Tasting Notes 20 found

Open 2-3 hours in Zalto burgundy glass.
This, last, bottle is singing at the moment.
Aromatically, intense and intriguing with darker cherry cola aromas, a nice bit of funk, along with carbonic sweetness.
On the palate, this wine has gained some weight over the last couple of years. The fruit has gained some darker edges and richer fleshiness, while maintaining a nice acidic cut and arguing to a relatively lean finish.
All in all a very fun expression of older vine Grenache that remains composed and stips well short of being overly fruited- while having a nice candied fruit appeal. Definitely walks a nice line of balance. I think it is just now hitting a great stride and, sadly, this was the last bottle for me. I definitely opened the others prior to this level of pleasing nuance.

Definitely drink now and over at least what feels like a few years yet. (453 views)

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Last bottle and very good QPR from Garagiste at ~$17. (691 views)

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Scanning others' TNs, it seems there's been a wide variation in experiences. Perhaps it's style preference, perhaps some bottle variation. I thought this was Very Good++ / Excellent. Great purity of Grenache fruit without being to fruity. I see it was all whole-cluster and partial carbonic maceration. Perhaps this just showed too many high notes and candied fruits when young? I can say now that it retains the best of those approaches to transmit Grenache purity. Soft tannins, medium-bodied and a perfect fit for a meal of lima beans, feta, spinach, lemon, sumac, onion, and garlic. If you're having a red with a dish like that, you need a wine like this or even lighter.

13.5% abv

Sharp QPR at the sub-$20 close-out price (768 views)

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Really good on PnP. Would drink up. (758 views)

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Light, bright, crunchy, berries, some herbs, and nice with lighter food or on its own. (1644 views)

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Some boutique Garagiste bottle. Very spring-time. Roses and strawberry jam, fresh acidity. Simple. A picnic wine. (602 views)

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This is one of those interesting cases of experiencing a wine differently than most people. It has an odd combination of berry flavors that I don't enjoy, a mix of blueberry and mulberry. On top of that, I find it quite harsh, with very coarse tannins. I didn't even finish the bottle which is rare indeed. (800 views)

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Really enjoyed. Works on PnP and in the Decanter. Would buy again for ~$17. (760 views)

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WIML90

Tasted double blind.

Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of dust, black pepper, black berries and anise. Flavors of cranberries, red tangy berries and red raspberries. Seems a little hot on the finish. Tart acidity, drying tannin, medium to full bodied. Drink over the short term.

Smells a looks like it might be an older wine.

My guess was Nebbiolo (0), Piedmont (0), Italy (0), Vintage (0). Missed that one by a country mile! (775 views)

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Juicy but with a robust tannic backbone. Really nice example of new world fruit done in a restrained style. (685 views)

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Liked this more the second time I had it, just felt like it was a little more aromatic and defined than the first time I had it. Red plums, raspberry, mint, fennel fronds. Medium+ acid, lithe palate with a really nice sense of refinement. Quite a bit of charm here. (846 views)

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Smells like black cherry cola and black tea.
On the lighter side of medium bodied, it enters the palate fairly lean and angular. There is plenty of acid to play off of the lean fruits and foliage, finishing with a nice astringency that lays over a core of moderately coarse tannins.

The dominant impression is that of cherry fruit and green bark with a nice back end of white pepper.

Days two and three see the wine remaining composed and the acid carrying through. Nice enough wine, if relatively simple. Served chilled, it makes for a nice lightweight and slightly snappy and crunchy red wine, more reminiscent of a Grenache from Spain than CA. Great with chicken and light, earthy fare.

Drink now and over the next year or two for the fresh edge that is likely this wine’s strong suit. (558 views)

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Another perfect representation of the (sadly, former) house style. Light ruby color with a wide rim, clear and sediment-free. Profound dark sweet berries in the bouquet and the palate is fully awash in flavor and acidity and minerality. Proof that certain California winemakers know how to craft wines in elegant and restrained fashion, too. Might be close to its prime window, in my humble estimation.
5+11+17+8= 91 (807 views)

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Delicious, light summer red. Chilled for about 20 minutes prior to drinking. Great value as well. (559 views)

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This was my only bottle. Marking it as flawed because it tasted like cherry kombucha. Punishingly sour, no real flavors outside of tart cherry and a hint of earth. Less fun to drink than a pinot noir. (559 views)

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Tutti Fruiti. Weird. (621 views)

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Didn't know this went through partial carbonic maceration, but it shows. Super fruity and delicious. Moderate alcohol. I wish more Grenache was made this way. (696 views)

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Very nice. Bright and fresh, balanced with cranberry and pomegranate flavors. (599 views)

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Red plums, hints of raspberry, mint, an aromatic lift that reminds me of fennel or crushed herbs. Medium acid and medium+ tannins. Nice sense of clarity, poise, and focus. (679 views)

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Dark and saturated, there's a striking purity and underlying elegance. Plumb sauce, roasted game, cacao nibs and lavender. A medium finish and a glycerin shroud. Drink now - 2022. (2170 views)

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