If you are lucky enough to snag one of 80 seats to the release party of Joel and Judy Cox’s latest limited release wine (see below my tasting notes for details) you got lucky – because I gave this very interesting Rosé a whopping 92 Eve points.
2013 Mystic Hills Vineyard Monterey County Rosé
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
15.3% alcohol
Appearance – The color of raspberry stretches out from the center of the wine glass until it turns into dark cherry on the edge.
Aroma – Maraschino cherry, grape-flavored hard candy, sliced strawberry, and a garden of wild flowers with a hint of white pepper in the air.
Flavor – Wondering how long the skin was allowed to stay on, as there is a soft tannin backbone to the same cherry and strawberry fruit found on the nose, though now the fruit is brought more forward. There is no unwelcome abundance of acidity, just enough to slightly tickle the taste buds.
Pairing – Anything from fresh fruit to a spicy stir-fry, I’d suggest you try it from your appetizer through to your dessert.
Conclusion – The combination of deep color, beautiful fruit and low acid in this wine surprised me. It is not something I’ve tasted too often, and was wholly pleasant! 92 Eve pts.
Triple-Award Winning Winery Releases Fourth Wine
Mystic Hills Vineyard Releases H.E.A.R.T.S. Rosé at April 25 Party, Less Than 150 Cases Available (Editor’s note: This event has already occurred.)
February 20, 2015 – Paso Robles, CA – At an upcoming April 25 H.E.A.R.T.S. Rosé release party, less than 100 people will be greeted with sparkling wine at the latest sparkling event to come from triple-award winning Mystic Hills Vineyard owners Joel and Judy Cox.
Following their first taste will come many other treats that include tastes of their other award-winning wines, food pairings by Chef Chris New of Locally Grown, live music and the main attraction: being one of the first to sample the new limited production H.E.A.R.T.S. Rosé, destined to be another medal winner. The party will be held in a private home in the Santa Clarita Valley, where the Coxes raised their family before moving to Paso Robles.
In a nod to most of the Mystic Hills Vineyard “crew” the H.E.A.R.T.S. label represents the first letter of the names of each of the Coxes’ six grandchildren.
All three bottles in their first vintage were honored by the esteemed San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Mystic Hills Vineyard’s 2011 Unforgiven red blend was awarded a Gold Medal, and the 2011 Sequel red blend and 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon both received Silver Medals. Vintner Joel Cox is also known for his recent Oscar nomination, as Clint Eastwood’s long-standing editor, for the highly acclaimed film American Sniper.
For $65 non-members can reserve a spot at the private event held in a Stevenson Ranch home, Mystic members will receive a 20 percent courtesy, $52, on their tickets. The event will run from 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Reserve tickets at info@mystichillsvineyard.com, via FAX 805-467-2019 or call (805) 610-1099.
Mystic Hills Vineyard is located in San Miguel, CA, and 10 miles north of Paso Robles. For a private tasting with the wine makers, please call (805) 610-1099 or email info@mystichillsvineyard.com. For all correspondence, please send to: P.O. Box 5148
Paso Robles, CA 93447, info@mystichillsvineyard.com Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mystic-Hills-Vineyard/174322976034673
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
