Vertical Tasting
June 8, 2018
William Kelley is the new Wine Advocate reviewer for our region and he just published the reviews of our 2015's. See his thoughts below. He has pinpointed a few critical issues for our region.
“This pronounced diurnal shift helps grapes retain acidity and develop pronounced color and tannin. That’s in many ways an asset, but to my mind, it also poses Paso’s biggest challenge”
Some vintages are more tannic than others. The beauty of wine appreciation is noticing the impact that growing conditions can have on a vintage. There are certain measures you can take in the cellar to reduce these vintage defining characteristics but that’s not our game. Our game is to make fabulous wine that, like fine art, is beautiful upon release but appreciates with age. Ideally, our wines will tell the story of the vintage and the place while bringing pleasure to your palate.
In that spirit, we encourage you to experience our vertical tasting next time you are in the area. See the line-up above. We will pour side by side older vintages so you can taste the benefit of bottle age. We will also pair the wines with house cured jamon, which as it turns out, also benefits from cellar time. ~ JoAnn
The Wine Advocate, May 31, 2018
2015 Garnacha. Offering up aromas of red berries, kirsch and cocoa, the 2015 Garnacha is a velvety, full-bodied wine with a juicy core of fruit and a firm, chewy finish. It's an attractive wine in what could be a challenging vintage. 91 pts.
2015 High Road. The 2015 High Road James Berry Vineyard reveals a sweet, sun-kissed nose of blackberries, crème de cassis, licorice and cracked pepper. On the palate, it's full-bodied, rich and layered, with a bombastic core of ripe fruit, youthfully chewy tannins and a warm, generous personality. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years. 93 pts.
2015 Avenger. With notes of blackberry, dried flowers and wild berries, the 2015 The Avenger is a juicy, fruit-forward and full-bodied red blend, structured around fine tannins and juicy acids. While this is already quite generous and giving, it has the structure and energy to age for a few years too. It's a blend of 70% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. 93 +
2015 Willow Creek Cuvee. A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2015 Willow Creek Cuvée reveals notes of ripe black fruits, chocolate, licorice and rich soil. On the palate, it's full-bodied, plush and ample, with a generous core of ripe fruit and some firm, chewy tannins that assert themselves on the finish, depressing my score. 91 pts.