Posts Tagged ‘grenache’
Sunday, February 1st, 2009
89 / A+
Tasted by Mike Supple - 04 Sep 2008
Classic lighter grenache color with a medium ruby core and a lighter garnet rim. The aromas are very spicy and floral with some candied cherry, fresh grape and a hint of dark scorched earth. Incredibly smooth in the mouth making it easy to drink. Cinnamon spice surrounds strawberries and cherries. Round in the middle with just enough acid to keep it fresh. The finish comes in strong with a huge red gummy bear kick and a touch of spicy cumin.
Grenache is a great wine for people who are looking for something not quite as heavy as a Cabernet, but that still packs an impressive punch of smells and flavors. Grenache can get pretty pricey (particularly from the South of France) so finding one in the $10 range is a rarity. Finding one in the $10 range that delivers with this quality fruit is unheard of. The grapes come from vines that vary in age all the way up to 80 years, which really gives some added fruit and spice. This is the perfect wine to bring to a friend’s house as it appeals to all drinkers; seasoned wine veterans and newbies alike. Plus who’s going to make fun of you for drinking wine that’s called the Bitch? (Also makes a great gift for the hostess with a sense of humor…)
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Tags: 2007, Australia, bear, bitch, candy, cherry, cinnamon, cumin, earth, floral, flower, fresh, garnet, grape, grenache, gummy, r wines, red, red wine, ruby, scorched, South, spice, strawberry, wine
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009
86 / B+
Tasted by Mike Supple - 24 Sep 2008
Medium ruby core with a pink rim. There is a touch of Old World earth and barnyard (this is a good thing in moderation) to the aromas around a core of dark fruit. Blackberry and black cherry aromas are accented by a hint of sweet tea and leather. Light and easy drinking on the palate with good acidity. The black cherry flavors are supported by dark roasted coffee and cinnamon.
Spain offers a huge variety of wines and many compelling values. This is a perfect wine to help familiarize yourself with the Spanish style of winemaking, as well as the Tempranillo grape (this wine is 85% Tempranillo, and the rest Garnacha and Graciano). The bold acidity makes this a perfect wine for all kinds of foods, so grab a bottle, call some friends and get a Tapas cookbook. Light enough for hearty fish - think paella with scallops and mussels - yet spicy and rich enough to go with ham, beef and just about any soft sheep milk cheeses. Not a wine to age or use to impress big collectors, but something that is fun, goes with food and friends, and is produced in great quantity, making it easy to find around the world.
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Tags: 2004, barnyard, black, blackberry, caceres, cherry, cinnamon, coffee, Crianza, earth, Garnacha, grenache, leather, marques, red, red wine, Rioja, roast, spain, sweet, tea, Tempranillo, wine
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Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
89 / A
Tasted by Mike Supple - 21 Oct 2008
Clear purple core with a vibrant ruby rim. Hints of violets float around candied strawberry and raspberry aromas with a darker streak of smoke, black cherry and fresh herbs. Smooth, easy entry on the palate bringing lush sweet fruits backed by smoke, a touch of game and a streak of minerality. Good supporting acid makes this an easy choice for dinner. Lingering touch of caramel on the finish.
A blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Delivers quite a bit of flavor and power for such an approachable young wine. Minervois is a great region to find some of the best values not only from France, but in the world right now.
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Tags: 2006, averoux, black, candy, caramel, cherry, cuvee, Domaine, fernand, france, fresh, fruit, game, grenache, herb, Languedoc, leocadie, mineral, minervois, purple, raspberry, red, red wine, Roussillon, ruby, saint, sainte, smoke, strawberry, sweet, Syrah, violet, wine
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Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
86 / B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 22 Oct 2008
Dark ruby core and a garnet rim. Juicy and grapey aromas with fresh squeezed blackberry fruit underscored by a darker tar and black cherry note. Easy entry onto the palate. Juicy and round with nice blueberry and blackberry flavors. There is a hint of earth and creamy caramel on the finish.
55% Shiraz, 45% Grenache. Easy drinking. Not overly complex, but a fun wine for before, during or after dinner.
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Tags: 2005, Australia, black, blackberry, blueberry, caramel, cherry, cream, earth, eastern, garnet, grape, grenache, red, red wine, rosemount, ruby, Shiraz, South, Syrah, tar, wine
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Sunday, January 25th, 2009
84 / B-
Tasted by Mike Supple - 18 Mar 2008
Medium ruby core with a touch of garnet in the rim. Very perfumy with flowers and fresh herbs over darker charcoal and black cherry. Soft and round in the mouth with a nice lingering dark fruit finish. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre.
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Tags: 2004, black, Blend, charcoal, chateau, cherry, Costieres, dark, dry, flower, france, fresh, fruit, garnet, grenache, herb, Lamargue, mourvedre, Nimes, perfume, red, red wine, Rhone, round, ruby, soft, Southern, Syrah, table
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
89 / A-
Tasted by Mike Supple - 14 Feb 2008
Dark purple core with a tinge of pink on the rim. A bit reductive on the nose, but gives way to blueberry, raspberry, black cherry and lighter strawberry aromas after a few minutes. Cedar spice, leather and slate support the dark fruits. On the palette the wine is medium to full bodied leading to fairly bold tannic structure on the finish. Perfumed notes of baby powder and rose petals lead to plum and black cherry on the mid-palate with a darker finish of cedar, leather, wet earth and slate.
This wine takes a very long time to show its true value right now. It needs to be open for several hours before being agreeable, but once open for a couple of days the aromas and flavors really started to come out. Good quality wines from Chateauneuf often cost a lot of money. This is priced very reasonably and will be a very good wine with another 3 or so years in the bottle. However, if you don’t have that patience, pour it into a decanter (or any large pitcher with space for oxygen) and give it several hours.
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Tags: blueberry, cedar, Chateauneuf, Chateauneuf du Pape, cherry, cinsault, clos, Clos de l'Oratoire, france, grenache, leather 2005, mike supple, mourvedre, oratoire, Pape, raspberry, red wine, Rhone, rose, rouge, Southern, strawberry, Syrah, wine
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