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Hunt
Cellars 2001 "CabOvation" Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): Cabernet
Sauvignon
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2001
Special Designation: "CabOvation"
Price: 70-75
Review:
Aromas of plums, cherries, blueberries, chocolate, sweet
spice greet you on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of
cherry, plum, and currants, accented by suggestions of
toasty oak and caramel. A very smooth wine, with a lovely,
dry, lingering finish. It's held up very well for ten
years and just might have another ten left in it.
Rating:
93
Character: Dark fruit, Supple mouthfeel,
Smooth Tannins
Farming Certification: (none)
Score:
95
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Hunt
Cellars 2005 Red Velvet / Paso Robles
In 1997, Hunt Cellars began producing their first releases
of memorable wines. Experience has taught the Hunts that
in order to make great wines, you must simply have the best
fruit. At Hunt Cellars, they believe passion, hard work,
and never giving up until all the components and structure
are present to give their wine the varietal character, flavor,
and velvet finish that has become their trademark.
A
blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the wine has an alluring
nose of cherry, plum, strawberry, toasty oak, and vanilla.
The cherry and plum return on the palate, blending with
a touch of raspberry jam, notes of vanilla and hints of
oak. Trademark elegance make this a truly memorable wine.
Score:
95
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Hunt
Cellars 2004 Red Velvet / Paso Robles
Hunt Cellars is an extraordinary place. They produce boutique
quantities of almost all red wines that win a disproportionate
number of awards.
Red Velvet is a favorite of winemaker David Hunt. Rich
aromas of cherry and plum meld with notes of coffee, oak,
sweet spice, vanilla, and a hint of smoke. The palate
echos the nose, with cherry, plum, sweet spice, coffee,
and smokey oak providing layers of flavor. A very smooth
wine but it still has the structure to age very nicely.
Score:
94
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Hunt
Cellars 2004 Reserve Zinfandel / Paso Robles
At Hunt Cellars, they specialize in "memorable wines."
Winemaker David Hunt is quite well known in the wine community
for his amazing barrel work, and once you've tasted one
of his bottles, it's not uncommon to wonder if you should
drink anything other than Hunt Cellars wine.
This is not your typical Zin. Dark fruit aromas dominate
the nose, accented by notes of licorice, coffee, and a
hint of black pepper. On the palate, lots of rich blackberries,
blueberries, and cherry meld with flavors of roast coffee,
dark chocolate, licorice, and pepper. While showing well
now, it has enough structure to age for a few years, which
is not common for Zinfandel.
Score:
94
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Hunt
Cellars 2005 "Rockin' Red" / Paso Robles
David Hunt, the owner and winemaker is blind, but he plays
the piano and names most of his wines after musical terms.
David says that blindness makes his palate and nose extra-sensitive.
A
blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon,
the wine invites you in with a scrumptious nose of cherry,
plum, strawberry, clove, and vanilla. Lush bing cherry
and ripe plum are complimented by notes of coffee, vanilla,
and toasty oak. Solid in structure but still quite smooth,
you can enjoy a bottle now, or lay it down, and let it
develop.
Score:
93
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Hunt
Cellars 2004 "Opulence" Cabernet Franc / Paso
Robles
David spent years looking for the perfect venue for his
wines and eventually settled on a uniquely beautiful property
of over 550 acres in the foothills and mountains of Creston.
This area met David's criteria for topography, soil composition,
unparalleled beauty, and ideal terroirs - its varied elevations
and mineral soil composites mirror some of the world's
great wine regions.
This
is not your typical Cab Franc. Aromas of cherry, boysenberry,
mocha, and spice intoxicates you. Black cherry and dark
berries fuse with notes of coffee and sweet spices after
every sip. Light on the palate but still with good structure,
it promises to age nicely. Chicken with roast tomatoes
and herbs would make a very nice pairing.
Score:
92
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Hunt
Cellars 2005 "Maestro" / Paso Robles
At Hunt Cellars, they specialize in "memorable wines."
