2016 No Girls Grenache La Paciencia Vineyard

Not yet released when I tasted it, the 2016 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard has a nose that opens with a bang, boasting majestic and explosive notes of dusty red fruit—raspberries, cherries and spiced red plum—with a rocky core of minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine expresses the semi-carbonic notes of sweet red fruit and dusty red flower petals with iron and lava rocks. It has expressive and silky tannins that linger on the long, ethereal finish. I am impressed! This is delicious juice and is a must-have for serious collectors. (AM)

Moderately saturated medium red. Alluring fresh aromas of raspberry, red cherry, smoked meat and white pepper. Silky and savory in the mouth, conveying excellent concentration and a restrained sweetness to the flavors of red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and garrigue . Finishes long and suave, with a fine dusting of tannins and savory notes of herbs and cinnamon. The Grenache comes in last at La Paciencia, noted winemaker Elizabeth Bourcier, who also told me that 2017 generally brought larger berries than 2016. (13.4% alcohol; from vines planted in 2004, 2005 and 2006; fermented with 70% whole clusters)

This has a very plush, sweet, rich array of strawberry pastry and wild raspberries with hints of red apples. The palate has sleek, silky and gently sinewy tannin with plenty of light and shade. This is so pure. Drink or hold.