Sparkman Wonderland Grenache 2013
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of tobacco, dried herbs and strawberry are followed by focused, creamy-feeling raspberry and cranberry flavors. It shows a real sense of purity but the mouthfeel is where it truly shines.Editors' Choice
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A step up over the 2012, the 2013 Grenache Wonderland is outstanding, with lots of Provencal character in its savory herbs, mulled red and black fruits and dried lavender-like aromas and flavors. These give way to a ripe, sexy and hedonistically styled Grenache that stays lively and fresh on the palate, with a great finish. Incorporating 12% Syrah and seeing 30-50% whole clusters, it spent 12 months in 25% new French oak prior to bottling, it should drink nicely for another 5-6 years.
Other Vintages
2019-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling
-
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Spectator -
Wine
Enthusiast
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.
As the first recognized wine-growing region in the Pacific Northwest, Yakima Valley is centrally located within Washington’s vast Columbia Valley. The region also includes Washington’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines, Otis Vineyard, planted in 1957, and Harrison Hill Vineyard, planted in 1963. Yakima Valley contains three smaller sub-regions: Rattlesnake Hills, Red Mountain, and Snipes Mountain and is ideal for both red and white wine production. In fact, Yakima Valley is Washington’s most diverse region, boasting more than 40 different grape varieties over about one hundred miles.
The cooler parts of the valley are home to almost half of the Chardonnay and Riesling produced in the state! Both are made in a wide range of styles depending on the conditions of the vineyard site.
But its warmer locations yield a large proportion of Washington’s best Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The finest Yakima Valley reds are jam-packed full of red cherry, currant, raspberry or blackberry fruit, as well as cocoa, herb, spice and savory notes, and exhibit a supple texture, great body, focus and length.