Winery
of the Week:
Hunt Cellars - Paso Robles
David
Hunt, the owner and winemaker 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 2000 "Zinful Delight" 15/yr Zinfandel
Tawny Port
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2000
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 75-80
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, walnuts, butterscotch, and
chocolate rise up from a glass. The palate showcases flavors
of bramble fruit, dried apricot, walnuts, and dark chocolate.
A rich, lush port with layers of flavors, it is simply
brilliant. Only 89 cases were made.
Rating: 96 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2011 "CabOvation Grand Reserve" Cabernet
Sauvignon
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 70-75
Review:
Blackberries, cassis, and black cherries combine with
notes of sweet spice and toasty oak on the nose. Flavors
of bramble fruit, currant, and cherry meld with accents
of cedar, clove, and vanilla on the palate. With an inviting
overlay of flavors and plush tannins, beef tenderloin
would make a fine companion. 275 cases produced.
Rating: 94 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2011 "Red Velvet Grand Reserve" Blend
Winery:
Hunt Cellarse
Grape(s): Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 105-110
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, plums, and raspberries mingle with
suggestions of vanilla, earth, and mocha on the nose.
A sip reveals flavors of bright cherry and raspberry that
unfold into allusions of roast coffee, cocoa, and earth.
Silky with elegant tannins, it's a lovely red to sip on
its own. Only 50 cases produced.
Rating: 93 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2011 "Outlaw Ridge Reserve" Zinfandel
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, boysenberries, plums, and licorice
greets the senses. The palate delivers flavors of bramble
fruit, black plum, and currant that flow into whispers
of anise, cedar, and spice. Plush tannins and layered
flavors make this a ideal match for a well seasoned cut
of red meat. 100 cases were made.
Rating: 94 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2011 "Que Sirah Syrah" Blend
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Syrah & Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Aromas of raspberries, pomegranates, and bing cherries
interweave with nuances of vanilla, earth, and dark chocolate
on the nose. With a sip, flavors of cranberry, red plum,
and pomegranate open up into traces of vanilla, spice,
and earth on the palate. A blend with cocoa tannins and
lively fruit, enjoy a bottle with your favorite gourmet
pizza. Only 95 cases produced.
Rating: 94 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2011 "Maestro" Red Blend
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petitie Sirah
Region: Paso Robles, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Notes of strawberry, plum, and cherry play with elements
of honey, butterscotch, and creamy oak on the nose. Flavors
of raspberries, strawberries, and bing cherry emerge on
the palate, alongside highlights of toasty caramel, sweet
spice, and oak. A wine with opulent fruit and engaging
complexity, you just might want to entertain the back
label's suggestion and have it with your breakfast. 250
cases were made.
Rating: 92 |
See
more at: (click
here)
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
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