Rich Cook Reviews
2012 Pinot Noir | 93
Composed of fruit from Niner's Jespersen Ranch property in Edna Valley, this Pinot Noir is fleshy and full without sacrificing food friendly acidity. Macerated cherry, raspberry and rhubarb aromas are complimented by notes of cardamom and mild pie spice, and they translate well to flavors on the palate with a rich feel and a nice earth and leaf finish that lingers long. This is a great value for the price.
2012 Estate Grown Malbec | 93
The nose will get you right up front on this beautiful expression of Malbec, the first I've tried from this appellation. It's a spot on match for Good Earth tea. If you're not familiar, it's a blend of cinnamon stick , nutmeg and other pie spices. Of course, since it's wine, it doesn't stop there. Cherry/cranberry jam, pepper, black tea and a mild meaty note round out the aroma profile, and lead you into a palate that is deceptively dry and food friendly, with peppercorn and black cherry up front, and the other elements rounding things out through a persistent finish. Very nicely done!
2012 Estate Grown Syrah | 91
The westside of Paso Robles is the cool side when it comes to temperature, and the coolness shows here, with solid structure and peppery character that is missing from many Syrah examples from the warmer eastern side. Nice varietal character is on display here, with blackberry, tar, leaf, pepper and subtle fall spice aromas and flavors. Give this a good decant before serving with roast duck.
2012 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon | 90
A solid display of Paso Robles fruit here, with vibrant black cherry pie aromas and flavors, but there's a little more going on here. A mix of fruit from the west and east sides of Paso Robles (generally delineated by Highway 101's north/south trajectory) gives a complex mix of ripe, jammy fruit from the east and bright acidity and tannic structure from the cooler westside. a touch of dried herb and mild fall spice add interest -- throw this in a blind tasting with some heavy hitters from Napa Valley and watch what happens.
2014 Albarino | 92
What a delicious, fresh, dry wine! Winemaker Patrick Muran shows the value of his days as an apprentice under Christian Roguenant by preserving the natural acidity and minerality in this wine from Niner's Jespersen Ranch, while at the same time allowing the fruit to sing. White peach, apple, Mexican lime, flowers and mild spice aromas entice, and crisp clean fruit and stony mineral flavors seal the deal, with a lingering finish that leaves an elegant, balanced fruit, mineral and herb impression. Well done!