The 2006 Grenache was sourced from 45-year-old vines and aged for 16 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads (300-liter barrels). Unusually dark-colored for Grenache, the nose exhibits notes of charcoal, black cherry, lavender, and mineral. This is followed by a firm, hard, structured wine with a compact finish. Seemingly out-of-balance, purchasing this wine is a roll of the dice. Importer, Ben Hammerschlag, Epicurean Wines, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 923-1376

Bright ruby-red. Vibrant raspberry, cherry, potpourri and incense on the sharply focused nose. Dense, juicy and sweet, with graceful strawberry and raspberry flavors and a supple, velour-like texture. Finishes very long, with gentle tannins and a strong note of candied flowers.

This is a burly, firmly structured Grenache evidently meant to age, which makes it a little tough to evaluate right now. Big black cherry fruit lacks complexity, marked mainly by faint toasted-almond nuances. Try after 2010.——J.C.(8/1/2009)—— 88