In its prime !! Really tasting great right now !! The screw-top sealed well over a decade in the bottle. Consumed over two days. This wine started will fresh fruit; as it opened up, this wine showed better balance. On day two, this wine had softened to reveal increased depth, texture, and integrated complexity. Dark red color with no oxidation, and clarity is good to medium. Aromas of sweet cherry, and vanilla. Flavors of cherry, cherry, cherry, raspberry, glycerin, and leather. This Grenache has a nice long finish. This age worthy wine may have more years of life left. A great fruit source and a good winemaking effort. Pair with Charcuterie and Olive Tapenade or grilled Lamb Chops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color: light/medium ruby core -> light ruby rim. Gorgeous nose of crushed raspberries, strawberries, sandalwood, spice, a touch of smoke and vanilla. Beautifully composed palate of cherries, raspberries, woodsmoke and crushed rock. Great intensity, acidity and length -- and not jammy/gloppy or over the top at all -- this is the poster child for how Cali Grenache should be made. Great poise and palate presence; showing the greatness of the vintage and the deft touch of a killer vigneron. Lovely now and for years ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aromas and tart flavors of cherry, raspberry, and perhaps a bit of cranberry. (I didn't note the tartness during prior consumption). This wine is ready to drink up, though not over the hill at all.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine is decidedly in a mature phase. Traces of oxidation in the very edge of the wine. Nose is laced with dark fruit and bramble, but also hints of must and antique furniture oil. Fruit is equally mature in taste, round but not a "fruit bomb" typical of older Paso. Finishes with traces of minerality that were not in the nose, along with blackberries and fruit leather. It's just OK for the age, I much prefer this a couple years newer, but it's by no means over the hill. It will please those that prefer aged wines nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine looks purple colored. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis) and blackberry. It tastes like black currant (cassis) and blackberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has leathery texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From a bottle that had been opened an hour but not decanted. The wine is a nice deep ruby color. Cherries, raspberries, cola, licorice, pine resin, baking spices, fresh wild flowers, minerals, white pepper, and a touch of earthiness are on the deep and alluring nose. This is medium to full body with fairly solid, ripe tannins and very nice acidity. Nice spicy fruit grabs your palate with savory notes and the pine in the background adding depth. Fairly long finish with the fruit slowly giving way to a bit of spicy oak. This still tastes young and has several wonderful years ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well made wine. Just didn't really enjoy the flavor profiles as much this time. A bit too much oak seemed to anchor down what seemed like a decently balanced wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep ruby colored with blackberry on the nose. Juicy and luscious with red and blue fruit all over finishing with notes of herbs and tea. Delightful but the finish seemed short lived. Wanted something with a bit more complexity and depth in this price range.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bright red and blue fruit. Has come together in the last year. Baking spices. Very approachable and easy to drink. Not over the top but matched well with red sauce tortellini dish. Grenache is so food friendly. Somewhat chewy, not overly complex but a winner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Day 1: Pop 'n pour. Too anxious to give this a try to waste time decanting. First impression: Bright nose and fiery on the first sip, then wrapped around my mouth like soft black velvet. Strong fruit; cherries and raspberries. Hint of chocolate and some evergreen. Day 2: Nothing but smoooooooooooooth. Very nice mouthfeel. Really opened up over night. The finish is like a deep kiss that got interrupted because your girlfriend's parents just opened the door: it leaves you wanting more. It would be nice if it was a bit longer. Overall, this wine does not disappoint.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very impressed - popped & poured and it was soooo good. Full bodied and very fruit forward. The nose reminds me of summer nights, lying under the stars. In the mouth there's a slight edge to it - I love that it's not flabby and has some nice structure. Excellent fruit right now! Stems up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The nose is a little gamey like a syrah. Fresh fruit. Delicious cherry and strawberry flavors with a nice finish. Not particularly complex but tasty. May be a touch too sweet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Where do I start: 1) This wine is big and intense .... very intense. We opened it at a restaurant, and through the meal it began to open up a bit. This wine really needs a good decant ... it's very tight right out of the bottle. 2) I was expecting more fruit. I've had the '06, and recall more upfront fruit. I've tried this vintage at the winery (a few months back), and I recall a lot more fruit than I picked up from this bottle. Overall I'm a bit disappointed. It's a quality wine, hence the 89 point score I gave, but I expected better. In my opinion, what this wine needs is more light fruit, such as strawberry, which is fairly typical of new world granaches. I have two more bottles, but won't be opening them for quite some time now ... perhaps another year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Running late so did not decant. Dark ruby color. Cherries, raspberries, licorice, minerals and a hint of pine on the nose. Medium to full body on the palate with ripe, integrated tannins and very good acidity. On the palate the wine is loaded with sweet red fruit, spicy oak, some earthiness, and a bit of pine. Nice finish with just a touch of spicy oak adding complexity. Really drinking nicely but no hurry on