Pure wines have a place in my heart. For me, aroma and flavor purity mean the wine sends a clear message to your senses; it delivers aromas and flavors exactly as intended without wavering, without a mask. Purity in color also strikes a note with me; pure wines are clear, luminous, and bright, intentionally drawing the sipper close enough to capture.
The 2015 Lumen Grenache from Santa Barbara County in California fit the bill of being a pure wine—unadulterated, unoaked, angelic. This wine delivered primary aromas and flavors that included ripe strawberry, cranberry, and a whiff of chamomile tea. Secondary notes included nutmeg, brown sugar, and allspice. Tertiary notes were subtle but delivered cinnamon and tobacco. This wine was dry, with medium acidity, high alcohol, medium (+) aroma and flavor intensity, medium (-) body, and medium tannins. The finish was medium (+). This wine was brilliant ruby in color and upon first sip and savor, many pearly whites appeared as smiles.
Made by Lane Tanner, a pioneer woman winemaker in Central California and Santa Barbara County, this wine reflects personality, her personality and individuality for sure. While we have not met, her smile and changing hair color sends a clear message of zeal, joy, and craze, all of which add up to the luminosity of her Lumen wines. Bravo!
