2020 Optio Vineyards Grenache – Experience One of the Best
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Met with winery owners Troy and Michelle LaMar last weekend on their 14 acre vineyard. Nine acres are currently under vine. The vineyard is located at the tail end of the Templeton district within the Geneseo District appellation. Their production is around 500 cases a year with the balance of the fruit being sold off. Their goal is to increase the production steadily with club membership and getting the word out on their quality wines. They already have won many awards including for their 2022 Chardonnay, Las Vegas Global Platinum Medal with 96 points and their 2021 Estate Tempranillo, Las Vegas Global Platinum Medal also with 96 points! This is the little winery that not only could, but has!!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Troy is a general surgeon in Los Angeles and met his wife Michelle as she was a floor nurse at the same hospital. She is now in nurse education. Today with their son LT, they spend as much time as possible on the estate. Their winemaker is Aaron Jackson from Tin City with 23 years making gorgeous wines. Aaron’s background includes Four Vines, ONX and Saxum wineries. He earned his Wine & Viticulture degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and spent a year in Australia where he earned a Master’s degree in Oenology.
The winery today produces Chardonnay, Inmesceo (meaning blend together of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Syrah and Petite Sirah), Grenache, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah. Had the opportunity to taste each one (a few with different vintages) and uniquely different was that each one was a solid and exceptional wine. Not a so-so or average wine in their offering. Rare and very much appreciated and I am sure by their customers.
The name Optio comes from the Latin word meaning “choice” which has paid off for the LaMar family. Troy while in medical school his first day heard a professor quote William Jennings Bryan “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.” Literally and physically, the little vineyard on top of the hill, has climbed up it to achieve many excellent wines.
More information on their wines and vineyards can be found in a previous story at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2023/12/07/optio-vineyards-the-little-winery-that-can/
The Wine 2020 Optio Vineyards Grenache – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This style of Grenache is old world with layers of rich flavors and juicy, rustic tannins. On the eyes, a very dark blood red coloring with medium-full viscosity. On the nose aromas of plum blueberries, new leather, and clove waft into the senses. On the palate you are awakened to a lively and enjoyable juicy cherry followed by a complex finish of fig, licorice, molasses, and black cherry with hints of spices and dried herbs. The finish shows the earthy minerality and earthiness of these grapes. They use 100% neutral oak barrels and aged 17 months. Only 75 cases were produced. This is one of the best Grenache wines I have experienced! The price is $58/bottle and worth every long lasting sip.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine was selected this evening to help tame down the spiciness in this entrée. A baked Mexican chicken breast covered with medium hot salsa and plated with shredded jack cheese and slices of jalapeño peppers. Accompanied by corn, sautéed asparagus & mushrooms slices and brown rice. This refreshing and lively wine paired exquisitely with the meal. Enjoyed one glass with the meal and another after dinner. The spiciness of the wine came across even stronger with the food element.
The wine made my annual list of Best Wines Tasted during the year (published as https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2023/12/15/best-wines-tasted-in-2023/). I left the winery with four bottles and wished I had purchased a few more!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Sláinte,
Michael