Winery
of the Week: Hoyt Family Vineyards - Paso Robles
100
pounds of Cabernet and a kitchen. That's how the Hoyt family
made its first wine. They've advanced well beyond that initial
venture and now offer an array of small-production wines, which
showcase Paso Robles and the surrounding areas impressive ability
to deliver world-class grapes.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Hoyt
2012 Tempanillo
Winery:
Hoyt Family
Grape(s): Tempanillo
Region: Paso Robles, California
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
Waves of red currants, raspberries, and cherries mingle
with notes of vanilla and clove on the nose. A nice fruit
core of blackberry, cherry, and currant play off of mineral,
sweet spice, and toasty vanilla elements on the palate.
This isn't a robust Tempanillo like you'd find from Spain,
but it's lush yet bright with nice flavors. Only 55 cases
were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Hoyt
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Hoyt Family
Grape(s): (not provided)
Region: Paso
Robles, California
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
A mix of currants and cherries interweave with traces
of dark chocolate and toasty oak on the nose. Balanced
tannins carry flavors of cassis, black cherry, and boysenberry
on the palate, along with expressions of chocolate, minerals,
and oak. Well-made with nice depth, the classic rib-eye
steak would be a fine pairing. Only 96 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
|
Hoyt
"Dylema" Red Blend
Winery:
Hoyt Family
Grape(s): (not provided)
Region: Paso
Robles, California
Year:
(not
provided)
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
The nose offers a wealth of cherries, plums, and blackberries.
Lots of dark red fruit returns on the palate, alongside
notes of anise. Supple and forward, it's quite approachable.
Rating: 88 |
|
Hoyt
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Hoyt Family
Grape(s): Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Paso
Robles, California
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
Blackberries and cassis come together with floral and
oaky traces on the nose. Cocoa tannins frame nice bramble
berry and currant notes with accents of floral earth,
barrel spice, and oak on the palate. It's holding up well
after six years and could even go for a few more. Drinks
nicely now, though. Lamb chops would pair well. 110 cases
produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Hoyt
2015 Chardonnay
Winery:
Hoyt Family
Grape(s): Chardonnay
Region: Malibu,
California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
One is greeted by pears and peaches and buttery, vanilla
notes on the nose. Peach and pear and maybe a hint of
tropical fruit comes up front on the palate before wandering
into the realm of toast, butter, and vanilla on the finish.
Friendly with a pleasant acidity, open a bottle with a
seafood risotto. 325 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
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
|