Grape Creek (website) is part of the Heath Family Brands, which includes Grape Creek, Heath Sparkling Wines, Invention Vineyards and Jenblossom Cellars. I visited the tasting room in downtown Fredericksburg for a tasting during my celebration of California Wine Month. One of the nice things about the tasting room is that you could try any of the brands.
Final Thoughts
I’m changing this blog post up a bit and putting my final thoughts before the tasting notes. As I said just above, I loved that I could try any of the brands, but discovered that I hate standing tastings. They feel rushed, and let’s face it – not all shoes were made for standing at a bar for an hour, which is why you’ll see the tasting notes are so thin. So, if I were to visit again, I’d head out to the tasting rooms on Highway 290. The one downtown is great if you’re a member and can sit in the semi-private bar area or just want a glass of wine. Some pictures below the tasting notes, which for the most part, we all enjoyed.
Rendezvous
A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah it had a cherry blossom/raspberry scent with a sugary berry flavor and tart finish. A great Tuesday wine with pork chops or Salisbury steak.
Invention Tempranillo
This one was the least enjoyable of all the wines we tasted. It had almost no flavor except a vinegar tone. Personally, we think the bottle had gone bad, but the person pouring ignored the commentary, especially since the tasting notes said we should get dried fig and cedarwood.
Right Bank
This is a blend of Merlot, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. However, despite the pleasant tomato leaf scent, I found it a bit too tart and astringent for me.
Invention P2
This blend of Petite Syrah and Petite Verdot. My tasting companion declared “It tastes exactly like it is.” And it did. A nice blend with some tomato leaf. I’d give it another try.
Cabernet Trois
Exactly as it says – a blend of three cabernets – cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and ruby cabernet. This wine really needs a steak.
Bellissimo
A Super-Tuscan style blend of sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. I didn’t actually make many notes about this one beyond the varietals that made up the blend.
Mosaic
This is a Bordeaux style of 5 varietals – cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, Petite Verdot, merlot, and malbec. No notes, but got a star so a bottle came home with us.
Grand Rouge
A tempranillo/merlot blend that also got a star and the notes that its for a Thursday afternoon when I’m treating myself to a lazy afternoon or for a Saturday spa day. Technically it’s listed under Sweet Wines, but I didn’t find it all that sweet.
Euphoria
Outside of our tasting choices, this Heath Family Sparkling brut cuvee was delicious. I think it was the servers way of trying to make up for the tempranillo (I think he finally tasted it). This also came home, because a girl always needs a bottle of bubbly in the ice box. Who knows what you’ll need to celebrate.
