Winemaker Notes
"I was fortunate enough to be able to construct 80% of this wine from our prized Whale Rock vineyard. The balance is from our eastside estate vines. To mitigate the hefty tannins inherent in the Whale Rock Cab I incorporated some Malbec and Syrah into the blend. A long 18 months in oak barrel also aided the softening but you will still find enough tannin to reward a year or two of bottle age." - Tom Myers, Winemaker
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark red berries, cocoa and new leather aromas show on the nose of this reliable bottling from a regional icon. There is a hefty feeling to the chalky, sandy tannins, zippy acidity and familiar flavors of dark red fruit, herbs and turned earth.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Castoro Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth on the palate and drinks easily. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows up with aromas and flavors of black fruit, dried herbs, and licorice. Enjoy with grilled short ribs. (Tasted: May 17, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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.