Garnacha/Grenache

It really is amazing how Rosé's have really stepped up their game over the last ten to twenty years.  And, the buying public has noticed all over the world.  This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Cinsault and 10% Syrah.  Pale silvery/salmon pink in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight strawberries and slight tarragon.  On the palate, this is light bodied but has some backbone.  Crisp and refreshing.  It drinks easy with some complexity.  The strawberries carry thru with some underlying minerality.  Drink now.  Great on its own and will drink well with many foods including

This is a Rose from southern France.  It is a blend of 60% Grenach, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, and 10% Tibouren.  Perhaps more than most springs, I am looking forward to staying home and sipping on some Rose as the weather gets nice/warmer.  This is light salmon pink/orange in color.  Very pale but bright and clear.  It has a much bigger nose with nice strawberries, some hay and slight watermelon.  On the palate, it has an interesting texture.  A bit oily but also creamy.  The strawberries really come thru on the palate.  Refreshing and tasty.  Good balance.  Long finish.  This drinks great o

During this period of "Stay Home", it helps to every once in a while open something really good.  Even during the middle of the week (to the extent I can keep track of what day it is).  The 2011 Saxum's are drinking beautifully.  That vintage seems to be maturing a bit faster than most.  This is a blend of 58% Syran, 27% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre.  inky purple in color with a thin magenta line at the rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, roasted meats, dried floral notes and slight chocolate.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Rich but not overblown.  Smoo

This is in a beautiful place right now.  Pop and poour and consumed over three hours, it was gorgeous all the way thru.  Deep ruby in color, a bit lighter at the rim.  The nose is intoxicating with cherries, black cherries, just a slight bit of funk, roasted meats, dried floral notes and light spice.  On the palate, the texture is lovely.  Rich, but just barely with lots of energy.  Bright with plenty of depth.  Fresh cherries with underlying earthiness.  Tight layering that unwinds in the glass.  Nice finish.  This is not a blockbuster but it has all the parts in the right proportions.  It

From the mountains, just east of Madrid comes this old vine, high altitude Garnacha that is unlike any that I have tried from elsewhere in the world.  It is 98% Garnacha and 2% Cariñena.  The vines are 90 years old.  It is very pretty in the glass.  Light but intense ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has candied cherries, with underlying char and great minerality.  With air a touch of pine and salinity shows up.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Very concentrated.  The candied cherries are there but also a fresh cherry quality.  Underlying char and minerals.  Great energy wit

Another great wine from Denner.  It is a blend of 55% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% Counoise, 5% Cinsault and 5% Tannat.

This is the second label for Helen Keplinger.  The grapes are sourced 69% from the Sierra Foothills and 31% from Sonoma County.  It is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Counoise and Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is a great value in California blends.  Purple in color.  The nose has a lot going on with black raspberries, plums, some cassis and cherries along with a bit of spice and roasted meat.  On the palate, plenty of black raspberry fruit, some sherries over a charred earth quality.  Lush texture.  Delicious and easy drinking but with a bit of complexity to it.  Medium tan

This is a new estate for me.  2010 was a great vintage which helped just about everyone.  This is ruby in color.  The nose has cherries with spice.  On the palate, this is nice.  Mild tannins.  Cherry fruit with underlying earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is at peak and probably should be consumed in the next three to five years.  it will work well with burgers and stews.  

This is a reasonably priced base level Chateauneuf that is consistently a good value.  In the better vintages such as 2015, it can be outstanding.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, raspberries, garrique, char and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has bold cherry fruit, a bit of spice and slight char.  It is drinking well now and will continue to over the next seven to ten years.  It is a great match for casseroles or on its own.  

What a great showing for this wine.  Yes, it is still a bit young, but really one of the best showings from this house I have seen.  Time to get a few more bottles.  It is 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault.  Purple in color, ruby at the core.  The nose is great with black raspberries, baking spices, garrique and slight lavender.  Full bodied.  Luxurious texture.  Rich and full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Lots of concentrated black raspberry fruit over a bed of char and gravel.  Long finish.  Delicious.  One of those wine when each sip makes one want another.  It drinks g