Need Suggestions - Grenache (update!)

[Rory_K]

Cannonau de Sardegna would be great, definitely good options under 30 bucks in that area

[Nathan_Smyth]

Here are the top 2015 wines from Gigondas, according to Cellar Tracker:

Domaine des Bosquets
Le Lieu Dit: “Le Grenache (pur)”
La Colline: “Grenache pur aussi”

Les vins

Château de Saint-Cosme
2015 Gigondas: “70% Grenache - 14% Syrah – 15% Mourvèdre - 1% Cinsault”

south_rhone_chateau_de_st_cosme_gigondas_2015_red.pdf

Domaine Saint-Damien
Gigondas Les Souteyrades: “Grenache 80%, Mourvèdre 20%.”
http://domainesaintdamien.com/en/vins/images/FichePdf_GIGONDAS_Les%20Souteyrades.pdf
2015 Gigondas La Louisiane: “Grenache 80%, Mourvèdre 15%, Cinsault, Syrah 5%”
http://domainesaintdamien.com/en/vins/images/FichePdf_GIGONDAS_La_Louisiane.pdf

Domaine La Ligière
Gigondas Les Bergines: “70% Grenache… 30% Mourvèdre…”
http://www.apwineimports.com/us/services/domaine-la-ligiere-biodynamic-southern-rhone/

Domaine du Gour de Chaulé
Gigondas Cuvée Tradition: “80% Grenache, 10% Syrah et 10% Mourvèdre”

Nos cuvées

Clos du Joncuas
Gigondas: “Grenache (80%), Mourvèdre cinseault, Shiraz”
Esprit de Grenache: “pure Grenache”

GIGONDAS

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[Chris_T]

This stuff is killer and a super cool project right outside of Madrid. Their single vineyards are $100-$140 but their intro blend is high $20’s

http://www.europeancellars.com/wine/rozas-1er-cru/

[Nathan_Smyth]

The only pure Grenache wines were:

Bosquets, Lieu Dit
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/bosquets+lieu+dit/

Bosquets, Colline
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/bosquets+colline/

Joncuas, Esprit
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/joncuas+esprit/

None of those seem to be available in the USA for anywhere close to $30.

[D_HEIN]

COLONIAL ESTATE

Alexander Laing Vineyard
100% Old Vine Grenache, 500 Cases produced
Barossa Valley, Australia

2005-The dark ruby, purple tinged 2005 Old Vine Grenache Alexander Laing (from 80 to 100 year old vines) offers damp earth like notes intermixed with scents of kirsch liqueur, licorice and pepper. This wine explodes at the back of the palate after a subtle and restrained attack. With a huge finish as well as loads of richness and extract, it should drink well during its first decade of life. Drink: 2006 to 2016. Last tasted, 10/06. Rating, 94. RP

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($49) Deep red. Vibrantly perfumed scents of red and dark berries complicated by fresh flowers, minerals and anise. The palate brings weighty, darker fruits, gently supported by supple tannins and brightening minerality. Finishes sweet and impressively long, with excellent grip and a subtle vanillin oak character. Last tasted, 10/07. Rating, 92. ST

Send a shipping label, the wine is on me.

[J.Vizuete]

I would just do whatever GregT says

[larry_schaffer]

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:

1. Everyone brings two bottles in paper bags
2. Under $30 per bottle
3. Must be 100% Grenache
4. Any region
5. All wines blind tasted (only 1 of 2 bottles is opened)
6. 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.

Thanks ahead of time

For the purposes of the tasting, I’d be happy to get one or two of mine into your hands at your desired price

[Robert_M_yers]

Yeah but you’ll have to sell them at that price to everybody in the group forever if your wine wins for him to keep the secret.

How about Mcprice Myers, I havent ordered from them for years, but they had great crowd pleasing stuff for good value at one time. Villa creek would be another that I could see winning a tasting like this, but I’m not sure if they are 100% or still under $30.

[larry_schaffer]

Yeah but you’ll have to sell them at that price to everybody in the group forever if your wine wins for him to keep the secret.

How about Mcprice Myers, I havent ordered from them for years, but they had great crowd pleasing stuff for good value at one time. Villa creek would be another that I could see winning a tasting like this, but I’m not sure if they are 100% or still under $30.

McPrice might fit the bill, and would most likely be available. If not, Sans Liege or Groundworks would be a good choice. Villa Creek’s Garnacha usually comes in above the $30 range . . .

Cheers!

[Jeremy_Holmes]

there are some very good Grenache wines coming out of The Barossa and McLaren Vale. Not sure what your local retailer may have but it may be worth throwing a couple in to the tasting.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

For about $8 or $9, go to Total Wine and buy a bottle of the Spanish “Evodia” Garnacha. You (and others) might be surprised at how well it shows.

[Brandon_R]

Think about Washington. This was an all-Grenache tasting we did last year: TNs/Impressions: Seattle Berserkers do WA State Grenache - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers

In, or near, your price range was Maison Bleue ‘Le Midi’ Grenache. The Greaches (and a WBer to boot) from Ocelli Cellars showed really well too.

[Anton_D]

32 dollars if you shop around, you can call it a small white lie about 30 dollars.

[Michael_Martin]

For about $8 or $9, go to Total Wine and buy a bottle of the Spanish “Evodia” Garnacha. You (and others) might be surprised at how well it shows.

Sicky sweet IMHO.

[Jonathan_Loesberg]

I understand the logic of demanding 100% grenache. But it virtually takes the Southern Rhone off the table. There are some CdPs that are 100% grenache, but they are all well north of $30 a bottle. Gigondas, like Vacqueyras, Cairanne, Plan de Dieu, etc. are all not allowed by their AOCS to make wines out of only one variety, so while the grenache percentages may be quite high, they will not be 100%. One can find CDRs at 100% grenache, but they are few and far between. Of course, you don’t have to have Southern Rhones, but without them, you are missing one of the primary areas that put grenache on the map.

[David_Mc]

Cannonau de Sardegna would be great, definitely good options under 30 bucks in that area

Yes!

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

For about $8 or $9, go to Total Wine and buy a bottle of the Spanish “Evodia” Garnacha. You (and others) might be surprised at how well it shows.

Sicky sweet IMHO.

You disagree with me. And that’s okay.

[larry_schaffer]

I understand the logic of demanding 100% grenache. But it virtually takes the Southern Rhone off the table. There are some CdPs that are 100% grenache, but they are all well north of $30 a bottle. Gigondas, like Vacqueyras, Cairanne, Plan de Dieu, etc. are all not allowed by their AOCS to make wines out of only one variety, so while the grenache percentages may be quite high, they will not be 100%. One can find CDRs at 100% grenache, but they are few and far between. Of course, you don’t have to have Southern Rhones, but without them, you are missing one of the primary areas that put grenache on the map.

That certainly is true . . . But if you are truly trying to compare grenaches, you need to talk apples vs apples. Perhaps he can find a heavily discounted bottle of Pignan!!!

[J_Carroll]

If you have any second thoughts about bringing a CA Grenache the Dashe Les Enfants Terribles could do it. Should be an easy find just under the $30 limit too.

[Justin_S1]

Planetes de Nin Amfora if you can find it. Might be $35 though.

2015 Bernabeleva "Navaherreros" Garnacha Vinos de Madrid - SKU 1351618

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…

The finish on green label bottling you linked to is a bit hot and even after an hour the wine was a bit disjointed. Drank a bit better after a chill. The two upper cuvees you mentioned are indeed very nice though.