Winemaker: Harry Hansen
Grapes: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, California
A majority of grapes came from small, family-run vineyards in Paso Robles. Situated on rolling hillsides, where the soils are rocky and well drained, these vineyards have ideal conditions for rich, flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, yet smooth is the nickname for Edna Valley Cabernet.
“Inside a lot of winemakers, there’s a yearning to do something artistic,” says Harry, the winemaker of Edna Valley wines.”I can’t sketch or do sculpture, but I can get the same response from a glass of wine as an artist gets from a beautiful painting. This is the perfect creative outlet for those us who are analytical, left-brain types.”
The 2007 vintage with a moderate temperatures allowed the wines enough time to ripen and gain an additional intensity. Grapes were well developed, with small berries and concentrated flavor. The wine aged for 12 to 14 months in American and French oak barrels.
Tasting notes:
Full flavor of dark fruits and cocoa, with a hint of vanilla oak. Lovely and smooth tannins perfectly balanced with oak to add complexity to the whole composition. Not at all robust, but very, very impressive.
Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 15.00
Ideal food pairing:
Beef or lamb burger, Fillet Mignon with creamy mushroom sauce or herb butter, Gordon blue, aged cheeses
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