Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre (GSM)
Bet Shalom Wine Club Tasting Notes September 18, 2021
Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre (GSM) Wines
Bodegas Breca Old Vines Garnacha 2017 (Mundobriga, Spain NE of Madrid) $17.99 :
Winemaker's notes: Deep color and character, as well as lively acidity. Aromas of ripe black fruit compote, overlaid with spices such as black pepper. Obvious minerality to the wine, proceeding from vineyards’ soils range from iron-rich red slate and clay to black slate.
Wine Spectator: This red is ripe and generous. A rich, firm texture carries plum and currant flavors, with notes of mocha, loamy earth and smoke. Well-integrated tannins give this backbone, while lively acidity imparts balance.
McLaren Vale Australia Two Hands Angels Share Shiraz 2019 $34.99 /BOGO (South of Adelaide)
Winemaker Notes: Bright deep, dark red with a luminous purple core. Vibrant notes of blueberries over-laid with dried violet petals and gentle woody spices. A soft entry that quickly fans out and saturates the palate: the perfect blend of power and elegance. Medium to full bodied in nature, this wine has ample fruit purity combined with lively savory nuances. Notes of primary blue fruits combined with licorice straps and a brilliantly fragrant floral overtone. Tannins are savory and detailed. A long, complex finish.
Wine Spectator 92 pts: Generous blueberry, huckleberry and blackberry flavors are pure and velvety, with accents of black tea, black pepper and sandalwood on a supple frame, followed by a juicy finish. Drink now through 2030.
Cline Ancient Vines Mourvèdre 2019 @ $17.99 : Cline is in Sonoma; grapes came from Contra Costa County east of San Francisco.
Winemaker's notes: Ancient Vines Mourvèdre offers distinct chocolate characteristics, luscious deep plum, and concentrated cherry. This scrumptious and unusually delightful wine has a substantial mouth-feel followed by structured and balanced tannins.
Clos Du Mont Olivet Châteauneuf Du Pape 2018 @ $39.99 :
(78% Grenache 11% Syrah 8% Mourvèdre 3% Cinsault)
Winemaker's Notes: Aromas of blackberry, red cherry and baking spices. Smooth, concentrated yet balanced; flavors of tart cherries, red plums and light licorice. Very long finish. Pair this wine alongside grilled steak, lamb roasted with prunes, olive tapenade.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: Scents of sun-warmed stones, asphalt and black olives emerge on the nose of the 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape La Cuvee du Papet. Full-bodied, savory and complex, with flavors of dark, plummy fruit, hints of roasted meat and dried spices, it's supple in feel and long on the finish.
Le P'tit Paysan 'Le P'tit Pape” 2017 Monterey County, CA @ $______
Wine Enthusiast 93 points: Clean raspberry and strawberry aromas are lifted by a pinch of pepper and fresh marjoram on the nose of this blend of 57% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre and 3% Counoise. Tart cranberry and strawberry flavors are quite fresh on the palate, but there are also savory hints of meat and white pepper.
K&L Notes: Winemaker Ian Brand moved to California to pursue a life of surfing, but quickly got bitten by the wine bug. The purpose of the P’tit Paysan project is to present simple, unpretentious “country” wines. In reality these simple wines come from some unique vineyard sites that Ian has sniffed out in the back-country of Monterey and the surrounding area. Most of these vineyards exhibit very poor soils, in harsh conditions just on the edge of feasible farming. The struggle these vines must face makes for some intense fruit.