Columbia Valley Grenache
Our Columbia Valley Grenache is always a blend of the vineyards we work with in a vintage. As our largest production red wine each year, it is intended to showcase our style of Grenache wine and be the primary wine we sell to restaurants and wine shops. All our wines are fermented with about 50% whole cluster and aged for 20 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Links to specific vintages:
2022 2021 2020 2019 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Reviews:
2022 Vintage:
Wine Enthusiast: 94 pts, Editor’s Choice
The pantheon of top Grenache producers that ply their trade with Washington fruit must now include Oregon-based Ocelli. This producer only makes Grenache, and every year, they keep getting better. An initial earthy kick of loamy soil mixed with blackberry tea is soon joined by blueberry, lychee, orange blossom and wild rose aromas. The acidity is as juicy as the wine's blackberry, orange zest, anise and dark chocolate flavors. Offering ample support for all of that fruit is a tannic structure as firm as a fence post. — Michael Alberty
International Wine Report: 93 pts
The 2022 Ocelli Cellars Grenache from the Columbia Valley immediately signals its depth with aromas of crushed violets, black plum, marionberry, and dried sage layered over a faint touch of cocoa powder. Dark cherry and boysenberry fruit drive the palate, accented by hints of damp earth and fennel seed. The acidity brings a lively juiciness that balances the richness, while the tannins feel crunchy yet polished. — Jeremy Young
Northwest Wine Report: 90 pts, Critic’s Choice
Ocelli dedicates itself to the production of Grenache, crafting lovely, varietally correct bottles. Fruit for this wine comes from French Creek, Upland, and Heron Bluff vineyards. It was fermented 50% whole cluster and aged 20 months in neutral French oak. The aromas bring notes of cranberry, tangerine peel, strawberry, and plum. Plump, poised flavors follow. — Sean Sullivan
2020 Vintage:
Wine Enthusiast: 92 pts, Editor’s Choice
There's a harmony here between fruit, bright acidity and silky tannins. The aromatic set has a bit of earth and wet rocks to accompany dark wild strawberries and Nutella smeared on a warm pretzel. Peach and cherry flavors glide on a smooth texture, accented by a touch of garrigue. — Michael Alberty
Paul Gregutt’s Northwest Wine Guide: 90 pts
The winery produces two single vineyard Grenache bottlings; one from French Creek and one from Upland. This wine is a blend of both. It’s on the pale side, more like a dark rosé; aromatic with scents of violets. The fruit brings strawberries and raspberries front and center in a tasty mid-palate, then trails out with touches of sandalwood and cinnamon. — Paul Gregutt
Northwest Wine Report: 89 pts
This wine was fermented 50% whole cluster and aged 20 months in neutral oak. It’s aromatically expressive, with notes of tangerine essence, flower, freeze-dried strawberry, and spice. Medium-bodied, elegant fruit and barrel flavors follow, breaking up somewhat two-thirds of the way through before coming back together on the finish. Give it additional time in bottle or decant. — Sean Sullivan
2019 Vintage:
Wine Enthusiast: 90 pts
The aromas are somewhat reticent, with notes of white pepper, whole satsuma and raspberry. The flavors are direct, pure and juicy, showing delicacy. Peppery notes linger on the finish. There's no overt oak influence here, with achingly pure primary fruit flavors front and center. — Sean Sullivan