2020 Faethm Fingers Crossed Grenache

The 2020 Grenache Head Held High brings slightly more richness and depth compared to the 2021 (at least at this stage) and is loaded with red and black fruits, peppery herbs, flowers, sandalwood, and spicy nuances. It does everything right, and it’s full-bodied, concentrated, has remarkable purity, and fine-grained tannins. This sensational Grenache is one of the finest expressions of the variety I've tasted from California. It will evolve for 10-15 years. Looking at the 2020s from Fingers Crossed, these show the richer, riper style of the vintage and are noticeably bigger wines than the 2021s. Nevertheless, they hold onto a beautiful sense of vibrancy and are flawlessly balanced. The 2021s come across as more cool climate-inspired, with bright, fresher styles that certainly had me thinking of comparisons from the Rhône (the Syrah in particular). One thing is sure, you can’t go wrong with any of these latest releases from Nicolas and Julia Krankl. In addition, I expect production to increase slightly here going forward, as they’ve been able to pick up a few additional parcels in top vineyards in Santa Barbara County.

From the Bien Nacido and Sanford & Benedict Vineyards in Santa Barbara County, the 2020 Grenache Head Held High is blended with 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Syrah and 4% white wine. It was vinified using 51% whole clusters, matured for 20 months in 25% new French oak and bottled in July of 2022. Medium to deep ruby-purple in the glass, it explodes with generous scents of blueberry, wild blackberry, tar, bergamot and lavender, continuing to blossom with notes of forest and fennel seed as it airs in the glass. The full-bodied palate balances graphite-laced fruit, seamless acidity and abundant, powdery tannins, and it has a long, ethereal finish with latent spicy accents, suggesting it will reward those patient enough to give it several more years to unfold in bottle. The Head Held High Grenache will be sold as part of a six-bottle set that will include two bottles each of white wine, Syrah and Grenache for $684. Only 310 cases were made.

The 2020 Grenache Head Held High is bright, punchy and super-expressive. There's a good deal of whole cluster in this year's blend, and that works quite well. Sage, lavender, rose petal and mint lend nuance to a core of punchy red/purplish Grenache fruit.