Aphelion - The Aussie Grenache Train Gathers Steam

The new Aphelion releases look great. Grenache is the clear focus here, with 'Confluence' a delicious example of the quality of McLaren Vale fruit when placed in the right hands. It gets better though: the single vineyard releases are really something special, and amongst a handful of wines at the summit of Australian Grenache today. Here we feature 'Wait' and 'Briny' which are remarkably different for two wines from the same variety, made in the same way by the same winemaker, but from plots only a short distance apart. Australian 'terroir' in plain sight. Mention must also go to the two Chenin Blancs: one (Welkin) for easy drinking but with texture and freshness in even parts, and the other (Pir) a step closer to examples from the Loire, with orchard fruit, bruised apple and plenty of weight and mouthfeel. – Ches Cook, FWC.