CA Grenache Thread

WINE TALK
21

If GSMs are close enough, I have really enjoyed Terry Hogue’s 46 and The Pick. In constrast, I have not been nearly as enamored of his Hedges syrah. In that same vein, I am a fan of Linne Calado’s stciks and Stones but less so of the winerey’s zin-based wines.

22

I haven’t had Kaena in a while. Those are some good juice. One of these days, I’ll try your lineup Larry

23

I like Torrin, which includes The Maven.
Last vintage of the Maven (2010) had 82% Grenache.
Big, dark and complex, with structure to hold it all together.
Paraphrasing Miracle Max, mostly grenache means little bit syrah.

24

Steve,

Have not been fortunate to have a Rudius Greanche yet - but will hopefully do so soon . . .

25

Jaffurs ish…Grandaddy.

26

Nope, not gonna open the door to 'GSM’s here, nor Syrahs (which SHOULD be another thread). That said, I really like what Terry and Jennifer are doing with both their reds and whites!!!

27

You definitely should continue to peruse Mikael’s wines - I think he is continuing to get better and better as a winemaker!

28

I would agree that most CA grenaches have a good dollop of syrah in them. Why? Most winemakers will say to add structure, depth, color . . . I don’t get it. I think that the variety can and should stand on its own - use whole clusters to add ‘structure and depth’. And if you need it to be darker in color, perhaps don’t get fruit from really warm sights that are going to provide you with high brix, lower color, higher pH grapes to begin with [soap.gif]

To me, there’s a really strong analogy with Pinot here - you COULD blend other things in with pinot to ‘add color, structure, depth’, but you would be damned if you did (at least if your wines are north of $20 or so). Why is it so ‘accepted’ with Grenache??!?

Discuss among yourselves . . . . [snort.gif]

29

I really enjoy Two Shepherds Grenache from the RRV and the Grenache Blanc (doesn’t all have to be red does it) from Santa Ynez. Been drinking William’s stuff for over a year now and I love it all.

Larry, I’ve been looking at your stuff since Berserker Day and need to make room in the budget for a purchase.

30

Trent,

William certainly is making some nice stuff indeed. I am particularly fond of his Grenache Blanc, a variety I’ve been working with here in the Santa Ynez Valley since 2005. He takes a different approach to his winemaking than me - and that’s what makes it fun!

You know where to find me if and when you need me (-:

31

I believe that Jemrose is going to release a syrah/grenache blend this year in the $20 range.
I tasted it last summer and it was yummy.

32

Too cheap - it’ll never fly [snort.gif]

Really like what Jim and Gloria are doing - and can’t wait to try this blend as well!

Bud, one of these days, I gotta get something into your hands other than my Viognier (-:

33

Cedarville makes the best one up here in El Dorado. Always good.

34

[thumbs-up.gif] I’m under strict orders from my wife to buy in quantity when it’s released. Jim says the intention was to make a Côtes-du-Rhône type bottling. It was supposed to be a GSM but his M (from Pagani Ranch) didn’t get ripe enough in 2011 (or 2010, don’t actually remember).

35

I actually found the 2009 Martian Ranch Grenache on Woot.com about a year ago. Really good.

36

Notwithstanding that Tercero is our go-to house Grenache, I am recently enamored with A Tribute To Grace. Wow, that stuff is wonderful. No worries though since there is plenty of room in my cellar for two domestic Grenache producers.
[cheers.gif]

37

This is my current stock of CA Grenache (excluding blends) not much really:

Bucklin Grenache Old Hill Ranch
JC Cellars Grenache Ventana
Jemrose Grenache Foggy Knoll
Tablas Creek Grenache
Tercero Grenache Larner Vineyard

Another favorite which I’ve just cleaned myself out of is the Novy Judge Family. Need to look into restocking that.

38

This is the QPR King

  • 2011 Bonny Doon Vineyard Grenache Clos de Gilroy - USA, California, Central Coast (5/2/2013)
    Whoa, screw top alert! It’s not really the screw top per se, i have no problem with the twist off, but the bottle is literally filled to the VERY top of the bottle and a little spilled just opening. Dumped into a big pinot glass and gave it a good swirl. Humm, legs forming like it might be boozy. Quite dark color, like a ripe raspberry, and good clarity. First whiff is loaded with heat, this wine needs a solid decant so I waited 30 minutes. Nose is amazing; rose petals, dark fruit, sage, white pepper, and perfume. Palate really improved with time as the heat took a backseat to the mild dark fruit, green stem, sage, and blast of cayenne pepper. Mouthfeel is on the lean side, probably the alcohol at work here, but the finish is very long. I’d guess whole cluster was used as stem influence seems to show across the board and its not a fruit forward syrupy mess that some California Grenache turn into. Good value and enjoyable.

Posted from CellarTracker

39

Chris Cherry does a great job at Villa Creek.
Alban is a no brainer.
I have the Paul Lato but have not tried it yet
Also like Torrin.

40

Awesome thread.

One word:

Qupe