I can count on one hand the number of varietal Grenache wines I’ve tasted. And frankly, I don’t remember much about them at all…which probably tells you all you need to know.

Last week, when I was doing some pre-Easter wine shopping, I saw The Fifteen 2000 Grenach with a nice little note on the shelf touting it’s score from Parker (a 90). I figured for $14 bucks, I’d give it a shot.

I wasn’t able to dig up a ton of information on this wine, but it’s made in the Mediterranean city of Rousiilon in the south of France from low-yielding (two tons per acre) old Grenache vines.

We opened upstate at my future in-laws house Saturday afternoon as FMIL (future mother-in-law) prepared a delicious pre-Easter dinner for the family (more on that later this week).

Eyes: It’s a deep, dark purple color and extremely dense in the glass. It almost looks thick. I don’t usually note the "legs" but this wine had long, thick legs that lingered. I guess that’s what 15% alcohol will do for you.

Nose: Obviously Old World on the nose. Filled with earthy aromas like mushrooms, wet soil with hints of black pepper. I got very little fruit at all until it had been in my glass for 45 minutes or so. Even then, the black cherry flavors were quite subdued.

Tongue: Not the most complex wine in the world, but nicely restrained and rich. The earthiness and spiciness of the nose are quite concentrated on the palate, with the pepper and spice really showing on the long finish. For 15% alcohol…this wine isn’t "hot" at all. Nicely integrated and structured.

Price: $14

Overall: This is a nice, interesting wine that was a nice diversion for us. I would most definitely buy it drink it again. I think it would be great to put this wine into a blind red wine tasting for my friends…because it’s just so different from the reds they usually drink.

Grade: B