Paso
CABs of Distinction Part 2
By FBWorld Team
We
continue our look (check out Part 1 here) at the wines
of the Paso Robles CAB Collective, dedicated
to promoting the best of the area's Bordeaux. Some of the finest
wines they have to offer will be avaliable for tasting on Saturday,
April 27th at the prestigious Windfall Farms.
Our
tasting panel sampled some of the wines that will be poured
at the event and there was no shortage of quality.
Here
is what our tasting panel thought of a few current releases:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Sextant
2008 Kamal Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sextant
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2008
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, cherries, and plums meld with
notes of dried figs and vanilla on the nose. Flavors of
cherry, cassis, and blackberry combine with highlights
of anise, earth, and spice on the palate. A lush, layered
red with plush tannins, Cabernet lovers will really enjoy
this bottle.
Rating: 92 |
|
Sextant
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sextant
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of black cherries, currants, and blackberries
mingle with suggestions of sweet spice and dusty earth
on the nose. Flavors of cassis and bramble fruit emerge
on the palate along with accents of smokey oak, nutmeg,
and minerals. A rich wine, with supple tannins and a dry
finish, it's a fine example of a Paso Robles Cabernet.
Rating: 89 |
|
J.
Lohr 2010 "Hilltop" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
J. Lohr
Grape(s): 99% Cabernet Sauvignon &
1% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, chocolate, and
sweet spice greets the senses. A sip delivers flavors
of blackberry, boysenberry, and black cherry along with
accents of clove, dark chocolate, and oak. Rich, dark
fruit and fine framing tannins make this a very approachable
wine.
Rating: 89 |
|
J.
Lohr 2009 "POM" Cuvee
Winery:
J. Lohr
Grape(s): 59% Merlot, 26% Petit Verdot,
and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of cherries, blackberries, and plums meld with
nuances of caramel and sweet spice on the nose. The palate
offers flavors of blackberry and plums with accents of
toasted vanilla and nutmeg. A lush, layered wine with
plush tannins, fans of fruit-driven red blend will enjoy
this bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Jada
2010 "Passing By" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Jada
Grape(s): 78% Cabernet Sauvignon &
22% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 45-50
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries and currants mingle with notes
of toasty oak and cocoa on the nose. Flavors of bramble
fruit and cassis come together with suggestions of earth,
cedar, and sweet spice on the palate. A rich wine that
fans of fruit-driven reds with dusty highlights will enjoy.
339 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Daou
2010 "Soul of a Lion" Blend
Winery:
Daou
Grape(s): 74% Cabernet, 12% Cabernet
Franc, 8% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 95-100
Review:
Aromas of plums and cherries meld with dark chocolate
and floral notes on the nose. The palate reveals flavors
of cherry, blackberry, and plum that mingle with suggestions
of vanilla, all-spice, and cedar. An elegant, layered
wine, fans of smooth yet sophisticated reds will enjoy
this bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Daou
2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Daou
Grape(s): 77% Cabernet, 12% Cabernet
Franc, 7% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 55-60
Review:
Aromas of blackberries and currants meld with suggestions
of mocha, all-spice, and violets on the nose. A sip reveals
flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, and cherry accented
by notes of dark chocolate, oak, and sweet spice. A rich,
nicely structured red with layers of complexity, it's
a fine example of how good Paso Cab can be. Enjoy now
if you like more body. Lay it down for a few years if
you're after more mellow.
Rating: 91 |
|
Hammer
Sky 2009 "Red Handed" Blend
Winery:
Hammer Sky
Grape(s): 66% Merlot, 17% Cabernet, and
17% Petit Verdot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-45
Review:
A bouquet of black cherries, plums, pepper, and all-spice
rises up from a glass. Flavors of cherry and plum come
together with notes of vanilla and sweet spice on the
palate. A fruit driven wine with rich tannins, enjoy a
bottle now with food or give it a year in the cellar.
294 cases made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Hammer
Sky 2009 "Party of Four" Blend
Winery:
Hammer Sky
Grape(s): 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet, 10%
Petit Verdot, & 10% Cabernet Franc
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 60-65
Review:
Aromatics of black cherries, bramble fruit, and cassis
mingle with suggestions of vanilla and toasty oak on the
nose. A sip delivers flavors of cherry and currant accented
by notes of sweet spice, anise, and dusty earth. A smooth,
elegant blend, fans of easygoing reds will enjoy this
bottle. 247 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Vina
Robles 2009 "Suendero" Blend
Winery:
Vina Robles
Grape(s): 95% Cabernet Sauvignon &
5% Petit Verdot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-45
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, dark chocolate,
and earth rises up from a glass. The palate offers notes
of blackberry and cassis that meld with suggestions of
minerals, anise, and oak. A dark, dry wine with a dusty
structure, enjoy it with your favorite cut of red meat.
Rating: 88 |
|
Justin
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Justin
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromas of currant, blackberry, and cherry meld with notes
of spice, smoky oak, and game on the nose. Flavors of
currants, bing cherry, and boysenberry are accented by
suggestions of oak, leather, and vanilla on the palate.
A smooth wine with mellow tannins, fans of Cabs with a
softer character will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 88 |
By
FBWorld Team
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
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