Subscribe to RSSIf you’re not familiar with the wines of Paso Robles, it’s well worth getting better acquainted with them. The region has been producing noteworthy wines for some time now, but we’ve seen a real upward trend in the last five years or so, particularly for Cabernet and the other Bordeaux varieties.
The Paso Robles CAB Collective or PRCC is a collection of wineries dedicated to showing off and promoting the best of the area’s Bordeaux. You can taste some of the finest wines they have to offer at their Grand Tasting on Saturday, April 27th at the prestigious Windfall Farms.
For a small preview, our tasting panel sampled some of the wines that will be poured at the event and there was no shortage of quality. (Check out the second half of our reviews here.)
Adelaida Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, blueberries, and plums mingle with floral and chocolate notes on the nose. The palate offers flavors of blueberry, black cherry, and plum along with hints of lavender, cocoa, and minerals. A rich, nicely structured Cab that’s ideal to enjoy with food now or to lay down for a few years in the cellar. 925 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Adelaida Cellars 2010 “End Post” Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon 89%, Cabernet Franc 6%, Petite Sirah 5%
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 15-20
Review:
Blackberry and cherry aromas come together with notes of earth and sweet spice on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of cherries and blackberries accented by suggestions of cedar, dark chocolate, and dusty earth. Fairly smooth yet still bright on the palate, fans of dry, supple Cabs will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 88
Eberle 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 70-75
Review:
A bouquet currants, cherries, bramble fruit, and cedar rises up from a glass. Flavors of blackberries and cassis meld with notes of dark chocolate, toasty oak, and espresso on the palate. A dark, rich Cab with supple tannins, enjoy it with your favorite cut of red meat.
Rating: 90
Eberle 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, plums, and currants mingle with notes of chocolate and sweet oak on the nose. Flavors of blackberry, cherry, and plum come together with nuances of dark chocolate and toasty oak on the palate. A lush, mouth-filling Cabernet, fans of rich, fruit driven reds will enjoy this bottle very much. 1,981 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Robert Hall 2010 Merlot
Grape(s): 84% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromatics of black cherry and raspberry mingle with suggestions of rose petal and earth on the nose. The palate offers flavors of cherries and blackberries accented by notes of smokey cedar and dusty minerals. A fairly smooth red with some bright, earthy highlights, it’s a solid bet for under $20.
Rating: 88
Robert Hall 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 5% Petite Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of currants, plums, blackberries, and earth rises up from a glass. After a sip, flavors of cassis and plum with accents of dark chocolate, nutmeg, and minerals emerge on the palate. Plush tannins and dusty mineral highlights make this an optimal wine for food. A good value for a Cabernet.
Rating: 88
B & E Vineyards 2008 Merlot
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of cherries and blackberries greet the senses. A sip reveals flavors of cherry, bramble fruit and currants with accents of earth and coffee. A smooth, very approachable red, fans of Merlot will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 89
B & E Vineyards 2008 Rhythm
Grape(s): 84% Merlot, 40% Cabernet, and 14% Cabernet Franc,
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, blackberries, and plums rise up from a glass. Flavors of cherry and blackberry are accented by notes of chocolate and oak. Fairly smooth and fruit-forward, fans of easy going blends will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 89
Record Family 2010 Merlot
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 30-35
Review:
Notes of raspberry and cherry rise up from a glass. A sip unfurls flavors of bright red berries and plum that meld with suggestions of perfume, clove, and vanilla. Smooth and rich, this a Merlot that fans of the variety will enjoy.
Rating: 89
