Department D66 Grenache - Big Grenache Goodness

When we say big we mean BIG, the Department D66 Grenache by Dave Phinney of Orin Swift Cellars at an amazing Costco price.

80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Carignan mostly from 60 plus year-old vines in Cotes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. The wine is aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months and then another 5 months in bottle before release.

The D66 Grenache from Dave Phinney (also the maker of the excellent Locations Wines and the D66 Others) has an SRP of $38 (Saturday Splurge) and is not typically available for much of a discount. As such we were delighted to see it at Costco for $21.99. Imported by Bloodlines.

From the winery:

It was ten years ago that Dave Phinney first took friends up on their offer to visit Maury, France. Nestled in the Pyrénées-Orientales (France's department number 66), Maury is a historic agricultural village with an enduring legacy of growing grapes. Home to old-vine grenache, syrah, mourvedre and carignan, the region’s warm climate is tempered by the blustery Tramontane wind that whips across the valley. Steep hillsides, black schist and red angile soils reveal striking shades of black, gray and orange, and conspire to make Maury one of the most compelling wine producing regions in Southern France.

Vibrant red berry and fruit aromas with exotic cassis and cardamom spice. A round, rich texture and integrated tannins are balanced with ripe blueberry flavors and distinctive earth and herbal notes of garrigue, stone and schist.

15.2% Alcohol

The 2015 Department 66 D66 Grenache pours super dark and inky in the glass. It begins with intoxicating aromas of blackberry, plum and prunes with lots of cedar, baking spice and vanilla. Tasting reveals big, velvety, concentrated fruit flavors as well as plenty of cola, licorice and even some minerality. It's a bit like a big over-the-top version of Zin but in Grenache. In fact, it's almost bordering on Port (both in taste and alcohol level) so if that's not your thing this one might not be for you but I love it. It ends with just a touch of heat on the dry, very long finish.

Ready to buy the D66 Grenache? Check your local retailers.