Winemaker Notes
Blend: 87% Grenache, 13% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2014 Grenache is a powerful, intense wine that shows the richness that is possible in Ballard Canyon. Ripe and racy to the core, the 2014 is super-polished and resonant from the very first taste. Varietal Grenache flavors are amped up to the max in this delicious, flavorful Grenache. A dollop of Syrah (13%) gives the wine added weight, something I am not sure this wine really needs more of. Still, it's hard to argue with the wine's overall balance.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A fabulous expression of Grenache, with lots of black raspberry, plum, crushed flowers and incense notes, the 2014 Grenache Ballard Canyon (87% Grenache and 13% Syrah) is medium to full-bodied, silky, polished and elegant, with fine tannin and great acidity.
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Wine Enthusiast
Very gamy and umami-rich aromas of bacon fat and animal hide meet with maple, boysenberry, white pepper, rosemary and teriyaki on the nose of this bottling. The savory and somewhat smoky touches thrive on the palate too, where roasted pork and charred plums combine with coffee bean and warm-toast flavors.
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.
Accounting for only ten percent of the greater Santa Ynez AVA, Ballard Canyon’s north-south orientation provides an ideal pattern of sunshine and martime fog for producing excellent Syrah. While Syrah is planted to half of the total AVA acreage, an additional third is dedicated to other Rhône varieties, red and white.