PÁŠXA River Rock Grenache
On the surface, vineyards in the Rocks District look similar. It doesn’t mean they’re the same. River Rock offers a different expression of Grenache that captivates the imagination.
River Rock Vineyard Grenache is high-toned, with gorgeous fruit across the palate balanced by exotic spice notes. River Rock Vineyard, in comparison with our Rockgarden Estate, has smaller cobblestones with more soil on the surface. This results in a wine with a different expression of fruit. Compare the River Rock to the Rockgarden Estate Grenache to experience the ultimate expression of site.
2023 VINTAGE ACCLAIM
“The 2023 PÁŠXA River Rock Vineyard Grenache delivers an immediate sense of vitality, opening with aromas of freshly crushed raspberry, tart cherry skin, and red currant layered with a subtle savory lift from warm stones. On the palate, the wine expands gradually rather than rushing forward, building dimension as juicy red fruit unfolds with increasing depth and polish. The texture feels supple yet energetic, carrying flavors of citrus zest and faint floral tones that brighten the mid-palate without overwhelming it. As the wine progresses, a gentle herbal thread begins to surface, lending complexity and contrast to the fruit-driven core. The back half becomes more nuanced and refined, introducing notes of blood orange pulp, lemon leaf, and dried hibiscus petals. Tannins remain finely woven and understated, allowing the wine’s natural freshness to guide the structure. Highly recommended.”
– 96 points, Int’l Wine Report
“A very pretty Grenache from The Rocks District, on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley, loaded with smoky rose petal aromatics, pie cherries and wild strawberries. This site is now known as Le Mani, a site boldly planted on its own roots in 2001, in the deep stones of an ancient river bed. The palate marries the complexity of the appellation, with a sauvage and savoury throughline. Roast Herbs de Provence, briny green olive and and wild green strawberries with real staying power. Ethereal and concentrated all at once.”
– 95 points, Decanter
“A good comparison to the Rockgarden cuvée, this has more up front berry fruit, a lovely mix of strawberries, salmonberries and pomegranate. The fruit seems to gain volume in the mouth, filling the palate with lush flavors accented with citrus, then it gently descends into a trailing finish adding details of lemon verbena, blood orange and hibiscus tea.”
– 95 points, Paul Gregutt
“The 2023 ‘River Rock Vineyard’ Grenache opens up with red florals on the nose alongside bright red fruits and citrus rind accents. The palate is fresh and viscous with ultra-pure red fruits with rocky nuances and shades of orange peel. This is already nicely evolved stuff, with a Umami edge. Drink 2026-2032”
– 94 points, Owen Bargreen
“The 2023 Grenache River Rock wafts up with a delicate bouquet of spiced blackberries, dried violets, sage and autumnal spice. It is soft textured and round with sleek wild berry fruits underscored by crisp mineral tones as a wave of juicy acidity maintains energy throughout. Incredibly fresh, the 2023 leaves behind notes of raspberry jam and sour cherry. It’s exceptionally long.”
– 93 points, Vinous
View 2022 Vintage Acclaim
“The two Grenache offerings come from different vineyards in the southern part of the Walla Walla Valley, and each nicely captures the essence of the grape and its location within the AVA. The River Rock bottling shows a bit more finesse, and its berry, plum and cooked cherry fruit has a pastry filling character. Might be some fig newtons in there, and a subtle foundation weaving together touches of umami, soy, pekoe tea and dark chocolate.”
– 97 points Paul Gregutt, Paul Gregutt’s NW Wine Guide
“The 2022 Grenache River Rock Vineyard captivates with an aromatic symphony of crushed violets, dried rose petals, and fresh red fruits. Bright Bing cherries and juicy crushed raspberries shine at the forefront, balanced by a subtle mineral backbone that lends texture and depth. A lively acidity keeps the wine vibrant, underscoring the flavors of tart pomegranate and wild thimbleberries. Hints of white pepper and a dash of dried herbs provide a savory edge, adding to its complexity. The finish is both clean and energetic, marked by lingering notes of spiced cranberry and fine-grained tannins.”
– 96 points Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
“A touch more exotic and floral, the 2022 Grenache River Rock Vineyard offers up a vibrant, medium-bodied, seamless style that has good acidity and tannins, as well as gorgeous notes of ripe raspberries, sappy spring flowers, pepper, and rose petals. With a subtle Rayas-like character (and I don’t make that comparison lightly) as well as just about flawless overall balance, this beauty should benefit from just a year or two of bottle age.”
– 94-96 points Jeb Dunnuck
“Vibrantly textured, the 2022 Grenache River Rock Vineyard is medium-bodied and soft and supple in generous texture, with a nuanced, delicate nature. Silky, voluptuous, and floral, it finishes in layers of white pepper. Drink now through 2032.”
– 95 points Virginie Boone, Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2022 ‘River Rock Vineyard’ Grenache stands translucent in the glass, opening with smoldering stones and ash notes on the nose alongside shades of linzer torte and cran-pomegranate. The palate is silky and refined with a smooth mouthfeel and great sense of tension, salinity and stony essence. Drinking marvelously right now, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035”
– 95 points Owen Bargreen
“No variety retains its floral purity in the Rocks terroir like Grenache. This wine shows dazzling aromatics, as a smoky, feral edge envelops smoky rose petals and dried lavender. It comes from the River Rock Vineyard, now known as Le Mani, planted on its own roots in 2001. The palate shows mouthfuls of dried lavender and thyme, and muddled wild strawberries offset the terroir’s classic umami tones.”
– 94 points Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
“The 2022 Grenache River Rock Vineyard is wonderfully perfumed, with a cascade of dusty violets and roses giving way to bright strawberries and cherries. This opens with a pretty inner sweetness balanced by crisp red berry fruits and tactile mineral tones. A stream of juicy acidity maintains fantastic energy. It tapers off with a spicy tinge, leaving crunchy tannins and hints of tart raspberry. Drinking Window: 2025-2034”
– 93 points Eric Guido, Vinous
