MEGATASTINGDAY PART THREE: BROTHER LOU AND PASO ROBLES DANCE MOVES

Having had a really messed-up schedule thanks in part to me getting a very inconvenient cold over the weekend (like they are ever convenient), I am furiously trying to catch up with posts today and tomorrow, on top of heading up to Mason for the Tramonte & Sons Annual Trade Show today.

This post covers Brother Lou’s stop with some new adds from Paso Robles way (he is vacationing out there this week), along with a few other wines:

Batasiolo Moscato Spumante Rose NV. Grade=Outstanding. Yes, it’s a Moscato, but it’s pink so it gets a mild pass from my Moscato H8. Not terribly sweet. Little strawberry and orange notes. Nice.

Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc “Bicycle” Central Valley 2010. Grade=Outstanding. Hints of green apples, jalapeno, cilantro, guava and quince notes. Crisp and bright throughout.

Sea Ridge Chardonnay California 2009. Grade=Yuck. Just nothing redeemable about this wine. I don’t even think the drain wants anything to do with it.

Terra Robles Chardonnay Paso Robles 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Slight barrel fermentation lends creamy oak
to this tropical fruit mix. Nice acidity coupled with notes of pineapple, lemon meringue and apple pie.

Robert Hall Chardonnay Paso Robles 2008. Grade=Outstanding. I like the Terra Robles better, but I think
that has to do more with the age on this one than anything else. Perhaps the 2009 will be fresher. Here you have apples and nectarines, but slightly faded, like flat soda on a hot summer day.

Sea Ridge Merlot California 2009. Grade=Passable. If I were really drunk and didn’t care what I was drinking, this would taste pretty good.

Sea Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon California 2009. Grade=Passable. This or anything else? I would opt for anything else.

Terra Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Solid medium-to-full-bodied Cab with
blackberry, loganberry, plum and chocolate notes, somewhat spicy, with smoky rich tannins at the finish.

Robert Hall Merlot Paso Robles 2008. Grade=Amazing. An incredible Merlot from Paso, one of the best I’ve had. Brown baking spices temper this black-and-red-fruited number, sexed up further by sweet black cherries and smoky oak.

Robert Hall Rhone de Robles Central Coast 2007. Grade=Outstanding. Like a trip through the IHOP syrup tray
without the added sugar rush, this dark-fruited wonder is spicy and bold with exotic berry fruit aromas and flavors, toasty oak and white pepper.

Robert Hall Syrah Paso Robles 2008. Grade=Outstanding+. A sexy Syrah, with red currant, cocoa, carmel macchiato and incense notes. Medium-to-full-bodied with touches of boysenberry and sassafrass.

Robert Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2008. Grade=Amazing. A dark, brooding red monster showing off
black currant, blackberry, dark plum, bitter chocolate, black pepper, mesquite, charcoal and tar notes. A heckuva value.