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. Davidis 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.

 

Grape(s): Merlot & Cabernet Franc

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2008

Special Designation: Red Velvet

Price: 75-80

Review:

A bouquet of cherries, blackberries, and plums with accents of smokey oak and dark chocolate rises up from a glass. A sip reveals flavors of cherry, blackberry, and currants that come together with suggestions of oak and mocha. An elegant red with supple tannins, compelling layers, and a smooth, dry finish, it’s a fans example of how good California’s Bordeaux-style blends can be.

Rating: 95

Grape(s): Cabernet

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2008

Special Designation: CabOvation

Price: 70-75

Review:

The senses are greeted by blackberry, cherry, and black currant aromas rounded out by notes of vanilla and oak. A sip delivers flavors of concentrated dark fruit that meld with notes of dark chocolate and creamy oak. A Cab that has robust structure and flavors, it offers tremendous aging potential. Enjoy with food if you open now, but cellar a bottle and you’ll be rewarded with a 95-96 point wine.

Rating: 93+

Grape(s): Cabernet

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2008

Special Designation: Bon Vivant

Price: 40-45

Review:

Aromas of concentrated dark fruit, smoky oak, and chocolate rise up from a glass. A sip reveals flavors of bramble fruits, currants, and cherries with accents of oak, dark chocolate, and camp fire spice. A rich, layered wine with plentiful tannins, it’s a treat now and could be a 95 point bottle with age.

Rating: 93+

Grape(s): Cabernet, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2007

Special Designation: Tango in Paso

Price: 35-40

Review:

A bouquet of cherries, plums, sweet raspberries, chocolate, sweet spice, and butterscotch rises up from a glass. A sip unfurls flavors of raspberry, cherry, and boysenberry accented by suggestions of dark chocolate, spice, and oak. A smooth, yet very complex red, with plush tannins, it’s an ideal wine for your next BBQ.

Rating: 94

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2009

Special Designation: Moonlight Sonata

Price: 35-40

Review:

Aromas of rich tropical fruits and pears mingle with suggestions of vanilla on the nose. Flavors of pineapple, honeydew, and mangoes meld nicely with highlights of vanilla and butterscotch. A lush, mouth-filling Chardonnay, it offers fine layers, nice balance, and a long finish that fans of this variety will enjoy very much. (Best not to chill a bottle too much.)

Rating: 94

 

Grape(s): Zinfandel

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2007

Special Designation: Rocket Man

Price: 60-65

Review:

Wrap-up your senses in aromas of blueberry and blackberry jam that meld with notes of coffee, black licorice, and spice. The palate unfolds with blackberry and boysenberry flavors along with highlights of spice, mocha, and clove. A full-bodied, rich wine, that’s a far cry from any light, strawberry flavored Zins, if you enjoy layers of dark berries and spice, this wine is a must try.

Rating: 96