2018 The.Grenachista Mounts Vineyard Grenache Noir, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
The 2018 Dry Creek Valley Grenache Noir gorgeous color is a glowing transparent dark ruby. The density of fruit is the first thing to hit the nose, cheesecake and rum, shifting into maraschino cherry and Chinese five spices. The floral aspect really kicks in then. Violets and Lilly. On the pallet, reminiscent more of a Pinot Noir than a big Grenache. Full of black fruit and cherry across the whole experience. Fresh and alive, root beer and hard candy then lead to the plentiful and abundant tannin. A crowd pleaser!
Vineyard
The Mounts family has been growing premium wine grapes for over 70 years in the Dry Creek Valley. Every block design brings together the unique orientation of hillside exposure, soil type, and depth. With each of these factors they determine their variety, the appropriate clone, and the most favorable root-stock. The careful planning and consideration that goes into developing the vineyards allows the vine to grow to their full potential for optimal vine health and balanced canopy growth. As a result, they achieve the greatest possible expression of fruit character, balance, and structure in all of our wines.
Winemaking
The fruit was picked the night of September 11th. One of the earliest picks from this site. We never destem our reds, the whole clusters are gently moved into a stainless-steel tank and lightly stomped (yes with our feet) to break some berries at the top of the vessel and then we saignée roughly about 10% of the juice prior to fermentation to increase concentration. We allowed native, indigenous yeast to start fermentation. The primary fermentation lasts for 14 days at which pointed we press the must into neutral French Oak barrels to rest for 23 months, where it remained undisturbed, except for a monthly topping and bottled in August of 2020, unfiltered and unfined.
This story is not so much about wine, it’s more about life and the lessons we’re taught by the people we encounter through it. I was lucky enough to know a man who in my eyes was the epitome of how to live life; love and smile. His name was Cliff Graybehl and he was my grandfather.
I make these wines in his honor, even though Cliff was never much of a wine drinker. But as my career path has lead me down the wine trail and not the vodka gimlet route, his drink of choice, I think he would approve. He would approve of anything that brings a little more joy to that special occasion or even just an old regular type occasion.
We have a singular focus. A focus on the wine grape varietals Grenache Noir and Grenache Blanc. Which allows us to hone in on the subtleties and nuances of the varietal we love so much. We’re passionate about Grenache and through the years we’ve adjusted and learned and adjusted and learned and we think every vintage we get a little closer. Closer to what you ask? To Grenache’s true expression. And although we love and honor the wonderful wines of Southern Provence, wherein our minds, Grenache reigns supreme, we make Californian wines. We are happy to see more and more Grenache and Grenache-based wines on the shelf but we are unique in that this is all we do. We are Grenache activists and Noir rebels. And it’s literally in the definition of "Grenachista” to believe in the underdog. So here we are. I’m glad you found us.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
I love a good Pinot Noir, and Grenache is not a grape far away. Frankly I’d never heard of “Grenache Noir” specifically identified (I assumed all Grenache was red) but I’ve since learned there is a Grenache Blanc. Neat!
This wine is really well integrated, which is a shrug to the fact that none of the notes were overwhelming. I tasted it through a range of temperatures, and could get cherry, strawberry, and maybe something a little floral at its warmest. A bit of rounded tannins, and a nice bright acidity. Drank with some spicy fish. I finished it.
Word of advice for the winery: hire a web designer or use a template. Broken images and 404 links all over the place. Based on that, I would absolutely not trust the security of your ecommerce platform. Casemates to the rescue!
@tburritt@tburritt You caught me with my pants down. As my own, Busch league, web designer I was just playing around with some images and such on the homepage and also moving the link from this 18 Dry creek, to the new 19… Good to know it’s all messed up. You get why you pay for.
But most importantly, mmmmm, cherry.
Coming home from my first work trip in 25 long months, I’m happy to see that while I was away my wife took a delivery from the Casemates wine fairy, and it was a bottle of this lovely 2018 Grenachista Dry Creek Valley Grenache Noir. So tonight (Thursday) after dinner we popped the cork, and here is what we found.
