Visiting Paso Robles - J. Lohr Vineyards

J. Lohr Vineyards set up shop in Paso Robles thirty years ago when founder Jerry Lohr choose the region to produce world class Cabernet Sauvignon. Our group met assistant winemaker, Brenden Wood at the renowned Hilltop Vineyard to taste some of the new releases.

Wood joined J. Lohr in 2004 as a lab tech with a focus on quality control. He has been the assistant winemaker under Steve Peck for a decade now. Wood says he likes the small lot production techniques that J. Lohr promotes even though it is a larger winery. Wood talked about the different tiers of wine that they produce, from the every day drinkers to club exclusives, in the hopes that they are creating a wine for everyone.

The Tasting:

The Gesture line was originally created for the wine club members but is now available for purchase to all. Find it in the tasting room and on-line. Both of the following wines are from the 2016 vintage which was a bit cooler helping to create fruitier wines with great acidity.

J. Lohr Gesture Grenache Rosé 2016 - With only 302 cases produced, this wine has sold out. It was quite refreshing with strawberry and tropical notes.

J. Lohr Gesture Viognier 2016 - Also a smaller production at 545 cases, the grapes for this wine were
sourced from the Gean Vineyard in the Adelaida District which has shallow rocky soil on mountain hillsides and a climate similar to the Rohône. The medium bodied white was lush and ripe with nectarine, honeysuckle and a stony minerality in the lingering finish. 14.5% ABV / SRP $30

From the more widely available and wallet friendly Estate Series:
J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2014 - The grapes for this wine come from the cooler El Pomar District of Paso Robles where the fast draining soils naturally limit vine growth and improve the wine quality. Bright aromas and flavors of plum, mocha and nutmeg in a medium body with smooth tannins and a light toasted note in the finish. 13.8% ABV / SRP $15

From the Cuvée Series which consists of three different Bordeaux-styled blends which Wood explained was their highest level of wine from premium Paso Robles vineyards made only in the best vintages:
J. Lohr Cuvée Series St. E 2013 - With a nod to the wines of St Emilion in Bordeaux, this wine is a blend of 63% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 4% Malbec grown on gravelly well-drained soil during an ideal growing season. The wine is ripe with red plum and dark berry aromas and flavors with espresso, dark chocolate and a light savory note in the long finish. There were only 994 six pack cases produced. 14% ABV / SRP $50

Lust Zinfandel 2007

My husband loves this wine so he purchased quite a few bottles at a recent Michael~David dinner that we had attended. Last night, I decided to open a bottle to serve with dinner. I was making a roasted southwestern pork tenderloin, sweet potato fries (w/ chipolte ketchup) and a salad consisting of baby lettuce (fresh from my garden) with strawberries, red bell peppers, red onions and walnuts tossed with a white balsamic-raspberry vinaigrette. This turned out to be a great pairing. It is a bold wine that really stood up to the strong chipolte seasoning while complementing the fruit flavors. I opened the bottle a 1/2 hour before I served it as I have found this wine to be more enjoyable when I do so. The Lust Zinfandel by Michael~David 2007 was a dark purple color with a ruby rim. It has intense aromas of very ripe mixed berries and baking spices-both allspice and ginger with hints of ...

Introducing Oltrepò Pavese - An Italian Sparkling Wine that You Should Know

Last year, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy to taste the wines of Oltrepò Pavese. I discovered that these sparkling wines are based on Pinot Noir, they are made in the traditional method, like Champagne, and most importantly, they are an Italian hidden gem that bubble lovers across the world need to put on their radar. In the August issue of Galveston Monthly magazine, I introduce these wines to my readers.

World of Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara -on location

Tasting Rombauer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Pacific Ocean views. I was given the opportunity to attend the annual World of Pinot Noir event last month which brings together the foremost Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers from around the world in a weekend-long celebration of this enticing wine. Champagne to Bourgogne in France, down under wines from Tasmania in Australia, Pinot focused wineries in South America, and all along America's premium West Coast Pinot regions including Santa Barbara, Russian River Valley, up to Willamette Valley, this is truly a celebration of Pinot Noir from around the world. A Grand Tasting of Pinot Noir at the Ritz Carlton Bacara. Though the house was full ,it was still easy to maneuver to the different tasting tables to sip with the many winemakers on the floor. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy tasting classes, paired winemaker lunches and dinners, and two Grand Tastings in the refined comfort of the Ritz Carlton Bacara Hotel in ...

Wine Life - Houston

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