Alexana, GSM Grand Rouge 2017

This is a cracking Rhone blend from the US of A, Columbia Valley – Washington to be precise but it’s only available in the UK. We only have a small parcel so when it’s gone it’s gone.

Alexana was founded in 2005 by Dr Madiah Revana. His intention was to make great wine (it always is!) but unlike in his Napa estate where he looks at Cabernet, here he arrived with the intent of making cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. 

This is one of their legacy products, made using fruit from a single vineyard at the eastern end of the Colombia River before the estate had settled on a final identity. 

When the decision to focus on Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay, they were left with all of this gorgoues stock but without a great desire to market it. And that was where we stepped in. Funnily enough, being offered a parcel of Washington State GSM was right up my street!

An outstanding effort by head winemaker Brian Weil, the 2014 ‘Gran Rouge’ Red Wine is a juicy and delicious Syrah heavy based red blend from Washington. The wine begins with rich aromatics of smoke, black cherry, eucalyptus, pipe tobacco and black currant. There are ripe flavors of red cherry, black raspberry, black tea, dried sage and suggestions of crushed mint. This shows gorgeous poise and richness with racy freshness. Best drunk 2017-2028