Horsepower Vineyards, Walla Walla Valley (Washington) Grenache 2017

 This wine is named for the six Belgian draft horses that do the heavy lifting in the vineyard and likely leave regular contributions to soil fertility.  Since Christophe Baron farms all his vineyards biodynamically, horses are the farm machinery.  Baron picked this Oregon site in the Walla Walla Valley AVA for its rocky soil, which made him think of the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its galets roule, big round rocks.  Before Baron, this area had not been considered for vineyards.  Today it is its own AVA, American Viticultural Area, The Rocks of Milton Freewater.   By my count, Baron farms 11 vineyards, growing primarily Syrah and Grenache, with a bit of Tempranillo, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  This Grenache is from the Sur Echalas Vineyard, one of the highest in North America.  The bright ruby color and strawberry, black cherry fruit laced with dried herbs and roses offer an invitation to savor the intense and spicy flavors of cherry, strawberry in a framework of energetic acidity and smooth tannins.  It will be a fine partner for a charcuterie plate or a pork tenderloin.  Most of Baron’s wines are sold through a mailing list, but that list also includes select wine shops and restaurants.