2011 Graft Grenache

One of the things I am happy about at pdwr is the opportunity to learn about new wines that are practically under my nose and tell you about them early. in preparation for writing volume 3.3, I received samples from a new project called Graft. I learned from the material included that the wine is the product of three partners who met while they were interns at Williams-Selyem in 2008, Ryan Prichard, Diego Roig and Sheri Zarkoob. Since then, they have worked with Medlock Ames, Peay, Hartford Court, Copain Custom Crush and Lambert Bridge. This may very well be their first release.

My samples were from 2011, a vintage that did pretty well if you beat the rains, and the Graft were very well made examples. As you can see, production is very small.  The full reviews of Graft (invluding Viognier) will appear in Volume 3.3 of pdwr. They have a really tempting (actually insane) program for purchasing offering 10% on six, or 20% on twelve bottles. 

91 2011 Graft Grenache 

Mendocino County, Dark Horse Vineyard, 13.5%, 67 cs., $32

The nose is raspberry with a dusty mantle of spice box and florals. In the mouth, the wine comes across as a little rustic, yet possesses a fresh, smooth red berry and bramble to go along with a supple spicy core. Drink 2014 – 2018. 

www.graftwines.com