TN: 2006 Graves - "Cosmic Scout" (Paso Robles, CA)

WINE TALK
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  • 2006 Graves Cosmic Scout - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (8/7/2009)
    – popped and poured –
    – tasted non-blind over 2 days –
    – 60% Tempranillo, 20% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre –

NOSE: loganberry and blackberry aromas are complicated by hints of espresso, oak, and a b.o. sort of spiciness; not funky.

BODY: clear; medium-full bodied; garnet color with a hint of purple; color is of medium depth.

TASTE: dried flowers; blackberries; a hint of bitter earthiness and a wee touch of alcohol on the mid-palate (15.1%); well-balanced, with embedded tannins; full palate; short-med. finish (22-25 sec.), although the finish does linger ever-so-slightly for a while afterwards; not an ager, the tannins have subsided a great deal from a year ago; ready to drink now; drink now - 2011.

B: 50, 5, 12, 15, 7 = (89 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Thanks for the note Brian, I picked up a few of these awhile ago, but haven’t tried yet. I do love Villa Creek’s grapes from the Ohana vineyard which led me to Graves.

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This is exactly how/why I found out about Graves. I think it was a bottle of Villa Creek’s 2005 “Mas de Maha” that got my attention and made me curious as to who was behind the Ohana Vineyard (where VC gets their Tempranillo from). I’ve tasted with Hilary and Simon (of Graves) a couple times – they’re really cool, totally down to earth, and willing to take time from their schedules to conduct extensive tastings. I think their lineup is quite solid, including the low-alcohol Grenache Blanc they make (called “Monkey Wrench”). I’ve started to see some of their wines around at retail, and truly hope they succeed with what they’re doing.