Winemaker Notes
The Mia’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from vines located at the northwest corner of Falcone's Cabernet block. This rocky slope faces west and produces unique aromas and flavors due to additional stress that occurs from the terrain and wind. Select barrels and additional time in oak contribute to this special bottling.
Aromas of dust and cocoa powder are noticed before black cherry and anise appear, with hints of caramel, vanilla and toasted pecans following. Ample but soft tannins provide body and a long finish.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Mia's Vineyard is youthfully coiled, emerging with a cool-toned and classic bouquet of graphite-tinged black currants, sage and shavings of dark chocolate. This is sleek, polished and refined in feel. Crisp red and black fruits easily wash across the palate with mineral underpinnings. It firms up through the long and hauntingly floral finale, leaving an air of blue inner florals and sweet spice that swirl above a bed of fine-grained tannins.
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Wine Enthusiast
Zesty, fresh blackberry, violet and lilac aromas make for a fruity, very accessible nose on this wine. The palate is easy to quaff, pairing those same fruit and flower flavors with a medium-bodied mouthfeel.
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.