Fulldraw Vineyard
Chopping Block Paso Robles Syrah Blend
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
WNH event number 7...virtual tasting with @Connor McMahon from Fulldraw Vineyards.
Loved the story behind this new Paso producer. If you’re looking for Paso Rhône wines, check out Fulldraw. Pedigree, quality, story...all there. Many thanks to Connor for joining us tonight!
46% syrah, 28% Grenache and 26% Mourvèdre. After I opened, I put it straight in the decanter. Shortly after, I gave it a try and it was very aromatic...crunchy, sweet, dark fruits. Mourvèdre shows beautifully. More depth than being totally floral, but more elegant than being totally fruit driven. Blue and black candied fruits accompanied by dark chocolate, bacon fat and charcoal. I followed it over 4+hrs and it had a bit of a rollercoaster evolution...very energetic at pop and pour, slightly closed down in between, and hit apex around hour 3. The tannins softened substantially with notes of licorice, dried blackberries, chargrilled blueberries and a finish highlighted by peppered strip. For me, this wine epitomizes Paso GSM blends. Inaugural vintage. Nicely done!
WNH event number 7...virtual tasting with @Connor McMahon from Fulldraw Vineyards.
Loved the story behind this new Paso producer. If you’re looking for Paso Rhône wines, check out Fulldraw. Pedigree, quality, story...all there. Many thanks to Connor for joining us tonight!
46% syrah, 28% Grenache and 26% Mourvèdre. After I opened, I put it straight in the decanter. Shortly after, I gave it a try and it was very aromatic...crunchy, sweet, dark fruits. Mourvèdre shows beautifully. More depth than being totally floral, but more elegant than being totally fruit driven. Blue and black candied fruits accompanied by dark chocolate, bacon fat and charcoal. I followed it over 4+hrs and it had a bit of a rollercoaster evolution...very energetic at pop and pour, slightly closed down in between, and hit apex around hour 3. The tannins softened substantially with notes of licorice, dried blackberries, chargrilled blueberries and a finish highlighted by peppered strip. For me, this wine epitomizes Paso GSM blends. Inaugural vintage. Nicely done!
Wow, such a great wine even on pop & pour, not as dark & brooding as the Syrah, but amazing blend. Giving the rest a couple hours as recommended
Wow, such a great wine even on pop & pour, not as dark & brooding as the Syrah, but amazing blend. Giving the rest a couple hours as recommended
2 people found it helpfulSep 21st, 2018
My favorite of @Connor McMahon ‘s three new Fulldraw wines. This Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre blend was really delicious. Lots of mixed berries and blood orange accented by a hint of smoke and dark chocolate. Very layered and complex. Excellent mid-palate density. Just flat out terrific! Watch for the inaugural release in late July or early August.
My favorite of @Connor McMahon ‘s three new Fulldraw wines. This Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre blend was really delicious. Lots of mixed berries and blood orange accented by a hint of smoke and dark chocolate. Very layered and complex. Excellent mid-palate density. Just flat out terrific! Watch for the inaugural release in late July or early August.
2 people found it helpfulJun 22nd, 2018
Rob had this 4 years ago
Rob had this 4 years ago
1 person found it helpfulJun 14th, 2021Another one of my bottles opened for a massive Paso theme. After having the 2016 last year during a virtual tasting with Connor of Fulldraw, I think this 2017 has more upfront appeal whereas the 2016 has a touch more longevity.
I double decanted this for an hour, then put it in a decanter at my destination where I followed it for the next 4hrs. The profile didn’t really change all that much after the first 1-2hrs. This is high octane without being overblown and flabby. Half Syrah, with the remaining split between Grenache and Mourvèdre. Gorgeous royal purple in the glass. Aromatically I didn’t pick up a lot of smoked meat/savory Syrah notes, but mostly a lot of dark chocolate dipped black cherries, dark floral potpourri and fleshy fruits...as if it were mostly Grenache. The palate was the same...high toned ripe fruit with nice lift and acidity, and an airy jammy character I find in high quality Paso wines.
I saved the last third of this and opened again the next day and there was zero change. Best over the next 3-5yrs for this type of profile.
Another one of my bottles opened for a massive Paso theme. After having the 2016 last year during a virtual tasting with Connor of Fulldraw, I think this 2017 has more upfront appeal whereas the 2016 has a touch more longevity.
I double decanted this for an hour, then put it in a decanter at my destination where I followed it for the next 4hrs. The profile didn’t really change all that much after the first 1-2hrs. This is high octane without being overblown and flabby. Half Syrah, with the remaining split between Grenache and Mourvèdre. Gorgeous royal purple in the glass. Aromatically I didn’t pick up a lot of smoked meat/savory Syrah notes, but mostly a lot of dark chocolate dipped black cherries, dark floral potpourri and fleshy fruits...as if it were mostly Grenache. The palate was the same...high toned ripe fruit with nice lift and acidity, and an airy jammy character I find in high quality Paso wines.
I saved the last third of this and opened again the next day and there was zero change. Best over the next 3-5yrs for this type of profile.
Still a notch below the Honey Bunny for me, but a beautiful wine in its own right.
Still a notch below the Honey Bunny for me, but a beautiful wine in its own right.
1 person found it helpfulMay 23rd, 2021Really terrific, top-notch Syrah blend. Concentrated, but executed with perfect balance. I’m not always a big Paso fan, but Fulldraw is always great.
Really terrific, top-notch Syrah blend. Concentrated, but executed with perfect balance. I’m not always a big Paso fan, but Fulldraw is always great.
1 person found it helpfulApr 26th, 2021Meaty and smoky with a really nice core of fruit holding it all together. Terrific pairing with barbecue.
Meaty and smoky with a really nice core of fruit holding it all together. Terrific pairing with barbecue.
1 person found it helpfulJul 12th, 2020Tremendous wine - keeps getting better and better in bottle. 2 hour decant and boom!
Tremendous wine - keeps getting better and better in bottle. 2 hour decant and boom!
1 person found it helpfulDec 21st, 2019Great blend, easy to drink early.
Great blend, easy to drink early.
1 person found it helpfulNov 26th, 2019