Paso Robles

• Willow Creek

This is 100% Syrah.  Torrin wines are big, bold wines that really need at least a decade in most vintages to really come around for my tastes.  That said, at age 9, this was singing.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, smoked meats, slight bacon fat, black pepper and violets.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, black raspberries, char, some blueberries and some minerality.  Long finish.  This is great on its own, but even at age 9 will be a difficult food pairing.  A nice BBQ Brisket would work.  Drink over the next ten to fif

While not their "top" wine, this is an ultra premium Cabernet that is on par with Napa or any other Cabernets at this price level.  It is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is open and enticing.  Cassis, black raspberries, cigar box, chocolate, spice and char.

This is their basic Cabernet.  it is a blend of 77.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15.6% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Merlot, and 0.4% Cabernet Franc.  It had been in a decanter for about 45 minutes when I tried it.  Nevertheless, it was at least partially shut down at this point.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very tight.  With some air in the glass, it opened a bit more.  Aromas of Black cherries, sandalwood and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, it is a bit more open.  Black cherries with some spice and char.  Moderate finish.  This wine needs time

This is a blend of 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache, and 3% Petite Sirah from Paso Robles.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is powerful with black raspberries, black pepper, grilled meats, black cherries, gravel and char.  Full bodied.  Lush texture.  great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is flat out delicious.  Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, black pepper and char.  Long finish.  Still a big wine but it has calmed down since its youth.  It should drink well for another twenty years.  Great on its own, this will work well with bigger food off

Such a great value!  This is a blend of 43% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre, and 6% Counoise.  This is garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, roasted meats and earthiness.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is drinking quite well.  Varietal complexity with an excellent texture.  Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries and some plums.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well and would be an excellent choice for a weekday meal be it pizza, meatloaf or veggie wraps.  Drink over the next

This is a blend of 78% Petite Sirah, 18% grenache, and the remainder Syrah and Roussanne.  It is a big, bold wine that is drinking well.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, gravel, black cherries, and spices.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit with some black raspberries and char.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own and would work well with meats or poultry off the grill.  Drink over the next six to ten years.  

This is what used to be Terry Hoage  Winery.  It is 98% Syrah and 2% Mourvedre.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, black pepper and char.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this is a big wine.  Full throttle.  Flavors of black raspberries with some black pepper and char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but will take big food.  Roasted or grilled meats and/or veggies would work.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

This is a different Syrah from Andremily.  It is a one off release from the G2 Vineyard in Paso Robles.  The wine is a blend of 88% Syrah with 12% Mourvedre.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, roasted meat, char and slight floral notes.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this has a great plush texture.  Juicy black raspberry fruit with black pepper and char.  Slight black olive note on the finish.  Delicious if still very young.  Give it another five to eight years and drink for twenty after that.  great on

This is a blend of 65% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre, and 5% Grenache.  I am a big fan of these wines and this one was no exception.  This is a big wine but it is starting to shed some of its youth.  Inky purple, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, plums, roasted meats, spice and slight chocolate note.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Deep.  Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, slight chocolate and spice.  Great lush texture.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with some foods.  Cassoulet

This is a blend of 40% Mourvedre, 27% Syrah, 23% Grenache, and 10% Counoise.  It is Tablas Creek's version of a Chateauneuf du Pape.  Garnet in color with some purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, plums, spice and slight floral notes.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is still young but drinking well with air.  Flavors of black raspberries, plums with spice and char.  Lovely texture.  Long finish.  This should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  It would be a great with with roasted fowl but also