All the way back on 09/01 I received an email delightfully telling me to expect a package the next day. When it arrived, with haste I opened it and found a bottle of 2017 Villa San-Juliette Chorum, a wine that I had never tried or even heard of. From the email, I also learned that this wine would be offered on 09/15. Thank you to the staff for this much advanced notice. If you believe in bottle shock, then this wine will have settled down well before I would open it, which I did on 09/12.
Without knowing the blend, +1 and I set out to do our tasting. Upon PnP, and using a blank sheet of white paper, we found the wine to be cranberry in color, light around the edges with a dark center. Using the “aroma wheel,” we found there to be scents of wood, although it was not readily apparent as being oak. The aromas were not muted, as sometimes occurs. Obvious scents of cherry and strawberry filled the glass. We agreed that the tasting profile included red fruits, but not black fruits, with no tartness. The tannins were dry. There was not an acidic finish with the swallow. In all, this was tasty and smooth. For dinner, we had already planned on having BBQ ribs, along with poblano mac and cheese. Both paired well with this wine.
Two hours later, we revisited this wine and found that nothing had really changed. It might have gotten a little smoother. I raided the fridge to see how other items might pair with this wine. Three cheeses (manchego, asiago and blue) all went well with this wine. I found some Mexican salsa and chips were a good match. A dish of zucchini and tomatoes was also a good pairing. So, it was obvious that a lot of food types would go with this wine. As an aside, dark chocolate did not go well with it.
At this point we found the blend, which is listed on the bottle, and realized that with this many varieties, nine, was why we had a little difficulty pinpointing the full flavor profile. Based on today’s offer of $15/bottle, we think that this is a fair price for this wine. It is tasty and versatile. The bottom line is, Could we find a $15 bottle of wine at the local grocer that would be better than this? Probably not.
@jmdavidson1 Realizing the blend is hardly the same…Prisoner-ish? Maybe, maybe not? Asking that not having a glass of The Prisoner for quite some time.
By Josh Raynolds
Paso Robles 2018 & 2017: Grace and Power (Dec 2020), 12/1/2020, 89 points
(Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery Chorum Reserve Central Coast Red) Saturated garnet. Cherry, dark berries, licorice and cola on the nose and palate. Lush and open-knit, showing good depth and building spiciness. Soft tannins frame a nicely persistent finish that leaves a suggestion of bitter chocolate behind. (Drink between 2020-2025)
92 Points. This blend of nine varieties, led by Petite Sirah and Grenache, is compellingly complex, starting with aromas of Luxardo cherry, black olive, charcoal and lavender on the nose. There is ample firmness to the palate, which unleashes waves of strawberry, cherry and tomato alongside pinches of thyme, oregano and marjoram. MK 7/1/21
@winecaseaholic
After studying these items in the write up. just ordered a case if it’s good, I’ll be wishing I got a case instead of 4 bottles, if I’m wrong, I have an interesting blend to take to some BBQ parties…
Was impressed with the fact the winery had 40% new oak barrels and 32 months in barrels… at the cost of new oak, that’s a lot of $$ and time they’ve invested, so they knew what the outcome was going to be worthwhile. Plus, the write up stated “EVERY year this wine showcases the intensity” along with the 1910 cases produced told me it wasn’t a one time deal of emptying the carts in one big vat, as they were finishing the harvest.
I don’t know if we’ll get winemaker comments, but I am just really curious about adding the numerous small %ages of so many varietals. Last I saw the “poll” of how many is too many was primarily 5-7 as the extreme.
I understand the classic technique of adding a small % of something, like viognier to a red wine. But that’s usually one thing at 2-3%. This has a lot of 2-3%. it might have achieved what was desired which sounds like an overall pleasant but somewhat confusing blend of flavors.
Or the other thought is that “what are we going to do with this stuff in the warehouse?” – I know, let’s put it in the big tank over there and hope for the best. And sometimes that can actually work really well, so I don’t want to judge it even IF that is what happened.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Villa San-Juliette Chorum Red Blend - $30 = 16.65%
The 2017 Chorum Red is lush with vibrant aromatics and flavors that combine in a sumptuous medley. Black tea and spiced raspberry aromas mingle with jam and cocoa dust. Rich on the palate, this wine bursts with evolving flavors of cracked black pepper, fresh leather, and wild berry. A blend of new American and French oak barrel aging helped soften the tannins, which are long, silky, and anchored by a lively acidity.
