Garnacha/Grenache

This is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 26% Syrah.  It is a big wine that is ripe and delicious.  The nose has black raspberries, blue berries, roasted meat and herbs, black pepper and some cherries.  On the palate, this is big.  Firm tannins.  Juicy black raspberry and blueberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It softens a bit in the glass.  It is great on its own but a difficult food match at present.  It will most certainly evolve and gain integration over the next five to ten years at which time it will be great with cassoulets and roasted foods.  No regrets about open

This is a Garnacha (Grenache) from the region of Navarra in north central Spain.  Although Spain is in Europe, many of its wines are very much new world in style and this one certainly is.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is pretty with black cherries, cedar, with slight figs/raisins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit over a bed of charred wood.  Still pretty thick tannins.  Nice finish.  This wine needs more time to develop but there should be an upside.  It drinks surprisingly young at age ten but all of the pieces parts are there.  It worked well with grilled Tofu (and would with meat or

Campesino is a winery that makes excellent Rhone varietal wines for fair prices.  It is a list that people should be signing up for if the wines are not available in the local marketplace.  This is one of the better, more refreshing Rose's on the market made from mostly Grenache.

This is an unusual wine.  It takes some of the Rose this winery produces and hard presses the grapes (presumably after the juice intended for the Rose is separated).  Hard pressing is basically squeezing to get a bit more juice.  This is typically tannic.  The difference is they then adds in Malbec juice to the wine.  The wine is barrel fermented and then aged for a bit in stainless steel.  The result is a young, lighter wine that is not too unlike a Beaujolais.  It proved quite popular at our www.Intowine.com tasting.  We liked this a bi

This is from a can although it appears they also sell this in bottles.  It is a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Grenache.  It has a reasonably deep pink/ruby color.  The nose has cherries and raspberries.  On the palate, this is easy drinking and refreshing.  Flavors of cherries and strawberries.  No tannins.  Ready to drink now.  Worked well with salty fried food but should go with a wide variety of foods.  The trend of wine cans is catching on.  For wines that are made for now, this is a convenient, non-breakable alternative.  I hope more wineries go this route.  

This is a nice, easy drinking rose from the south of France, made from Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache.  Light salmon/burnt orange in color.  The nose has watermelons and orange citrus.  On the palate, more viscous than expected.  It is dry.  13% ABV on the label.  Strawberries with a bit of bitterness on the finish.  Some warmth as well.  Priced at $14, this is a fine wine on its own on the back deck on a summer night and will work with some lighter foods too.  Drink this year.  

This is an inexpensive bottle from Australia that is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache.  It is the kind of wine that made Australia famous in the 1990's and soon fell out of favor.  This is a very sweet wine that will be popular with people who like that style.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has confectionery sugar, raspberry fruit and red candies.  On the palate, this is candied raspberries.  A bit bitter on the palate.  It is not about depth but rather fruit and imbibing.  Drink now.  

This was possibly the oldest EdB I have had and it was great.  Showing a bit of age but certainly not over the top.  Pop and pour, it improved on opening and then held constant for the evening.  Purple in color, some bricking at the rim.  The nose has cherries, some black cherries and baking spices.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Still lively but balanced acidity.  Cherries with a bit of earthiness and the baking spice finishes the palate.  I doubt it gets better from here but it certainly seems like it would have at least five more years before a slow decline.  This will go grea

One of the longer living CdP's.  However, 2004 is an ok, not great vintage at this time.  The result?  At age 15 this is at peak.  It should be here for at least five and likely ten more years.  Medium ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight floral notes, garrique and slight earthy funk.  On the palate, this has nice depth.  Layers of cherry liqueur unwind in the glass over a funky earthiness.  Light dry tannins especially on the finish.  This works well with stews and roast.  Everything you want in a traditional CdP.  

This is drinking well.  Probably at or close to peak at this point.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, slight floral notes and garrique.  On the palate, there is some oak showing though this is brought up more in tank than barrel.  Perhaps just from concentrated old vine/stems?  Cherries, black raspberries and slight funk.  Starting to show some layering though that will doubtless expand over the next decade.  I don't think it get's better but will continue to morph, so it depends on how you like them.  Nice finish.  This is very food friendly and would