Winemaker Notes
Blend: 40% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, 9% Graciano, 8% Tempranillo, 7% Carignan
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Quite dense in the glass, this blend of 40% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, 9% Graciano, 8% Tempranillo and 7% Carignan shows concentrated aromas of blackberry, black pepper and uplifting violet on the nose. The palate is wrapped in creamy, fluffy tannins that present comforting flavors of berry and spice. A leathery grip extends through the long finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Blackberries, blueberries, ground pepper, violets, spring flowers, and graphite notes all emerge from the 2021 Estate Blend, a blend of 40% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, and the rest Graciano, Tempranillo, and Carignan. Pure, medium to full-bodied, and incredibly pure, it's going to drink nicely for at least a decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Estate Blend comes mostly from the Paderewski Vineyard, with smaller portions from the York Mountain Vineyard and Catapult Vineyard. It's a blend of 40% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, 9% Graciano, 8% Tempranillo and 7% Carignan matured for 18 months in 28% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has layered scents of blueberry, blackcurrant, grilled meats, oolong tea leaves and lavender. The full-bodied palate is structured with grainy tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and dynamic flavors on the long finish compel you to take another sip.
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Wine Spectator
This complex red is a little shy at the onset but slowly reveals itself. Leans into its savory side first, offering subtle heliotrope, bay leaf and anise notes that meld with a generous and pure core of olallieberry and black plum. This swells with intensity, unlocking additional layers of gravel and coffee bean that form around well-structured tannins and linger. Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Graciano, Tempranillo and Carignan. Drink now through 2036.
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James Suckling
Deeply perfumed and powerful nose showing aromas of blackberry compote, tar, potpourri and tobacco leaves. The palate is full-bodied with firm yet integrated tannins and bright acidity, showing notes of blackcurrants, poached blood plums, violets and sweet spices.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Growing on high elevation bedrock slopes, the vineyards of Paso Robles Willow Creek AVA sit at between 960 and 1,900 feet in elevation.