2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Willow Creek Vineyard

Our Willow Creek Vineyard planted 27 years ago, surrounds Douglas Ayres' home at higher elevations in the westside mountains of Paso Robles. The PASO ROBLES WILLOW CREEK DISTRICT AVA (American Viticultural Area) gives us wines that have a true sense of place and are greatly influenced by elevation, proximity to the coast (13 miles), and calcareous limestone bedrock. Wines from the Willow Creek AVA show a lifted aromatic profile and a high-toned red fruit characteristic, along with bright juicy natural grape acidity that keeps these full bodied wines freshness and vibrancy. Aromas include black raspberry, blueberry, and a touch of green peppercorn. The first thing you will notice upon tasting this vintage is the bright, lively fresh and juicy mouthfeel. This is a direct result of the ancient seabed subsoils that comprise the Willow Creek AVA.  The 70% new French oak is nicely integrated and worn well by this prestigious wine, from what is rapidly becoming a critically acclaimed AVA. 

With opaque ruby-black depths, this wine opens with a complex nose of boysenberry, black plum, sandalwood and a hint of iron. On the palate, it is rich and velvety with juicy cranberry, anise, allspice, toasty oak, tobacco, forest floor, and a hint of black pepper. It is very well balanced with lush fruit, crisp acidity, elegant tannins, and well-integrated oak, with a long concentrated finish. Overall it has a vibrant joyful energy with intriguing complexity – a true crowd-pleaser. Savor this special wine now or age through 2030.