Winemaker Notes
Who in the world is Grenache? Well, Grenache plays a lot like Pinot Noir the way Sparkman makes it. Medium bodied, refined, bright and complex, which is so very versatile with all manner of delicious food stuffs. The 2019 Wonderland attacks with a nose of wild roses, red raspberry, frais du bois, sandalwood, and cinnamon stick, leading to a panoply of ripe flavors: rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, Rainier cherries, wild mushrooms, baking spices and vanilla. Not so puzzling after all.
Food pairing: Barbecue, which is a noun, or wild mushroom cassoulet
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A blend of Grenache from Sagemoor (46%), Boushey (20%) and Olsen (20%) along with a healthy dash of Boushey Syrah. The aromas offer a distinct feral note, along with black raspberry, herb, stem and tar. Ripe, quite plump feeling, juicy red and black fruit flavors follow. It stretches on the finish. Editors' Choice
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James Suckling
Aromas of ripe strawberries, red cherries and walnuts. Medium-bodied with very bright acidity. Fine tannins. The palate is lead by a note of vanilla and cream with rhubarb and strawberry playing out in the background.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made with splashes of Syrah, the 2019 Grenache Wonderland opens to high-toned red fruit aromas with notions of cherry skin, roasted almonds and a delightful potpourri essence. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is balanced with an umami nature before showing fine-grained tannins that linger through the delightful and succulent finish with notions of wild raspberry and spiced black tea.
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.
As the first recognized wine-growing region in the Pacific Northwest, Yakima Valley is centrally located within Washington’s vast Columbia Valley. The region also includes Washington’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines, Otis Vineyard, planted in 1957, and Harrison Hill Vineyard, planted in 1963. Yakima Valley contains three smaller sub-regions: Rattlesnake Hills, Red Mountain, and Snipes Mountain and is ideal for both red and white wine production. In fact, Yakima Valley is Washington’s most diverse region, boasting more than 40 different grape varieties over about one hundred miles.
The cooler parts of the valley are home to almost half of the Chardonnay and Riesling produced in the state! Both are made in a wide range of styles depending on the conditions of the vineyard site.
But its warmer locations yield a large proportion of Washington’s best Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The finest Yakima Valley reds are jam-packed full of red cherry, currant, raspberry or blackberry fruit, as well as cocoa, herb, spice and savory notes, and exhibit a supple texture, great body, focus and length.