Winemaker Notes
The skies darken, the winds howl, and the waves pound the rugged shore... Stormwatch! Located near the coastal town of San Simeon, our family’s ESTATE vineyards are focused within the El Pomar district of the renowned Paso Robles appellation. Steep hillsides and rocky soils produce the intense flavors and aromas of this Bordeaux-style blend. Our artisan wine is hand-crafted in small lots and aged in French oak barrels for a minimum if 18 months. Dark, rich and mouthfilling. Ripe flavors of blackberry and raspberry with touches of spice and vanilla. Enjoy the thrill of Stormwatch!
Blend: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 15% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
One of the most dramatic Bordeaux blends from the region: the substantial body, the aromas of graphite and blackberry-licorice, and the measurable layers of flavors. Violets surge through lively black fruit, etching a dimensional palate of soil and dark chocolate-espresso. Chewy with a decisively long, expansive finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Deep tones of blackberry and purple flowers show on the nose of this blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 15% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Bright berry flavors ride a medium-bodied palate and are lifted by dried herbs and a hint of anise. The tannins are chalky on the finish.
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.