Jun 5, 2014

#WW Wine Review 2011 Scratch Grenache








While getting the scrumptious lamb chops ready for the evening meal there was a rising pressure to select something from the wine fridge that would pair well and make this a special meal, even if it was a week night at home. What was the special occasion? Just because! That is all, nothing more than from time to time it is nice to have a special meal with special wine and enjoy the process of preparing, cooking, eating good food and and drinking fine wine. 

So it was with a little trepidation that the search of the wine fridge began. A lovely Shiraz perhaps, or this Bordeaux blend, but wait look here, a Grenache from Scratch Wines! Now confession time. The wines of Sabrine Rodems almost always are an easy go to no matter what label is on the bottle and since it had been a while since a Grenache was the chosen wine this was to be the #weeklywinner. Now this weeks winner the 2011 Grenache from Scratch Wines is a bit pricier than what we usually look for but this was after all going to be a special nights meal wine.

Scratch is a project of Winemaker Sabrine Rodems producing small-lot Riesling, Grenache and Pinot Noir from the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands AVA's. Sabrine has been making wines from these vineyards and in the Monterey area for over ten years.


This is a silky seductive wine that not only went beautifully with lamb chops (special dinner requirement fulfilled!) but will go with steaks or any meat with a smoky, charred BBQ'y edge. It shows delicious cherry and spice, plum, and black cherries with a hint of nutmeg and black pepper, with a lovely silky texture. Made from 100% Grenache with 50% whole cluster, it’s balanced well by fine acidity. The oak influence shows a deft touch in winemaking and has a nice slow finish showing subtle tannins. A slightly spicy Grenache from the gravely soils of the Arroyo Seco. On a technical level we would call this a bloody good drop!

A truly lovely wine that rates a solid 7 and ***. Get online and order some Scratch Wines and experience the wonderful winemaking style of Sabrine. We 'recommend' you do.



Happy Wine Adventures,
Cheers,

WineWalkabout
Kiwi & Koala


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