Villa Creek Willow Creek Cuvée Red Rhone Blend 2012

Villa Creek Cellars grew from the intent by Cris and JoAnn Cherry to make a house wine for their restaurant of the same name. Now they produce some of the most highly regarded, and rated, wines in Paso Robles.  Limited. 94 Points Robert Parker:   "Made from 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, the 2012 Willow Creek Cuvee is an up-front, perfumed and sweetly fruited effort that carries a serious wallop of tannin on the back end. Showing pretty mulled red fruits, licorice, toasted spice, violets and hints of dried flowers, it has medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, layered texture and high, slightly chewy tannin on the finish. I think the tannins will integrate nicely here with another year in bottle, but this will be something to watch going forward...Winemaker Cris Cherry continues to push the whole cluster and savory style in his wines, while not losing the core of fruit that the region is known for. These new releases all have rich, tannic profiles that benefit from air, and will be even better in another year or two." 94 Points Antonio Galloni:  "The 2012 Willow Creek Cuvee is striking. Dark red and black plum, leather, cloves, menthol, tobacco and sage are laced together in a juicy, resonant red with plenty of near and medium-term appeal. The 2012 is 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, done with 75% whole clusters that are completely and beautifully integrated, aged mostly in neutral oak with 20% new barrels. Proprietor Cris Cherry describes 2012 as similar to 2010, but riper than 2011 and less challenging than 2013 in terms of managing alcohols and sugars. Cherry is among the many producers who have backed off the ripeness levels of years past, while increasing the use of whole clusters and neutral oak, all of which allow the wines to express gorgeous varietal and site-specific nuance. Villa Creek doesn't get as much attention as some of the higher-profile properties in town, but the wines are as good as anything coming out of Paso Robles these days. Readers who haven't tasted these wines in a few years are missing out."

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