In the glass, it’s a beautiful translucent ruby hue. On pop 'n pour, first impressions are that it’s pretty green and acidic and at this point in its life will definitely benefit from some time in the decanter, but there was noticeable cherry on the nose. After giving it a bit of air it opened up and started expressing more cherry, blackberry, and black raspberry notes in the middle. There’s quite a bit of acidity, and the tannins are lighter but firm and well structured leaving some faint but definitive black tea textures in the finish. I’m confident that the composition of this wine is such that it’s cellerable and will continue to develop and improve for quite a while, and I’m pretty excited to see what it becomes over the next few years.
I wish I had more time with this one before the sale, but it’s good now and it has tremendous promise to be even better in the future with a fairly unique profile, like a super bold pinot noir, and I think it’s a solid deal at this price point.
Ol Manfred knows a thing or two about Grenache. And this wine, I think, is what he was talking about.
The first year Dave Mounts gave me his one row of Alban clone Grenache Noir that had gone to Helen Keplinger’s project, it’s definitely Pinotesque in both it’s profile as well as it’s ageabilty. You’re gonna dig it.
@klezman This wine is much lighter on it’s feet than anything off of Pete Mathis’s vineyard. Both in fruit and structure. Different clonal selection and a slightly cooler site give it a Pinotesque quality. But still carrying that wild strawberry Grenache is known for.
OMG I am sooooooo excited to see this wine here! I’ve been a member of Casemates for about… dunno…1-1/2 years? Saw a grenache from this maker last March and had purchased just a two-pack (even though grenache is an all-time-fav of mine!) cuz i had been buying-buying-buying before the offer was available last March 2021 - - and also had been receiving a bunch of club shipments… ugh - I had to restrain myself.
The Grenachista Grenache offered March 2021 was a gem! Several months later we were in Sonomaand bought more grenache direct from the winery… and tonight: absolutely more! Buy - Buy - Buy. If you like/love rhone and like/love grenache, you’re gonna looove this.
I love the 2017 vintage of this! And IIRC, the family runs the entire operation…harvesting, sprinkling with magic wine fairy dust to make the wine, marketing, and apparently even website design! Keep up the great work @TheGrenachista.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
2018 The.Grenachista Mounts Vineyard Grenache Noir - $78 = 24.52%
@deadlyapp Quite different from the Alder Springs bottling. Alder Springs is a cool, coastal site that brings a bramble and forest floor aspect to Grenache where as Dry Creek Valley has more lifted strawberry, cherry and spice to it. I opened a 16 Alder at the Rhone Rangers tasting in February and it was really hitting it’s stride now. And still has a way to go.
@danidani12 I don’t think so. I’m almost sold out of my 2020 and the 2021, which I’m bottling next month, was a small crop year. But here’s always the 2022… To be released in 2023.
2018 The.Grenachista Mounts Vineyard Grenache Noir, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $456/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, May 9 - Thursday, May 12
2018 The.Grenachista Mounts Vineyard Grenache Noir
2 bottles for $52.99 $26.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $239.99 $20/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Lucky number seven, this is my seventh labrat bottle! I won’t bury the lede: it’s a buy.
I love a good Pinot Noir, and Grenache is not a grape far away. Frankly I’d never heard of “Grenache Noir” specifically identified (I assumed all Grenache was red) but I’ve since learned there is a Grenache Blanc. Neat!
This wine is really well integrated, which is a shrug to the fact that none of the notes were overwhelming. I tasted it through a range of temperatures, and could get cherry, strawberry, and maybe something a little floral at its warmest. A bit of rounded tannins, and a nice bright acidity. Drank with some spicy fish. I finished it.
Word of advice for the winery: hire a web designer or use a template. Broken images and 404 links all over the place. Based on that, I would absolutely not trust the security of your ecommerce platform. Casemates to the rescue!
@tburritt @tburritt You caught me with my pants down. As my own, Busch league, web designer I was just playing around with some images and such on the homepage and also moving the link from this 18 Dry creek, to the new 19… Good to know it’s all messed up. You get why you pay for.
But most importantly, mmmmm, cherry.
@tburritt @TheGrenachista I have a friend who has designed a few wine websites if you’re interested!
@tburritt Thanks for the heads up about the page (as I mentioned I was just foolin around in there yesterday). All fixed now after a long night.
@tburritt thank you for the rattage. I like the toy bus pairing.
