Best local cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style wines for the holidays
Cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends are the big, bold, tannic wines that pair perfectly with holiday meals centered around meats like prime rib, roast beef, pork tenderloin, lamb and venison. Lucky for us, Paso Robles is producing some outstanding cabernets and cab blends. Here is a selection of Paso Robles wines we recommend for your upcoming holiday meals. We received so many tasty red wines that we created separate lists for recommendations. See more lists below.
Top Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends
Allegretto 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – $75
This bold cab is an Ayres Family Reserve wine from the Allegretto Resort in Paso Robles. It has deep purple coloring and alluring nose of red berries. It delivers black cherry flavors with a hint of oak and tobacco with solid tannins. It will pair well with a holiday meal.
Ancient Peaks 2014 Oyster Ridge – $60
This cabernet-based blend offers notes of vanilla, boysenberry, and leather. On the palate it presents flavors of black cherry, dried plum, and a touch of espresso. The mouthfeel is broad and plush with accents of new oak.
Brecon 2015 Estate Reserve Petite Sirah – $72
This wine pours a deep inky purple color. The nose offers a grapy, blackberry aromas. A cold soak during fermentation adds to a palate that is quite mild and drinkable for a petite syrah, with flavors of red fruits and a soft, mild finish. It has a touch of sweetness.
Broken Earth 2013 Reserve Merlot – $48
If the movie Sideways ever questioned your taste in merlot, this is one wine that will restore your faith in the Bordeaux varietal. It shows ripe red fruit on the nose and is supported by a structure of French oak. The palate is rich with fruit and firm tannins.
Burbank Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – $42
Smooth enough for the occasional wine drinker yet flavorful enough to tease the palette of even a sophisticated wine enthusiast. The initial smooth blackberry, cherry and warm spice aromas coat the throat nicely without being overly powerful and lead to a mildly bold finish. This red is charmingly smooth.
Cass 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – $49
Ample dark fruit and savory spice emanate from this cab. A montage of flavors comparable to stewed blackcurrant, sugar plum, black cherry and vanilla bean envelope the palate. A soft yet structured core presents bright boysenberry and creamy latte, which overlay the subtleties of cracked peppercorn and crushed violets.
Eberle Winery 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – $42
Gary Eberle’s flagship wine captures his vision of Paso Robles as a premium cabernet region. This wine has a palate full of rich dark fruit flavors like black cherry with hints of cola and cedar. It has a long finish with velvety tannins. It’s a holiday meal classic.
Mystic Hills Vineyard 2012 Unforgiven – $50
Much like the film that it is named after you can taste the rugged earthiness, hints of cedar and bold cherry with a slight smoky finish. It’s a Bordeaux blend with 50-percent cabernet. Perfectly named after the timeless western film this wine is both strong and subtle to the palette. Silky smoothness and ripe tannins promise that this wine can be enjoyed now or savored years later making it an instant classic.
Mystic Hills 2013 Reserve Malbec – $35
This is a big, full-bodied red with aromas and flavors of dark cherry, toasted caramel and a touch of earthiness. It has a balanced acidity with supple tannins and will pair well with a hearty holiday meal.
Opolo Vineyards 2013 Serenade – $32
This wine is a delightful blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec grapes. To enhance its flavor, the wine was aged in both French and American barrels. Delivering a nice bouquet of fruit flavors across the palate, this wine will pair nicely with prime rib or braised short ribs.
Opolo 2014 Rhapsody – $47
Rhapsody is a Bordeaux style wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec. This full-bodied wine is rich and full of intense aromas of plum, blackberry, mocha and tobacco. These aromas pleasantly linger on the palette after a bold first sip.
Penman Springs Vineyard 2013 Merlot – $24
From Penman Springs Vineyards In Paso Robles, Very fruit forward wine with hints of berries and cherries. Light tannins with a smooth and easy finish. Nice notes of tobacco and dried herbs. Would pair well with steak and dry crusted Ribeye.
Pomar Junction Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 – $65
This estate cab leads with smells of exceptional ripe blackberry and currant flavors. This cab is big in flavor and has a spicy finish very smooth taste. This will pair well with prime rib and any red meats.
San Antonio Winery 2014 Centennial Blend – $85
San Antonio Winery of Paso Robles celebrated its 100th anniversary with a centennial blend of merlot, malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc, from its local estate vineyards. This rich, complex wine reveals ripe flavors of dark cherry and blackberry. Barrel aging for 24 months in French oak adds notes of spice and vanilla.
Treana Red 2015 – $45
Treana Red has been a Paso Robles favorite since 1996. Winemaker Austin Hope once again delivers a top-notch wine. It’s a blend of 75-percent cabernet and 25-percent syrah grapes in perfect form. It will pair well with a hearty holiday meal.
Vina Robles 2015 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – $26
This wine was produced from a mix of fruit picked on two Vina Robles estate vineyards, located in Paso Robles. Delivering an overall bold blue berry flavor with hints of licorice, juniper berry, and black olives. The overall finish is a nice rich deep flavor. Beef dishes make a nice pairing with this wine.
Paso Robles wine recommendations
• Best local sparkling wines for the holidays
• Best local rosé wines for the holidays
• Best local white wines for the holidays
• Best local zinfandel and Italian-style wines for the holiday
• Best local cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style wines for the holidays
• Best local Rhone-style red wines for the holidays
• Best local dessert wines for the holidays
Publisher’s note: For the fourth year in a row we thought it would be a great idea to recommend local wines for upcoming holiday parties and dinners. Once again, we received an amazing amount of participation from our local wineries. Over the last few weeks, we received more than 100 entries. After tasting and tasting and tasting, there were many solid, well-made wines to recommend. We have created several lists of top local wines into categories. The recommended wines above are in alphabetical order.
Comments
