Much has been said about the fast-growing Paso Robles wine region, located halfway between Sadly, much of the Cabernet-based wine comes in the form of industrial swill, but a number of smaller producers are making an effort to craft interesting wines at much lower price points than you can ever find out of
Halter Ranch brings a distinct juiciness and mouthwatering acidity to their wines while Eberle Winery maintains a great blueberry profile across all of their Cabs. And while Justin is a strong contender, we are not sure about all the hype surrounding L’Aventure.
Unfortunately, much of the wine we tasted from the region exhibited what we deemed “Paso Sourness” as well as a latent stalkiness. But most wines, at least in some way, were of a true
There is still much room for improvement on the Bordeaux varietals front, but as the west side of the AVA takes hold with more finicky and higher end producers of boutique wines, we are sure the whole AVA will benefit and make better wine along the way.
Wines Reviewed:
| Vintage | Winery | Wine Name | Country | Region | Current Grade | Peak Grade | Price |
| 2001 | Hunt Cellars | 'Bon Vivant' Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | B | B | $42 |
| 2000 | Hunt Cellars | Cab-Ovation | US | | B+ | B+ | $75 |
| 2001 | Hunt Cellars | Cab-Ovation | US | | B+ | B+ | $75 |
| 2000 | Hunt Cellars | Rhapsody Meritage | US | | B | B | $90 |
| 2002 | Hunt Cellars | 'Unforgettable' Merlot | US | | B | B+ | $50 |
| 2002 | Eberle Winery | Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | B | B+ | $18 |
| 2003 | Eberle Winery | Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | B | B | $30 |
| 2003 | Halter Ranch Vineyard | Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | B+ | B+ | $25 |
| 2003 | Halter Ranch Vineyard | Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | US | | B+ | B+ | $35 |
| 2003 | Adelaida Cellars | Viking Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | B | B | $50 |
| 2003 | B & E Vineyard | Reserve Merlot | US | | C | C | $20 |
| 2003 | B & E Vineyard | Red Table Wine | US | | C | C | $22 |
| 2003 | B & E Vineyard | Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | C | C | $25 |
| 2003 | Justin Vineyards & Winery | Justification | US | | B+ | B+ | $40 |
| 2004 | Justin Vineyards & Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | B+ | B+ | $25 |
| 2003 | Justin Vineyards & Winery | Isosceles | US | | B+ | A | $60 |
| 2003 | J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery | Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | B | B | $14 |
| 2003 | J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery | Los Osos Merlot | US | | B | B | $14 |
| 2001 | J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery | Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | B+ | B+ | $28 |
| 2000 | J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery | | US | | B+ | A | $50 |
| 1999 | Nichols Winery & Cellars | Merlot | US | | C | C | $25 |
| 1999 | Nichols Winery & Cellars | Cabernet Sauvignon | US | | C | C | $30 |
| 1999 | Nichols Winery & Cellars | Meritage | US | | C | C | $30 |
| 2003 | L'Aventure | Optimus | US | | NR | NR | $45 |
| 2004 | L'Aventure | Estate Cuvee | US | | NR | B+ | $75 |
| 2003 | L'Aventure | Estate Cuvee | US | | B+ | B+ | $75 |
| 2004 | Eberle Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah | US | | B+ | B+ | $28 |
| 2003 | Treana Winery | Red | US | | B | B | $50 |
Hey, we're a radio show in Sonoma, and we're currently (at this very moment) talking about your blog, and specifically about Wine 2.0 and getting involved online. So, with that in mind, Kaz wants to know: what do you think about Tobin James winery?
ReplyDelete5 Mile Bridge Wines WARNING ! these wines are crap. Company is VERDOT, LP 5 Mile Bridge is the label and the wine is pure crap over priced and watered down.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% the 5 Mile Bridge Wine is a low end high priced work of Poop!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the New Times story on them the two owners wish to remain unknown ? now you know why the wine is pure crap. The two silent owners are none other than Ron W. Hertel and his lover Robert JS Fowler the two builder of the defunct RW Hertel & Sons company who have built and sold mold laced cheap homes to low income people now they are making cheap and lousy wine think twice before you buy it. Better yet send it to a lab to see if contains toxic chemicals.
Randy and Kaz,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the extra long time to respond and for the short post as we have not had any Tobin James as far as we can recall. Paso is a great area for value if you know where to look. Sorry, we couldn't be of more help.
Anonymous- Your 5 Mile Bridge comments are basically personal flames. One more and they are all getting pulled.
ReplyDelete-Management
I am a former Tobin James "James Gang" member. I quit after my recent trip to Paso for "Zin Fest". I am just not impressed with his wines anymore. The Zins seem to be big fruit bombs with not enough structure and not enough balance. But they are very accessible wines, and popular. One varietal I really enjoyed was their Refosco.
ReplyDeleteThe tasting experience is a lot of fun, however. The staff is friendly and generous with pours, and the place feels like a party.
,
ReplyDeleteI am respectfully requesting that you please pull the negative comments about 5 Mile Bridge wine. It is obviously not appropriate to use this blog to satisfy a personal vendetta against an individual. Thank you so much!
As a Wine club member, I agree the 5 Mile Wines are a poor quality of an over priced Wine. I am glad the you don't censor peoples opinion's.
ReplyDeleteI have noted that this Parent Company of 5 Mile are engaged in Legal problems for Fraud so keep up the expose' on them. Censor ship in NOT what we club members need. Good and Informative site.
5 Mile Bridge's parent company has defaulted on millions in loans under Atascadero Ventures, LLC Verdot Group, LP and Verdot, LLC they are going to file chapter 7 next month
ReplyDelete