Harena Grenache - 2022

97 Points
Apparently, ‘Harena’ is an ancient Roman word meaning arena. In Roman times, their arenas were sandy stages for gladiatorial battles. This wine is from the 90-year-old bush vines planted in the sandy soils of the McLaren Vale sub-region of Blewitt Springs. That may seem somewhat of a tenuous link but it matters little. What does matter is that even in today’s glory days for old vine Grenache, this wine stands out as something extra special. Under cork (which for me, is less special). After pressing, the wine went into 50% two-year-old and 50% older French oak hogsheads. The wine includes 15% whole bunches. The colour here is a purple/crimson. The aromas include spices, red cherries, cold tea, raspberries, smoked meats, a hint of game. This is a beautifully elegant wine with serious length. The balance is immaculate and there is fine acidity running the full journey. Lacy tannins. This is a stunning Grenache by any standards. Promises good drinking for at least the next ten years.
Ken Gargett, Winepilot, March 2024

95 Points
Grenache, oh wonderful grenache. McLaren vale is one of the best regions for this variety. It’s typically fine and elegant delivering a suave palate of poise and elegance. Bright red fruits with a floral note underpinning by just a little fresh turned earth character. Has a lovely grainy fine gravelly palate.
Ray Jordan, Winepilot, February 2024

95 Points
Offering fabulous fruit purity and perfume, the bouquet shows Black Doris plum, blueberry, floral and mixed spice aromas with a hint of vanilla. It's succulent and supple in the mouth displaying plump mouthfeel combined with silky tannins, finishing splendidly long and soothing. At its best: now to 2037.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, April 2024

95 Points
Mitolo likes to surprise, stretch the envelope, move beyond general expectations. Hence, we experience a different view of Grenache here, one that is firm, fine featured, red fruited and without little or any of the usual sweet confection notes. The sandy soils of Blewitt Springs, a sub-region of McLaren Vale, bring out this “other” side beautifully. Violets and earthy aromas mingle with black pepper, plum and black cherry. The wine’s lifted florals – juniper, rosemary, anise, black pepper – are a real feature, an exotic note, infiltrating every part of the wine. Falls effortlessly across the tongue with tannins deliciously fresh and supple. A ripper of a wine.
Jeni Port, Winepilot, February 2024

95 Points
Picked blackberries, mulberry and cassis. Red tulip, raspberry and Bing cherries. Rosemary, bay leaf and thyme. Granite, tar and clove studs. Lovely pockets of sage and woodsy herbs which unfold on the palate with tannic grip and angular shape. It’s a nice contrast to the brooding black fruit aroma profile. Bitter dark chocolate and cola spice on the finish. It’s the unique shape of the wine that has me intrigued and reaching for another sip. Drink now and will cellar 3-5 years. Serve with a juicy steak sandwich and you’ll be satisfied.
Shanteh Wale, Winepilot, March 2024

93 Points
Fruit from Blewitt Springs old vines, about 90 years old, half destemmed and half with 15% whole bunches, both inoculated; matured in two-year-old and older French hogsheads. Plushness prevails here, with ripe raspberries, strawberries, loganberries, plump red cherries and pomegranate molasses, but there's also freshness to the profile. A little oak, pithy, grapey tannin and perky acidity support the fruit richness, a red licorice note trailing through the finish. There's a little headiness, but it comes with a purity of fruit expression.
Marcus Ellis, Wine Companion, January 2024

93 Points
Medium intense purple, bright from core to rim. Mulberry, violet, and red liquorice aromatics. Dark fruits on entry with roast exotic spices and a subtle dark slate minerality lingering in the core. Still very tightly wound with a pop of acidity addling lift then tannins bringing focus and compression to the long finish. Time in the glass sees it build further weight and intensity
Stuart Knox, The Real Review, October 2023

91 Points
There’s the milk chocolate wrapper lingering above the fruit. Biscuity oak, stewed meat and glazed cherries, cooked spices. It’s juicy, chalky with an iron-blood flow, some salt, mushrooms and a dark earth grittiness to texture and tannins. Opulent style with an appealing angle.
Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front, March 2024

Bronze Medal
2023 Royal Adelaide Wine Show

Bronze Medal
2023 McLaren Vale Wine Show

Bronze Medal
2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Show

BUY HARENA GRENACHE