GOLD MEDAL: San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
GOLD MEDAL: Lodi International Wine Awards
3 STAR: BevX.com
2.5 STARS: The San Francisco Chronicle
This week we head south, to Paso Robles, and our friends at Eberle Winery, where Gary Eberle continues to turn out excellent wines at great prices vintage after vintage. It seems like we spend the most time talking about specific vineyards when discussing Pinot Noir (and to an extent Cabernet), but obviously the specific vineyard that the fruit comes from matters for every variety. For several years Eberle has been making Zinfandel by blending two of Paso’s finest Zinfandel vineyards, Wine Bush and Steinbeck. Over the years the results have been stellar, with flavors unique to these two vineyards. The 2008 is no exception.
The 2008 Eberle Steinbeck/Wine Bush Zinfandel is ruby garnet in color. The nose is dark and intense, with classic Zinfandel aromas of blueberry, cherry, and blackberry, along with a hint of smoky oak. The palate is rich and focused, with juicy, ripe berry flavors and plenty of spice, along with a touch of vanilla from the 20% new American oak. This is sure to please fans of California Zinfandel, with just enough acidity to allow it to pair with boldly flavored summer food. At just over $20, this one fits the bill and makes the perfect BBQ wine. Stock up on this one and make it your go to wine this Summer!
Variety: Zinfandel
Appellation: Paso Robles
Vineyards: 40% Steinbeck & 60% Wine-Bush
Alcohol: 15.5%
Acidity: 0.66
pH: 3.82
Residual Sugar: <0.21%
Brix At Harvest: 27˚
Date Harvested: 09/09/08
Cases Produced: 1775
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
94 Point Vintage
Deep garnet core with an elegant ruby-brick rim—a striking sign of its library maturity. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, and macerated blackberry, seamlessly transitioning into sophisticated layers of cedar, graphite, crushed violet, and cured tobacco. A savory accent of bay laurel, cocoa nib, and warm earth adds impressive intrigue. The palate delivers dense dark fruit framed by velvety, melted tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine lifted and fresh. Finishes long and seamlessly, lingering with espresso, black plum, aged leather, and a fine crushed-stone minerality.
Exceptional
In the glass this wine open with aromas of ripe black cherry, bark, cedar, dried orange peel, a touch of black pepper. The palate equally rich with flavors expanding into notes of fresh picked cherry, chocolate, and crushed stone and a touch of white pepper. Together, these lavish flavors, coupled with an elegant mouthfeel and a long engaging finish make a fantastic wine.
96 Points
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry liqueur, and purple flowers drive the nose of this energetic Syrah which is co-fermented with a whisper of Viognier. Gracing the palate are dark berries, plum, blackberries, peppercorns, hints of sweet tobacco, and well-positioned oak spice with plush acid and rich tannin peaking through the finish.
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