Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1011938
Bethany 2015 Old Vine Grenache Turning to Australia, six generations of Schrapels have farmed the vineyards on the eastern slopes of the Barossa Range. Fantastic blood-orange citrus notes, toast, and toffee with distinct minerality. Fresh on the palate with juicy cranberry, orange zest, and milk chocolate with an intensely spicy finish. Vines range from 50–120 years old. The wine spent 12 months in a combination of stainless steel and new and neutral French oak. 100% Grenache;14.7% ABV. Bodegas Paniza 2015 Garnacha de Pizarra The tasting circled back to DOP Cariñena for the final two wines. Balles - teros Torres spoke of the unique "llicorella" soils of Cariñena, comprised of fractured slate. Bodegas Paniza's vines dive 10–15 feet in search of nutrients, and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel before spending eight months in French oak. Chocolate-covered strawberries and crushed slate-like mineral aromas; big, powerful, and ex - pressive with massive concentration; sumptuous black fruits, black licorice, purple flowers, and a coffee-tinged, long finish. 100% Garnacha. Bodegas San Valero 2015 Tierra de Cubas Garnacha Cariñena Made with fruit from select old vines grown at 2,460 feet; fermented and aged in French oak. Sweet strawberry, red flowers, and fresh herbs. A spicy and vibrant wine with mouthwatering acid - ity, excellent fruit concentration, power, and energy with good structure. 80% Garnacha and 20% Cariñena. Garnacha: A PERFECT PARTNER As the morning session gave way to lunch, two dozen producers from Australia, France, Spain, Sonoma, Lodi, and the Central Coast of California joined the panelists for a walkaround tasting of 50 wines. Attendees had the opportunity to contrast and compare wine styles from far-flung growing regions and pair them with the signature cuisines of Spain, France, and California. Although it grows only a small percentage of the variety—just under 1 percent of total plantings—Australia's McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley are home to some serious old-vine material, with Yalumba's 2012 Tri-Centenary Grenache (from vines planted in 1889) and the Yangarra Estate Vineyard Old Vine Grenache (from vines approaching 90 years) serving as prime examples. Comprised mostly of Grenache, the Murrieta's Well Dry Rosé from California's Livermore Valley is brilliantly toned with strawberry and jasmine. Emma Brown of Penfolds with Bin 138, a Syrah/Grenache/ Mourvèdre blend from Barossa Valley vines as old as 100 years. The Orin Swift 2016 Abstract Grenache from Sonoma County is dense, lush, and concentrated with some Petite Sirah and Syrah blended in. { SOMMjournal.com } 99