NV Art of Earth Sangria, Spain, Castilla - La Mancha, Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

Made from Organic Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes in Spain.  This is the kind of wine, that might be easy to dismiss.  It is not meant to be serious with its playful packaging and ceramic stopper.  But, at the end of the day, it is a nice wine.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  There is a slight frothy spritz.  On the palate, there are raspberries, fresh and candies, oranges, and a slight sweet quality to it.  On the palate, this is sweet but not cloying.  Cherries, black cherries and raspberries.  The finish has a bit of a bitter cherry quality.  There is enough acidity for this to work w

2018 Bodegas Paniza Co-op Sotavento Garnacha, Spain, Carinena, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Sotavento is a private label bottling from this cooperative in Spain. It is made from Garnacha (Grenache).  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is tight.  With air, black cherries and dust come out.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and spice.  Moderate finish.  This needs some time, but it remains to be seen if the fruit outlasts the tannins.  Probably better with some food.  Stews would work well.  Drink over the next five years.  

 

2021 La Roche Palais Rosé Les Vignes De Reve, France, VdF, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

60% Grenache and 40% Cinsault from the south of France (carrying a Vin de France designation).  Pale pink/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has orange rind and slight strawberries.  Nice texture, slightly creamy.  On the palate, orange citrus.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Nice, long finish.  A nice value in a Rosé.  This should be very food friendly and a bit better with food.  A nice with with a Niçoise Salad.  Drink over the next year.  

2020 Domaine de Grangeneuve L'Initiale H, France, Rhone, Grignan-les-Adhémar, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is from the northernmost AOC in the southern Rhone Valley in France.  It is a blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and black raspberries with spice and slight floral note.  Full bodied.  Nice balance.  On the palate, lots of deep black cherry fruit.  A bit chunky in a rustic sort of way.  Good finish.  This is a nice value wine that will work well with a pizza or or burger.  Drink over the next few years.  

2001 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$129.00USD

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

2016 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

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.

2021 Caves d'Esclans Sasha Lichini, Whispering Angel, France, Cotes de Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

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.  

2018 Faethm / Fingers Crossed Grenache Off The Record, USA, California, California

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

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

2021 Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel, France, Cotes de Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

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.  

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