Villa Creek - Cherry House White 2021

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Price: $31.99

Sale Price: $24.99

3+ Price: $21.99 / btl

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Producer	Villa Creek
Country	United States
Region	Paso Robles
Varietal	Grenache Blanc / Clairette
Vintage	2021
Sku	15344
Size	750ml

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Paso Robles is on the rise, and perhaps no winery more so than Villa Creek. With a bevy of 94-97 pt reviews from Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate and Vinous, the wines are becoming increasingly hard to find. Even for the winemaker… you want to drink a bottle and it is all sold out… what do you do?

For winemaker/owner Cris Cherry the answer was easy – make a “house wine”! (I wish I had it that easy!)

Villa Creek is located as far west in the Paso Robles region as you can get. Just north of Santa Lucia. This area is unique because it contains California’s largest layer of exposed limestone. Limestone (aka “white gold”) is the not-so-secret ingredient in the world’s best wines – soils high in limestone allow for vibrant acidity and freshness, even when the grapes are ripe and luscious.

Okay… enough education… what’s the wine like?

Inspired by the exotic whites of Chateauneuf du Pape, Cris has fashioned a blend of 50% Clairette and 50% Grenache Blanc. The Clairette grapes fermented and aged in French oak (10% new) with full malolactic fermentation. The Grenache Blanc grapes fermented and aged in neutral barriques with partial malolactic fermentation.
 
This sensual gem is loaded with gorgeous aromas of lemon blossoms, peaches and a floral shop worth of flowers! The neutral oak aging adds texture and body, without any oaky flavors, allowing the fruit to shine through. All throughout, there is a bright core of acidity that keeps it eminently balanced and more than a little bit drinkable. (For stat geeks like me, the total acidity is 7.1 g/L and the PH is 3.32! That’s some solid acidity to balance out the 14.3% alcohol)

“Spice-tinged citrus and orchard fruit scents are complicated by succulent herb and chamomile nuances that gain strength with air. Sappy, concentrated and focused on the palate, offering Meyer lemon, dried pear and honeysuckle flavors and a touch of fennel. Closes with firm grip and very good persistence, leaving repeating floral and pear notes behind." VM

Food pairings? Oh, the choices are delicious... fish, shellfish, lobster, crab, sushi, crudo, veal, chicken, pork, dishes with cream sauces... but my new favorite is this recipe for Miso-Roasted Asparagus from famed chef José Andrés. Click on the pic for a recipe. 

This sensual gem is loaded with gorgeous aromas of lemon blossoms, peaches and a floral shop worth of flowers! The neutral oak aging adds texture and body, without any oaky flavors, allowing the fruit to shine through. All throughout, there is a bright core of acidity that keeps it eminently balanced and more than a little bit drinkable.