Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages39% Mourvèdre; 23% Grenache; 20% Carignane; 18% Syrah. Fruit takes a moment to catch up with the savory, slightly earthy elements that greet the nose first, but catch up it does and brings a sweet, berry-like component to this one’s very ripe and increasingly expansive aromas. On the palate, the wine is weighty and rich and is every bit as fully ripe as billed, yet its fruitier parts win out over sheer ripeness, and it shows intriguing touches of earthy/spicy complexity. Not so tannic as to be unapproachable now, but enough so as to reward a few years of waiting, it is quite well-balanced for a wine that is as ripe as it is.
Adelaida Vineyards & Winery is located in Paso Robles and is the premier winery in the Adelaida District. Founded in 1981, Adelaida Vineyards is built on a vision of excellence and their goal is to produce the most distinct and compelling wines from their estate vineyards. The estate vineyards encompass 180 acres that span across distinct areas of mountainous terrain characterized by chalk-rock limestone soils, afternoon blasts of cool coastal air, and a daily 40 to 50 degree temperature swing. These unique and varied locations led to specifically designated grape varietals. By taking advantage of the unique soil, elevation, and microclimates on the property, Adelaida maximizes fruit quality. Through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards, Adelaida is able to express the unique and diverse character of their soil and climate.
Paso Robles has made a name for itself as a source of supple, powerful, fruit-driven Central Coast wines. But with eleven smaller sub-AVAs, there is actually quite a bit of diversity to be found in this inland portion of California’s Central Coast.
Just east over the Santa Lucia Mountains from the chilly Pacific Ocean, lie the coolest in the region: Adelaida, Templeton Gap and (Paso Robles) Willow Creek Districts, as well as York Mountain AVA and Santa Margarita Ranch. These all experience more ocean fog, wind and precipitation compared to the rest of the Paso sub-appellations. The San Miguel, (Paso Robles) Estrella, (Paso Robles) Geneso, (Paso Robles) Highlands, El Pomar and Creston Districts, along with San Juan Creek, are the hotter, more western appellations of the greater Paso Robles AVA.
This is mostly red wine country, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel standing out as the star performers. Other popular varieties include Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache and Rhône blends, both red and white. There is a fairly uniform tendency here towards wines that are unapologetically bold and opulently fruit-driven, albeit with a surprising amount of acidity thanks to the region’s chilly nighttime temperatures.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.