Our
Favorite (Under the Radar) Wineries & Winemakers
- Part 1 - Hunt Cellars
By FBWorld Team
When
you taste a lot of wine, one question people ask regularly
is "can you recommend some great wineries?" More often
than not, this means someone is looking for a "hidden gem",
a spot that flies a bit under the radar even though they make
excellent wine. Well, over the next six weeks, we'll be answering
that question as we highlight some of our tasting panel's favorite
wineries and winemakers (that most people have never hear about).
Winemaker
David Hunt.
The first winery on our list takes us to Paso Robles. There
owner and winemaker David Hunt oversees the operation of Hunt
Cellars. David is blind, but that hasn't held him back. He says
that blindness makes his palate and nose extra-sensitive. Maybe
that's why his wines are so good. Just try a bottle for yourself
and you'll see what we mean.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Hunt
Cellars 2009 Cab-ovation
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 70-75
Review:
Aromatics of cassis and blackberries mingle with suggestions
of chocolate, toasty oak, and coffee on the nose. Flavors
of currant, blackberry, and black cherry unfold into notes
of sweet spice, oak, and vanilla on the palate. Elegant,
yet rich, with plush tannins, this Cab offers layers of
flavor now but will only get better with aging. Savor
this one.
Rating: 96 |
 |
Hunt
Cellars 2009 Bon Vivant Cabernet
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of cherries, plum, and red currants are accented
by hints of cedar and caramel on the nose. The palate
reveals flavors of cherry and currants accented by suggestions
of toasty oak, vanilla, and all-spice. Smooth and lush,
with wonderfully integrated tannins, fans of supple, layered
reds will enjoy this wine very much.
Rating: 95 |
 |
Hunt
Cellars 2008 Zin-Ovation
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2008
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 60-65
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, black cherries,
and mocha greets the senses. Rich flavors of blackberry,
cherry, and boysenberry are accented by suggestions of
french roast coffee, pepper, and anise on the palate.
Excellent structure for a Zin, along with wonderfully
balanced flavors, makes this a wine to savor.
Rating: 95 |
 |
Hunt
Cellars 2008 Rhapsody In Red
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
& Cabernet Franc
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2008
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 70-75
Review:
Notes of blackberries, currants, and black cherries meld
with suggestions of mocha and cedar on the nose. A sip
delivers flavors of cassis, bramble fruit, and cherry
rounded out by accents of coffee, toasty oak, and dark-chocolate.
Smooth, balanced and layered, this is a lovely California
take on a Bordeaux blend.
Rating: 94 |
By
Jason Barlow
| 96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
| 92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
| 85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|
