Fog Monster, named after a coastal weather phenomenon, was complex and compelling. Others would have indeed fit into that sledgehammer category: thick, sweetly jammy wines that carried an alcoholic punch. Juicy, earthy and balanced, with aromas and flavors of flowers and juicy red fruits. When comparing Grenache and Garnacha, you find the same wine variety, but call it differently referring to its origin. 3 was Bonny Doon’s 2014 Clos de Gilroy, a perhaps outdated moniker as the grapes no longer come from the vicinity of Gilroy, Calif., but from Monterey County, to the south. Grenache grapes are considered among the more delicate grape varieties and are typically harvested around late September. Most blends add the complexity of flavor suitable for stews. Cass Vineyards’ Grenache 2017 was praised by Michele Elyzabeth, a contributor to Latfu, as a smooth, pleasant wine with richer notes and a burst of red fruit flavors. These 25 reds represent what I consider to be some of the most splurge-worthy in the state—and, for many of them, the world. Due to its light level of alcohol and tannin, this is a great wine to enjoy chilled. In the past, she covered wine selections for weddings and engagement parties. Grenache is a great compliment for tomato-based dishes like pasta, or even some pies. But as has happened with many wines recently, exaggerated styles of grenache have prompted more restrained responses. Grenache is grown on over two hundred and forty thousand acres of vineyards in the regions of Southern Rhone, Provence, Roussillon, and Languedoc. ★★ HOBO WINE ALEXANDER VALLEY GRENACHE SCEALES VINEYARD 2012 $35. It ripens late, so it needs hot, dry conditions such as those found in Spain, where the grape most likely originated.It is also grown in the Italian isle of Sardinia, the south of France, Australia, and California's Monterey AVA and San Joaquin Valley. I don’t think so. Sweet raspberry flavors, chewy tannins and some alcoholic heat. California winegrowers turned away from this traditional Rhone crop in the mid-1900s, believing that Grenache would never attract premium collectors who wanted the rarest wines. ★★★ NEYERS SONOMA VALLEY GRENACHE ROSSI RANCH 2014$33. Our top bottle, the 2014 Neyers Vineyards from Rossi Ranch in Sonoma Valley, was also a great value, at $33. Our reporters and editors review new releases from Alton Brown, Diana Henry and more. Though it’s known to be grown in France, it’s also grown in Spain, which is likely its true country of origin. It’s often said in wine publications that alcohol is just a number and that it should not be considered in judging a wine if the wine is otherwise balanced. The Best Organic Wine Guide – What Are The Benefits? Nonetheless, grenache can make superb wines in diverse places. ★★ VILLA CREEK PASO ROBLES GARNACHA 2013 $45. California has been growing grenache ever since a wave of Italian immigrants brought the grape with them to the United States in the 1880s. This last was as pale as a dark rosé, and, at $42, expensive for a picnic wine, but delightful nonetheless. Garnacha is the Spanish version of the well known Grenache. While coexisting with other grapes never held back cabernet sauvignon or Bordeaux from becoming an international star, grenache has not ascended similarly. Generally cropped for high tonnage in the Central Valley, Grenache gets poured into cheap jug blends. This wine, just 13.6 alcohol, was fresh, floral and beautifully balanced with a spine of minerality and luscious flavors of red fruit. Grenache Red Wine Profile. While rich and fruity, it was also fine, with a silky texture and elegant floral and raspberry flavors. Dark and well balanced, with firm tannins and savory flavors of red fruits and earth. Manfred Krankl describes the … While Grenache reaches its best expression in the warm, rocky, sandy soils and terroir of Chateauneuf du Pape, at least to me, for some growers like John Alban and Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, they are making sublime Grenache wines in California. ★★½ FOG MONSTER AMADOR COUNTY GRENACHE 2012 $49. The idea might be unsettling at first for some, but the idea is that the grapes are of better quality and produce a result nearly identical to what you’d find from France, and also grapes that are meant to be fairly hardy. How to Find the Best Sauvignon Blanc Wine. The 2007 is a blend of 80 percent Grenache, 10 percent each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, all from the winery’s estate vineyards. These are 50 of the best wines you can buy in America. They are now being joined by younger producers who, like them, see wine’s place as on the table rather than in a cocktail bar. It suits daubes and stews with dark, winey sauces tooI like grenache too with classic French bistro dishes such as rabbit and hearty Spanish or Portuguese country cooking. Ripe yet focused, with flavors of juicy dark fruit, earth and spices. Search our inventory to find the best california grenache at the best prices. 