2014 Cayuse Grenache God Only Knows
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Tasting notes
(13.5% alcohol; not 100% Grenache as this selection originally from Château Rayas, planted in 2001, includes some white grapes; raised in old demi-muids from René Rostaing): Bright medium red, with the beginning of amber at the edge. Fascinating aromas of raspberry, truffle, rose petal, smoked meat, pepper and olive tapenade: I would never have guessed New World. Dry and firm in the middle palate, offering flavors of raspberry, peony, jasmine, orange peel, olive tapenade, smoked meat and spices, plus a whiff of ponzu sauce. This wine should be wonderfully food-friendly and flexible at the dinner table (Baron recommends pairing it with king salmon with tarragon mayonnaise). Finishes with excellent length. Baron notes that at yields above 1.5 tons per acre, Grenache in Washington tends to have a hole in the middle. Not this one, though! Finishes juicy and long, with very suave tannins.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
There are 533 cases of the 2014 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard, and as always, it's an unknown blend that's dominated by Grenache (reportedly from vine cuttings from Rayas). It's fermented with just about 100% whole clusters in concrete and aged mostly in neutral puncheons and foudre, with one concrete egg. A bigger, richer wine than the No Girls cuvee, this beauty packs a punch in its black cherry, reduced strawberry, herbes de Provence and crushed violet aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, a supple, elegant style and fine tannin, this singular beauty will benefit from a year or three of cellaring and keep for 10-15 years.
There are 533 cases of the 2014 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard, and as always, it's an unknown blend that's dominated by Grenache (reportedly from vine cuttings from Rayas). It's fermented with just about 100% whole clusters in concrete and aged mostly in neutral puncheons and foudre, with one concrete egg. A bigger, richer wine than the No Girls cuvee, this beauty packs a punch in its black cherry, reduced strawberry, herbes de Provence and crushed violet aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, a supple, elegant style and fine tannin, this singular beauty will benefit from a year or three of cellaring and keep for 10-15 years. Jun 2017, www.robertparker.com