Paso Robles: Seductive 2018s and 2019s
BY JOSH RAYNOLDS |
The 2018 and 2019 vintages in Paso Robles produced a great number of outstanding wines, in many cases the best showings of a winery’s work that I have yet tasted. The top examples of both year’s wines are marked by energy, precision and complexity and are destined for long aging, assuming readers have the willpower to resist their upfront, seductive fruitiness.
The Adelaida District is home to Paso Robles' highest altitude sites as well as some of the oldest vines in the region.
Recent Growing Seasons
The 2019 growing season started slowly, with abundant, much-needed rainfall in the early spring that helped to replenish the groundwater that has been diminishing over the last decade. Spring weather was cooler than usual, and while the summer was warm, it was rarely excessively hot, which allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly. In most cases, these conditions pushed the harvest into the third week of September and even later for cooler vineyards that lie closer to the Pacific Ocean on the appellation’s west side. The resulting wines show distinct clarity and fine detail, with fresh fruit character and harmonious tannins that will allow them to be enjoyed soon after release. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate the ageworthiness of numerous reds and even whites, which I suspect will enjoy long aging curves thanks to their balance.
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The 2018 and 2019 vintages in Paso Robles yielded a great number of outstanding wines. Top examples from both years are marked by energy, precision and complexity, and are destined for long aging, assuming readers have the willpower to resist their upfront, seductive fruitiness.
Show all the wines (sorted by score)
Producers in this Article
- Aaron
- Adelaida
- Alta Colina
- Amor Fati
- Ancient Peaks Winery
- Autry Cellars
- Barton Family Winery
- Benom
- Bianchi Winery
- Booker Vineyard
- Brecon Estate
- Broadside
- Broken Earth Winery
- Bushong Vintage Company
- Caelesta
- Calcareous Vineyard
- Caliza Winery
- Cass Winery
- Castoro Cellars
- Chronic Cellars
- Clos Solène
- Copia
- Croma Vera Wines
- DAOU
- Delmore
- Denner Vineyards
- Derby Wine Estates
- Donati Family Vineyard
- Downstream
- Dunning Vineyards
- Eberle Winery
- Écluse Wines
- Emercy Wines
- Epoch
- Falcone Family Vineyards
- Field Recordings
- Giornata
- Grey Wolf Cellars
- Hard Working Wines/McPrice Myers
- Hearst Ranch Winery
- Heath Vineyards
- Herman Story Wines
- Highlands 41
- Jada Vineyard & Winery
- J Dusi Wines
- J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
- Justin Vineyards & Winery
- Kinero
- kukkula
- L'Aventure
- Law Estate
- Ledge
- Linne Calodo
- Locatelli Vineyards & Winery
- Lone Madrone
- Maddalena
- MAHA
- McPrice Myers
- MCV Wines
- Midnight Cellars
- Monochrome Wines
- My Favorite Neighbor
- Nenow Family Wines
- Niner Wine Estates
- ONX Wines
- Opaque
- Opolo Vineyards
- Oso Libre Winery
- Paix Sur Terre
- Peachy Canyon Winery
- Pelletiere Estate
- Penman Springs Vineyard
- Riverstar Vineyards
- Robert Hall Winery
- San Simeon
- Saxum
- Sea Shell Cellars
- Seven Oxen Estate
- Shale Oak Winery
- Slamdance Koöperatieve Wines
- Tablas Creek Vineyard
- Thacher Winery
- The Farm Winery
- The Royal Nonesuch Farm
- Thibido Winery
- Tooth & Nail Winery
- Turtle Rock Vineyards
- Union Sacré
- Villa Creek Cellars
- Vina Robles
- Volatus Wine
- Windward Vineyard
- Zenaida Cellars