Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon shows great depth and structure with purple hues and a rich texture of velvety tannin. There are aromas of lush black cherry, caramel, coffee, and "dust" which continue on the palate with blackberry, spicy anise, and cocoa.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon wafts up with a pleasantly nuanced blend of blackberries, baking spice and lavender pastille. Elegance and silky smoothness define the palate, as polished red berry fruits glide across a stream of vibrant acidity while sweet tannins form toward the close. This 2023 tapers off structured, with a cool-toned feel as violet inner florals and a hint of licorice fade.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a smoky wine that would pair well with a weekend barbecue. A lovely color and sheen in the glass, the bottling offers boysenberry and smoked meat aromas on the nose. The palate sports just enough tannins to hold the dark red fruit and savory woodspice flavors in place.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 17 months in 47% new French and American oak, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep purple hue and offers classic Paso Robles Cabernet aromatics of black and blue fruits, cedary herbs, violets, and chalky minerality. It's medium to full-bodied, with remarkable purity, ultra-fine tannins, and integrated acidity. This impeccably made wine is pretty darn impressive and should keep for 8-10 years if well stored. Drink 2025-2035.
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.