Community Tasting Note

RajivAyyangar wrote:

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 - Blinds with AA and other SF folks (SF—Inner Sunset): Summary:

Crunchy red cherry and bright blackberry with a kiss of well-integrated oak and zippy acidity that brightens a rich, ripe frame. An expressive if uncomplicated Garnacha.

Score: Around 8.5
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Blind 2- Red Wine

Visual:
Clear, day-bright. Bright red in the glass with moderate minus concentration and a bit of violet character. No gas or sediment. Moderate tears.

Nose:
Moderate intensity, hint of oxidation (bitter-almond acetaldehyde - probably due to the fact that it had been coravined over a month, though possibly stylistic).
Red fruit, some peach character - ripe. Hint of dark, dusty blackberries. No oak influence on the nose. [After the reveal and some air time, I re-tasted it and the nose had a bit more vanilla and overall sweet oak character.]
Youthful, straightforward.

Palate:
Fleshy red fruit. Alcohol is a bit elevated- 14%? [actually 14.5%]
Low plus tannins. Elevated acidity.
Ripe but also primarily savory.
Oak: I don’t get overt oak. Maybe a kiss of oak, along with some oxidative aging. Not much oak, or older barrels.

Youthful. Straightforward.

Initial conclusion:
Either a somewhat traditionally-styled new-world wine, or an old world wine in a modern style from a warm climate.
Based on the red fruits, alcohol, color, and low tannins, Grenache is a possibility, though the acidity is pretty high for Grenache.
The slight bit of oak would be unusual in Southern Rhone.

I think this is either a modern Tempranillo with very little oak, or a modern Grenache from Spain. Other things I considered: extremely ripe St-Joseph (color is too light and red for Syrah). New World Grenache - e.g. California (acid is pretty high and overall I’m not getting as ripe fruit). I’m pretty confused by this, but based on my premonition that it’s American oak, and Tim’s reminder that Spanish Garnacha can be higher acid, I’m going….

Garnacha, Spain. 2012.

Actual:
Les Crestes Priorat, Grenache, Spain, 2012!
80% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Syrah
Les Crestes
Priorat
14.5%
$40-50

Discussion:
The producer website says the wine was vinified in stainless steel, then aged for 8 months in second-use French oak. This explains why I picked up very light oak. Also the Carignan and Syrah explain why there might be some acidic lift.

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