Winemaker Notes
There is a mineral core to this wine, a common thread that you’ll find in many of the wines from this vineyard making it unique. The uplifted seabed and calcareous nature of this vineyard helps to maintain a good balanced acidity in the wine.
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petite Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Partners Tim Elenteny, of T. Elenteny Imports, and Chris Brockway, of Broc Cellars, focus Brea on affordable wines made from cool-climate fruit with minimal intervention. This one, from a vineyard on the southern end of Paso Robles, starts out dark and savory, with notes of black-currant tea and plum that become vibrant with time in the glass. Driven by acidity and minerality rather than oak, it’s invigorating juice, and a steal at the price.
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.