Happy Double Agent Friday Operatives!

Yes, the 86/87 is, as they say in the restaurant world 86, gonzo, sold out. Yet to keep the Friday spirit flowing, we were able to snag a tad more of this stunning Skinner most of you must have drunk by now…

You don’t need to stick some electrodes to your temple to get an effective dose of transcranial direct-current stimulation. Nope. Just take a sip of today’s Grenache and prepare for the onslaught of pleasure as your synapses go into overload. Heck, you might even trigger a wave of “exuberant synaptogenesis” after the first glass.

At least that was our experience after tasting this wildly delicious bottle from Skinner. Then we saw the 92 point score and the Editors’ Choice award. And discovered we could hook you up at $17/bottle?

C’mon!

But wait. Before we get any further, we need to address something. We know some of you pass on Grenache. And that’s a mistake. Because if we could pour some of this into your mouth, you’d buy it by the case. You simply cannot find a friendlier, more affordable, crowd pleasingly plumped up little fruit bomb.

Skinner is a Wine & Spirits Top-100 winner, hip, family-run operation up in the Sierra Foothills with a very cool story behind them (full scoop here). The short version is Kevin Skinner and his wife randomly stumbled upon an epic piece of family history on their way to Lake Tahoe. After a little research Kevin’s father Mike traced Skinner Winery to his great, great, great grandpa. Then he went all in and purchased the property with one purpose in mind - revive the legacy.

Winemaker Chris Pittenger cut his teeth at Turley, Marcassin, Robert Biale, and Williams-Selyem. Wait, is that not the entire Cult CA Hall of Fame?!

It has all the imprints of fine winemaking - beautiful aromatics, plush deep fruit, and style for days - while somehow remaining shockingly affordable. It’s lighter to medium-bodied but still utterly jam-packed with lovely red fruit. Strawberry whips, juicy red cherries, crushed raspberries. It’s like they figured out how to liquefy strawberry thumbprint cookies. Seriously. Sweet strawberry with a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg. And truly a dream wine to pair with SO many dishes. The definition of “food-friendly”.

Just a warning though - we can’t be held responsible for any fits of wild pleasure or momentary loss of bodily functioning when you taste it. Take a flyer on a few and then let us know how many more you want… assuming it doesn’t sell out!

92 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“Attractive but subtle spices brighten the red cherry and black plum notes in this full-bodied and firmly structured wine. Hints of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg emerge in the aromas and stay buzzing through the concentrated palate and on to the finish.”