Ok here’s the scenario…friends hosting a get together where Grenache is the focus via a blind tasting (spicy lamb being served). The rules:
Everyone brings two bottles in paper bags
Under $30 per bottle
Must be 100% Grenache
Any region
All wines blind tasted (only 1 of 2 bottles is opened)
Votes tallied at end of night and winner takes home everyone’s second bottle.
First off, I must win.
Second, I’m based in LA so feel a handful will bring domestic Cali Grenache and rest will do French CdR therefore I was leaning towards going a different route, maybe Priorat so if anyone has any great sub $30 suggestions in that world or if something else I’m not considering.
For under $30, you’ll be hard pressed to get really ‘representative’ grenaches from CA. You’ll have to spend a bit more - though I think you can find Birichino for under that price for a ‘lighter’ style, and maybe some Wind Gap on closeout. I would probably look towards Spain or France for QPR.
It’s a bummer that you’re not requiring it to be 100% or close to that - to me, that’s kind of like saying that Pinot is the focus but it’s okay if someone puts a blend in there that’s only 75% pinot . . . it ain’t gonna happen!!!
Gigondas would be my pick, Im not sure how much they sell Domaine De Bosquets Le Lieu Dit for in the states, but if it fits the price point its pretty good
Good points Larry…just spoke to the host and clarified that we’re doing 100% Grenache so I’ve made the edit in the original post. And yes, I know there are many options in that $30+ category but for at least one night, I must stick to the rules! Ha Definitely leaning Spanish but I always appreciate any and all suggestions.
I don’t know who your friends are and what styles they like. in the company of people other than devoted AFWE types, bigger is often better to win blind tastings. So if you want to win, consider Alto Moncayo Veraton. It’s big for my tastes but definitely has good Garnacha fruit and can be a crowd pleaser. I think it goes for $28ish, so also near the top of your range but within the rules.
I don’t like Grenache so not sure that I would take my advice but the 2012 Hobo Grenache proved to me that there are some that are worth drinking. I haven’t had the wine in a few years as I am holding my last few to see what age does to it but have no reason to be worried that it would be OTH based on prior bottles.
IMO, the Bernebeleva wines punch way above their weight. I haven’t had this particular bottling, but the $15 bottle is screaming value and their 2 top cuvees (Arroyo del Tortolas and Vina Bonitas) are stunning beauties. All about finesse and balance with a fair bit of structure - great for a grenache blind line-up…
Bummer, it would be a sure fire winner in a blind tasting,
How about St Damien La Louisiane 2016?, I see on wine searcher it can be had for around $36 retail, a bit of agitating might get it under 30 clams
100% Grenache is going to be hard to find. Even labels that say Grenache are not necessarily 100%. I can’t imagine any Rhone wine under $30 that is 100% Grenache but maybe one exists.
Yeah, I don’t know how many pure Grenache Rhone wines you’ll find, but I’ll suggest Domaine des Tours Vaucluse, which is under $30 and can be great. '11 is drinking well, '12 and '13 still quite young.