Coming home from my first work trip in 25 long months, I’m happy to see that while I was away my wife took a delivery from the Casemates wine fairy, and it was a bottle of this lovely 2018 Grenachista Dry Creek Valley Grenache Noir. So tonight (Thursday) after dinner we popped the cork, and here is what we found.
In the glass, it’s a beautiful translucent ruby hue. On pop 'n pour, first impressions are that it’s pretty green and acidic and at this point in its life will definitely benefit from some time in the decanter, but there was noticeable cherry on the nose. After giving it a bit of air it opened up and started expressing more cherry, blackberry, and black raspberry notes in the middle. There’s quite a bit of acidity, and the tannins are lighter but firm and well structured leaving some faint but definitive black tea textures in the finish. I’m confident that the composition of this wine is such that it’s cellerable and will continue to develop and improve for quite a while, and I’m pretty excited to see what it becomes over the next few years.
I wish I had more time with this one before the sale, but it’s good now and it has tremendous promise to be even better in the future with a fairly unique profile, like a super bold pinot noir, and I think it’s a solid deal at this price point.
@xandersherry thank you for the report
“Grenache delivers what Pinot promises”
Ol Manfred knows a thing or two about Grenache. And this wine, I think, is what he was talking about.
The first year Dave Mounts gave me his one row of Alban clone Grenache Noir that had gone to Helen Keplinger’s project, it’s definitely Pinotesque in both it’s profile as well as it’s ageabilty. You’re gonna dig it.
@TheGrenachista I’ve had your (and others’) wines from Mathis vineyard. How does this site compare to that?
@klezman This wine is much lighter on it’s feet than anything off of Pete Mathis’s vineyard. Both in fruit and structure. Different clonal selection and a slightly cooler site give it a Pinotesque quality. But still carrying that wild strawberry Grenache is known for.
OMG I am sooooooo excited to see this wine here! I’ve been a member of Casemates for about… dunno…1-1/2 years? Saw a grenache from this maker last March and had purchased just a two-pack (even though grenache is an all-time-fav of mine!) cuz i had been buying-buying-buying before the offer was available last March 2021 - - and also had been receiving a bunch of club shipments… ugh - I had to restrain myself.
Well: Restrain = Regret, people! - forget restraint!
The Grenachista Grenache offered March 2021 was a gem! Several months later we were in Sonomaand bought more grenache direct from the winery… and tonight: absolutely more! Buy - Buy - Buy. If you like/love rhone and like/love grenache, you’re gonna looove this.
Boom. Drop the mike.
@LorriCA Bring it!!
I love the 2017 vintage of this! And IIRC, the family runs the entire operation…harvesting, sprinkling with magic wine fairy dust to make the wine, marketing, and apparently even website design! Keep up the great work @TheGrenachista.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
2018 The.Grenachista Mounts Vineyard Grenache Noir - $78 = 24.52%
I have a bottle of 2016 I think from the Alder Springs Vineyard that I may have to crack today, how does this compare to that?
@deadlyapp Quite different from the Alder Springs bottling. Alder Springs is a cool, coastal site that brings a bramble and forest floor aspect to Grenache where as Dry Creek Valley has more lifted strawberry, cherry and spice to it. I opened a 16 Alder at the Rhone Rangers tasting in February and it was really hitting it’s stride now. And still has a way to go.
@TheGrenachista Thanks! Ended up getting in on this offer so perhaps I’ll wait to pop the alder springs and compare the two down the road!
@deadlyapp Wine choice, er I meant wise.
I have the 2017! It’s nice.
Any NC Triangle case splits? I’ve bought at least of the red and one white from them in the past and loved them
Any chance you will offer your whites on casemates?
@danidani12 I don’t think so. I’m almost sold out of my 2020 and the 2021, which I’m bottling next month, was a small crop year. But here’s always the 2022… To be released in 2023.
Where’s all the giphy’s? Oh, here’s one…
/giphy cowardly-warn-kiss
@kitkat34 Lol
@kitkat34
Want to try this…in for 4!
drowsy-glorious-bard
If somebody in LA got a case I’d take 3. A Pinot-esque Grenache will be highly enjoyed in our house.
@klezman
@ the $20/btl price point, I too could take 3.
Thanks everybody. Hope you enjoy this wine.
https://giphy.com/search/approve-robert-redford
Just arrived - So glad I ordered 2full cases - the picture of an ideal Grenache IMO - IYKYK