Payten & Jones Icons Grenache 2024

Back in 1994 a red-haired, curly-topped kid from Brisbane, let's call him "Scotty Gunn", won the Queensland Under-13 Mixed Fast Walking Championship. From Brisbane to Healesville, fast forward a few decades — and he’s still telling everyone about it and chasing that one last hit of glory. At the 2024 Summer Healesville Fast Walking Championship, Scotty failed to score a single point from the judges. His performance was met with widespread criticism from the town, mocked as amateurish and a little disrespectful — and his outfit didn’t escape ridicule either. Although some questioned his performance, we thought he moved with the speed and grace that only a pale skinned, sweaty, red haired outcast Queenslander could — we thought it would be cool to honour this icon with his very own wine and label. However, we will neither confirm or deny if it is indeed a picture of Scott on the label. 2024 Icon Grenache As bold as Scotty’s speed moves and just as graceful. This Grenache shows the elegance of a cool-climate style with plenty of depth from extended skin contact and whole bunch fermentation. Bright red fruits — raspberry, cranberry, and red cherry — lead the way, layered with lifted floral notes, spice, and a subtle herbal edge from the whole bunch. Nine months on skins has built fine yet persistent tannins, giving the wine structure and a savoury backbone while still keeping a juicy, vibrant core. A long, fresh finish carries hints of earth and spice, making it both complex and highly drinkable. Suitable also for veguns. Very limited release — that’s probably for the best.