Alban Edna Valley Grenache 2005
-
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The outstanding 2005 Grenache (a whopping 260 six-bottle cases produced) includes about 15% Syrah in the blend. More structured, restrained, and backward than either the 2004 or 2006, the 2005 possesses plenty of tannin along with enormous quantities of black cherry and blackberry fruit, medium to full body, good acidity, and a long, fresh finish. I am not a great believer in aging California Grenache for more than 10-12 years, but this cuvee may run the path effectively. In fact, it probably needs several years of bottle age in order to resolve some of its tannin.
Other Vintages
2008-
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
California’s coolest wine growing area, Edna Valley excels in the production of high quality Central Coast wines like Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Rhône Blends and aromatic white wines. It has a cool Mediterranean climate and an incredibly long growing season, giving late-ripening varieties plenty of opportunity to develop great phenolic complexity.
Its northwest to southeast orientation creates a direct path for cool Pacific air and fog to penetrate the valley from the Los Osos and Morro Bay area inwards. Low hillsides of both calcareous and volcanic soils are home to much of the vineyard acreage of the Edna Valley.