Paso Pleasures

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Spending a weekend in Paso Robles can be quite rewarding.  The downtown is quaint and has very fine restaurants.  The hotel where we stayed, the Hotel Cheval, is wonderful.  One block off the square with excellent accommodations, you can rest and recoup from a long day of wine tasting.

One notable difference in this area is the set up of the wine tastings.  This is a young and growing area, so the emphasis on wine education during the tastings is in its infancy, as contrasted with Napa.  The heart of what you get in Paso is good wine that is well-priced and a very relaxed atmosphere.  You do not have caves and the established wine tours that are available in Napa Valley; yet the low-key, relaxed approach is really quite enjoyable.

We first visited Denner Winery.  Among Paso experiences, this is one that is more structured with set times, by appointment only.  They have many tables set outside in the sun and shade.  They provide a menu for the tasting and a price list.  A host will bring the pours to your table in sequence, and you can enjoy the experience at your own pace.  This moment, with the sun pouring down, great friends, and a well-structured wine in hand – I had but one word – heaven.  It is a lovely setting and the wines of Denner are well-crafted and very enjoyable.  Remember, this is the area where Rhone varietals dominate, and they do well at Denner.  Blends of Grenache and Syrah are really very well done at the winery.  My favorite on this day was the Ditch Digger.

Only a short drive away was Anderson Road.  There were three wineries in a row worth our time and attention.  One of those was Booker Winery, again enjoying quality Rhone varietals while sitting in the sun and having a host bring our tastes of wines to our outside seating.  This was truly a great experience with friends and wine.  Eric and Lisa Jensen are the owners of Booker and initially intended to grow and provide grapes for some of Paso’s best wineries.  Eric had worked for five years with Justin Smith of Saxum and two years with Stephen Asseo of L’Aventure.  With that experience, Eric and Lisa decided they would make their own wine and, in 2005, produced the first vintage of Booker.  This is truly fine wine that you will enjoy.

Of special note when you plan to visit Paso Robles, remember this is a young area in terms of experience and availability.  For the most part, the tasting rooms are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  A few will be open on Thursday and at other times by appointment, but  only if you call.  Please plan your time wisely by doing your homework to spend the best time possible in this quaint community with a growing wine reputation.

Enjoy!

Denner Winery
Denner
The view from Denner
Listening, learning, and tasting…
View from Booker

Don’t Pass by Paso…

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Paso Robles is a quaint town situated off the central coast of California. There are now hundreds of wineries in this region putting out some very well-structured, quality Rhone varietals. There are delicious reds and whites that make a trip to this town very worthwhile.

First, let me explain what Rhone varietals are. These are wine varietals that are native to France’s Rhône Valley. This area is in the southeast of France just above Provence. Rhone varietals have become some of the most successful new reds, whites, and rosés in the state of California. Red Rhone blends are typically composed of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and/or Carignane.  White Rhone blends are most often made of Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne.

Why has Paso Robles become known for the Rhone varietals? In this region, there is a diversity of terrain, wind, water, soils, climate, fog and sunlight. The cooling effect of the nearby Pacific ocean produces temperature swings in this area of as much as 60 degrees in a day. This type of temperature change can increase the amount of “hang time” for grapes that allow for flavors to fully mature. All these elements combine to produce a welcome environment for Rhone varietals, which leads to some wonderful wines that one can fully appreciate and enjoy. The biggest advantage is the price point for these wonderful, drinkable wines. They are quality wines that are easier on the pocket book.

In a short trip to the central coast, we visited many quality wineries. They all make excellent wine, and the quality is constantly improving in this region. We tasted at ONX, Denner, Caliza, Booker, Brian Benson, Epoch, and the ever-famous Turley. Look for more on these wineries in upcoming blogs. In the meantime, pull a cork on some Syrah and let the time unwind.

Enjoy!

Roses and vineyards often go together
Turley — old vine zinfandel
Classic vista in the Paso area
The view from Denner’s tasting area
Tending the vineyard at Onx
The view from Booker Winery
Another view at Booker

 

Vineyard 29 at 2929 Highway 29: Unforgettable!

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The sign says simply 2929. You would pass right by the entrance to this beautiful winery on Highway 29 north of St. Helena. There is no advertisement of what lies up the hill. Vineyard 29 has a quiet, stately elegance from your first approach to the massive double doors that open to a remarkably modern and techno savvy operation. This is a “By Appointment Only” winery where you need to book well in advance to enjoy the tour and tasting, yet it’s well worth the planning.

On your visit, you are welcomed into the winery through massive double doors. Up the stairs to the right is the office and a balcony where you begin your exploration of the impressive operation. From the balcony, you take in views of the valley floor with vineyards all around. Austin Gallion is in charge of hospitality, and he will lead you on a tour of the winery, talking about its beginnings and bringing you up to today’s operation — sipping great wine all the time, of course.

The operation is truly inspired by the technology. This is a gravity flow winery, one of only a handful in the valley. What is that you ask? Well, in short, the wine is moved throughout the entire process — from fermentation tanks to barrels — without forceful pumping. The transfers are all done by gravity, and you should visit to see this first hand. The belief is that this process preserves more of the flavors of the wine.

As for the wine, they have one of the best-priced quality cabernets. Vineyard 29’s Cru sells for $54 at the winery, and I have enjoyed many bottles. (PF Chang’s actually had this one on their wine list for $50 – a real bargain!) Vineyard 29 also has a Sauvignon Blanc that is smooth and round, and I’ve enjoyed this fine varietal as well. They also make a Zinfandel and two very big cabernets that are a pleasure to drink.

