2014 No Girls Grenache

Community Tasting Notes (22) Median Score: 93 points

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  4/14/2024 - learningandenjoying wrote:

  This went from an 85 to a 92+ over three days. Read on.
  Side by side with 2014 Rasa primus inter pares Grenache. Both from the Rocks District. The No Girls was nearly undrinkable for at least 2+ hours (85, barely reaching 89) due to the insidious barnyard aromatics of the Cayuse wines, which is NOT a characteristic of The Rocks District terroir as some people assert. It is a characteristic of the Cayuse winemaking style and the surely less than pristine winery operations (Brett everywhere?). If the smell was just a result of a reductive winemaking philosophy the "barnyard" would be mostly aromatic and clear off in 10-20 minutes. If it was a terroir characteristic it would be more slight in both the aromatics and palate and present mostly as beautifully aromatic earth, not "stink." Yes, you can sense the underlying quality of the palate balance and complexity as long as you do not breathe at any time during the "drinking."
  Day 2 (pumped) the foul smell was gone, but unfortunately, so was everything else.... All the terroir, all the potential complexity that had struggled to get past the stink was simply gone from both the aromatics and the palate! All that remained was a super smooth colored liquid.
  Day 3 some of the palate complexity returned but the aromatics were slight at best (but no stink). This is now up in score to a 91+. I have had a lot of other Cayuse wines including other No Girls Grenache and this bottling is just too much of a struggle. I know 2014 was not the best vintage, but Rasa managed to negotiate the same AVA and grape pretty well.
  Day 3 plus 30 minutes in the glass: This is becoming a really nice wine... 92+ I am flummoxed. But in a good way. Finally.
  This is not a wine to pop and pour. Expect a struggle and need for patience to let this find its way to being drinkable. When it does it has really good complexity, depth, and smoothness. Only you can judge if it is worth it. You can't force it.

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  2/10/2024 - jmcmchi wrote:

  Seems a bit disjointed. the funk is slow to dissipate and even an hour made it only a bit less unappealing Really requires a powerful cheese to make it enjoyable
  
  An acquired taste

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  11/21/2023 - Vinoclovis Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Wow! Very much like the few Rayas bottles I’ve had as well as Chateau de Tours. Lots of viscosity which makes it a bit heavy but on point of chasing Rayas.

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  8/17/2023 - Radboy wrote: 95 Points

  This wine has really come into its own. Polished cherry fruit, hints of wet earth and gravel with a smooth finish. I was wondering how this would do with some age and it surprisingly excelled beyond imagination. Brilliant effort from Elizabeth.

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  9/12/2022 - magic2coop wrote: 93 Points

  Bacon and charcoal nose. Subtle, complex forest floor texture with long finish. Enjoy.

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