TN: Birichino Grenache Amici Vieilles Vignes Besson Vineyard 2010

WINE TALK
1

After tasting A Trbute to Grace and posting a note a few days ago, this wine was mentioned in the thread and I found it locally. And I wanted to compare the two. This wine retails for $20 here and Angela’s Trib to Grace is $45.

The Birichino is darker than the Grace. No surprise on that front. Alcohol is a measly 13.5. I can’t remember what the Grace was.

The Birichino is far more acidic. I had a quick taste after opening the screw top and then went out for a few hours. Same thing when I returned. I did note a more rustic style compared to the Grace, both on the nose and palate. And menthol, which surprised me. I thought the wine was rustic and simple.

With dinner, an elk meat pie and salad, the wine took on another personality. With food (and air) the fruit emerged and it smoothed out and was much richer.

To me the Birichino is more food friendly and more interesting. With food the Grace wasn’t any different than without. It didn’t transform. It seemed one dimensional to me. I very tasty, rich and powerful one dimensional wine. The Birichino is more acidic for sure and requires food. I good value wine, which I will buy again but won’t drink without food. I’d drink the Grace any time though.

2

Not falling for it. This wine does not exist.

3

Day two. Stored in the fridge over night. It has lost some of the structure and edge now. But I still prefer this with food. It has good acidity. But not out of balance. The nose does say S Rhone 100% Grenache, but not the taste. It does not have the ripeness or heat or sweet core of a S Rhone Grenache. Or the spice that I"m used too.

The 13.5% alcohol makes this so different. It’s leaner and lighter and cleaner. For me it’s probably my first lesson in how a low alcohol wine is so much more cleaner. And from a California wine at that.

This wine has some interesting complexity to it. I pickup different things with each taste. It’s not extracted or as powerful as A Tribute to Grace. There is less fruit.

People who don’t like the a ripe Grenache could probably like this wine. It is a very nice value for $20. A great alternative to the value CdR’s I’m guilty of buying. I like that I can drink Grenache at a lower price point and have something different.