Las Rocas Garnacha 2008

i wrote about this grenache a year ago and recently revisted the 2008 vintage. nice way for me to re-enter the blog page after a couple month off. this will still work as a nice thanksgiving wine and is still value priced at about $10-12. the 08 version has many similar characteristics that the 07 did. a nose of raspberries, smoke and spicy pepper. soft and easy on the palate with nice black cherry, smoky mocha, and spice. very easy drinking wine that will add to the thanksgiving flavors and won't put a huge dent in your wallet.

Castillo de Monseran Garnacha 2007

tried this grenache at my local wine shop recently. very fruit forward wine. the nose was strawberries and raspberries, with some spice notes thrown in. got a little anise note as well. the palate was very fruit forward with lots of raspberry and strawberry, and a little plum. not as much of the earth and peppery spice as i would like, this one was a little short in overall depth. light tannins and a medium finish, this wine sells for about $10. i was just a little disappointed with this one. not a bad wine, just left me wanting a little more from it.

Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2007 Garnacha

thinking of something different for a thanksgiving wine? try this grenache from spain. value priced at about $12 (although you may be able to find it under $10), this wine has enough fruit and body to stand up to the turkey and dressing. the nose is loaded with dark fruits like black raspberry and black cherry. i also got some real nice spice notes, followed by some dark chocolate. the palate had many of the same characteristics as the nose, with raspberry and cherry flavors coming through. i also got an interesting red licorice note, as well as dark chocolate and some spicy pepper. very interesting wine that had fairly heavy tannins at the start, softening as the wine opened up. well worth a try.

Granacha de Fuego 2007

off to spain for this nicely priced ($9 a bottle) grenache. the nose was blackberries, blueberries and spice and earthy, wet leaves. the taste was quite surprising given the low price. it can be hard to find grenache that is worth while at this price point, but this one works well. black raspberries, pepper and licorice flavors with a nice long finish. this is a very fruit forward grenache with medium tannins and will work well with pizza, burgers or a good steak dinner. a very easy drinking wine that is well worth the price.

Yalumba Barossa Bush Vine Grenache 2007

at a recent wine tasting, i had the opportunity to try this grenache from australia. if you are white wine person and are looking to transition into reds, this might not be a bad place to start. the nose is plums and spice with cloves being the predominant spice note. also picked up a little chocolate aroma. the taste was not typical grenache, but more fruit forward and a bit lighter than you would normally get with this varietal. flavors of blueberry cobbler and strawberry shine through. lighter tannins and a nice balanced finish with a little spice note at the end round out the taste. the price is nice as well, retailing for about $15 a bottle. worth a try if you like a lighter red wine.

Artazu Artazuri Garnacha 2006

another wine fest wine, this grenache was also a part of the dinner. i am a big fan of 100% grenache, and when you can find it at this price point ($11) and it is a decent wine, it is worth your time and money to try it. the nose was very fruity with aromas of strawberry and raspberry. there was also a subtle hint of spice, like pepper in the nose. the taste was very fruit forward with black cherry and raspberry as the main flavor. there was a little bit of an earthy flavor as well, like baked earth. the tannins were not overpowering and the finish was very nice. this would benefit from time in the bottle and definitely needs to be decanted for a bit before pouring. it opened up a great deal as it sat in the glass.

Celler de Capcanes "Mas Donis" Barrica 2005

another nice red from the wine dinner we attended last week. i am referring to this wine as a grenache even though it is technically a blend with 15% syrah in it as well. once again this was pared with the protein/meat portion of the meal and it worked very well. the nose was very nice, with many aromas coming through. i got licorice, violets, black cherry and some mineral notes as well. the palate was a bit tight and i wished they had decanted the wine ahead of time, but in a large format dinner such as this, that may not have been possible. the flavors were blackberry, black cherry, some hints of vanilla and a little spice as well. the wine opened up nicely as it sat in the glass so i would expect a one hour or more decanting would benefit this one. sells for about $11 and i will be getting a bottle to lay for a bit and try again.

Alto Moncayo/Veraton 2004 Grenache

this is post number 200 for me and this is a worthy wine to have at that monumental number! moving around europe from france to spain for this beauty. alto moncayo was suggested by a friend in the wine industry to me several years ago after i expressed a fondness for grenache blends, and i try to keep a bottle in the cellar most of the time. this is 100% grenache, and it is truly an amazing bottle of wine. the nose was very big, with smells of vanilla, blackberries, smokey notes and raspberries. taste was very big and full in the mouth. balanced with smooth tannins, the flavors were blackberry, tobacco, licorice, some mocha and spice in a long, smooth finish. this is truly a wine worth trying. it sells for about $20-25 depending on where you shop. i have seen it at a higher price, but shop around or ask your local wine merchant to get it for you. if the 04 is not available, fear not. the 05 version is very nice as well. and there are also other levels of this grenache, some selling in the $40 range which are very good also. a baldwinegeek favorite!

Ortas Tradition Rasteau Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2006

this cotes du rhone blend of 70% grenache, 20% syrah, and 10% mourvedre was sitting on display at my local wine merchant with some rather nice descriptions so i thought i would give it a try. the nose was black cherry, spice and a little licorice. the palate was full of ripe red raspberries, earthy flavors of tobacco and spice, followed by some soft floral notes. we enjoyed this with a chicken and smashed potato dinner but it really would be better with a nice steak. it was good but i think it had not yet reached full potential. it sells for about $15 and would benefit from time in the bottle. worth another try.

El Chaparral 2005 Grenache

had to sneak a red in amongst all the white that has been reviewed lately. i love a good 100% grenache. many wineries use it as a blending grape, especially in that holy trinity of blends with syrah and mourvedre. this 100% grenache from spain was made from old vines that are at least 60 years old. the nose was not as big as some of the others i have had. there were hints of licorice and earth. but it never really opened up, despite the fact that i had opened the bottle a day earlier. black fruit taste and overpowering tannins that really take the taste right out of the old buds. had a strong finish of blackberry, but the tannins kind of killed that. maybe a longer time in the bottle? paid about $13 for this so maybe another bottle laid for a while would be worth looking into. it just isn't ready to drink right now.

2005 Atteca Old Vines Garnacha

interesting 100% grenache wine from spain. black currant and black cherry nose. immediate fruit forward taste followed by tar and licorice flavors, and a stony finish followed by soft tannins. 14.5% alcohol content gives it a bit of a bite. overall a very nice meaty red wine that would compliment a good steak dinner, or game like venison if you like that sort of meat. priced at around $15-18. enjoy!