98 Points.?Insanely aromatic notes of potpourri, raspberry, white pepper, soot, funk and earth are followed by bright, fresh, focused, uber-rich fruit and savory flavors. It shows a sense of delicacy and intensity with unparalleled balance. There is no end to the finish. What makes this Grenache-driven wine so extraordinary? God only knows. Best from 2023 to 2027. ?Sean Sullivan,?Wine Enthusiast
96 Points.?The 2016 God Only Knows saw a fair amount of stems (60-80%) and was brought up in neutral demi-muids and foudre. It’s incredibly complex, offering blackberry, smoked earth, Iberico ham, white pepper, spring flowers, and violets. It’s seamless, ultra-pure, medium-bodied, and just glides across the palate and has a Burgundian weight and richness. ?Jeb Dunnuck,?jebdunnuck.com
95+ Points.?Featuring a playful label, the 2016 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard is a blend of 90% Grenache, with the remaining 10% comprising unknown varieties. This has a seductive nose of cherry and wild strawberry, with a floral essence and rich minerality, tamed by soft red spices. There is a touch of black pepper here, suggesting a splash of Syrah in the blend. The wine is tight on the palate but gives pleasure on many different levels, as it has both breadth and depth. There is a focused core of rocky minerality to the wine as it lingers on the long, textured finish with good balance and structured tannins. This is impressive juice! ?Anthony Mueller,?The Wine Advocate
95 Points.?Very attractive, spicy and sappy whole-bunch aromas with raspberries and wild cherries, as well as a wildflower note. The palate has a smoky, salty edge with a lacy array of tannins that carry long, fresh and sapid. So delicious, very pinot-esque. A blend of 90% grenache and 10% other grape varieties (God only knows). Drink or hold. ?James Suckling,?jamessuckling.com
94 Points.?… Knockout nose combines red cherry, pomegranate, mocha, white pepper and a sexy high-toned floral element. At once salty and juicy on the palate, savory but not particularly meaty, with a dominant flavor of crushed red cherry complicated by notes of garrigue and truffle. Finishes very long and subtly palate-staining, with terrific floral complexity… ?Stephen Tanzer,?Vinous
94 Points.?Demands attention immediately, yet remains graceful and refined, with notes of bacon fat, raspberry and orange peel, plus crushed rock and pepper. Takes on tension toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2027. ?Tim Fish,?Wine Spectator
