2010 Sans Liege, En Gedi, Santa Barbara County.
This blockbuster Grenache is pure Sans Liege at it’s finest with full-bodied explosive fruit, smooth tannins and lengthy finish, bravo to Curt Schalchlin for another rocking good wine. This wine sees about 7% new wood, mostly used and neutral barrels, but gets about two years worth of aging in the oak, which allows for imparting only the subtlest of toast and gives creamy richness to this mouth-coating red. There is quite a bit of Alcohol here, and it does crossed the 15% mark, but in this wine it all works and it should be enjoyed young while it is fresh and sexy. The nose is full of flowers, sweet herbs, pepper and grenadine with pomegranate, cassis and wild strawberries all coming through. The palate is lush with boysenberry, red currants and creamy plum with slightest hints of game, lavender and fennel in the background. Made from a selection of blocks that include Grenache Noir and Alban clone Grenache, plus a 9% splash of Syrah to add a bit of complexity to the whole.
($40 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
