2020 Polygon 5
Wild in nature and darker in fruit complexion, this is a structured, brooding and intense wine with great tension and svelte, mouth-coating tannins.
Estate grown and made
Certified organic and biodynamic fruit
100% Grenache
695 bottles and 90 magnums produced
13.7% alcohol
A little darker than Polgyon 3 and greyer in colour with a soft pink rim. Fruit smells much darker but still fragrant. Even greater mineral impression but here there is indeed a note of iron more than crushed stones and still an attractive dusty overlay. Less sweet-fruited, more earthy, tighter. The tannins are completely different too: drier, more grip, more structured and yet still remarkably elegant. Less seductive yet still with refined, savoury charm. Precise, sober, persistent if a little withdrawn at the moment. Such refinement.
17.5pts, Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com
"More depth to the purple-crimson colour than Polygon No.3 and a darker expression on the bouquet and palate alike; black cherries add a note, as do the rolled-gold tannins. Overall rich and velvety in the mouth; its depth, balance and length will give it exceptional longevity. 695 bottles."
97 points, James Halliday, The Weekend Australian
"Medium-deep red-purple colour, typical of the grape, the bouquet reserved and shy with spicy/chocolaty aromas, liqueur cherry beneath. It's full bodied and richly textured with masses of fine grained tannins, some brick-dust/earthy minerality, and a beautifully harmonious finish. Magic stuff."
97 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
"Polygon 5 Grenache is grown on schist, which brings energy. The 2020 Polygon 5 Grenache is restrained and fine, and its freshness belies the hot year in which the fruit grew and ripened. It offers notes of black cherry, graphite, mulberry, anise and even a hint of arnica. This has no small amount of hutzpah in the middle palate, with the tannins kicking in through the finish to define the shape of the wine as it fades. This is mineral, and with energy. 13.7% alcohol, sealed under natural cork, 695 bottles filled."
96 points, Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"This is a crackerjack grenache as well. Such presence. Such power. And yet simultaneously light on its feet. The price doesn’t thrill me but in the glass this really is fine wine for the true believers. It feels weightier than the No. 3 but it’s not heavy; it hits, runs, and keeps on running. Metal sheets of tannin give the wine a firm, rigid form; it’s a sculpture of ironwork, earth and black cherries. It’s wonderful."
96 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
"This polygon, or micro-plot, is defined by fractured schist and clay. Planted in the mid 1950's. Richer and more lateral than the Polygon 3 sibling, yet still mid-weighted of feel with impressive glide and levity. Molten raspberry bon bon, dried thyme, lavender, anise and smear of black olive tapenade across the lustrous, somewhat sooty finish. The end is long and bolshy, driven by the force of explosive fruit, rather than the tannic compression, mineral-coaxed detail and scintillating freshness of the 3. A brilliant wine, all the same. Drink or hold."
96 points, Ned Goodwin, jamessuckling.com
"This single vineyard 2020 Grenache Polygon No. 5 is beautifully expressive and intriguing with its layers of dark cherry and lavender, plus roasted meat and wood smoke sitting quietly in the background. Excellent density and volume of fruit follow. Muscular tannins are well integrated with smoky, mineral-accented flavours and gentle wafts of charcuterie add detail. A long strong finish promises plenty in the coming years."
95 points, Angus Hughson, Vinous
