2017 Villa Creek Grenache Blanc

Community Tasting Notes (3) Avg Score: 91 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Hi.its.Don.4.Wine's profile
  • Report Issue

  3/6/2020 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Hi Ho Silver!
  
  There are many a wine reviewer, sommelier, critic and the like that tend, or maybe even need, to focus on changing trends and the hot new wines or regions; me, I’m kinda meat and potatoes kind of reviewer, wait, that’s not a good analogy as I’m trying to become more Vegan in my diet. Let’s just say that I’m not a “follow the crowd” kind. I love to stick to my Cabs and Chards and especially my Sauv Blancs. I don’t mind where they come from – too much, as long as it’s not some “never heard of before” place.
  
  Not there’s anything wrong with those wines, I can only attest to drinking a small portion of wines from out of the way areas. Most of the time it’s domestic, France, Italy, Spain, well, you get the idea. For this post, I’m on the verge of breaking my own rules. This time I have a wine varietal, that being Grenache Blanc, but not from the likes of the Rhone Valley in France, no, this one comes from Paso Robles in California.
  
  It’s no secret that there are a number of what are affectionately called “Rhone Rangers” in that area, those that make wines that emulate their French counterpart. They do a great job too! Especially in the Syrah and Grenache arena as well as some blends that use all those grape varietals that are allowed in the Rhone Valley.
  
  In some ways, Grenache Blanc is sort of a sleeper grape, even in France. Now they probably have a firm grasp on the varietal, but we here in America, not so much. I, on the other hand, love the grape. So much so that when I look for white Rhone wines I tend to favor those which have a greater abundance of good ole GB. For me, the grape brings a little more fruit and can balance out those other varietals used; Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and a host of others. In this particular case, I found a wine made exclusively of Grenache Blanc from California.
  
  Villa Creek Grenache Blanc 2017
  
  From Paso Robles, grapes are harvested and the wine is then aged in concrete allowing it to undergo partial malo, retaining some of its crispness. Like its French cousins, the wine displays light citrus on the nose and a touch of floral notes. On the palate, you gain a sense of tropical fruit freshness along with a slight minerality. Somewhere along the way, you may encounter that whiff of orange or a mingling of stone fruits like peach or pear that lingers on the tongue with an oh so subtle creaminess and finishes with spice notes that make the experience so wonderful. I knew I liked this grape!
  
  So as not to leave you without any idea of my so-called “meat and potatoes” repast for the evening, I did wander into a little less than a totally Vegan spread. Back to my Salmon, only this time I’ve been experimenting with broiling the fish. I think I’ve become a fan of this method of preparation, especially as I like the skin but can never seem to get it crisp enough preparing it any other way. Since a new methodology was being used for the fish, I figured let’s do the same with the veggies. I had actually started to steam some Brussel Sprouts for the evening’s meal when I had this epiphany and started thinking of other ways I could ravage these puppies. I was working on a menu for an event I’m putting together and one of the options for side dishes was creamed spinach. Naturally, I just thought, why not creamed Brussel Sprouts? So that’s what I did. Sautee some leeks and garlic, a little white wine (the GB I was drinking) the already-been-cooked BS (that’s Brussel Sprouts, I’m tired of typing the entire name out) a little cream and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, viola, creamed BS (you know, on second thought, maybe using BS isn’t such a good idea??) Plate the BS and top it with the Broiled Salmon (that could be shortened to BS as well). It was tasty and with the wine, it was fantastic.
  
  So while I may not be spreading out too much from the norm, I guess this does represent my willingness to explore things further. Hi Ho Silver!
  
  Cheers

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View andrewdodd86's profile
  • Report Issue

  5/8/2018 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 90 Points

  G2 Vineyard- bright tropical fruit, but over the top. Pineapple, less citrusy more balanced.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View rustyRudy's profile
  • Report Issue

  5/8/2018 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Tasting pour from their tasting room. 100% Grenache Blanc.
  Soft, fresh, citrus, pineapple ( but not over ripe ), tropical fruit with a clean and refreshing finish.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.