January Wine Focus: Grenache and Garnacha!

Seen some Usseglio Cdr on the shelf here.

[Jenise]

Chaim, I want that wine.

Andrew, thanks for participating. I especially appreciate your breakdown of three main styles in your initial post. I had not taken the time to . The term "Mediterranean pinot noir" will come in handy in a few months. I do large tastings in my neighborhood (80ish attendees each time) and am going to do a origin-nonspecific GSM Breakdown tasting wherein four tables of wine feature one of the three component grapes and the fourth is blends to show how they all work together.

I will invariably need to include a Spanish grenache. The last time, about three-four years ago, that I tried to buy grenache here (I live in coastal northwestern Washington state) at my town's best wine store, in spite of the fact that grenache is made here in our thriving wine industry (including by top and highly collectible producer Cayuse) there was not a single bottle of local grenache available. Why? As the proprietor explained it, the only people who ask for it are bottom feeders looking for cheap, agreeable wine. So he had a few $10 Spanish garnachas but not else in store. I'm going to that same store later today for a sherry tasting--will be interesting to find out if anything's changed (not counting on it).

But I personally love the grape. When there's sufficient acidity and body to support the spice, I'm in love.

[Jenise]

So, back from the sherry tasting. And indeed, my friend had two Washington State grenaches on the shelf! But interestingly, one of them, a very good new winery concentrating on affordable end of the fine wine sector, say $20-30 vs. $30-50, describes it's wine on the front label as 'garnacha' instead of grenache.

In the meantime, here are two grenaches from my stash that we opened last weekend for a roast chicken dinner and guests:

2007 Mas Doix Priorat Salanques Grenache Blend, Grenache
Chosen to pair with a one-year older 100% grenache from CdP. Surprisingly youthful, required decanting to catch up with the other wine, which it never fully did. Huge fruit, firm tannins, red and black fruit, cassia bark, bay leaf, oak evident but notably not (showing as) American. If I had other bottles, would leave alone another three years and plan to drink over the next 7-10.

2006 Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale Grenache
A better bottle than our last in September. Perfectly mature and eminently drinkable with notes of pomegranate and other red berries, rhubarb and old furniture dust. Held up well over a three hour dinner. Based on this bottle, I'd say drink by 2022.

Seen some Usseglio Cdr on the shelf here.

Bob, I am aware of at least two CndP estates with the Usseglio family name, both Raymond and Pierre. Pierre is probably the better known and distributed but does not necessarily have the better wines.

Tempranillo, Garnacha blend>>>
I enjoyed the 2011 Muga Prado Enea GR at a tasting downtown last night. 3hr decant, light cherry color. Subtle oak, blackberry, prunish. Cherry and nice savoury spice. Fine tannins, hint of sweetness. But $90 Cdn.

Chaim - you nearly killed me with the 1980s being 4 decades ago.

I nearly died myself. I downloaded 'old' Fantastic Four comics from the early 80's and I can't quite get over the fact that they're 'old'. Twice as old as the classic run from the 60's that was legendary when I read the 80's stuff.

[Jenise]

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Since Tim was talking about him: guy on the left--that's Ray Usseglio.

Great Grenache notes all round here! Here is a real gem for under $22 Cdn.

2016 Vintae Proyecto La Garnacha Salvaje Espana, Ribera del Quieles Sp.

Good natural cork, 14% alc, high altitude vines, 5 months french oak. Ruby red color, very nice perfumed nose with cherry, violets and some minerality. Initial entry thought is nice length, crunchy red fruits, soft tannins. Lovely berry finish, medium-bodied, fair complexity, some pepper. Raspberry, brambleberry, finish is off-dry. Hope store brings in more, will be great for my camping trips this summer.

[David M. Bueker]

Sampled a 2010 Chateau de Beaucastel over the last few night. Way too soon to open it, but it sure had class. Tons of depth. Maybe 5-10 more years for it to unfold.

[Jenise]

Finally found and opened a Washington state grenache, the 2018 Orr Wines Grenache Columbia Valley . Includes single digit percentages of syrah and mourvedre; balanced presentation of bright red fruits, pepper and spice without noticeable oak. Good value at $25.

[David M. Bueker]

2016 I. Brand & Family Grenache Brosseau Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone (1/30/2020)
Clear ruby red color. Nose is all red fruit and flowers. On the palate it fans out, and adds a note of cinnamon stick and a textural creaminess. Lingering gardenia and strawberry echo from the finish, and remain present. I normally don’t much appreciate varietal Grenache, but this is lovely, complex and enticingly light bodied. That such a light touch captures so much flavor is most impressive.