The Grand Californian Hotel is one of my favorite rides at Disneyland. Right, it's not a ride, it's a hotel, but I find it a very enjoyable place to relax a bit after waiting in lines for the actual rides. After 5:00, the Napa Rose restaurant is the place to go, but during the day it's the Hearthstone Lounge. A really good Disneyland adventure involves more time here, less time in those lines.
I tried the Trenza Winery Tinto on a cool afternoon. This San Luis Obispo County red blend is produced by the Niven Family of Edna Valley, the folks who bring you Baileyana, Tangent and Zocker wines. Winemaker Christian Roguenant hails from France, but has a love for Spanish grape varieties and does not feel constrained by Old World winemaking rules.
Offered on the menu as a Tempranillo-Syrah blend, the Trenza Tinto is actually a mix of 35% Edna Valley Syrah, 31% Paso Robles Grenache, 22% Arroyo Grande Valley Tempranillo and 12% Mourvèdre from Paso Robles. Aged 16 months in mainly French oak, this hearty red carries a 14.9% abv number.
The wine is quite dark in color, but the nose seems rather slight to me. I do pick up nice cherry aromas with hints of oak spice. The palate certainly isn't shy, showing huge blackberry flavors and spices. Clove, black pepper and black licorice augment the fruit, and the mouthfeel is full. It's a very smooth drink, with fine tannins and a nice acidity. The long finish leaves hints of dark chocolate.
