TN: 2007 McPrice Myers - Grenache "L'Ange Rouge" - (CA, Santa Barbara County) now w/short UPDATE

WINE TALK
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  • 2007 McPrice Myers Grenache L’Ange Rouge - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (11/30/2009)
    – vinturi’d into a decanter immediately before first taste –
    – tasted non-blind over a few hours –

NOSE: initially: cranberry, lavender, and some mapley oak. cranberry eventually turned to cherry-pie, and what seemed like a hint of menthol crept into the background as well. Pretty straightforward, not very complex.

BODY: fine particulate matter; garnet-purple color of medium-deep depth; medium-full bodied.

TASTE: oaky; concentrated fruit - very concentrated – a bit much for me; straw-raspberry fruit; again, straightforward; not funky; a bit lacking in acidity; lush, soft mouthfeel; hides its 15.8% alc. surprisingly well, although a slight alcohol flavor does start to emerge as the wine warms to room temperature; 40-45 sec. finish; very new world style. I wish this were a bit “prettier,” as I think Grenache shows its best when it’s not this concentrated.

B: 50, 5, 11, 16, 7 = (89 pts.)

EDIT: NOSE and TASTE have noticeably “darkened” since yesterday – maybe a black licorice note on the NOSE now, and an Aussie leather/black licorice thing on the palate. Part of me leans towards upping this to 90, based on today’s tasting, but I will stand pat with my 89, as the alcohol does seem to have a stronger presence today than it did yesterday.

Posted from CellarTracker

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Brian - Your note is spot on - tried this when we went to visit with Mac last week. I really liked his Syrahs more than the Grenache - particularly the Larner and Les Galets. No one would mistake the wines for anything but new world, but they still display some nice finesse and structure to them. I liked him and his wines.

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Thanks for this note…I still haven’t been!

Also, I went to Tablas last week, and caught a buzz and joined the mailing list…

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I feel the same way … I loooove his Les Galets Syrah, and really like his Beautiful Earth (although the jury is still out, for me, on the '07 BE). I am exercising massive amounts of will-power in not opening the lone bottle of his '07 Mourved. Mac is a great guy, and I’m looking forward to visiting with him again.

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it’s practically impossible to NOT catch a buzz at Tablas if you’re not spitting. an FYI, they don’t advertise it much, but Tablas does have a “lower level” wine club of sorts – you get 15% or 10% off all your wine purchases (and free tastings) as long as you buy at least 6 bottles a year. This way, you’re not locked-in to whatever wines they send you in the shipments. This was a no-brainer for Ashley and I, as we already buy at least 6 bottles from them every year as it is. Just somthin to think about and consider. [berserker.gif]