Grenache is a very widely planted grape - well known for spicy, fruit flavors, low tannins & high alcohol. It is also, I just learnt, often blended up to 80% into my wife's favorite wines; Chateau-neuf-du-Pape.
Lots to learn my friends.
WINE A
clear visual:
- moderate garnet centre
- slight cherry rim suggesting little or no age (2007-08)
- moderate legs = moderate alcohol (12%?)
clean nose; moderate+ intense notes of
- Old World funky leather
- red fruit/berries
- fungal/mushroom
- white pepper
- some sort of funky vegetal
clean palate; 0 dryness, moderate++ acid, moderate+ tannin, moderately intense flavors
- chalk
- leather
- red fruit/berries
- young black fruit
moderate body, moderate alcohol (my guess was 12-13% but it was 14.5%), good structure
2007 Las Rocas, Garnacha, de San Alejandro (Spain) **very good value @ $20**
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WINE B
clear visual;
- pale garnet centre
- light cherry rim (indicating little or no age: 2008 or younger)
- strong legs (indicating high alcohol of 13.5% or higher)
clean nose; moderate+ intense aroma of
- white pepper (yes Sebastian I get it)
- funky leather (Spanish kegs)
- red berries
- hot alcohol
- light rosey floral
clean palate; 0 dryness, moderate++ acid, moderate+ tannin, moderate+ intense flavors of
- plums
- white pepper
- floral
- chalk terroir
- red berries
moderate body, full alcohol (14.5%), excellent structure
2008 Tres Ojos, Garnacha, Calatayad (Spain) **BUY THIS @ $15**
So maybe I understand a bit better now... Garnacha is high in acid, low in tannin, stupidly high in alcohol (like a Zinfindel). Aromas of white pepper & red berries, flavors of the schistous soil & that oh-so-funky Spanish casking system of theirs. Big frikin wines & Lord knows I love a glass of this!
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