At first, the 2010 On The Road is beautifully focused, with great purity and nuance. Sweet red cherries, roses, mint, anise and spices all come together nicely in this flashy, extroverted wine. Here, too, the alcohol is evident at times, but texturally the wine is quite beautiful. The 2010 is 100% Grenache aged in French oak barrels, 40% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
Russell From’s wines are both inspiring and frustrating. They often boast impeccable textural elegance and purity, but at the same time the high alcohol (at times in excess of 16%) comes through, especially as the wines sit in the glass. Long time readers know I look for balance above all else and could really care less about alcohol – unless it stands out, which it does in many of these wines.
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