At a glance

Producer

Elizabeth Spencer Winery

Region

Mendocino, California, USA

Grape variety

Grenache

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Fruity

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$28-$36 USD

Tasting profile

Red cherry, raspberry, dried strawberry, subtle spice, gentle earth and herbal tones; tertiary notes emerging (dried herbs, leather).

Evolution: Fruit has mellowed; structure softened. Secondary and tertiary characters more prominent than primary fruit.

At peak: Peak drinking was likely 2020-2023, but mature lovers will enjoy its elegance now.

Structure

Acidity

Medium

Tannins

Soft, fine-grained, integrated

Alcohol

Moderate (typically 13.5-14.5%)

Aging potential

8-10 years from vintage in ideal storage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2020 to 2023

Optimal window

2018 to 2024

Current status

At or just past peak; drink soon for best quality

Current condition

Mature; gracefully aged. Drink now through 2025 as quality will start declining gradually.

2016 Grenache from Mendocino typically shows best 5-8 years after harvest. At eight years old, this wine's fruit, tannins, and acidity have balanced, now displaying mature complexity. While still pleasant, further aging will favor tertiary over fresh fruit character; thus, quality slowly declines after 2024.

Food pairing

Roast poultry, duck, grilled vegetables, Provençale cuisine, Mediterranean vegetable stews, mild cheeses.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Elizabeth Spencer implements water conservation methods, uses renewable energy sources for some operations, and employs lightweight bottles to reduce shipping emissions. Grapes sourced from growers using sustainable agriculture; no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides emphasized, but not fully organic.

Elizabeth Spencer is recognized for a strong commitment to sustainability per California industry standards and participates in the CCSW program. Their efforts in water use management, energy conservation, and packaging reduce their environmental impact. However, they are not fully organic or biodynamic, and the wine’s carbon footprint rises with international shipping. Overall, it is well above average for environmental responsibility in its class, but not at the highest echelon.