Blind Tasting: Grenache

4/12/2012 (Wave 2700)

2009 Sine Qua Non Packin' Rosy - USA, California, Central Coast
Had the rose as a starter, non-blind. Great strawberry profile, nice acidity, well balanced and great mouthfeel. I would seek this out again (93 pts.)

2009 Domaine Le Colombier Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras
Wine # 1 Blind: Floral, light nose, not a lot of tannins, somewhat one dimensional. Some nice minerality, tart red fruit that gained some weight in glass. I had guessed Spain. (88 pts.)

2003 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Romas - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon
Wine #2 Blind: Blueberry pie on nose and mouth with good acidity. I guessed Aussie. Almost Shiraz like. (87 pts.)

2006 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Wine #3 Bllnd: Big structure, highly extracted fruit, cherry and kirsch. Spicy and complex with Provencial spices. This wine was a bruiser and I had guessed somewhere in Paso Robles. (92 pts.)

2006 Betts & Scholl Grenache Chronique - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
#4 Blind: Very nice mouthfeel, brilliant aromatics, silky and elegant black and blue fruit. I had guessed Europe. For me, the surprise of the night. (94 pts.)

2008 Alban Vineyards Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley
Blind #5: Garnet color, smooth mouthfeel, floral nose, fruit forward, extracted. Has some blueberry and kirsch overtones. I had guessed Alban and was right. Once again, John Alban is a genius. The wine was well integrated with no apparent heat. Lick smacking good with plenty of tannic structure for long term aging. Everyone's WOTN. (96 pts.)

2007 Bodegas San Alejandro Garnacha Calatayud Las Rocas - Spain, Aragón, Calatayud
Blind #6: Green herbal nose, definitely not US. Olive tapanade and somewhat oily. Fruit hidden by acidic finish. (85 pts.)

2008 Flux Red Table Wine - USA, California
Blind #7: Easy to drink on entry. I guessed Cali. Very hot in mid-palate. Wine was ok, not great. Too much acid. I wouldn't seek it out. Out of balance. (86 pts.)

2007 R Wines Grenache Chateau Chateau David And Goliath Mclaren Flat - Australia, South Australia, McLaren Vale / Barossa
Blind # 8: Thin, watery, not my style. Dump bucket quickly. (83 pts.)

2009 Outpost Grenache - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Blind #9: Tasted like a heavy rose with lots of heat. Red fruit underneath the heat. I might have been generous with my score as it was the last blind wine of the night. (90 pts.)

2008 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja
Non-Blind: red and black fruit with some dark cocoa on finish. Had a bit off coffee ground on finish as well. Nice bold, full bodied wine. (90 pts.)