Yalumba 2024 Vine Vale Grenache has won the ninth annual James Halliday Grenache Challenge, judged in McLaren Vale.
The panel of judges assessed 153 single-varietal Grenache wines from around Australia, celebrating the growing strength and incredible diversity of the variety.
Chair of judges Toby Barlow said, “This year’s James Halliday Grenache Challenge showcased the remarkable breadth and depth of Grenache being produced across Australia.
“The top three wines were all outstanding, each representing a distinct stylistic direction and intent.
“These ranged from finely structured and savoury to more expressive, fruit-driven interpretations.
“Predictably the final decision was hotly contested with some robust discussion.
“Ultimately, Yalumba 2024 Vine Vale Grenache won over more of the judges first preferences with its exceptional red fruited freshness, purity, balanced winemaking influence and the persistence of flavour that carried effortlessly across the palate.
“It’s a very well-crafted and composed wine that speaks to both vineyard and sensitive winemaking.
“The judges also appreciated and discussed how this modern expression of Grenache would be quite versatile and suited across contemporary cuisines and eating occasions.”
Yalumba head winemaker Sam Wigan said, “Vintage 2024 was an exceptional year for our Grenache wines – the vineyards delivered fruit with incredible purity, depth and character.
“Thank you to the judges and the organisers of the Grenache Challenge for this wonderful recognition, and to the entire Yalumba team from our viticulture and cellar crews through to the winemaking team for their passion, dedication and hard work.
“This award is a testament to everyone’s effort and to the beauty of Grenache in the Barossa Valley.”
Hosted by the McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association (MVGWTA) each October, the James Halliday Grenache Challenge benchmarks Grenache wines from across Australia, encouraging an honest gauge of our country’s Grenache winemaking form and tracking styles and movements developing across the industry.
Barlow strongly encouraged Grenache producers and lovers to seek out the top wines – Yalumba 2024 Vine Vale Grenache, Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache and S.C. Pannell 2023 Old McDonald Grenache – to appreciate Australia’s on-going Grenache evolution.
The judging panel commented on the “sheer diversity of styles – from lithe, perfumed expressions to brooding, structured examples”.
“It spoke volumes about the varietal’s adaptability and the evolving philosophies and skill of Australian growers, viticulturalists and winemakers,” the panel said.
“What stood out most was the vibrancy and precision of the top wines.
“They carried a sense of place, purity of fruit, and classic Grenache tannin structures.
“The challenge also highlighted the varietal’s continued renaissance, with producers pushing boundaries in terms of whole-bunch use, extended macerations, different maturation vessels, and vineyard management.”
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