Villa Creek 2018 'High Road' Red Rhone Blend, James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles

Villa Creek 2018 'High Road' Red Rhone Blend, James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles

Item Number: 15081

UPC: 0-735202001110

Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Central Coast
Appellation/AVA: Paso Robles
Estate Grown Wine: No
Vineyard Designation: James Berry Vineyard
Vintage: 2018
Grape(s): 60% Grenache / 20% Syrah / 20% Mourvèdre
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 15
Total Acidity: 6.23 g/L
pH: 3.64
Viticulture: Practicing Organic

Vineyard Source: Grapes come from the James Berry Vineyard in the Willow Creek district of Paso Robles. The vineyard is organic (not certified) with a thin layer of topsoil over limestone seabed.

Winemaking Notes: After careful hand sorting, 65% of the grapes were destemmed. The grapes went through 3-5 days of cold soaking followed by natural fermentation. Grapes were basket pressed and aged in French oak puncheons (20% new) for 18 months.

Tasting Notes: A wide range of aromatics burst from the glass: blackberry pie with lard crust, Earl Grey tea, tar, and violets. The palate is powerful and purple! Flavors include purple fruits and flowers along with pink peppercorn. The seabed soil shines through as there is a line of mineral/rock on the palate that is accentuated by medium acidity.

Reviews

  • Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 94 (9/1/2020)
    Ground pepper, leafy herbs, plums, and even a touch of blue fruits emerge from the 2018 High Road James Berry Vineyard. A rich, full-bodied wine from this estate, it has plenty of fruit, good mid-palate depth, and the class to evolve nicely for over a decade.
  • Vinous
    Rating: 96 (12/1/2020)
    Powerful, mineral-accented black/blue fruit and floral oil aromas pick up exotic spice and pipe tobacco nuances with air. Fleshy, juicy and impressively concentrated, offering ripe boysenberry, black raspberry, cherry liqueur and violet pastille flavors that tighten up steadily on the back half. Densely packed yet energetic as well, finishing with resonating florality, gently gripping tannins and superb persistence.