2013 Cass Grenache

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 90 points

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  11/6/2015 - Wine.woot_taster wrote:

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  Wine: 2013 Cass Grenache (Paso Robles/Central Coast, California, USA), Release Price: $32.
  
  Shipping, Storage, Cellar and Serving Temperatures
  
  The wine was shipped overnight via FedEx from Sonoma to the Westside of Los Angeles. It arrived “cool to the touch” at 1:30 p.m. It was then placed in a 56-degree cellar for four hours. Thirty minutes before the meal, the bottle was refrigerated so that the serving temperature would be about 52 degrees when the top was twisted off and the pour started. The ambient temperature was 78 degrees. Decant: none (twist-off ‘n pour, consumed bottle over 120 minutes). Stemware: Riedel “No Stem” Glasses.
  
  Pre-Meal: “First Impressions”
  
  First impressions were positive. My wife picked up non-distinct berries, smoke, and faint alcohol on the nose, along with a tiny bit of menthol, mint, and licorice. I added choke cherry, raspberry, and cranberry. We noted a color that’s somewhere between strawberry and a light claret. No visible sediment. It was much lighter than what I think of as a typical Paso Grenache. That being said, flavors were pleasant, especially given that the bottle was in a FedEx truck all morning. We characterized the wine as having light viscosity, and a nice crisp mouth-feel. The flavors were subtle, almost muted, and the finish was somewhat short. The wine was perfectly pleasant and drinkable.
  
  Meal: “Pairings”
  
  1st Course “Salad, with a particularly strong garlic and vinegar dressing.” The wine stood up well to the dressing. My wife called the wine a “crowd pleaser.” The wine served its purpose admirably during this course. Respect. 2nd Course “Rib-eye steak, baked potato with sour cream and cheese.” The wine held up to the steak-and-potato dinner. It was light, for sure, but it turns out to be a nice summer “hot day” alternative for a meal like this compared to, say, a typical pairing of a cabernet sauvignon or Bordeaux blend on a cooler day. Again, respect. Meal: 3rd Course “Dark chocolate lava cake.” The wine did not hold up well against the dark chocolate, not nearly as well as a darker, heavier wine would. That being said, although we planned to save a glass to try on day 2, we finished the bottle. Valiant effort.
  
  Final Thoughts: “The Verdict”
  
  My wife and I drink a lot of Grenache from Paso Robles and other parts of the Central Coast (e.g., Torrin, Law Estate, Villa Creek, Denner). Previously, we were not aware of Cass Vineyard and Winery. If we tasted this wine blind, to be perfectly honest, we would not have recognized it as a Paso Grenache. It was much lighter, much more subtle, had a lower alcohol %, and was less fruit forward. The tannins were mild, and my wife’s description of “refreshing” and “sweet but not sweet” was not inaccurate. The 2013 Cass Grenache is not a wine that I would drink by itself, but it paired surprisingly very well with food that may normally overpower a lighter Grenache. At the right price, my wife and I would recommend it for a weekday meal, even a glass for lunch. My wife called this “a solid Thursday wine.” I’d suggest drinking in the next 18 months. The release price of $32 is about right for this level of Grenache from Paso Robles, though it would be a “buy” for me at $20-22. Recommend.
  
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