Red | Grenache , Syrah | France | Languedoc Roussillon | 750ml

You won't be disappointed with this attractively priced Corbieres. Floral and herbal, with strong scents of lavender, licorice, laurel and menthol all infusing the black cherry, currant and boysenberry center. Rich and concentrated with a texture like crushed velvet and fine but well-structured tannins. Hints of black pepper and bittersweet chocolate grace the close.

Red | Grenache-Mourvedre | United States | California | 750ml

Red | Grenache | United States | California | 750ml

There will be 1050 cases of this blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and the reappearance of a little Mourvedre (5%). Seventy-two percent came from the 11 Confessions estate vineyard, 22% from the Cumulus estate vineyard (the source for Next of Kyn) and the balance from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. It is a big wine at 15.7% alcohol and seems to show surprising amounts of tree bark and mushroom notes for the tiny quantity of Mourvedre. It is structured, dense, quite closed, and (obviously, this being a barrel sample) not as exciting as the wines tend to be from bottle. It is a more earthy, French style of Grenache from Krankl, with a more restrained personality, which I think is in keeping with the vintage character.