Head Red Grenache 2023 from Head Wines in the Barossa Valley is a vibrant, old‑vine‑sourced Grenache that’s all about perfume, finesse and sheer drinkability, built to be utterly smashable yet quietly serious underneath.

It’s sourced from four special old vineyards across Bethany, Krondorf and Ebenezer, with a lick of whole bunch and 3% Mataro for extra crunch and spice. In the glass, Head Red Grenache 2023 is medium red with kirsch, raspberry, mulberry and red cherry layered over dried herbs, gingery and Medan‑style spice, blossom, earth and a fine, chalky, almost pumice‑like tannin line. It’s landed 94 points from Ken Gargett at winepilot, who describes it as like “drinking a glass of silk” – high praise for a grenache at this price.

This is brilliant slightly chilled with charcuterie, wood‑fired pizza, barbecued chicken, lamb skewers or grilled mushrooms, where that juicy red fruit and savoury edge absolutely sings. It’s built for immediate pleasure but has the balance to cruise through the rest of the decade if you want to watch those spices and earth notes deepen.