Paso
Robles: Boundless Diversity

BY ERIC GUIDO |&nbsp;MAY 18, 2023My trip to Paso Robles, in the absence of Josh Raynolds,
was a somber affair. I was quite worried on the first day, as the news of
Josh’s passing was made public. I went to Paso thinking I was doing a friend
justice and trying as hard as I could to cover a region he so loved. Within
three days of being on the ground, the light of an industry icon had fizzled
out. I tried to push our friendship and memories to the back of my mind because
I was in the field. However, everywhere I looked, I saw his shadow. Josh’s
flame burned so bright that he left a mark on every producer, restaurant and
location he ever encountered or set foot in. The loss of our dear friend and
colleague will be felt for many years. I am honored to be able to pick up where
Josh left off. Still, while in Paso Robles dealing with grief and loss, I found
that every grower and winemaker had a story about Josh that brought smiles and
enlightenment to each passing day. This town loved him, his quirkiness, charm,
caring being, knowledge (so far beyond wine) and undying endurance. We will all
be telling stories about Josh Raynolds for many years to come. I miss you, my
dear friend. But on to Paso, as you would prefer the focus to be here.<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1684417306179-Dry-farmed+Zinfandel+vines+at+Lone+Madrone_copy.jpg">Dry-farmed Zinfandel vines at Lone Madrone. 

This is not California, or maybe it is. It certainly
doesn’t feel that way. I’ve traveled to Napa and Sonoma many times. I’ve
witnessed the grandiose tasting rooms and large vineyards and heard the
marketing lines and all the hype. This is not it. Producers here communicate a
human desire to do better. To help build the community over time. They are
selfless and eager to pay respect to those who mentored them and helped them
achieve their status. This is the country. Visitors will find the tourist crowd
in the downtown areas, but will discover an entirely different group throughout
the vineyards of Paso. Winemakers are maybe a bit less polished, happily so,
and tinkering nonstop to better understand how they can push themselves and the
entire region forward. Paso Robles is just primed to be the next tourist hot
spot for wine lovers in California.The Wildly Unique Terroir of Paso Robles The first thing to understand is how Paso Robles producers can
succeed in many ways despite challenges that most assume would hinder them. The
region, located along US Highway 101, lies halfway between Los Angeles and San
Francisco, with the Santa Lucia Mountains defining its western border and the
Cholame Hills to the east. The region’s biggest obstacle is the combination of
high daytime temperatures and low average rainfall (around 21 inches a year).
There’s no issue with achieving extremely ripe fruit. It’s the opposite. In
Paso, finding balance is the hurdle, and luckily (outside of irrigation), Mother
Nature provides several ways producers can do just that.<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1684417501366-Looking+out+across+the+massive+vineyards+of+the+Daou+winery_copy.jpg">Looking out across the massive vineyards at the DAOU&nbsp;winery. 

These are not rich, fertile hills, but a mix of bedrock-derived soils from weathered granite and marine sedimentary rocks. While the blend of sand, silt, clay, stone and shale changes from location to location, nearly any producer in the region will generalize the ground beneath their feet as calcareous, especially in the higher western elevations. The daily effect of warm air rising creates a vacuum within the region that pulls cool air from the Pacific Ocean through the Templeton Gap, a small area of lower elevation within the Santa Lucia Mountains. These winds create temperature swings of up to 50 degrees between day and night. Extreme diurnal shifts balance the day's heat, allowing grapes to retain acidity and extending the growing season, which often lasts from March to early November. These unique attributes explain much of the character of Paso Robles wines.In the best-case scenario, Paso Robles producers can push
their fruit to perfect phenolic ripeness with stimulating acidity, classically
refined tannins and gobs of fruit, making powerful yet elegant and balanced
world-class wines. The downside is that some wineries overdo it, resulting in
mammoth-scale wines of power, high alcohol and residual sugar, masked by refreshing
acidity within. This kind of wine can get you quickly into trouble after more
than one glass.&nbsp;

