Neil Ellis Grenache 2017

Neil Ellis is a legend of South African winemaking and the first to gain 5 stars from the John Platter guide (the 'bible' for SA wines!) for Grenache. He made his first wine in 1984, selecting highest quality Stellenbosch grapes and renting cellar space. Today the winery remains very much a family affair. They have won a huge haul of awards over the years, including more 5 Stars, Golds and Trophies. This is a weighty, intense red using grapes from SA's oldest (nearly 60 years) Grenache vines, all in Piekenierskloof, planted high at 500m. Plus these dry-grown bush vines are all on original rootstock (very unusual). That and a drought vintage all adds up to immense concentration. Aged 15 months in barrel, 25% new, this is a rich, intense red.