An unconventional blend of nine distinct varieties, the 2017 Chorum Red Reserve is a refreshing break from winemaking tradition. Every year this wine showcases the intensity, the elegance, and the gusto from our vineyard. By combining the dark, juicy Rhone varieties with the red fruit, tannin-driven Bordeaux varieties, this wine offers nuances that both layer and harmonize.
Perfect for the everyday sipper or pair with juicy grilled meats and vegetables.
Nestled against the Cholame Hills in the Paso Robles Estrella District, our focus is on growing and producing balanced wines that highlight the intrinsic characteristics of our 130-acre estate vineyard.
Our award-winning Bordeaux and Rhone-style wines are crafted in many approachable styles that aim to delight the palate of every guest. We invite you to escape the ordinary and immerse your senses in the sights, smells, tastes, and feels of Villa San-Juliette.
In 2005, proprietors Ken & Julie Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe began the pursuit of turning their long-held dream of owning a vineyard into a reality. Once childhood friends in the backstreets of Liverpool, the Emmy-winning pair would grow up to produce the primetime hit, American Idol.
It was during their time on Idol, traveling between audition cities, that they first discovered Paso Robles, a wine region still under the radar. Not long after consulting with their families, Ken and Nigel purchased and began redevelopment of an old-vine property located at the northern edge of the Paso Robles AVA. Over ten years later, Villa San-Juliette has emerged as a premier wine destination on the Central Coast.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI
All the way back on 09/01 I received an email delightfully telling me to expect a package the next day. When it arrived, with haste I opened it and found a bottle of 2017 Villa San-Juliette Chorum, a wine that I had never tried or even heard of. From the email, I also learned that this wine would be offered on 09/15. Thank you to the staff for this much advanced notice. If you believe in bottle shock, then this wine will have settled down well before I would open it, which I did on 09/12.
Without knowing the blend, +1 and I set out to do our tasting. Upon PnP, and using a blank sheet of white paper, we found the wine to be cranberry in color, light around the edges with a dark center. Using the “aroma wheel,” we found there to be scents of wood, although it was not readily apparent as being oak. The aromas were not muted, as sometimes occurs. Obvious scents of cherry and strawberry filled the glass. We agreed that the tasting profile included red fruits, but not black fruits, with no tartness. The tannins were dry. There was not an acidic finish with the swallow. In all, this was tasty and smooth. For dinner, we had already planned on having BBQ ribs, along with poblano mac and cheese. Both paired well with this wine.
Two hours later, we revisited this wine and found that nothing had really changed. It might have gotten a little smoother. I raided the fridge to see how other items might pair with this wine. Three cheeses (manchego, asiago and blue) all went well with this wine. I found some Mexican salsa and chips were a good match. A dish of zucchini and tomatoes was also a good pairing. So, it was obvious that a lot of food types would go with this wine. As an aside, dark chocolate did not go well with it.
At this point we found the blend, which is listed on the bottle, and realized that with this many varieties, nine, was why we had a little difficulty pinpointing the full flavor profile. Based on today’s offer of $15/bottle, we think that this is a fair price for this wine. It is tasty and versatile. The bottom line is, Could we find a $15 bottle of wine at the local grocer that would be better than this? Probably not.
@jmdavidson1 Thank you for the rattage. I was super curious about this wine due to the 9 varietal blend.
Thank you for the rattage. Bought 4 just to check out the farrago.
@jmdavidson1 Realizing the blend is hardly the same…Prisoner-ish? Maybe, maybe not? Asking that not having a glass of The Prisoner for quite some time.
@kaolis Neither have I, so unfortunately, no comment.
@jmdavidson1 Chicken…ha! That’s a joke sir
@jmdavidson1
Good to read you! Hope all is well.
@jmdavidson1 A well done report, in that it leaves me with no questions to ask to clarify something you said, or failed to say.
