2023 Aphelion Wait Grenache Noir

From the highest dry-grown bush block on the Wait vineyard in Blewitt Springs, planted in the 1940s. Like all the 'reserve' single site bottlings for Aphelion, this is 100% whole bunch and matured in large, neutral oak. That bunch sits up in this at present, with cooler, smoky herbal notes, interlocking with spice, faintly suggesting garam masala, green cardamom a feature, with cherry pit, dried cranberry, macerated strawberry, pressed flowers, umeboshi and bergamot strung across a web of chewy tannins. There’s a lot to give here, but a little time is required. - 95 points, Marcus Ellis