A very nice showing for this wine that is just starting to come out of its shell. Pop and let breathe for 30 minutes (not decanted), it took about another hour to open up.
This is 100% Garnacha (Grenache) from Northern Spain. It is a big wine that is delicious and drinks great. At age 8, it is just getting into a nice wheelhouse showing some complexity and depth and the fruit fades just a bit. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has raspberries, black cherries, milk chocolate, and slight coffee notes. Full bodied. Smooth. On the palate, lots of black and red raspberry fruit. Light tannins. Enough acidity to work with food. Good finish. This still drinks great on its own and worked great with a spicy chili. It will also work well with roaste
This is a producer who first got recognition for their fantastic Gigondas wines. They have since expanded their releases all over the southern and northern Rhone. Their Chateauneuf is also stellar. It is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and 10% each of Syrah and Cinsault. Deep ruby in color, purple at the core. The nose is tight upon opening. With air, raspberries, black raspberries and mineral/gravel emerge. On the palate, this is delicious. Lots of black cherry fruit with some raspberries. Medium tannins. Bright acidity. This will work well with roasts and casseroles. I
This was tasted from a magnum that had been opened for a couple of hours. Delicious and drinking great. 2009 has been an open and for the most part, accessible vintage since release, yet also an excellent vintage. Made from 90% Grenache. Deep ruby in color, purple at the core. The nose has raspberries, spice, dust and a bit of an interesting pine note. What a great texture it has. On the palate, there are raspberries over a charred wood with just a hint of the pine. It has some complexity as it unwinds in the glass. A long finish. This is not a brute wine and indeed, more elegant
This is one in a series of Tawny "Ports" made by Penfold's. It has very attractive packaging although no longer in the wood box. Made in a Solera style, the minimum blended age is 20 years old. The Solera currently contains vintages from 1960 to 2004. Mostly Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache and Mourvedre but others as well. Iced tea in color. The nose is a bit oxidized (in a good way) with brown sugar, toffee and crème brulee. On the palate, this is viscous. Lots of caramel notes. Some heat. There is a nice depth to it. Long finish. This will work well on its own or with toffee/carame
A gorgeous showing for this wine. 100% Grenache. If served blind, I would have guessed Grand Cru Burgundy. It was lighter in color and more elegant than a 2001 Dujac Close de la Roche it was served next to (and just as good). A pale ruby/maroon in color, bright and clear. On the palate, this has cherries, slight raspberries, baking spices and twigs. On the palate, this has lovely cherry fruit over a bit of gravel and dry earthiness. Wonderful liveliness and energy. Long finish. A very complex wine. No hint of the hot vintage of 2003. This seems developed but also seems like it st
This is a blend from Paso Robles. It is 75% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre and 4% Syrah. At age ten, it is still youthful but drinking great. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, graphite, black pepper and spice. On the palate, this is big and full bodied. Slight tannins. Lots of black raspberry and black cherry fruit. Great mouth feel. Long finish. This drinks great on its own and will work with roasts or grilled foods. It will drink well for the next ten to twelve years.
This is always one of the better values in Rhone wines. They make two cuvees, this being the better of the two. This is a blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, plums, spice and smoked herbs. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Complex. The fruits carry thru. Light tannins. Good acidity. Long finish. This drinks well on its own but also works well with a wide variety of foods. Works with casseroles, pizza or grilled foods. It will continue to mature for a couple more year
This is a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 5% Syrah. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries and plums along with some spice and earthy funk. On the palate, this is complex. Layers of black cherries and black raspberries with damp earthiness. Good acidity. Long finish. This is drinking very well right now. It should be at this level for another five to ten years. It goes well with roasts and casseroles.
This is the "second label" of star winemaker Helen Keplinger's home winery. It is made from 31% Sonoma Grapes and 69% Sierra Foothills Grapes. A blend of 55% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah, and 5% Petite Sirah. A delicious wine. Purple in color with ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice, gravel and slight plums and earth. On the palate, this is full bodied but very lively with lots of energy. Black raspberries dominate at the moment but the black cherries are also present. There is also a layer of gravel and scorched earth that is a lovely counte
