***RECENTLY BOTTLED WINE, SHIPPING BEGINS NEXT WEEK***
If you’re in the market for a phenomenal red with fabulous QPR, this one’s for you: a full-throttle Paso Robles Red Blend for under $15/bottle!
Paso Robles’ prestige has seen a meteoric climb since the early 2010s – decades of investment into winemaking infrastructure across the region has paid off, and the quality of the wines from its premium estates is now on par with the best in California, if not the world – Wine Spectator chose a Paso red blend as its wine of the year not that long ago, Parker’s Advocate has awarded 100 point scores to multiple local wineries, and a number of producers have reached cult status, with prices for their signature Cabs and proprietary blends well into the triple digits. Boasting Mediterranean conditions perfect for growing Bordelaise varietals, the region has become an oasis for world-class talent – quite a few local winemakers have previous tours of duty at prominent Bordeaux chateaus.
Lot 523 is a New World bombshell with the soul of a Grand Vin de Bordeaux – a stunner composed of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, artfully interwoven with Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Crafted meticulously from 100% estate-grown fruit by one of the aforementioned winemakers with elite French training, this is an absurdly good flagship red that’s probably underpriced at $50/bottle, $600/case under its original label. Let’s be clear – we’re not complaining, and will always negotiate for the best deal regardless. Lucky for you, that means we’ve secured this absolute beast for you well over 60% OFF!
Our price: $109/6-pack, $18+/bottle.
Nestled in the Paso hills, our source’s estate vineyards are planted to well-draining alluvial soils, which handled the wet 2023 winter beautifully. Paso’s massive diurnal shift provided the usual profound effect on fruit concentration and complexity, with the signature summer heat fully ripening the grapes before a consistently cool August and September provided a few extra weeks of hang time for peak phenolic maturity. Grapes were hand-picked in mid-October, hand-sorted in the vineyard, and again at the cellar. Lots were vinified and aged separately in 100% French oak of the finest cooperage, after which the final blend was masterfully integrated.
Pouring a beautifully deep color that hints at its intensity, the nose bursts with brambles, dark chocolate, dried herbs, and uniquely Bordelaise tones. The entry is impressively concentrated and intricately structured; dark berries and black fruit meld with soft leather and dried tobacco, framed by a medium acidity and plentiful, grippy tannins. A long, robust finish opens with vanilla, baking spice, and dark fruit before building to a crescendo of crushed violets and a subtle umami. Though it’s ready to rock in its youth, this powerful wine will continue to blossom for years to come.
