I liked this wine, but I was hoping for more. In a word it was subtle. What was there was good but I would’ve liked everything dialed up a notch. It’s definitely an easy drinker.
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A beautiful Grenache with juicy berry and red fruits and still some good tannic structure with just enough acidity. Almost floral in its presentation with a nice long finish, I think this could improve with a couple more years but it is really good now.
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this is stunningly good wine. deceivingly clear in appearance (in the best of ways). distinctive aromas. has great structure and is very well balanced. this guy is making great wine; I wish I had purchased more than 2.
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Tasting through 2010 "reserve" lineup continues. This pours a transparent dark ruby red. The aromatics are perfumed & floral. A very pure expression emerges with raspberry & strawberry. Hints of white pepper & mulling spice waft over as well. What is captivating when you sip the wine is the stunning, soft mouthfeel. Elegant is the best word here. Make no mistake, this is a fruit driven wine, but this miraculous site, the Gunkel "down by the river" vineyard is producing pure , precise Grenache with some sneaky acid & tannins. This shows a strong spiced fig note on the back of the palate which lingers and makes you want more. A brilliant example of what Grenache can be here in Washington. This adds weight & shows more concentration as it takes on air & warms to room temp. Just great stuff here.
Had this with a duo of pork dishes, a roasted tenderloin, some mild sausage added to red beans & rice soup. As I tasted it, I simply had to pull some prosciutto & taste it together. Not surprisingly, it worked beautifully.
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100% Grenache (Gunkel Vineyard) Flavors and aromas of bright black currant, blackberry, pink peppercorns, tea leaves and graphite. Very pretty on the palate, feminine and extremely elegant. This fine silk of a wine fits the tongue like a glove. Subtle, fine and soft finish. Needs time to show it's best. Drink 2014-2020.
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Bright red color, cherry, raspberry notes, slight sweetness and acid balance, just hints of earthiness and white pepper. Others have compared to a Pinot, maybe on the front palate but this has much more depth and character, very well made.
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Dark ruby in color. Presented with red berries and an alluring garrigue aroma. As it opened up a bit, menthol and watermelon joined the party. After my first taste, I made the comment that it was “very Pinot Noir-like” (I subsequently read the tasting notes on Rotie’s website which also made that same comparison). Medium-bodied, with flavors of cherry and light cedar, along with the previously mentioned watermelon and menthol. Refreshing, with generous acidity.
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At the tasting room, with Sean; generous pours. Knocked my socks right down! Figured it would be good, but it surprised me anyway. No notes, just the impression...which is bright and fruity, but with good depth and an excellent acidic backbone. Some pinot noir qualities, but with much more depth and concentration. Not made to age, but very sophisticated right now. 10/4/14 Drinking well. Still love it! 3/20/15 Can't imagine how it could be better. Moving score up 2 pts. Only 3 left. Damn!
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6/29/2018 - Bladams13 Likes this wine:
I liked this wine, but I was hoping for more. In a word it was subtle. What was there was good but I would’ve liked everything dialed up a notch. It’s definitely an easy drinker.
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5/12/2018 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nicely structured with noticeable oak & acid spine. Very good, but not "wow" great, as I'd hoped. Latta does it better for a reduced tariff. 92-93
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11/18/2017 - mye wrote:
WA Grenache Tasting: Not a lot of notes.. bright fruit, high acidity, slightly oaky.
better than the first, but not great. 4/6 for flight
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7/21/2017 - DrX wrote: 93 Points
Drank over 2 days, still vibrant and alive on the 2nd. Lovely wine.
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10/30/2015 - lopaka wrote: 93 Points
A beautiful Grenache with juicy berry and red fruits and still some good tannic structure with just enough acidity. Almost floral in its presentation with a nice long finish, I think this could improve with a couple more years but it is really good now.
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1/5/2014 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rhone like, not a typical American Syrah.
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8/1/2013 - pc1981 wrote: 95 Points
this is stunningly good wine. deceivingly clear in appearance (in the best of ways). distinctive aromas. has great structure and is very well balanced. this guy is making great wine; I wish I had purchased more than 2.
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6/6/2013 - lirvingham Likes this wine: 94 Points
Young but fantastic. Evolved nicely over the two days. Finish was silky and very long. Palette was full of fruit but not overwhelming. Great wine.
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11/19/2012 - Anthony Lombardi wrote:
Tasting through 2010 "reserve" lineup continues. This pours a transparent dark ruby red. The aromatics are perfumed & floral. A very pure expression emerges with raspberry & strawberry. Hints of white pepper & mulling spice waft over as well. What is captivating when you sip the wine is the stunning, soft mouthfeel. Elegant is the best word here. Make no mistake, this is a fruit driven wine, but this miraculous site, the Gunkel "down by the river" vineyard is producing pure , precise Grenache with some sneaky acid & tannins. This shows a strong spiced fig note on the back of the palate which lingers and makes you want more. A brilliant example of what Grenache can be here in Washington. This adds weight & shows more concentration as it takes on air & warms to room temp. Just great stuff here.
Had this with a duo of pork dishes, a roasted tenderloin, some mild sausage added to red beans & rice soup. As I tasted it, I simply had to pull some prosciutto & taste it together. Not surprisingly, it worked beautifully.
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11/13/2012 - VinLancaster Likes this wine: 91 Points
100% Grenache (Gunkel Vineyard)
Flavors and aromas of bright black currant, blackberry, pink peppercorns, tea leaves and graphite. Very pretty on the palate, feminine and extremely elegant. This fine silk of a wine fits the tongue like a glove. Subtle, fine and soft finish. Needs time to show it's best.
Drink 2014-2020.
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10/30/2012 - ClubTerry wrote: 94 Points
Bright red color, cherry, raspberry notes, slight sweetness and acid balance, just hints of earthiness and white pepper. Others have compared to a Pinot, maybe on the front palate but this has much more depth and character, very well made.
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7/28/2012 - nawebb wrote: 94 Points
Dark ruby in color. Presented with red berries and an alluring garrigue aroma. As it opened up a bit, menthol and watermelon joined the party. After my first taste, I made the comment that it was “very Pinot Noir-like” (I subsequently read the tasting notes on Rotie’s website which also made that same comparison). Medium-bodied, with flavors of cherry and light cedar, along with the previously mentioned watermelon and menthol. Refreshing, with generous acidity.
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6/18/2012 - Pedroel Likes this wine: 95 Points
At the tasting room, with Sean; generous pours. Knocked my socks right down! Figured it would be good, but it surprised me anyway. No notes, just the impression...which is bright and fruity, but with good depth and an excellent acidic backbone. Some pinot noir qualities, but with much more depth and concentration. Not made to age, but very sophisticated right now.
10/4/14 Drinking well. Still love it!
3/20/15 Can't imagine how it could be better. Moving score up 2 pts. Only 3 left. Damn!
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4/23/2012 - arthrovine wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Delicious chewy raspberry and cranberry flavors. Awesome grenache. This wine is outstanding. Improved with air. Wow
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