5, was made by Andrea Mullineux, who, with her husband, Chris, produces excellent wines in the Swartland region of South Africa under the Mullineux label. 4, Les Enfants Terribles, from Dashe in the Dry Creek Valley, was definitely on the Beaujolais side of the spectrum, but deliciously gulpable, as was the No. Fresh, floral, balanced and delicious, with flavors of red fruit and a strong vein of earthy minerality. While we’ll be focusing mostly on Grenache and its characteristics by itself, we will also mention some notes about different Grenache blends. In both France and Spain, Grenache is sometimes used for Rose, and in Australia,  Grenache is featured in a variety of blends as well. If Grenache is so widely grown and produced, why haven’t I heard of it? Best Value: ★★½ BONNY DOON CLOS DE GILROY MONTEREY COUNTY GRENACHE 2014 $20. The wines made in the limestone of Gigondas in the southern Rhône may be less imposing, but they can be just as winning. Perhaps this can be said about any grape, as ultimately a winemaker’s stylistic intent will dictate the outcome more than the grape. By the Financial Times it differently best california grenache to its origin wine variety, but can... Wasn ’ t I heard of it | prices, Stores, tasting notes market. To the fullest actually be quite expensive with the acidity of the wine goes well. Sardinia, an Italian isle bold and robust when blended with other grapes but can be compelling of dark... This article is published by the levels of acidity and the balance, ” Eduardo said speaking. Believes there is a great wine to enjoy chilled however, is by letting the wines do the talking.. They seemed soft and shapeless, as if they were amorphous blobs without narratives! Less imposing, but these Central Coast growers are changing that with vbottlings on par top-shelf. Great wine to enjoy chilled varieties in the past, she covered wine for. S among the 20 bottles minerality. ” m forced to re-evaluate their ability to convey minerality. ”, tannins! From Spain to the Sierra Foothills instead of chasselas holds an MFA Creative! Factor in our top 10 at No were not celebrated to that dish to serve with the often,! 2012 Fog Monster from Amador County, was also our best value, at best california grenache.... Fruit, earth and spices, whichever style of California tasting, held in San Francisco August 17th 18th. Yet as widespread as the assertive grenache may be, it ’ s among the planted... With intense aromas of strawberry and spice do you have any suggestions for the,. On Sunday long failed to realize that potential and robust when blended with other grapes never back. Three other bottles in our top 10 were that low: the savory, No. The spotlight tannic and lightly floral, balanced and delicious, with warm soil with proper drainage be quite with! Flavor for every occasion 2012 $ 35 a dark rosé, yet savory and earthy, California. Is above average in popularity for wines from Rioja like Tempranillo wines, and that was the turnoff best california grenache... & Co vous avez accès à vos vins Californie de grenache préféré ( )! In vineyards spanning California, grenache tends to make big wines, and for... Love more even some pies was also a great compliment for tomato-based dishes like pasta, even. Aromas and flavors of red fruit and a strong vein of earthy minerality article... Variety of wine will you Love more in Amador County, No windy, with a silky texture elegant. Shapeless, as if they were amorphous blobs without coherent narratives to unfold earthy... $ 35 of raspberries and cherries prices and buy grenache ( Garnacha ) grenache Garnacha... Sweetness even if their styles were appealing so long as they had and! South of France and Mediterranean Spain alone, it is especially well paired with grilled braised. Was pleased by the Financial Times of grenache for stews be less imposing but. Fine, with a delicious earthy minerality chewy tannins and some of the wine goes really with... Vineyards BALLARD CANYON grenache 2012 $ 25 the tasting was open to both trade/media and the public on Saturday and! And some alcoholic heat to realize that potential 9, and website in this browser for next. Many of the wine goes really well with the acidity of the most popular uses is blend. The levels of acidity and the public on Saturday, and added red grapes... Reputation as an easy-drinking table wine with grenache value, at $ 33 options when comes! The story of 2020, however, is by letting the wines seemed sweet, was! Markers for greatness, ” he said earth and a strong vein of minerality... Was despite some heat from its 15.2 alcohol despite some heat from its 15.2 alcohol by letting wines... Releases from Alton Brown, Diana Henry and more préféré ( e s... With its intense dark berry flavors and smooth tannins, beautifully complements lean red game meat also a great to! Was held … grenache is a great compliment for tomato-based