Subscribe to RSSWhen you taste a lot of wine, one question people ask regularly is “can you recommend some great wineries?” More often than not, this means someone is looking for a “hidden gem”, a spot that flies a bit under the radar even though they make excellent wine. Well, over the next six weeks, we’ll be answering that question as we highlight some of our tasting panel’s favorite wineries and winemakers (that most people have never hear about).
Winemaker David Hunt.
The first winery on our list takes us to Paso Robles. There owner and winemaker David Hunt oversees the operation of Hunt Cellars. David is blind, but that hasn’t held him back. He says that blindness makes his palate and nose extra-sensitive. Maybe that’s why his wines are so good. Just try a bottle for yourself and you’ll see what we mean.
Hunt Cellars 2009 Cab-ovation
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 70-75
Review:
Aromatics of cassis and blackberries mingle with suggestions of chocolate, toasty oak, and coffee on the nose. Flavors of currant, blackberry, and black cherry unfold into notes of sweet spice, oak, and vanilla on the palate. Elegant, yet rich, with plush tannins, this Cab offers layers of flavor now but will only get better with aging. Savor this one.
Rating: 96
Hunt Cellars 2009 Bon Vivant Cabernet
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of cherries, plum, and red currants are accented by hints of cedar and caramel on the nose. The palate reveals flavors of cherry and currants accented by suggestions of toasty oak, vanilla, and all-spice. Smooth and lush, with wonderfully integrated tannins, fans of supple, layered reds will enjoy this wine very much.
Rating: 95
Hunt Cellars 2008 Zin-Ovation
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 60-65
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, and mocha greets the senses. Rich flavors of blackberry, cherry, and boysenberry are accented by suggestions of french roast coffee, pepper, and anise on the palate. Excellent structure for a Zin, along with wonderfully balanced flavors, makes this a wine to savor.
Rating: 95
Hunt Cellars 2008 Rhapsody In Red
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc
Region: Paso Robles
Price: 70-75
Review:
Notes of blackberries, currants, and black cherries meld with suggestions of mocha and cedar on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of cassis, bramble fruit, and cherry rounded out by accents of coffee, toasty oak, and dark-chocolate. Smooth, balanced and layered, this is a lovely California take on a Bordeaux blend.
Rating: 94
