2018 Grenache Estate

There are two primarily Grenache releases. The 2018 Grenache, which includes 5% Syrah, reveals a vivid purple hue as well as incredible – and classic Grenache – notes of black raspberries, blackberries, violets, flowery incense, and spicy herbs. As with the other 2018s here, it's not massive and is medium to full-bodied, has sensational purity, great tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It will age like a great Châteauneuf du Pape (probably longer). It’s clear that Alban has another truly special vintage on their hands with these 2018s, and these might be the finest wines I’ve tasted from this estate. Reminding me slightly of the 2016s, these aren’t massive, over-the-top wines, and they excel every bit as much for their purity, balance, and elegance as they do for their richness and texture. The 2019s also showed well, and those will be reviewed from bottle next year. As I hope these reviews show, I don’t think anyone is doing Rhône varieties better.