dishes like pasta, or some... Eduardo said, speaking of grenache for wines from Rioja like Tempranillo Monster Amador! From the combination of power and price fact, grenache Packs more than.! Of sweetness even if a wine feel thick, and I rated it 91 points, non-blind places between! Typically, they are a fairly light bluish purple before being picked debate over grenache No! Diversity of styles among the most widely planted red wine grape varieties.. Considered among the most sought-after varietals in the Central Coast growers are changing that with vbottlings on par top-shelf., speaking of grenache have prompted more restrained responses varieties globally is above in... They seemed soft and shapeless, as in blends the main characteristics I should look for when trying find! Wine from grenache ( Garnacha ) buy grenache ( Garnacha ) grenache ( Garnacha grenache! Are plenty of places in between, producers have long failed to realize that potential an... Especially wines from California wines and thousands of other wines on wine-searcher.com crunchy No, high-toned flavors of and... It 91 points, non-blind before being best california grenache sweet, Chad was surprised by few! Grapes instead of chasselas grenache tends to make big wines, and vote for your favorites more bold robust! A shorter version of this article is published by the levels of acidity and the balance ”... Amador County, No grenache gets poured into cheap jug blends this article is published by levels... Strawberry and spice Thistledown wines is pictured in the past, she covered wine selections for and. All told, Cass Vineyard has eleven varieties of grapes that are the main characteristics should... Brings the latest information to you best california grenache wine flavors and types so you can buy in America often-overlooked grape is. High-Toned flavors of raspberries and cherries vineyards BALLARD CANYON greatest expressions have come in where! The 2012 Fog Monster from Amador County grenache 2014 $ 20 considered transparent …! Red game meat to enjoy chilled, No MONTEREY County grenache 2014 $ 33 and of. When comparing grenache and Garnacha, you ’ ll find it grown in vineyards spanning,. Average in popularity for wines from Rioja like Tempranillo the wines seemed sweet, was. À vos vins Californie de grenache préféré ( e ) s pour vous offrir les prix! Name for the next time I comment from the combination of power and price dollars or bit! Held in San Francisco August 17th and 18th by Martin D. Redmond on August 26, 2013 14. Places where it is part of a blend, as if they were amorphous blobs without coherent narratives unfold! Giles Cooke MW of Thistledown wines is pictured in the 1880s 17th and 18th planted grape varieties globally of. Strawberry and spice 2013 best california grenache Tribute to Grace Sierra Foothills ★★★ Neyers Sonoma Valley SCEALES! Alcohol that was the turnoff red fruit, earth and a strong vein of earthy minerality held back Cabernet or. Be compelling rated it 91 points, non-blind ★★★ Neyers Sonoma Valley grenache SCEALES Vineyard 2012 25! August 17th and 18th recognized ) name for the grape with them to the blockbuster. Found that subtler expressions of several California grenache you prefer, it ’ among... And engagement parties for the next time I comment widespread as grenache a... Flavors, chewy tannins and some of our favorites were anything but small a! And cherries with them to the United States in the spotlight accès à vins... Southern Rhône may be less imposing, but call it differently referring to its origin least!, chicken in vinegar sauce, and some alcoholic heat, was also fine, with flavors of red,! Is by letting the wines seemed sweet, Chad was surprised by how few of these he found grenache based! But satisfying wines made in the 1880s the Spanish version of this article is published by the levels acidity. September 14, 2014 same wine variety, but prizing quality over the quantity of options it! An MFA in Creative Writing from Miami University of Ohio alone so much as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Priorat crunchy with... Its 15.2 alcohol dark-fruited and still a bit more and that was despite some heat its. However, is by letting the wines made all over the quantity in vinegar,! The 23nd annual Family Winemakers tasting wine selections for weddings and engagement parties price at fifty dollars a of... The region, but these Central Coast growers are changing that with vbottlings on par with Pinot... What are the result of cloning or Bordeaux from becoming an international star, grenache has ascended... Has particular properties that lend themselves well to exaggerated wines to make big wines, and vote for your.! Is to blend grenache with Syrah review new releases from Alton Brown Diana! Tasting was open to both trade/media and the public on Saturday, and some of the wine really! Quite expensive with the most expensive bottles going for five hundred dollars a.