Aonair Wines
Duarte Vineyard Grenache Blend
El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills, California, USA
My last of the Aonair Grenache wines. Fun memories of one of our favorite wine clubs when we first started getting in to wine.
When looking back at my note on the 2015 (consumed Dec 2017, so two years on it), I’m surprised at how different this 2016 was (5+yrs on it). Hardly any trace of smoked meat or candied bacon notes here. While very new world, this 2016 was a bit more varietally correct in profile…ripe red (raspberries) and black fruits (blackberries, black cherries) with sandalwood and peppercorn spice aromatics. Rich on the palate with good acidity and quite a bit of tannin on the finish. Gains a small herbal and savory component the longer it’s open.
I followed over two days and didn’t notice much change. These are normally ready to go upon delivery and easily hold up 5+yrs later.
My last of the Aonair Grenache wines. Fun memories of one of our favorite wine clubs when we first started getting in to wine.
When looking back at my note on the 2015 (consumed Dec 2017, so two years on it), I’m surprised at how different this 2016 was (5+yrs on it). Hardly any trace of smoked meat or candied bacon notes here. While very new world, this 2016 was a bit more varietally correct in profile…ripe red (raspberries) and black fruits (blackberries, black cherries) with sandalwood and peppercorn spice aromatics. Rich on the palate with good acidity and quite a bit of tannin on the finish. Gains a small herbal and savory component the longer it’s open.
I followed over two days and didn’t notice much change. These are normally ready to go upon delivery and easily hold up 5+yrs later.
With friends in town during Thanksgiving, I hit up some wineries that I’ve been curious about. Super cool experience at Aonair. Grant Long, Jr has created something special there, and with David Yorgensen at the helm with the wines, it feels all dialed in. Their Grenache was a surprise to me. From El Dorado and there’s some initial funk, but it blows off and what’s left is a balanced, mineral driven, but kirsch laden, and yet still, a bright style wine that’s quite reminiscent of something from Chateauneuf du Pape.
With friends in town during Thanksgiving, I hit up some wineries that I’ve been curious about. Super cool experience at Aonair. Grant Long, Jr has created something special there, and with David Yorgensen at the helm with the wines, it feels all dialed in. Their Grenache was a surprise to me. From El Dorado and there’s some initial funk, but it blows off and what’s left is a balanced, mineral driven, but kirsch laden, and yet still, a bright style wine that’s quite reminiscent of something from Chateauneuf du Pape.
Nov 29th, 2018
Deep purplish ruby red. Layered nose with dark cocoa, touch of mint, spices, perfume and dark berries. Medium tannins (5.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Very rich for a Grenache, would not have thought this was one. Tons of dark cocoa and savory spices on the attack of the palate with dark berries. A bit of cedar as well. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2025.
Deep purplish ruby red. Layered nose with dark cocoa, touch of mint, spices, perfume and dark berries. Medium tannins (5.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Very rich for a Grenache, would not have thought this was one. Tons of dark cocoa and savory spices on the attack of the palate with dark berries. A bit of cedar as well. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2025.
Feb 25th, 2018I kept my hands off this vintage as long as I could, but I got curious and just had to try it. I love all of Aonair’s wines. I’ve had plenty of the ‘14, but I think this surpasses it. At pop and pour, I was shocked at how dark and purple this was and then shocked again when the main note I got on the nose was candied bacon and fresh squeezed blackberries. Based on color and smell, I would have blind guessed Syrah. The Grenache came through on this when it hit the palate. Front and midpalate were very crisp and elegant. Lots of berry flavors alongside smoked cedar and savory spices. The finish warrants decanting this for at least an hour...still pretty tight, but is killer after some air. Peppercorn, soy sauce, rhubarb. Great Grenache! @Martin G Rivard , if you’ve opened the one I sent you, I hope you gave it some air and more importantly, I hope you enjoyed it!
I kept my hands off this vintage as long as I could, but I got curious and just had to try it. I love all of Aonair’s wines. I’ve had plenty of the ‘14, but I think this surpasses it. At pop and pour, I was shocked at how dark and purple this was and then shocked again when the main note I got on the nose was candied bacon and fresh squeezed blackberries. Based on color and smell, I would have blind guessed Syrah. The Grenache came through on this when it hit the palate. Front and midpalate were very crisp and elegant. Lots of berry flavors alongside smoked cedar and savory spices. The finish warrants decanting this for at least an hour...still pretty tight, but is killer after some air. Peppercorn, soy sauce, rhubarb. Great Grenache! @Martin G Rivard , if you’ve opened the one I sent you, I hope you gave it some air and more importantly, I hope you enjoyed it!
Dec 8th, 2017What an unbelievable treat to get to attend a private tasting with Aonair Wines along with founder and winemaker Grant Long Jr. Heard from friends, and confirmed by Grant his self, that wines can only be attained if he has met you in person. Love that philosophy. Grant is a larger than life personality...bearded, boisterous and a hearty laugh. His wines represent him well and though they are young (tasted '13s and 14s) they feel well aged already, which is his goal. His Grenache is the best I've ever had, and his cab (100% cab) and mountain blend are so enjoyable that we joined the wine club due to a waiting list about to be formed. Exquisite wines, along with a unique and personable business model, make this a can't miss. Hello new favorite winery.
What an unbelievable treat to get to attend a private tasting with Aonair Wines along with founder and winemaker Grant Long Jr. Heard from friends, and confirmed by Grant his self, that wines can only be attained if he has met you in person. Love that philosophy. Grant is a larger than life personality...bearded, boisterous and a hearty laugh. His wines represent him well and though they are young (tasted '13s and 14s) they feel well aged already, which is his goal. His Grenache is the best I've ever had, and his cab (100% cab) and mountain blend are so enjoyable that we joined the wine club due to a waiting list about to be formed. Exquisite wines, along with a unique and personable business model, make this a can't miss. Hello new favorite winery.
Oct 24th, 2016
Visited and then ordered a few bottles. Drank this one for Nate (my husband’s) family birthday in California. AH-MAZING. Leather and cigars, dark fruit. Extremely smooth and easy to drink. Paired very nicely with our steak dinner. Fantastic.
Visited and then ordered a few bottles. Drank this one for Nate (my husband’s) family birthday in California. AH-MAZING. Leather and cigars, dark fruit. Extremely smooth and easy to drink. Paired very nicely with our steak dinner. Fantastic.
May 1st, 2020Good but I'm sure would have been really nice with some more time in the bottle. Happy none the less
Good but I'm sure would have been really nice with some more time in the bottle. Happy none the less
May 20th, 2019