WCC GRENACHE BLIND - Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY (5/19/2016)
My Albany-area group (the Wine Collectors Club) got together to taste Grenache from around the world blind at the Fort Orange Club in Albany. Dinner began around 7:30pm and ended around 10pm. Each person brought a bottle wrapped in brown paper. Only one person knew which wine was which.
For photos and more info (including decant times), see:
http://www.finewinegeek.com/tn/2016-05-19_WCC_Grenache_FtOrange/
Starter
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2014 Daou Vineyards Grenache Blanc - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Pop and pour. Lovely floral nose. Complex flowers and fruit with a nice bite in the finish. Went well with the amazing Black Bass dish. (91 pts.)
Flight 1: 2012-2013 US & Spain
Floridian Black Bass Fillet with Chickpeas, Plum Tomatoes, Basil, Prosciutto, Lemon Oil Dressed Arugula, and Roasted Garlic Kalamata Gribiche.
One of the best dishes I’ve ever had. Every bite bursting with flavor. Did not go with the red wines, but luckily I still had some white left in my glass.
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2013 McPrice Myers Grenache L’Ange Rouge - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Tasty with bright red fruit. Simple and appealing. (88 pts.) -
2013 Viñedos Bernabeleva Vinos de Madrid Bernabeleva Arroyo del Tórtolas - Spain, Madrid, Vinos de Madrid
Muted red fruit nose. Tart, tight, tannic. Sour and not appealing at this stage. Judgement reserved. -
2012 Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón Garnacha Calatayud Teorema - Spain, Aragón, Calatayud
Young, sweet, thick and gummy. Yuck! (72 pts.) -
2012 Wind Gap Wines Old Vine - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Tasty, nice fruit, a touch of tannin. Needs some time to come together. (88 pts.)
Flight 2: 2010-2011 Spain, Italy, Austalia, & US
Duck Confit with Poulet Glaces, Pan Browned Gnocchi, and Shallots.
Delicious and very wine friendly.
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2010 Bodegas Breca Garnacha 100% Garnacha Old Vines - Spain, Aragón, Calatayud
Noticibly richer than the Flight 1. Dark red fruit, some tannin. Still young. Needs 2-4 years. (89 pts.) -
2011 Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva - Italy, Sardinia, Cannonau di Sardegna
Similar to the previous wine. Rich red fruit. Some tannin. Needs a few years. (88 pts.) -
2011 Yangarra Estate Grenache Old Vine - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Lighter than the last two. Sweet fruit with an appealing bite. The most appealing wine so far with some nice structure and a little complexity. Should drink well for 10 years. (90 pts.) -
2009 Jeff Runquist Grenache “R” Silvaspoons Vineyard - USA, California, Central Valley, Alta Mesa
Strawberry candy. Sweet and gunky. Yuck. Everything I don’t like in over-ripe grenache. Group WOTN. Go figure. Several of us hated it. -
2011 Beckmen Vineyards Grenache Purisima Mountain Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
Very thick and ripe, but with a sense of balance and harmony. Best wine so far for me. (92 pts.)
Flight 3: 2007, 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Pan Roasted Lamb Loin Chop with Bootleg Port-Cherry Sauce and Whipped Potato.
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2007 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Thick, tannic. A serious wine with ripe fruit. Appealing but needs 3-5 years more. (93 pts.) -
2009 Domaine Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape Colombis - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Complex and spicy, but that thick gunkiness makes it less appealing. Still, in 5-10, could be excellent. (92 pts.) -
2009 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Rich, tannic. Sweet fruit. Too young, but complex with potential to be 93-95. (93 pts.)
Flight 4: 2003-2004 Spain, Austalia, & US
Sweet Potato-Apple Galette with Cinnamon Whipped Cream.
Serious yum!
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2004 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Campo de Borja - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja
Port! Absolutely delicious port. I don’t care if the bottle says it’s not. (93 pts.) -
2003 Tir Na N’og Grenache Old Vines - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Thick, complex. A full rich complex wine just beginning its plateau of maturity. Great fruit, but more structure and complexity. #2 WOTN for me. (94 pts.) -
2003 Alban Vineyards Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley
Dark, serious, complex red and black fruit. Rich and compelling. WOTN for me. (95 pts.) -
2003 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Campo de Borja - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja
Tart, tannic, out of balance to me. May resolve with more time.
There were some very good wines here, esp. in the last 2 flights, but Grenache is just not my cup of wine.
Posted from CellarTracker
