Our special bottling of "The Barrel Climber" has gone from a white in 2010 to a red in 2011. This vintage produced a Grenache that simply cried out to be bottled on its own and we are super excited to share it! Sourced from the spectacular Greywacke Vineyard – a tiny, high-altitude parcel on the eastern slope of Black Mountain in the Russian River Valley – this is only our second bottling of Grenache ever and we are delighted with how the blend came together. Above the fog line, Greywacke enjoys plenty of sun and a long growing season, perfect for the late ripening variety made famous by the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
We love this wine for its exuberant and pretty perfume of red and black fruits and range of warm Asian spices. Bing cherry, black currant and pomegranate flavors lead to a snappy, lively finish. Almost Pinot-like in color and weight but with Grenache’s signature backbone and grip, this will really shine with Mediterranean-inspired foods like grilled, herb-rubbed meats (especially lamb) and veggies, tomato based pasta dishes, and hearty cheeses.
Aged in mostly neutral barrels and blended with 9% Las Madres Syrah for added layering and complexity, the 2011 Grenache is still a rambunctious youngster. If you must open one now, we recommend decanting it for an hour before you dive in. Otherwise let it rest for a year or two in the cellar and you’ll be very pleased indeed!
DRINKING WINDOWS
Prime drinking: late 2013 to 2016 Graceful ageability: 2018+
Direct sales are allocated exclusively to EK Allocation List members at a 10% discount. Orders of 6+ bottles save an additional 50% off shipping. New releases ship twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Join EK Allocation List
CUSTOMIZED ALLOCATIONS
You may customize your spring and fall allocations any way you like, from 0–12 bottles of each wine. (Small-lot and list-only wines will have lower limits.) To modify your allocations, click on MY ALLOCATION above. Join EK Allocation List
REORDERS
Wines often sell out at or close to release, so we encourage making the most of your spring and fall allocations. As long as wine remains, you are welcome to reorder online through our EK Special Order store. Or contact John Gillis at john@erickentwines.com or 415.244.9453.
sonoma county
