2016 Cayuse God Only Knows Grenache [WE98][JD96][WA95][JS94][V94][WS94]

Producer: Cayuse Vineyards  
Region: Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington  
Varietal: Grenache   
Year: 2016 

Wine Enthusiast, 98 Points 

"Insanely aromatic notes of potpourri, raspberry, white pepper, soot, funk and earth are followed by bright, fresh, focused, rich fruit and savory flavors. It shows a sense of delicacy and intensity with unparalleled balance. There is no end to the finish. What makes this Grenache-driven wine so extraordinary? God only knows. *Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2019*" 

Jeb Dunnuck, 96 Points 

"The 2016 God Only Knows saw a fair amount of stems (60-80%) and was brought up in neutral demi-muids and foudre. It's incredibly complex, offering blackberry, smoked earth, Iberico ham, white pepper, spring flowers, and violets. It's seamless, ultra-pure, medium-bodied, and just glides across the palate and has a Burgundian weight and richness." 

Wine Advocate, 95 Points 

"Featuring a playful label, the 2016 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard is a blend of 90% Grenache, with the remaining 10% comprising unknown varieties. This has a seductive nose of cherry and wild strawberry, with a floral essence and rich minerality, tamed by soft red spices. There is a touch of black pepper here, suggesting a splash of Syrah in the blend. The wine is tight on the palate but gives pleasure on many different levels, as it has both breadth and depth. There is a focused core of rocky minerality to the wine as it lingers on the long, textured finish with good balance and structured tannins. This is impressive juice!" 

James Suckling, 94 Points 

"Some gently lifted, crushed flowers and an amalgam of blackcurrants and blackberries. The palate has a long, rich and deep feel. Very plush yet structurally contained and well integrated tannins. Neat, dark-fruit finish with a lick of herbs to close." 

Vinous, 94 Points 

"Bright medium red. Knockout nose combines red cherry, pomegranate, mocha, white pepper and a sexy high-toned floral element. At once salty and juicy on the palate, savory but not particularly meaty, with a dominant flavor of crushed red cherry complicated by notes of garrigue and truffle. Finishes very long and subtly palate-staining, with terrific floral complexity. This wine struck me as a little darker in character than the No Girls Grenache made by Elizabeth Bourcier at Cayuse. And it's still tightly wound." 

Wine Spectator, 94 Points 

"Demands attention immediately, yet remains graceful and refined, with notes of bacon fat, raspberry and orange peel, plus crushed rock and pepper. Takes on tension toward polished tannins."  

Alcohol: 13.6% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.