2015 Saint K Wines Grenache Blanc $24

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2015 Saint K Wines Grenache Blanc $24

Winery Tasting Notes: “Orange oil, green apple skin, cantaloupe, honey, bay leaf, tarragon, and white pepper. The palate has weight balanced with great acidity and minerality. (think offensive lineman doing ballet) Vineyards: La Vista (Paso), Luna Matta (Paso), Rancho Boa Vista (Ballard Canyon) Fermented and aged in a single 350gal stainless tank. Secondary fermentation was discouraged.

Blend: 100% Grenache Blanc
Alcohol Level: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 80
Winemaker Name: Chris Kiranbay
Maturity: Drink Now – 2021

Pairings:  ANYTHING Moroccan, Spanish, Indian or Asian.  High ALC is always good with spicy foods!

Drew_july2012_25011Staff Review:  DREW MOFFAT – Primarily grown in France and Spain, Grenache Blanc (AKA Garnacha Blanca), is the white variant of Grenache Noir and though not as popular as the red, is the fifth most cultivated white wine grape in the world.  Mostly used as a blending grape for Cotes du Rhone and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, we are beginning to see this variety pop-up as a standalone bottling here in California.  This wine is a great alternative to Sauv Blanc, Pinot Grigio and/or Pinot Blanc in that its generally on the lighter/dryer side with intense aromatics, higher alcohol but lower acidity.  Depending on the winemaking style, I have seen Grenache Blanc’s to be both viscous and rich but MORE traditionally and generally made to the lighter/dry/crisp refreshing style.

My first encounter with Grenache Blanc was roughly 10 years ago when I tried the 2005 Curran Grenache Blanc consequently from Paso Robles as well.  Curran is the namesake of owner/winemaker Kris Curran who became famous with her success at Sea Smoke Vineyards.  Consequently, her Grenache Blanc was also crafted with fruit grown in the Paso Robles region.  The wine was amazing because it offered a different white wine experience that didn’t include the huge fruit/oak from Chardonnay and wasn’t overly dry/tart flavors of Sauv Blanc.  It offered flavors of rich dried apricots, honeysuckle and brioche, along with a generous weight and texture in the mouth.  Truly, I was hooked from the beginning.  GB is definitely hard to come upon and in California but we have done a fair job representing over the years with wineries such as; Shane, La Miranda, Epiphany, Groundwork and Skinner.  Add this beauty to the club!

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