Three Way Vineyard, Paso Robles
TASTING NOTES
I have never been one to make wine just to see if I can measure up to what is already being produced. My interest in a particular variety or vineyard site usually involves wanting to put my own spin or interpretation on a wine. Such is the case with Cabernet Sauvignon. Ever since I was introduced to Paso Robles Cabernet in 1990, I have admired the distractive style and flavor available from fruit grown in this appellation. At the time, I was making wine for Jerry Lohr and he was moving his red vineyard from Greenfield in the Salinas Valley to Paso Robles. The motivation was to abandon the cool climate herbaceous style that dominated the style of Monterey Cabernet for decades and replace it with something more attractive. Moving to Paso Robles, just 60 miles to the south, made all the difference in the world. The green vegetative aromas disappeared and were replaced with luscious dark fruits. The stemmy flavors gave way to rich full tannins with a smooth supple texture. It was impossible not to be seduced by the charm of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon.
Since 2017 Steve Carter’s Three Way Vineyard on the West Side of Highway 101 about three miles up Adelaida Road at 1,600 feet in elevation has been the source of our Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. The view is spectacular. But more important is that this location seems perfectly suited for Cabernet Sauvignon. Steve’s unrelenting pursuit of viticultural perfection has delivered to us outstanding fruit from which we craft our expression of his estate.
The 2022 Three Way Cabernet Sauvignon has a dark ruby color with youthful purple hues. One of the characteristics of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon that I find not only appealing but distinctive as well, is its strong fruit orientation. Cabernets from Paso Robles tip the scales in favor of cassis, blackberry and dark cherry over olives, herbs, and tobacco. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of classic varietal character in this wine, it’s just that the fruit gives the wine a sense of place and that is Paso Robles. Eighteen months of barrel aging provides this wine with a bouquet of deeply toasted oak. There is also a note of caramel, which to many of our fans is part of our signature cellar profile. Savory blueberry, blackberry, and mocha flavors ride upon a texture featuring mature tannins that add richness without chewy aggressive astringency. In addition to the bouquet the time spent in oak barrels add a creamy richness to the mid-palate of this wine leading to a finish that lingers well concluding with notes of cedar, and oak. Most Cabernet Sauvignons need time in the bottle to soften and mature. Not here. The silky tannins, another characteristic of Paso Robles Cabernet, and our meticulous efforts in the cellar to avoid over-extraction has created a wine that exhibits a surprisingly mature character for a wine of its age.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
16% Alc. 0.74 g/100ml TA 3.33 pH
Oak Regime: 100%
French Oak
