Consistently, this wine scores higher than every other grignolino I've ever had. Nose is roses and pine. Palate is relatively simple as most summer reds are, but between the bright fruit and intense lemony note and clean overall flavor, it really hits a sweet (i.e., dry) spot. Better than every Italian grignolini that I've tasted, simply because it is smooth and delicious through the entire flavor profile. Drunk slightly cool, but not cold.
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Nose is roses and pine. Palate is relatively simple, but between the bright fruit and intense lemony note and no off flavors, it really hits an excellent spot. Better than most Italian grignolini that I've tasted, simply because it is smooth and delicious through the entire flavor profile.
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I drank this a while ago (perhaps a year, but I forgot to delete it from inventory.) But from memory: whereas many Italian grignolinos can be a touch watery (though they make a very fine food wine), Heitz made something here that's a little more fruit-forward and obvious, but without losing the balance of good acidity that makes this so easy to drink. This makes sense, as obviously CA is a warmer climate than the Piedmont. This kind of pushes the grape from, say, poulsard-like to cru beujolais-like, with a bit more (soft) tannin to keep the flavors on your tongue for longer. It's also a degree or so hotter than most Italian gringo. A very good, unquestionably American rendition of an unduly hard-to-find Italian classic.
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(13.8%) Fresh, snappy and crunchy on entry. Loaded with strawberries and true to its roots showing some notes of Italian rusticity. A light, vibrant wine well suited for your summer dinner time table. I didn't chill but many do.
Bought Because: After trying the rosé I had to give this one a go
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Similar to my last bottle -- it stands above virtually every grignolino I've had in Italy. Not a big wine, but pleasing, fresh, vibrant, with lots of character.
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My first grignolino and I was not prepared. Floral and citrus nose. Palate of pink grapefruit and lemon. Highly acidic. Once I adjusted my thinking and cooled the bottle slightly I liked it more. Not sure grignolino is going to be part of the cellar though.
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I have to give this a relatively high score for such a light-bodied "simple" wine. Nose is roses and a bit of pine. Palate is relatively simple as most summer reds are, but between the bright fruit and intense lemony note and no off flavors, it really hits a sweet (i.e., dry) spot. Better than most Italian grignolini that I've tasted, simply because it is smooth and delicious through the entire flavor profile. Drunk slightly cool, but not cold. If really cold like a white, I think some of the fresh nuances would be lost.
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Such a good wine and so interesting almost like a red Riesling. The nose was roses and pine with overtones of petrol. In the mouth this was bright red fruits, with crisp acidity and an excellent balance. It was so much fun to drink.
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13.8% alcohol. Funky and minerally on the nose, with a strawberry edge to the fruit. In the mouth, a bit more muddled than when this wine is really dialed in. Nice and pleasant, but a bit simple on the palate. B
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11/22/2016 - JWG wrote: 90 Points
Another excellent bottle of this "lowly" grignolino. Top notch stuff, and still lively, and my last bottle.
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7/28/2015 - JWG wrote: 90 Points
Consistently, this wine scores higher than every other grignolino I've ever had. Nose is roses and pine. Palate is relatively simple as most summer reds are, but between the bright fruit and intense lemony note and clean overall flavor, it really hits a sweet (i.e., dry) spot. Better than every Italian grignolini that I've tasted, simply because it is smooth and delicious through the entire flavor profile. Drunk slightly cool, but not cold.
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3/31/2015 - JWG wrote: 90 Points
Nose is roses and pine. Palate is relatively simple, but between the bright fruit and intense lemony note and no off flavors, it really hits an excellent spot. Better than most Italian grignolini that I've tasted, simply because it is smooth and delicious through the entire flavor profile.
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9/19/2014 - JWG wrote: 90 Points
Another excellent bottle of this American grignolino.
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6/6/2014 - gbanks wrote: 90 Points
I drank this a while ago (perhaps a year, but I forgot to delete it from inventory.) But from memory: whereas many Italian grignolinos can be a touch watery (though they make a very fine food wine), Heitz made something here that's a little more fruit-forward and obvious, but without losing the balance of good acidity that makes this so easy to drink. This makes sense, as obviously CA is a warmer climate than the Piedmont. This kind of pushes the grape from, say, poulsard-like to cru beujolais-like, with a bit more (soft) tannin to keep the flavors on your tongue for longer. It's also a degree or so hotter than most Italian gringo. A very good, unquestionably American rendition of an unduly hard-to-find Italian classic.
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6/5/2014 - jadi wrote:
A bit toi bonbon for my taste
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5/16/2014 - JWG wrote:
Can't beat my comments on last two tastings of this wine. A winner in the grignolino world, and especially since it is from the U.S. and not Italy.
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11/7/2013 - jmsturley Likes this wine:
fruity, light; great party wine (particularly summer/fall)
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7/18/2013 - Jason Rzutkiewicz wrote: 87 Points
(13.8%) Fresh, snappy and crunchy on entry. Loaded with strawberries and true to its roots showing some notes of Italian rusticity. A light, vibrant wine well suited for your summer dinner time table. I didn't chill but many do.
Bought Because: After trying the rosé I had to give this one a go
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3/3/2013 - brg516s wrote: 89 Points
Nose of a gewurztraminer nice wine for what it is supposed to be
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12/24/2012 - JWG wrote: 90 Points
Similar to my last bottle -- it stands above virtually every grignolino I've had in Italy. Not a big wine, but pleasing, fresh, vibrant, with lots of character.
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11/21/2012 - DanTheRhoneFan wrote: 87 Points
My first grignolino and I was not prepared. Floral and citrus nose. Palate of pink grapefruit and lemon. Highly acidic. Once I adjusted my thinking and cooled the bottle slightly I liked it more. Not sure grignolino is going to be part of the cellar though.
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9/18/2012 - JWG wrote: 90 Points
I have to give this a relatively high score for such a light-bodied "simple" wine. Nose is roses and a bit of pine. Palate is relatively simple as most summer reds are, but between the bright fruit and intense lemony note and no off flavors, it really hits a sweet (i.e., dry) spot. Better than most Italian grignolini that I've tasted, simply because it is smooth and delicious through the entire flavor profile. Drunk slightly cool, but not cold. If really cold like a white, I think some of the fresh nuances would be lost.
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8/12/2012 - shandler wrote:
Nice summer wine. Better cooled than at room temp.
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7/31/2012 - Tudz Drkl wrote: 88 Points
Such a good wine and so interesting almost like a red Riesling. The nose was roses and pine with overtones of petrol. In the mouth this was bright red fruits, with crisp acidity and an excellent balance. It was so much fun to drink.
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6/14/2012 - gutt22 wrote:
13.8% alcohol. Funky and minerally on the nose, with a strawberry edge to the fruit. In the mouth, a bit more muddled than when this wine is really dialed in. Nice and pleasant, but a bit simple on the palate. B
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