2017 Villa Creek The Avenger
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Tasting notes
Inky ruby. An assertively perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented black and blue fruits, candied violet, pipe tobacco and incense, and allspice and licorice notes emerge as the wine opens up. Powerful, spice-laced blackberry, cherry liqueur and fruitcake flavors show no rough edges and deepen with air while maintaining energy. The broad, floral- and mineral-tinged finish is framed by smooth, slow-building tannins and eventually leaves behind an intense dark fruit preserve note.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Moving to the Syrah-dominated releases, the 2017 Avenger is 70% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, and 10% Grenache brought up in a mix of French and Hungarian oak. Blackcurrants, mulberries, peppery spice, walnut shell, and chocolate notes all define the bouquet, and the Hungarian oak gives this a different aromatic style as well as texture. Balanced, with good acidity and fine tannins, you can drink it today or cellar bottles for 7-8 years. This was another great lineup from Cris Cherry and these wines shine for their fruit and texture, and are always a joy to drink.