DAILY WINE DISPATCH | Tasting Notes



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CHEESE PAIRING:
Montenebro
Morbier
Baby Swiss
Asiago
Emmentaler
Iberico
Manchego

One of the main blending grapes in Spain, where it's the most planted varietal and called Garnacha, and in the South of France, where it is at its' best in the Rhone region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This is a high-alcohol, low tannin grape that makes light to medium-bodied, fruity wines. With the right terroir, they are like more spicy, riper versions of Pinot Noir, when overripe they are just bland fruit bombs. Blended with Syrah (and others) in the Rhone Valley to make Cotes-du-Rhone table wines. In Spain, it is mixed with Tempranillo in the regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Both France and Spain use it to make many of their best rosé wines, which have great fruit and acidity. While still mainly a blending grape, more California, Australia and Spanish producers are isolating prime vineyard sections to create some lovely wines on their own. New World single bottle versions will cost you ($20+), as the grape is gaining popularity, Spanish versions can be bought for $10-$15. The grape's lack of tannin lessens its' ability to age. Most versions should be drunk 3-4 years after the vintage date, unless they are blended with something else like Syrah, which gives the wine more of a backbone.

WHAT TO EXPECT: A light to medium-bodied, bright ruby colored wine with ripe red fruit flavors (strawberry, raspberry, cherry) and spicy notes (white pepper, cloves, tobacco) with more than it's fair share of alcohol. Low tannins and moderate acidity make them easy to drink right away. Though not enough acidity can lead to overripe and flabby flavors, leaving the alcohol all too apparent.

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	2008 Altovinum Evodia Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain	RATING: **
	2008 Cass Winery Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: **
	2007 Altovinum Evodia Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain	RATING: **
	2007 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain	RATING: **
	2007 Grey Stack Cellars Grenache, Sonoma, CA	RATING: ***
	2007 Las Rocas Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain	RATING: **
	2007 Vina Alarba Old Vines Garnacha, Aragon, Spain	RATING: *
	2007 Vinedos y Bodegas Pablo Menguante Garnacha, Carinena, Spain	RATING: *
	2006 Anglim Winery Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Artazu Artazuri Garnacha, Navarra, Spain	RATING: *
	2006 Atteca Old Vines Grenache, Calatayud, Spain	RATING: ***
	2006 Barrel 27 "Rock and a Hard Place" Grenache, Central Coast, CA	RATING: **
	2006 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Whole Cluster Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain	RATING: ***
	2006 Brophy Clark Cellars Grenache, Arroyo Grande, CA	RATING: **
	2006 Cass Winery Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Dark Star Cellars Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Denner Vineyards Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Edward Sellers Winery Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Hacienda Molleda Garnacha, Carinena, Spain	RATING: **
	2006 Hitching Post Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: **
	2006 Imagery Estate Winery Grenache, Sonoma, CA	RATING: **
	2006 Kaena Santa Ynez Valley Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: **
	2006 Kaena Tierra Alta Vineyard Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Kenneth-Crawford Larner Vineyard Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Las Rocas Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain	RATING: **
	2006 Bodegas Leceranas Evohé Garnacha, Aragon, Spain	RATING: **
	2006 Minassian-Young Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: **
	2006 San Liege Grenache, Central Coast, CA	RATING: **
	2006 Slipstream Grenache, McLaren Vale, Australia	RATING: **
	2006 Stolpman Vineyard Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Tercero Wines Camp 4 Vineyard Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: **
	2006 Vie Winery L'Imaginaire Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: ***
	2006 Vinos Sin-Ley Puerta Bonita G5 Garnacha, Madrid, Spain	RATING: *
	NV Chateau de Saint Cosme "Little James' Basket Press", Rhone Valley, France	RATING: **
	2005 Adelaida Cellars Glenrose Vineyard Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2005 Anglim Winery Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2005 Artazu Artazuri Garnacha, Navarra, Spain	RATING: **
	2005 Beckmen Vineyards Estate Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: **
	2005 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: **
	2005 Betts & Scholl Chronique Grenache, Barossa Valley, Australia	RATING: ***
	2005 Domaine Andre Brunel Grenache, Vaucluse, France	RATING: *
	2005 Cass Winery Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2005 Kaena Santa Ynez Valley Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: **
	2005 Las Rocas Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain	RATING: **
	2005 Las Rocas Garnacha Vinas Viejas, Calatayud, Spain	RATING: *
	2005 Zeta Garnacha, Navarra, Spain	RATING: *
	2004 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: ***
	2004 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Grenache Whole Cluster, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: **
	2004 Cass Winery Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: **
	2004 Edward Sellers Grenache, Paso Robles, CA	RATING: ***
	2003 Pirramimma Old Bush Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale, Australia	RATING: **
	2002 Ridge Lytton Estate Grenache, Sonoma, CA	RATING: **
	2001 Bedford Thompson Winery Grenache, Santa Barbara, CA	RATING: **

**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable