Winemaker Notes
Blend: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
A luscious, voluptuous wine, the 2015 Grenache captures all the natural richness of the year. Intense red raspberry and pomegranate fruit make a strong opening statement, while floral notes add aromatic lift. The blend is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, so while the Grenache is not a fully varietal wine, it is quite pretty. It would be interesting to see what pure Grenache might be capable of here.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, the 2015 Grenache has a fresh, crisp, structured profile that's going to require a year of bottle age to come together. Pinot Noir-like notes of black cherries, sappy herbs, mint and hints of passion fruits flow to a tight, structured Grenache that has present tannin and a good finish. If drinking anytime soon, give it a healthy decant.
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.