Bekkers McClaren Vale Grenache 2021

Bekkers is one of McLaren Vale’s most acclaimed boutique producers, founded in 2011 by Toby and Emmanuelle Bekkers. Their philosophy blends Toby’s deep understanding of McLaren Vale terroir with Emmanuelle’s classical French winemaking training from the Rhône Valley. The result is wines of remarkable purity, balance, and finesse, consistently among Australia’s most highly regarded. The Bekkers Grenache 2021 is a standout, celebrated for its elegance and perfumed vibrancy – a modern, world-class expression of Grenache that rivals the best of Châteauneuf-du-Pape while remaining distinctively McLaren Vale.

Fruit is sourced from carefully chosen old-vine Grenache blocks, some more than 80 years old, rooted in McLaren Vale’s sandy and ironstone-rich soils. These sites benefit from Mediterranean warmth moderated by cooling sea breezes from the Gulf of St Vincent, allowing the fruit to achieve full ripeness while retaining freshness and perfume. Grapes are hand-harvested, gently destemmed, and fermented with partial whole-bunch inclusion for aromatic lift and fine structure. The wine is matured in large-format seasoned French oak, ensuring texture and complexity without overt oak influence.

Appearance: Bright ruby-red with garnet hues, luminous and elegant in the glass. Medium-bodied with silky, slow-forming legs that suggest finesse rather than weight.

Aroma: Intensely perfumed, offering red cherry, wild strawberry, and raspberry compote layered with rose petals, subtle spice, and hints of dried herbs and white pepper. Underlying notes of earth and mineral lift add depth.

Taste: Pure and elegant, with vibrant red fruit at the core – strawberry, redcurrant, and cherry – supported by fine savoury spice, gentle herbal undertones, and a touch of liquorice. Silky tannins and lively acidity provide beautiful structure and balance.

Finish: Long, graceful finish with lingering red berry brightness, floral lift, and a refined savoury-mineral thread that speaks to both vineyard and craftsmanship.

Food Pairing: Perfect with roast duck and cherry glaze, chargrilled lamb with rosemary, or Mediterranean vegetable dishes such as ratatouille.