Paso Robles (usually just called Paso) is the epitome of California's rolling hills and coastal winds. "Our secret agriculture alley"... I'm sure someone from the area has called it at one point or another.
~Yian Lu Paso Robles Petite Sirah, 2017
Paso's not too far from the ocean, just north of San Luis Obispo and just a mountain range away from California's massive Central Valley. I've actually heard that the San Joaquin Valley (the southern half of the Central Valley) used to grow 60% of the world's produce, which would be remarkable even if the number was off by 20%! Regardless, the folks with soil science degrees and agriculture in their blood have known about Paso and the surrounding areas for years. Now that some prominent companies and families have planted grapes out there (alongside the local vineyards and hidden-gem wineries that have been there for decades), they're making some serious wine and serious money. People around the world have now come to know and love a region that is sometimes considered a little bit country by visitors. A taste of California's fabled history.
The Review: 4/5
I expected this to be a tad young and worthy of some time to mature, so I made sure to open it about 30 minutes before I planned to start drinking. As anticipated, the initial meeting of the wine and my palate provided a cornucopia of heavy fruit and inky goodness.
There’s all sorts of profound plum; perhaps it’s the plum that’s been at the bottom of the barrel and is a bit more squishy and earthy. There’s also some lovely charcoal peeking its head out and a real touch of old-world simplicity.
The inky goodness I mentioned earlier blankets every surface it comes in contact with and gives you no choice but to revel in the glory of the carefully crafted grapes.
You don’t have to search long to find a touch of wood (along the lines of aged/dried oak, one of my favorite notes) and an additional dusting of that old-world earthiness... but so much of the fruit is sustained even after a significant amount of time breathing. I'm genuinely surprised. The plum is still there, dancing with the wood and sewing its way in and out of mild fruit sweetness and even more mild tartness. Not a citrus tart... more like a lip-smacking, cheek-filling, palate-popping brightness that a balsamic vinegar would add to a hearty chicken or sauce recipe. Do you not use balsamic sometimes when you cook chicken? I’m a fan.
I’d dare to say this Petite Sirah from the central coast of California has come together exquisitely, and would have fooled me into believing it was a European red before I ever would have pointed my finger at Paso Robles.
The force is strong with Lu, definitely.
Cheers!!
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More Wine Reviews
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Paso Wiki
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paso_Robles,_California
Central Valley, CA Wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Valley_(California)
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