Brilliantly layered and lively Grenache. Raspberry pie, melted dark chocolate and red currant. Cinnamon lined, distinguished and flashy finish. Wish I had a couple more of these.
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A Kona_Kid favorite that is smooth, rich, and bold with no worries. With a definitive blackberry essence which is enhanced just enough by subtle tobacco undertones. Limited inventory so if you locate this gem, go for it!
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This one went up against a 6 year CDP and a 2 year Calistoga Grenache and it was the winner of the three. This is a dense wine, very velvety, but had nuances of that wild berry in the background with a very supple finish. Wine poured rather thin, and not as purple as your typical Grenache. I think that this one was probably mixed with some other grapes for sure. Initially the wine threw strawberry and raspberry into the front of the palate, a little acidic, but righted very quickly with the velvety backbone. A little hint of vanilla and rhubarb and well mixed with some darker earth and pie spice towards the end to a finish rather devoid of tannin. Very velvety, interwoven, very complex for such a young wine. I think that this one can surely age, but I don't think that the years will do it much favor when it comes to the vibrancy of youth in this point. Although I see this one easily going past 2020, I see it to be very blah after 2017-18 or so, so you'll probably want to drink this one and save the huge bottle that can be used as a piece of hardware in the future.
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Boy what a difference a year makes. I tasted this in late 2012 and found it bursting with fruit. Now my wife tasted it blind (upon opening) and was convinced it was old-world due to the perceived lack of bright fruit. It reminded me of a CdP without the floral elements - but more graceful and less clunky. This opened up very gradually over the course of the evening -- if drinking this now give it a looooooong decant. Hopefully it's just in a slightly dumb phase. Lots of spice and earthiness on nose, with subtle fruit; dried fruit and acid with lots of spice on palate. Good structure - with enough tannins to pair well with spiced pork while not seeming dry. As other notes commented -- long, lasting, focused finish. 89-90
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Dark berry and floral notes on the nose. Tasted blackberry, raspberry, touches of umami and stone. Long and deep. Needed a day to calm down, this will benefit from a year or 2 of aging.
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Surprising fruit upfront. Raspberry and plumb. Smooth finish. Tannins are under control. Drinking nicely for a young Grenache. Great quality for the price.
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Consistent with earlier tasting note - deep ruby/plum color with characteristic Grenache aromas and flavors - loganberry, cherry, black cherry, early season plum, scents of shale, new leather and a hint of tobacco,big forward flavors of red currant, hints of pomegranate and licorice with firm, tannins and soaring acidity that produce a long lasting, focused finish.
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Dark red, harsh tannins, hot, full bodied. Chocolate, black cherries.
edit. changed my rating from 84 to 89. revisited this after 48 hours in the decanter, it has softened up considerably and is quite complex. Still a huge wine, reminds me more of a Syrah than a Grenache,
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90% Grenache, 10% Syrah....very nice juicy, approachable style with deep raspberry and blueberry preserves with well integrated supple tannins...touch of vanilla cola...fairly long finish...
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It is a deep ruby/plum color with characteristic Grenache aromas and flavors - cherry, black cherry, early season plum, scents of shale, new leather and a hint of tobacco,big forward flavors of red currant, hints of pomegranate and licorice with firm, tannins and soaring acidity that produce a long lasting, focused finish.
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Every time I drink a wine like this I wonder why I don't drink more Grenache. This is an exceptional value for a sub $25 wine. The nose explodes with lilacs and a hint of spice. In the mouth it has fresh bright fruit and load and loads of spring flowers with interesting acidity that borderlines sharp. Finishes a bit short but overall a wonder drink with casual food. This is the kind of wine that if you serve at a summer BBQ no one will remember the food because the wine is so awesome. The best thing is it's only about $20 at Costco!
Remember you don't drink the label.
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11/28/2020 - Clos Kitchen wrote: 91 Points
Black cherry velvet jammy. Very nice!
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5/13/2016 - wine maestro wrote: 93 Points
Brilliantly layered and lively Grenache. Raspberry pie, melted dark chocolate and red currant. Cinnamon lined, distinguished and flashy finish. Wish I had a couple more of these.
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1/31/2016 - VAD wrote: 93 Points
Excellent Grenache. Nice balance and excellent fruit. Really liked the balance. Drinking very well right now.
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11/14/2015 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 93 Points
consistent with notes of 4/18/2015
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10/23/2015 - danielbleier wrote: 93 Points
consistent with notes of 4/18/2015
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4/18/2015 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully now. Classic Grenache nose of game and funk. Sweet cherry and umami when tasted - finish goes on a long, long time.
