2002 Rio Seco Vineyard MVP Reserve, Paso Robles.
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This blend is a deep garnet color with very good clarity. On the nose, a distinct Jolly Rancher quality suggests elevated volatile acidity. Medium intensity strawberry jam and smoky black currant aromas gain greater definition with time and air. Notes of cigar box and mocha as well as hints of dusty herbs and dill frame the fruit. In the mouth, more defined medium intensity black currant and light, confected strawberry jam and raspberry jam flavors are laced with cedar and herb. Lighter medium bodied, sleek and juicy with light and smooth tannins which add to the dustiness of the herb character. A medium length finish continues the light strawberry and dusty herbs with a hint of plum. |
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14.3% Alcohol $30.00 Retail (from winery); 220 cases produced |
Very confected, tight and needing decanting. This wine benefits from time and oxygen - both of which reduce the volatile acidity. Still, it is food friendly with a rustic, gritty character that will go well with BBQ over the next two to three years. BOTTOM LINE: Fairly good. No serious flaws. Worth trying. |
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More Rio Seco reviews More on Paso Robles AVA |
Production | Grapes | Producer | Vineyard | Vintage
Made from estate fruit: 54% Cabernet sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 13% Cabernet franc.
Often called the "King of wines" and one of the 'big five' of Bordeaux reds, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted among the five and, with over 40,000 acres planted in the state, it is the most successful red wine in California. With its reputation for longevity and aging, California winemakers began to take example from their Bordeaux counterparts and blend it with other varietals. Soon, the Meritage Association was formed to foster this movement. It usually usually shows black currant, blackberry and black cherry flavors backed by cedar characteristics. (read more)
Merlot has a flavor profile similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, with less distinctive and slightly more herbaceous aromas and flavors. Because of its lower tannins and more forward fruit, it is more approachable than Cabernet Sauvignon. It is beloved by many for its approachability and is a dominant part of California and Bordeaux-style red wines. (read more)
DNA analysis shows Cabernet franc is, along with Sauvignon blanc, the “parent” of Cabernet sauvignon. It is one of the five main Bordeaux grapes used for making red wines. Although it tends to display more fruit and less tannins than Cabernet sauvignon, it may become more herbal depending on vineyard management practices. It is much more often used as part of a blend – most traditionally in Bordeaux or Meritage blends as well as unconventional blends with Rhône varieties, Cal-Itals and Super Tuscans. Cabernet franc displays raspberry, cherry, plum, strawberry, floral notes of violet and sometimes spice. With bottle aging, it takes on aromas of cedar, olive, cigar box, musk, mushroom, earth and leather. (read more)
Rio Seco Vineyards was acquired in 1996 by San Luis Obispo locals Tom and Carol Hinkle. They tend to harvest their grapes at slightly lower sugar levels and utilize natural fermentation (letting the native yeasts on the grapes ferment the juice rather than adding cultured yeasts) and give their wines at least 9-12 months in bottle before release. The wines from their nine year old winery have been producing rustic, wines with consistently improving quality since the 2001 vintage.
31 acres of the 63 acre estate are planted to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Roussanne, Viognier and Zinfandel. The property is located east of Highway 101 and Paso Robles proper and just south of Highway 46, in the warmer portion of the huge Paso Robles AVA. This location receives some of the cooling marine effect that makes it through the Templeton Gap of the Santa Lucia Mountains. As a result, the vines experience a longer (by several weeks) growing season. Although there are 45 different soil types identified in Paso Robles, they all share the general traits of being moderately deep, slightly alkaline and calcareous with shale underlying sandy loam, limestone, clay, gravel and chalky elements. The moderately deep soils of the Rio Seco Vineyards are a mixture of sandy marine sediment and the calcareous Huerhuero soils (named after the nearby and east of Huerhuero Creek) on gently rolling hills.
The 2002 year saw a large total crop of 3.1 million tons of wine grapes, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. A long and dry growing season of mild temperatures gave the fruit extended time to develop complexity and depth. In addition, minimal heat peaks allowed the grapes to develop high acid levels. Paso Robles wines grapes were expected to produce excellent, concentrated and balanced wines.
Rating
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Color |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Nose |
4 points |
(5 points max) |
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Palate |
3 points |
(5 points max) |
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Finish |
3 points |
(5 points max) |
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Tannins |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Acidity |
4 points |
(5 points max) |
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Alcohol |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Aging potential |
2 points |
(5 points max) |
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Overall quality |
7 points |
(10 points max) |
Cumulative Score: 88 Points
Rating System & Scoring Criteria explained
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