By Manos Angelakis
 

Paso Robles

Located on California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles has more than 26,000 acres of vineyards cultivated with numerous varietals that one does not expect outside France, Italy or Portugal.

For example on the white side, one would expect to find Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Viognier in California, the hillsides are covered by those cultivars; but in Paso Robles Vermentino, Verdelho, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc are also widely cultivated. On the red side, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Syrah and even Tempranillo and Sangiovese would be expected; but Touriga Nacional, Counoise and Mourvèdre?

At a recent tasting I enjoyed both monovarietal wines and blends from Paso Robles and would venture to say that all things considered, even though some of the MSRPs were much higher than I expected for California wines, my overall impression was “good wines at respectable prices”.

Wines that I liked at the tasting:

Viña Robles, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Jardine Ranch - 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

                  2009 WHITE4 Huerhuero Vineyard – 42% Vermentino, 29% Verdelho,
                                                                     26% Viognier, 3% Sauvignon

Blanc Bodegas Paso Robles, 2009 Dona Blanca – 60% Grenache Blanc,
                                                                    40% Malvasia Bianca.

Kenneth Volk Vineyards, 2008 Verdelho, Pomar Junction Vineyard

Tablas Creek Vineyards, 2010 Patelin de Tablas Blanc – 50% Grenache Blanc,                                                                 33% Viognier, 10% Roussanne, 7% Marsanne.

                                  2010 Rosé - 59% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache,
                                                    11% Counoise.

Niner Wine Estates, 2007 Sangiovese, Bootjack Ranch – 100% Sangiovese.

Adelaida Cellars, 2008 Version - 48% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah, 13% Grenache,                                                                                  9% Counoise.

Hearst Ranch Winery, 2008 Three Sisters Cuvée - 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache,
                                                                               30% Mourvèdre.

Estancia Estates, 2007 Meritage – 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot,                                                                                           12% Petit Verdot.

Halter Ranch Vineyard, 2006 Ancestor – 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet
                                                        Franc, 24% Malbec.

These were the select wines that made an impression on me at the recent tasting, and I hope they will give you a starting point to explore this upcoming viticultural area.

To your health!

© July 2011 The Oenophile Blog. All rights reserved.