Paso Robles - Day 2

We got into the very small production houses today after our start at Linne Calodo. I think we tapped the best stuff on day two here.

1. Linne Calodo - All Rhones here with some zins as well. The best of the bunch were "Problem Child" and "Cherry Red." Price is high but good quality and a great tasting room.

2. Lone Madrone - Smaller house run by the winemaker at Tablas Creek. This is his private label and he experiments with Rhones, Bordeaux, and Nebbiolo. Odd combination of these grapes make for good blends however.

3. Stephen's Cellar - Showing his wines in the Lone Madrone house, Stephen Goldman specializes in Pinot Noir. One very unique example, the "Moore Vineyard" is a must have. Big fruit bomb in a Pinot is rare so yes, I now own it. Goldman signed our bottle as a bonus.

4. Kenneth Volk - Also showing at Lone Madrone is Kenneth Volk, the former owner of Wild Horse also in Paso. Volk has odd varietals such as Malvasia Bianca (an Italian white), Cabernet Pfeffer (tastes like light Cab to me), and Tempranillo. But his star is his Bien Nicido Pinot Noir which exhibits much earth and green herbs along with a large finish. This too we purchases and Mr. Volk signed the bottle as a bonus.

5. Denner - Recommended by a few of the locals, we popped in. Rhones here that did not show any better than Vina Robles or Linne Calodo. The best stuff is reserved for the wine club (as are there picnic tables) so we didn't get to taste the reserves.

6. Chateau Margene - Oh yes, a shining star here in Paso! Coming to Paso? Go here. Do it last because winemaker Michael Mooney will spoil you. It's all good here. Really. He uses two labels - Chateau Margene (Bordeaux) and Mooney (Rhone). His reserve Cab is super refined and will impress you as much as a Rutherford heavy. But the wine we purchased was a dark horse Petit Sirah under the Mooney label. I believe this is the first Petit Sirah I've ever purchased and it is a dandy! 10% Cab really balances out this big time red.

As a bonus, Mooney told us all about his two vineyards and his process. This is truly a family business with his sons and wife doing the business end of things while he makes the wine. He signed our bottle as a bonus.

7. Jada - Also recommended by locals, Jada offers four tastes along with a cheese pairing. I liked their rose best.

8. Zin Alley - This is also a must see in Paso. Winemaker Frank Nerelli does zin best of everyone here. He is the former zin maker at Turley.. enough said? He told me he left Turley because of differences with the money people. Now, he makes four wines out of his house. Unlimited pours, unlimited tastes, all bottles are $44.

Frank poured his four - Zin Alley Zin, Nerelli Gen. 4, Zin Alley Zin Port, and Nerelli After Hours. I asked about his 2008 Zin and he said that he would get me a sample of his 2009 (still in barrel) to try. He took a wine thief into his barrel room and returned with a sample for us. It will be an amazing bottling.. it's still in barrel and I would buy it and store it in Mason jar if I had to.

All were outstanding especially the After Hours which is a Sauternes-like botrytised white made up of hand-selected Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Blanc inflicted with noble rot. He assured me that this will store 15-20 years and will gain a gold hue in time. It truly is outstanding... perhaps the Californian d'Yquem?

9. Midnight Cellars - Smaller low production house that makes plenty of wines including one rose, some Zins, Syrahs, Merlots and Petit Sirahs. One caught our attention, the Crescent Zin, which blended various vineyard grapes from the area including some from Dusi. As a bonus, this was on sale! Bought 6 and had them packed in a shipping container at the winery.

Weeden's Shippers on Riverside Drive will help you ship it all home. So our first 18 bottles are on the way back to KY. Yes, it is legal to ship wine to yourself.


In sum, when in Paso Robles, make sure to visit Chateau Margene, Zin Alley, and Lone Madrone (who also houses Stephen's Cellar and Kenneth Volk). I would avoid most of the "Frass Canyon" houses on the east side of US 101.

Tomorrow we're off to Napa.