Winemaker David Hunt is quite well known in the wine community
for his amazing barrel work, and once you've tasted one
of his bottles, it's not uncommon to wonder if you should
drink anything other than Hunt Cellars wine.
The
wine has a lovely, inviting nose of cherry, plum, spice,
oak, and floral notes. The palate has great balance, being
very smooth yet still bright, with flavors of cherry,
plum, caramel, sweet brown spices, a few floral highlights,
and a hint of pepper unfolding after each sip. A perfect
companion for any Italian Fare, open a bottle and enjoy.
Score:
93
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Hunt
Cellars 2005 "Thriller" / Paso Robles
While deciding on the final blend for this wine, everyone
at Hunt Cellars agreed the flavors were quite thrilling.
Thus, in keeping with their musical theme, they payed
tribute to the music of Michael Jackson and named the
wine "Thriller."
A blend of Syrah, Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Zinfandel,
and Cabernet Franc, it's a wine that offers layers upon
layers of flavor. Aromas of dried cherry, blueberry, currants,
blackberry, butterscotch, chocolate, coffee, clove, and
a hint of oak rise from a glass. On the velvety palate,
flavors of caramel and chocolate unfold into notes of
cherry, blueberry, and currants, leading to hints of oak
and clove. Truly a wine that will wow you.
Score:
94
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Hunt
Cellars 2005 "Duets" / Paso Robles
David spent years looking for the perfect venue for his
wines and eventually settled on a uniquely beautiful property
of over 550 acres in the foothills and mountains of Creston.
This area met David's criteria for topography, soil composition,
unparalleled beauty, and ideal terroirs - its varied elevations
and mineral soil composites mirror some of the world's
great wine regions.
This
blend of Syrah and Cabernet Savingnon has a lovely nose
of cherry, plum, blackberry, and coffee. The palate has
Hunt Cellars' trademark smoothness, as notes of cherry,
vanilla, blackberry, and robust highlight of mocha unfold
with each sip. Treat yourself to a tender cut of lamb,
and open a bottle for a memorable meal.
Score:
92
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Hunt
Cellars 2004 "Duets" / Paso Robles
David Hunt, the owner and winemaker is blind, but he plays
the piano and names most of his wines after musical terms.
David says that blindness makes his palate and nose extra-sensitive.
A
brilliant nose of cherry, plum, blackberry, chocolate,
and vanilla beckons your senses closer. With a sip, rich
flavors of black cherry and plum open up into notes of
oak, mocha, and a slight hint of pepper. A lush wine that
still has very good structure, it's a gem that will keep
getting better.
Score:
94
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Hunt
Cellars 2003 "Serenade" Syrah Raging Bull Vineyards
/ Paso Robles
David Hunt, the owner and winemaker is blind, but he plays
the piano and names most of his wines after musical terms.
David says that blindness makes his palate and nose extra-sensitive.
The
nose intoxicates your senses with aromas of black cherry,
plum, blackberry, and pepper. Silky smooth on the palate,
its flavors of dark plum, raspberry, cranberry, roast
coffee, and pepper are in perfect harmony. It takes a
great deal of finesse and barrel work to produce a Syrah
like this, so given the chance to try some, don't pass
it up.
Score:
94
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Hunt
Cellars 2006 "Rocket Man" Zinfandel / Paso Robles
At Hunt Cellars, they specialize in "memorable wines."
Winemaker David Hunt is quite well known in the wine community
for his amazing barrel work, and once you've tasted one
of his bottles, it's not uncommon to wonder if you should
drink anything other than Hunt Cellars wine.
This
is not your typical Zinfandel. The nose is packed with
the dark fruit aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, and
ripe plum. A sip and dark berry flavors envelop the palate,
unfurling into notes of mocha, licorice, and spice. Wine
drinkers that generally prefer Cabs or Merlots ought to
give this Zin a try. It promises to be to their liking.