It’s essential to mention the York Mountain AVA when
discussing Paso Robles. Firstly, because, while unique, it shares a
geographically natural border on the western side of Paso, connected to the
Adelaida, Willow Creek and Templeton Gap districts. And secondly, because it’s
a hotspot of activity and the talk amongst top producers in the region. The
first that comes to mind is Epoch, which has already established a highly
successful vineyard in the AVA. However, many others are sourcing from here or
beginning new projects, such as Saxum, which has acquired a 222-acre property
in Shadow Canyon and is planting its first 15-acre Grenache parcel shortly. The
York Mountain AVA is very attractive for a producer in Paso Robles who has been
watching temperatures rise and water become scarcer. Its location is just seven
miles from the Pacific Ocean, with elevations between 1,500 to nearly 1,700
feet and sitting at the opening of the Templeton Gap. The soils are much
different in York Mountain, a combination of sand and sandstone, receiving
twice the average rainfall than Paso Robles. It’s an exciting terroir that can
allow Paso Robles winemakers to further diversify their portfolios.&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1684417388414-Jeremy+Weintraub+of+Adelaida+talking+terroir+within+Anna%E2%80%99s+vineyard._copy.jpg">Adelaida's winemaker&nbsp;Jeremy Weintraub talking terroir within Anna’s vineyard. Boundless Diversity Speaking of diversity, another beautiful aspect of Paso
Robles is its menagerie of grape varieties and the wildly unique wines and
blends they can create. There was a time when the average wine lover with a
general knowledge of California would think of Paso Robles as being focused on
Rhône varieties. However, today that is no longer the case.&nbsp;

The plantings in Paso Robles are constantly changing, with
Cabernet Sauvignon now accounting for 52% of grown varieties (and increasing),
followed by a classification of “Other Red Varieties” that makes up 18%. The
latter category is where things get interesting, as vineyard managers and
winemakers constantly experiment to see what will grow best within their unique
terroir. Grenache, Malbec, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Mourvèdre,
Petite Sirah and Cinsault are covered, as well as some unexpected varieties
that find a happy home in Paso, including Tannat, Graciano, (which was initially
thought to be Mourvèdre when it was first planted), Counoise, Nebbiolo,
Aglianico, Sangiovese and Barbera. All are included in this open-ended
category. The red grapes not included in this group are Merlot, Zinfandel,
Syrah and Pinot Noir, all found in plentitude. Chardonnay is the most widely
planted white grape in the region. Yet, Paso also offers a large selection of
well-known but obscure white grapes, including Clairette Blanche, Viognier,
Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Arneis and Albariño. Grenache Blanc was
a true standout that I was repeatedly impressed by during tastings this year.&nbsp;

Not only are Paso Robles producers constantly tinkering
with all the aforementioned blends, but they go even further with mono-varietal
wines, adding an unprecedented number of wines emblazoned with fantasy names.
Luckily for consumers, the varieties are listed on the back label. This can
cause some confusion, but with some guidance and an idea of your preferences, finding
the best wine to fit any occasion is not too difficult.<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1684417417881-The+barrel+aging+cellar+of+L%27Aventure_copy.jpg">The&nbsp;L'Aventure&nbsp;barrel aging cellar.A Regenerative Revolution A topic that comes up often when
speaking with winemakers in Paso Robles is Regenerative agriculture. In the
last few years, I’ve been fascinated by the number of regenerative farms that
have gained popularity in the United States. However, these farms focus on
breeding livestock within an entirely natural ecosystem while helping to
rebuild soil health and eliminate any adverse environmental effects. It’s a
noble idea that, while an expensive option for the average consumer, is worth supporting.
I should have realized that these same principles are now applied to vineyards.
Paso Robles is already ahead of the game, with most producers working organic,
yet Regenerative takes things to a whole new level.&nbsp;

