Winemaker Notes
The 2018 A Tribute to Grace Vie Caprice Vineyard Grenache displays notes of Khus attar, rose petal and saffron.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Hibiscus, rose and carnation aromas make for a floral core to this bottling, but there are also hints of crushed rocks, cinnamon and baking spice on the nose. The palate is tense and grippy, showing tea-leaf-like tannins alongside that fresh hibiscus flavor.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Slightly deeper hued, the 2018 Grenache Vie Caprice Vineyard is a standout in the lineup. All Grenache from a vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley and fermented with 44% stems, it has a classic Grenache nose of black cherries, licorice, loamy earth, and new leather. Rich, medium-bodied, and beautifully textured, with good concentration, it's well worth seeking out and should keep for 7-8 years.
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.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.