Castoro Cellars
Estate Grown Paso Robles Merlot
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
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, 2019Super 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
Given to us. Enjoyed this merlot in 2020
Given to us. Enjoyed this merlot in 2020
Dec 5th, 2020
Estate Merlot. Dry but not enough flavor for me.
Estate Merlot. Dry but not enough flavor for me.
Jan 10th, 2016The Best I have had up to this point.
The Best I have had up to this point.
Jan 1st, 2016Little sour, cinnamon, lightish, good with cheese and artichoke pizza.
Little sour, cinnamon, lightish, good with cheese and artichoke pizza.
Dec 6th, 2015Michigan beats Kansas... I'm going to need this!
Michigan beats Kansas... I'm going to need this!
Mar 30th, 2013