June 2007 Wine Tasting Notes.
2005 Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel, Paso Robles.
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This wine is a dark, deep ruby-garnet color with good clarity. It offers medium intensity aromas of dill-like briar and brambly jam up front. Light aromas of smoked meats and pepper add dimension. A hint of cocoa gives softness and rounder edges. In the mouth, big, intense brambly fruit is paired with lighter spice, cocoa and vanilla. Full bodied, this wine is plush and jammy with light sweetness, good acidity and some heat. A straight forward, moderate-length finish delivers bramble and cocoa. |
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15.4% Alcohol $18.00 Retail (from winery) Production volume not available. |
This wine delivers the character of Paso Robles Zins at a good price. It conveys that lazy feeling that overcomes you in the heat of a Paso summer afternoon. There is a definite, though controlled, sweetness present. That makes this wine a good pairing for BBQ, meatloaf and Chicken or veal Marsala. Drink now or cellar for up to five more years. BOTTOM LINE: Recommended. Good, with appealing characteristics. |
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| Repeat tasting: None. | |||
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More Tobin James Cellars reviews. More on the Paso Robles AVA |
Production | Grapes | Producer | Vineyard | Vintage
Sourced from 27 Paso Robles vineyards, including Dusi Vineyard. Cooperage and other production data is unavailable.
Zinfandel is THE grape of California. Initially thought to be of Italian origins, its ancestry has been traced to the crljenak grape (pronounced: tsoorl-YEN-ak), of Croatian origins. Recent DNA analysis demonstrated this and disproved previous beliefs that it originated from the Primitivo grape. Zinfandel and Primitivo are essentially siblings. It has come a long way since its usage as the core of California 'jug wines' and some great varietal Zinfandel wines are now being produced with wines made from old vine fruit coming into the limelight of late. Zinfandel expresses very fruity, jammy raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, cranberry and black cherry - often with a prickly or briary note. Cinnamon and Licorice may also be seen. (read more)
Indiana native, Tobin (Toby) James founded his eponymous winery in 1994. Having apprenticed at Estrella River Winery, he worked as assistant winemaker for Gary Eberle (after Gary left Estrella to found his own winery) and went on to be the founding winemaker of Peachy Canyon winery. The 71 acre Tobin James property sits at the intersection of highway 46 and Union Road – the location of an old stagecoach stop. In 1996, James partnered with Lance Silver whose main stylistic contribution has been to affect increased intensity of the already award-winning Tobin James wines. Located 8 or 9 miles east of Highway 101 and the town of Paso Robles, the Tobin James property is just east of the Eos and Meridian estates. It is one of the easternmost properties in the AVA. The climate here is on the warmer, drier side of the Paso Robles climate spectrum and soils of the gently rolling land are deep, well draining and loamy containing clay, sand and silt. The vineyard is planted to Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel. Sourcing fruit from all over the Paso Robles and adjacent areas, Tobin James produces 30,000 cases annually.
The Dusi name is a part of Paso Robles history. The vineyard is located three miles south of the town of Paso Robles, south of the west stretch of Highway 46 and north of the town of Templeton. The microclimate of the Dusi Ranch consists of hot days countered by cold nights. 40 acres of now 84-year old head-trained and spur-pruned Zinfandel vines are owned and managed by Benito Dusi whose parents bought and planted the property in 1924. Dry farmed, these vines are planted at an elevation of 760 feet on rocky, gravelly soils of a gentry rolling landscape, east of highway 101. This historic vineyard is part of the "Dusi Ranch" which includes Benito’s brother, Dante's vineyard on the other side of Highway 101. This is a younger vineyard with only two rows of 60-year old vines and the remainder of the vines no older than 15 years. Michael Dusi, Benito’s nephew, owns the third vineyard of 15 year old zinfandel vines planted adjacent to Dante’s.
The 71 acres of the Tobin James property are at the intersection of highway 46 and Union Road, 8 or 9 miles east of Highway 101 and the town of Paso Robles and just east of the Eos and Meridian estates. In the warmer, drier side of the Paso Robles climate spectrum, the vineyard sits on gently rolling land of deep, well draining loamy soils containing clay, sand and silt. The Tobin James property is home to the winery facility as well as the tasting room and a small guesthouse. The vineyard is planted to Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel.
The 2005 year saw an increase in crops over the preceding years. The year is being compared to the acclaimed 1997 vintage because of a very long and generally cool growing season without heat spikes. This long season resulted in extended hang times in even temperatures which gave the fruit good extraction but lower sugar levels. The slow ripening of the fruit is expected to make for elegance and balance in the wines of this vintage. Read More
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 |
2 points |
(5 points max) |
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Tannins |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Acidity |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Alcohol |
4 points |
(5 points max) |
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Aging potential |
2 points |
(5 points max) |
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Overall quality |
8 points |
(10 points max) |
Cumulative Score: 88 Points
Rating System & Scoring Criteria explained
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