The 4th Annual, Grenache Associations, International Grenache Day is today September 20th, 2013
According to the Grenache Association, Grenache is:
Grenache is the most widely planted red grape in the world and responsible for the velvety, voluptuous mouthfeel that people love in wine; but it rarely gets the credit it deserves because it’s often used in blends. It’s time to change all that! Grenache enthusiasts are connecting all over the world and coming together to celebrate this groovy grape.
We here at Wine Spectrum wholeheartedly agree. To help celebrate, open up a bottle of your favorite Grenache. Nothing in your cellar? Prepare for next year by contacting us about one of these beauties.
2009 Chateau Beaucastel Grenache, Hommage a Jacques Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape –Â Robert Parker Rated 99
Potentially the wine of the vintage, the 2009 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin had just been bottled two weeks before my visit. A wine of extraordinary density, richness, precision and unreal flavor intensity, it reveals abundant gamey, meaty notes intermixed with smoked duck, Provencal herbs, blueberries, blackberries, kirsch and licorice. This loaded, multidimensional, massively concentrated 2009 is much softer than most Hommages. It should be drinkable in 3-4 years and keep for 30-40 years thereafter. Kudos to one of the world’s great winemaking families!
2010 Paul Avril Grenache, Clos Des Papes –Â Robert Parker Rated 99
The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape flirts with perfection. A classic blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, Vaccarese and Counoise, all aged in large foudres in Clos des Papes air-conditioned and humidity-controlled wine cellar, the wine boasts a dense purple color along with lots of gorgeously pure black raspberry, black currant and kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with notions of spring flowers, tapenade, licorice and spice box. This dense, full-bodied, powerful Chateauneuf is also remarkably fresh and well-delineated. It even exceeded the 2007 in natural alcohol, coming in at 15.9%. With an extraordinary texture and considerable tannin in the finish, it will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age, and is built for 25-30 years of cellaring. Don’t miss it!
2011 TOR Rock Grenache “Cuvee Cooper” –Â Wine Spectrum Rated 94
The Cuvee Cooper is the wine that we make that is a testament to our love of Grenache. This vintage of the Cooper is perhaps the most dense, rich and potentially long lived that we have made. The smaller yields of 2011 have given it a more intense and nervous palate with great tension and precision. Like all of our wines, this was bottled unfined and unfiltered, as to not interfere in any way with the textural and aromatic qualities that Grenache displays. The nose on the 2011 Cooper is filled with bright spice, kirsch and cigar smoke. On the palate this is full weight with tremendous density, richness and length balanced by loads of red fruits, plums and Christmas spices. This wine can be consumed on its own but should do quite well with richer meat and pasta dishes. 95% Grenache, 5% Syrah. 175 cases produced.
2011 Wind Gap Grenache, “Sceales Vineyard” –Â Wine Spectrum Rated 93
Vibrant red fruits and a highly energetic intensity of pure Grenache flavor are almost overwhelming. In the mouth, the wine is loaded an layered with ripe red fruit, nice spice and that energy that you can see and feel in the wine. A brilliant medium bodied red wine that will dazzle with its vibrancy and energy. 100% Grenache. 425 cases produced.
