Cimento Grenache "Orselli Estate Vineyard" 2023
(The Rocks District, Oregon) - [JD 97] [OB 96] [VM 95] [WE 95]

About the Winery:
Cimento began in 2017 with the belief that the Walla Walla Valley was poised to rise on the world wine stage. The founders were particularly intrigued by a small wine-growing appellation called The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, where a unique 3,600-acre area possessed one essential quality for global significance: terroir. The winery is focused entirely on its estate vineyards in The Rocks District of Milton- Freewater, Oregon. The wines are crafted by Winemaker Todd Alexander in their state-of-the-art facility, utilizing minimal intervention techniques to create true wines-of-place.

The Rocks District is known for being the only US AVA defined by a single soil series, with a typicity showing savory notes in the wines.

About Winemaker Todd Alexander:
Hailing from Napa Valley, Todd gained invaluable experience and rose to prominence while working on production teams at renowned wineries such as Plumpjack and CADE. His talent and dedication eventually led him to the esteemed position of winemaker at the illustrious Bryant Family Vineyard. In 2014, Todd made a bold move, relocating his family to Washington to assume the role of winemaker at Force Majeure. Simultaneously, he embarked on his own venture, founding Holocene wines. Todd’s creations have consistently received critical acclaim, earning him a well-deserved status as one of the foremost winemaking talents in the United States.

Stephen Morina, who was previously assistant winemaker at Force Majeure under Alexander, took over winemaking responsibilities in 2025. Anthony Yount, who has 20 years of winemaking experience in Paso Robles, began serving as consulting winemaker in 2025.

About this Wine:

The Rocks District of Milton Freewater AVA
85% Grenache, 6% Carignan, 4% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, 2% Cinsault
Destemmed, Stainless Steel Fermentation, 25-day maceration
Native Yeast, Minimal Intervention
Elevage 16 months in 50% new oak
Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered
133 cases produced

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:

Tasted in barrel last year, the 2023 Grenache Orselli Estate Vineyard finished wine is as good as expected, including 6% Carignan, 4% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, and 2% Cinsault, all destemmed and native-fermented in concrete. Meaty garrigue and iron complement prettier aspects of lavender and fresh plum, the fruit densely layered around medium-bodied concentration, enduring acidity, and spicy undertones. There are only 133 cases of this well-balanced, complex, and age-worthy wine. Enjoy 2028-2040.

96 Points - Owen Bargreen:
"A stunning edition of this wine, the 2023 Cimento ‘Orselli Estate Vineyard’ Grenache is deep, rich and beautifully-textured stuff. Guava puree, charcuterie, Mandarin orange zest and wet stone all mingle together on the palate, with excellent verve. Very pretty and electric, no reason to cellar this beauty. Enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033" (Oct 2025)

95 Points -Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Grenache Orselli Estate Vineyard is explosive, with a blend of blood orange, rosemary, cedar shavings and sour cherries bursting from the glass. It's seductively round and supple, with cooling acidity and elegant red and blue fruits that soothe the palate as hints of violet pastille swirl throughout. Nuances of citrus and a bump of residual acidity refresh the senses through the finish as echoes of lavender slowly fade." – Eric Guido (Oct 2025)

95 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
"This dark, comforting Grenache, which also features small amounts of Carignane, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, inspires thoughts of winter nights, flannel shirts and bowls of beef stew. Crushed blackberries, hay, violets and cedar bark aromas lead the way, followed by flavors of candied lavender, rosemary, elderberries and espresso. The wine rested for 16 months in French oak, only 5% of which was new. Its tannins will rough up the roof of your mouth in a most delightful way. Enjoy now until 2039." – Michael Alberty (Feb 2026)