Tablas Creek Vineyards, which has
followed organic and partial biodynamic practices since its inception in 1989,
was the first winery to receive an official certification from the Regenerative
Organic Alliance (ROA). When discussing the decision to switch to Regenerative
with winemaker Neil Collins of Tablas Creek, he stated, “Biodynamics is very
process based, but there are pieces of that process that are not very
scientific. Regenerative has taken biodynamic and made it into a tangible
thing.” He explained that Regenerative requires a winery to create an
environment that sustainably nurtures itself from the inside out. This includes
a focus on soil health, biodiversity, no tilling, active flocks of sheep, processing
grasses into natural fertilizer, sustainable energy and paying all workers a
living wage to better everything within and attached to the farm. It was a
difficult conversion, yet Tablas Creek has led the way, and many other wineries
in the region have taken note. Of course, as these things go, Collins did issue
a warning: “I just hope that they can guard the integrity of that word [Regenerative].
You know, ‘sustainable’ has been compromised so much.”<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1684417609303-The+Regeneratively+farmed+vineyards+of+Tablas+Creek_copy.jpg">Tablas Creek's Regeneratively farmed vineyards. The Radiant 2019s, Turbulent 2020s and Highly Anticipated 2021s While the 2020 vintage presented severe challenges to
growers in the area, Paso Robles fared better than I had expected. Not only
that, but the region was blessed with two excellent vintages surrounding it,
2019 and 2021.&nbsp;

The 2019s I tasted on this recent trip reassured all
the high praise Josh Raynolds previously gave this excellent year. His words
were: “Wines show distinct clarity and fine
detail, with fresh fruit character and harmonious tannins.” The 2019 vintage
was defined by a long growing season without any extreme heat events and
higher-than-average rainfall. Frankly, when tasting between vintages, the 2019s
stand out for their radiance. Most are just entering their drinking windows,
and nearly all have the capacity to mature evenly over time. Many new releases
detailed in the accompanying notes are well-worth consideration.

Then there was 2020, a year that consumers have been
talking about since word of multiple, widespread wildfires reached us over
social media and the news. The 2020 vintage presented many challenges to
winemakers through a Global Pandemic, late-season heat waves and the fear of
smoke taint in the finished wines. Luckily for winemakers in Paso Robles, often
at the expense of cutting production but also due to the region's natural
ventilation, the result was less impactful than feared. Even still, there are
wines that do have issues with smoke taint, often resulting from location.&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1684417599189-Guillaume+Fabre+discussing+sustainabilty+within+his+Clos+Solene+vineyards_copy.jpg">Guillaume Fabre discusses sustainability within his Clos Solene vineyards. One area was hit much harder outside Paso Robles in the
York Mountain AVA. Jordan Fiorentini of Epoch reported cutting production by
30%, losing most of her red varieties from York Mountain due to its proximity
to the Big Sur fire. There were also other casualties, as she found issues with
the Mourvèdre from their Paderewski vineyard in Willow Creek. Making the
responsible choice not to bottle wines that show any sign of smoke taint is a
familiar story amongst the region's top producers, which should ease some of
the fear around this challenging year.&nbsp;

