Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/237615
Paso Passion EXPLORING THE EXCITING BORDEAUX-STYLE WINES FROM THE PASO ROBLES CAB COLLECTIVE by Megan Wieczorek / photos by Donna Fedenko W ith its pastoral landscape, laid-back attitude and excellent wines, Paso Robles is on its way to becoming the next big California wine appellation. While this AVA has long been regarded as one of the gems of California's Central Coast and a hub for domestic Rhône varieties, Paso Robles has far more magic up its sleeve. As the spotlight shines even brighter on this burgeoning region, the grapes that continue to take center stage are Bordeaux varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. The Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective was founded in 2012 in order to further promote the region's Bordeaux potential. This non-profit grassroots organization is open to all Paso wineries that produce premium Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals and blends and is governed by a board Laughter was a common theme among these of five of Paso's finest producers: Paso Robles winemakers, who are unafraid to DAOU Vineyards & Winery, J. get dirt under their fingernails by day and let Lohr Vineyards & Wines, JUSTIN loose a little by night. Doug Filipponi, coVineyards & Winery and two revolv- owner of Ancient Peaks Winery, and Douglas ing seats, elected each year. Hauck, proprietor of HammerSky. In December, THE TASTING PANEL teamed up with the The Paso Robles CAB Collective for a special Los Angeles event featuring Bordeaux-style wines from 18 of the region's prime producers. As glasses clinked, L.A.'s most important sommeliers and buyers had the opportunity to speak with vintners, enabling them to not only experience a true taste of the Central Coast, but also to hear the unique stories behind each high-quality wine. No one's Paso Robles roots grow deeper than those of the Parrish family, who have been growing grapes in the area since 1925. Raised on the family vineyards, David Parrish returned to his Central Coast roots after a 20-year career with Robert Mondavi in Napa to found Parrish Family Vineyards. "We have a great Paso heritage," says Parrish. "Our wines are soft but with good strength and ripe black fruit, a characteristic of Paso." THE TASTING PANEL'S Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue says of the Parrish 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: "Silky, elegant and ripe with black fruit and vanilla; seamless and balanced." French-born and -trained winemaker Stephan Asseo of L'Aventure saw Paso's potential for growing Bordeaux varieties early on. january 2014 / the tasting panel / 85 TP0114_66-108.indd 85 12/19/13 9:47 PM