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Winery of the Week: Hunt Cellars - Paso Robles

Experience taught David Hunt that in order to make great wine, you must simply have the best fruit. Thus, after looking at numerous parcels of land, he finally settled on a uniquely beautiful property, containing over 550 acres in Paso Robles, because he knew it would produce the world-class fruit needed to craft truly special wines. He's what our tasting panel thought about some of his latest releases:

Click on labels to enlarge

Hunt Cellars 2013 "Unforgettable" Merlot
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Grape(s):
Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, California
Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
40-45

Review:
Lush aromas of black cherries, blackberries, and plums combine with expressions of clove, toasty vanilla, and dark chocolate on the nose. The palate showcases flavors of cherry, blackberry, and plum alongside accents of clove, cedar, and mocha. Plush tannins frame the wine nicely, carrying inviting layers through to a long, dry finish.
Rating: 93

Hunt Cellars 2014 "Rhapsody in Red" Blend
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Grape(s):
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, & Malbec
Region: Paso Robles, California

Year:
2014

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
70-75

Review:
Aromatics of red plums, red cherries, and blueberries interweave among nuances of rose petal, cedar, and vanilla on the nose. With a sip, flavors of cherry, blueberry, and plum emerge, flowing into floral, oaky, and mocha like notes. Well structured and layered, it will pair nicely with prime rib.
Rating: 94

Hunt Cellars 2014 "Starving Artist" Barbera
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Grape(s):
Barbera
Region: Paso Robles, California

Year: 2014

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
55-60

Review:
A bouquet of strawberries, raspberries, fresh herbs, and toasty vanilla rises up from a glass. Lively fruit red comes up front, with strawberry, raspberry, and pomegranate leading the way, complimented by allusions of toasty butterscotch and wild herbs. Rather elegant, but still processing good structure and a balanced acidity, open a bottle when you serve veal or chicken parmigiana.
Rating: 92

Hunt Cellars 2014 "Rocket Man" Zinfandel
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Grape(s):
Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles, California

Year: 2014

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
65-70

Review:
The nose weaves together aromas of plums, blackberries, and dark cherries with suggestions of coffee, clove, and toasty oak. Quite supple, flavors of blackberry, dark plum, and cassis mingle among expressions of licorice, mocha, and toasty brown spice on the palate. Dark, smooth, and concentrated, it will match up well with BBQ ribs.
Rating: 92

Hunt Cellars 2014 "Cloud 9" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Grape(s):
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles, California

Year: 2014

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
70-75

Review:
Inviting fragrances of black cherries, cassis, and blackberries play among suggestions of herbs, cocoa, toasty oak. With a sip, flavors of blackberry, cherry, and currant come together among nuances of fresh herbs, toasty brown spice, and dark chocolate. Focused, complex, and dry, fans of a Bordeaux style will find a lot to like here.
Rating: 94

Hunt Cellars 2016 "Moonlight Sonata" Chardonnay
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Grape(s):
Chardonnay
Region: Paso Robles, California

Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
40-45

Review:
Peach, apricot, and guava aromas intermingle with notes of toasty oak, vanilla, and lemon peal on the nose. A sip unfurls flavors of apricots, mangoes, and guavas that coalesce with elements of lemon custard, butterscotch, and barrel spice. Rich but lifted by a fresh acidity, fans of balanced Chardonnay (not butter bombs) should seek this out.
Rating: 92

By Jason Barlow

Other Related Links:

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

*Wines rated with a "+" need a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years

 

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