2007 Herman Story On the Road Grenache

This wine was purchased while we were in Paso Robles, CA tasting at many of the leading vineyards. This one is unusual in that Herman Story's winemaker (Russell From) and owner buys grapes from good local vineyards and vinifies them with great verve. We enjoyed talking wine and that day he was blending one of his 2008's and actually asked for our opinion! He's a specialist in grenache, which is why we sought him out. Herman is the winemaker's grandfather, a colorful guy apparently.

This grenache is outstanding, just slightly less deep and interesting than the baseline standard, 04 De Lisio. THe nose is variegated, including notes of eucaplyptus, mint, plum, black cherry, toasted vanilla. THe mouth feel is silky indeed, and although there's alcohol on the nose and palate (16.1% alch!) the fruit is so thorough and ripe that alch disappears from your senses. What is dominant is the silky fruit cherry/plum/oak/methol-eucalyptus-spice on palate and in the finish. If DeLisio was 95, this is 93+. Lacking just a bit of the depth and complicated finsihes of De Lisio or L'aventure.

Well, Parker gave it 93 and wrote:

The 2007 On the Road Grenache is a sensational example of this varietal. This sexy red is loaded with kirsch liqueur intermixed with notions of lavender, pepper, licorice, and spice box. One of the finest Grenaches being made in the Central Coast, it boasts a deep ruby/purple color, broad, savory flavors, abundant glycerin and alcohol (16.1%), and a seductive, heady finish. This is another full-flavored wine that merits serious attention. It should drink well for 3-5 years. Kudos to winemaker/proprietor Russell From.

These are full-flavored, balls-to-the-walls, beautifully made, intensely flavored wines that are capable of lasting a decade or more (in the case of their biggest Syrahs).