Winemaker Notes
Exceptionally complex nose with layers of leather, spice, black currant, nutmeg, and blackberry. Rich flavors of plum, black cherry and Oolong tea. Dense and deep, this wine will continue to open up for hours, revealing complex aromas and flavors for those patient enough to decant. A serious wine that will evolve as the night goes on.
Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a bold and dark yet well-balanced blend of two Paso Robles appellations, starting with penetrating aromas of cassis and violet on the nose. The palate is rich and heavy but remains serious in structure and spice, as white-pepper and leather elements elevate the generous fruit at the core.
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Wine & Spirits
Always rich, Blackletter is woozy with dark berry fruit in the cool 2019 vintage. Exceptionally silky in its texture, redolent with ripe, mouthfilling tannins, this is a study in soft elegance.
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James Suckling
Discerning cabernet characters here with dark olives, fennel and cumin spice to the currants and cherries that give a glossy and bright feel. Medium to full body with a sumptuous, very smooth texture to the palate, showing hints of cedar and a savory note in the end. Soft and velvety, followed by a slightly warming alcohol.
As Paso Robles, California has soared in number of wineries and gained in popularity, Cabernet Sauvignon has firmly taken root as the region’s number one varietal. Alone, it accounts for just over 40% of plantings and is grown throughout both the western and eastern sides of the appellation. Though viticulture here dates back to the 18th century, Cabernet Sauvignon didn’t emerge as a significant grape here until the 1970’s. But since then it has definitely made up for lost time.
Legendary winemaker and consultant Andre Tchelistcheff first recognized Paso’s potential with Cabernet Sauvignon in the early 1960’s. The calcareous soil and dramatic diurnal temperature changes of Paso’s westside particularly intrigued him. Today modern winemaking techniques and focused experimentation with various clones, rootstocks and vineyard strategies optimize the region's ideal combination of soil and climate to deliver the best fruit possible.
The results are evident in the glass. Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon can be mesmerizing, with rich aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, graphite, toasty oak, vanilla and spice. The structure, balance and unbridled opulence of these wines impress from first sip to last. Not surprisingly, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignons have steadily grown in reputation, not just in the U.S., but around the world.