La Paciencia Vineyard Grenache

I tend to hoard Grenache because it’s not like, the variety that’s just out there hanging out everywhere. But I love it so much maybe I should buy lots so I can enjoy freely.
This one is like Pinot Noir but hulked out in a good way (ps have you watched She-Hulk it’s brilliant if you don’t like it for the reasons a lot of incels I’ve heard don’t then you are a bad feminist and I stand by that) oh wait hi wine.
It has oodles of ripppppe red cherry, coupled with a spicy peppery nature I think is born both of Grenache’s inherent white peppery/floral vibes and a decent amount of stem inclusion giving it notes I personally like to call “vine-y”. It’s a big wine in many ways but so smooth and light on the palate. Like a structured jacket made of soft, supple, lightweight material you are almost confused how it can warm you so. Body and soul.

My contribution for a massive Grenache theme wine tasting (being as socially distanced as possible). This was alongside Cayuse God Only Knows, a 2011 No Girls Grenache, SQN Female, Saxum Terry Hogue, Lillian Grenache, 06 and 07 Beaucastel, and others.

Broken record, I know, but these wines are insanely delicious and so well crafted. Very much in the “love it or hate it” style, as typical with Cayuse wines. Much more spice and herbal lift here compared to the 2011. Stemmy, black peppercorn dusted rhubarb, olive, and smoked cherry jerky aromatics. Vibrant, almost nervy, on the palate with beautiful acidity. On the palate, it’s a back and forth between saline, iron driven savory notes and underripe fleshy red fruits. Compared to their Syrah, this is always a bit lighter and more bright. Seems to be drinking at peak.

Had the tempranillo a few months ago, this time it’s the grenache. It’s still wickedly young but putting out loads of cherry and watermelon juiciness and then immediately takes a turn into that rocks district funk. Always impressive how that shines through even when these wines are fresh.

Gimme that funk, that funky sweet, that funky stuff! Smoke, cassis, sweet and savory spices, red fruits, dried roses, and tobacco leaf. Effortlessly balanced. Years ahead of this young wine!

Rich, sweet, concentrated black raspberry and savory herbs. Opening up well and showing a distinctive style separate from the more funky, tapenaude style Cayuse. Still young and fun and clearly on the rise. A compact muscular frame like @Shawn R who brought this and his A game.

The La Paciencia Vineyard was planted over the course of three years, with three acres each planted to Grenache, Syrah and Tempranillo. The 2015 Grenache from this vineyard is one of the best red wines from Washington that I have sampled from this warm vintage. This incredible wine was aged in a combination of neutral oak and stainless steel prior to bottling. The nose is completely intoxicating with exotic aromatics of blood orange, wild strawberries, damp earth, guava purée, and peat moss tones with wild blackberry that all take shape in the glass. The palate shows an incredible range of flavors, which include blood orange zest, forest floor, white truffle, red currant jelly and umami. The wonderful combination of saline and savory characteristics makes your mouth water and completely captivates the senses. Despite coming from a warm vintage, the level of acidity that vigneronne, Elizabeth Bourcier, was able to capture is highly impressive. Thjs thrilling wine is beautiful to savor now but has another decade ahead of it. Drink 2019-2029- 97

Deliciously funky. Earthy and beautiful. A sense of place for sure. I was thrilled by the slight eeprvesence and change from anything I usually drink. Beautifully floral and deliciously great. I wish I could get more. Thank you so much Mr Baron for giving this to Chase and I.

A wine I'm not familiar with - great treat from a guest at the wine dinner I am hosting!

Gamey, blueberries, leather, smoke, cranberry, leaves, earth. So freaking cool.

A little green right now and slightly thin, likely owing to its youth, red raspberry and game meats. I'd hold.