Skinner 2019 Grenache, El Dorado

Winery Notes: ”Our Estate Grenache perfectly defines the concept of “finesse”.  This is largely due to our Stoney Creek ranch in Fair Play producing wines of such lilting character, and how well it marries with the sturdy tannins and intense fruit of our Green Valley ranch in Rescue.  A strikingly translucent garnet, true as ever to the varietal, giving way to a nose of hibiscus, cherries and cream, clove and candied orange peel.  Electrifyingly juicy across the palate, building into layers of supple, persistent texture. Grenache is finicky – not wanting to be overwrought, nor does it like to be under-realized. Made up of numerous small lots and varying clonal material, picking at absolutely perfect ripeness is key. The fruit is meticulously hand- sorted ensuring gentle handling and careful tannin management.  We employ significant amounts of whole cluster, and handle our native fermentations with the remontage technique; gentler on the berries, but aggressively more aerobic for the juice, encouraging high CO2 production which both protects and bolstersour aromatic profile.”

Tasting Notes: The 2019 Skinner Grenache offers up a very intense aroma of kirsch, licorice and black stone fruits on the nose.  The wine is very aromatic throughout the lush medium-full bodied and round palate, offering layers of bright and ripe well-structured fruit flavors.  The wine is gorgeous, showing a little more of a perfumy side of this varietal, but also has a very solid flesh structured backbone.  This is a wine that is drinking well now, and should do so for a good 6-8 years.

WS 93 Points: “Vivid, sunbaked fruit flavors and a great structure of moderate acidity and tannins balance this wine out beautifully on a high level. Blackberry and raspberry notes mingle with hints of cedar, clove and black pepper for a tasty complexity”

Side note: Grenache has all kinds of iterations, and is one of the most widely planted wine grape varieties in the world. Believed to have originated in Northern Spain before migrating to France, eventually finding a cozy home in Southern Rhône in the 19th century. Considered a late-ripening varietal, Grenache loves a warm, dry climate and rocky soils making El Dorado County a perfect fit! At Skinner, Grenache is a big part of our legacy and continues to be a major part of our production today.

Also check out:  Skinner 2020 Grenache Blanc El Dorado County