Top Winery
Poise Top Roussanne
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
100% Roussanne! Wow…. Wow and Wow This is so rich in tropical fruit.
100% Roussanne! Wow…. Wow and Wow This is so rich in tropical fruit.
Oct 3rd, 2022
This wine is called "Poise." On the nose, the fruits are combination of candied, tart and just a touch sour all at the same time. The fruit on the palate are ripe; Banana w/peel, pineapple, Meyer lemons, green & golden apple & lime candy. Soft/delicate minerality, spice that's subtle but builds as it sits on the palate, dry top soil and yellow florals/lilies. The body is medium. It's slightly waxy & oily. There's a honey beeswax quality. Banana w/peel, pineapple, Meyer lemons, green & golden apple, lime candy, grapefruit, soft/delicate, powdery minerality, dry top soil, brilliant round acidity, yellow florals/lilies and a long, rich, well polished finish. Most of the photos were sent to me by Elena from Top. One of their vineyards, Stanley Barrios (Owner/Winemaker), barrel storage & tasting area, some of their beautiful fruit and some rows of vines. Producer notes and history...Stanley Barrios was born in Los Angeles and raised in Inglewood California. Stanley got into wine after he met Nick Elliott of Nicora at a wine storage facility in North Hollywood where he was pouring his wines. At the time, Stanley was getting deeply involved in wine. He read all winemaking materials he could get his hands on. The day he met Nick he convinced him to let him intern in his cellar and worked his first harvest in 2013. Stanley still holds his investment firm job in Los Angeles. He and his wife started TOP in 2014. They both shared a passion for wine and had talked about starting a winery but with limited resources and living in Los Angeles the idea of starting their own winery seemed far-fetched. When opportunity knocked, they rushed to the opportunity. They chose a spinning top as their logo. For them, it's a metaphor for balance. Life is constantly in motion, but seldom in balance. Right now, they make wine in small quantities...only 200 cases their first vintage. In 2015, they produced about 500 cases and the 2016 vintage about 800 cases. They mainly focus on Rhone varietals; Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Roussanne. They are very minimalistic in cellar and try not to get in the way of what the grapes want to do. I have said this many times, if you have good fruit get out of it's way. If you don't, bring in lots of influences...like over oaking it etc.. Good to see a young producer know that earlier in their career. Nice job on the Poise.
This wine is called "Poise." On the nose, the fruits are combination of candied, tart and just a touch sour all at the same time. The fruit on the palate are ripe; Banana w/peel, pineapple, Meyer lemons, green & golden apple & lime candy. Soft/delicate minerality, spice that's subtle but builds as it sits on the palate, dry top soil and yellow florals/lilies. The body is medium. It's slightly waxy & oily. There's a honey beeswax quality. Banana w/peel, pineapple, Meyer lemons, green & golden apple, lime candy, grapefruit, soft/delicate, powdery minerality, dry top soil, brilliant round acidity, yellow florals/lilies and a long, rich, well polished finish. Most of the photos were sent to me by Elena from Top. One of their vineyards, Stanley Barrios (Owner/Winemaker), barrel storage & tasting area, some of their beautiful fruit and some rows of vines. Producer notes and history...Stanley Barrios was born in Los Angeles and raised in Inglewood California. Stanley got into wine after he met Nick Elliott of Nicora at a wine storage facility in North Hollywood where he was pouring his wines. At the time, Stanley was getting deeply involved in wine. He read all winemaking materials he could get his hands on. The day he met Nick he convinced him to let him intern in his cellar and worked his first harvest in 2013. Stanley still holds his investment firm job in Los Angeles. He and his wife started TOP in 2014. They both shared a passion for wine and had talked about starting a winery but with limited resources and living in Los Angeles the idea of starting their own winery seemed far-fetched. When opportunity knocked, they rushed to the opportunity. They chose a spinning top as their logo. For them, it's a metaphor for balance. Life is constantly in motion, but seldom in balance. Right now, they make wine in small quantities...only 200 cases their first vintage. In 2015, they produced about 500 cases and the 2016 vintage about 800 cases. They mainly focus on Rhone varietals; Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Roussanne. They are very minimalistic in cellar and try not to get in the way of what the grapes want to do. I have said this many times, if you have good fruit get out of it's way. If you don't, bring in lots of influences...like over oaking it etc.. Good to see a young producer know that earlier in their career. Nice job on the Poise.
Sep 9th, 2017
Viscous and pure. Stones, wet concrete and carnations for days. Excellent wine and a producer you should seek out.
Viscous and pure. Stones, wet concrete and carnations for days. Excellent wine and a producer you should seek out.
1 person found it helpfulNov 11th, 2019@Warren Sapp @Stanley Barrios @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher @Stanley Barrios excellent afternoon and excellent wine. Top Winery has a bright future ahead.
@Warren Sapp @Stanley Barrios @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher @Stanley Barrios excellent afternoon and excellent wine. Top Winery has a bright future ahead.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 10th, 2018
Best Roussanne I can recall having. Very complex with pears, apples, green banana peel, and white pepper. Heavy duty mouthfeel and legs. You killed it @Stanley Barrios
Best Roussanne I can recall having. Very complex with pears, apples, green banana peel, and white pepper. Heavy duty mouthfeel and legs. You killed it @Stanley Barrios
1 person found it helpfulDec 2nd, 2017@Stanley Barrios @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher @Eric S @Warren Sapp @Walter Sorensen @TheSkip @Jim Trobaugh @Jody Scharf @leon egozi @Mike Smith @Connor McMahon
@Stanley Barrios @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher @Eric S @Warren Sapp @Walter Sorensen @TheSkip @Jim Trobaugh @Jody Scharf @leon egozi @Mike Smith @Connor McMahon
1 person found it helpfulNov 18th, 2017
Along with the Axis, my favorite of @Stanley Barrios’ offerings. A stunner!
Along with the Axis, my favorite of @Stanley Barrios’ offerings. A stunner!
Jan 25th, 2024Rich- the richest vintage I’ve had from them. Always a nice touch of wet rocks, ripe white and white sour fruit.
Rich- the richest vintage I’ve had from them. Always a nice touch of wet rocks, ripe white and white sour fruit.
Jan 13th, 2022