Grenache

Winemaker Description

The ruby red color with garnet hues, translucent and brilliant, announces bright, mature and refined aromas. The fresh scent of violet is perfectly integrated by notes of jam, plums, blackcurrants and oriental spices. The palate is solid, wellstructured and warm in its embrace, but always well-balanced, thanks also to fresh bursts of balsam and medicinal herbs and berries. The aftertaste presents toasted hints before returning to the spice route. 

Expert Rating 

James Suckling writes:  Clean and focused with blackberry and dark-bark aromas and flavors. Medium to full body and firm, creamy tannins with length and focus. Lavender and berries with chocolate undertones. Very polished and flavorful. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 94

Eric Guido writes:  Dried violets give way to lavender, dusty blackberry and sage as the 2020 Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva blossoms in the glass. It’s silky in texture yet cool-toned and crisp with ripe wild berries that cascade across a core of vibrant acidity. A subtle coating of fine tannin lingers as the 2020 finishes pleasantly chewy and long, leaving a licorice tinge.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.  - Vinous 90

Walter Speller writes:  Mid-to-deep ruby. Appealing raspberry, damson and violet nose with some complexity to it; a kind of new-generation Cannonau focusing on fruit and freshness rather than concentration and richness. Finesse and succulence on the palate. Looking for a red to go with grilled or pan-fried fish? This is your wine.  Drinking 2023 to 2028.  - Jancis Robinson 17

Winemaker Description

100% Garnacha from different plots in the Fitero village. Spontaneous fermentation in tank.

Expert Reviews

92  Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate | Luis Gutierrez writes: The regular red 2022 Garnacha was produced with grapes from the whole region—Corella, Cintruénigo, Fitero and now also Lerga—from their earliest harvest ever under very warm weather, and it fermented with 20% full clusters and was bottled early and unoaked. It has contained ripeness, 13.41% alcohol, berry fruit, hints of licorice and a touch of honey and beeswax. It is primary and has a medium body and a juicy mouthfeel with good grip and tension, more serious than the nose points at, with some chalkiness and without any heaviness or heat. Purity. This is fresher than anticipated after the torrid 2022 summer.

90 James Suckling | Zen Shuai writes:  A light, bright rendition of graciano showing more strawberries and potpourri than peppery spices. Cheerful and crunchy, with a medium body and fresh, fine-grained tannins. Quite approachable now.  

Winemaker Description

Pomegranate, cranberry and plum waft as the wine opens up. Those same pomegranate and damson plum characters continue on the palate and are enhanced by a slightly herbaceous edge. The Shiraz component gives width and generosity to the finer savoury Grenache tannins.

Expert Reviews

90 Points James Suckling | This regional hero of value and consistency has plenty of ripe red-berry and plum aromas with some deeper, darker berries, too. The palate is mid-weight and has a gently grainy texture. So drinkable.

91 Points Wine Enthusiast: Soft strawberry and watermelon aromas are cut by tangerine peel on the nose of this bottling. The palate has earthy tones of wet rocks and chalk, with well-integrated acidity pumping into the finish.

Winemaker Notes

Expert Rating

Luis Gutiérrez writes: The 2021 El Jorco achieved higher alcohol than the 2019 and 2020 I tasted next to it, reaching 15%. They did a slightly shorter maceration, down to 42 days, and a shorter élevage of 14 months in 500-liter barrels. They consider 2021 a slightly warmer year than 2020, but still the wine comes through as a little more elegant; it's pale and aromatic, perfumed, fine-boned, nicely textured, very tasty, clean, precise and focused but with clout and tannins that might benefit from a little more time in bottle. Curiously enough, there's less alcohol and the sensation of ripeness here than in the bottling from the pink granite part of the vineyard that is sold under the name Vino de Familia. This is my favorite wine of theirs from what I tasted today. 3,000 bottles produced. Drinking 2024 - 2029. - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 94

Winemaker Description

Costera shows the typicity of the Cannonau grape with flavors of very ripe strawberries, black cherries, herbs, and spices. The warmth and intense sunlight of southern Sardinia can be seen and felt in the wine with unexpectedly deep color and fullness on the palate. French oak barriques provide rounded tannins and flavors of vanilla.

Meat cooked over an open flame is an artform in Sardinia and specialties such as spit-roasted suckling pig or lamb seem perfect for the rich and complex flavors of Cannonau.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Jeb Dunnuck writes 91 Points |  I always love this cuvée from Beckmen, and the 2021 Cuvee Le Bec shines for its juicy, up-front, delicious style. A blend of 50% Syrah, 38% Grenache, and the rest Mourvèdre and Counoise, it offers lots of plump blackberry fruit, some peppery herbs, violet nuances, medium body, and a juicy, clean, lengthy finish. An outstanding wine, it will stand toe to toe with the finest Côtes du Rhône out there. 

