Winemaker Notes
As is typical of this Grenache from Larner, the color is inky purple, with a nose of raspberries, burnt chocolate, and fennel. The mouth is full-bodied and light at the same time, with lots of energy.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The Grenache-dominated cuvée, the 2018 Grenache Larner Vineyard includes 17% Syrah and 2% Viognier. Dense purple, with beautiful black raspberry and kirsch fruit, it has ample licorice, ground pepper, and spicy notes, medium to full body, a beautiful elegance, and plenty of length on the finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Grenache Larner Vineyard has a medium ruby-purple color and very pretty aromas of wild berry preserves, prosciutto, dark spices, fried herbs and earth. The medium-bodied palate is delicate and seamless, with intense, spicy layers that continually evolve in the glass, hinting that this wine has more to give with additional bottle time.
Rating: 94+ -
James Suckling
Aromas of ripe berries, prunes, sweet spices, peppercorns and some raisins. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Rich, creamy and concentrated. Fruity and chewy character with a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.
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.