Wines I picked up from Ocelli Cellars during BD14 tried over the last week. These wines got me thinking more about WA state grenache that I’ll be posting on separately soon. I haven’t tried Ocelli before but you can count me an admirer now.
2019 Ocelli Cellars grenache, Columbia Vly AVA
Light medium color. Violet, lilac, grains with strawberry/raspberry on nose and palate. A little closed first then opened up more, more substantial on palate, in fact while medium bodied it feels like there’s more concentration on the palate, some reduction, very good backbone/structure like grenache should. Next day it had opened up more giving up a wee bit more fruit and softness. But this was quite restrained in the fruit department which may put it at a disadvantage with some consumers. Overall, better than I expected at this price point, a very good representation of the variety that gives hints there might be more to come. 3 (out of 5), a good representation.
2019 Ocelli Cellars grenache, French Creek Vyd Block 11, Columbia Vly AVA
Similar appearance and initial impression to the CV bottling but showing a little more depth of fruit. Light medium color and extract, elegant, pepper, cranberry, in addition to raspberry/strawberry. Plenty of structure. A longer and more interesting finish with some flavors reminiscent of CdP-like kirsch but make no doubt this is a medium bodied and moderately extracted wine. On day two it had opened up significantly more and gave up a little more pleasure. A little more giving than the CV bottling but not by a huge margin. 3+ (out of 5), very good showing.
2019 Ocelli Cellars grenache, French Creek Vyd Block 20, Columbia Vly AVA
A little darker than the previous wines, more medium in color. A complex nose that unfurled over time. Got hints of cinnamon in this one along with bay leaf, more savory/herbal is even more interesting. Traces of reduction. Love the fruit on this one, not much strawberry but more cherry and raspberry but it’s still relatively restrained. It really blossomed on day 2 showing more fruit and an overall bigger impression. If time on air predicts aging potential then this should get better with at least a few more years. 4- (out of 5), excellent.
2012 Ocelli Cellars grenache, Columbia Vly AVA
Wow. Medium color. Nose and palate on this are very generous from the get go. Lovely floral bouquet, medium body, more depth than the others cuvees with some southern Rhone rich kirsch /cherry, dustiness, and a gorgeous and satisfying finish. Love this wine. With extended air it gained deeper bass notes adding cocoa and leather. Not sure what this was like young, I’d love to know, but my what some age has done for this. While I don’t know if it will get better it shows no signs of going over the hill as it’s still got some grenache-style tannic clench lurking. It’s no stretch to say I enjoyed this as much as some of the best grenache bottlings out of WA… 4 (out of 5) easy, outstanding.