2024 E.J. McDougall Old Vine Grenache 750ml

Pre-Order: This item will be fulfilled and dispatched in August 2026.

Overview

The 2024 E.J. McDougall Old Vine Grenache is a McLaren Vale red from 87-year-old vines in Blewitt Springs. Grown on sandy gravel over red clay, this old-vine Grenache combines perfumed aromatics, fine tannin detail and the lifted, sandy-soil elegance that has made Blewitt Springs one of the most exciting sub-regions for Grenache in Australia.

Vintage & Winemaking

The fruit was hand-harvested and fermented as 100% whole cluster in concrete vats. The wine then spent 11 months in seasoned French foudre, allowing the old-vine fruit, whole-cluster perfume and regional mineral detail to remain at the centre of the wine.

Product Highlights

• Old-vine Grenache from 87-year-old vines
• Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale
• 100% whole-cluster fermentation
• Fermented in concrete vats
• 11 months élevage in seasoned French foudre
• 96 points from Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
• 96 points from Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
• 96+ points from Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion

Critic Scores & Reviews

96 points - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate | Review date not provided
Perfumed and floral, with rose petals, graphite, sweet tobacco and tapenade. Described as a wine of place, persistent and long through the finish.

96 points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal | Review date not provided
Medium deep in colour, with strawberry pastille, red cherry, musky plum and Americano notes. Supple and mineral, with aniseed lift and primary fruit.

96+ points - Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion | Review date not provided
Praised for its weightless depth, silky and supple palate, and lacy web of complex tannins.

Tasting Notes

A highly perfumed and expressive old-vine Grenache showing rose petal, red cherry, strawberry pastille, musky plum, graphite, sweet tobacco, tapenade and aniseed. The palate is supple, mineral and finely structured, with silky texture, layered tannins and a long, persistent finish.

Food Pairing

Pair with chargrilled lamb, roast duck, beef short ribs, venison, mushroom dishes, Mediterranean vegetables, or hard cheeses.

Cellaring Potential

Enjoy from release for its perfume and primary fruit, or cellar over the medium term as the whole-cluster spice and fine tannins continue to integrate.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2024
• Producer: E.J. McDougall
• Wine: Old Vine Grenache
• Country: Australia
• Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
• Sub-Region: Blewitt Springs
• Grape Variety: Grenache
• Wine Style: Red Wine
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Vine Age: 87 years
• Soil Type: Sandy gravel over red clay
• Climatic Conditions: Mediterranean
• Harvest Method: Hand-harvested
• Fermentation: 100% whole cluster, concrete vats
• Élevage: 11 months in seasoned French foudre