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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Côtes du Ventoux Rouge Orca II Grenache 2008 (About $19)

About the Wine:  Grenache is a red wine sometimes known by its Spanish equivalent "Garnacha."  Grenache has very light skin and is low in tannins.  Tannins are a component in grape skins that give red wines their color as well as part of their flavor.  Tannin can cause heartburn so there is always a market for low tannin wine.
About THIS Wine:  The bottle says "Orca" in larg,e black letters with everything else in this post's title obscured.  When searching for it at a wine shop it is best to simply ask for "Orca Grenache."  The nose is heavy with the smell of roses with hints of clove and black pepper.  It is a very pleasing, romantic aroma.  The front palate is light with red fruit that rises in intensity in the mid palate along with a mildly spicy flavor.  The fruit and spice linger together in a smooth, pleasant finish.  The overall taste is very long for such a light wine and is pleasantly complex.
Drinking This Wine:  Lightly seasoned poultry dishes, lamb, or hearty stew would all make good pairings for this wine.  It is not overly acidic or spicy, so it is also a good sipping wine.
Overall Impression:  If I spend more than fifteen dollars on a bottle I expect it to be remarkable.  This is an interesting wine to try to rate because the varietal in question is not supposed to be big and intense like a fruity Merlot or a bold Cabernet.  Grenache is supposed to be light and subtle but also layered and complex.  This wine fits the bill nicely.  I would say that it is a good value but only for an experienced drinker with a well developed palate.

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