Gold Medal - 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
We have written many times in the past about the Paso Robles region of California’s Central Coast, and the area seems to be getting more and more press every year (including a wine from Paso being awarded Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year for 2010), but today’s wine offers a chance to get a little bit more specific. While Paso offers many values from the fertile land to the east, it is rolling hills and rocky soils of the western part of the appellation that produce the profound wines for which this region is developing a reputation. Today’s Heist is an intriguing wine grown in the far Southwest corner of the appellation from Hearthstone Vineyards.
The 2007 Hearthstone “Profundo” is a Super-Tuscan style blend featuring 53% Sangiovese, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cab Franc and 9 % Syrah, all sourced from Hearthstone’s 40 acre estate vineyard. Medium garnet in color, the nose shows spicy berry, cherry and vanilla notes. The palate is fresh and lively, with a mix of berry and, for lack of a better term, grape flavors that are hard to put your finger on. With firm but elegant tannin and remarkable layering of flavor that carries through on the finish, this is a wine that defies easy categorization, but is sure to delight those who enjoy rich red wine with a great deal of complexity. Although this is drinking well now, with a few more years in the cellar this blend should come into its own even further.
The Growing Season:
The 2007 growing season began with a cold, dry winter. The below normal rainfall and dry spring led to early bud break. In spring, the soils were depleted of their water, naturally reducing yields by 30%. Additionally, the berries were small, creating a greater skin to juice ratio, developing intense varietal flavors with rich tannins. In late September a drop in temperature delayed harvest, increasing hang time allowing fruit to come to the perfect flavor maturity. Overall, while yields were light, the 2007 vintage produced well-balanced, high quality wines.
Food Pairings:
This New World Super Tuscan wine will pair with tomato based foods, braised chicken or rabbit, accompanied with grilled veggie side dishes, such as zucchini and mushrooms.
Blend: 53% Sangiovese, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 9% Syrah
Origin: Paso Robles
Alcohol: 14.7%
Acidity: 6.1 g/L
pH: 3.59
Residual Sugar: .2 dry
Released: October 2010
Production: 322
All Wines
95 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe dark fruits, wild berries, roasted fig, English Toffee, savory spices, and roasted walnuts. On the palate, the deep flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, black raspberry and pomegranate are layered with notes of wild sage, clove, nutmeg, and bittersweet chocolate. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
95 Points, Double Gold
Deep ruby in color this wine is bountiful, juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Impeccably balanced with fine dusty tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar.
90 Points
Inviting aromas of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry intermixed with hints of cranberry and blood orange. Graceful and soft on the front palate, the flavors of mixed red berries and the lively tannins add luscious texture. Its long finish reveals spicy undertones and a superb freshness.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
Big & Jammy!
Aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, blackberries, mocha, espresso and hints of black pepper. Incredibly balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and body against a backdrop of structured tannins. The wine unfolds with notes of clove and dried herbs, ending with a long rich finish.
95 Points
Opens with wild cherry cordial and fresh pomegranate layered with notes of baking spice and zest. Subtle touches of pink peppercorn lemon balm and sarsparilla carry through a savory palate. It's balanced, with silky layers and a juicy red core.
92 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
92 Points
Aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry, interlace with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. On the palate ripe and juicy flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry are perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of American oak.
94 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
Big, Bold & Juicy!
Bountiful, lavish and plush with aromas of plum, bramble berry, mocha, cedar, and red currant. Loaded with dark fruit, the mouth is full with a mix of red and dark berry, with notes of dark on the end. There is a touch of espresso, ripe black cherry, and petrichor. Nicely framed by generous French oak.
93 Points
Lovely aromas of crushed blueberry, red and blue plum, dried violet flower. It's juicy and engaging, with smoked red raspberry, wild blackberry, hoisin, sweet backing spices coursing through, and offers balance and depth with perfect levels of acidity with silky tannins leading to a long engaging finish.
Rich & Tropical...
Notes of tropical and ripe stone fruits, with aromas of fig, golden apple and hints of butterscotch, integrated with the richer aromas of light caramel, truffle and toasted vanilla from the oak aging. The palate and texture is rich, full-bodied and creamy, while maintaining a balanced vibrancy and finish.
93 Points
Juicy pear and lively pineapple with touches of dried apple apricot and honeysuckle on the nose. Round and viscous on the palate, balanced by fresh lemon, layers of citrus and blanched almond.
93 Points
Rich dark black fruits, blueberries, blackberry bon bons, cassis, fragrant violets, tobacco leaf, and baking spices. Long, plush tannins alongside its dense fruit character. The palate delivers baked berry crisp, black and red fruits, toasted walnuts, brioche and cedar on the finish.
92 Points
Depth, balance and big flavors. The nose evokes black cherry pie, licorice, plums, vanilla, and notes of chocolate. On the palate, it bursts with cassis, red currants, toasted walnuts, and chocolate. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins.
Pure, delicious, vibrant with aromas of white peach and wild white plum on the nose, followed by ripe Persian lime, jasmine high times, tart green apple, and crisp star fruit. The mouth centers in with pomelo and ginger lime leading into a mid-palate of fresh squeezed lime over papaya and lime zest on top of light lemon curd.
