Tag Archives: grenache

Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Trois Sources 2015, Rhone, France

11 Tuesday Jan 2022

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This Grenache blend was third up at our virtual tasting.  It showed well but was not my favorite.  Deep garnet, it was more opaque than I was expecting.  Pomegranate, raspberry, pepper, anise, kirsch, bramble and strawberry jam notes on the nose were echoed on the palate.  We also got a green olive aftertaste with cedar and charcoal on the mid palate.  Very integrated tannins, low acidity, medium bodied and a long finish made this a 91 pointer.  At $50 I was hoping it filled the 93 point hype the pros gave it, alas it was just decent.  3 stars from me.  Drink till 2025.  Salut…

Ricitos de Oro Black Garnacha & White Garnacha 2013, Navarra, Spain

03 Monday Jan 2022

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Semi opaque ruby in the glass- this is a blend of black and white Grenache (Garnacha).  The nose is a bit tart with red currants, sour red cherry and raspberry.  Orange peel (oak influence) and pomegranate also come to mind.  There is a leathery component but it is faint.  The palate is very unique.  First off, it is dry ie. not sweet, and has some lithe tannins.  Medium acidity and medium weight body carry the red fruit flavors to a decent length finish.  I totally get the orange peel on the palate alongside what I could best describe as strawberry soda pop.  It tastes almost sweet but there is no residual sugar here.  It may be the ripeness of the fruit at play.  Very nice, easygoing mouthfeel makes this a pleasure to sip.  It doesn’t have terrific structure left but it is holding out pretty well at 8 years old.  Perhaps till 2025 and pair it with lighter steaks, maybe roast duck, or even vegetables tossed with pasta and Olio.  89 points from me makes this $15 wine a 4 star effort.  Salut….

 

Xavier Vignon Lirac 2016, Rhone, France

26 Sunday Dec 2021

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This blend of Grenache and Syrah is semi opaque and shows off a bright ruby color in the glass.  The legs are-a-watering- with 15% ABV that is to be expected.  The nose is quite exuberant- plums, raspberry, red licorice, blueberry pie, bacon fat, violets and charcoal.  The palate is dry with caressing tannins and medium acidity that keeps the fruit fresh.  Medium bodied- the red and blue fruits are quite pronounced and the meaty component alongside oak nuance is present as well.  The finish is medium in length and has a tannic grip for a while.  There is a slight imbalance that I cannot point a finger at that will detract a point or two.  Drinking nicely now this wine will pair with rich meaty stews, venison roasts or pasta till 2026.  90 points from me for this $20 effort makes it a 5 star wine.  Salut….

Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs 2019, Rhone, France

19 Sunday Dec 2021

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This youthful blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre is semi opaque with a pretty shade of ruby/purple.  The nose is chock full of ripe raspberry, red currants, pomegranate, bacon, evergreen leaf, granite and white pepper- quite complex.  The palate is dry with pronounced flavors of red fruit, minerality, earthiness and game.  Medium bodied, this semi tannic/medium acidity wine has a nice mouthfeel with a decent length finish. Whilst young, it is offering ripe fruit enjoyment with the structure to age and develop.  I would love to have a case to document the evolution over the next 12 years.  It got high marks from the pros, I agree.  93 points for this $55 bottle makes it a 5 star effort.  I am pairing it with Venison tenderloins and an eggplant tagine.  Salut….

La Maldita Revolution Garnacha 2018, Rioja DOCa, Spain

18 Saturday Dec 2021

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My local Costcos don’t sell wine so when I go over to the Delaware location, I always pick something up.  This one happened to be $17.  It is fairly opaque and a lighter shade of ruby.  I can smell the wine from a foot away, wow.  The nose of this Grenache is lively- red licorice, raspberry, red currant compote, leather and some earth.  The palate is full bodied with medium tannins, juicy acidity and robust flavors of red fruit, earth, leather and cedar.  The tannins work my gums for a while and the acidity is making my jaw water.  The red licorice note is quite dominant and the tannic grip is quite strong on the finish, which is medium length.  I like this wine to a degree, but the licorice is a little too candy for my preference.  It got a rather hefty 92 points from THE ‘pro’.  I am going with 89 and 4 stars.  Drink till 2025 with some sort of stew.  Salut….

Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2018, Rhone, France

12 Sunday Dec 2021

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Semi opaque and ruby colored, the nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe raspberries, red licorice, red currants, bacon, dried herbs, dusty earth and toast.  The palate is dry with immediate tannic grip, but not overly astringent.  Red fruit compote, plums, herbs, meaty bacon, earthiness and toast from the oak all swirl around my mouth.  It’s quite complex and nicely structured.  Medium to full-bodied, the alcohol (14.5% ABV) is well hidden but contributes to the lushness of the mouthfeel.  The finish is quite decent in length and not too dry, with just a smidge of lingering tannins.  It’s quite young but very approachable, I would estimate a drinking window till 2035.  It’s Sunday Roast Beef for dinner, nearly a perfect match.  94 points and 5 stars for this $50 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend.  Salut….

Xavier Vignon ‘Arcane VI Les Amoureux’ 2016, Cotes du Rhone, France

30 Tuesday Nov 2021

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I like this brand, they offer unique Rhone blends with different names for each vintage and varietal.  This Grenache happens to be a $30 wine that scored 94 points with several pros- I loved it too!

Opaque.  Bright aromas of plum, blueberry, black cherry, licorice, raspberry, white pepper, earth, cloves and charred wood.  The palate is very smooth with a hint of sweetness from the fruit, albeit a dry wine.  There are some very integrated tannins and a balanced acidity.  Yummy flavors of raspberry, blueberry, black cherry, white pepper spice, cloves and some smoke from the oak with a touch of licorice.  Medium bodied. This wine hides its 14.5%ABV nicely.  The finish is mid length and dry as the tannins grip a bit more.  91 points/5 stars, drink with steaks till 2028.  Salut….

Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone Les Abeilles 2017, Rhone, France

03 Wednesday Nov 2021

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This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre.  It is semi opaque with shades of ruby in the glass.  The nose is pronounced with aromas of raspberries, red licorice, red plum with floral notes of violets and honeysuckle.  The palate is juicy, tart and shows off medium tannins.  The red fruit driven flavors are very much evident as is the acidity.  Very deft use of oak and the fact that it is Grenache based make for a very easy mouthfeel without too much complexity.  It is a nice sipping wine that will drink well till 2028.  I’m pairing it with Cumberland sausages, onion gravy and mashed potatoes.  89 points from me for this $14 Rhone wine make it a 4 star effort.  Salut….

Chateau Pegau Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Maclura 2019, Rhone, France

27 Wednesday Oct 2021

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I have a bottle of the famous Pegau from CDP in my cellar so when I saw this little brother- I had to try it.  A blend of Grenache 60%, Syrah 20%, Mourvèdre 10%, Cinsault 10% it is opaque ruby.  Nose is medium intense with raspberry, red plum, black pepper, game, black currant, vanilla and clove.  The palate has medium (+) tannins, medium acidity and medium body.  The fruit flavors are medium intensity and carry through to a decent length finish that is laced with grippy tannins.  This is a young, delicious Rhone wine that can be drunk young or cellar till 2030.  91 points gets this $15 bottle 5 stars.  Drink with rustic foods, stews or Venison.  Salut….

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’ 2017, Rhone, France

21 Thursday Oct 2021

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I’m grilling Beef Tri-tip tonight so a hearty French red will do the trick.  This blend of Grenache and Mourvedre is semi opaque ruby with watery legs which is a bit suspect as the label clearly states 15% ABV!  The nose has got good red fruit flavors of raspberry, redcurrant, oak nuances of charred wood and clove alongside pepper, cinnamon and some meaty characteristics-perhaps from the dash of Mourvedre?  Anyways, the palate is super smooth with gorgeously integrated tannins, medium acidity and medium body.  The mouthfeel is stupendous.  All the aromas I got are mirrored on the palate with some Rooibos tea as well.  The mid palate and finish are where the tannins start to grip a touch, nothing overdone.  The back end is very smooth and it lasts a good long while.  A very impressive wine that is ready to go and will last till 2030 at the very least.  93 points from me and at $34 it is a great intro to yummy Southern Rhone wines.  5 stars.  Salut….