Lienert Vineyards Sieben Klon Grenache 2022 Review: Freshness First, Depth with Food
Grenache can be remarkably different from one producer to the next. Some lean heavily into bright fruit and freshness, while others build more structure and grip into the wine. With Lienert Vineyards Sieben Klon Grenache 2022, we were curious where it would sit on that spectrum, and whether food would change the picture. We found a wine that felt immediately approachable in the glass, yet revealed additional dimensions once food entered the conversation.
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Vintage: |
2022 |
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Region: |
Barossa Valley, South Australia |
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Varietal: |
Grenache |
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ABV: |
14% |
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RRP: |
~$50 AUD |
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Format: |
750 mL |
Appearance
In the glass, the wine shows a vivid ruby core with a lighter pink-red rim. Clarity is excellent, with light to medium depth and high transparency throughout the bowl.
The legs fall consistently at a medium-fast pace, reinforcing the wine’s lighter visual profile. Everything about its appearance suggests freshness over weight.
Aroma / Nose
At first the nose is lightly floral and restrained.
With air, it opens and becomes noticeably more expressive. Fresh berries emerge quickly, led by raspberry and strawberry, while savoury notes begin to appear underneath. Peppery spice, tobacco leaf, and a subtle leather-like character provide contrast without overwhelming the fruit.
The nose feels coherent and energetic, with the fruit remaining central as the wine evolves in the glass.
Palate / Taste
Silky in texture and light in weight, it flows easily across the palate.
A gentle, fruit-driven sweetness arrives first, followed by fresh red berries. Acidity emerges after the initial sweetness, helping to keep the wine lively and focused. Tannins arrive more slowly, building after the swallow and tightening along the cheeks with increasing firmness.
Oak remains in the background, appearing as a subtle note in the aftertaste rather than a defining structural element. Alcohol is well integrated, although a soft warmth becomes noticeable after swallowing.
Finish
The tannins linger longest, gradually tightening along the cheeks while acidity keeps the finish fresh and composed. A gentle warmth remains after the swallow, extending the wine’s aromatic presence without becoming heavy.
Food Pairing
This is an enjoyable wine by itself, but food reveals additional layers of behaviour and makes the experience more interesting.
Edam: Increases the perception of acidity while introducing a fruity, almost candied raspberry character through the finish.
Truffle Triple Cream Brie: Reduces the prominence of acidity and draws more sweet fruit into the aftertaste.
Persian Fetta: Softens the feel of acidity on the tongue but increases tannin grip along the cheeks.
Prosciutto: Pushes sweetness to the front of the palate before allowing oak to become more noticeable on the swallow.
Chorizo: The most complete pairing of the tasting. Sweetness, acidity, oak, and berry character feel balanced, with the fruit carrying comfortably through the finish.
Dried Cranberries: Amplify both acidity and oak, creating a firmer, more structural expression of the wine.
Sultanas: Produce a similar effect to the cranberries, although with a softer transition between sweetness, acidity, and oak.
One observation that remained consistent across sweeter foods was the behaviour of the acidity. As Kiki noted during the tasting, it stayed friendly and approachable rather than becoming sharp or disruptive.
ATC Verdict: Is It Worth the Splurge?
On balance, yes. Lienert’s Sieben Klon Grenache succeeds because it remains enjoyable across two very different contexts. As a casual glass, it offers freshness, bright fruit, and approachable structure. At the table, it becomes noticeably more expressive, revealing clearer interactions between sweetness, acidity, oak, and tannin without losing its sense of balance.
What kept drawing us back was how differently the wine behaved with food. Some pairings amplified acidity, others brought fruit to the surface, while richer textures allowed the tannins to show more clearly. The result was a wine that remained easy to enjoy while still rewarding closer attention.
Fresh enough for a casual glass, but rewarding enough to earn its place at the table.
Editor’s Note
We tasted this wine both on its own and alongside a range of cheeses, charcuterie, and dried fruit. Several of the review’s conclusions emerged from those pairings, particularly the way the wine’s structure became more expressive at the table.
Adrian, Editor at All That Is Cool
Please drink responsibly.
All alcohol reviews on All That Is Cool are intended for audiences aged 18+. We support mindful, moderate consumption and only feature bottles we’ve personally tasted and evaluated.
