January 2007 Wine Tasting Notes:
2005 Carina Cellars Grenache, Central Coast.
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This wine is a smoky ruby color with a purple edge. The nose starts with medium intensity, bright strawberry aromas with floral and "Red Vines" hints, and light cherry accented by rose hips. The palate gives tangy, light to medium intensity strawberry and cherry backed by hints of vanilla. Bright acids accent the red fruit. Tannins are, appropriately, a minor player here. Alcohol is a bit hot for this level of extraction. All these factors do not detract from the lighter medium body of this wine. The mouthfeel is a convergence of dusty and juicy elements. The medium length finish continues the bright strawberry. |
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RWB Score: 87 breakdown 14.1% Alcohol $29.00 Retail (from winery); 121 cases produced |
Straightforward, with juicy red fruit, this Central Coast Grenache offers youthful vibrance and floral nuances. The composed fruit extraction is a welcome contrast to heavy, confected flavors. Enjoy, over the next 3 or 4 years, alone or with grilled meat dishes - easy on the sauces. |
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More Carina Cellars reviews. More about the Central Coast |
Composition 100% Grenache unspecified Central Coast source.
Grenache is generally thought of as a Rhône variety, but along with its relatives, Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, originates from Spain where it is called “Garnacha”. There, it is planted to twice the acreage as in France. In fact, it is currently the most widely planted red wine variety in the world and goes by many names, depending where it is grown. It has some history in California as it has been used in the jug wines of the Central Valley for decades, third only to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. It is only now coming into its own as a varietal and in Rhône blends, in no small part due to the successes of the Rhône Rangers. Traditionally, it has been used as a component of red blends (typically in the Northern Rhône), usually as the grape for Rhône rosés and as the main component component in most Southern Rhône red blends. In Spain, it is the main component of red blends from the Rioja and Catalonia. It is a sturdy, prolific variety (hence its utility in the Central Valley jug wines) and tolerates dry and hot climates. Grenache makes for softer, less intensely colored, fruity varietal wines often described as ‘fleshy’, ‘fruity’ and ‘heady’. Hence its versatility in blending: it can soften tannic Syrahs and fill out thinner wines. Its distinct sweet, ‘dusty’ and ’fleshy’ mouthfeel is typically supported by flavors of black currants, cherry, licorice and strawberry. Barrel aging can impart vanilla notes. With a heavier oak regiment it can become smoky. Bottle aging will see this variety fading relatively quickly and displaying dried fruit flavors. Despite the tannin and acids, Grenache is not known for its longevity.
The 2005 year saw an increase in crops over the preceding years. The year is being compared to the acclaimed 1997 vintage because of a very long and generally cool growing season without heat spikes. This long season resulted in extended hang times in even temperatures which gave the fruit good extraction but lower sugar levels. The slow ripening of the fruit is expected to make for elegance and balance in the wines of this vintage.
Tax attorney, sailing enthusiast and avid wine collector David Hardee came to the west coast in 1996 after two decades of law practice, including work on Capitol Hill, to pursue other venture capital interests. He met Joey Tensley and started the Carina Cellars label in 2002. The label focuses on Rhône wines. These are sourced from numerous vineyards in the southern Central Coast for at total annual production of 2,000 cases.
Originally from Bakersfield, Joey Tensley he has already made a name for himself on the national scene having first cut his teeth at some of the most prominent wineries in Santa Barbara County. Carina cellars reds are typified by juicy fruit that stops short of gobs of jammy extraction, staking their claim in the realm of well-balanced and composed, structured wine. The Viogniers are well defined, showing a convergence of tropical and floral elements with spice and good minerality and acidity.
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5 points |
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Nose |
3 points |
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Palate |
2 points |
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Finish |
3 points |
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Tannins |
5 points |
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Acidity |
5 points |
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Alcohol |
4 points |
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Aging potential |
2 points |
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Overall quality |
8 points |
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