Grenache
OCTOBER 2023
Indigenous to Spain (Garnacha), the French made this grape famous with their amazing blends from the Southern Rhône Valley, often featuring a high percentage of Grenache.
It's dry (but not bone dry). It's got good acidity (but it's not tart). It's medium- to fuller- in body, depending on how hot the region is where it is grown. This grape can take a lot of heat by the way, flourishing dry-farmed in inland Spain where it is smoking hot in summer.
Grenache is super tasty, known for lots of red fruit flavors – strawberries, red forest berries, red cherries with soft, herbal, earthy notes. Grenache is grown all over the world these days, and your club wines are going to show off some samples from France, Washington State & Australia. (If you're curious about the ur-Garnacha.... we have that, too. Just ask.) Hope you enjoy!
Photo: old-vine Grenache, Langmeil Winery (Barossa Valley) - one of your club wines
2-BOTTLE CLUB
Wandering Wolf Cellars
Washington State
After graduating from college in 2011, an extended, unplanned backpacking trip through Europe was the spark for owner/winemaker Alex Wolf's career-changing interest in winemaking. Upon his return to Seattle, he completed the winemaking program at Northwest Wine Academy, worked internships, became an assistant-winemaker and then struck out on his own.
He digs the science-side of making wine, from the geology creating the terroir to the chemistry of winemaking, and he likes trying new things... letting curiosity lead him. His model is fun for the buyer: lots of different Washington varietals (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, a Bordeaux blend, Syrah, a Grenache rosé, and a Chardonnay) in very small batches. He produces 25-50 cases per vintage! He's a talent, and you'll see this with his Grenache from vineyards in the Royal Slope AVA located between Wahluke Slope and Ancient Lakes.
Wandering Wolf Cellars 2019 Grenache
Royal Slope, Washington // Reg $37.99 | Mixed Case $30.39
100% Grenache. Black raspberries, strawberries, a little herbal and earthy notes on the nose. Take a sip... it's deeper than you expect which makes it fun. Medium-bodied. Licorice, raspberries, red plums. Acidity is fantastic. Big long finish with some spicy herbal notes. Wonderful wine now. Will taste great for the next 3 years. We enjoyed this wine with grilled tuna.
Le Plan des Moines
Southern Rhône, France
In 2011, three friends – Thierry Pommet, Daniel Orsolini, and Claude Serra – with sixty plus years of combined experience, bought a small vineyard located between Remoulin and Avignon and began making wine with the goal of producing "terrific, genuine and natural Rhône wines". They focus specifically on old-vine vineyards. Currently, their repertoire includes wines from the following designations: Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Côte Rotie (Northern Rhône). Estate Grenache pictured above.
Note: We carry their Châteauneuf-du-Pape, too. If you're curious, it's amazing!
Le Plan des Moines 2021 La Borde Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Southern Rhône, France // Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. Stony, earthy notes on the nose with black raspberries. Way more fruit on the palate. Blackberries, black cherries, dark raspberries (the ones from the farmers market!) and soft herbs & spices. Fuller-bodied. Fun, long, peppery finish. Drink now to 5 years. Enjoy with a pepper steak, burger with tater tots, pizza, seared duck breast.
3-BOTTLE CLUB
Langmeil Winery
Barossa Valley, Australia
The Lindner family has been a part of Barossa Valley wine culture for 6 generations. They have estate wines and to that property, they add relationships with 700 family grape growers located all over the Barossa Valley, acting as a co-op of sorts. The huge range of fruit adds a "vibrant and multi-regional dimension" to their wines.
Photo above: estate vines in fall
Photo below: Langmeil Grenache harvest
Langmeil 2019 Rough Diamond Grenache
Barossa Valley, Australia // Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39
91% Grenache, 7% Counoise, 2% Carignan. Strawberries, raspberries, farmers market berries. A little herbal note on the nose. Medium-bodied. Great acidity. Such a lovely spread of fruit. Mind-blowing. Raspberries. Cherries. Faint eucalyptus, rosemary? Great, very flexible food wine. Winery suggests pairing it with Kessler chops, a smoked pork chop (pictured) or mushroom pie. Drink now to 3 years.
Fall is here, and we'll have your wines open to taste at our Saturday wine club pick-up tasting – always the second Saturday of the month. Of course you can pick up any time before or after the tasting as well.
Cheers!
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop