A Tribute to Grace Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard Grenache 2020
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Jeb
Dunnuck
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The Santa Barbara County Grenache was inspired by Fonsalette from Chateau Rayas. The wine represents two very different microclimates. The first vineyard is the Highlands with 3200 feet elevation. The second vineyard is Curtis which is tucked away in Foxen Canyon. The fruit was destemmed and each lot was fermented separately and aged for 16 months in neutral French oak. The resulting wine is elegantly structured and focused, and is an excellent introduction to Angela’s style.
Notes of rock rose, clove and Gypsy guitar.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Pinot Noir-like aromas and flavors of ripe strawberries, cherries, herbes de Provence, and flowers emerge from the 2020 Grenache Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, a medium-bodied, elegant, beautifully seamless Grenache. As with most of Angela’s Grenaches, it’s all varietal (from vines planted in 2000), and this release saw 46% whole clusters and spent 11 months in 36% once used oak, with the balance in tank, I believe.
Other Vintages
2018-
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Enthusiast
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
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Wine &
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- Decanter
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Robert
Parker
A Tribute To Grace Wine Company is dedicated to crafting authentic expressions of Grenache. All wines are single-vineyard sourced to maintain authenticity, and remain 100% Grenache.
Angela Osborne is a New Zealand born winemaker who moved to California in 2006 with the dream of making Grenache. In the land from which she stems, the climate is too cool to ripen this sun-loving beauty. And so began her search: northern Spain, southern France, southern Australia, California...
Abundant sunshine and entrepreneurial spirit led Angela to the latter, and in 2007 she sourced her first Grenache fruit from the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard. Nestled high above the Pacific Ocean and 33 miles inland, this high-desert vineyard provided the perfect balance of heat and light that was sought. Angela named her label after two of her favorite things: her Grandmother Grace and her most beloved attribute. Angela's winemaking intention is to capture this spirit, and stay as close to nature as humanly possible. The trio is completed by the grape itself, which to me encapsulates grace.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.