2018 Horsepower, Sur Echalas Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA

Full, bright, deep red with ruby highlights. Aromatic if slightly diffuse aromas of raspberry, strawberry, black pepper and leather. Wonderfully plush and sweet but also saline on entry, then densely packed and smooth but not particularly complex in the middle: I wanted a bit more texture and depth. Finishes saline and fairly tannic, even a bit dry.

A second bottle showed similar aromas but a bit more precision and black fruit character, along with an element of smoked meat. Here, the tannins are silkier, but this rather Syrah style of Grenache doesn't move me. Finishes with a note of olive tapenade and more length than the first sample.

Drink 2022 - 2027

Blueberries, blackberries, smoke and spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with plush tannins. Juicy and creamy on the palate. Balanced and flavorful with texture and a nice structure. Supple finish with excellent length. Hints of tobacco and stems with spices.

Drink or hold

This is 100% Grenache bottled at 13.8% alcohol.

There are two Grenache cuvées under the Horsepower label, both single vineyards. Starting with the 2018 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard has a deeper ruby/plum colour as well as a spectacular nose of ripe cherry and strawberry fruits intermixed with lots of white pepper, dried flowers, orange blossom, and sandalwood. With medium to full-bodied richness, firm tannins, and beautiful depth of fruit on the palate, it might be the closest thing I've tasted from anywhere to Rayas.

It remains to be seen if this can evolve into the same category at maturity, but no kidding around, this is a beautiful, elegant, seamless Grenache. It needs 3-4 years if not longer, to let some tannins melt away, and it should have a solid 20 years of longevity.

Drink 2024 - 2044

100% Grenache. Almost 3,400 bottles were filled.

Exploding from the glass with elements of white peppercorn, spiced potpourri, black raspberry, dusty leather and cherry compote, the 2018 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard offers elegant earth tones of cedar, cigar box and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, the palate possesses a fantastic mineral tension with a soft stemmy essence that sways with exotic red and purple flowers, baked clay and freshly crushed peppercorn.

The wine lingers with persistence over the elongated finish, offering graphite notes and bitter black tea. The wine rested for two years in neutral demi-muids and foudre. With the beautiful lineup of Syrahs, Horsepower Vineyards is quickly becoming known for another powerhouse Rhône variety.

Drink 2021 - 2038