At Hunt Cellars, they specialize in “memorable wines.” Winemaker David Hunt is quite well known in the wine community for his amazing barrel work, and once you’ve tasted one of his bottles, it’s not uncommon to wonder if you should drink anything other than Hunt Cellars wine. David is blind, but he plays the piano and names most of his wines after musical terms. He says that blindness makes his palate and nose extra-sensitive. Maybe that’s why his wines are so good.

Hunt Cellars 2003 “Inspiration” Syrah – Outlaw Vineyards

Region: Paso Robles

Price: 35-40

Review:

A bouquet of plums, cherries, dried blueberries, and vanilla greets the senses.

A sip reveals flavors of plum, black cherry, and pomegranate accented by hints of spice and anise. An approachable but still nicely structured wine, it has wonderfully well-balanced flavors. Try a bottle if you like elegant Syrah.

Rating: 94

Character: smooth mouthfeel, dark fruit, balanced tannins

 

Hunt Cellars 2002 Duets

Grapes: Syrah & Cabernet

Region: Paso Robles

Price: 55-60

Review:

Layered aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, and boysenberries mingle with notes of dark-chocolate, vanilla, and earth on the nose. Blackberry, plum, and currant flavors emerge on the palate, complicated by suggestions of mocha, vanilla, oak, and earth. A layered, fairly dry wine that’s supple and rich, try a bottle if you like complexity that’s not overpowering but elegant.

Rating: 94

Character: dark-fruit, supple mouthfeel, balanced tannins

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Hunt Cellars 2002 “Serenade” Syrah

Region: Paso Robles

Price: 35-40

Review

On the nose, a bouquet of plum, cherry, boysenberries, oak, and dark-chocolate can be discovered. A sip unfurls flavors of plum, boysenberry, and black cherry that flow into hints of musty oak, spice, and anise. Quite smooth but not gamy or peppery, the wine has lovely fruit layers and a lingering finish. Fans of elegant yet complex wines will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 93

Character: smooth mouthfeel, dark fruit, balanced tannins

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Hunt Cellars 2002 “Irresistible” Petite Sirah

Region: Paso Robles

Price: 85-90

Review

Aromas of dark berries meld with notes of coffee, anise, pepper, and oak on the nose. Flavors of blueberries, blackberries, and plums are accented by dark-chocolate, coffee, bacon, spice, and oak on the palate. A rich, layered wine with concentrated dark fruit but bright highlights of spice and oak, it still has some tannins, making it a very nice food wine. Enjoy a bottle with your favorite BBQ dish or on its own if you like wines with a lot of pizazz.

Rating: 94

Character: dark fruit, supple tannins, rich mouthfeel