This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous

Welcome to this week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous! Each week, we compile a list of wines from the Vinous database that you need to add to your wine wish list. With all the various regions, producers, and grapes, no week will be the same! All of the wines listed in this feature are available for purchase on Banquet . This week's must-try wines are from Eric Guido’s article, Paso Robles 2021-2023: Far From Typical . Enjoy his notes for this week's must-try below! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “Paso Robles fans have reasons to be optimistic. Following the challenging, smoke-affected 2020 vintage, the 2021s are truly fantastic. Although the 2022s are not as captivating, the 2023s may outpace them all.” --Eric Guido, Paso Robles 2021-2023: Far From Typical, July 2024 1. 2021 Herman Story Casual Encounters 2. 2021 Herman Story Made 3. 2021 Iron + Sand Cabernet Sauvignon 4. 2021 J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Proprietary Red Wine Pure Paso® 5. 2021 J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Hilltop 6. 2019 Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles 7. 2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon 8. 2022 Opolo Vineyards Zinfandel Summit Creek 9. 2021 Turtle Rock Vineyards Plum Orchard 10. 2021 Turtle Rock Vineyards Red Westberg

Turtle Rock

Westberg Red 4Hearts Vineyard Zinfandel Tempranilllo 2021

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 2021 Red Westberg bursts from the glass with crushed raspberries and plums complemented by violet candies, baking spice and hints of clove. Seamlessly silky in character, the Westberg compensates with crisp red and blue fruits, all contrasted by hints of blood orange. It cleans up beautifully, tactile and long with a tinge of tart citrus and a savory herbal flourish over a coating of edgy tannins. This is zesty to the core yet with a balanced structure that should carry it for many years in the cellar. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

J. Lohr

Hilltop Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Delectable Wine
9.1

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hilltop lifts from the glass with a peppery freshness, mixing hints of sage with chalk dust and blackberries. It's soothingly round and supple with ripe red and black fruits underscored by saline minerals as grippy tannins mount toward the close. This finishes structured with medium length, leaving the palate refreshed while maintaining youthful poise. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

Herman Story

Made Syrah Blend 2021

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2021 Made, Herman Story's answer to a Super Tuscan, mixes rosy florals, earth tones, cedary spice and dried black cherries to create its darkly alluring bouquet. It blends ripe red fruits with minerals and zesty acidity, all cast across a stream of silk textures. This wine leaves a pleasantly bitter tinge to linger on, tapering off with subtle tannins and outstanding length. The 2021 is a beautiful mix of Italian varietals and a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon energized by Barbara acidity. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

Turtle Rock

Plum Orchard Vineyard Grenache-Mourvedre Blend 2021

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2021 Plum Orchard is zesty with a remarkably pretty blend of sweet herbal tea, red plums and tangerine zest. Juicy upon entry, this Grenache/Mataro blend firms up quickly while maintaining an energetic persona. Tart red berry fruits are offset by a hint of sour citrus. It finishes long and staining, just gently tannic and pleasantly spicy. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Isosceles Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Delectable Wine
9.4

Vanilla bean and mocha come together with hints of kirsch and a peppery Cabernet Sauvignon flourish as the 2019 Isosceles forms up in the glass. This is pure elegance, velvety smooth yet energetic, with depths of ripe red and blue fruit that coast across the palate with ease. The Isosceles excels through its acidity, as the mouth waters throughout the long and dramatic finish. Gingery spices and hints of sweet blueberry preserves linger on. Well done. This is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

Iron + Sand

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Delectable Wine
9.1

Remarkably pretty, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon wafts up with an array of sweet violet florals, black cherries and the slightest trace of white pepper. This is soothingly soft and round yet energized by a core of zesty acidity that propels its tart wild berry fruits across the palate. It finishes long and gently tannic yet pleasantly fresh. A bitter tinge curls the tongue and keeps the mouth watering for more. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

Opolo Vineyards

Summit Creek Zinfandel 2022

Delectable Wine
8.9

The 2022 Zinfandel Summit Creek opens with a zesty burst of crushed black cherries, minty herbs and candied citrus. This is juicy in character with ripe wild berry fruits and a wave of confectionary spice. It cleans up nicely, leaving a tinge of cocoa and the mouth watering for more. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

My Favorite Neighbor

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is dark and brooding, mixing dusty sage, currants and mocha with lifting hints of mint. This is texturally thrilling, silky, and nearly creamy in feel. A tinge of sour citrus, tart red and black fruits and graphite minerality add form toward the close. It firms up through the finish, classically structured and long. A pretty bitter sensation gives a fine punctuation to the experience. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

J. Lohr

Pure Paso Proprietary Red Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Delectable Wine
9.0

The 2021 Proprietary Red Wine Pure Paso® mixes plum sauce and fig with grilled herbs and dusty dried flowers. It's elegant and refined with supple textures and polished black fruits that envelope the palate in youthful concentration. This leaves a pleasantly chewy saturation and a coating of fine-grained tannins. Finishing long, classically dry and complex. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago

Herman Story

Casual Encounters Syrah Blend 2021

Delectable Wine
9.4

Darkly floral and intense, the 2021 Casual Encounters blends black raspberries with cedar shavings, tobacco, and exotic spice. This is elegant in feel, with silken textures and decadently ripe red berry fruits. Cooling acidity maintains a fantastic balance as dark chocolate and balsamic spice firm up the finish, tapering off long and gently tannic. The 2021 is juicy yet expertly balanced. (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024)
— a month ago