this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for an hour. Dark ruby color. Cherries, raspberries, cola, and a bit of pine on the nose. Medium to full body on the palate with soft, ripe tannins that are barely noticible and very good acidity. Loads of sweet red fruit on the palate with just a bit of cola and earthiness. Nice lingering finish with just a touch of spicy oak add complexity. Really drinking nicely but no hurry on this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is all about the prominent red fruit. Medium dark ruby red with an expressive fruit nose. Cherry cola and rasberries on the palate. Well balanced, but without much tannic structure. I think this should develop additional nuance over the next 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Red berries and and cherry and a little bit of earth. With time in the glass alcohol and oak dominate the nose but the heat never showed on the palate. Will try to hold my remaining bottle for a while to see what develops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This vintage is so different from the '06.-It is more restrained. Not what I was expecting. It doesn't have the burst of fruit or the vibrancy of the '06. I think it's just needs time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Purple color. Sweet cherry fruit on the nose. Tastes of raspberry, cherry kirsch and earth. Nice acidity with firm tannins. Rich, fruit forward finish and quite well balanced. Fruit 100% from Denner Vineyard. 14.8% alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
do yourself a favor and not open this wine for at least another 12-18 months... bright red fruits, big acidity and tons of grip... will save the other half of bottle for tomorrow
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/14/2021 - bdhanna Likes this wine: 93 Points
In its prime !! Really tasting great right now !! The screw-top sealed well over a decade in the bottle. Consumed over two days. This wine started will fresh fruit; as it opened up, this wine showed better balance. On day two, this wine had softened to reveal increased depth, texture, and integrated complexity. Dark red color with no oxidation, and clarity is good to medium. Aromas of sweet cherry, and vanilla. Flavors of cherry, cherry, cherry, raspberry, glycerin, and leather. This Grenache has a nice long finish. This age worthy wine may have more years of life left. A great fruit source and a good winemaking effort. Pair with Charcuterie and Olive Tapenade or grilled Lamb Chops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2016 - buckeye76 wrote: 92 Points
BLUEBERRIES AND CHERRIES IN THE NOSE WITH BLACK CHERRIES, RASPBERRIES, AND PLUMS IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2015 - BVal wrote: 94 Points
Color: light/medium ruby core -> light ruby rim. Gorgeous nose of crushed raspberries, strawberries, sandalwood, spice, a touch of smoke and vanilla. Beautifully composed palate of cherries, raspberries, woodsmoke and crushed rock. Great intensity, acidity and length -- and not jammy/gloppy or over the top at all -- this is the poster child for how Cali Grenache should be made. Great poise and palate presence; showing the greatness of the vintage and the deft touch of a killer vigneron. Lovely now and for years ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/23/2015 - Stevere Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking great, no lack of dark fruit, drink within the next 3 years, if you can.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2015 - Central Coast Wino Likes this wine: 89 Points
Aromas and tart flavors of cherry, raspberry, and perhaps a bit of cranberry. (I didn't note the tartness during prior consumption). This wine is ready to drink up, though not over the hill at all.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2014 - JasonG wrote: 89 Points
Wine is decidedly in a mature phase. Traces of oxidation in the very edge of the wine. Nose is laced with dark fruit and bramble, but also hints of must and antique furniture oil. Fruit is equally mature in taste, round but not a "fruit bomb" typical of older Paso. Finishes with traces of minerality that were not in the nose, along with blackberries and fruit leather. It's just OK for the age, I much prefer this a couple years newer, but it's by no means over the hill. It will please those that prefer aged wines nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2014 - dmaharaj Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine looks purple colored. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis) and blackberry. It tastes like black currant (cassis) and blackberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has leathery texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2013 - Central Coast Wino wrote: 89 Points
Still very tight 2 1/2 years since I've last tried this wine. It really needs a good decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2012 - cbbrown3 wrote: 92 Points
From a bottle that had been opened an hour but not decanted. The wine is a nice deep ruby color. Cherries, raspberries, cola, licorice, pine resin, baking spices, fresh wild flowers, minerals, white pepper, and a touch of earthiness are on the deep and alluring nose. This is medium to full body with fairly solid, ripe tannins and very nice acidity. Nice spicy fruit grabs your palate with savory notes and the pine in the background adding depth. Fairly long finish with the fruit slowly giving way to a bit of spicy oak. This still tastes young and has several wonderful years ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2012 - JuliannaDHS wrote: 90 Points
Very nice food friendly wine. Dark fruits on the nose and palate with a smooth finish. Well balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2012 - STM82 wrote: 89 Points
Well made wine. Just didn't really enjoy the flavor profiles as much this time. A bit too much oak seemed to anchor down what seemed like a decently balanced wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2011 - STM82 wrote: 90 Points
Deep ruby colored with blackberry on the nose. Juicy and luscious with red and blue fruit all over finishing with notes of herbs and tea. Delightful but the finish seemed short lived. Wanted something with a bit more complexity and depth in this price range.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2011 - rdsboca wrote: 89 Points
