Winery
of the Week: Hunt Cellars - Paso Robles
By FBWorld Team
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 2009 "Rhapsody In Red" Blend
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
& Cabernet Franc
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: n/a
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, cherries, and cassis mingle
with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, and cedar on the
nose. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and currants
open up into suggestions of mocha, toasty oak, and vanilla
bean. Smooth, rich and layered, this is a excellent example
of a California Bordeaux-style blend.
Rating: 95 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2009 "Maestro"
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: n/a
Review:
Notes of blackberries, strawberries, and plums come together
with hints of honey, buttery oak, and clove on the nose.
The palate delivers flavors of cherry, strawberry, and
blackberry accented by suggestions of butterscotch, toasty
oak, and sweet spice. A smooth, velvety "Super-Tuscan"
type wine, fans of supple Italian reds ought to try this
bottle.
Rating: 92 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2009 "Rhapsody" Reserve
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Sangiovese
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: n/a
Review:
Aromatics of cherries and strawberries unfold into hints
of baking spice and sweet oak on the nose. Flavors of
bing cherry, strawberry, and cranberry meld with nuances
of toasty oak and caramel. It's bright, light, layered
red that will pair nicely with rich Italian fare.
Rating: 94 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2009 "Hilltop" Syrah
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: n/a
Review:
Aromas of blueberries, cherries, and plums are accented
by hints of all-spice, white pepper, and roast coffee
on the nose. With a sip, flavors of plum, pomegranate,
and blueberry emerge, flowing into nuances of dark chocolate,
campfire spice, and pepper. A rich, fairly robust wine
with impressive layers of flavor, it's likely to be one
of the best Syrahs you try this year.
Rating: 98 |
|
Hunt
Cellars 2008 "Irresistible" Old Vine Petite
Sirah
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2008
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: n/a
Review:
A bouquet of plums, bramble fruit, and blueberries unfold
into notes of anise, pie crust, and peppercorns. Flavors
of blackberry, plum, and blueberry come together with
accents of pepper, clove, and licorice. A rich, supple,
dark wine with great complexity, savory every sip it.
Rating: 95 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
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