2017 Cirillo 1850 Grenache

98 POINTS

Vinous

This 2017 old vine Grenache 1850 Ancestor Vine is a little shy at first but then shows breathtaking purity of dark cherry and musky plum with some more exotic cinnamon stick and red licorice hints. The 2017 is beautifully textured and weighted, and despite quite serious underlying power, it remains light on its feet. The excellent vibrancy of fruit is on show and slowly builds layer upon layer of savory roasted meat complexity. Strong ironstone adds backbone to a delightfully perfumed finish. It's a world beater with killer length and the best 1850 yet from Cirillo.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

A cooler year that Cirillo enthuses makes for a bit of gristle, this is exceptional. Six-years in tank before release, this full-weighted wine riffs on redder fruits, rather than dark. Raspberry bon-bon, red pastille, rose petal, bergamot and a slake of tannins clad in licorice root and tea tree. Yet there is nothing drying about it as it revels with air, growing more pixelated of tannins, fresher and even more aromatic. Wonderful length. Compelling freshness. This will make fine old bones. hold.

95 POINTS

David Sly - Decanter

The complexity that comes with age is allowed to speak clearly in this large-framed Grenache. Dark berry, dried herb and spice notes at first, then intense flavours of black cherry and wild raspberry infused with a piquant note of aniseed, white pepper and savoury soy sauce. Unobtrusive oak and elongated tannins shape the seamless palate, which should hold its line and length over at least a decade of cellaring.