Continuation of HotCosts tasting notes from the Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour. Happy Birthday to all born on Leap Year!
L’Aventure– Winemaker Stephan Asseo left St-Emillon and his Bordeaux winemaking to move to Paso Robles? Turns out to have been a great decision as his Cabs have been described by Robert Parker as “The single best Paso Robles Cabernet and competes with the very best Napa Valley Cabernet.” I was told that Stephan does not use sugar spectrometers to determine harvest dates. He tastes the fruit to determine if the phenolic maturation is acceptable for harvest! 05 Optimus ($45) 4000 cases produced. 51% Syrah, 44% Cabernet and 5% Petit Verdot. Rhone-style aromas of black pepper, cedar and black currants. The flavor is all Paso however, soft ripe tannins with blackberry jam, currants, vanilla and sweet oak flavors. The oak must have had a low toast to it so as to not overpower the fruit. 06 Optimus Barrel Sample I must be doing something right! This sample also came from behind the table and not available to everyone. Hey, I was already feeling pretty special just getting a try of the 05. My notes on this are simple – the 05 vintage times two. Huge flavor with a nice balance of tannins and acid. I can’t wait to try this next year.
Ortman Family Vineyards– 2 generations of winemaking (doesn’t anyone ever leave the business and say go into banking?) with a pedigree that includes Heitz Cellars, Cain, Far Niete, Shaffer and Castello di Gabbiano (to drop a few names) are bundled into this father/son winemaking team. They use their knowledge of the area to source specific fruit flavors for their wines. 06 Rhone Style GSM– ($22) 850 cases produced. 44% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 9% Mourvedre; 15% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier. Each grape seemed to add somthing to the nose and overall focus of this wine, my hat’s off to this blending achievement. Initial Viognier nose followed by wild berries, mainly blueberry. The wild berry taste continued in the mouth with a rich edge of butterscotch. Lots of fruit flavor here. I think the Petite Syrah added some depth and structure to this wine compared to a typical GSM. The tannins need some time to melt. I’d give it until 2009, and this wine should continue to evolve nicely for another 5 years. A great wine and value.
Silver Horse Winery – The winemaker had to leave early as he was getting sick (like thousands of others this winter) so I didn’t get an opportunity to learn much about them. Check out their website. 06 Tomori Barrel Sample ($38) 60% Cabernet 40% Syrah. The nose wasn’t working well for me at this time in the event but the flavors were incredible. The young fruit showed lots of good structure already. Tasted strawberry and strawberry jams here with slighty rustic tannins. It appears to be cellar worthy of 6-7 years.
Treana Winery– This winery team includes Liberty School and Austin Hope labels. Getting late in the day so I kept my selection to one wine. Found out that the Austin Hope label is the winemaker’s pet project and very limited availability. 04 Treana Red ($52) 70% Cabernet and 30% Syrah. Another powerful but nicely balanced wine. Dark berries to the nose and palate. There was a bit of pepper that showed through on the palate later on while the finish showed why those who cellar this wine will be rewarded.
Zenaida Cellars– Located in Templeton, a bit southwest of Paso, this winery is known for their Zin and Estate Cuvées. Small annual production of around 2500 cases. 05 Estate Cuvée ($28) 700 cases produced. Didn’t get the percentages but it has mainly Zin with Syrah and Viognier. I picked up the Viognier on the nose. Very concentrated berry flavors of strawberry on the palate. A very nicely balanced wine that is ready to drink. 04 Fire Sign Estate ($30) 500 cases produced. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, and 5% Zinfandel. After spending 30 months in new french oak, this wine spent another year in the bottle before it’s release. And it shows it. Aromas and flavors again of dark berries, this time more cherry and some fig. There was an earthy, smokey essence to this wine. A highly recommended wine and a great price-point to enjoy it at.
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