Paso Robles

• Willow Creek

This is always a great value.  it is a blend of 37% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre, and 3% Counoise.  Tablas Creek sells vines and then sources back some of the grapes from those vineyards to make this wine.  Brilliant and what a way to be a good neighbor.  The eight vineyards are listed on the label (plus 4% of Tablas Creek grapes).  Screw capped.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is warm with dust, cherries and an anise (black licorice) note.  Nice texture.  On the palate, the cherries and anise come thru.  Some depth.  Nice finish.  This drinks well but would be ev

This is a single varietal wine that is part of their wine club offerings.  A very cool wine to try to get to understand this grape usually used in blending.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is different with cranberries, strawberries, nutmeg and slight clove notes.  On the palate, there is strong acidity.  Tart "red" berries (similar to the nose).  Light tannins.  This is somewhat like a cross between a rose and a less ripe Grenache, but not quite.  It will work better with food.  Lighter salads but also duck or roasted chicken would be nice.  Drink over the next five to se

This is a Rose made in the style of Bandol, that is, a heartier style of Rose.  It is 48% Mourvedre. Light ruby/orange in color, clear and bright. The nose is  nice with cherries and slight orange notes.  On the palate, this is slightly viscous with cherries and a slight red licorice note.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  A very pleasant rose that will work well on its own or with all sorts of food off the grill.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is their take on a white Chateauneuf du Pape and they do it very well.

Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, golden raisins, and slight lemon notes.  On the palate, this has a slightly viscous texture.  Apples and pears with a nice streak of acidity.  Moderate finish.  This drinks smoothly right now on its own.  It will work well with lighter foods.  Drink over the next few years. 

This is a blend of 48% Syrah, 32% Grenache, and 20% Mourvedre.  Still young, this is really starting to sing.  Purple, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, plums, some black cherries, spice, black pepper and roasted meats.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lots of black raspberry and black cherry fruit.  Lovely texture.  Deep but tight layers.  Lots of energy.  Long finish.  This should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this will work well with spicy foods off the grill such as wings or ribs.  

This is a blend of 40% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre, 3% Counoise, and 3% Terret Noir checking in at 13% abv.  Screw capped.  This is a nice value play in easy to drink, Cal Rhone styled wines.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, slight pepper and an herbal note (chervil?).  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Little tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit with a touch of black pepper.  Good acidity.  Moderate finish.  This will work well with most meats, fowl or veggies.  Drink over the next five to seven years.

My first time trying this particular vineyard although Torrin is a favorite.  100% Syrah.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with boysenberries and some black pepper.  On the palate, medium tannins.  Nice black raspberry fruit.  Some depth.  Good finish.  An outstanding wine, but not up to the rarefied air of other vineyards in the Torrin lineup.  It should still improve a bit as it continues to mature over the next five years and drink well for ten more after that.  This probably would be helped by some fatty fried foods or meats.

This is 57% Syrah, 29% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, black pepper, slight roasted meats and herbs, and spice.  Full bodied.  Fruit forward.  Quite tasty.  This is drinking well if still young.  Lots of jammy black raspberry fruit over char and some black pepper.  Maybe a bit of black cherries.  This is a real crowd pleaser.  It should continue to evolve over the next ten to twelve years.  it drinks great on its own and will work well with roasted veggies or meats.  

Normally, I like to let these wines rest for ten years or so prior to opening, but sometimes, it can't be helped.  For me, the Hearstone opens a bit earlier than the others (along with the Paderewski).  This is a blend of 54% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 11% Mourvedre.  Pop and pour, this took a while to open and the last glass was the best.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats, slight black olives and a bit of black cherries.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has a great juicy, muscular texture.  Powerful  Load