Winery
of the Week:
Hunt Cellars - Paso Robles
David
Hunt, the owner and winemaker of Hunt Cellars,
is blind, but he still plays the piano and names most of his
wines after musical terms. David says that his blindness makes
his palate and nose extra-sensitive. Maybe that's why he makes
such special wines.
Here's
what our panel thought about a handful of his recent releases.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Hunt
Cellars 2010 "Encore" Blend
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Cabernet Franc & Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, plums, and cherries come together
with hints of toasty vanilla and dark chocolate on the
nose. With a sip flavors of cherry, plum, and bramble
fruit wrap around notes of creamy oak, mocha, and spice.
A very smooth, layered wine with plush tannins, enjoy
a bottle with special friends.
Rating: 95 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2010 "Outlaw Ridge" Zinfandel
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, plums, and blueberries mingle
with notes of anise, pepper, and sweet spice on the nose.
The palate reveals flavors of bramble fruit and blueberry
accented by suggestions of licorice, cedar, and peppercorns.
A rich, flavorful Zin with supple tannins, enjoy a bottle
with your favorite BBQ.
Rating: 94 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2010 "Rhapsody" Sangiovese
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Sangiovese
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Notes of cranberries and bing cherries blend with undertones
of butterscotch and smoky oak on the nose. Cranberry,
raspberry, and cherry flavors open-up into traces of honey,
spice, and toasty oak on the palate. Bright, yet smooth,
with a balanced acidity, it will stand-up to any of its
Italian counterparts.
Rating: 93 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2010 Barbera
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Barbera
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Fragrances of cherries, strawberries, and pomegranates
combine with hints of vanilla on the nose. Flavors of
black cherry, plum, and pomegranate are accented by nuances
of sweet spice on the palate. Quite supple and silky for
the variety, this is likely to be one of the best Barberas
from California you taste.
Rating: 93 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2010 "Red Velvet" Blend
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Aromas of currants, cherries, and plums mingle with notes
of toasty oak and mocha on the nose. Black cherry, plum,
and cassis interweave with espresso and smoky oak on the
palate. A plush, layered wine with a robust highlight
of oak, enjoy a bottle with food now, or preferably, let
it develop in the cellar.
Rating: 93+*
*Wines
rated with a "+"
have not yet reached their peak quality but will do so
over the next few years |
Click
here for more Hunt Cellars Reviews
Click
Here for Hunter Cellars Winter 2013 Reviews
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|