2010 Villa Creek Trovador
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Tasting notes
(50% Bassetti vineyard syrah, from Paso Robles and 50% Colombini vineyard carignane, from Mendocino): Bright purple. Heady aromas of dark fruit preserves, incense and lavender, with a spicy topnote. Stains the palate with energetic black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and shows outstanding clarity and lift. Takes a darker turn with aeration, picking up a licorice note that carries through a long, sweet, penetrating finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Trovador, a blend of equal parts Syrah and Carignan, is the most cool climate-styled of the bunch. This is no doubt due to the Syrah component, which comes from the cool terroir of the Bassetti vineyard. Peppery and complex, with notions of blackberry, mineral, smoked green herbs and leaf tobacco, it is medium-bodied, deftly textured, with good acidity and a chewy, lengthy finish. It’s reasonably approachable now, yet I think will be even better in 2-3 years and have upwards of a decade of total longevity. Drink 2015-2020. One of my favorite estates, Cris Cherry’s Villa Creek is located on the western side of Paso Robles, high up off Peachy Canyon Road. He continues to experiment with Rhone and increasingly Spanish (think Rioja and Priorat) varieties, as well as with varying amount of whole-cluster inclusion. The wines offer singular, unique profiles, with loads of flavor and character. Tel. (805) 238-7145; www.villacreekwine.com
The 2010 Trovador is an unusual blend of Syrah and Carignane. Tar, licorice, melted road tar and savory herbs all add complexity to a core of dark red/blackish fruit. This is one of the more structured wines in the Villa Creek range. Although some rough edges remain, I imagine the 2010 will come together a little more fully with more time in bottle. I especially like the sense of vibrancy here. The 2010 is 50% Syrah and 50% Carignane fermented with 50% whole clusters.
The 2010 Trovador, a blend of equal parts Syrah and Carignan, is the most cool climate styled of the bunch; this is no doubt due to the Syrah component, which comes from the cool terroir of the Bassetti vineyard. Peppery and complex, with notions of blackberry, mineral, smoked green herbs, and leaf tobacco, it is medium-bodied, deftly textured, with good acidity, and a chewy, lengthy finish. It’s reasonably approachable now, yet I think will be even better in 2-3 years, and have upwards of a decade of total longevity.