30 minute decant. Nose of black raspberries, leaves, earth, and a hint of lavender. Black fruit and black olives on the palate with graphite and fresh thyme. Black cherry preserves add some sweetness on the finish, with vanilla bean, black plum, and vibrant black raspberry acidity. Quite a smooth wine.
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Very tight when straight from the bottle. After an hour decant, the heat was gone and grainy tannin had softened - but not diffused - but no other hidden notes appeared. Perhaps not my style but I expected more. Drinking window 2027+ to give this its best shot at integration in the bottle.
84 - above average wine displaying various degrees of finesse with no noticeable flaws.
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Disappointing effort from Villa Creek. Muted fruit profile, a bit hot on the alcohol, and a sour after-taste. Drank over a two day period and it didn’t improve. I’ve enjoyed many vintages of Avenger, this is a first.
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Popped and poured. Not sure what to make of this. Started out strong, reminded me of a good young Cote Rotie. Then seemed to fade a bit. Drinking too young? 5-13-16-8: 92/100.
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2/23/2024 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 93 Points
30 minute decant. Nose of black raspberries, leaves, earth, and a hint of lavender. Black fruit and black olives on the palate with graphite and fresh thyme. Black cherry preserves add some sweetness on the finish, with vanilla bean, black plum, and vibrant black raspberry acidity. Quite a smooth wine.
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2/4/2024 - af3 wrote: 84 Points
Very tight when straight from the bottle. After an hour decant, the heat was gone and grainy tannin had softened - but not diffused - but no other hidden notes appeared. Perhaps not my style but I expected more. Drinking window 2027+ to give this its best shot at integration in the bottle.
84 - above average wine displaying various degrees of finesse with no noticeable flaws.
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5/7/2023 - msh305 Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Disappointing effort from Villa Creek. Muted fruit profile, a bit hot on the alcohol, and a sour after-taste. Drank over a two day period and it didn’t improve. I’ve enjoyed many vintages of Avenger, this is a first.
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12/13/2022 - Kayentacellars wrote: 90 Points
Nice Rhone style blend with predominance of Syrah
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5/23/2021 - Thek Likes this wine: 93 Points
Didn't take notes, but this was a great bottle. It still needs a few years before the tannins soften.
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11/25/2020 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and poured. Not sure what to make of this. Started out strong, reminded me of a good young Cote Rotie. Then seemed to fade a bit. Drinking too young? 5-13-16-8: 92/100.
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12/19/2019 - Tyler C Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very enjoyable now.
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12/7/2019 - fredman wrote: 93 Points
One-hour decant. Happy to report that the wine, though big, is very drinkable at this time. Drink or hold over the next 3-5 years.
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