2023 Rara Avis Grenache
The 2023 Rara Avis is a vibrant Yakima Valley blend that we have been crafting since 2006. This wine captures the essence of Washington Grenache.
Isenhower Cellars has produced Grenache since 2006. Our Rara Avis is composed of Grenache from Olsen & Tudor, Mourvèdre from Tudor, and Syrah from Francisca’s.The wine has aromas of cherry, plum, pomegranate, wet granite, damp earth, and hibiscus. The texture is medium weight and seamless through the wine. Lightly balanced, fresh, lively, bright red fruit flavors intermingle with damp earth & gravel. Enjoy through 2031
Fermentation:
100% hand-harvested, 100% destemmed with 25% of stems added back to the fermentation bin. Inoculated with a variety of organic yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces uvarum and Pichia kluyveri). Punched down three times daily. Pressed at dryness.
Élevage:
16 months in 300 and 500 liter used French oak barrels (AnA, Mercurery, & Remond). Racked once
INGREDIENTS & ADDITIONS: Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah grapes, yeast, organic yeast nutrients, tartaric acid, French Oak, and minimally necessary sulfur dioxide.
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Varietal | Grenache |
| Varietal Composition | 75% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre, 4% Syrah
|
| Appellation | Yakima Valley |
| Vineyard | Olsen Ranch, RKP & Tudor |
| Acid | 4.9 g/L |
| PH | 3.86 |
| Residual Sugar | <0.1 g/l |
| Alcohol | 14.70% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 03/27/2025 |
| Cases Produced | 182 |
93 points - Paul Gregutt - Spring 2026
Isenhower 2023 Rara Avis Grenache – The blend is 75% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah. Mourvèdre does most of the work as far as providing backbone, while the Syrah addition gives a hint of length. “Making Pinot has helped me focus on aromatics” Brett explains. All these wines are finished with screwcaps, keeping SO2 levels down and preventing corked wines. The extra time in bottle has enhanced and blended the aromatics, and the complex, well-blended citrus and berry fruit flavors carry across the palate. This finishes a little chewy, a little tannic, a little earthy, but that is not a criticism. This will continue to improve with aeration, decanting and more bottle age.
92 points - Owen Bargreen - April 2026
The 2023 ‘Rara Avis’ Grenache comes from the Yakima Valley and has 21% Mourvèdre and 4% Syrah blended in. It is nicely-structured stuff with wet rocky accents alongside a pretty core of red fruits, Satsuma orange zest and smoked meat accents on the palate. Drink 2026-2032
Olsen Ranch Vineyard
RKP Vineyard
Tudor Vineyard
