Valentines Weekend, Day #2, Paso Robles

The main reason we were in Paso Robles was to take part in the Far Out Wineries Passport weekend. There were 16 wineries taking part in it, and for the $20 for the passport it allowed you free tasting at all the wineries as well as specials (library wines/food/discounts/etc). A fantastic deal that we could not pass up. I also wanted to check out Linne Calodo which I heard great things about, so that was our first stop.

2007 Linne Calodo "Pale Flowers"
2006 Linne Calodo "Outsider"
2006 Linne Calodo "Cherry Red"
2006 Linne Calodo "Slacker"
2006 Linne Calodo "Rising Tides"
2006 Linne Calodo "Nemesis"

Finding the place was a bit of a challenge. It was under some major construction and the only sign was "tasting room open during construction" ... But no indication where the tasting room was. We eventually found it and everything was very good, although a bit pricy. $45-65 each, except the rose (Pale Flowers) which was only $20. All were Rhone varietal blends with Zinfandel thrown into a few, it being Paso and all. It was a toss up for me between the Outsider and the Slacker, but ended up getting a bottle of Outsider (Zin/Syrah/Mourvedre).

And now it was onto the Passport wineries, up first was Opolo.

2006 Opolo Viognier
2005 Opolo Sangiovese
2005 Opolo Merlot
2004 Opolo "Rhapsodie"
2005 Opolo Cabernet Franc-Merlot
2006 Opolo "Mountain Zinfandel"
2007 Opolo Zinfandel, Late Harvest

Everything was just ok, well actually not everything ... The Merlot was just bad. I liked the Cabernet Franc-Merlot, but not enough to buy any. We did make sure to grab some of the bbq sausages they were cooking on our way out though. Up next was Norman Vineyards.

2007 Norman Pinot Grigio
2007 Norman Chardonnay, Reserve
2006 Norman Viognier
2006 Norman Tempranillo
2005 Norman "Buzzard Tree Meritage"
2005 Norman Petite Sirah
2006 Norman Zinfandel "The Monster"
2003 Norman Syrah
2003 Norman "Reflection Bin 4"
2005 Norman Zinfandel Port

The only thing that was good was the Reserve Chardonnay, it was all stainless and very fruity, got a lot of lemon on the palate. Everything else was bad, the décor, the employees, everything. The lady pouring was talking about how she preferred the 2003 Syrah of the two syrahs. I didn't have the heart to tell her that Petite Sirah is not a Syrah. Oh well, onto the next ... Halter Ranch

2007 Halter Ranch Viognier
2006 Halter Ranch "Ranch Red"
2005 Halter Ranch Merlot
2005 Halter Ranch Cabernet Franc
2005 Halter Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Halter Ranch "Ancestor"

Everything was pretty good here, I liked their low end wine the "Ranch Red" and would've bought a bottle or two at the $18 but I decided to save my money. Also walked around the house on the property built in the 1850's that had been restored. Nice, but whatever. Onto the next winery which was one I actually wanted to get to ... Tablas Creek Vineyard.

2007 Tablas Creek "Cotes de Tables Blanc"
2007 Tablas Creek "Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc"
2001 Tablas Creek "Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc"
2006 Tablas Creek "Cotes de Tablas"
2006 Tablas Creek "Esprit de Beaucastel"
2004 Tablas Creek "Esprit de Beaucastel"
2003 Tablas Creek "Esprit de Beaucastel"

Everything was great, although I wish they were pouring some of their single varietal stuff. I thought about asking if we could go in the proper tasting room to see if they were pouring any, but we had more wineries to get to. I really liked the 03 and 04 Esprit de Beaucastel and bought a bottle of the 2004. Up next was Le Cuvier.

2004 Le Cuvier Chardonnay
2005 Le Cuvier "L'Enfant du Pape"
2005 Le Cuvier Cabernet Franc
2005 Le Cuvier Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Le Cuvier Zinfandel
2005 Le Cuvier Syrah
NV Le Cuvier "Pentimento"

All great stuff, really liked the Cab Franc and the "L'Enfant du Pape" ... The Chardonnay was also really interesting, deep gold color from fermenting on the skins. We ended up not buying anything, but were really impressed with the wine. Up next was Justin

2007 Justin Chardonnay Reserve
2006 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Justin Syrah
2006 Justin "Isosceles"
2007 Justin "Obtuse"
2007 Justin "Deborah's Delight"

Really liked the Isosceles, I like it every year, but this one seemed to be REALLY good. Would've bought some bottles but they list it at $62, and I can get it at retail for around $55. Up next was Whalebone Vineyard.

2006 Whalebone Zinfandel
2006 Whalebone Syrah
2005 Whalebone Syrah
2006 Whalebone "Bob Wine"
2005 Whalebone "Bob Wine"
2006 Whalebone Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Whalebone Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Whalebone Cabernet Sauvignon

First off, have to say that the people running this place are great. A small, family operation. Also the tri-tip sandwiches were phenomenal. Barely seasoned meat, on garlic bread, with a few drops of their balsamic reduction. Fantastic. But on to the wines, all were good. I liked the 2005 Bob wine, a blend of Cab/Syrah/Zin. Being cheap bastards, we ended up not buying anything, but everything was reasonably priced and very good.

That ended our Paso Robles extravaganza. We ended up stopping for dinner at an Italian place in Pismo Beach, Rosa's. It was terrible, seriously terrible. Never go there.