Isenhower Cellars
Rara Avis Yakima Valley Grenache
Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
75/21/4 blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Yakima Valley, 14.7% alc/vol. Purple red, very good clarity, moderate to high pigment extraction. Red fruit, diacetyl and herbs in the nose. Red fruit including cherry and raspberry in the mouth. Needs a bit of time to open. Online tasting notes of others include earthiness and hibiscus flavors. I don’t get any citrus notes on the initial pour though it emerges after 30 minutes as dried tangerine peel. Mouthfeel is smooth with light skin astringency. Elegant. After three hours, the wine softens while the red fruit flavors lengthen and achieve great depth. Decant three hours if you can.
75/21/4 blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Yakima Valley, 14.7% alc/vol. Purple red, very good clarity, moderate to high pigment extraction. Red fruit, diacetyl and herbs in the nose. Red fruit including cherry and raspberry in the mouth. Needs a bit of time to open. Online tasting notes of others include earthiness and hibiscus flavors. I don’t get any citrus notes on the initial pour though it emerges after 30 minutes as dried tangerine peel. Mouthfeel is smooth with light skin astringency. Elegant. After three hours, the wine softens while the red fruit flavors lengthen and achieve great depth. Decant three hours if you can.
Oct 29th, 2026270 cases made. Ruby red, very good clarity, light to moderate pigment extraction. Strawberry and cherry skin aromas, flavors. Rounded soft mouthfeel with slight skin astringency and red berry flavors on finish with light seed tannin bitterness. Slight spritz with orange and black pepper aftertaste. There’s an earthiness and bright fruitiness that I have not gotten from other Washington state Grenaches. Fresh cherry flavor develops after 90 minutes. Complex yet on point varietally, well crafted as is typical from this producer.
270 cases made. Ruby red, very good clarity, light to moderate pigment extraction. Strawberry and cherry skin aromas, flavors. Rounded soft mouthfeel with slight skin astringency and red berry flavors on finish with light seed tannin bitterness. Slight spritz with orange and black pepper aftertaste. There’s an earthiness and bright fruitiness that I have not gotten from other Washington state Grenaches. Fresh cherry flavor develops after 90 minutes. Complex yet on point varietally, well crafted as is typical from this producer.
Nov 20th, 2022New vintage. Ruby red, excellent clarity. Moderate pigment extraction. Red fruit, cherry peel and berry flavors with a graphite, black pepper, black olive and seed bitterness finish. Tangerine peel aftertaste. Dense flavor profile, good acid, not your typical WA state Grenache.
New vintage. Ruby red, excellent clarity. Moderate pigment extraction. Red fruit, cherry peel and berry flavors with a graphite, black pepper, black olive and seed bitterness finish. Tangerine peel aftertaste. Dense flavor profile, good acid, not your typical WA state Grenache.
Nov 12th, 2021Purple red, highly extracted pigment, good clarity. Plum and cherry notes in nose initially with a hint of prune, herb and butter. Herbal and red fruit (cherry, raspberry) flavors, slight cool blue fruit finish. Slight seed bitterness on finish. Good balance, soft mouthfeel. Black olive and tar flavors emerge after an hour
Purple red, highly extracted pigment, good clarity. Plum and cherry notes in nose initially with a hint of prune, herb and butter. Herbal and red fruit (cherry, raspberry) flavors, slight cool blue fruit finish. Slight seed bitterness on finish. Good balance, soft mouthfeel. Black olive and tar flavors emerge after an hour
Oct 28th, 2020