96 pts Wine Advocate Sept 2023 The 2022 Sands of Time Old Vine Single Vineyard Grenache was one of the loveliest Grenaches that I tasted from McLaren Vale last year, and it again presents with a hedonistic display of sweet ripe fruit, supple blood orange inflections on the tannic structure and layer upon layer of flavor and texture. All of the components are enmeshed and present as one. The tannins are again my favorite part of this picture: sandy (Blewitt Springs), pluming, uber-fine and absolutely ever present. This is a big wine but so detailed. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 2023-203796 pts James Suckling Sept 2023 This is attractive. Lifted and fresh and laden with sweet, succulent red fruits, tangerine zest, musk, kirsch, rosewater and lilac. This is brighter, floral, earthier and sweeter; the Clarendon is tighter, more textural, airier and considerably more savory. Clarendon wins, but it is not always the case. This is still a brilliant, flamboyant grenache, if not a little sweet across the diaphanous tannic seams. It is a pleasure to witness the rise of grenache, the flag bearer of the most exciting chapter of Australian wine to date. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
