Villa Creek 2018 'Rocks & Flowers' Red, Paso Robles

Villa Creek 2018 'Rocks & Flowers' Red, Paso Robles

Item Number: 14893

UPC: None

Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Central Coast
Appellation/AVA: Paso Robles
Estate Grown Wine: No
Vintage: 2018
Grape(s): 75% Grenache / 10% Syrah / 10% Mourvedre / 5% Carignan
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14.5
Total Acidity: 6.9 g/L
pH: 3.36
Viticulture: Practicing Organic

Vineyard Sources:

  • MAHA Estate: CCOF Certified organic, Demeter certified biodynamic
  • Friends: 75% certified organic, 25% practicing organic farming
Vinification: Grapes are manually harvested and sorted. Native yeast fermentation occurs with 40% whole clusters in a selection of concrete and stainless steel tanks. Maceration lasts for three weeks until the grapes are gently basket pressed. The wine ages in a combination of 500-liter puncheons and 225-liter barriques, of which 40% were new.

Tasting Notes: Brambly red berries dominate the nose. It also smells of Provencal herbs and green tea ice cream. The palate shows medium+ weight with grippy tannins. Bright red fruit shines with moderate oak contributing spice flavors and a creamy texture.

Vintage Notes by Vinous 12/10/2020: "Following the hot 2017 vintage, growers and winemakers in Paso Robles were relieved to have a cooler vintage in 2018. The long growing season and moderate conditions led to an unhurried harvest and a larger-than-normal crop of healthy fruit. The results are outstanding."

Reviews

  • Vinous
    Rating: 94 (12/10/2020)
    Highly fragrant scents of black raspberry, boysenberry, Indian spices, baking spices and candied flowers, along with a smoky element that builds in the glass. Smooth and seamless in texture, offering palate-coating red/blue fruit, spice-cake and floral pastille flavors that deliver an appealing marriage of depth and energy. Closes spicy, gently tannic and very long, leaving repeating spice and floral notes behind. This is the wine formerly known as Willow Creek Cuvée.
  • The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 92 (3/17/2021)
    A compelling red that's handsomely built and lively. Offers blackberry, bittersweet chocolate and smoky garrigue accents that finish with medium-grained tannins. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Drink now through 2029.