• About Caspernick
  • Star Ratings
  • The Master tasting list

Caspernick's Blog

~ My personal wine tasting notes

Caspernick's Blog

Tag Archives: grenache

Michel Rolland and Javier Galarreta Clos d’En Ferran’ 2017, Priorat DOCa, Spain

24 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$40, 5 stars, 96 points, carignan, grenache, Priorat, spain


Inky purple in the glass this blend of 62% Carinyena & 38% Garnacha has got slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose is stunning.  Intense aromas of toffee, coffee, and chocolate interlaced with ripe blueberry, blackberry, plums, black cherry, mint and cassis- there is a decadent richness about this wine that I get right off the bat.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and medium tannins that are fine-grained.  Flavors of dark, bold fruits with loads of French oak nuance make for a delicious flavor profile.  Whilst the nose is driven by the toffee/coffee etc, the palate is opposite.  Layers of ripe fruit are now in charge, followed by the toffee, caramel, mint and medicinal notes from the barrels.  The finish is long and soft.  Stunning stuff that got up to 96 points from the pros.  I would have to agree.  The aging capacity of this well structured, full bodied wine is good, say till 2035.  You can find it for under $40 making it a monster 5 star effort.  I’m simmering a pot of rich, hearty goat stew with some creamy truffle infused acorn squash pureé.  Can’t wait.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Benjamin Darnault Côtes du Rhône Plus 2020, Rhone Valley, France

25 Tuesday Oct 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$15, 4 stars, 89 points, Cotes du rhone, france, grenache, Naked Wines, rhone valley, syrah


This Grenache/Syrah blend is deep ruby colored with thick, slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose has nice aromas of red plum, black raspberry, red licorice, herbs, candied cherry and rose.  It’s quite complex once you swirl it around.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins- the grip I got initially quickly faded.  Flavors of plum, black raspberry, charred oak, some red licorice and earthy florals/herbs.  It is medium (+) bodied with a medium finish of dark red fruit plus a healthy dose of heat.  Made from very ripe fruit, it is flavorful but at a price- the alcohol is quite noticeable on the back end.  We are pairing this bold wine with spiced burgers and potato wedges.  It would also go well with hearty BBQ, maybe smoked brisket with a rich sauce.  89 points from me for this $15 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2026.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Department 66 ‘Others’ Red Blend 2017, IGP Cotes Catalanes, France

22 Thursday Sep 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

$28, 3 stars, 88 points, Cotes de catalanes, france, grenache, mourvedre, syrah


From the South of France comes this blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan that is deep ruby colored and seriously opaque.  The thick, blobby legs warn of the incoming 15.2% ABV, watch out.  The nose, once the alcohol blows off, gives me aromas of ripe blackberry, tons of vanilla, blackcurrant pastis, black licorice, clove and ripe blueberry.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, full body and heady flavors of black and blue fruit, lots of oak nuance and a somewhat astringent mid palate streak.  A short finish closes it out.  The impression I get is that this wine has some ripe fruit quality along with lashings of oak yet they allowed the green stems to unbalance the wine with that bitterness.  A shame, because it started out on a high note for me.  88 points for this $28 wine makes it a 3 star effort to drink with grilled Lamb chops.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Chariot Wines Gypsy Red 2019, California

22 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$6, 3 stars, 85 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, grenache, syrah


Nearly opaque, this deep ruby colored wine has a tinge of blue coloring on the edges.  The nose has aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, red licorice candy and ripe raspberry.  A touch of oak is also present.  The palate is dry with medium tannins and medium acidity.  There is a sourness to the palate but I get red fruit, red licorice and charcoal.  The body is medium and the finish is short.  The tannins linger mind you and there is some juiciness on the back end that I am enjoying.  It’s a Trader Joes special that runs $6.  Great for a party, this 85 pointer will not break the bank and can be served with burgers, dogs or even pizza.  3 stars from me for this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon to drink by 2024.   Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Domaine Durieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reserve Lucile Avril 2016, Rhone, France

17 Sunday Jul 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$50, 3 stars, 91 points, Chateauneuf-du-pape, france, grenache, Mourvèdre, southern rhone, syrah, VWTC


I love a CDP, as does our virtual tasting group but this one was not a crowd pleaser.  Medium ruby colored it had pronounced aromas of game (road kill), tomato, sawdust, violets, herbs de Provence and baked/stewed blueberry.  The palate was dry with well integrated medium (+) tannins, low acidity and a medium body.  Flavors of game, stewed blueberry, charcoal, smoke, and a waxy component were noted.  The finish was decently long for this 91 point wine.  I scored it 15 points on our grading scale and for $50 it only gets 3 stars from me.  The pro’s went as high as 96 points for this old vine Grenache blended with Syrah and Mourvedre.  I would drink this angular wine with stews or perhaps a venison roast.  Cellar wise- it should go till 2030.  Salut…..

