Grenache
Grenache is a hearty, productive red grape popular in southern France (especially Southern Rhône) as well as in Spain, where it is called Garnacha. Grenache produces powerful wines that offer medium alcohol, low acidity and an overall deep raspberry or wild strawberry flavor. It is also an excellent grape for use in fortified wines, as demonstrated in Banyuls, Rivesaltes and Maury. It is also popular in Australia as a key component of G-S-M blends. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Grenache wines among our extensive Grenache wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Grenache reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Grenache, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.
Tardieu-Laurent 2007 Cuvée Spéciale Grenache (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
- $85
Full bodied and concentrated, with a long, chewy finish, this wine gets points for being complex as well. It’s plummy yet savory, with touches of braised beef, coffee and black olive. Drink 2013–2023.
— J.C.
(10/1/2011)
Beckmen 2007 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $48
Deliciously drinkable, this is one of the best California Grenaches in recent memory. Complexity is not Grenache’s strong point, but lusciousness is, when the wine is well made. The cherry pie filling, raspberry tart and cinnamon spice flavors, enriched with smoky sandalwood, are wrapped into pure, fine tannins. Drink now.
— S.H.
(7/1/2010)
Alto Moncayo 2007 Garnacha (Campo de Borja)
- $45
Excellent Garnacha in very modern dressing. The nose is sweet, candied, lightly baked and rich, with hints of prune, coconut and fine aged cheese. The palate is smooth and deep, with blackberry, molasses and licorice flavors. Sturdy and studly wine, with weight and only a pinch of heat and bite. Six hundred cases produced; drink now–2012.
— M.S.
(10/1/2010)
Bodegas Ateca 2007 Atteca Armas Old Vines Garnacha (Calatayud)
- $45
Potent, deep and lush, with minty aromas and a lot more wild berry and tobacco than anything crisp or piquant. The palate is lush and packed full of ripe berry and black plum, while the finish is spirited, ripe, full and lusty. A rich, dark style of wine for modern palates. Ready now and over the next two years.
— M.S.
(10/1/2010)
Maison Bleue 2008 Alder Ridge Vineyard La Montagnette Grenache (Horse Heaven Hills)
- Online Exclusive
- $25
Fragrant and spicy, this opens with green pepper notes and boatloads of prickly/brambly raspberry/strawberry fruit. From a cool vintage, the blend includes 15% Syrah. It’s nicely handled, with great penetration and a dancer’s precision.
— P.G.
(9/1/2010)
K Vintners 2007 The Boy Grenache (Walla Walla Valley (OR))
- Online Exclusive
- $45
This Armada vineyard (Cayuse) Grenache has got the funk, the terroir of the Rocks, and a spicy/herbal component that shines through. The depth and detail are amazing, and there is plenty of the Cayuse funk—it’s a love it or hate it flavor, but it is unique and complex. Has 10% Syrah is in the blend.
— P.G.
(2/1/2011)
Novelty Hill 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Grenache (Columbia Valley (WA))
- Online Exclusive
- $28
Stillwater Creek may prove to be one of the great Grenache sites in Washington, which is experiencing a state-wide renaissance with the grape. This is a stellar effort, bursting with juicy red fruit, bourbon barrel, candied cherries, and a finishing layer of sweet chocolate. Though it bursts onto the palate with a rainbow of fruit flavor, it persists and shows both…
— P.G.
(2/1/2011)
Austin Hope 2009 Hope Family Vineyard Grenache (Paso Robles)
- Online Exclusive
- $42
The Hope winery has produced one of the best Grenaches of the vintage. Avoids the common pitfalls of this tricky variety to give a bone dry, softly tannic wine that’s rich in black cherry, prosciutto and black pepper flavors. The texture is so silky, you could substitute this for Pinot Noir.
— S.H.
(3/1/2011)
Most Reviewed Sub Varietals
advertisement
What We're Tasting
2010 Écluse Lock Vineyard
California Cabernet simply doesn’t get richer or riper than this. It…
Facebook Activity
advertisement
Twitter Activity