Winemaker Notes
Our Willow's Cuvee has always been a beautiful GSM blend. The Syrah and Mataro, which has roughly 30% stem inclusion was co-fermented with the Tempranillo and aged for 20 months in new French oak. The Grenache was aged in neutral French to preserve the luscious red berry then blended with the SMT six months after fermentation. Deep purple/ maroon in color with notes of dry herbs and earth. Lively cherry and boysenberry fruit with gorgeous floral notes accented with baking spice. This wine is soft and juicy but full of texture with a long lasting finish. Pairs wonderfully with garlic and herb roasted lamb chops or an artisanal charcuterie board. Cases produced 191. Enjoy now until 2031.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Willow's Cuvee (48% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 18% Mataro, and 10% Tempranillo) is straight-up brilliant and is another heavenly wine from Don Burns that shows the potential of this region. Peppery garrigue, toasted spice, cured meats, and both red and black fruits emerge from the glass, and it’s full-bodied, with perfect balance, silky tannins, and a great, great finish. Aged 20 months in a mix of new and used barrels, drink this beauty any time over the coming 10-15 years.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Paso Robles has made a name for itself as a source of supple, powerful, fruit-driven Central Coast wines. But with eleven smaller sub-AVAs, there is actually quite a bit of diversity to be found in this inland portion of California’s Central Coast.
Just east over the Santa Lucia Mountains from the chilly Pacific Ocean, lie the coolest in the region: Adelaida, Templeton Gap and (Paso Robles) Willow Creek Districts, as well as York Mountain AVA and Santa Margarita Ranch. These all experience more ocean fog, wind and precipitation compared to the rest of the Paso sub-appellations. The San Miguel, (Paso Robles) Estrella, (Paso Robles) Geneso, (Paso Robles) Highlands, El Pomar and Creston Districts, along with San Juan Creek, are the hotter, more western appellations of the greater Paso Robles AVA.
This is mostly red wine country, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel standing out as the star performers. Other popular varieties include Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache and Rhône blends, both red and white. There is a fairly uniform tendency here towards wines that are unapologetically bold and opulently fruit-driven, albeit with a surprising amount of acidity thanks to the region’s chilly nighttime temperatures.