WTN: Broadside

Broadside 2013 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, Margarita Vineyard. 14.2% abv, $23 but probably available for more like $20 elsewhere. I think Chris Brockway of Broc is involved in this label. This is one of the better QPR California wines I've had lately; it's a balanced, middle-weight, varietally correct Cab, showing cassis, graphite, and a little bit of bitter cocoa; drinks very well now but I could see it developing for a while, too, as there's enough stuffing, as well as enough tannin on the finish. I'm going back for more.

[Jenise]

Very interesting note. I'm so convinced that no one in Paso makes a wine I would truly like, I avoid the appellation altogether. Others must feel similarly as the wines rarely pop up on this board. My experience after a visit there--even the most even and elegant of the wines there, like Tablas Creek, seemed pretty OTT when I got them home.

[David M. Bueker]

Tablas OTT? Which bottlings if I may ask?

That being said, i am equally surprised at the idea of something mid-weight and balanced coming out of Paso.

I gather Margarita Vineyard is in a pretty far-flung part of the Paso AVA, up on a ridge between 1000'-1500', with some marine influence. I was surprised too, and only bought it, when I came across it, because I'd read about it in Bonne's book, who suggested it was pretty atypical for Paso. He's not wrong.

[Jenise]

Tablas OTT? Which bottlings if I may ask?

That being said, i am equally surprised at the idea of something mid-weight and balanced coming out of Paso.

Long time ago, I don't recall specifics but suffice to say their best stuff. We tasted at wineries for three days, and Tablas was close to the last. I had gone to Paso expecting to bring home up to two cases of souvenirs, but in fact only purchased nine bottles from three wineries that I thought reasonably restrained (including Tablas). However, once home I found them all OTT compared to what we usually drink.

[Jenise]

Tablas OTT? Which bottlings if I may ask?

That being said, i am equally surprised at the idea of something mid-weight and balanced coming out of Paso.

Long time ago, I don't recall specifics but suffice to say their best stuff. We tasted at wineries for three days, and Tablas was close to the last. I had gone to Paso expecting to bring home up to two cases of souvenirs, but in fact only purchased nine bottles from three wineries that I thought reasonably restrained (including Tablas). However, once home I found them all OTT compared to what we usually drink.

I hate the "tasted at the winery and liked it...got it home and it was meh (or awful)" reality!

(Off topic: A Tin Barn Syrah tasted at the winery south of Sonoma was peppery and lithe but the bottle I took to a dinner was utterly characterless. I wonder if it was corked)