PASO ROBLES

posted Aug 23, 2011 5:27 AM by Ted Fischer [ updated Oct 26, 2011 7:31 AM ]

PASO ROBLES

Summer Spirits of Paso Robles

By Nicole K. LaMonte-DeGolier- Associate Editor & Vino Reporter

In the last month of summer, the pre-harvest buzz of wine country has already begun. With a few months of uncommonly cool weather, the Paso Robles wine makers have had to deal with a range of issues from fruit on the vine not growing properly, to rain causing mildew and other infections to run rampant among the vines. Despite the weather challenges, everyone is moving full steam ahead with the hustle and bustle that the harvest in the near future will bring.

This was our first trip to the Paso Robles area, during a peak time. We tend to go in the off months, as we like the sleepiness and silent country roads that can be found around the New Year. What a contrast being there in summer, surrounded by a great deal more of tourism driven groups as well as the normal frenzied buzz that summer tends to bring with it. Our destination for the weekend was to attend a Spaghetti Western, dinner and a movie wine tasting event at Oso Libre Winery. This is the second annual Spaghetti Western, and what an event it was! The Oso Libre collaborative of family and close friends/employees pulled out all the stops. The evening was filled with fantastic food, lively music from a mariachi band (Mariachi Mexicanisimo) a screening of the Clint Eastwood favorite, “A Fist Full of Dollars” and last, but not least a sampling of great wines.

The first wine of the evening was the 2009 Volado, a 100% Viognier. This crisp, clean wine is the perfect way to cool down at the end of a hot summer evening. Its tropical fruit tones would pair nicely with a range of appetizers or a full on meal. It was accompanied by Melon & Prosciutto, Brushcetta al Pommodoro and Chorizo stuffed Dates wrapped in Bacon; to name a few tasty morsels. This is the kind of wine for any occasion; that works well with a wide range of flavors. Its price point is reasonable for the versatility that it presents.

After the appetizers we moved on to some bolder red wines to go along with the heartier fare on the dinner menu. Our next tasting was of the 2007 Rojo del Patrón; an Estate blend comprised of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Zinfandel. This is a good step after having had lighter fare because although it is bold, it is also gentle and the tannins aren’t as overwhelming as a Syrah or Barbera, so there is a smooth finish. It was a great companion to some of the main entrees, such as the Lasagna Bolognese made with Oso Libre Estate raised beef.

Finally, we finished off the meal with a full bodied red, the 2008 Carnal. This GSM Rhone style blend is a complex melding of 51% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 21% Mourvédre, 5% Petite Sirah and Zinfandel 1%. This marriage of so many varietals creates a full mouth feeling comprised of big cherry and spice tones. Best paired with a meal that needs something to challenge it, such as a zesty spaghetti arrabiata or in the case of our meal, a wood fired BBQ chicken full of smokey goodness. This wine can hold its own.

All in all, a magical evening was had between being outdoors under a full moon, sharing a good meal with like minded individuals that respect the labor of love that creating a wine entails; and a movie screen playing a classic of the silver screen. Looks like Paso Robles is enchanting any time of year you can get there!