Tag Archives: grenache

Clos St. Thomas Les Emirs Rouge 2016, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

12 Monday Jun 2023

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Deep ruby with garnet highlights and medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose I get medium intensity aromas of baking spice, ripe plum, vanilla bean, desiccated red raspberry, cedar plank, a touch of mint, lavender and yet more spice at the end.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and fine grained tannins that are well integrated.  The body of this wine is medium and somewhat more tart than the ripe fruit I got on the nose.  The baking spice, cedar and lavender are present as is the red plum, raspberry and mint.  There’s a unique flavor and aroma I cannot pinpoint but it reminds me of the old country- garrigue du Liban perhaps?  The flavors carry on for a while and the finish is medium-long in length with spice and earth notes resonating.  I love this winery and have enjoyed numerous vintages of their Chateau cuvee, this is an earlier drinking delight that is at peak now and will cellar until 2028.  I am pairing this blend of Cab Sav, Syrah and Grenache with grilled pork chops and roasted veggies.  90 points for this $15 bottle makes it a 5 star wine to stock up on.  Salut….

Olivier Ravoire Bandol Le Pont 2019, Provence, France

12 Sunday Mar 2023

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Deep ruby colored, this 60/40 blend of Mourvèdre and Grenache has slow, gobby legs showing off its 14% ABV.  The nose is meaty and gamey right off the bat.  Black fruit galore with blackcurrants, blackberry, mulberry, wild herbs, licorice and menthol.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins.  A full bodied wine with dark fruits, herbs (aka garrigue) and some smoky game meat all meld together nicely to form a very pleasing flavor profile with nice balance and decent structure.  It’s not overly complex but has a primal sense to it.  89 points from me for this $25 bottle makes it a 3 star effort to drink till 2028.  I’m doing a Sunday roast to pair with- should work out just right!  Salut….

Bodegas Palacios Remondo ‘Finca La Montesa’ 2018, Rioja DOCa, Spain

21 Tuesday Feb 2023

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When I think of Rioja I imagine dusty, leathery Tempranillo.  This bottle was different- Grenache based it was lighter colored in the glass and had aromas of blackcurrant, cherry and pepper with earthy notes.  Medium acid, body and tannins led into a slightly jammy palate of blackcurrant, dark raspberry, black cherry.  A medium finish to this semi-complex wine makes it a 91 pointer that gets 5 stars ’cause it only runs $15.  I would pair it with Filet Mignon or perhaps Veal on the charcoal.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

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

24 Tuesday Jan 2023

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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….

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

25 Tuesday Oct 2022

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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….

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

22 Thursday Sep 2022

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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….

Chariot Wines Gypsy Red 2019, California

22 Monday Aug 2022

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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….

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

17 Sunday Jul 2022

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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…..

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

10 Sunday Jul 2022

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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….

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

09 Saturday Jul 2022

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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….