Etim 2001 Old Vines Grenache Unfiltered

[stevebody]

For a pure Grenache of a different stripe, try the Aussie, RBJ Vox Populi: grapey, light and spicy.

Different still: The Bonny Doon Clos de Gilroy. I think this is still 100% Grenache but I haven' been able to find my bottle to look. This is bigger, darker and more extracted. Seriously NICE stuff.

One of the classic Aussie wines of any description is the Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache, at about $13; a perennial critics' fave and one of the happiest, least overwrought Aussies around.

The French classic is the Domaine de la Janasse "Le Chaupin" single-vineyard Chateauneuf du Pape, all Grenache and really magnificent in its power and finesse, BUT very restrained when compared to the Spanish just across the Pyrenees.

I love the Etim but the most characterful, flavorful Spanish I've had is the semi-obscure Alma, sister wine to the wonderful Basa, from the tiny Compania Vinedos de Granaja (That's probably not exactly right), which is the most atypical Grenache I've ever tasted but a REAL steal at about $8.

For a twisted thrill or two, check out the Grenache Roses from McDowall (CA) and Syncline (WA), showing the remarkable red-berry character of the grape in the most fun way possible. GREAT picnic wine.