2006 Sol Rouge Vineyard & Winery Lake County Grenache
Mission Codename: Move Over Chateau Rayas!
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Find a domestic Grenache that rivals the best of the southern Rhone
Mission Status: Accomplished
Current Winery: Sol Rouge Vineyard & Winery
Wine Subject: 2006 Lake County Grenache
Winemaker: Bryan Kane
Backgrounder:
Grenache, most famous in France’s southern Rhone is the primary grape of Chateauneuf-du-Pape (CDP). That being said, most CDPs are an encépagement (blend) of many grapes including Syrah, Mourvedre and up to 10 other grapes. Occasionally, when a particular fruit is so good, you’ll find a 100% varietal CDP. Perhaps the most famous of these 100% CDPs is Chateau Rayas (also known for exceptional white CDPs). So it was with great anticipation that we tasted Bryan Kane’s 100% Grenache, especially knowing that one of his winemaking inspirations are the superb wines of the southern Rhone.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep ruby with luminescent garnet hues and edges that fade from reddish-orange to pink. Clusters of slow fat legs cling to the edge of the glass when swirled.
Smell – Medium intensity but soft and elegant in its presence, this wine’s bouquet is complex and complete with blackberry and other bramble fruit and a dusty bramble brush and dried herb component. Hints of floral lavender and fennel also emerge as this wine breathes.
Feel – Smooth and dry with a touch of tanginess and spice that emerges as the wine hits your mid-palate. Fine, medium firm tannins and good acidity that are balanced over a unique mineral texture.
Taste – Flavors of blackberry and raspberry are well integrated over a soft oak component. Layers of spice, floral lavender and dried herbs that remind us of warm fall wind in the countryside add to the complexity of this wine.
Finish – This wine finishes long and clean with a combination of its herbal and fruit notes.
Conclusion – Once again, Bryan Kane has made an exceptional wine. This Grenache shows tremendous finesse and elegance but also highlights the varietals strengths and characteristics. After tasting this wine, you’ll agree, that whether the intention was to rival one of the best CDPs made or to just create a lovely varietal wine, mission accomplished!
Mission Report:
An urgent PIN message came in from Agent Terroir from Orange, France.
INAO TO INVESTIGATE STOLEN BLEND - CONTACT ASAP
The Institut National des Appellations d’Origine had begun an investigation of potential espionage from the famed Château Rayas. Someone had taken their proprietary encépagement from their exceptional Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CDP).
Word had quickly spread around the globe that small California winery had wine every bit as good as the CDP from Château Rayas. As Agent Terroir was telling me this I just started to laugh, which only upset him further.
”We must take this investigation seriously…”, he said.
”Rayas, huh, their blend stolen, REALLY?”
Yes!”, he screamed…
Well, for those in the know, there is no blend for Château Rayas. Their wine, as exceptional as it is, is 100% Grenache. One of the very few that do so. So any stolen recipe was just the French, well, you know being French.
That being said, I knew exactly the wine here in the United States that was causing such an uproar. And for good reason, Bryan Kane from Sol Rouge Vineyards & Winery had made a name for himself. Cultivating the finest grapes from his small vineyard (and in some cases acquiring great grapes from famed local vineyards) combined with a passion for producing wines that truly reflect the Terroir and have a hand crafted feel to them.
One taste of the limited production 2006 Sol Rouge Lake County Grenache and you’ll agree that its closest thing you will taste to Château Reyes this side of the pond.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the soon to be famous Sol Rouge Vineyards & Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.
The location of the famous Chateau Rayas can be seen in this satellite photo.