In the western Adelaida district, one of the higher
elevation areas of Paso Robles (900-2,200 ft), and home to many of the region's
top wineries, reports of possible smoke taint were much more encouraging.
Daniel Daou of DAOU explained, "2020 was very similar to 2019 as a
vintage, with only some ash and smoke, yet the winds quickly carried it out.”
The winds he speaks of are the cooling air currents pulled daily through the
Templeton Gap. As old smoke settled into the region by day, it would be carried
back out overnight. Jeremy Weintraub, the winemaker at Adelaida, had an equally
positive view, saying, "As far as smoke impact, non! We’re going to make
wine the way we normally would, but if it sucks, we dump it. I love the 2020
vintage. I would taste anyone on these wines."&nbsp;As he should because I
found no smoke taint during our tasting. Weintraub added, "It’s all about
where the vines are located and how everything is planted. Breeze and elevation
helped. All I can take credit for is not picking the fruit early in July or
August. Prior to the smoke, the vintage had been great, so we thought, let's
make wine from a great vintage."&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the Willow Creek district, also on the western side of
the appellation with elevations between 960-1,900 ft, Matt Trevisan of Linne Calodo had an
interesting take on the year. He explained that the smoke was more of a high
haze that added something of a cloud cover, saying, "Take what you get
from a vintage,” suggesting that any smoke in the atmosphere could be
considered a matter of terroir during that vintage. Yet followed up by saying, "I
didn't see any smoke issues relative to my production." Nor did I.&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1684417636047-The+barrel+aging+room+at+Law+Estate_copy.jpg">Law Estate's&nbsp;barrel aging room. 

It’s important to note that it's common for wineries to
source fruit from vineyards across the Central Coast, not just within Paso
Robles. Moreover, vineyards further north or in the lower elevations to the
east suffered more than those to the west and further south. Some wines show nuances
of ash or even barbeque-like-smokiness on the nose or finish and astringent
tannins. Ultimately, 2020 is a vintage where readers need to be selective. Even
within some of the highest-scoring portfolios, wines are more docile or
rounded, pleasing with their elegance and ripe fruit character, yet lack the
balance associated with the top years. My suggestion is to look to the most
trusted producers, those who were willing to make sacrifices to make the best
wines possible.

Mention 2021 to most Paso Robles producers, and
they’ll smile from ear to ear. My early tastings of this vintage revealed some
exciting wines that tempt the imagination. I have already tasted at several top
estates that showed wines from barrel, and my expectations are very high. The
white wines are particularly stunning, with vivid fruit and crisp acidity. The
2021 vintage can be considered a cool year overall, with very little
precipitation. The region received around sixteen inches of rain, mainly
through the winter but also at a timely period during the fall which helped to
extend the harvest.

Moreover, no significant heat spikes coupled with extreme
diurnal shifts resulted in some of the highest average acids seen in the wines
since 2011. Daniel Daou described 2021 as a perfect combination of 2019 and
2020 (if not for the smoke), stating, "There was no rush into harvest.”
This will be an exciting vintage to follow over the coming year.<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1684417666236-The+Mourvedre+%28B2%29+block+within+the+James+Berry+Vineyard+at+Saxum_copy+%281%29.jpg">The Mourvèdre&nbsp;(B2) block within&nbsp;Saxum's&nbsp;James Berry Vineyard. 

I tasted nearly all the wines for this report in Paso
Robles in March 2023, through a combination of producer visits and with the
help of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, who expertly organized four days
of intense, focused tastings. My hat is off to them for their level of
professionalism, organization and communication. © 2023, Vinous. No portion of this article may be copied, shared or re-distributed without prior consent from Vinous. Doing so is not only a violation of our copyright, but also threatens the survival of independent wine criticism.<div><hr> You Might Also Enjoy<a target="_blank" href="https://vinous.com/articles/paso-robles-seductive-2018s-and-2019s-jul-2022">Paso Robles: Seductive 2018s and 2019s</a>, Josh Raynolds, July 2022 <a target="_blank" href="https://vinous.com/articles/paso-robles-2018-&amp;-2017-grace-and-power-dec-2020">Paso Robles 2018 &amp; 2017: Grace and Power</a>, Josh Raynolds, December 2020 <a target="_blank" href="https://vinous.com/articles/paso-robles-can-t-stop-winning-feb-2020">Paso Robles Can’t Stop Winning</a>, Josh Raynolds, February 2020 <a target="_blank" href="https://vinous.com/articles/paso-robles-2016-2015-new-releases-sep-2018">Paso Robles 2016 &amp; 2015: New Releases</a>, Josh Raynolds, September 2018</div>

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