GOLD MEDAL - San Francisco International Wine Competition
GOLD MEDAL / Best of Santa Barbara County - Central Coast Wine Competition
Grenache has long been a bit of an anonymous star among grape varieties, providing the bulk of the blend for France’s stunning Chateauneuf du Pape wines, as well as for simple Cote du Rhones that often represent great values. In recent years however, especially, in California, it has been allowed to shine as a single varietal wine, where is pure fruit, light color, and firm tannin make it a unique tasting experience. Today’s offering, from the William James Cellars in Santa Barbara County, and from the stunning 2007 vintage, fits all of our criteria: interesting, well-made delicious wine, that over-delivers on quality for the price. This is a value you don’t want to miss out on!
The 2007 William James Grenache is crimson in the glass, with Grenache’s typical light color. The nose offers ripe cherry, spice, and strawberry pie aromas that gush from the glass. The palate is mouth-filling yet not too heavy, with blackberry, vanilla, plum, spice and candy flavors offering layers of complexity. Rustic, firm tannins extend the finish, reminiscent of wine from the Rhone Valley, yet with plenty of California fruit. This is an intense wine by any standard, but for $20 you just don’t see this kind of richness and concentration. Stock this one up in your cellar, and knock the socks off of your friends that think a rich wine needs to be purple and tooth staining!
Appellation: Santa Barbara County
Vineyard Designation Source: Camp 4, Los Olivos
Alcohol: 15.8%
Case Production: 300
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