Winemaker Notes
Sophisticated blueberry and boysenberry compote aromas fold together with cacao nib, fresh brewed espresso, and thyme. On the palate, juicy black cherry flavors wrap around a dusty tannin core, leaving a long, pleasing finish.
A perfect pairing for filet mignon with a shallot-cream sauce or osso bucco over a bed of polenta.
Blend: 72% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
With 72% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 19 months in 225-liter French oak, the inspiration here is from the Grand Cru wines off the Right Bank of Bordeaux in St. Émilion. Violets and tobacco intertwine with blackberry and plum, forward and lush. Tannins are approachable with long, broad strokes of coffee and black raspberry.
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James Suckling
Dark fruited and savory on the nose, with blackberries, mocha, licorice, black cherries, plums and spices. The palate is full-bodied with a textural mouthfeel, firmly integrated tannins, balanced acidity and a dark-fruited, brooding finish. Drink or hold.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
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.