A very interesting, powerful wine, still quite young with years of life ahead. Struck me as almost Barolo-like: tannic, with strawberries (spectrum from fresh to compote), fresh acidity, and a complexing petrol-like note. Large framed wine with fresh acidity, bright core of fruit with tannins clamping down on the finish.
The fruit is starting to show some aged character, yet the tannic structure is robust--the main question is how the fruit and tannin interplay will evolve over the next decade. The tannins might stay relatively hard.
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Dayum! Wonderful nose of dried rose petals and fig. Strawberry preserves, cedar, blood orange thread seamlessly to a fairly grippy finish. The acidity is spot on. The extended elevage softened the palate nicely. This is so enjoyable. What a tremendous Grenache, well done!
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I thought the 2014 edition of this was great back in November and this takes it up another notch to magnificent. Such a pure definition of Grenache and from my favorite California vineyard. Hard to go wrong, but what Larry has produced here still shows perfect judgement. It was still just a touch reductive for the first hour open but from thereon, oh boy. For the level of pleasure here, the price is almost absurd. 5+12+18+9= 94
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Not decanted, two small pours consumed over ~1 hour. Dark red fruit (cherries, maybe a little blackberry) , a bit spicy and herbal, slightly wound up and with just a hint of funk (very slightly reductive?) at first. Air exposure helped this settle in, so my recommendation would be to give it a decant if you open a bottle. Should have paid attention to the previous note mentioning that it's somewhat closed down right now...but we still enjoyed it!
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They is not normal! It would be normal if I were tasting it in Europe, but not here in Los Olivos. At the age of 8 it behaves as an infant, with temper tantrum of powerful tannins and untamed acid spell, wrapped in abundance of pure fruit elements. WOW! This reminds me of the best Rhones, hopelessly closed down at this time, waiting to reach at lest 10 years of age to show it's true potential. There is so much to look forward to - I can't wait to open another bottle in 2-3 years. Cheers to the winemaker!
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Larry Schaffer gets full expression from this prime Ballard Canyon fruit--big, dark berries, yet beautifully balanced. Long finish features a full spice rack, from white pepper to rosemary.
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Not decanted, two glasses consumed over ~2 hours at cool room temp. Aromatic, ripe but dry, dense with deep red berry fruit (just slightly cooked), a bit of something peppery, and a little of the whole cluster influence showing. Plenty of structure, maybe a touch of heat poking through but not enough to detract (less evident than you'd expect at 15.3%). This has a lot of material but retains a nice sense of balance - blind, I'd probably guess CdP before CA grenache. I suspect this will develop nicely for the next handful of years, at least.
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Wine Tandems Night (Sets of Mini-Verticals) (The Grand Room at Industrial Eats, Buellton, CA): Served alongside a 2008 of this bottling, it took time for the wine to take on weight and catch up with its older brother. Once aerated, they were virtual twins: fresh and vibrant, with layered red fruit and pepper notes. A thoroughly enjoyable expression of age worthy Grenache made with a light hand.
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10/29/2022 - Cabfrancophile wrote: 90 Points
A very interesting, powerful wine, still quite young with years of life ahead. Struck me as almost Barolo-like: tannic, with strawberries (spectrum from fresh to compote), fresh acidity, and a complexing petrol-like note. Large framed wine with fresh acidity, bright core of fruit with tannins clamping down on the finish.
The fruit is starting to show some aged character, yet the tannic structure is robust--the main question is how the fruit and tannin interplay will evolve over the next decade. The tannins might stay relatively hard.
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8/9/2022 - River Rat Likes this wine:
Dayum! Wonderful nose of dried rose petals and fig. Strawberry preserves, cedar, blood orange thread seamlessly to a fairly grippy finish. The acidity is spot on. The extended elevage softened the palate nicely. This is so enjoyable. What a tremendous Grenache, well done!
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4/2/2022 - fingers Likes this wine: 94 Points
I thought the 2014 edition of this was great back in November and this takes it up another notch to magnificent. Such a pure definition of Grenache and from my favorite California vineyard. Hard to go wrong, but what Larry has produced here still shows perfect judgement. It was still just a touch reductive for the first hour open but from thereon, oh boy. For the level of pleasure here, the price is almost absurd.
5+12+18+9= 94
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9/27/2021 - bretrooks wrote:
Not decanted, two small pours consumed over ~1 hour. Dark red fruit (cherries, maybe a little blackberry) , a bit spicy and herbal, slightly wound up and with just a hint of funk (very slightly reductive?) at first. Air exposure helped this settle in, so my recommendation would be to give it a decant if you open a bottle. Should have paid attention to the previous note mentioning that it's somewhat closed down right now...but we still enjoyed it!
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5/11/2021 - bordeauxman777 Likes this wine: 93 Points
They is not normal! It would be normal if I were tasting it in Europe, but not here in Los Olivos. At the age of 8 it behaves as an infant, with temper tantrum of powerful tannins and untamed acid spell, wrapped in abundance of pure fruit elements. WOW! This reminds me of the best Rhones, hopelessly closed down at this time, waiting to reach at lest 10 years of age to show it's true potential. There is so much to look forward to - I can't wait to open another bottle in 2-3 years. Cheers to the winemaker!
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8/12/2020 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 93 Points
Almost forgot how good this is. Mix of red and black cherries on the palate, good body, nice acidity to back it up.
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6/12/2020 - yatchisin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Larry Schaffer gets full expression from this prime Ballard Canyon fruit--big, dark berries, yet beautifully balanced. Long finish features a full spice rack, from white pepper to rosemary.
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5/19/2020 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine continues to get better
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3/28/2020 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice youthful brightness with red fruit. Should mature nicely, but drinking really well right now.
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3/1/2020 - bretrooks wrote:
Not decanted, two glasses consumed over ~2 hours at cool room temp. Aromatic, ripe but dry, dense with deep red berry fruit (just slightly cooked), a bit of something peppery, and a little of the whole cluster influence showing. Plenty of structure, maybe a touch of heat poking through but not enough to detract (less evident than you'd expect at 15.3%). This has a lot of material but retains a nice sense of balance - blind, I'd probably guess CdP before CA grenache. I suspect this will develop nicely for the next handful of years, at least.
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10/24/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wine Tandems Night (Sets of Mini-Verticals) (The Grand Room at Industrial Eats, Buellton, CA): Served alongside a 2008 of this bottling, it took time for the wine to take on weight and catch up with its older brother. Once aerated, they were virtual twins: fresh and vibrant, with layered red fruit and pepper notes. A thoroughly enjoyable expression of age worthy Grenache made with a light hand.
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3/4/2018 - Stephvino Likes this wine: 90 Points
Smooth and drinkable
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