95 Points - Marcus Ellis
The family-owned Aphelion winery has established itself as one of the star wine producers of South Australia's McLaren Vale region. With a sharp focus on Grenache, Aphelion produce an impressive array of examples across several ranges.
The 2023 Aphelion The Confluence Grenache is produced from Grenache grown in the Blewitt Springs sub region of McLaren Vale. Made to be an approachable, complex and food friendly red, this opens with lovely aromatics of raspberry, red liquorice and cinnamon spice. The palate delivers impressive fruit concentration with loads of strawberry, plum and raspberry flavours, supported by fine tannin and impeccable balance.
"95 Points. Blewitt Springs fruit off 85-year-old bush vines, fermented with 30% whole bunches, some extended skin contact, raised in puncheons, demi-muids and a 2,400-litre cask. This is all charm, but with a distinctly sophisticated elegance of delivery, with all the expected pops of red fruit – raspberry, red cherry, redcurrant, some pomegranate - conveyed with vibrancy but never confection, florals, white pepper, musk and a hint of orange peel accenting. The tannins are fine, naturally wrought, food friendly and perfectly synched with the medium fruit weight. Just lovely. 13.8% alc. Drink: 2024 - 2032. Screwcap"- Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion.
"94 Points. Strawberry, raspberry, a fair amount of spice, a little twist of orange peel and amaro herbs too. It’s medium-bodied, offers bright cranberry crunch to acidity, and the quality of the tannin is something of a highlight - kind of like pumice stone - then it’s all juicy red fruit with a cinch of bitterness and a savoury flourish closing out a finish of fine length. It’s really good. It has energy, and it drinks very well too"- Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.
