2021 Toro de Paso
Blend: 76% Tempranillo, 12% Grenache, 11% Carignan, 1% Graciano
Vineyard & AVA: Paper Street Vineyard in the Willow Creek District, Paso Robles CA.
Alcohol: 14.8%
Aging: Drink now through 2032
Vinification: 19 months 13% new 265L American oak, 39% once used 265L French oak barriques, 13% once used 265L Hungarian oak barriques, and 35% neutral 228L French oak barriques.
$72.00
Vision
Toro de Paso, our flagship Tempranillo blend, was the first of its kind that I created. This wine is a tribute to the beautiful Toro wine region in Spain. To maintain the authenticity of this region, I use the same clone of Tempranillo and custom-made Pentria barrels that are commonly used in Spain.
The Pentria barrel is crafted with a French and American oak palette, which contributes to the exquisite spiciness of the wine – a unique feature exclusive to Paso.
Vintage Notes
Overall, thanks to a relatively temperate growing season, the timing of the 2021 harvest is about a week or two later than in recent years, with most growers pulling the first of the core white wine grapes in late August. While the region has seen smoke from wildfires up north, it didn't affect the vineyards in Paso Robles.
The ongoing drought conditions are presenting growers with a double-edged sword of sorts. The good news is the dry conditions this vintage created smaller, more concentrated grapes, which is ideal for winemaking. While yields are lower, it produces more flavors, bolder colors, strong acidity, and manageable tannins. These conditions have winemakers feeling it's an epic vintage for quality.