AVENGER, 2008, $40
70% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre
On par with the 2008 vintage, this Avenger is a lusty, heady concoction of Booker Vineyard Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. The volume has been turned up (not quite to 11) on both the fruit and structure. It has been compared to a female kick boxer in a tight black cocktail dress! (Her male counterpart might be Daniel Craig in a tailored tuxedo.) This one wants to be enjoyed with a thick, grass fed rib eye steak now and for the next 10 years.
Elevage: Similar to years past, the grapes enjoyed a cold soak, native yeast fermentation an daily delestage. The must was basket pressed and barreled to 60% new French (Ermitage, Saury, Seguin-Moreau, and Tarrensaud) barriques. Minimal sulphur was added with two rackings prior to bottling.
Color: Ox Blood Aromatics: Caramelized blackberry tart with vanilla scented creme chantilly, Cassis, with a hint of wet asphalt, and sweet anis. Palate: Lush and fleshy, this wine displays the perfect balance of fruit, sweet spice, minerals, and length.
BETE NOIRE, 2008, $50
70% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre
It’s no surprise that we prefer the literal translation of this French slang term - “black beast” - to it’s reference as “something to be feared”. Though the rich, smoky, old world aromatics might scare a few, it is this same “old world meets new world”, terroir driven sensibility that characterizes most of our recent releases. Our second run at this jammy, black, muscular wine is just as exciting as the first in 2005. For those who have sampled this wine in barrel, you’ll know what we mean when we say “this wine is a bad mutha ...SHUT YOUR MOUTH!”
Elevage: Denner Syrah and Booker Mourvèdre were fermented 100% whole cluster and aged in 100% new French (Seguin-Moreau, Ermitage) and Hungarian (Kadar) barriques.
Aromatics: An old world nose of smoky barbecue and earth.
Palate: Layers of flavors and textures including sweet smoke, tar, chocolate and dark fruits reminiscent of the old vine cuvèes coming out of the Roussillon and Cotes de Catalan.
HIGH ROAD, 2008, James Berry Vineyard, $50
50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre
After working with James Berry for almost 10 years we are amazed at the breadth of flavors that emerge from one year to the next. It is a rare occasion that Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre ripen at the same time and are picked on the same day. Such was the case in 2008 at James Berry Vineyard. The synchronicity of the the three varietals made them the perfect candidates for co-fermentation. The fruit looked beautiful with nice lignification of stems, ripe fruit flavors, and balanced acidity. People speak of wines being made in the vineyard. Here is an opportunity to taste a wine that was truly made in the vineyard from the start.
Elevage: Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre co-fermented, 30% whole cluster, in stainless steel. Primary fermentation with native yeast, with punch downs 2-3 times daily. Basket pressed to a selection of puncheons (Saury and Seguin-Moreau) and barriques (Bel Air, Ermitage, Kadar, and Tarrensaud). This wine saw no racking and minimal sulphur for 20 months. Aromatics: black cherries, minerals, pencil shavings, lemon verbena, early Lupine flower. Palate: Sweet smoke and cinnamon up front lead to an explosion in the mouth of luscious black cherry confiture, and a hint of black pepper. Finishes with length and grace.
MAS DE MAHA, 2008, $35
60% Tempranillo, 20% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Carignan
Since the beginning Mas de Maha has been about harnessing the the power of Tempranillo without letting it’s aggressive tannins get out of hand. We have been pushing that envelope more and more. In 2007 we employed whole cluster fermentation on 1/2 of the Tempranillo and enjoyed the bump in aromatics and structure so much, we repeated the protocol in 2008. Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Carignan fill out the remainder of the blend creating one of the most dramatic Mas de Mahas to date. It is a wine of intriguing aromatics with a seductive palate built to last in the cellar 7-10 years.
Elevage: Sorted whole clusters and double sorted, de-stemmed grapes were fermented in stainless steel. Fermentation on it’s own terms with native flora. Delestage twice daily on everything but the Grenache. Basket pressed into a selection of 70% new barriques (Ermitage, Saury, Seguin-Moreau, Tarrensaud). Aged 18 months without racking and and with a minimal sulphur regime. Color: Black Cherry Aromatics: Slow smoked shoulder of pork, ripe plums, sandalwood, and cocoa nibs. Palate: Caramelized plums, fleshy yet structured with crushed rock and a hint of white pepper.
If you wish to purchase more wine from this release, please visit our website www.villacreekwine.com or call the winery at 805.238.7145. Thank you!
