SINE QUA NON

2014 Shakti Grenache | Ventura, California 750ml

One of the more elegant, ethereal releases from this incredible address, the 2014 Grenache Shakti checks in as a blend of 88% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre, 4% Petite Sirah and the rest Touriga Nacional that was fermented with 42% whole clusters and aged 21 months in just 6% new French oak, with the balance in neutral barrels. Its ruby/purple semi-opaque color is followed by a thrilling bouquet of black raspberries, black olive tapenade, leafy herbs, pepper and spring flowers. It's not a small wine by any measure, yet it's graceful, lively and elegant on the palate, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, sweet, polished tannin, no hard edges and a gorgeous finish. | Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com, 97 points

...the 2014 Grenache Shakti...comes largely from the Cumulus Vineyard, with smaller portions from Eleven Confessions, the Third Twin and Bien Nacido. Aged almost entirely in neutral barrels (6% new), it has a supple, sexy profile as well as killer base notes of black raspberries, cassis, ground herbs and violets. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and laced with sweet tannin, I continue to be baffled why so few people in California get close to this level of quality with Grenache. | Jeb Dunnuck for Wine Advocate, 95-97 points