Flock - Grenache Tasting

Chicago, IL
Tasted Wednesday, May 21, 2008 by Nanda with 679 views

Introduction

Blind tasting of Grenache-based wines from around the world.

Flight 1 - WELCOME WHITE (1 Note)

Flight 2 - BLIND GRENACHE (12 Notes)

  • 2000 Patrick Lesec Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Galets Blonds 93 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Light ruby and transparent color. Effusive and complex nose of tar, leather, dried cherries, earth and spice (heavy Brett influence) ... stinkiness turned off a few. Medium body with very bright acidity and high toned, but subtle, fruit. Dried fruit and earthy, barnyard tones throughout. Good bite in the long finish. Excellent in the classic CdP style. Not as popular with the group. Group's #11, my #3.

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  • 2004 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Campo de Borja 95 Points

    Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja

    Dark inky purple in color. Huge, killer, effusive nose! Bold aromas of chocolate, sweet dark berries, caramel, oak spices - wow. Palate is oozing with rich, concentrated fruit but has bright acidity that provides bounce. Long, pure, toasty finish. A rich wine that stays light and shows interest and complexity throughout. A clear winner, especially at the price point. Groups #2, My #2.

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  • 2004 Domaine Thunevin-Calvet Cuvée Constance 86 Points

    France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages

    Ruby color. Nose has red berries, herbs and a mildly distracting VA note. Palate is bright and rich with sweet strawberries and herbs. Simple - and clearly the QPR ringer. Group's #12, My #10.

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  • 2004 Domaine de Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard 88 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Light ruby and translucent. Nose is light and reticent - shows some sweet berries and herbs. Palate is light-to-medium bodied. Dark fruit. Thin on the mid-palate. Simple and short. Shut down? Group's #10, my #11.

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  • 1995 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 93 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Light ruby with a complex and giving nose. Has aromas of tar, earth, sweat, herbs and red fruits. Medium bodied on the palate with sweet, but restrained red fruits. A earth and herb kick accentuates the fruit. A long delicious finish is filled with fruit, herbs and fine grippy tannins. Top flight stuff and in a fine place. Group #9, my #5.

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  • 2005 Alban Vineyards Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

    Dark inky purple with a full, open nose of candied red fruits, herbs and a sweaty note. Palate is full bodied and rich with big, sweet, candied fruit well matched by bright, juicy acidity. Flavors of chocolate, dark cherries, licorice and herbs dominate the palate. Pure and persistent with a lush, prickly mouthfeel. Long, long finish. Rich and decadent --- this is high quality stuff. Groups #5, my #4.

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  • 2006 McPrice Myers L'Ange Rouge 92 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Bright purple in color with a ripe nose of candied red fruits and chocolate. Full bodied, rich, ripe, thick and quite smooth in the mouth. Very bright and pure red fruits. Big long finish with chocolate and red fruits. A brooding, delicious wine --- but on the simpler side at this stage. Groups #3, my #6.

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  • 2005 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Aquilon 98 Points

    Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja

    Dark purple in color. Stunning nose is freakishly generous (all i could think was, wow.) Big-time, lush aromas of dark cherries, spice and vanilla leap from the glass. Palate is slathered with lush, big, toasty black fruit. Bright acidity provides bounce and verve on a penetrating mid-palate and long, long finish. Totally delicious with layers of body and flavor. Really, really impressive. Group's #1, my #1.

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  • 2000 Celler de l'Encastell Priorat Roquers de Porrera 92 Points

    Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

    Dark purple with a shy nose that has aromas of red berries, minerals and a funk note. Palate has red and black fruits, chocolate and minerals. Juicy acidity and firm tannins, which clamp down the mid-palate and finish. Restrained with good quality and lurking complexity. Group's #8, my #8.

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  • 1997 Clos Erasmus Priorat Flawed

    Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

    Disappointing showing --- I think this was slightly corked. Shy nose has dark berries, earth and tar (with a corky note that was more noticeable upon opening). Watery and tart. The group liked this one more than me, and for the most part felt it wasn't corked. Group's #7, my #12.

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  • 2004 Greenock Creek Grenache Cornerstone 91 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Dark purple with a rich nose of ripe red berries, chocolate and vanilla beans. Ripe on the palate with jammy strawberry fruit. Bright, juicy acidity provides lift. Pure high quality fruit. Lacked complexity - but the quality of fruit and wine making is there. Groups #4, my #9.

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  • 2002 Torbreck Grenache Les Amis 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Deep dark purple. Nose showed volatile acidity that distracts from ripe aromas of dark berries and chocolaty minerals. Palate is full of dark toasty fruit. Totally delicious with layers of decadent fruit. Very rich and concentrated. Long with a creamy, tasty and totally fruit-crammed finish. Just kickin' on the palate. But the nose is a real downer and holds the wine back. Add 4-5 points if the nose wasn't so weird. Groups #6, my #7.

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Flight 3 - DESSERT (1 Note)

  • 1990 Prince Poniatowski Vouvray Moelleux Clos Baudoin 91 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    Holding up great. Off dry with a crisp personality. Fresh and round with very modest sweetness. Good white fruits and mineral flavors. Medium-long finish. Quite nice - would be right on with a cheese course. Totally charming and full-of-life at age 18.

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