Wines
of the Week:
Paso Robles C.A.B Collective Cabernets
Paso
Robles is slowly gaining recognition as a premier
growing region, and the wineries of the C.A.B Collective
(the acronym standing for Cabernet And other Bordeaux) are out
to showcase the quality of the area's Bordeaux varieties. Our
tasting panel had the privilege of sampling several Cabernets
from member wineries, and there was no shortage of top notch
wines.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Eberle
2009 Reseve Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Eberle
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 70-75
Review:
A bouquet of blueberries, cherries, vanilla, and smokey
oak rises up from a glass. The palate showcases flavors
of plum, cherry, and blackberrythat open up into nuances
of smokey oak, dark chocolate, and vanilla. A silky wine
with polished tannins, it would pair nicely with beef
tenderloin. 547 cases produced.
Rating: 92 |
|
Ancient
Peaks 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Ancient Peaks
Grape(s): 94%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, & 1% Cabernet Franc
Region: Paso
Robles , Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, currants, and black cherries combine
with notes of toasty oak and clove on the nose. A sip
delivers flavors of bramble fruit, black currant, and
dark cherry that come together with whispers of herbs,
sweet spice, and oak on the palate. Rich black fruit and
welcoming tannins make this wine a fine match for lamb
chops. 8,245 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
The
Farm Winery 2012 "Cardinal" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
The Farm Winery
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso
Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 85-90
Review:
Blackberries, cassis, and black cherries meld with allusions
of clove and dusty earth on the nose. The palate offers
flavors of currant, bramble fruit, and dark cherry, as
well as hints of chalky earth and creamy oak. Welcoming
dark fruit and velvety tannins, endear this wine to a
juicy rib-eye steak. 270 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
|
The
Farm Winery 2011 "LPF" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
The Farm Winery
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
The wine offers a pretty nose of cassis, black cherry,
and forest floor. A sip reveals flavors of black cherries,
currants, and plums that flow into elements of earth,
soy sauce, and spice. With polished tannins and elegant
fruit, match up this wine with a homemade meat loaf. 135
cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Pomar
Junction 2012 "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Pomar Junction
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
Fragrances of blackberry jam, plum, cassis, and toasty
oak greet the senses. On the palate, flavors of dark plums,
blackberries, and cassis unfold into notes of minerals
and oak. A smooth, fruit-driven Cab with soft tannins,
one could pair a glass with roast chicken. 141 cases were
made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sextant
2013 "El Pomar" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sextant
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 120-125
Review:
Aromatics of currants, blackberries, and blueberries play
with accents of toasty oak and licorice on the nose. A
sip delivers flavors of cassis, bramble fruit, and blueberry
that interweave with mineral, oak, and anise elements.
With refined tannins and concentrated fruit, it's a Cab
to be savored. Just 53 cases produced.
Rating: 93 |
|
San
Simeon 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
San Simeon
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
On the nose, blackberries, currants, and cherries play
with suggestions of smoky oak and sweet spice. Flavors
of cassis, blackberry, and dark cherry unfurl into indications
of clove, mocha, and smoky oak on the palate. Chewy tannins
that provide nice structure and layers of dark fruit help
to make this a fine Cab - and a very good value.
Rating: 90 |
|
Calcareous
2012 "Signature" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Calcareous
Grape(s): 91%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, & 3% Cabernet Franc
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 95-100
Review:
A bouquet of cassis, blackberries, chocolate, and sweet
spice rises up from a glass. Black currants, dark plum,
and blackberry flavors coalesce with expressions of oak,
clove, and mocha on the palate. A mouth-filling wine with
luscious black fruit, open a bottle with a New York Steak
now or let it age in your cellar for 3-5 years. 180 cases
were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Calcareous
2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Calcareous
Grape(s): 93%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, & 3% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Cassis, blackberry, and plum aromas interweave with clove,
olive, and earth on the nose. The palate reveals flavors
of bramble fruits, plums, and currants that flow into
expressions of all-spice, earth, and cocoa. Offering dusty
tannins and rich dark fruit, one could pair this up with
portobello mushroom burgers. 810 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Eberle
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Eberle
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromatics of black cherry, cassis, and blackberry play
with allusions of vanilla and bell pepper on the nose.
On the palate, black cherries, plums, and currants unite
with traces of fresh herbs, dusty earth, and vanilla.
Opulent fruit is balanced by slightly chewy tannins. Match
up a bottle with a roasted lamb shank. 2,950 cases were
made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Eberle
2013 ”VS" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Eberle
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromas of black cherries, currants, and blackberries mingle
with toasty oak and clove on the nose. With a sip, flavors
of cassis, dark cherry, and blackberry emerge alongside
traces of smoky oak, vanilla, and minerals on the palate.
Hits the right notes, with friendly black fruit and cocoa
tannins, making it a fine value. 7,323 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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