70% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache
Avenger is the Syrah based blend that started the Villa Creek brand in 2001. This Avenger is a handsome, athletic creature that straddles both the old world and new. Ethereal aromatics of blueberries, blackberries, boysenberry, crushed rock, and graphite lead to a palate that is both rich and elegant with fantastic concentration, stunning purity, and perfect balance. It plays rather close to the vest at the moment but give it some time and it will deliver a full house! Drink 2020-2030
"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." 96 pts Josh Raynolds, Vinous
"Black cherry, vanilla and caramel aromas make for a rich, lush and inviting nose on this blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache, one of Paso Robles' premiere bottlings each vintage. Hearty flavors of black-cherry cream, butterscotch, wild herbs and roasted meat show on the palate, which is framed by chalky tannins." 96 pts Matt Kettman, Wine Enthusiast