Winemaker Notes
Enjoy with barbequed ribs and roasted root vegetables.
Blend: 90% Grenache, 10% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the two reds, the 2018 Grenache is all Grenache and sports a ruby/purple hue as well as a gorgeous nose of blue fruits, wild strawberries, flowery incense, and pepper. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it's seamless on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish.
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Vinous
The 2018 Grenache offers an intriguing interplay of richness and energy, with more restraint than was the norm in the early days here, and that's a good thing. Varietal notes are kicked up a few notches in an inviting red that captures the essence of Ballard Canyon. Succulent red cherry, red plum, cedar, tobacco, blood orange and licorice add aromatic and flavor complexity to this super-distinctive Grenache. As always, the Grenache includes a dollop of Syrah, 10% in this case. The 2019 was fermented with 14% whole cluster and aged in neutral oak.
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.