SIP OF THE WEEK
The Wine
Today’s Sip of the Week is 2020 J. Lohr Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. I bought this wine at my local Hy-Vee grocery store for $17. I was looking for something not too expensive but not too cheap either; sort of middle of the road and affordable. I drank it last night while I was chatting about random things with my sister, and I was pleasantly surprised at the richness and depth of this wine.
Although it is labeled Cabernet Sauvignon, it is actually a blend:
89% Cabernet Sauvignon
9% Petite Sirah
1% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot
But as long as it has at least 75% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, it can be labeled as such. It is almost velvety with very smooth tannins for a young Cabernet Sauvignon. I think the other varietals in the blend help in softening those tannins. I didn't need to drink this with food - it was that smooth and drinkable just on its own.
The Story
Fifty years ago, Jerry Lohr made it his business to learn everything he could about growing grapes and making wine in California and then settled on the Central Coast, namely Monterey, to start his first vineyard. In the 1980s, he recognized the potential of Paso Robles for growing Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, so in 1986, Jerry began planting Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties in the San Luis Obispo County’s region. The terroir of the area offered up rich soils and dramatic temperature swings between warm days and cool nights. Perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Today, J. Lohr farms over 2,700 acres of vineyards in Paso Robles, now recognized as one of the world’s best spots for Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. Nearly all the red wines in the J. Lohr portfolio come from here.
In 2020, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines received the Green Medal Leader award from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance for their continued excellence in sustainability in soil management, energy efficiency, water conservation, neighbors and community.
Still family-owned and operated today, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines has established itself as one of the industry’s most respected wine brands.
The Food
Tasting Notes:
Black currant and cherry
Vanilla and spice
Toasted pastry, hazelnut
Food and Dessert Pairings
Very drinkable wine that you can pair with a grilled ribeye steak… or lasagna
When I drank this with a dark chocolate truffle, the truffle actually brought out the vanilla notes rather than the fruit. I also tasted it with a raspberry dark chocolate truffle and experienced a similar reaction as with the regular truffle. It brought out vanilla notes, and the creaminess of the chocolate smoothed out the finish of the wine.
So a dark chocolate pairing with this wine is a no-brainer. They complemented each other very well, and each enhanced the other in the most subtle, interesting, and unexpected ways.