2016 Cayuse Grenache God Only Knows
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The 2016 Grenache God Only Knows comes from the high-density (1,815 vines per acre) Armada Vineyard, planted in 2001. Matured for 21 months in used French demi-muids and foudres, it sits low in the glass at this stage, demanding plenty of air to reveal red cherry, rosewater and gravel dust aromas. The medium-bodied palate is much more open at this stage with concentrated, crunchy red fruit and soaring floral perfume. It’s structured by supple tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a long, latent finish. It will continue to develop positively in bottle over the next decade. 535 cases were made.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
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Planted in the 7-acre Armada Vineyard, established in 2001. Biodynamically farmed. With a backdrop of deeper-toned red fruits, the wine offers a beautiful and alluring, also savoury, nose. There is a pleasantly textural tannin quality while the mouthfeel remains still succulent and fresh with persistent sapidity and accents of orange zest and pink grapefruit. A floral element emerges with air showing both dried roses and cherry blossoms. This Grenache is savoury yet elegant, with depth and complexity throughout. (ECB)
The 2016 God Only Knows saw a fair amount of stems (60-80%) and was brought up in neutral demi-muids and foudre. It's incredibly complex, offering blackberry, smoked earth, Iberico ham, white pepper, spring flowers, and violets. It's seamless, ultra-pure, medium-bodied, and just glides across the palate and has a Burgundian weight and richness. 535 cases. After a catastrophe with their 2015s due to a cork issue, Cayuse is certainly back on top with these latest 2016s. This is a great vintage for Cayuse and they’ve knocked it out of the park with both their Rhone and Bordeaux variety releases.