Paso Robles Visit

I visited Paso Robles back in December 2011. I was on a business trip to LA and made a side trip to PR on the last day. Overall, very impressed with the area and the wine.

The day began early as I was on DC time. I did a quick four mile run in sub-freezing temperatures (didn't know it got that cold in PR, I only brought short sleeves and shorts; I think I covered that four miles in record time).

First on the agenda was Justin Vineyards Winery. I got there a little after 10am and was the first customer of the day. I had a tasting of their red wines, of which the 2009 ISOSCELES was outstanding.

Next on to Tablas Creek. Again I was the first customer so I got a 'private' and extended tasting. Started with the whites. The Cotes de Tablas was very good and the Esprit de Beaucastel outstanding. The pourer then went to the back to get a 1999 library wine; I didn't get the name but it was a blend of Marsanne (30%), Viognier (30%), Roussanne (20%), Grenache Blanc (15%), and Rolle (5%). Words can't describe how good this was! Then on to the reds, which were also outstanding. I recently had a 2000 Beaucastel Cdp so it would be interesting to go back and taste the Esprit de Beaucastel to see how they compare.

Now on to Adelaida and the most interesting stop on the trip. There was a couple there already so I joined in just as the tasting was starting. That's when we noticed the server was drunk - can't pour the wine in the glass, slurring words and having a hard time standing up, drunk. At 11:30 in the morning. She was somehow able to get the whites poured, which were outstadning, before she headed in the back and someone sober came out. Unfortunately, I don't remember the reds as I was talking to the couple next to me about our drunk server. I was getting there myself so I drove into town and had some lunch to rest a bit.

Next on to Tobin James. I thought the whites were nothing special. The reds were good, with the 2009 Syrah the best of the bunch. Perhaps I was put off by the interior and their shitck - I guess I'm not that much fun.

Anyway, off to Eberle to check out the cave. All of the servers were busy and I checked by my watch - only 3 more hours to get the rest of the wineries in so I left without seeing the cave (but I did see a picture).

Next stop, Windward. The Pinots were good, if nothing special. I did get a good explanition on how the cool coastal air travels up the valley thus allowing them to make PN.

Next off to AJB (Berardo) vineyards. As I approched, I noticed the gate was partially open so I proceeded in only to be met by a pack of dogs. Someone came out and told me the tasting room was only open on the weekends so I turned around and headed out...

... to Pipestone. What a beautiful place for a winery! I just wanted to sit in the vineyards and soak it all in. It was so beautiful and peacfull. Well I had a objective to meet and 5pm was rapidly approaching so I headed in to the tasting room. I was the only one there and waited about 5 minutes before the owner (Florence) came to pour. I liked all of the wines but nothing stood out from the crowd.

Now I'm getting tired. I've been up since 5am, visited six winers with one to go, which was Thacher. This was a last minute add - I would visit if I had the time. I arrived at 4:30pm, which was just enought time to make the last pour. I found the reds the typical California fruit bombs, which was atypical based on all of the winieers I had visited earlier. The Controlled Chaos was over 16% alcohol but it worked well.

After a full day of drinking, it was time to head to the hotel to relax a bit before dinner. After a few hours I headed to Thomas Hill Organics for an incredible meal. Very fresh, very tasty. An excellent way to end of day.

Now on to Adelaida and the most interesting stop on the trip. There was a couple there already so I joined in just as the tasting was starting. That's when we noticed the server was drunk - can't pour the wine in the glass, slurring words and having a hard time standing up, drunk. At 11:30 in the morning. She was somehow able to get the whites poured, which were outstadning, before she headed in the back and someone sober came out. Unfortunately, I don't remember the reds as I was talking to the couple next to me about our drunk server. I was getting there myself so I drove into town and had some lunch to rest a bit.

Now that's interesting! As I understand it, my aunt's family owns Adelaida. I have some of their Viking Cab and Pinot. Drunk at 11:30 AM!

Sounds like a great visit. Too bad you couldn't get into ABJ. You should have yelled, "throw me a Zin." Agree with your observations at Pipestone, and disagree with your take on Tobin James.

Next stop, Windward. The Pinots were good, if nothing special. I did get a good explanition on how the cool coastal air travels up the valley thus allowing them to make PN.
.

I felt the same way until they poured the gold label. That won me over. Why no stop at L'Aventure?

David,
Looks like you had a good time. Too bad about Adelaida. They make fine wines. Pipestone is indeed in a beautiful spot. When we visited Paso, we brown bagged our lunch there. Dunning, which is close to Pipestone also has a nice locale and good wines. Thanks for the notes.
-Shaji

Next stop, Windward. The Pinots were good, if nothing special. I did get a good explanition on how the cool coastal air travels up the valley thus allowing them to make PN.
.

I felt the same way until they poured the gold label. That won me over. Why no stop at L'Aventure?

Brian,

As I remember, Windward only poured two wines (maybe three). There was also a shift-change right in the middle of the tasting so I probably got short changed on the gold label tasting. L'Aventure was on my shortlist - I'll have to get that next time.

(p.s., I had a bottle of Delfosse Chardonnay Reserve tonight - very nice wine. A bit toasty but otherwise well balanced and tasty. On their website, they state "Made in the classic old world Burgundy style..." but the Delfosse Reserve was aged in new French Oak, which I thought wasn't done in Chablis. But that is the topic on another post...).

Hi:
I'm a relative newbie to this site, but wanted to pipe in about Paso - some other suggestions:
Halter Ranch - viogner and Vin de Paille - yum!
Venteux - Tache la Verre red and Fleur Blanc viogner. Superb boutique winery.
Rangeland - need to schedule an invite - worth the drive up just for the view, but their zin and rose are unique.
Cheers.

[Jenise]

Next stop, Windward. The Pinots were good, if nothing special. I did get a good explanition on how the cool coastal air travels up the valley thus allowing them to make PN.
.

I felt the same way until they poured the gold label. That won me over. Why no stop at L'Aventure?

When visiting Paso ourselves, we found that rather against our will we quickly adapted to the sweet, riper/saturated style that the majority of wines there are, such that a wine that in another circumstance would impress us for stylish restraint and correctness, like a Windward pinot, doesn't make the impression it deserves to.

Speaking of L'Aventure, last week we opened a bottle of the 2003 we purchased there and shared it with houseguests who'd been in Paso who had been in Paso that long ago weekend too. Because of the problem mentioned above I was afraid it would be goopy and sweet, but alas no. It was quite balanced and impressive. The big Parker points weren't misplaced on this one.

And David, re Tablas Creek and Beaucastel: in the last few weeks we've had (blind) a 2000 Tablas Esprit red and a 2001 Beaucastel. No comparison. The Tablas was good but sweet and unmistakably New Worldly, tasty but heavy, lacking complexity and acidity. I've had other new world syrahs that capture some old world quality far far far better than this did whereas the Beaucastel was unmistakably old world and very well-bred. More recent vintages of Tablas Creek might be hitting the mark a bit better, but I honestly don't know how Paso will ever be able to produce a wine anywhere close to the French idol.