This blog idea came up after reviewing the results of a recent blind tasting by the Carmel Valley Wine Club, its 348th monthly tasting, featuring one white and seven reds from Paso Robles using varieties and blends in Châteauneuf-du-Pape tradition.

The club founder and leader, Jerry Feitelson, included one unannounced ringer from CdP (which turned out to be my favorite). After the white wine, the red wines were lined up from most to least expensive, $44 to$135. Vintages were 2016 to 2022. Alcohol levels ranged from 12.5 to 15.9. The 35 tasters received 1.5 ounces of each wine from the wrapped, lettered bags. After more than an hour of evaluation, each participant voted for their top three choices and guessed at the ringer.

“It was another enjoyable tasting, with many of the wines considerably changing in the glass – typical for a complex red wine,” Jerry noted in sending out the results the next day.

Tablas Creek Espirit Blanc

The wines all scored well, one indicator of how the wines from Paso Robles get better every year. So does the array of tasty and scenic things to enjoy in the region, which is about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

For a brief history, viticulture in Paso Robles dates back to the late 18th century, introduced by Spanish missionaries who planted the first grapevines. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s and 1980s that the region began gaining recognition as a serious wine-producing area. This led to new investments in the 1990s and 2000s. It now boasts over 200 wineries.

The region benefits from a climate that’s markedly influenced by warm days and cool coastal breezes, combined with diverse soil types and terroirs, giving winemakers the freedom to experiment and hone their styles with a wide array of grape varietals. It is divided into 11 distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), each recognized for its unique climate, geology, and growing conditions. The styles vary, from more complex, higher-acidity wines from cooler microclimates to the west, closer to the Pacific Ocean, to warmer AVAs and wines with bigger fruit profiles to the east.

Paso Robles is rich with attractions that cater to wine enthusiasts, history buffs, art lovers, and anyone seeking a charming escape. Its vibrant town square serves as the heart of the community, surrounded by historic buildings, boutique shopping, wine tasting rooms, and farm-to-table dining options. Check this Paso Robles site for the area’s top ten attractions.

In planning a visit or exploratory tasting, start with these five wineries, known for consistency across their entire portfolios:

  1. Tablas Creek Vineyard – Founded in 1987 and equally owned by the Perrin family, of Chateau de Beaucastel, in Chateauneuf de Pape, and the Haas family of Vineyard Brands. It was a pioneer in importing Rhône varietals to California and crafting tasty, exceptional blends in the Rhone tradition.
  2. Daou Vineyards & Winery – In the Adelaida District, Daou is famed for its powerful yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends.
  3. Justin Vineyards & Winery – A cornerstone of Paso Robles, Justin was founded in 1981 and has built a reputation for its Bordeaux-style blends.
  4. Saxum Vineyards – Focused on Rhône varietals, Saxum produces small quantities (8,000 cases a year) of critically acclaimed wines with great aging potential.
  5. L’Aventure – Established by French winemaker Stephan Asseo, L’Aventure is celebrated for its innovative estate blends from Bordeaux and Rhône varietals.

For further exploration, here are the wines from the blind tasting. Most of the wines were purchased from Wine.com.

Blind Tasting Results

  • Paso Robles, Calif., white Rhone blend (six varietals) 2022 Tablas Creek Esprit Blanc de Tablas ($62 at blind tasting). Light-mid straw gold (12.5 alc.); floral, mint, lemon nose; mid acids; mid depth; semi-long, round citrus finish. 16/90.
  • Paso Robles red Rhone blend (37% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 31% Mourvèdre) 2021 L’Aventure Côte-à-Côte Estate ($135). Mid garnet, viscous (14.9 alc.); red fruit, berries, smoky, peppery, licorice nose; low-mid acids; mid tannins; round, ripe, balanced red fruit finish. 16.5-17/91-92.
  • Paso Robles, Calif., 2016 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard ($95). Mid-dark garnet, rim variation, viscous (15.8 alc.); ripe grape, plum, prune, pomegranate nose; low-mid acids; mid tannins; long, balanced, slightly hot, red fruit finish. 16.5/91.
  • Paso Robles red Rhone blend 2022 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas ($80). Light ruby, rim variation, some tears (13.5 alc.); tart red fruit, berries, wood nose; low-mid acids; soft tannins; short, thin finish, decent fruit. 15.5-16/89-90.
  • Paso Robles, Calif., 2022 Herman Story Syrah Nuts & Bolts ($67; the group favorite).  Darkest of the eight wines, viscous (15.9 alc.); peppery, wood, mint, black fruit nose; low-mid acids; mid+ tannins; bigger style; long deep red and black fruit finish. 16.5-17/91-92.
  • Paso Robles red Rhone blend 2021 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth ($50; group second, my second, narrowly edging the next wine). Mid-dark garnet, rim variation, viscous (15.2 alc.); sweet red fruit, smoky, black fruit, licorice nose; long, tight, full, slightly hot finish. 17/92.
  • Paso Robles red Rhone blend 2021 Villa Creek Rocks & Flowers ($44; my third). Mid-dark garnet, viscous (14.7 alc.); red fruit, herbs, Grenache, light pepper nose; mid acids/tannins; long, rich, balanced red fruit finish; nice style for the price. 17/92.
  • 2022 Domaine Berthet-Rayne Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($40 ringer; my favorite; group third). Light-mid ruby, amber edges, viscous (14.5 alc.); old world nose, old leaves, red fruit, wood, potpourri; low-mid acids; soft tannins; long, balanced, more elegant finish. 17.5/93.

Blind Tasting Lineup