Like the perfect Fall cornucopia, blended wines are all about bringing together the right combination of ingredients. When you get the right stuff together—bam! Magic happens. Thanks to Paso’s ever-burning desire to search out new and compelling flavor profiles, blends have continued to take center stage. Why the big deal? These approachable wines are always versatile, unique and totally drinkable: In fact, most of the popular wine choices in the world are blends (we’re not surprised). In Paso Robles Wine Country, vintners play with combinations of barrels, vineyards or grapes to create totally exciting masterpieces, year after year. This harvest season, toast to 5 bodacious blends that prove more is more.
Straight Out of Paso – 2019 Tarragona
Why it rocks: You know that amazing, otherworldly aroma that rises from the garden after a hard rain? This SOP wine has that kind of perfume in spades. Fresh lavender and crushed violet petals plus savory herbs and resinous cedar fill the glass. Like a cozy visit to grandma’s country house, the palate reveals warm cherry pie, fresh pipe tobacco, saddle leather, pomegranate seed and a hint of cola. But there’s more! A vibrant finish lingers on with blood oranges and ground cinnamon coating your tongue. Bewitching is just the beginning.
Lone Madrone – Bristol’s Blackbeard Cider
Why it rocks: OK, this is not a wine, but this is a cider made similarly to a wine by award-winning Lone Madrone winemaker Neil Collins. Stay with me: There’s no time like autumn to enjoy this underrated beverage. Aged for eight months in bourbon barrels, a sumptuous rainbow-blend of apples have been conditioned with a sprinkling of Champagne yeast and brettanomyces. The result? A mischievously complex cider that burns with fresh curiosity. Beware. You might become more interesting just by sipping it!
Still Waters – Cuvee Blanc Fisherman of Still Waters
Why it rocks: Can’t we all just get along? Brimming with Still Waters estate grown fruit, this refreshing, everyday white blend is all about pleasing everyone at your table. Yes, we mean everyone (even your pickiest friend). The first thing you’ll notice when approaching the glass is the outright juiciness—this wine is the definition of “fruit forward.” Note the citrus blossom and orange stone fruit flavors, oh-so-charming till the very last drop! With a crowd-pleaser like this by your side, brunch is going to be a breeze.
Oso Libre – 2018 Reserva Bordeaux Style Blend
Why it rocks: Featuring a blend of grapes from Oso Libre Estate and Domenico Vineyards, this solid red blend is like smooth jazz for your soul. Savor the round, black cherry-plum vibes of the merlot bolstered by the structure of classic cabernet sauvignon (could there be a better blend made in heaven?) Barrel aged for an extended period, you’ll experience optimum lushness and luxurious mouthfeel like never before. Think of this as silk pajamas for your palate. Yes, it’s that smooth!
Crazy Woman Cellars – Brooklyn ’37
Why it rocks: Both soft on the palate and interesting to the tastebuds, this one is a slam dunk for newbies and wine snobs alike. An homage to the CWC’s winemaker’s step-mom Adrienne Bennett (one of the “great crazy women” of history, according to the winery), this bottle’s got moxie. Dazzle your senses in the whimsy of raspberry, cherry, and vanilla chased immediately by a light tobacco smoke in the mid-palate. With loads of personality to spare, you’ll be intrigued till the last sip. What can we say…some people’s moms are just cooler than others.
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This blog is written by flavor fiend Hayley Cain. Follow her @flavorslo on Instagram or at astoldbyhayley.com.
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