Villa Creek Cellars 'Rocks & Flowers' 2023 750ml

Product Info

95pts Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 40% Grenache, 36% Carignan, 16% Syrah, and 8% Mourvèdre, the 2023 Rocks and Flowers reveals red and black raspberries, Provençal garrigue, sandalwood, and peppery aromatics. Aged 18 months in French oak (15% new), it's ultra-pure and finesse-driven on the palate, with medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. This beautifully done wine is well worth seeking out. Drink 2025-2035.

94pts Vinous Media
The perfumed 2023 Rocks & Flowers wafts from the glass with lifted notes of violet pastille, crushed stone and citrus-laced blackberries. Juicy to the core, it sweeps across the palate with crisp wild berry fruit as nuances of baking spice mingle with crunchy tannins. A bump of residual acidity adds freshness through the close, while the 2023 leaves a tinge of balsam herbs to linger. Rocks & Flowers is a mix of 40% Grenache fermented with Mourvèdre, along with 36% Carignan and 16% Syrah.

Terroir & Vineyard
This Rhône-style red blend comes from Villa Creek Cellars, situated in the western hills of the Paso Robles AVA on California’s Central Coast. The estate farms under organic and biodynamic principles on the MAHA estate and sources select sites across the region. The name “Rocks & Flowers” evokes the interplay of stony soils (rocks) and fragrant varietals (flowers) that define the wine’s character.

Winemaking
For the 2023 vintage, the blend is 40% Grenache, 36% Carignan 16% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre. Fermentation uses native yeasts, with the lots held in a mix of concrete and stainless steel, then aged in 225- and 500-liter barrels (about 10% new oak) to preserve freshness and varietal expression. The result is a wine that balances fruit richness with site-driven minerality and structure.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep ruby-magenta hue, vibrant and indicative of youthful extraction.
• Nose: Intense aromatics of wild strawberries, raspberries, dark cherry, floral violet lift, hints of thyme and star anise spice. From the producer’s own notes: “Grenache-driven bouquet with wild strawberries, sweet florals and spice.”
• Palate: Medium-to-full body. The fruit core brings red and black berry intensity—raspberry tart, boysenberry jam—while a lively acid line adds animation. Beneath the fruit, savoury notes of graphite/mineral, dried herbs and subtle pepper spice emerge. The finish is long, with gentle tannins and a clean, fresh aftertaste calling “one more sip.”
• Structure & Ageing: Although approachable now, this wine has enough backbone (from acid, tannin and site) to provide 5-8 years of enjoyable cellaring, perhaps more under ideal conditions.

Food Pairing & Serving Suggestions

• Serving temperature: 16-18 °C (60-64 °F). If served in the near term, decanting for ~30 minutes helps open up the aromatics and soften tannins.
• Pairings:
• Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic, or herb-crusted pork tenderloin.
• Rich pasta dishes with tomato and roasted pepper sauces, or mushroom ragù.
• Hard or semi-hard cheeses (aged Manchego, aged Gouda) that match the wine’s fruit and mineral profile.
• For vegetarian fare: char-grilled portobello mushrooms, roasted root vegetable medley with herbs, or ratatouille with thyme and olive oil.