Lillian Grenache 2020

The personality behind Lillian Winery is Maggie Harrison, who previously worked with Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non before releasing her first Lillian label Syrah in 2004. As Harrison states. "The goal with all Lillian wines — Roussanne, Syrah, grenache and cabernet sauvignon — is to work with these historical, noble varieties in a sun-drenched place but raise the wines in such a way that gives the wines levity and lift; a certain transparency and fineness of detail."

"Grenache is its own beast in our cellar. You can see it before you even get to taste it, with its deep neon pink-to-red edges in the glass and cotton candy nose. The 2020 was no exception, so much so that every barrel we made naturally found its way into the final blend. While raised in only 34.7% new oak, the single new 600 liter puncheon provides a rigid, taught backbone; it holds you in place and re-centers your palate with the first sip. The second sip is where the neon intensity starts to shine. A combination of freshly oiled, fatty leather and cactus fruit hits you square in the jaw, followed by a rich blend of cardamom from the wood, red velvet cake from the fleshy fruit, and menthol spice at the tail end. Despite my wild notes, this wine is truly elegant with obsidian structure" Mimi Adams