Nick Haselgrove Wines 2021 Tir na N'og Old Vine Grenache McLaren Vale

An evocative and beautifully textured McLaren Vale Grenache, the 2021 Tir na N’og Old Vine delivers vibrant red fruit, framed by fine tannins and a whisper of Mediterranean spice. It combines expressive purity with old-vine depth — lively yet balanced, generous yet refined — making it a compelling example of Grenache at its best from Australia’s southern frontier.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Hailing from McLaren Vale, South Australia, this single-vineyard expression was crafted by winemaker Nick Haselgrove, known for his meticulous, site-driven approach and respect for old vines. The fruit is sourced from century-old Grenache vines planted on deep, well-drained soils that combine ironstone and red loam — terroir that encourages complexity and layered fruit character.

Fermentation is gentle, often involving whole-berry or partial whole-cluster components and ambient yeasts, preserving varietal purity and aromatic intricacy. The wine is matured in older French oak and seasoned vessels to capture texture without imposing new oak flavors, allowing the innate fruit and soil expression to take center stage. The result is a Grenache of nuance — true to variety yet uniquely tied to its McLaren Vale site.

Critics Reviews & Scores

Professional wine reviewers and industry commentators have warmly received the 2021 Tir na N’og Old Vine Grenache:

"The 2021 Tir na N'og Old Vine Grenache is dark, spicy and brooding on the nose, with layers of Christmas spice, black and red berries and the earthy base of licorice and iodine. In the mouth, the wine silky, dark and statuesque. The tannins are very finely countersunk into the fruit; they are chalky and gently grippy and shape the fruit in the mouth. With very good length of flavor through the finish, this is built to last some time. Very smart." 

James Halliday – 95 points
Halliday praises its delicate yet persistent phenolic structure, noting the clarity of wild strawberry and red plum framed by savory spice and earthy nuance. He highlights how the wine feels both immediately generous and thoughtfully restrained, a hallmark of old-vine Grenache.

Wine Companion / Huon Hooke – 94 points
Hooke emphasizes aromatic precision and textural finesse, describing the wine as “lifted, pure, and perfectly balanced with a long, resonant finish.” He notes the interplay between red fruit vibrancy and subtle Mediterranean herb character as particularly compelling.

Across professional commentary, the consensus is that the 2021 vintage offers both approachability and layered complexity — a testament to careful vineyard stewardship and restrained cellar intervention.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Bright and perfumed with wild raspberry, cranberry, and mulberry, accented by dried herbs, rose petal, and a hint of fennel. Subtle spice — cinnamon and white pepper — adds depth without dominance.

Palate:
Medium-bodied with silky, fine tannins and lifted acidity. Red cherry, tart strawberry, and pomegranate lead the palate, layered with crushed red earth, soft cedar spice, and delicate herbal threads. The texture is generous but composed, highlighting both energy and structure.

Finish:
Lingering and expressive, with red fruit echoes, gentle spice, and a mineral thread that underscores the wine’s sense of place and ageworthiness.

Quick Overview