Garnacha/Grenache

This wine was bought on release and is exactly where it should be at age 21.  Deep ruby in color with just a bit of browning at the edges.  Clear and bright.  The wine initially has some bottle funk but that blows of to reveal a classic CdP nose.  Cherries, spice, slight barnyard, a bit of dried cherries and roasted herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Great energy and balance.  on the palate, this is complex and layered.  Cherries, fresh and dried, earthiness and char.  Nice balance.  Good finish.  This is fully mature and probably needs to be drunk soon as it starts to fade.  Still, another fi

One of the top producers in Chateaneuf and one with out a luxury cuvee.  This is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah.  Served pop and pour, this took about 30 minutes to really open and then drank beautifully.  We shared the bottle with friends while listening to Latin jazz at an outdoor café.

One of the best Roses in it price class.  A blend of mostly Grenache, Cinsault and Vermentino grapes.  Pale salmon pink with a touch of orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries and oranges.  Lovely texture.  Lots of depth.  On the palate, cherries and strawberries with good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks great on its own but will work well with most foods.  It would work great with heartier fish dishes.  

This is a blend  of 75% Grenache, 11% Mourvèdre, 11% Syrah, and  3% Roussanne.  One of the best Grenache wines from California.  This is concentrated and intense, but not over the top.  Deep garnet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, spice, game meats and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black cherries, some black raspberries, roasted herbs  and slight beef notes.  Long finish.  Almost seamless texture.  This is drinking well but will no doubt improve over the next couple of years.  It should drink well for an

Excellent Rose from the south of France.  A blend of mostly Grenache, Cinsault and Vermentino grapes.  Pale salmon pink with a touch of orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose is lovely with strawberries, watermelons and a touch of salinity.  Light bodied with no tannins.  Crisp and delicious.  On the palate, nice strawberry notes turning to watermelon on the lingering finish.  There is a nice depth and complexity not often found in Roses.  This is great on its own and would work well with all but the biggest beef dishes.  Try with roasted chicken.  

This is Grenache, called Cannonau in Sardinia. The Riserva designation indicates two years ageing before release including at least six months in barrel.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has nice cherries with slight herbal notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a slightly bitter note on the attack.  Lots of cherry fruit.  Medium tannins.  Slightly thin on the finish.  This drinks nicely on its own but works better with food.  A classic pizza wine.  

This is a Rose blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah from France.  13% abv.  This is a very tasty wine that represents a nice value.  It is a deep salmon pink/orange color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with strawberries, slight pomegranate, with a hint of dried herbs.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, raspberries with pomegranate.  Clean.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks nicely on its own and will work well with lighter foods but also fried chicken.  Drink now.  

I had the 2015 in a visit to the winery in the Sierra de Gredos mountains just west of Madrid.  It was interesting to revisit, this time at a wine bar in Charlotte, NC.  This is one of their "Village" level wines which is also much more affordable.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has sour cherries, some black cherries and thyme.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherry, licorice and spice.  Great texture.  Delicious.  Nice on its own but better with food.  Nice finish.  This is Grenache but it is different than most with a bit of a "Pinot" profile to it as well.  Drink over the ne

An Eric Solomon selection sporting a new label.  This is always an excellent value that is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 30% Merlot, and 20% Syrah.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, spice, roasted herbs and slight black pepper.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is easy drinking and very tasty.  Lots of black cherry fruit with some black raspberries and cherries.  Clean.  Works great on its own and enough acidity to work well with pasta or burgers.  Drink over the next five years.