I particularly like your raiding of the fridge to try a bunch of pairings.
Also from Vinous:
By Josh Raynolds
Paso Robles 2018 & 2017: Grace and Power (Dec 2020), 12/1/2020, 89 points
(Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery Chorum Reserve Central Coast Red) Saturated garnet. Cherry, dark berries, licorice and cola on the nose and palate. Lush and open-knit, showing good depth and building spiciness. Soft tannins frame a nicely persistent finish that leaves a suggestion of bitter chocolate behind. (Drink between 2020-2025)
The WE review:
92 Points. This blend of nine varieties, led by Petite Sirah and Grenache, is compellingly complex, starting with aromas of Luxardo cherry, black olive, charcoal and lavender on the nose. There is ample firmness to the palate, which unleashes waves of strawberry, cherry and tomato alongside pinches of thyme, oregano and marjoram. MK 7/1/21
fwiw
So, it’s a Cab Sav…?
All kidding aside, might have to get a 4 pack, just to see if they are on to something…
@winecaseaholic
After studying these items in the write up. just ordered a case if it’s good, I’ll be wishing I got a case instead of 4 bottles, if I’m wrong, I have an interesting blend to take to some BBQ parties…
Was impressed with the fact the winery had 40% new oak barrels and 32 months in barrels… at the cost of new oak, that’s a lot of $$ and time they’ve invested, so they knew what the outcome was going to be worthwhile. Plus, the write up stated “EVERY year this wine showcases the intensity” along with the 1910 cases produced told me it wasn’t a one time deal of emptying the carts in one big vat, as they were finishing the harvest.
We shall see…
I don’t know if we’ll get winemaker comments, but I am just really curious about adding the numerous small %ages of so many varietals. Last I saw the “poll” of how many is too many was primarily 5-7 as the extreme.
I understand the classic technique of adding a small % of something, like viognier to a red wine. But that’s usually one thing at 2-3%. This has a lot of 2-3%. it might have achieved what was desired which sounds like an overall pleasant but somewhat confusing blend of flavors.
Or the other thought is that “what are we going to do with this stuff in the warehouse?” – I know, let’s put it in the big tank over there and hope for the best. And sometimes that can actually work really well, so I don’t want to judge it even IF that is what happened.
@pmarin
I think Field Blend would have been more apropos than Chorum but I guess they wanted a musical reference.
Yup my thoughts exactly, a tank full of leftover s, I’ll be passing on this one.@pmarin
Villa San-Juliette Chorum Red Blend
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $149.99 $12.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2017 Villa San-Juliette Chorum Red Blend
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Villa San-Juliette Chorum Red Blend - $30 = 16.65%
It sounds kinda yummy. Are we expecting any rats to chime in?
@karenhynes I think you cross-posted?
@karenhynes ps I agree it does sound nice. I may need to get a 4-pack.
@karenhynes
/giphy F5
@karenhynes I know I haven’t posted anything in a while. Alas, how quickly one is forgotten.
@jmdavidson1 @karenhynes
Who are you? You were here before?? Good to hear from you JM hope all is well!
/giphy secretive-eccentric-hand
/giphy partial-nominated-boron
Rolling the bones.
@jrbw3 I like “American Idol” and I like this label, so that’s something.
2017 Villa San-Juliette Chorum Red Blend, Paso Robles
Gold ~ 2020 Central Coast Wine Competition
92 Points ~ Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$360/Case at Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery for 12x 2017 Villa San-Juliette Chorum Red Blend, Paso Robles
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Oct 7 - Monday, Oct 11
@Winedavid49 How accurate are the shipping dates?The week before no one is home and UPS, out here, is non existent for holding packages.
@danandlisa
“UPS, out here, is non existent for holding packages” A small price to pay to live in your area
@ScottW58 It is. The beach walk this morning was just glorious. Just us, the dogs, and the pelicans.
@danandlisa grrrrr
@ScottW58 The rain is coming on Friday, thankfully.
@danandlisa
Livin the dream!
/giphy ill-hot-shelf
/giphy cramped-useful-feast
I got my 4 bottles today. We like it. I had to try this unusual blend.