Birichino
Besson Vineyard Vieilles Centenaires Grenache
Central Coast, California, USA
This is a very pretty wine. Light color, but so fragrant, with sappy cherry/kirsch and a little raspberry, plus a highly-saline crushed stone minerality and a musky floral note. Flavorful but light-footed in the mouth. Crisp acids and little chalky tannin keep things together. Great with take-out Chinese food tonight!
This is a very pretty wine. Light color, but so fragrant, with sappy cherry/kirsch and a little raspberry, plus a highly-saline crushed stone minerality and a musky floral note. Flavorful but light-footed in the mouth. Crisp acids and little chalky tannin keep things together. Great with take-out Chinese food tonight!
Jan 26th, 2024I love this wine! After 6 years the nose stills shows off beautifully pure Grenache kirschy, raspberry fruit and crushed rock, as well as some roasted green herbs. In the mouth, savory flavors are in play, replacing some of the pure fruit I noted in earlier bottles. But still some cherry/raspberry extract fruit there. So good. This is how Chateauneuf used to taste before the doubly whammy of Phillipe Cambie and global warming, if maybe a tad more delicate.
I love this wine! After 6 years the nose stills shows off beautifully pure Grenache kirschy, raspberry fruit and crushed rock, as well as some roasted green herbs. In the mouth, savory flavors are in play, replacing some of the pure fruit I noted in earlier bottles. But still some cherry/raspberry extract fruit there. So good. This is how Chateauneuf used to taste before the doubly whammy of Phillipe Cambie and global warming, if maybe a tad more delicate.
Aug 25th, 2019
Holy hey wish I’d had this when I was writing my piece on Grenache BUT consider this a late entry. The fam puts Grenache through a more intricate than usual procedure including a drying in the dark ritual for some stems. And that hand picked attention really adds some magic. This one has the ability to stand tall and solid and remain ethereal in soul. As good Grenache should be. It contains multitudes. And (their words not mine but it’s accurate) ninja tannins. They slice you in a way you aren’t even aware of.
Holy hey wish I’d had this when I was writing my piece on Grenache BUT consider this a late entry. The fam puts Grenache through a more intricate than usual procedure including a drying in the dark ritual for some stems. And that hand picked attention really adds some magic. This one has the ability to stand tall and solid and remain ethereal in soul. As good Grenache should be. It contains multitudes. And (their words not mine but it’s accurate) ninja tannins. They slice you in a way you aren’t even aware of.
Nov 10th, 2018Juice!!! Such a lovely, fresh, and fragrant wine. This is California's equivalent of Beaujolais. So lovely every year
Juice!!! Such a lovely, fresh, and fragrant wine. This is California's equivalent of Beaujolais. So lovely every year
1 person found it helpfulNov 14th, 2016
Old vine love, the perfect weekday wine. Beautiful light to mid weight crystalline expression. Quality year in and year out.
Old vine love, the perfect weekday wine. Beautiful light to mid weight crystalline expression. Quality year in and year out.
1 person found it helpfulMar 10th, 2016One of the best wines we've ever had and so reasonable. Fruity like a Grenache should be but looks and feels like a Pinot Noir.
One of the best wines we've ever had and so reasonable. Fruity like a Grenache should be but looks and feels like a Pinot Noir.
1 person found it helpfulAug 17th, 2014Old vine Grenache from the Besson vineyard, ungrafted vines planted in 1910 on a rocky slope just too low to qualify for the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. Brilliant transparent ruby turning slightly orange at the rim. Intriguing nose with cranberry fruit and spices galore ( thyme, rosemary, lavender). Fresh berry fruit and spices, mouth-watering acidity, minerals and a rather long, spicy finish. Very good indeed. 2013 vintage, abv. 13,5%, 21 euro.
Old vine Grenache from the Besson vineyard, ungrafted vines planted in 1910 on a rocky slope just too low to qualify for the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. Brilliant transparent ruby turning slightly orange at the rim. Intriguing nose with cranberry fruit and spices galore ( thyme, rosemary, lavender). Fresh berry fruit and spices, mouth-watering acidity, minerals and a rather long, spicy finish. Very good indeed. 2013 vintage, abv. 13,5%, 21 euro.
Oct 17th, 2016
Modern style, light and elegant. I also Love how this Grenache carries its fruit.
Modern style, light and elegant. I also Love how this Grenache carries its fruit.
Apr 14th, 2016
A crowd-pleasing Grenache! Balanced fruit.
A crowd-pleasing Grenache! Balanced fruit.
Apr 9th, 2016