This is Torbreck's flagship Grenache, like the RunRig is for their Shiraz portfolio. This is from the northern part of the Grennock sub-region, planted in the early 60s. The vineyard is surrounded by eucalypt trees and you can sense their lifted, minty, aromatic character in the wine. This cuvee was named for the renowned Les Amis restaurant in 2001, but is now available worldwide. There's lots of silky fruit on palate, black and red, and lots of concentration, not least down to the clone of Grenache planted here which produces smaller berries. There's lots of grainy tannin creating texture, and they've deliberately reduced the new oak here, so the concentrated cassis and bramble fruit dominates. There's a luxury, velvety, viscous feel on the palate, impressive immediately.
The fruit for the Les Amis Grenache is from the Slade vineyard, planted in the 1960s. The wine was matured for 24 months in French barriques (40% new). The 2020 Les Amis Grenache is savory, resinous, structural and firm. The core of red fruit remains protected, but it is clear that there is a long future for this wine that is obvious from now, and it will only evolve over time. Clove bud through the finish leaves a cooling, mineral feel in the mouth. This is very big, but very good. It is polished, and the tannins have a gritty chew to them, which is very attractive.5
This is a wine that I often find too intense, extreme and concentrated, and in 2020 it has some of these traits, but it also shows uncommon control and reserve. There is still the trademark, glossy, almost ice-creamy texture in common with the muscular grunt that Les Amis has in spades. Still, exotic, kirsch-like qualities here make this a more challenging and intricately assembled wine than I have ever seen under this label.
Maturity Ready 2022 - 2030
Prices shown in bond
Maturity Ready 2024 - 2040
Maturity Young 2025 - 2045
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