Wines
of the Week:
Paso Robles C.A.B Collective Blends & Varietals
We
continue our look (check out Part one here)
at the wines of the Paso Robles C.A.B Collective, a group of
wineries dedicated to showing off and promoting the best of
the area's Cabernet and the other red Bordeaux varieties. Whether
you're a fan of Cab based blends or prefer straight varietals,
there are plenty of delicious choices.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Pomar
Junction 2013 Merlot
Winery:
Pomar Junction
Grape(s): 100%
Merlot
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of black cherries, currants, and blackberries mingle
with suggestions of cedar and vanilla on the nose. A sip
reveals flavors of bramble fruit, black cherry, and currant
that come together with hints of vanilla and toasty oak.
Ample dark fruit and refined tannins make this wine a
good match for hamburgers fresh off the grill. 409 cases
were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
San
Antonio Winey 2010 "Cask 520" Red Wine
Winery:
San Antonio Winey
Grape(s): 51%
Cabernet, 21% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot, & 12% Malbec
Region: Paso
Robles , Ca
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Notes of cherries, blackberries, and plums combine with
hints of dark chocolate, earth, and vanilla on the nose.
Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and raspberry open
up into nuances of vanilla bean, anise, and toasty oak
on the palate. An elegant wine with silky tannins, sip
it on its own or enjoy a glass with a wild mushroom risotto.
Rating: 91 |
|
Opaque
2010 Petit Verdot
Winery:
Opaque
Grape(s): 100%
Petit Verdot
Region: Paso
Robles , Ca
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of dried cherries, plums, cocoa, and leather
rise up from a glass. The palate showcases flavors of
black cherry, red plum, and cassis that combine with dark
chocolate, dusty earth, and clove accents. With satiny
tannins and welcoming fruit, one could enjoy a glass with
a tender lamb shank.
Rating: 90 |
|
Vina
Robles 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Vina Robles
Grape(s): 80%
Cabernet Sauvignon & 20% Petite Verdot
Region: Paso Robles
, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of black cherries, blackberries, and cassis
meld with hints of dark chocolate, cedar, and clove on
the nose. A sip delivers flavors of bramble fruit, currant,
and dark cherry that flow into suggestions of sweet spice,
toasty oak, and cocoa. Polished tannins combine with lush
fruit for a very approachable Cab that's a fine value
at about $25 a bottle. 13,682 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Vina
Robles 2012 "Suendero" Blend
Winery:
Vina Robles
Grape(s): 79%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petite Verdot, 4% Malbec
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
On the nose, currants, plums, and black cherries fuse
with elements of clove, anise, and dark chocolate. Plum,
cherry, and cassis flavors emerge on the palate, along
with allusions of anise, sweet spice, and cocoa. Plentiful
tannins and bold fruit make this a fine pairing for a
beef stew. 627 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Calcareous
2012 "Lloyd" Blend
Winery:
Calcareous
Grape(s): 27%
Merlot, 24% Cab Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec,
& 14% Petite Verdot
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
Blackberries, plums, and cherries coalesce with undertones
of chocolate and cedar on the nose. With a sip, flavors
of cassis, bramble fruit, and plum come forth alongside
traces of dark chocolate, oak, and clove on the palate.
Rich dark fruit combines with velvety tannins, making
this an enticing Bordeaux-style blend.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sextant
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sextant
Grape(s): 75%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2%
Malbec, & 1% Petite Verdot
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of currants, blackberries, oak, and sweet spice
greets the senses. The palate offers flavors of cassis,
blackberry, and dark cherry that unfold into whispers
of toasty oak and clove. With ample black fruit and cocoa
tannins, this wine will match up well with a juicy rib-eye
steak.
Rating: 88 |
|
Sextant
2013 "Kamal" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sextant
Grape(s): 75%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 7% Merlot, 5% Petite Verdot,
& 2% Cabernet Franc
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of black cherries, sweet plums, and blackberries
meld with traces of cocoa, smoky oak, and minerals on
the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cherry and bramble
fruit that unite with elements of dark chocolate, vanilla,
and dusty earth. Sweet fruit integrates nicely with chalky
highlights. Open a bottle next time you enjoy beef brisket.
Rating: 90 |
|
The
Farm Winery 2012 "LFP" Blend
Winery:
The Farm Winery 2012 "LFP" Blend
Grape(s): 88%
Cabernet Sauvignon & 12% Petit Verdot
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 60-65
Review:
Fragrances of currants, blackberries, sweet spice, and
vanilla toast rise up from a glass. Flavors of cassis,
blackberry, and dark cherry intermingle with nuances of
clove, toasty oak, and anise on the palate. Lush fruit
and nicely integrated tannins endear this wine to lamb
chops. 118 cases produced.
Rating: 92 |
|
Ancient
Peak 2012 "Oyster Ridge" Blend
Winery:
Ancient Peak
Grape(s): 68%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot,
& 2% Malbec
Region: Paso Robles , Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Notes of blueberries, cherries, and blackberries come
together with suggestions of smoky oak and earth on the
nose. Flavors of dried cherry, bramble fruit, and currant
unfurl on the palate, alongside whispers of minerals,
herbs, and cigar box. A robustly flavored wine with cocoa
tannins, match it up with a beef chili. 866 cases were
made.
Rating: 88+ |
Other
Related Links:
Wines
of the Week: Paso Robles C.A.B Collective Cabernets
By
Jason Barlow
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
|