2016 A Tribute to Grace, Rose of Grenache, Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, Santa Barbara County.
Kiwi Angela Osborne’s A Tribute to Grace, named for the New Zealander’s Granny, is a winery to watch, she focuses exclusively on Grenache and shows the grape in a lighter more transparent style, similar to Sheldon Wines who’s wines also follow a less extracted style. Angela’s gorgeous Rose 2016 comes from biodynamic blocks of Clone 2 Grenache at the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard and this outstanding new pink is just lovely as lovely can be with lots of vitality, energy and bright crisp flavors of ultra pure Grenache, it is Tavel inspired in my mind with refreshing mineral tones, light floral notes and layers of whispering fruit, it starts with bitter melon, tangy cherry and rosewater with a core of delectable strawberry and brisk citrus. There’s a touch of pepper, sappy herb and pomegranate water that adds to the beautiful nature of this fine Rose, if you want a special pink this season, you’d better rush to get your 2016 A Tribute to Grace, as it will go fast, Angela has a fanatic almost cult like following and her wines are hard to get, be sure to look for this Rose and also her silky/sexy 2015 Santa Barbara County Grenache, which is a dreamy red, Osborne has done very impressive work in the last few vintages, but these have certainly raised her game!
($22 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