Antonio Galloni  of VInous writes 91 Points | The 2021 Cuvée Le Bec is a very beautiful entry-level offering from Steve Beckmen. The cooler style of the year comes through in the wine's aromatic presence and lighter personality vis-à-vis most years. Dark red cherry, plum, wild flowers, spice and dried herbs all run through this Syrah-based blend.

Critic Notes

James Suckling writes:  A fresh and attractive sparkling rosé that suggests tulips and raspberries. Some light froth on the palate and a medium body make for pleasant, easy drinking. Nice minerality on the finish. Drink now.  - James Suckling 90

Winemaker Notes

A Cava of the traditional method, the grapes for this blush sparkler are sourced from clay and calcareous vineyards. A hand-gathered harvest selects the best of the plots, before pressing and a 12 hour maceration. The wine then ages for 24 months on the lees.

Bright strawberry notes are at the forefront of this energetic sparkler, backed by tropical, citrus aromas. Touches of minerality show through the fine mousse and lead into a bright finish of grapefruit acidity.

Garnatxa and Pinot Noir

GOLD MEDAL – GILBERT & GAILLARD INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE 2018

91 POINTS - GOURMETS GUIDE

Winemaker Description

Israel. Tangy and fruity. Its light straw color recalls the slightly earthy notes of its nose, enhanced with aromas of dried fruits, green apples, white peaches and quince.

On the palate, it offers a nice balance between body, acidity and fruity taste. Its long finish coats the palate with a mineral and tangy flavor. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby red colour with violet hints, very clear. Very intense, with vegetable and spicy hints, light liquorice nuance. Dry and smooth to the palate, enjoyably fresh, well balanced and harmonious, good nose-palate persistence.

Matching and service – Lean starters, dry and liquid soups even with savoury sauces, grilled and pan cooked meat, goat and sheep medium seasoned cheeses.
There are no studies on the Monica vine capable of identifying its exact origin. What is certain is that it was brought to Sardinia and planted in 1400 by the Camaldolese monks around their monasteries. 

From here, grapes of the monks, grapes of monks and then Monica … many theories, many memories of other vines that the character of Sardinia has transformed and adapted. Today Monica is a perfectly integrated son of Sardinia, the south-eastern part is his land of choice… and therefore at home in the Pala family.

Oltreluna has the spirit and character of Sardinia where the vine lives and breathes, but retains a small and intriguing memory of its mysterious origin. Kind like its name, but extraordinarily complex like the land that hosts it. It is the moon that is reflected on a silver sea in the blue of the night, it is a journey that has begun and is always evolving… it is thinking about the character of wild Sardinia with an extraordinary and elegant versatility.

Grapes – Monica 100%. 

Winemaker Description 

Eduardo Soler started Ver Sacrum in 2012 after spending some time in the Gredos, in Madrid, and falling in love with the mountain Garnacha. An avid mountaineer who has had a career managing and running ski resorts in Argentina, he decided to start making wines, all from Rhone varietals. His idea is to make fresh ones, with lower alcohol and lighter skin contact, not exactly what Argentina has been known for. 

His wines ferment from native yeasts and there are no corrections, no filtration, or pump overs. The winery currently sources from two different vineyards in Barrancas (Maipu) and Los Chacayes (Uco Valley) where they have  planted Grenache, Monastrell, Carignan, Roussane, Marsanne, Mencia, Syrah, Teroldego, and Nebbiolo.  

100% hand harvested Grenache Noir from a single vineyard in the Los Chacayes IG within the Uco Valley.  Grapes are 25% whole cluster and undergo semi carbonic maceration for 14 days and fermentation in concrete eggs. Aged 50% in concrete eggs

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | The very young white 2023 Bellmunt Blanc was produced with 60% Garnacha Blanca and 30% Macabeo from limestone soils and 10% Viognier from slate soils. It has a balsamic character, with notes of bay leaf and waxy apples.

It has contained ripeness, 13.5% alcohol, good freshness and a balanced palate for a warm and very dry year. It was bottled unoaked. 7,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2024. 

Winemaker Description 

This wine offers aromas of orange peel and forest floor with a slightly mineral palate and a Mediterranean herb finish.

