Although this wine’s label is an object lesson in informality, its vinification was quite methodical, including 52% stainless steel but also French oak barrels as well as a large oak foudre and a concrete egg. The fruit was picked at five different times over multiple weeks, and all this adds up to a wine with serious complexity. It combines ripe fruit notes with well-integrated acidity and appealing nuances that rise or recede in prominence as the wine warms in the glass.
Exotic aromatics are mesmerizing, from violets growing out of slate, to raspberry injected in cedar. Sturdy tannins with a grainy, melting dark chocolate add to the exquisitely designed-by-nature Tempranillo.
Concentrated and savory, with cigar leaf, espresso, chocolate. And black plum. Fine acidity and good bone structure leads to a great match with an array of cuisine.
Sweet tobacco, black cherry, and red tea perfume the glass. Floral throughout, with hibiscus, red beets, and peony. Exceptional for the price.
Plum and complex wet earth aromas are hypnotic and spell out Pinot Noir illustriously. White peppered cherries and red beets interchange with sweet tobacco. Meaty and juicy.
Spiced red cherry digs deep into an earthy core. Cigar leaf and cinnamon are surrounded by nettle and wild strawberry. Sleek and well balanced.
Deep core, well extracted, purple hue. Pure aroma, dark plum, black cherry fruit, good intensity, sound ripeness, round, soft, accessible style with an inviting level of concentration. Well integrated oak, nicely balanced with moderate length and supple finish.
A tremendous Paso Robles Zin! Textbook appearance, deep core, some fade at the edge of the glass, red raspberry, savory spice, and captivating smoke aromas: weighty and full on the palate. Nicely balanced, expressive, pure with very good length on the finish. Immediately appealing but develops well with an hour of aeration.