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10/25/2014 - Kona_Kid Likes this wine: 95 Points
A Kona_Kid favorite that is smooth, rich, and bold with no worries. With a definitive blackberry essence which is enhanced just enough by subtle tobacco undertones. Limited inventory so if you locate this gem, go for it!
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5/25/2014 - mflesh wrote: 91 Points
This one went up against a 6 year CDP and a 2 year Calistoga Grenache and it was the winner of the three. This is a dense wine, very velvety, but had nuances of that wild berry in the background with a very supple finish. Wine poured rather thin, and not as purple as your typical Grenache. I think that this one was probably mixed with some other grapes for sure. Initially the wine threw strawberry and raspberry into the front of the palate, a little acidic, but righted very quickly with the velvety backbone. A little hint of vanilla and rhubarb and well mixed with some darker earth and pie spice towards the end to a finish rather devoid of tannin. Very velvety, interwoven, very complex for such a young wine. I think that this one can surely age, but I don't think that the years will do it much favor when it comes to the vibrancy of youth in this point. Although I see this one easily going past 2020, I see it to be very blah after 2017-18 or so, so you'll probably want to drink this one and save the huge bottle that can be used as a piece of hardware in the future.
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5/13/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 92 Points
consistent with notes of 7/27/2013 except this opened up well on day 1.
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4/15/2014 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Boy what a difference a year makes. I tasted this in late 2012 and found it bursting with fruit.
Now my wife tasted it blind (upon opening) and was convinced it was old-world due to the perceived lack of bright fruit. It reminded me of a CdP without the floral elements - but more graceful and less clunky.
This opened up very gradually over the course of the evening -- if drinking this now give it a looooooong decant. Hopefully it's just in a slightly dumb phase.
Lots of spice and earthiness on nose, with subtle fruit; dried fruit and acid with lots of spice on palate. Good structure - with enough tannins to pair well with spiced pork while not seeming dry. As other notes commented -- long, lasting, focused finish. 89-90
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2/10/2014 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice nose and a bit of heat on first drink. Nice fruit and alcohol gradually integrated over the night.
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7/27/2013 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark berry and floral notes on the nose. Tasted blackberry, raspberry, touches of umami and stone. Long and deep. Needed a day to calm down, this will benefit from a year or 2 of aging.
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7/26/2013 - gossba Likes this wine: 93 Points
Surprising fruit upfront. Raspberry and plumb. Smooth finish. Tannins are under control. Drinking nicely for a young Grenache. Great quality for the price.
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6/28/2013 - rmcnees wrote: 87 Points
Consistent with earlier tasting note - deep ruby/plum color with characteristic Grenache aromas and flavors - loganberry, cherry, black cherry, early season plum, scents of shale, new leather and a hint of tobacco,big forward flavors of red currant, hints of pomegranate and licorice with firm, tannins and soaring acidity that produce a long lasting, focused finish.
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4/28/2013 - BrianMc wrote: 91 Points
Nice fruit, little lighter than I'm use to but still very enjoyable.
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2/15/2013 - La Peste Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark red, harsh tannins, hot, full bodied. Chocolate, black cherries.
edit. changed my rating from 84 to 89. revisited this after 48 hours in the decanter, it has softened up considerably and is quite complex. Still a huge wine, reminds me more of a Syrah than a Grenache,
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12/12/2012 - bigskymind Likes this wine: 92 Points
90% Grenache, 10% Syrah....very nice juicy, approachable style with deep raspberry and blueberry preserves with well integrated supple tannins...touch of vanilla cola...fairly long finish...
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12/2/2012 - rmcnees wrote: 87 Points
It is a deep ruby/plum color with characteristic Grenache aromas and flavors - cherry, black cherry, early season plum, scents of shale, new leather and a hint of tobacco,big forward flavors of red currant, hints of pomegranate and licorice with firm, tannins and soaring acidity that produce a long lasting, focused finish.
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11/17/2012 - wine maestro Likes this wine: 94 Points
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
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8/8/2012 - kietkopelli wrote: 92 Points
Every time I drink a wine like this I wonder why I don't drink more Grenache. This is an exceptional value for a sub $25 wine. The nose explodes with lilacs and a hint of spice. In the mouth it has fresh bright fruit and load and loads of spring flowers with interesting acidity that borderlines sharp. Finishes a bit short but overall a wonder drink with casual food. This is the kind of wine that if you serve at a summer BBQ no one will remember the food because the wine is so awesome. The best thing is it's only about $20 at Costco!
Remember you don't drink the label.
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