California’s Paso Robles region is hot in more than ways than one. Not only is the region one of the hottest in terms of temperature, it is also “hot” in terms of the press its wines have been getting. Just ten years ago, the only wines anyone was talking about coming out of Paso were Turley Zinfandels and the wines from Justin. These days, the region’s producers and wines have become the darlings of the wine press. In fact, it was just a few years ago that a Paso Robles red was named Wine Spectator’s wine of the year.
Ok, enough rambling about how the region has been discovered; let’s now talk about the wines we’ll be pouring this Saturday. We’ll start with the three wines produced by Jim and Bob Varner under their Foxglove label. From their 91 point rated Chardonnay to their 90 point scoring Cab and Zinfandel, these guy are at the top of their game, and all three sell for less than $15! We’ll cap off the tasting with the new, hot, “what all the cool kids are drinking” Cabernet from Daou Vineyards. If you get the Wine Spectator, there was just an article featuring the wines from George and Daniel Daou’s estate. These guys are just getting started, and they’re already getting tons of good press. We’ll let you taste the new release of their Cabernet Sauvignon.
This promises to be a fun and informative tasting, and there aren’t many wine shops that throw a $30+ bottle into their free tastings. We’re not like other wine shops……..stop by, learn about this prolific growing region, and taste some of the best wines being produced there.
The Wines
10% off by the bottle, 15% off if you mix any six tasting wines
1. 2011 Foxglove Chardonnay
“The 2011 Chardonnay is a beauty, as well as an absurd value. Very clean and lively, with classic Chardonnay notes of juiced apple, citrus and minerality, it is clean and focused on the palate with the richness of the variety, yet also beautiful precision and focus. Classy and well-made, without any apparent oak, it should be purchased by the case and consumed over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now-2016.” The Wine Advocate – 91 points
2. 2011 Foxglove Zinfandel
“Superb, with loads of character, the 2011 Zinfandel delivers beautiful bramble, potpourri and spice-driven aromatics, medium-bodied richness and real depth and class; the fact that it sells for a song is just icing on the cake. Enjoy it over the coming couple of years. Drink now-2017.” The Wine Advocate – 90 points
3. 2011 Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon
“The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon possesses a perfumed, elegant personality with plenty of ripe herbs, black raspberry, black currant, lead pencil and cedar flowing to a medium-bodied, supple and polished Cabernet Sauvignon that has sweet tannin and good overall depth and richness. It’s not a blockbuster, but has beautiful Cabernet typicity. Enjoy it over the coming 4-5 years. Drink now-2019.”
The Wine Advocate – 89 points
4. 2012 DAOU Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
The newly released 2012 vintage from DAOU is guaranteed is a blockbuster. Packed with ripe black fruits, cassis, wild herbs and earth, it is full bodied, rich and nicely balanced. Though not rated yet, the 2011 of this same wine scored 91 points in both The Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate, and vintage 2012 is a much higher rated one overall. You don’t want to miss your chance to taste this super classy wine!
All tasting wines are offered at 10% off by the bottle and 15% off if you purchase any six mixed tasting wines.