Garnacha/Grenache

Another inexpensive, relatively easy bottle to find of very nice wine.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some cherries, a bit of leather and earth.  On the palate, this has nice black raspberry fruit.  A bit of earthiness to it.  Easy drinking.  Enough acidity to carry food.  Long finish.  Available for under $15, its a very nice bottle.  Should last a few years.  I suspect the 2015 and 2016 vintage will be even better.  

This was consumed with a couple of my neighbors outside by the fire on a late Spring Day.  It was quite well received.  It is a blend of  Grenache, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese.  First, the bottle is very pretty with a silk screened label.  The wine itself is likewise pretty with an almost iridescent salmon orange color to it.  The nose is large with burnt oranges, some strawberries and slight cherries.  There is some alcohol on the nose too.  On the palate, this has a very nice texture.  Big fruit, mostly tart cherries.  Enough acidity to work with food but made just fine sip

Purple in color.  The nose is clean with dusty cherries and garrique.  On the palate, this has silky tannins.  Layered complexity of cherries, spice and earth.  With air some dark cherry fruit.  Nice finish.  This is at peak now and should be drunk in the next five to seven years.  Outstanding right now.  

Purple, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, anise, spice and slight floral notes.  Full bodied.  Excellent balance.  Cherries, dark cherries, spice and slight earthiness on the palate.  Drinking quite fresh.  Good energy.  Opens up with air.  Pretty close to peak but should stay there for 8 years at least.  It will gain in complexity but lose some of the freshness.  More fruit forward in style for CdP.  Great wine.  

Purple in color.  This is a GSM blend.  The nose has jammy black cherries and cherries.  Spice and slight roasted notes.  On the palate, this is jammy fruit.  Dark cherries and cherries with a peppery note.  Some depth.  A very good wine that seems like it will be better drunk in the next five years.  

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, spice, black raspberries, violets and bacon.  On the palate, this is mature and complex.  Layered, it unwinds in the glass.  Black cherry fruit, black raspberries, some earthiness and spice.  Nice texture.  Wispy tannins.  Good balance.  Long finish.  No hurry, but I don't think it improves from here.  

Purple in color.  The nose is nice enough if a bit under ripe.  Cherries, green herbs (tarragon), slight violet notes.  On the palate, this is old school CdP.  Cherries, dark cherries, slight earthiness.  Tight but layered.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now and should be good to go for a decade.  

Ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose has cherries, slight mushrooms and slight pine needles.  On the palate, plenty of cherry fruit.  Depth and complexity as it unwinds in the glass.  Perhaps a bit more advanced than expected (more for the producer than the vintage) but drinking very well right now.  I would drink in the next 3 to 5 years though.  

Always a star.  This is is still young.  This bottle was opened at 9:00 am and served at 11:00 pm.  It was served with dessert; a bittersweet chocolate tart and it worked wonderfully.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has chocolate covered cherries, black raspberries, slight floral qualities and spice.  On the palate, this has a lively quality to it.  Juicy acidity. Lush.  This is a big wine but smooth with no signs of alcohol.  Delicious.  Ripe but not overtly or sweet.  Long finish.  Upside for sure and development.  No harm in drinking now but will continue to evolve for a while.