2022 Polygon No. 3
A haunting and ethereal wine with vibrant and high toned aromatics. Notes of orange blossom, lemon verbena and white pepper surround appealing red fruit. A wine full of tiny, fleeting moments. The palate is seamlessly integrated with mineral edges, intense fruit, fresh herbs and distinctly limestone-derived powdery tannin.
Estate grown and made
Certified organic and biodynamic fruit
[VARIETIES] 100% Grenache
[ALC] 14%
[PRODUCTION] 795 bottles
[CELLARING] 10+ years
Grenache sourced from the limestone and schist soils of Polygon No. 3 on Alkina's Greenock estate; 70% whole bunches, raised in unlined concrete tulip and egg. We're seeing the 2022 Polygon wines before the 2021s are released, the Alkina team holding them back for another year's rest. As is the norm, No. 3 is nuanced and filigreed, exuding calm yet bristling with energy, with an undercurrent of minerality. It's airy red fruits and layers of spice and amaro shift constantly, revealing a chalky, fine-honed path across the palate. There is a wonderful transparency in these wines.
97 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Deep colour but still translucent. More graphite, ironstone aromas, trace of pepper. Voluminous, full-bodied, big firm tannins, serious structure but elegant, very long palate. Black cherry but not straightforward.
98 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
An extremely fragrant, forensically detailed and intriguingly delicate wine in the context of grenache. Sap, crunch and a lifted pinot-like quality to this, as to be expected. A pixelated, slo-motion unravel of forestry red fruits, clove, tamarind and white pepper. Not quite the riper masterpiece of the 2020, perhaps. Yet this is a more chiffon-like weave of fruit and edgy tannins. The 2021s are yet to be released. A long linger, etching the gums and pulling the saliva in readiness for the next glass. Exceptional drinking. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
96 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
Transparent purple red. Bright pomegranate and raspberry fruit with a lifted violet perfume. Light- to medium-bodied, very drinkable and supple style. Surprisingly grippy tannins and bright acidity – distinctly structured despite the bright, floral, red-fruited style. Fresh and assertive. Great energy and tension. Grenache with a fishbone structure. Drink cool.
95 Points, Matt Walls, Decanter
The expressive 2022 Grenache is graceful with understated power. Black cherry and cocoa aromas are lifted by red licorice and cassia bark. Compact, focussed and finely tuned, a rich bed of sinewy tannins are beautifully matched to layers of savoury fruit which build to an exceptionally long finish marked by balance and energy.
95 Points, Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
Transparent purple red. Bright pomegranate and raspberry fruit with a lifted violet perfume. Light- to medium-bodied, very drinkable and supple style. Surprisingly grippy tannins and bright acidity – distinctly structured despite the bright, floral, red-fruited style. Fresh and assertive. Great energy and tension. Grenache with a fishbone structure. Drink cool
95 Points, Matt Walls, Decanter
Deep-ish red-purple colour; fresh bright dark-cherry aroma, hints of balsamic herbs and a whiff of Campari, Medium-full body and has a good sheen of fine sandy tannins providing structure. Deep and serious in intent, but not a big wine, just focused intensity and fine balance. Finishes with a long carry and great elegance.
93 Points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