Score:
90
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Hunt
Cellars 2005 "Unforgettable" Merlot WMPR / Paso
Robles
Hunt Cellars is an extraordinary place. They produces
boutique quantities of almost all red wines that win a
disproportionate number of awards.
Each year David Hunt selects the best barrels to set aside
for his very special Winemakers Private Reserve label.
The 2005 Merlot WMPR has a lovely nose of cherry, plum,
coffee, chocolate, and currants. The palate is incredibly
lush and smooth with flavors of plum and currants infused
with notes of oak and licorice.
Score:
95
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Hunt
Cellars 2004 "Unforgettable" Merlot WMPR / Paso
Robles
At Hunt Cellars, winemaker David Hunt has an artistic
side, too. As a musician, he plays at his own winemaker
dinners and indulges his passion for music by bestowing
his wines with musical titles.
As
the layered nose unfurls, aromas of cassis, plum, blackberry,
cherry, and milk chocolate rise up from a glass. On the
palate, flavors of black currants and dark plum emerge,
coupled with hints of oak and powdered cocoa. An exquisitely
lush wine with a nice dry finish, it truly lives up to
its name.
Score:
94
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Hunt
Cellars 2004 "Serenade" Syrah / Paso Robles
Alas, David lost his sight in 1989, so his expressions
of art come in the form of his winemaking. 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.
The nose is lively, extending aromas of raspberry, plum,
and pomegranate. Bold tannins and a nice acidity give
the palate plenty of zip as flavors of raspberry, leather,
bacon, and vanilla unfold. Open a bottle with a juicy
bison burger and savor them both.
Score:
91
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Make Comments (click
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Hunt
Cellars 2005 "Serenade" Syrah / Paso Robles
David spent years looking for the perfect venue for his
wines and eventually settled on a uniquely beautiful property
of over 550 acres in the foothills and mountains of Creston.
This area met David's criteria for topography, soil composition,
unparalleled beauty, and ideal terroirs - its varied elevations
and mineral soil composites mirror some of the world's
great wine regions.
Lush
and very richly layered, the nose offers the lovely fruit
aromas of cherry, currant, plum, and blackberry blended
with notes of coffee, eucalyptus, and a hint of smoke.
Blackberries and currants come to the forefront of the
palate, moving into nuances of dark chocolate, leather,
and a hint of bacon. A very tender cut of lamb would make
an excellent pairing.
Score:
92
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here).
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Hunt
Cellars 2003 "Rhapsody" Sangiovese Reserve /
Paso Robles
At Hunt Cellars, they specialize in "memorable wines."
Winemaker David Hunt is quite well known in the wine community
for his amazing barrel work, and once you've tasted one
of his bottles, it's not uncommon to wonder if you should
drink anything other than Hunt Cellars wine.
This
is a wine that offers layer after layer of flavor. The
nose is quite unique, as caramel, butterscotch, bright
cherry, strawberry, leather, and honey all rise from a
freshly swirled glass. The palate unfurls notes of strawberry,
butterscotch, spiced plum, and cinnamon. Very elegant
but balanced by a refreshing zip, it just might be the
most interesting Sangiovese you ever taste.
Score:
95
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Hunt
Cellars 2003 "Irresistible" Petite Sirah / Paso
Robles
In 1997, Hunt Cellars began producing their first releases
of memorable wines. Experience has taught the Hunts that
in order to make great wines, you must simply have the
best fruit. At Hunt Cellars, they believe in passion,
hard work, and never giving up until all the components
and structure are present to give their wine the varietal
character, flavor, and velvet finish that has become their
trademark.
A
gorgeous Petite Sirah that truly lives up to its name,
the nose wraps up your senses in ripe dark fruit, with
complicating notes of pine, clove, licorice, and cedar.
It's incredibly smooth on the palate yet still exquisitely
flavored by lush cherry, plum, and cranberry alongside
traces of licorice, leather, and clove. This is not a
wine to be missed.
Score:
95
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