A swimming release of Original wines from d'Arenberg

 

A swimming release of d’Arenberg Custodian, Footbolt, d:Arry’s Original and High Trellis

In a time when most wineries are releasing their wines earlier, I like the fact that d’Arenberg hold their wines back. These four wines are from the 2012 vintage which was rather a cracker in terms of weather conditions. We will see how they went.

d’Arenberg Custodial Grenache 2012

From my point of view this Grenache based wine is the best of the lot. It is medium bodied and fragrant with elements of all sorts of red fruits and some lovely damp earth and spices. D’Arenberg seems to be able to bring out the earth or dirt in the wine which creates a sense of place and some extra complexity and interest. The flavours are lovely but the tannin profile really makes this wine a beauty to behold. Love it.

Alcohol: 14.6%
Price: $18
Rated: 90
Drink: Now – 2020



d’Arenberg d'Arry’s Original 2012

d’Arry’s Original is a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Shiraz that has been matured in French and American oak for 20 months. The Grenache leads the way with raspberry coulis and exotic spices on the nose but that doesn’t translate to the palate. On the palate there is a high amount of searing acidity. It was almost like they have accidently added way too much acid just prior to bottling. 
Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $18
Rated: 84
Drink: Now 



d’Arenberg Footbolt 2012

I have never really gotten into the Footbolt but a lot of my friends have. It seems to be a inexpensive wine that offers a lot of regional charm. As with most of the wines in this range the Footbolt is matured in a mix of French and American oak barrels for a period.  The 2012 wine opens with easily with flavours of candied plum and strawberries and cream with a hint of spice and chocolate coated licorice allsorts. As a Footbolt it seems easy to drink and slightly confected and will most probably appeal to the average drinker but not the hard-core wino.

Alcohol: 14.6%
Price: $18
Rated: 89
Drink: Now – 2020



d’Arenberg High Trellis 2012

This was the last of the d’Arenberg wines that I tried from the original release.
The Cabernet  for this wine, once in the winery were transferred to small open top fermenters and allowed to undergo fermentation. They did not see that long in contact with the skins before being pressed off to old American barrels.  On the nose the American oak leads the way but the blackberry liquor makes its body felt once on the palate. The regionality is bursting from the wine as well in the form of licorice and earth with a touch of mint and blood plum. The wine is only just full bodied with a nice tannic edge adding interest. 

Alcohol: 14.3%
Price: $18
Rated: 88
Drink: Now – 2021