Wine Tasting Notes
Tobin James Cellars.
Indiana native, Tobin (Toby) James was raised on a vineyard. Pursuing a career in the wine industry, he moved to Cincinnati to work at a wine store. There, serendipitously, he met Gary Eberle who took him on as an apprentice at Estrella River Winery (now Meridian Vineyards) in Paso Robles and then invited Tobin to join him at winery he was starting.
In 1985, Tobin was offered a six-ton lot of grapes which were rejected by another winery. In 1987, he released the wine as the 1985 Blue Moon Zinfandel. He continued making his wines while working as an assistant winemaker for Eberle. In 1989, he joined the newly-formed Peachy Canyon Winery as the founding winemaker. Again, he continued to make his own wines at the Peachy Canyon facility (as part of his agreement with the owners).
In 1993 he struck out on his own, purchasing 71 acres at the intersection of highway 46 and Union Road and founded Tobin James Cellars. The site was the location of an old stagecoach stop – hence the western theme. In 1996 Lance Silver approached Tobin with a partnership proposition. Lance had wanted to enter the wine industry through buying or starting a winery. The two felt themselves to be a good fit and in 1997, the Silvers moved to Paso Robles. Lance’s main stylistic contribution has been to affect increased intensity of the Tobin James wines. His wife, Claire, handles business and administrative responsibilities.
Sitting 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. As such, it is one of the easternmost properties in the AVA. The location also represents James' coming full circle to where he go his start in Paso Robles. 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. Sourcing fruit from all over the Paso Robles and adjacent areas, Tobin James produces 30,000 cases annually.
2005 Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel, Paso Robles
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