Winery
of the Week: Hunt Cellars - Paso Robles
At
Hunt Cellars, winemaker David Hunt, has an artistic
side, too. Alas, David lost his sight in 1989, so his expressions
of art come in the form of his winemaking and his music. As
a musician, he plays at his own winemaker dinners and indulges
his passion for music by bestowing his wines with musical titles.
Despite his blindness, David can still appreciate the beauty
of Paso Robles. For him it comes through in the soil, the weather,
the water and ultimately in the wines.
Here's
what our tasting panel had to say about a handful of his current
wines:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Hunt
Cellars 2010 "Cask 21" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Currants, blackberries, and plums aromas open up into
nuances of cedar, sweet spice, and vanilla on the nose.
A sip reveals flavors of cassis, blackberries, and wild
cherries that wrap around notes of toasty oak, vanilla,
and clove. An elegant, deeply layered Cab, it's a wine
to savory on its own.
Rating: 97 |
 |
Hunt
Cellars 2010 "Starlight Concerto" Sauvignon
Blanc
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
A bouquet of tropical fruit rises up from a glass. Flavors
of mango, coconut, pineapple, and candied pear unfurl
on the palate. A rich, round Sauvignon Blanc, it's truly
a one of a kind.
Rating: 92 |
 |
Hunt
Cellars 2010 "Encore" Blend
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): Cabernet Franc & Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Black cherries, blackberries, and cassis meld with notes
of toasty oak, mocha, and vanilla on the nose. A sip delivers
flavors of cherry, blackberry, and currant that combine
with floral, oaky, and dark chocolatey suggestions. A
lush blend with supple tannins, lamb chops would make
a fine paring.
Rating: 94 |
 |
Hunt
Cellars 2010 "Thriller" Red Blend
Winery:
Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): n/a
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Fragrances of plums, blackberries, pomegranate, and toasty
vanilla rises up from a glass. Cherry, blackberry, and
plum flavors unfurl into traces of white pepper, vanilla,
and cedar on the palate. A smooth, layered wine with silky
tannins, open a bottle with your favorite gourmet pizza.
Rating: 94 |
By
Jason Barlow
| 96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
| 92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
| 85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|
