Winemaker Notes
Red cherry, pomegranate with candied licorice, and hints of purple flower engulf the senses. On the palate, there is a wonderful balance between wild berries and exotic spice notes of cinnamon and cardamom and even a touch of leather. The palate is bright, and the fruit is supported with great minerality, acidity, and just a subtle hint of sweet oak on the finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Amor Fati Murmur Vineyard Grenache is rich, rounded, and persistent. TASTING NOTES: This wine expresses aromas and flavors of sandalwood, dried earth, and red fruits. Enjoy it with a spit-roasted leg of lamb. (Tasted: March 23, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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.
A lesser-known but elite AVA within the larger Santa Barbara district, the Santa Maria Valley AVA runs precisely west to east starting near the coast. The valley funnels cool, Pacific Ocean air to the vineyards more inland, allowing grapes a longer hang time to ripen evenly and achieve their full potential by harvest time. Combined with minimal rainfall, consistent warm sunshine, and well-drained soils, it is an ideal environment for grape growing.
Many of the wineries here are small and highly respected, having established a reputation in the 1970s and 80s for producing excellent Central Coast wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. More recently, Syrah has also proven quite successful in the region. Many vineyards are owned by growers who sell their grapes to other wineries, so it is common to see the same vineyard name on bottlings from different wineries. Bien Nacido Vineyard is perhaps the best-known and most prestigious.