Tried this last night w/ dinner:
1. SantaCruzMtnVnyds Mendocine Grenache McDowellVllyVnyd (13.8%; 100 yr old vines; Unfltrd; http://www.SantaCruzMountainVineyard.com ) 2005: Med.color; very attractive strawberry/Grenache light toasty/oak slight earthy/dusty nose; tart light earthy/dusty bright/Grenache/strawberry light toasty/FrOak flavor; long spicy/Grenache/strawberry earthy/dusty finish w/ light tannins; a pretty Grenache w/ some Rhonish/earthiness of the CdR level. $23.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. I was surprised to see SCM producing Grenache from Mendocino. McDowellVllyVnyds, who has some fantastic vnyds of old-vine stuff, as been a realy underperformer over the last 5-10 yrs. I'm glad they done see'd the light and are selling off some of their superb grapes to someone who can make something exciting from them. Though this was not "exciting" Grenache, it was good drink Grenache that spoke well of MendocinoCnty and old-vines. I think I prefer Casey's Eaglepoint Grenache for its more bright/vibrant/vivid/neon green character.
Tom