Wine on the Radio - August 30, 2004

Paso Robles                          Recommendations

Does your taste in wine run to the big reds like cabernet sauvignon or zinfandel? Or maybe merlot or shiraz?   Well, here's another one to meet:   Paso Robles, California.  

Most folks think Napa and Sonoma when it comes to California wine but look a bit further south.   Paso Robles is the inland part of San Luis Obispo county and it kind of straddles northern and southern California - not just in the weather, but in attitude and temperament too.

The land and topography is ideal for grapes with mountains that block the sea yet channel the breezes to cool hot inland days, and chalky soil where vines thrive.  

The bigger reds, like cabernet and zin, get to hang longer and ripen fuller without the threat of fall rain but nighttime temperatures drop to keep them from getting overcooked.  

The cab and zin lead the way in Paso Robles, but be on the lookout for the syrah . . . it will stand up to the best of Australia or France.   The wines of Paso Robles.  

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Our Picks and Recommendations . . . Wines from the Paso Robles Area All Prices Approximate

Cambria 2002 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay $18
Santa Maria Valley, California
Winemaker's Notes
A tribute to Cambria's consistent style and character, Katherine's Chardonnay is a lush, well-rounded wine revealing vibrant tropical flavors folded over hints of vanilla and pear. The finish is enduring, made memorable by notes of vanilla and oak spice

 

2001 Wild Horse Merlot Paso Robles $15
Rich ripe fruit flavors balanced by bright acidity. The soft, rich tannins and long finish make this wine an age worthy contender

 

2000 Wild Horse Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles $15
Blueberry, plum and cherry fruit with big ripeness. A very palate friendly wine

 

Justin 2003 Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc $15
Central Coast , California
Winemaker's Notes
Our Sauvignon Blanc has a brilliant, pale gold color. This veritable varietal wine wafts wistful initial aromas of boxwood, cantaloupe and citrus notes. As the nose develops, grapefruit, a note of oak and a mineral character appear

 

Byron 2001 Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay $20
Central Coast , California
Winemaker's Notes
Byron Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley is an exceptionally well balanced wine, displaying ripe, vibrant flavors and remarkable silkiness

 

2001 Kunin Zinfandel Paso Robles $22
WS 87 points, Light-colored, but with some rich, dusty berry fruit flavors and a good slap of oak, finishing with tar and tobacco flavors

 

2001 Garretson Syrah "The Luascēin" Paso Robles $45
Wine & Spirits 94, Massive, yet withheld: Powerfully dense with a delicate weight, the blackness of this wine sinks in, blanketing the tongue and the throat with a veil of cherry, raspberry, huckleberry and carob-scented earth

 

Peachy Canyon 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon $25

Extremely dark garnet color. Black Current, Cedar at first, it also is very earthy and smoky

 

Justin Winery 2001 Isosceles $40

Red Blend

The medium dark color of this '01 red deceives, giving no hint of the depth and power of the flavors to follow. Likewise, in its current youthful state, there is shyness on the nose, yielding only faint aromas of fruit, cocoa and mineral immediately upon opening

Be sure to visit www.pasowine.com