Lohr Vineyards and Wines is the creation of Jerry Lohr, a South Dakota farmboy turned land developer who became one of the founding fathers of the Central Coast wine producing region in California. Lohr did extensive research before assembling land in the Monterey and Paso Robles regions on which he planted grapes in the early 1970s.
2011 The Hilt Pinot Noir The Vanguard
The Hilt is a Santa Barbara County winery created by the people from the highly successful Jonata Winery. They do two Pinots: The Old Guard from older vines and The Vanguard from younger vines. Fruit for this cuvee was sourced from three of the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County: Solomon Hills, Sanford and Benedict and Bien Nacido. Dark red with little fade at the rim. Very fragrant nose that gives up black cherries, raspberries and brown spices. After some swirling hints of vanilla and cream soda poke through. Definitely a bigger wine, with full body, it retains balance and does not fall into that “Syrah lovers Pinot” style that some from the Central Coast can. Power and elegance combined in the right proportions. The finish is long and spicy with just a bit of tannin. Can drink now or hold for another 5+ years.
Excellent – $64 tax-in at BC Liquor stores. This is particularly good value for the quality. The 2012 release is out and sells for $99
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Nestled about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles lies the city of Paso Robles, or more correctly, El Paso de Robles (the Pass of the Oaks). And while most people think of Napa and Sonoma as the hotbed of California wines, Paso is quickly gaining notoriety amongst wine lovers as an area not only for producing great wine but also for providing an unpretentious wine country experience. Cass Winery perfectly embodies this spirit of relaxed yet quality living.
2004 Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank
Made up of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, this wine showed big fruit, solid structure and is drinking well now but could easily go much longer. Great complexity with notes of black cherry, plum, stewed fruits and vegetal notes combined with earth, spice and herbs. A powerful but balanced wine with a nice acidity on its wonderfully long finish.
Excellent+
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Located along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail in the Santa Maria Valley AVA, just north of Santa Barbara, sits the beautiful vineyards and tasting room of Cambria Estate Winery. Just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, at the northern end of the Foxen Canyon, this is cool climate country and ideal for planting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
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