2005 MEADOR GRENACHE "THE BOSS"

Grenache Noir –Originally from Spain under the name “Garnacha”, it is the foundation grape of the dark and luscious wines of Chateauneuf du Pape and Cote du Rhone as well as in Spain. This wine displays our work of some eighteen years of study of these deep and dark strains of the Grenache namely, the “Grenache Noir” or Black Grenache.

The vine loves struggling in the rocky, gravelly soil and, combined with cool climate conditions, expresses its charming aspects in the wine. Grenache is “quirky” in cool climate (normally it is grown in warm climates) and some years can “shatter” giving little or no crop if the bloom time climate conditions are off. When correct, the vine attempts to set a huge crop. The winegrower must control his sense of greed and severely reduce the crop load for the finest of wines.

This wine is a demonstration wine to show how gorgeous Grenache Noir can be if grown in the coolness of Monterey if one can accept some years of little crop to have an abundance in others. We do.

The scent of lilacs and candied apples come to mind at first approach to this wine. The palate is then rewarded with fleshy deep flavors of black currant, blackberry, pepper, spice and a wonderful earthiness. The finish is long and seductive, leaving one wanting another sip. It is super food friendly and pairs gorgeously with most everything from lamb to burgers.

This wine-lover’s wine truly is “The Boss”.