Winemaker Notes
A good pairing would be game birds like quail, pheasant, goose or duck, as well as roast chicken with garlic and dried herbs or roast pork tenderloin. Veal, pork or beef sausage prepared with savory herbs would also be a very good match.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Even better than the straight Garnacha is the 2012 Pinyolet Seleccion, which is 80% Grenache and 20% Carignan aged 12 months in French oak. This is a beauty possessing a deep ruby/purple color, notes of blueberry and black raspberry fruit, kirsch liqueur and crushed rocks in a medium-bodied, refreshing, naked style. Drink it over the next 2-3 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.
