Give it a year or so and it will soar." - Marcus Ellis
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Note: Please email if you wish to buy a 3 pack.
Select between a 3, 6 or 12 bottle case to Buy the Aphelion Brini Single Vineyard Grenache 2024. Psst...Like the sound of our exclusive pre-sale access, Members pricing ($81) plus perks like free shipping? Step right this way...
From $90.00
Hickinbotham Single Site 2024 is a benchmark Grenache wine from one of the best McLaren Vale Grenache vineyards - vibrant, savoury, elegant and cellar-worthy.
Aphelion began with Grenache. Our focus is Grenache. Our future is Grenache.
Our original 2014 "Grenache project" has evolved.
Each vintage we coax from the earth three exceptional McLaren Vale Single Vineyard Grenache wines.
Made the same way each year using 100% whole bunches, each highlights the diversity and beauty of Grenache and the many terroirs of McLaren Vale.
Guided by the deft and gentle hands of Rob Mack they sing of their purity and place.
_______________________________________________________
Sourced from Blocks 111-113 at the highest elevation of the Hickinbotham vineyard owned by Yangarra in Clarendon, close to the Adelaide Hills.
A southerly aspect provides respite from the hot afternoon sun during ripening ensuring that this fruit is the last Grenache harvested. This produces a very well developed flavour profile.
The highest altitude wine in the range with vibrancy and crisp acid drive, red fruits mingle with herbal briar characters to create a wine of freshness and depth.
Lifted aromatics of cranberry, bramble, and cherry. Herbal characters abound on the palate, with rosehip, just-ripe strawberry, and blood orange flavours. A rasp of light tannin provides good length and a savoury finish.
_____________________________________________________
Halliday Wine Companion placed our Hickinbotham Single Site Grenache 2024 as one of their Best Australian Grenache's on their Ultimate Aussie Festive Wine List. Marcus Ellis also gave our wine 97 points and a Special Value rosette. Noice.
Campbell Mattinson of The Wine Front said of the Hickinbotham 2024:
"I lost an hour or so today because I was sitting and marvelling at this wine and wondering how the hell I could do it justice in words. Some wines are better than the person writing about them. This wine pulls out the spice box and throws it at you, the fortunate thing being that the box wasn’t full and so what hits you seems reasonable. There are red licorice notes, red and black cherry, sandalwood, potpourri, an assortment of dry, roasted spices, a musky-vanillin-strawberry-shake note, and a peppercorn aspect. The way the flavours here volley through the palate, and the way it feels dry in the face of its own ripeness, and the way it then pulls a film of firm tannin right back through the wine – is all both magnificent and elite."
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Unfiltered | Unfined | Vegan
_______________________________________________________
Production: 1,300 bottles produced under Diam Origine.
ABV: 14.1%
Accolades:
97 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion & Special Value rosette
96 points Campbell Mattinson for The Wine Front
95 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review
95 points David Sly for Decanter
"(G)loriously fragrant and complex, invested with depth and absent of heft. A swirl of red florals, souk spices, sandalwood, cranberry, sour cherry and umeboshi. The whole bunch adds savouriness, detail, lift and finely etched tannin, but knits in so quietly, with effortless integration. It’s a wine that makes me want to linger over the nose, so captivating is the fragrance. But it’s equally good on the palate, trailing long, the flavour fanning out expansively. Superb." - Marcus Ellis
"Medium-deep red-purple; lovely sweet raspberry/cherry fruit laced with mixed spices and iodine, with some complexing earthy/tarry and ironstone touches. Intense sweet fruit backed by emery-like tannins that dry the finish. Very smart Grenache" - Huon Hooke
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Note: Please email if you wish to buy a 3 pack.
Select between a 3, 6 or 12 bottle case to Buy the Aphelion Hickinbotham Single Vineyard Grenache 2024. Psst...Like the sound of our exclusive pre-sale access, Members pricing ($81) plus perks like free shipping? Step right this way...
From $150.00 /Per Bottle
Aphelion's Rapture.
Our world class Grenache. Produced right here in McLaren Vale.
The pinnacle of Aphelion's Grenache-focused winemaking.
2022 was an outstanding vintage so a thrilling release.
Extremely limited production.
An ultra-rare re-release of our personal museum stock of the Rapture 2022. The 2023 sold through too fast! Snap up this outstanding wine, which is drinking beautifully in May 2026.
Tasting Note:
A vibrant purple hue in the glass. Brooding but fleshy aromatics are laced with an herbal spice note. Tannins are prominent but don’t dominate – cherry pip flavours wash over the mid palate. A savoury finish with an immense length and persistence. This wine will blossom with some bottle age.
Goes With Food: Perfect with duck rillettes and crunchy sourdough bread.
Goes With Cheese: An intense washed rind cheese such as Epoisses will match the intensity and savoury aspect of this Grenache well.
Goes With Music: Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
Goes With Life: When you’re looking to impress at a wine dinner you won’t
go wrong pulling this out.
Unfiltered
Unfined
Vegan
<100ppm Sulphur
Accolades
97 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review
97 Points David Sly for Decanter
95+ points Erin Larkin for Robert Parker Wine Advocate
95 points Gary Walsh for The Wine Front
94 Ned Goodwin for Halliday Wine Companion
It has depth and gravitas (a la the Hickinbotham), blood and finesse (a la the Brini) and is succulent and red (a la the Wait), and it pulls it all together like a hand-bound book. The spine and the stitchwork are there for all to see, but the pages fit together in the most satisfying of ways. The pages are filled with fruit-driven prose, and it closes with a flourish of tannin. It is poetic in its way. - Erin Larkin for Robert Parker Wine Advocate
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