TN: 2011 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Grenache The Barrel Climber

WINE TALK
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  • 2011 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Grenache The Barrel Climber - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (1/31/2014)
    PnP. Floral nose, aromatic, similar to a pinot noir. Medium fruit, good mouthfeel, and heavy tannins on the backend. Overall nice wine, wife loved it, but just a “like” for me. Recommend holding for a few more years to allow or better resolution of tannins. GOOD. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Love me some new grenaches! Sounds like a good one to chase down, but I would agree that it sounds like one to lay down for awhile. Have you had any of their other grenaches, and, if so, how does this one compare?

Cheers!

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Larry, I haven’t had any of their others. This was the first. Overall, I’ve been very happy with Eric Kent and their style of wines.

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Scott,

I’ve enjoyed the syrahs that I’ve been fortunate enough to try at the Rhone Ranger tastings, and IIRC, I’ve had a few of their pinots perhaps?

Your take comparing grenache and pinot is truly not that far off - I find that the aromatic profile of many grenaches is complex and full of layers, including some spice and herb that I find in plenty of pinots . . .

Cheers!

5

Kent makes consistently good wines, as consistent as any producer I know. Pinot, Chard, Syrah, he does them all well, and they tend to age well, at least short-term (I rarely have the patience to hold them very long). Thanks for the note; will likely let my Grenache rest a bit longer.