Made using the grapes harvested from two, young white vineyards located in the Vall del Bellmunt. It is classified as a “Vi de Vila” (“Village Wine”) which means it is a wine made by a winery located within the municipal boundaries of the village of Bellmunt del Priorat, using vineyard plots which are located within the aforementioned village. Vines were planted in 2000 and 2008.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Nicolas Greinacher writes:  The captivating Grenache-only 2022 Gigondas Le Gour is sexy and layered. Pronounced rose petal, crushed violet, orange blossom, quince and raspberry aromas rise up from the glass. The floral lift is just stunning. Despite its medium to full-body, this athletic 2022 red offers a seamless mouthfeel and is wonderfully light on its feet.  Drinking 2025 to 2032.  - Vinous 93-95

James Suckling writes:  A superb wine made exclusively from grenache from 80-year-old vines, silky and ethereal. The nose is seductive, with crushed wild strawberries, bitter oranges, roses and some peppercorns. Medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. Such finesse of texture, with a silky core of bright, transparent and succulent berries. There is tension and vibrancy with an infused character. Intense while being restrained and always in control. Long finish. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 97

Winemaker Description

Rico Nuevo is a relatively new player in the Spanish wine scene, but they’re already making plenty of waves. The winery is right near Leon in the heralded Gredos Region. All eight wines they submitted to Parker’s Wine Advocate got at least a 90-point score. 

The key to success here is the region of Gredos itself as well as the 77-year old Garnacha vines that the winery taps into. The region is known for making a more savory, higher toned expression of Garnacha, but Rico Nuevo really epitomizes that elegance.

They divide their own property with 40 micro parcels, all along the highest elevations of the north side of the Gredos Mountains. Here everything is organic and biodynamic and they’re very hands off in the vineyard, letting the gnarly old-vines do all the talking. It works so well.

Tasting Notes: Beautiful red fruit - cherry, cranberry, raspberry. Floral notes and Mediterranean herbs. 

Winemaker Description 

This wine is 100% hand harvested Garnacha from a single plot that is all planted to goblet within the estate vineyard in the Los Chacayes IG within the Uco Valley. The nose is vibrant and perfumed showing raspberry and cranberry wrapped up in wet clay and a touch of ash. The palate is soft and round with red cherry and baking spices with a light tannin backbone. A very nuanced and layered wine.

Winemaker Description 

This 100% Garnacha wine boasts a big, bold, and funky flavor with a touch of freshness. Its dense, fruity palate is complemented by a prolonged finish and ample acidity, preventing it from feeling too heavy.

The producer purposefully maintains some of the CO2 for a spritzy texture, giving it a slightly effervescent quality. For the full expression, allow it to aerate. The vineyards of Alfredo Maestro Tejero are nestled within the Ribera del Duero. These natural wines are produced without the addition of sulphur in either the vineyard or winery. All grapes are carefully hand-harvested.

Winemaker Description 

Dried bramble, peppercorns, rose with a pure high-toned nose, floral red fruit and hints of spice that is supported by a strong mineral backbone. 

Envínate - "wine yourself" - emerged from a winemaking consultancy founded by four friends before evolving into its own project exploring the distinct parcels in the Atlantic regions of Ribeira Sacra and the Canary Islands. Their goal is to make honest wines that express unique terroir. To that effect, all grapes are hand-picked, foot-trodden, chemical-free, and are fermented exclusively with natural yeasts.

Albahra, translating to "small sea," alludes to the vineyard area located at the southeaster tip of Castilla-La Mancha. As a blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorera and 30% Morovia Agria, all grapes are hand-harvested and vinified separately.

The Garnacha Tintorera is foot-trodden in vat with 30-50% stems included and 6-10 days skin maceration, then fermented and aged in concrete for 8 months.

The Moravia Agria is completely destemmed and sees 7 days maceration before being pressed and aged in used French barriques for 8 months. The wine is then blended and bottled unfined, unfiltered and with very little SO2 addition.

Winemaker Description 

Sindicat La Figuera is the recovery of an illusion, a project of 6 farmers from La Figuera. A unique village in Montsant, with a very special characteristics: located in the highest point of the region - 550m-, their garnatxa vines –the only varietal– planted in goblet and ages between 30 and 80 years old stand out for their personality and particularity.

The freshness of the altitude gives its wines hints of citrus and flowers that are not found in other wines in the area. If we add their traditional way of making wine in underground concrete tanks, here is the result: a light and fresh wine.

Winemaker Description 

Aromatic and elegant expression of an otherwise deep and dark flavored grape. Delicious aromas of flowers, red berries and black cherries, shadowed by notes of orange peel, spices and earth. Supple on the palate with silky tannins and a refreshingly mineral finish.

It has a bright ruby ​​color with the grip of the fine tannins and an herbal touch that provides freshness.

Winemaker Description

Medium body with red berry and spice notes. 

Expert Review

James Suckling | This is a very approachable grenache blend that shows rich yet tangy raspberries, redcurrants, leather, red licorice and tar. Full-bodied and fleshy on the palate, which is punctuated by some really good acidity and firmness to the tannins. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

Interesting bouquet where the mineral qualities provided by the dark slate soils perfectly combine with the typical red fruit nuances of the Garnacha. Rich and tasty wine with a well balanced elegance and finesse, complexity and length. 

