A quick trip up to Paso Robles this past week.....just barely a day and a half...seeing old friends and
having the privilege of meeting two new (to us), exciting winemakers:
Aaron Jackson of Aaron Wines! Previewing his upcoming releases was a treat! But, being introduced to his BIG Petite Sirah (WHY is a BIG Sirah called petite?)...was a WOW! As Aaron states on his bottles: GO BIG OR GO HOME~
BUT....when you GO home, you better be taking some of his Petite Sirah with you! Thank you Aaron for the hospitality and introduction to your wines.
Then, a few hours spent in the home of Guillaume and Solene Fabre, of Clos Solene. Just two of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Guillaume and Solene's wines are nothing short of amazing:
Homage a Nos Pairs...a blend of 95% Syrah, 3% Grenache and 2% Mourvedre is liquid velvet, and their L'Insolent, 60% Cabernet and 40% Petite Verdot----indescribably delicious. Who says Paso can't produce
some of the best Bordeaux wines in the state?
Guillaume, Solene and their two precious children Clementine and Jean, with cousin Shelley and Ashley, Myself (Lynn behind the lens) and Guillaume and Solene's wonderful wines! Tre Magnifique!
Of course we LOVE meeting new winemakers and making new friends....but no Paso trip would be complete without always seeing some of our old friends...this time:
Maggie Tillman of Alta Colina.....finally getting to sample the 2010 Toasted Slope and finding out what all the rage is about!
Nick Elliott of Nicora. Sampling (and coming away with a bottle) his soon to be released GSM2010! Get it before it's gone. Nick may only be on his second release, but he has already hit the big time!
And Daniel Daou. Thank you for the magnificent lunch Daniel...and Soul of a Lion is even better after being in the bottle 4 months. Can't wait for that release in February!
And upon our return: WINE NIGHT! This was Grenache night....With 4 different entries:
From Dr. Mike and Pamela: Orin Swifts 2010 Abstract! THE WINNER
From my Dana and Matt: McPrice Myers 2010 L'Ange Rouge
From Paul and Ellen...always a different and unique "elder" wine.....a 1995 Beaucastel Chateauneuf Du Pape
and..from Me and Lynn: A 2010 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones
Needless to say, although there is always an official winner...all the wines are always unique and wonderful, and a pleasure to be exposed to.
A picture IS worth a thousand words...especially
during wine night
AND FROM OUR WINE GROUP TO ALL OF YOU....WE WISH YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR THE NEW YEAR! HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND OF COURSE....WONDERFUL WINES!
(From the left: Pamela, Mike, Dana, Matt, Lynn, Paul, Ellen
and yes, Don is behind the lens)
Happy people drinking good wine
Drinking good wine makes happy people
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
