The 2021 Grenache Distenta III is composed of 79% Grenache, 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvèdre, 3.2% Petite Sirah, 1.6% Petit Manseng, and 0.4% Muscat. It was made using around 34.7% whole clusters, mainly of the Grenache, and was aged for around 23 months in French oak of various sizes, 42.3% new. The nose leaps with vivacious notes of black cherries, black raspberries, and wild blueberries, leading to suggestions of tar, rose oil, garrigue, bacon fat, and clove oil with a waft of dark chocolate. Big, concentrated, and full-bodied, the palate is jam packed with bright red berry and floral flavors, morphing into serious black and blue fruits, supported by super-plush tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and perfumed. The wine I tasted was a tank sample that was pulled just prior to bottling at the end of June 2023 to avoid bottle shock. 1,459 cases and 600 magnums were made. (08/2023)