Bright red and blue fruit. Has come together in the last year. Baking spices. Very approachable and easy to drink. Not over the top but matched well with red sauce tortellini dish. Grenache is so food friendly. Somewhat chewy, not overly complex but a winner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2011 - Fugu Me wrote: 91 Points
Day 1: Pop 'n pour. Too anxious to give this a try to waste time decanting. First impression: Bright nose and fiery on the first sip, then wrapped around my mouth like soft black velvet. Strong fruit; cherries and raspberries. Hint of chocolate and some evergreen. Day 2: Nothing but smoooooooooooooth. Very nice mouthfeel. Really opened up over night. The finish is like a deep kiss that got interrupted because your girlfriend's parents just opened the door: it leaves you wanting more. It would be nice if it was a bit longer. Overall, this wine does not disappoint.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2010 - pocchia Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very impressed - popped & poured and it was soooo good. Full bodied and very fruit forward. The nose reminds me of summer nights, lying under the stars. In the mouth there's a slight edge to it - I love that it's not flabby and has some nice structure. Excellent fruit right now! Stems up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2010 - bilgepump100 wrote: 90 Points
The nose is a little gamey like a syrah. Fresh fruit. Delicious cherry and strawberry flavors with a nice finish. Not particularly complex but tasty. May be a touch too sweet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2010 - MondovinoCA wrote: 94 Points
Outstanding nose, minerals and cherries. Good acitidy and ripe tannin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2010 - Central Coast Wino wrote: 89 Points
Where do I start: 1) This wine is big and intense .... very intense. We opened it at a restaurant, and through the meal it began to open up a bit. This wine really needs a good decant ... it's very tight right out of the bottle. 2) I was expecting more fruit. I've had the '06, and recall more upfront fruit. I've tried this vintage at the winery (a few months back), and I recall a lot more fruit than I picked up from this bottle. Overall I'm a bit disappointed. It's a quality wine, hence the 89 point score I gave, but I expected better. In my opinion, what this wine needs is more light fruit, such as strawberry, which is fairly typical of new world granaches. I have two more bottles, but won't be opening them for quite some time now ... perhaps another year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2010 - Baggio wrote: 91 Points
Excellent. Particularly on the 2nd day, after breathing. Intense - this is not a quaffing wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2010 - djs wrote: 92 Points
PnP over 5 hours. Delicious. but lacks much complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2010 - cbbrown3 wrote: 91 Points
Running late so did not decant. Dark ruby color. Cherries, raspberries, licorice, minerals and a hint of pine on the nose. Medium to full body on the palate with ripe, integrated tannins and very good acidity. On the palate the wine is loaded with sweet red fruit, spicy oak, some earthiness, and a bit of pine. Nice finish with just a touch of spicy oak adding complexity. Really drinking nicely but no hurry on this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/14/2010 - Rollerball wrote: 93 Points
A blossoming nose and palate of red fruits, citrus, coffee, spice, and stone fruits whose fresh fireworks don't get heavy-handed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2010 - rdsboca wrote: 87 Points
Dark fruit, forst leaves. A bit tight with a hot peppery finish. I think this wine needs another year or so to intergrate better. A bit disjointed.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/12/2010 - Kuixote wrote: 88 Points
Menthol and cherry nose. Fruit and wood mouth. Nice cheese wine but don't expect complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2010 - cbbrown3 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for an hour. Dark ruby color. Cherries, raspberries, cola, and a bit of pine on the nose. Medium to full body on the palate with soft, ripe tannins that are barely noticible and very good acidity. Loads of sweet red fruit on the palate with just a bit of cola and earthiness. Nice lingering finish with just a touch of spicy oak add complexity. Really drinking nicely but no hurry on this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2010 - JAYMOORE24 wrote: 89 Points
another nice wine from Villa Creek
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2009 - Mike Dildine wrote: 89 Points
This wine is all about the prominent red fruit. Medium dark ruby red with an expressive fruit nose. Cherry cola and rasberries on the palate. Well balanced, but without much tannic structure. I think this should develop additional nuance over the next 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/18/2009 - JFish wrote:
Red berries and and cherry and a little bit of earth. With time in the glass alcohol and oak dominate the nose but the heat never showed on the palate. Will try to hold my remaining bottle for a while to see what develops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2009 - oaxaca90049 wrote:
This vintage is so different from the '06.-It is more restrained. Not what I was expecting. It doesn't have the burst of fruit or the vibrancy of the '06. I think it's just needs time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2009 - kstoddard wrote: 89 Points
Purple color. Sweet cherry fruit on the nose. Tastes of raspberry, cherry kirsch and earth. Nice acidity with firm tannins. Rich, fruit forward finish and quite well balanced. Fruit 100% from Denner Vineyard. 14.8% alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2009 - LikeABC wrote:
do yourself a favor and not open this wine for at least another 12-18 months... bright red fruits, big acidity and tons of grip... will save the other half of bottle for tomorrow
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment