Ochota Barrels, The Green Room Grenache Noir - Syrah, 2021
Ochota Barrels, The Green Room Grenache Noir - Syrah, 2021
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Grenache, Syrah
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2030
The 2021 The Green Room from Ochota Barrels is a vibrant and energetic Grenache that perfectly reflects the winery’s style. It brims with juicy red fruits - raspberry, cherry, and a touch of pomegranate, layered with subtle spice and earthy notes. Light on its feet but full of character, the palate is silky and fresh, with soft tannins and a lively finish.
Ochota Barrels make premium single vineyard blends from sites in different parts of South Australia. They traded their life of punk rock and surfing for a vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. The Ochotas are part of a new wave of Aussie producers that make wines with precision and balance – less big and bold, but bright and energetic. They are hailed as being the first to break the mould and many wax lyrically about how in the future, Australian wine history will report the pre- and the post-Ochota times.
Their approach is minimalistic with low intervention, letting the grapes sing – or rather, rock ‘n’ roll. They make holistic, small batch wines with plenty of soul and we are honoured to be able to share them with you.
This 2021 is drinking beautifully now, with its primary fruit flavours in perfect balance with the subtle spice and earthy elements. Over the next 2-3 years, we expect the raspberry and cherry to integrate further with the herbal and spice components, developing more complexity while retaining its essential freshness. The wine will likely reach its peak around 2028-2029, after which the bright fruit may begin to fade. This isn't a wine built for long cellaring - its charm lies in its youthful vibrancy and immediate appeal.
What the critics say:
"A very elegant, intense and detailed edition, which is right on a par with recent releases. Fresh aromas of raspberries and plenty of florals, spices and brambly appeal. Sappy. There’s a sense of elegance and precision to the tannin and a finer weave. Bright berry finish. Drink now. Screw cap."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceBright ruby red with a translucent, energetic quality that hints at the wine's elegance.
NoseImmediately appealing with fresh raspberry and red cherry leading the charge. Delicate florals emerge, accompanied by subtle spice and a touch of bramble that adds complexity without weight. There's an underlying earthiness that grounds the fruit without overshadowing its vibrancy.
PalateSilky and fresh, with the fruit flavours carrying through seamlessly from the nose. The texture is beautifully balanced, neither light nor heavy, with soft tannins that provide structure without grip. The spice element becomes more pronounced, adding interest to the bright berry core, while the acidity keeps everything lifted and lively.
FinishClean and energetic, with the red fruit lingering alongside a gentle spice that invites another sip.
Overall impressionThis is Grenache with grace, showing how Australian wine can be both characterful and elegant.
Food Pairings
In South Australia, this style of wine would pair beautifully with the region's Mediterranean-influenced cuisine. Think lamb with rosemary and garlic, grilled over red gum, or a rustic ratatouille made with local tomatoes and herbs. The wine's bright acidity makes it perfect with char-grilled vegetables from the Barossa farmers' markets, while its silky texture complements dishes like slow-cooked rabbit with olives or duck confit with cherry gastrique. The spice in the wine echoes the native pepperberry and saltbush used by innovative local chefs.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve lightly chilled at 14-16°C to emphasise the wine's freshness and elegance. No need to decant - this wine is about immediate charm rather than hidden depths. Use a medium-sized burgundy glass to concentrate the delicate aromatics without overwhelming them. The wine benefits from a gentle swirl to release its floral character.
The Green Room comes from select vineyards across South Australia, chosen for their ability to produce elegant, balanced fruit. The cooler climate sites favour Grenache's more graceful expression, allowing the variety to retain its natural acidity and floral character. The minimal intervention approach means the terroir speaks clearly through the wine, with each site contributing its own voice to the final blend.
South Australia is the country's most diverse wine region, encompassing everything from the Barossa Valley to the Adelaide Hills. Unlike the more specific regional classifications, the broader South Australian designation allows winemakers like Ochota Barrels to blend fruit from multiple sites across the state. This flexibility enables them to craft wines that capture the best characteristics from different terroirs, creating complexity through careful site selection rather than single-vineyard expression.
The 2021 vintage in Adelaide Hills arrived after a growing season that kept producers on their toes, with a cool, wet spring followed by moderate summer conditions that allowed for extended ripening. Rain during flowering caused some headaches with fruit set, particularly for the finicky Pinot Noir sites, but those who managed their canopies well found themselves with lower yields of concentrated fruit. The lack of extreme heat events meant harvest stretched well into April, giving winemakers the luxury of picking at optimal ripeness rather than racing against the thermometer.
What emerged were wines with real personality and freshness, particularly the Chardonnays which show that mineral backbone the Hills does so well, wrapped around citrus and stone fruit flavours that sing with energy. The Pinot Noirs are more variable due to the flowering issues, but the best examples display lovely transparency and spice, while Sauvignon Blancs crackle with intensity. We find the whites are drinking superbly now and will reward cellaring until 2028, whilst the reds are just beginning to hit their stride and should develop beautifully over the next five to seven years.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Bright and elegant with raspberry and cherry fruit, lifted by florals and subtle spice. It's silky textured with soft tannins and a fresh, lively finish.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop complexity until around 2030. This isn't a wine to cellar long-term - enjoy it for its youthful vibrancy.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Try it with grilled lamb, Mediterranean vegetables, or duck dishes. Its bright acidity and elegant structure make it perfect for herb-crusted meats or rustic vegetable dishes.
Should I decant this wine?
No need to decant - serve it lightly chilled at 14-16°C straight from the bottle. Use a medium burgundy glass to capture its delicate aromatics.
What makes Ochota Barrels special?
They're credited with revolutionising Australian wine, moving away from big, bold styles to create elegant, precise wines with soul. Former punk rockers turned winemakers, they let the grapes sing rather than shout.
Is this wine worth buying?
Absolutely, especially if you enjoy elegant, food-friendly wines. It represents excellent value for a producer of this calibre and shows a completely different side to Australian Grenache.
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