2016 Inspiration Vineyards Grenache Ceja Farms Sonoma Valley -photo grapelive

2016 Inspiration Vineyards, Grenache, Ceja Farms, Sonoma Valley.
Santa Rosa’s under the radar winery Inspiration Vineyards, located in the new Olivet District, has just released a very full bodied and generous Grenache, coming off Ceja Farms in Sonoma Valley, a site that I have enjoyed in Sheldon Wines in the past, it is a bit of a cooler vineyard that highlights the fresher side of this grape, but 2016 was ripe and lush too, making for a compelling and fruit forward wine. Jon Phillips winemaker and proprietor of Inspiration Vineyards, a Sonoma based micro winery with a few old vine Zinfandel estate vines, with the help of Grenache freak Dylan Sheldon of the mentioned Sheldon Wines have teamed up to make an intriguing set of new releases, all are wonderful values and easy to love with very hedonistic pleasures, especially this new 100% Grenache bottling. This vintage is very expressive right out of the bottle with a initial sensation that rinds you of a juicy Zin before settling into a more complete Grenache like wine with lush plummy fruits that include raspberry, pomegranate, sweet cherry and racy strawberry fruits with an array of spices, floral tones, soft wood/mocha notes and liqueur. Only 2 barrels of the 2016 Grenache were made with just 50 cases released, making this limited wine a pretty good deal at under $30, and its flamboyant personality will make it a real crowd pleaser too, its 14+% alcohol gives a the impression of richness and body, while still having an energetic character and nice balance.
($29 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive

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