2011 HIGH ROAD, MAGNUM
40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 300 cases produced
100% James Berry
High Road is always a blend of our best barrels off the spectacular James Berry Vineyard. This particular vintage is no less than a stunning representation of the power of this site. We are among the fortunate few that have access to this fruit. Vibrant aromatics of candied orange peel, boysenberry, and pomegranate, lead one into the voluptuous palate. Red berry pie topped with vanilla bean and black pepper ice cream, is followed by a meaty finish (dessert before dinner is okay sometimes!). It is exquisitely balanced and will give years of pleasure. Drink 2013-2025
"Villa Creek’s 2011 High Road is easily one of the wines of the vintage. A GSM blend from James Berry, the High Road is also fascinating, because it shows the stylistic breadth that is capable from this site. Rich, savory and finely knit but never heavy, the 2011 impresses for its combination of power and elegance. The 2010 is a wine of more immediate impact while the 2011 is more subtle, but ultimately even more delicious. In 2011 the Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre components were all co-fermented. 96 points" - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
Vintage
2011
Varietal
Grenache
Appellation
Paso Robles
Vineyard Designation
James Berry Vineyard
Alcohol %
14.5
Robert Parker
94
Vinous / Antonio Galloni
96
Wine Profile
Review Notes
Antonio Galloni, Vinous. August 2013 - "Paso Robles and Beyond: Excellence in 2011".
"Villa Creek's 2011 High Road is easily one of the wines of the vintage. A GSM blend from James Berry, the High Road is also fascinating, because it shows the stylistic breadth that is capable from this site. Rich, savory and finely knit but never heavy, the 2011 impresses for its combination of power and elegance. The 2010 is a wine of more immediate impact while the 2011 is more subtle, but ultimately even more delicious. In 2011 the Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre components were all co-fermented." 96 pts. //////
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate #208, Aug 2013 -
"The most impressive of the lineup and only slightly less impressive than the brilliant 2010, the 2011 High Road James Berry Vineyard checks in as a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre that was fermented with 40% whole cluster and aged in 50% new French oak. Great stuff, with rich cassis, creamy licorice, spice, toast and tinges of chocolate, it’s massive and rich on the palate, with layers of fruit, no hard edges and a very drinkable profile. I don’t think it will make incredibly old bones, but certainly a decade is well within reason here. Drink now-2021. 94 pts."
