Winemaker Notes
The 2017 A Tribute to Grace Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard Grenache exudes a flavor profile of sandalwood, copal and rosewater.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
One of the more ruby-colored wines in the lineup, the 2017 Grenache Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard has a Pinot Noir-like bouquet of candied cherries, ground herbs, dried earth, and Asian spices. Made in a medium-bodied, ethereal style, with plenty of polished tannins, it's elegant and offers plenty of richness and depth, solid mid-palate density, and a great finish. Give it a year and drink it over the coming 7-8 years.
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Wine & Spirits
From one of the highest vineyards in California, this is commonly one of Angela Osborne’s lightest grenaches. It’s a luminous see-through red, with scents of strawberries, turf and whole-cluster spice. The flavors are darker, more in the vein of black raspberry, held firm by fine tannins. Sneakily powerful; for smoked trout and chives.
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Wine Spectator
Multilayered and well-built, with expressive cherry, spicy cinnamon and tarragon flavors that build tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024.
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.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.