Producer Description 

Very complex fruit aroma, notes of underbrush, honey, cinnamon, thyme and rosemary with a finish marked by dry nuts. The perfect balance between the bitterness of the absinthe and the sweetness of the overripe fruit.

Elegant and fresh in the mouth, a harmonious finish thanks to the balance between the bitterness of the absinthe and the sweetness of the overripe fruit. Produce Description. 

Winemaker Description

Intense aroma of fresh red fruits, with nuances of blackberry and slight hints of minerals and spices.

Taste: Notable taste of fruits, in good balance with the body of wine. Large concen- tration of soft tannins that give it a pleasant palate.

Producer Description 

Anne Pichon harvests their Vieilles Vignes Grenache Noir late, giving the wine excellent ripeness and dense concentration. Its powerful black-fruit flavors give way to intricacies of cocoa, sweet chocolate, and licorice.

The grenache vielles vignes is harvested late at an optimal ripeness. This cuvee is very concentrated and powerful with notes of black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, cocoa, sweet chocolate and licorice. 

Ecocert Certified Organic.

Winemaker Description 

Notes of dried orange peel, marzipan, honey, and white flowers. It has a savory finish which marries well with complex food flavors such as dim sum, sticky pork or even slow roasted lamb and can be served slightly less chilled than a conventional white to allow the oak flavors a chance to express themselves.

Selling Point Organic, Skin-contact, Fair Trade, Black woman-winemaker. Producer Description.

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It is an ancient winemaking method that produces a really interesting, textural wine. This particular winemaking method dates back to about 6000 BC in present-day Georgia. The bunches of white grapes were crushed and then naturally fermented on the skins in large clay amphora (qvevri) which were sealed and buried underground to control the temperature. The fermentation on the skins gives the wine its colour, but also its texture and composite flavours.

Being an adventurous winemaker with an enquiring mind, Corlea Fourie was eager to try out this technique. So every harvest, she would set aside some Chenin Blanc grapes and ferment them naturally and on the skins. But sadly, it never worked. One year, she resolutely decided to give it one last go, but this time used Grenache Blanc grapes instead. The result was a delicious amber wine with complex aromatics including ginger biscuit, tangerine peel, bruised fruit and complex savoury notes.

Today this wine is called Fides, which means ‘trust’ or ‘faith’ in Latin, because it is a fine example of the trust relationship needed between winemaker and nature. It reflects the conviction and the hope of the winemaker to realise the beautiful potential hidden within nature’s bounty. Establishing the delicate relationship to tease out the best, explore the possibilities and honour ancient traditions takes persistence, thoughtfulness, knowledge, experience and care, but most of all trust.

Winemaker Description

This unusual wine marries the peppery spicy red-fruit flavors of the grape with terroir-driven components mixing rock, root and soil. 

Winemaker Description

Rose of Grenache. On the Fresh berries, Chalky, Wet Pavement. Ripe currants, strawberries, rhubarb, minerals.

Organically grown grapes. 

Kings Carey entails boutique, small-production wines crafted by winemaker, James Sparks.

At Kings Carey, we keep it simple: single varietal and single vineyard. Carefully-curated grapes and pick times. Little-to-no manipulation. We let the region tell its story, and help the fruit fulfill its destiny.

Winemaker Descrption

Nestled high in the granite and limestone soils of the Gabilan Mountain Range in the Chalone appellation of Monterey County. Coastal Marine influence of the nearby Monterey Bay combined with high elevations create large diurnal swings that experience much less fog than the valley below make for low yielding fruit with complex concentration and purity.

Foot crushed and fermented whole cluster and aged in neutral barrique.

Dusty red strawberry and cherry complimented by notes of orange zest and spice flow into soft tannin with fresh juicy acid. 

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | A full bodied, darkly colored Grenache with intense richness and depth of flavor. Aromas of savory red fruits on the nose, with lovely intensity in the mouth, smooth tannins and a delicious long-lasting finish. Powerful, precise and concentrated with no over ripeness. A great wine for hearty dishes and perfect for barbecues.

Winemaker Description

Dark, intense deep purple-crimson in the glass. On the nose: striking notes of rhubarb, raspberry jam and redcurrant. The palate is soft and rich, showing a more full-body style of Grenache. A flow of red cherries, rhubarb and red plums are laced with a fine layer of cedar, introducing more dark-flavored characters like plums and hints of dark chocolate. Texture is firm and finely balanced.

Expert Review

James Suckling 92 Points | An inviting nose of baked cherry, blueberry, moss and bark. Medium- to full-bodied with velvety tannins. Juicy and fresh red and black fruit with savory undertones. Herb and earthy notes ground the palate. A bit of tension here, which I like. Drink or hold.