Not sure why, but I've always wanted to try Quivira. Maybe it's the name, maybe it's just a wine that somehow got stuck in my head and I can't get it out. Not really sure.Regardless, I thought I'd look up the name in the dictionary and this is what I found: "A legendary city of fabulous wealth sought by Francisco de Coronado and thought to be located near what is now the city of Great Bend in central Kansas." What? A city of gold? Now, that's a name to hang your hat on. Wait, hold on...what's that you say? The city of gold is in Great Bend, Central Kansas? Huh? Not exactly where I thought a brilliant city of gold would be located, but, I guess you gotta put the valuable stuff some place. In any case, it's a catchy name for a wine and that works for me - at least enough to make me try it.
On the nose, this wine is mild black cherry, strawberry, plum, pepper, cinnamon stick (actually, I at first thought it was vanilla, but my wife soon corrected me and we came at cinnamon stick together - definitely an interesting spice component to it). In the mouth, it's red cherry, new plum (not an overly ripe plum), smoke and black pepper. Nice good pepper heat, with a decent finish (not a real long finish, but enough to keep you interested in trying more). Overall, this is a nice effort by Quivira. The tannins are relatively mild, which I think is a good match for this varietal, and the flavors are nicely balanced. I would have liked just a touch more acidity in the wine, but just fine as it is.
The Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog had this to say about it: Grenache is a funky grape. It is one of the lightest of red wines and while is one of the most widely planted, it rarely bottled as a single variety. Grenache in itself is a soft wine. So growing and producing a bottle of 100% Grenache is often overlooked for a Rhoné blend. Quivira does both. And while the Rhoné blend is good, the single varietal Grenache shines...This Grenache is a shining example of what a good 100% varietal should taste like. No overbearing tannins, no sharp hits to the palate. Just easy-drinking wine.
What you should do: Buy it. Grenache is always a nice wine to have on hand to add a little variety to the mix. It's an easy mid-week drinker or could be served at a dinner party to solid praise from your guests. $26 from the winery, but you can probably find it in the high teens, low 20's.
My rating: 88
NOTE: the Quivira Grenache was sent to me as a sample from the winery.
Gadget
I love this wine! I haven't had this vintage, but have it in the basement. I've been a member of their club for years. When I first tried the 05, I thought it was a fabulous pizza wine.
good to hear - i really liked it as well. grenache is a great varietal too. glad to hear you liked it. you should try the '07. still a little young and a bit hot, but good stuff for sure.
Grenache has become my favorite variety to drink - and to make (I currently make 2 single vyd grenaches down here in Santa Barbara Cty).
Though it can produce a lighter style red, it can also produce one with great structure and strength - depends upon vineyard/clone/stem inclusion/etc.
Just thought I'd add to the discussion (-:
Cheers!
thanks for the comment and joining the discussion. i agree with you that grenache is a great varietal and a little on the lighter side, more towards a pinot noir than a big cabernet sauvignon, but that's why i like to have it around, especially in the summer when a lighter-drinking red is often more pleasant than a big, dark, heavy wine.
would love to try your wines. are they only available on your website and at your winery or can I find them elsewhere as well?