I highly recommend a visit to this property. I have brought many groups to visit Vineyard 29, and no one has been disappointed. It is well worth the time and money to walk the winery, learn about the process, see the caves and the beautiful wine library, and enjoy a tasting that is paired with great bites. (Austin is also a chef!)

Cheers!

Austin Gallion
Fermentation tanks
Stainless steel tanks
The tunnel through the cave to the library
Wine Library at Vineyard 29

 

How Long Should I Keep My Wine — or “Oops…”

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Just yesterday, a friend emailed a photo of the wine below — a 2002 Zinfandel from Peju. He was clearly excited to open the bottle on a Saturday night to enjoy with his wife. He asked if I had any thoughts about the wine, and (of course) I did. Simply from the varietal, the year, and the winery, I knew it would be past its prime. I let my friend know; and his response was, understandably, “oops.” This experience gave me the idea for this week’s blog.

Now, the fact that this Zinfandel was past its prime means nothing derogatory about Peju — it is a fine winery (although they are not known for their Zinfandel). But it does say something about the varietal. Zinfandel is not the most ageable wine. It is generally meant to be drunk young, in the 3-5 year time frame. This particular bottle should have been drunk for maximum pleasure from 2003-2006. It’s understandable that my friend would have thought, “Wow, this is a well-aged red wine that we’ll be enjoying.” But older isn’t always better.

General Rules and Resources for the Specifics

Generally, Zinfandels should be drunk soon after release; but there are some Zinfandel producers whose wines will age nicely. Here the example would be Turley. Some of Turley’s 2011 Zinfandels will age until 2025 and be very drinkable; whereas other wines, like the Peju above, should be drunk soon after release.

The general rule for white wines (such as domestic Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays) is that they should be drunk within 5 years. But, even here, that is not always true. Some wineries may make a rich, age worthy white wine that can evolve nicely over 10 years.

A big cabernet will probably be too tight and tannic to produce much pleasure in the first few years of release. These wines should be laid down for a couple of years to truly enjoy.

So, it sounds like a big problem, right? Not really. The general rules should guide you. Whites, like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, should be drunk in a shorter time frame than big reds like Cabernet, Syrah, and Petit Syrah.

How does one know specifically? To tell you the truth, the exact span of time that is best for a wine to age is really an approximation. The wine maker really has the best idea for when a wine should be drunk, because he or she has the experience with the grapes, the vineyard, the processes, and the history of the wine in the bottle. Each vintage and each wine that a winery produces carries a recommendation on when to drink it. I personally use the recommendations from Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, and other trusted wine specialists.

Experimenting with Time

One of the pleasures in the exploration of wine is to buy three bottles of a wine you like and see it evolve over time. You will find different characteristics as the wine ages. In a red, the tannins will soften, and the fruit will come forward more. Then, with more time, you will find more secondary characteristics such as forest floor or cedar box. Those may be fun to explore. That is the journey to take and enjoy.

Final Tips for Storing Your Wine

Four things to remember when you age your wine – keep it in a cool place, store it away from direct sunlight, lay the bottle on its side, and keep it at an even temperature. Your wine will appreciate this environment and will reward you with great flavors.

Enjoy!

Exploring Wines with the Wine Consultant: A Special Place in Sacramento and a Special Deal for Our Readers!

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If you want to get better, more informed, and have a richer and deeper experience of anything – you need a coach or a mentor. In my pursuit of wine knowledge, that person for me is Eric Stumpf. Eric and his wife, Renee, own a wine store in Citrus Heights, CA called “The Wine Consultant.” Eric has a vast knowledge and appreciation for wine. He has over 20 years experience and has traveled much of the world visiting wineries and meeting with wine makers, and then he shares his experience with his customers.

I first walked into his store about nine years ago, having just moved to Sacramento from Kansas City and in search of a fine wine connection. I have been visiting his store ever since. I would venture to say that there are few in the area who know more about wine than Eric. He has been a trusted advisor for me to grow and expand my palate and understanding of wine. What he knows is remarkable, and he’s willing to educate and share.

Eric is known for searching for great value wines, and his discoveries are finds that most folks would miss. Through his counsel, I have grown to appreciate wines from around the world. Every Saturday from noon until 4 pm, he will be pouring for your tasting pleasure as many as nine wines. What is unique, in my experience, is that you’re not just tasting but also learning about each wine that he pours in appropriate progression from bright whites to deep, dark rich reds. Amazingly, he can share the specifics of the terroir (the combination of factors, including soil, climate, and environment, that gives a wine its distinctive character) and the wine making process of each wine. I truly enjoy just listening as he explains what went into the wine, the type of barrels that it was aged in, and many more tidbits that come together for a great picture of the wine.

Just today, I dropped by the Wine Consultant, and the line up of quality, value wines was remarkable. The price of each wine today was under $20 and worth much more when you taste them. One of the wines was a 2010 Annabella Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, which is an $18 cabernet that is fruity, fresh, and smooth.

If you live in the Sacramento area, check out the Wine Consultant. Eric’s store is well worth a visit, and the Saturday tastings never disappoint. You can also shop virtually by visiting The Wine Consultant. Visit his site and see what I mean.

And here’s a special deal from Eric — If you mention Diana’s Wine Blog when ordering a six-pack combination of Michael Pozzan’s “Annabella” red wines, you can get it for $15 per bottle through the end of April (while supplies last). These wines are normally priced at $16.95 (the 5 Red Blend) or $17.95 (the Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon).

Eric Stumpf — the Wine Consultant
Eric with today’s line-up
A value Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa