This release includes the first of our 2008 vintage red wines. 2008 was a rock ‘n’ roll vintage for most of the state with a borage of disasterous fires, early frost and late rain. Sans the fires, it was not unlike a typical vintage in Burgundy. West Paso Robles was relatively immune from said disasters and 2008 has provided us with a vintage of rich, textured wines that will give great pleasure in the near term and for years to come.
Meticulous farming by the likes of Justin and Pebble Smith of James Berry Vineyard, Aaron Navarez at Denner Vineyard, and Eric Jensen at Booker Vineyard, yielded ripe fruit with supple tannins and a nice dollop of natural acid. This release holds two wines with extended cellar aging. 2006 Onda (VC ltd only), in barrel for 26 months and bottle for 12 months, and 2007 High Road, in barrel for 18 months and bottle for 10 months.
2006 ONDA, James Berry Vineyard
70% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre
Elevage: Destemmed Syrah and 20% whole cluster Mourvèdre aged 26 months in 100% new French (Seguin Moreau, Saury, and Tarrensaud) barriques. Racked twice prior to bottling with a minimal sulphur regime.
Color: Dark Ruby
Aromatics: Savory grilled meats, graphite, truffle, lush dark red fruits.
Palate: Raspberry, herbs de Provence, red fruits and toasty oak transition to a full mouth feel and spicy finish. Several hours in a decanter may entice this one to come out of it’s shell but it may not be until the next day over a lunch of spit roasted lamb and fire roasted tomato ratatouille that this wine really shines. I need a cigarette.
2007 High Road, James Berry Vineyard
45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre
Elevage: Aged in a selection of 60% new French puncheons and barriques for 18 months. 20% whole cluster was used to elevate aromatics. Aged in bottle 10 months prior to release.
Color: Dark Ruby
Aromatics: Notes of sweet cassis, spice, white flowers and crushed limestone draw one to the wine. Another whiff shows freshly cut beef and smoked paprika.
Palate: Well textured with notes of boysenberry, black pepper, dark fruits, clove, and cinnamon framed with ripe supple tannins. A wine of many layers to be enjoyed for years to come.
2008 Garnacha, Denner Vineyard
100% Grenache
Elevage: Aged in 500 liter puncheons (Bel Air, Seguin Moreau, and Tarrensaud) of which 50% was new. 10% whole cluster fermentation was used to elevate aromatics and temper acidity. Racked into tank off gross lees prior to bottling.
Color: Ruby red
Aromatics: Candied black cherries, anise, raspberries, carmel and wet underbrush.
Palate: Glycerin, red fruits, licorice and a finish that goes on forever. Allowing this one to evolve in the cellar for 7-10 years will be a challenge as it is SO delicious right now.
2008 La Boda
50% Grenache, 50% Mourvedre
Elevage: Aged 1/2 in 500 liter puncheons and 1/2 in barrique of which 40% was new French (Ermitage, Seguin Moreau) oak. The Grenache was fermented 50% whole cluster and the Mourvedre 100% whole cluster. Never racked prior to bottling.
Color: Pomagranate
Aromatics: Kirsch, Hoisin, salt water carmels, sweet warm spices jump out of the glass.
Palate: A less feral wine than the ‘07 La Boda. Concentrated red fruits are complicated with sandlewood, baking spices and roasted game. Texturally beautiful on the finish it will reward those patient enough to cellar it.
2008 Willow Creek Cuvée
50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah
Elevage: The grapes were sourced from both James Berry and Denner Vineyards on Willow Creek Road. Aged in a selection of puncheons and barrique of which 40% was new French (Bel Air, Saury, and Tarrensaud) and Hungarian (Kadar). Racked off gross lees prior to bottling with minimal sulphur levels.
Color: Blue hued garnet
Aromatics: Blackberries, currents, chocolate, grilled meats and sweet oak.
Palate: Jammy with silky tannins and perfectly balanced acidity. Pair with slow roasted Berkshire pork shoulder and salsa verde. Cellar for 5-10 years.
