Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 48% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 37% Mourvèdre, the 2015 Vertigo is another blockbuster 2015 from Jensen. It’s deep ruby color is followed by a sweet bouquet of crème de cassis, black raspberries, strawberries, violets, and chocolaty oak. It’s a round, supple, incredibly sexy GSM that has full-bodied richness, loads of power and depth, yet also shows the more charming, forward style of the 2015 vintage in Paso Robles. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Comprised of 48% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 17% Mourvedre, the 2015 GSM Vertigo has a medium garnet-purple color and nose of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and licorice with touches of dried Provence herbs, chocolate box and black pepper. Full-bodied and nicely played with firm, ripe, rounded tannins and a lively backbone supporting the generous, bright fruit, it finishes long and spicy.
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Wine Spectator
Shows intensity and pinpoint focus, with blackberry, crushed stone and licorice notes that pick up speed as this powers toward firm tannins. Hands off for now. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Best from 2019 through 2027.
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.
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.