This is the third vintage from winemaker Kevin Willenborg at Vina Robles in Paso Robles, and, as I was a fan of the last two, I couldn’t wait to taste them. We work our way up dear reader, whites to reds in a tasting of four wines that I don’t think you should pass up.
$16 retail, $12.80 wine club
54% Viognier, 22% Vermentino, 15% Verdelho, 9% Sauvignon Blanc
Aroma: Lemon zest, crisp green apple, jasmine flower, Jolly Rancher lemon hard candy, white peach, pink grapefruit, sourdough toast, wet pebbles.
Flavor: Tingly, apple again, lemon-lime, orange marmalade, hint of dill, medium acid. Funny, the overall flavor reminded me of a romaine lettuce salad with a creamy dressing like this one with mayonnaise, Champagne vinegar and mustard; which would be a fun pairing too.
88 Eve pts.
$16 retail, $12.80 wine club
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Aroma: Peach, Meyer lemon, dried apricot, candied ginger, something floral and a tiny bit of vanilla.
Flavor: Pink lemonade, white wine Sangria, kiwi, pineapple, fruit cocktail, medium acid and an incredible length. I’m not a fan of high acid, this one was just the right note for my palate. Would love it with a bowl of vanilla ice cream covered with some cling peaches in light syrup. Slurp.
89 Eve pts.
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – Estate
SOLD OUT AT WINERY “released on October 16 and we have plenty to sell!”
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petite Verdot
Aroma: Juicy plums, black cherry, cherry brandy, dust, milk chocolate, vanilla bean, cracked black peppercorns and warmed tree bark.
Flavor: Smooth chocolate, blackberry jam, fig, rich mouthfeel, incredibly balanced dark fruit flavors and spice with nice tannins on the finish. Would work with any meaty main dish straight through to a chocolate cream pie or a Snickers bar. Yes.
91 Eve pts.
$29 retail, $23.20 wine club
100% Petite Sirah
Aroma: Blackberry, black currant, espresso, balsamic, mushroom, leather, wet leaves and this: a juicy medium grilled steak.
Flavor: Big and bold with peppery black fruit, dark chocolate, coffee bean, sharp at first but rounds off quite quickly and ending with a deep finish. I’d like a marinated tri-tip with grilled mushrooms or a Chile Colorado burrito drenched in Enchilada sauce with this one.
90 Eve pts.
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 judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. 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