Castoro Cellars

Estate Grown Paso Robles Merlot

8.819 ratings
8.91 pro ratings
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
David Shaw

Dense purple, highly extracted pigment. Cherry, mixed berry and sage notes in nose on initial pour. Blueberry, cherry flavors, light fine-grained skin astringency in finish, nice length of fruit. Interesting tannin structure, heavy in skin contact, light on seeds. Tannins build in intensity with time, aeration. The Castoro style for reds is tannin-heavy, not to everybody’s taste, but I’ve always admired their commitment to a style that’s gone somewhat out of fashion elsewhere. To my thinking, it enhances even the much maligned Merlot varietal (Sideways, anyone?) No one wants to age wines like this anymore, it seems. I wonder if wines like this even need further aging. Decant, aerate, enjoy, tannins and all... Three hours should do it.

Dense purple, highly extracted pigment. Cherry, mixed berry and sage notes in nose on initial pour. Blueberry, cherry flavors, light fine-grained skin astringency in finish, nice length of fruit. Interesting tannin structure, heavy in skin contact, light on seeds. Tannins build in intensity with time, aeration. The Castoro style for reds is tannin-heavy, not to everybody’s taste, but I’ve always admired their commitment to a style that’s gone somewhat out of fashion elsewhere. To my thinking, it enhances even the much maligned Merlot varietal (Sideways, anyone?) No one wants to age wines like this anymore, it seems. I wonder if wines like this even need further aging. Decant, aerate, enjoy, tannins and all... Three hours should do it.

May 3rd, 2019
Samantha Esche

Don’t normally do Merlot but this one is good. Tangy and light feel. Earthy flavors. Good wine for the price.

Don’t normally do Merlot but this one is good. Tangy and light feel. Earthy flavors. Good wine for the price.

Aug 28th, 2024
Jody Wycech

Super tasty! Had for a birthday dinner. I had a fig pizza, hubby had a pork chop & it paired well with both (& the calamari app). Everything you’d expect from a California zin. Fruity, bold, full bodied, lots of tannins. Delicious!

Super tasty! Had for a birthday dinner. I had a fig pizza, hubby had a pork chop & it paired well with both (& the calamari app). Everything you’d expect from a California zin. Fruity, bold, full bodied, lots of tannins. Delicious!

Oct 1st, 2023
Ruble Henderson

Wonderful body, buttery even.

Wonderful body, buttery even.

Oct 14th, 2021
Ruth Barnard

Given to us. Enjoyed this merlot in 2020

Given to us. Enjoyed this merlot in 2020

Dec 5th, 2020
Adam Brown

Okay, but dry and bitter

Okay, but dry and bitter

Jan 11th, 2016
Daisy Cisneros

Estate Merlot. Dry but not enough flavor for me.

Estate Merlot. Dry but not enough flavor for me.

Jan 10th, 2016
Danny Wright

The Best I have had up to this point.

The Best I have had up to this point.

Jan 1st, 2016
Doreen Tran

Little sour, cinnamon, lightish, good with cheese and artichoke pizza.

Little sour, cinnamon, lightish, good with cheese and artichoke pizza.

Dec 6th, 2015
Beau Baldwin

Michigan beats Kansas... I'm going to need this!

Michigan beats Kansas... I'm going to need this!

Mar 30th, 2013