When my longtime friends at Mystic Hills Vineyard, vintners Joel and Judy Cox, sent me their latest five new releases for review I wanted to share the wines with some wine pals for a group tasting: and NINE ladies were thrilled to join me. I was excited too, as I would taste their first white wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, along with their other popular varietals that I had already fallen for.
The tasting notes below are a collective from all:
The Wine Tasting
Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Lots of citrus on the nose, followed by both yellow and green apple, a slightly chalky/powdery scent and a steeliness. On the mouth we got flavors of crisp lemon-lime with an acidic backbone. The group agreed with me when I thought the wine was Sangria-worthy and would lend itself well served in the glass with fresh cut fruit and some spritz.
“H.E.A.R.T.S.” Rosé 2017
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Named after the Coxes five grandchildren (their first initial) with a beautiful artsy label and the color of ripe watermelon, all were excited about trying this rosé. We got the gamut from fruit to minerality in the aroma: strawberry, raspberry, honeydew melon, fruit cocktail, butter, earth and wet sidewalk. When we went in for our tasting we also found: red cherry, stewed fruit, clove, black pepper, as well as that butter and wet sidewalk again.
Gran Trio 2014
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot
A lovely balanced nose of both spice and fruit that included blackberry, black cherry, pepper and forest floor. We tasted complex notes of that same pepper and spice as well as layers of deep dark fruit, smoke, tannins and even a hint of bourbon. One taster called it “a hug in a glass.” This was a favorite among the red wine lovers in the group.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
And this was to be the favorite of both the red and white wine lovers in the group! We were literally seduced by notes of chocolate covered cherries, plum, blackberry and stems in the aroma. The flavor had that same chocolate, spice with the addition of dried blue to black fruit and toasted oak.
Unforgiven 2014
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot, 15% Merlot, 5% Malbec
Another favorite for our big red wine lovers. This Bordeaux blend had it all: dark chocolate, dark fruit, plums, dark cherry, blackberry, rich and port-wine-like all on the nose. The taste gave off big notes of spice and fruit: black to blue fruit, spice, espresso and an incredibly long finish.
About Mystic Hills Vineyard
Mystic Hills Vineyard is a boutique, family-owned vineyard nestled in the beautiful rolling hills outside of Paso Robles, California. We focus on sustainable estate-grown Bordeaux style wines that showcase our passion for excellence and our tenacity for a memorable bottle of wine. We are blessed with crisp mornings acquired from the Pacific Ocean influence, and hot days soothed by the cooler afternoon winds. This climate, with the beneficial temperature swings, helps to create superior fruit for our wines.
Owner Joel Cox is an Academy Award winning Film Editor who brings his professional and creative love of film to his wine. His meticulous and diligent eye for a well-crafted scene in a movie is brought to life in our beautiful, extraordinary wines that will surely captivate your palette and produce a memorable experience for you to embrace.
http://www.mystichillsvineyard.com/
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com