Second Sunday Group: Domestic Grenache

The Sunday group gathered for our monthly double blind tasting. For this group, the host selects a theme and serves eight wines to the group, double blind, in a single flight. As a group we spend half an hour or so evaluating the wines and trying to figure out what they are and what the theme is. The group ranks the wines and the wines are revealed with last place having the most points against. Tasters cover the cost of the wines. The host provides a white or two as a double blind warm up. Following the tasting, the host provides dinner which is enjoyed with wines brought by the rest of the group. The dinner and dessert wines are nonblind.

The cost of today's tasting was $31 and we had eleven attendees.

• 2014 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Vermentino Casanova della Spinetta Toscana IGT 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Pale color with notes of of citrus/grapefruit and mineral, though somewhat restrained and nondescript. There's a candied sour apple quaity to the palate ending with a hint of jalapeno pepper which, combined with the wine's bright acidity, leads me to think this is Sauv Blanc. The finish is a little short, but it's clean and easy to drink.

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• 2013 Groundwork Grenache 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Ruby color. Aromas of cherry, mineral, spice- nutmeg perhaps. Cherry, cinnamon-like spices, red fruit and white currant flavors. It wasn't until this had twenty minutes in the glass that it began to show some peppery herbal qualities. Rather light and elegant though, and as such I really enjoy it, more so than the others in this lineup.
  
  My #1, Domino's #1
  Group #2, 42 pts

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• 2013 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

  The darkest of the first few wines in this double blind lineup, this shows tapenade, tar, dark fruit, rubber and pine sap qualities in the bouquet. The palate mirrors the bouquet, ending with hints of spice and pepper. The tapenade note fades as this opens in the glass, replaced by a streak of brett which becomes slightly distracting thus drops this in my rankings. Definitely stood out as a ringer in the lineup.
  
  My #6, Domino's #4
  Group #8, 66 pts

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• 2013 Villa Creek Garnacha 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Opens with notes of cherry and red currant fruit, with hints of spice; concentrated, and I mean that in a positive way. Red fruit and spice qualities on the palate with good underlying acidity. Just becomes brighter and more amplified as it opens. Nice.
  
  My #2, Domino's #2
  Group #1, 36 pts

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• 2013 K Vintners The Boy 89 Points

  USA, Washington

  Notes of cherry and red berry fruit with a subtle meaty undertone. Cherry and herb qualities on the palate with good finishing acidity. There's an elegance to this wine, it's actually quite pretty.
  
  My #3, Domino's #3
  Group #6, 54 pts

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• 2012 Herman Story Grenache Late Bloomer 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Deep opaque color. Concentrated; black fruit and floral qualities with noticeable wood. Full-bodied and firm, with flavors of black fruit, espresso and green peppercorn. Takes a long while to open but it does develop a nice florally/herbal quality that I like.
  
  My #4, Domino's #5
  Group #4, 44 pts

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• 2013 TOR Grenache ROCK Cuvée Cooper 86 Points

  USA, California

  Notes of white currant, pepper, cherry and rhubarb. Red berry fruit compote, spice and herb qualities on the palate. Short on the finish.
  
  My #7, Domino's #7
  Group #7, 60 pts

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• 2013 Herman Story Grenache On The Road 85 Points

  USA, California

  The second darkest wine in the flight. Aromas of diesel and black fruit with a dirty herbal overtone - this is an odd one. Full-bodied and tannic with flavors of dark fruit, white pepper and burnt herbs. Not flawed in any obvious way, but a damn odd profile to be sure.
  
  My #8, Domino's #6
  Group #3, 44 pts

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• 2013 Tablas Creek Grenache 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Notes of red fruit, pepper and clay. The palate follows the bouquet. Nicely balanced and enjoyable, if not particularly complex or interesting.
  
  My #5, Domino's #8
  Group #5, 50 pts

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• 1985 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  I knew Neil had a cold cellar, but my gosh, I never could have imagined that this wine would look as youthful as the 2002 Girardin CC I opened last week. Aromas of waxed apple, honeysuckle, beeswax, orchard fruit, cotton and almond. There's still plenty of fruit on the palate too and it just lingers on the finish.

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• 1985 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

  Bottle #1905, also courtesy of Neil. Light ruby/brick color with a soaring bouquet of rose petals, cherry, licorice and just about any other floral note you could imagine. Here too, there's plenty of fruit remaining- still very vibrant and bright, with cherry, tea, licorice and candied orange peel flavors. Well-balanced. 94-95 pts.

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• 2012 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos de la Mousse 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru

  Light color with notes of cherry, mineral and spice. Balanced and elegant, with cherry and red fruit with a mineral-tinged finish. Very nice. Enjoyable now.

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• 2010 A.J. Adam Hofberg Riesling Kabinett 92 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Initial burst of sulphur gives way to peach and stone with a citrusy quality underneath. Flavors of white peach, ripe pear and mineral with a lengthy finish. Excellent. Thanks, Peter.

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• 1995 Château Angélus 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Dark color. Black fruit, tobacco, herb, currant and violet aromas. Medium-bodied and nearly fully-integrated in terms of tannins, there's an abundance of dark fruit, tobacco and floral qualities on the palate as well. Lengthy finish dominated by dark fruit. Popped and poured, courtesy of Marty, this was drinking nicely from the start but will undoubtedly last a long while in the cellar. Just beginning to enter its drinking window though will certainly improve a bit too.

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• 2000 Château d'Issan 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Dark fruit with perfumed, floral overtones. The palate follows the bouquet. Has some tannin to integrate. I'd give this a few years yet as I sense the best is yet to come. Drink from 2020+.

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• 2002 Gustave Lorentz Riesling Altenberg de Bergheim 88 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Fairly deep color. Notes of stone fruit with a strong honeyed quality on the palate. Paired nicely with Mike's wonderful curry.

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• 2012 Domaine Tempier Bandol

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Dark inky color with notes of black fruit, oak spice and plum. Brighter on the palate, more red-fruited than black, with firm tannins that finish with a sweet edge. Lingering finish. Another winner from Tempier.

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• 2008 Ridge Lytton Springs 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Ripe and raisiny fruit dominates the bouquet. Flavors of red and dark fruit, plum and roasted herbs. Finishes with good length but with ripe fruit too. A bit much in my opinion.

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• 2005 Gamache Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Our last bottle, popped and poured with dinner. Dark fruit and chocolate notes, cassis and black cherry. Medium-bodied with sweet tannins and flavors of dark fruit. Nice, and still on the young side. Drink from 2019+.

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• 2002 Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Pineapple, orange and honey notes. Peach, honeysuckle and tropical fruit flavors on the palate. Hints of botrytis spice too. A bit simple, but enjoyable.

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