HC Grenache Tasting

Harvard Club of Boston
Tasted Saturday, April 23, 2011 by TMacpherson with 521 views

Introduction

Our usual group got together at the HC in Boston to taste some Grenache. A great night as always with lots of great food, great friends, and good laughs.

Flight 1 (4 Notes)

  • 2005 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Aquilon 95 Points

    Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja

    This bottle was really singing last night. A deep rich nose of sweet strawberries, vanilla, and A hint of mocha. The body seemed very well balanced - rich and ripe without being cloying or over extracted. A huge blend of black cherry, strawberries, and a hint again of the mocha. Wine #3 of the group.

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  • 2005 Torbreck Les Amis 97 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Wonderful nose of black cherry, dark plums, and a hint of ginger (?). Very rich mouthfeel with intense flavors of dark cherry, black raspberry, and almost a hint of sea salt on the finish. The wine was incredibly smooth with the tannins in near perfect balance. This one didn't quite come up to the levels of the 2003 tasted last year, but still a spectacular New World Grenache. Our #2 WOTN.

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  • 2006 Cayuse God Only Knows 93 Points

    USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    This was our first Cayuse. Without a doubt one of the most interesting wines of the year. Wasn't sure what I was expecting, but almost no one would have considered this a Grenache after the first sip. This was a full throttle "funk" wine. The nose was a remarkable blend of saddle leather, herbs de provence, and a hint of hickory smoke (?). A deep full bodied taste of kobe beef, cherries, strawberries and black tea (?) was off set by sweet tannins. I think the group was fascinated by the wine, but in the end agreed it was interesting to try but not a wine to have with dinner. Our #4 WOTN. I scored it higher than most.

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  • 2007 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul 99 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    I must concede I was a little nervous decanting this one. Nearly every 2007 CDP we've tried has been an alcoholic mess. This wine made up for all the previous disappointments. Wow! Without a doubt my wine of the year and perhaps one of the top wines of my life. Ripe, sweet, powerful and perfectly balanced. A beautiful bouquet of sweet cherries, vanilla, and wild strawberries. The body was opulent, but not over extracted. An extraordinary layered taste of sweet black fruits, black raspberry, and creme brulee. Everything about this wine was in balance. Hard to imagine it will get better over time, but amazingly I think it will. A clear #1 WOTN for everyone.

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