Monday, July 27, 2009

Justin




Justin
11680 Chimney Rock Road
Paso Robles CA 93446


Justin Winery is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the drive through the Paso Robles hills. The tasting room is right next to the Just Inn which is a lovely little European style Inn. There are beautiful English gardens that you stroll through on your way to taste wine.



The tasting room is full of great wine gifts and wine of course!


Let the tasting begin, of course with the white wines;






2008 Sauvignon Blanc**
$15 retail
Refreshing, bright and crisp is what this wine is all about. No oak or Malolactic is used in making this wine. Shockingly dry and almost tart, I thought this would be an excellent summer afternoon wine.




2008 Chardonnay ***
$19.79 Retail
A bright chardonnay offering a hint of nutty French oak, but also fresh Myer Lemon ripe apples. Tart and complex at the same time, this was a flavorful and pleasant chardonnay, even for a non white drinker.



2007 Cabernet Sauvignon **
$26.25 Retail
Generous with fruit this is a ruby red wine, that has aromas of black and red fruits and cassis. The Tannins are modest and the flavor is mildly bold. This would be an excellent wine for whatever meat you are throwing on the grill this summer.


2007 Syrah***
$26.25 Retail
I love the color of Syrah, its inky purple color is very regal. This wine has a peppered, slightly Jammy earthiness. Medium high tannins will keep this wine lively for years. But really who wants to wait to drink it? This would be great with more flavorful foods like Lamb, or even Grilled Salmon.


2006 Isosceles***
$62 Retail
This is an iconic Bordeaux style red wine, excellent for special occasion nights. The blend of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Merlot give this wine a big bold flavor with notes of mocha, black fruits and chicory. Firm Tannins make this ideal for holding on to for many years. Or you could just crack it open now and enjoy with a great steak!


2007 Orphan****
$18.50 Retail
I have to say this was my favorite of all the Justin wines. Of course it will be different every year because the blend changes with every harvest. Justin takes all the red varietals that don’t fit into the making of the other wines and blends them together to make Orphan. This makes for a very flavorful wine, and at a reasonable price. I gave two Orphans a home on this trip.

If you become a member of Justin’s wine club (Wine Society) your tastings are free and you will receive a discount on the prices of the bottles. So when you are ready for a cruise through the hills of Paso Robles be sure to check out Justin, and tell them the Wino sent you!

Friday, July 24, 2009

J. LOHR












J. LOHR Estates Seven Oaks 2004
Paso Robles Cabernet has been one of my favorites for quite awhile. For under $20 dollars it is a quality wine that stands up to wines two and three times its price. It is a medium to full bodied wine, with a dark ruby color. The mouthfeel is lingering and velvety. The aroma has black cherry and Current with hints of vanilla and clove. I have enjoyed this Cabernet many times with prime rib or other steak dinners.


I was very much looking forward to visiting the vineyard and trying some of the wines that normally would be out of my price or shopping range. Located just a couple miles from Meridian the J. LOHR tasting room and vineyard was simple but very nice, elegant and classy just like their wines.




In 1972-1973 Jerry Lohr a farmer from South Dakota, planted his first 280 acres of grapes in Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County. Jerry’s agricultural roots gave him the knowledge of soil ,climate and location. Over the years, and added locations Jerry and Jeff Meier (vice president of wine making, for all of the J. LOHR vineyards) have produce many varietals that now rival the best in the world.




Diane our tasting hostess was very knowledgeable and helpful. My guy and I decided to skip the white wines this round and go straight for the good stuff, the reds!

2006 Fogs Reach Pinot Noir***
Arroyo Seco
$37 retail
With the classic Pinot Noir aroma of Strawberry, cherry and rhubarb jam. Flavors of stewed strawberries and charred oak. I loved this Pinot, I plan to enjoy it with a sight chill on it on one of Arizona’s many hot summer nights…or afternoons.




2007 Old Vines Zinfandel***
Paso Robles
$15 retail

Under twenty dollars can you believe it?! Great with pizza or pasta dishes with red sauce. This has a palate of soft plump fruit, a little spice and licorice. And the color is a deep purpley
Red (not technically a color “purpley” but I like it).



2007 South Ridge Syrah**
Paso Robles
$15 retail New Release!
This is a very dark dense inky Syrah, with aromas that are dominated by white pepper, boysenberry and dark jammy fruit. A very plump and juicy mouth feel, with hints of spice, and dried fig. This would be excellent with hearty braised meats.



2003 Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ***
Napa Valley
$42 Retail

The deep dark red color of this wine tells you immediately this is no wimpy wine! Because of the portion of Petit Verdot fruits this cab is enhanced to a higher level. The tannins are soft and finish with length. There are hints of cherry, currents and a touch of vanilla. Again, this would be excellent with a steak dinner. This one also went home with me, because we know how I love steak!


The Artistic expressions of flavor that is the Cuvee series.

2006 Cuvee Pau ***
Paso Robles
A blend of Cabernet and Petit Verdot give this a deep dark reddish purple hue. Barrel aging give it an elegant aroma of chocolate dark berries and clove. The flavors and mouth feel are complex and the finish is long and lingering.


2006 Cuvee Pom ***1/2
Paso Robles
61% Merlot and 31% Cabernet lend to the dark ruby color. Barrel aging gives this wine the complex flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla and cedar. Big and velvety this wine has a long finish.

2006 Cuvee St. E ****
Paso Robles
Majority Cabernet with a hint of Merlot this wine is a well balance and bold. (kind of like what you look for in a spouse…)Aromas of red currents and fresh ground coffee. Flavors of Dark chocolate and toasty vanilla. Barrel aging gives this wine depth and a long flavorful finish.


There were quite a few more wines that were tried, but my notes and photography at this point were a bit fuzzy…I will have to work on my organization skills while wine tasting for next time.
All in all J. LOHR was one of our favorite tastings, Between the friendly staff, great wines and the fun atmosphere I definitely give them a four sister five sister rating. I am gonna have to go find another sister!
I also purchased a great sign for my house while I was there.


Make a point to stop in to J.LOHR if you are passing through Paso Robles and tell them the Wino sent you!