2008 Ojai Grenache Thompson Vineyard
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The 2008 Grenache Thompson is a deceptively medium-bodied wine endowed with considerable palate presence and depth. Dark red cherries, flowers, licorice and mint are woven together in this relatively delicate, refined Grenache. I especially like the integrity of the fruit, but find less of interest in the aromatics. If the bouquet develops with further time in bottle, the 2008 could very well merit a higher score.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Grenache Thompson is a deceptively medium-bodied wine endowed with considerable palate presence and depth. Dark red cherries, flowers and mint are woven together in this relatively delicate, refined Grenache. I especially like the integrity of the fruit, but find less of interest in the aromatics. If the bouquet develops with further time in bottle, the 2008 could very well merit a higher score. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. This is a gorgeous set of wines from Ojai and proprietor Adam Tolmach. The 2009 Pinots and 2008 Syrahs in particular are terrific. The best Ojai wines – and there are many that vie for that label – are gorgeous, transparent to site and highly expressive. As always, the style at Ojai is fairly non-interventionalist. Since 2005, the fermentations have been gentler, with less overall extraction. The malos proceed naturally and slowly. As a rule, the wines are never racked until bottling. The Ojai wines remain exceedingly fairly priced considering the quality and painstaking effort that goes into every bottle. Tel. (805) 649-1674; www.ojaivineyard.com
Better than the '07 and a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah, the 2008 Ojai Grenache Thompson Vineyard sports first rate aromatics of framboise, underbrush, gingerbread, white pepper, and crushed flower like nuances on the nose. Much more fleshy and fruit driven on the palate than the prior vintage, this carries a medium-bodied, supple, yet still focused and elegant feel, good acidity, and an enjoyable finish that keeps you coming back for another sip. Very easy drinking, and while this lacks length, I do like the balance. It should continue to evolve and aged gracefully for 6-8 years, if not longer.
Vivid ruby. Slowly opens to displays scents of raspberry, cherry pit, white pepper and candied rose. Sappy and precise, with tightly wound red fruit flavors that pick up weight and sweetness with aeration. Shows very good intensity on the finish, which clings with impressive tenacity. This promising wine needs some more bottle age.