2019 Bodega Rancho Grenache Jemrose Vineyard Bennett Valley Sonoma County 750 ml

We bugged winemaker Derek Beitler—a rising star with Caymus pedigree in his genes—for months. The last three wines of his featured at Wine Access were runaway sell-outs. What was the fourth going to be?

Finally, Derek got back to us: He had just a handful of cases of his single-vineyard 2019 Jemrose Grenache, grown on a coveted site in Sonoma’s Bennett Valley that also goes into 100-point winemaker Mike Smith’s Myriad label. Rich and spiced, layered with velvety tannins thanks to time in the cellar, it’s the definition of a crowd-pleaser for anyone who wants a wine that’s more full-bodied than Pinot, but not as burly as Cabernet.

This cellar-aged bottling comes from one of the most coveted Grenache vineyards in Sonoma, the Jemrose Vineyard in southern Bennett Valley, which is planted to the Alban and Tablas Creek clones of the grape. The vineyard is planted at a robust 600 feet of elevation, with soils of clay loam studded with dramatic chunks of black volcanic glass. More importantly, the site’s chilly nights lock in freshness and extend the growing season. 

Derek’s got royal Napa Valley blood in his veins—his uncle is Chuck Wagner of Caymus, and he grew up working in the Caymus cellars—and he’s picked up a few things. He picks when the grapes are properly good and ripe—with rich flavors and a mocha and herb overtones—but the vineyard’s elevation, soils, and climate ensure that things stay perfectly balanced. After a stay in the cellar, it emerges silky and beautifully aromatic, a brilliant choice for lovers of full-bodied Pinot Noir or the more approachable wines from the Rhône.