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

M. Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche 2019, Rhone, France

10 Sunday Jul 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$13, 4 stars, 88 points, Cotes du rhone, france, grenache, rhone, syrah


Deep purple- gamy on the nose with licorice, garigue, raspberry and black fruit.  Charred wood notes and stewed blackberry finish it off.  On the palate this Grenache/Syrah blend is dry with somewhat coarse tannins, medium (-) acidity and a medium body.  I get definitive game and earthy notes with dark red fruit and oak influence from the charred wood.  Licorice is quite present.  The tannins smooth out towards the back end where the finish is medium in length and includes a Lapsang Souchong tea component.  A very serviceable wine that gets 88 points from me to drink till 2026.  At $13 it’s a relative bargain that gets 4 stars.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Clarendon Hills ‘Kangarilla’ Grenache 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

09 Saturday Jul 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$50, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, grenache, mclaren vale


Deep ruby colored with pronounced aromas of black plum, coconut, blackberry, sassafras, loam, cedar and baking spices. The palate is dry with well integrated, powerful tannins. Medium to full bodied I get rich fruit cake flavors, black cherry, black plum, vanilla and spice. The acidity is medium and very balanced with the tannic structure. The finish falls off rather rapidly but it’s okay- the fruit intensity up till then was really great.  It finishes with a touch of charcoal, some tannic grip and black fruit. Very little tertiary notes at this time even though the wine is 11 years old. It should last another five or six years and drink really well with some grilled meats. 93 points, possibly higher if the finish were a little bit longer.  For $50 it is a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’ 2019, Rhone, France

18 Saturday Jun 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$35, 5 stars, 94 points, france, Gigondas, grenache, mourvedre, rhone


I drank the 2017 Les Souteyrades back in October, served with Tri-tip roast, and loved it.  Tonight is a repeat with this newer vintage.  Medium ruby colored in the glass it offers up medium intensity aromas of red raspberry, black cherry, licorice, spicy oak, dried thyme and bacon fat.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, a medium (+) body and delicious flavors of raspberry, black cherry, spice, toasted oak and licorice. The finish is long and a touch astringent from the tannins that are very smooth, of medium intensity yet persistent.  I like this $35 blend of Grenache and Mourvedre a lot , like 94 points worth.  I would drink/cellar this 5 star effort till 2032 at the least, it will develop nicely.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Clarendon Hills Romas Grenache 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

16 Thursday Jun 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$70, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, grenache, mclaren vale


Medium/deep ruby to garnet colored, this 11 year old Grenache is playing tricks on my old eyes.  The nose has generous aromas of rich red raspberry, red licorice, coconut, rooibos tea, dried herbs, menthol and black cherry.  The palate is dry with crispy tannins that coat my upper gums.  Low acidity and medium to full bodied, this delicious wine has ripe flavors of red and black fruit with red licorice, cocoa powder, menthol, rooibos tea, dusty bramble, leather and that garrigue I got on the nose.  I’m generally impervious to the alcohol level as I find it difficult to ascertain but this one does have a bit of heat on the back end (14.5% ABV).  The finish is medium plus in length with the tannins fading faster than the fruit.  I pretty much love everything that comes out of this winery- this bottle is no exception.  The alcohol detracts a bit but I think it is well made and delicious, worthy of 93 points from me. It runs  upwards of $70 per bottle making it a 5 star treat wine to drink till 2027.  I think it will develop more tertiary notes by then and be even better.  Roast game, grilled lamb leg or even Moroccan tagine.  Much better than the previous tasting of this wine.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards Griffon’s Key Reserve Grenache 2019, McLaren Vale, Australia

04 Saturday Jun 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$35, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, grenache, mclaren vale


This Grenache is rather light, I would say pale ruby in the glass.  The nose has medium intensity aromas of raspberry, red cherry, violets, pomegranate and dried spices.  The palate is dry and lively with ripe red fruit, medium acidity, lithe tannins and a medium body.  The floral and spice components are not as pronounced on the palate but I now get some charred wood and rooibos tea instead.  The finish is medium in length and a touch tart, refreshing.  I like this $35 effort and give it 93 points and 5 stars.  It will drink well now and age gracefully till 2030.  Pair with lighter meat dishes or even poultry.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

RSS Me!

RSS Feed

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 288 other subscribers
Follow Caspernick's Blog on WordPress.com

Archives

Blogs I Follow

  • Finger Lakes Connected
  • the drunken cyclist
  • The Bubbly Professor
  • grapefriend
  • Drink What YOU Like

Blog at WordPress.com.

Finger Lakes Connected

the drunken cyclist

I have three passions: wine, cycling, travel, family, and math.

The Bubbly Professor

Excellent Adventures in Wine and Spirits Education

grapefriend

grapefriend. wine. fun.

Drink What YOU Like

  • Follow Following
    • Caspernick's Blog
    • Join 177 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Caspernick's Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: