Best local pinot noir wines for the holidays
Pinot noir is always a popular choice for holiday parties and dinners because it is easy to pair with so many holiday dishes. Pinot noir’s traditional characters of medium-bodied fruit, lower alcohol, velvety mouthfeel, and bright acidity make it an excellent lighter red wine for holiday meals. After tasting more than a dozen local pinot noir wines we made some recommendations below. We suggest serving these wines slightly chilled at about 55°F.
Asuncion Ridge Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir – $42
This estate pinot noir drinks very well. Its vineyard is perched high on the ridge of the Santa Lucia mountain range overlooking the ocean. It recently won a gold medal at the Central Coast Wine Competition. Serve with any grilled or roasted poultry.
Bianchi Winery 2013 Pinot Noir – $36
From Garey Vineyards in Santa Maria Valley, this reserve pinot noir is medium-bodied yet light with a fruity aroma and a robust earthy, tannic and oak finish. Hints of raspberry, vanilla, chocolate and smokey cedar. The flavor lingers.
Castoro Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir “Blind Faith Estate” – $30
This wine was fermented on its skins for 10 days to bring out the delicate nuances of pinot noir. It offers balanced flavors of fresh strawberries and light toasted oak notes. It recently received 87 points from Tastings.com.
Hearthstone 2013 Pinot Noir – $42
This Paso Robles pinot has aromas of strawberries, cherries and vanilla with a hint of white pepper. It’s a juicy wine with a lingering, tart finish. It will pair well with lamb, ham, or prime rib for your holiday meal.
Laetitia 2014 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir – $42
Laetitia Vineyard and Winery has made a name for itself as one of the best pinot noir producers in San Luis Obispo County. This vintage shows their expertise in the varietal, even though it’s outside their typical softer style. It has bold notes of cassis, tobacco and black pepper. It will pair nicely with roasted duck and other holiday meats.
Pomar Junction 2013 Pinot Noir Reserve – $54
This pinot is aromatic with bright raspberries, eucalyptus, and a touch of minerality. It has flavors of tart berries, wild apples, and allspice with a lingering finish of chocolate and cinnamon. It recently won a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Best local zinfandel and Italian-style wines for the holidays
A list of the best Paso Robles wines for the holidays would not be complete without a section on zinfandel. It’s known as the Paso Robles heritage wine. Great zinfandel wines from Paso Robles are typically full-bodied, fruity with aromas of berries, sometimes jammy, and usually of moderate to high alcohol content. They should pair well with roasted turkey, lamb, red meats and anything Italian you might be making for the holidays.
August Ridge 2012 Ingenious – $44
This bold blend is nebbiolo based with cabernet sauvignon and merlot added for balance. It has aromas of dried flowers and red berry. It offers complex flavors of spicy woods, cedar, plums and pepper.
Bianchi 2012 Zinfandel – $32
This two-year, barrel-aged zin is full-bodied with spicy layers of cherry, raspberry and cinnamon flavors and ends with a wonderful velvety vanilla clove finish. It would pair well with pork, turkey or lamb, especially with a sweet glaze.
Brecon Estate Zinfandel/Tannat – $52
A big, jammy, slightly sweet zinfandel with added boldness from 35-percent tannat blended into this wine.
Burbank Ranch 2013 Sangiovese – $38
While not a zinfandel, this Italian varietal offers some similarity with flair. It has plum notes right upfront followed by slight pepper and very smooth warm aftertaste and finish. While lighter red, it has fine legs on the glass. This wine pairs well appetizers through the final course.
Castoro Cellars 2014 Reserve Zinfusion – $24
Zinfusion has become a coveted wine among zin lovers. It’s a blend of Castro’s best zinfandel vineyard lots. This ruby wine explodes with raspberry jam, rose petals, cherry pie, and wild strawberries. The vibrant, fruity body is balanced perfectly with the chalky tannins and a peppery spice finish. It earned 90 points from Wine.com.
Circle B Vineyard 2014 Zinfandel – $28
This wine has a ruby-garnet color with fresh berries and plums on the note. It has pleasant balance of fruit on the palate with cedar and black cherries. It will pair well with prime rib and game meats.
J Dusi 2014 Zinfandel – $38
This 100-percent zinfandel was grown on the Dante Dusi Vineyard in Paso Robles. It was planted in the 1920s and 40s and is a dry-farmed, head pruned vineyard. This big zin explodes with fruit on the palate and is ideal for holiday dishes like roasted turkey or honey-baked ham.
Midnight Cellars Winery 2012 Estate Zinfandel – $39
This Willow Creek District zin is ruby red in color with aromas of red raspberries and cherries. It has flavors of fig, black currant and a touch of spice with the right amount of jasmines. It recently earned an impressive 91 points from Wine Enthusiast.
Nadeau Family Vintners 2015 Critical Mass Zinfandel – $30
Another big zinfandel from this renowned zin producer. Nadeau’s motto is “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth over-doing.” I say, well done. It has bold jammy cherry and raspberry flavors that big zin lovers will really enjoy.
Peachy Canyon 2014 Westside Zinfandel – $20
Our holiday zinfandel recommendations would not be complete without a nod to one of Paso Robles’ most-famed zin producers. This bottle delivers classic westside Paso Robles zinfandel flavors at a great price point. It earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. This wine is flush with aromas of ripe fruit and baking spices. On the palate, look for red and black cherry, huckleberry, and dessert spices like vanilla and clove. Lush fruit and supple tannins lend structure to this delectable zin.
Peachy Canyon 2014 Incredible Red Zinfandel – $15
Yet another hit zin from Peach Canyon at a great price. It earned a gold medal at Jerry Mead’s New World International Wine Competition. The wine has a rich and fruity nose with black cherry, blackberry and nutmeg, and vanilla. On the palate the wine is round and sumptuous, with notes of cherry, clove, and orange oil. This Incredible Red meets and exceeds the promise in its name.
Pomar Junction 2014 Zinfandel – $38
This estate wine’s intense berry flavors and supple tannins will pair with holiday meals of rich meats such as rack of lamb, prime rib, and roasted duck with grilled vegetables or a hearty beef stew.
Ranchero Cellars 2013 Carignan – $32
An interesting Italian varietal that was once popular in the Central Valley for bulk wine, premier Paso Robles winemaker Amy Butler has turned its reputation around and made a gem. It offers aromas of clove, black cherries and hints of ginger. On the palate taste holiday spice and plum fruit with a medium tannic finish. It’s delightful!
Sextant 2014 Central Coast Zinfandel– $16
This delicious zin is a stand out for its value. It’s a blend of 75-percent zinfandel and 24-percent petite sirah. It has a bold fruit-forward flavor with a juicy mid-palate and finished with light tannins.
Vista Del Rey 2013 ‘Comida Simpático’ Zinfandel
“Comida Simpático” translates to “nice food.” The light and fruity zinfandel is also nice with food. It’s from Dave King’s 35-year-old dry-farmed vines off San Marcos Creek Road. The wine is a traditional approach to zinfandel. It’s flavors are subtle and flawless with just 13.5-percent alcohol. It will pair well with a turkey dinner.
Victor Hugo 2013 Estate Zinfandel – $24
This wine brings very distinct intense aromas of black raspberry, boysenberry, along with a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Full berry flavors lead the way in this wine. The combination of flavors left a desirable long lasting flavor on the palette. This wine pairs wonderfully with rich red sauces as well as seafood and chicken.
Vina Robles 2013 Zinfandel – $32
This classic zin shows ruby garnet colors and flavors of black raspberry and plum with notes of amaretto and spice. It will pair well with pork, lamb and filet mignon.
Best local cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style wines for the holidays
Cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends are the big, bold, tannic wines that pair perfectly with holiday meals centered around meats like prime rib, roast beef, pork tenderloin, lamb and venison. Lucky for us, Paso Robles is producing some outstanding cabernets and cab blends. Here is a selection of Paso Robles wines we recommend for your upcoming holiday meals. We received so many tasty red wines that we created separate lists for recommendations. See more lists below.
Broken Earth 2013 Merlot – $48
If the movie Sideways ever questioned your taste in merlot, this is one wine that will restore your faith in the Bordeaux varietal. It shows ripe red fruit on the nose and is supported by a structure of French oak. The palate is rich with fruit and firm tannins. Enjoy it with most any holiday meal.
Broken Earth 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon – $22
This is classic Paso Robles cab with loads of dark berry fruit and abundant oak. There are hints of tobacco and cedar on the nose with depths of fruit flavors on the palate. It’s a robust wine that will pair with equally weighty meals.
Eberle Winery 2010 Reserve Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – $75
This wine shows a deep purple hue and rich flavors. During fermentation the wine was pumped over its skins twice daily for color and flavor extraction. It was then aged in the Eberle caves for two years in French oak barrels. It offers aromas of cola and licorice with flavors of black plum and currents.
HammerSky 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – $85
A bit pricey, but worth it for a fancy holiday meal. It has bold black cherry, black currant, tobacco leaf and vanilla flavors. Firm tannins and a touch of sweetness round out the finish.
Hunt Cellars 2006 Maestro – $45
This red wine had a plethora of gentle fragrances rising from the glass such as cherry, plum, honeysuckle, and vanilla. Upon tasting, cherry and other berry flavors mix nicely with notes of oak. An overall bold berry flavored wine that will leave an impression on the palette. It’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, sauvignon blanc, merlot, syrah, petite sirah, cabernet franc, viognier and zinfandel. It’s one of the oldest vintages we’ve recommended here. We think you’ll agree it has been worth waiting for.
Midnight Cellars 2010 Zenith Estate Cuvee – $70
This Bordeaux-style blend from the Willow Creek District AVA is deep, dark and delicious. It is equal parts merlot, malbec, cabernet sauvignon and petite verdot. It offers elegance and flavors of black cherry, dark plum and smoky oak. It earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast.
Midnight Cellars 2011 Mare Nectaris – $52
This is a merlot-based Bordeaux-style blend. It’s a vibrant wine with aromas of vanilla and cedar. The bold red wine offers smoky flavors with cherry, pepper and oak. It earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast.
Peachy Canyon 2013 Para Siempre – $55
This superb blend is 27-percent merlot, 26-percent petit verdot, 21-percent cab, 17-percent malbec and 9-percent cabernet franc. It has an elegant and velvety mouthfeel with black currant flavors and a touch of minerality. It was one of my favorites from these recent tastings.
Pomar Junction 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – $38
This estate cab leads with a nose of red rose and boysenberries. The palate offers black plum, chocolate and vanilla flavors. It has a long spicy finish with tannin and caramel. It will pair well with red meats, especially steak.
Robert Hall 2014 Meritage – $40
This bold red is a blend of 46-percent cabernet, 42-percent merlot and 12-percent malbec. It is a deep, ruby red wine with aromas of black currant and cedar with classic Bordeaux flavors finished with smooth tannins. It will pair especially well with red meats.
Rio Seco 2011 Cabernet Franc – $28
This cab franc has a soft earthy profile with hints of black cherry and light tobacco aromas. It will pair well with turkey and prime rib holiday meals.
River Star Vineyards 2013 Affinity – $32
This Bordeaux-style wine is a blend of 40-percent cabernet sauvignon, 40-percent merlot, and 20-percent zinfandel. This is big and velvety with flavors of black cherry and black currants and a peppery finish.
San Antonio Winery Opaque Darkness 2014 Red Blend – $29.95
This is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah, zinfandel, grenache, petit verdot, and petite sarah. The wine provides a blend that allows deep ripened flavors to shine through. Raspberries and blackberries, along with hints of vanilla and spice, make for an enjoyable dark wine experience.
San Simeon 2013 Stormwatch – $65
This is a Bordeaux-style blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, petit verdot, and cabernet franc. It’s a full-bodied wine with dark berry flavors that lead into hints of mocha, spiced plums, and oak. This wine will pair nicely with beef dishes, aged cheddar, and pasta dishes such as lasagna.
SummerWood 2012 Sentio – $60
The nose of this wine offers blackberry and toasty oak aromas with a hint of vanilla. It has a rich mouthfeel filled with plums with hints of chocolate and coffee beans. The wine has a pleasant acidity and lingering finish.
Treana Red 2014 – $45
Treana Red has been a Paso Robles favorite since 1996. Winemaker Austin Hope once again delivers a top-notch wine. The 2014 blend earned 93 points from Tasting Panel Magazine. It’s a blend of 75-percent cabernet and 25-percent syrah grapes in perfect form. It will pair well with a hearty holiday meal.
Best local red Rhone-style wines for the holidays
Of all the wines we are recommending in this series, Rhone-style varieties are perhaps the best suited to holiday meals. They are often smoother and more well-balanced in character, which makes them well-suited to a big holiday meal or Christmas turkey dinner with all the fixings. Paso Robles winemakers have recently been producing some of the best Rhone-style wines outside of France. So with that bias, I had to extend the list a bit because there are so many good Rhone-style wines to recommend.
Almond Hill Vineyard 2010 Syrah – $28
This well balance fruit-forward syrah from Paso Robles’ westside exhibits flavors of black cherry and intense berries and finishes with some spice and black pepper aromas. It will pair well with smoked and seasoned cheese, red meats, wild game, salmon, vegetables and chocolate desserts.
Almond Hill – 2010 Petite Sirah – $28
This full-bodied red is deliciously jammy, with intense berry notes and a hint of vanilla. A perfect red to pair with a main meat dish. It’s a very well-balanced wine.
Asuncion Ridge Vineyards 2013 Salacious – $38
Don’t let the name fool you… This is a wine to love. It’s a luscious blend of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre. It recently won a silver medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. It will pair will with most every holiday meal.
Brecon 2014 Estate Grenache – $36
This is a blend of fruit from Paso Robles and Edna Valley. It has a deep purple hue, fresh raspberry aromas and flavors with a touch of acidity. It will pair well with a turkey dinner and all the fixings.
Clavo 2011 Petite Sirah “Dreamer” – $42
While technically grown in the Rhone region of France, petite sirah was included on the list of Rhone-style wines by the California Rhone Rangers. The inky color of this wine shows off what extended maceration can bring to the table. The wine tastes of black currants, ripe blackberries and blueberries, leading to soft open tannins and a round velvety texture, all wrapped up in brilliant acidity.
Four Lanterns 2014 Shadow – $48
This is a blend of 70-percent grenache and 30-percent syrah. The wine has a fruity, grape-ish nose that leads to bolder flavors of dark dry fruit. It will pair well with turkey and red meats for your holiday meal.
Four Lanterns 2014 Fire Light Syrah -$62
This syrah from the Willow Creek District AVA of Paso Robles is one of our pricier recommendations, but worth it. It’s a deep, ruddy syrah. It will pair wonderfully with turkey, pork, or red meat.
Hearthstone 2014 Syrah – $38
This bold syrah offers flavors of black pepper, blackberries and licorice. It’s powerful, intense and spicy. It will pair very well with a main course of red meat and roasted vegetables.
Kukkula 2013 Aatto – $40
Expect something different from this organic, dry-farm, unfiltered wine. If you are not familiar with unfiltered wines, you will first note the slightly cloudy appearance. This Rhone-style blend is 40-percent counoise, 36-mourvedre and 24-percent grenache. It’s a light enjoyable red that will pair well with turkey, ham and red meats.
Michael Gill Cellars 2013 Big Rock Syrah – $42
This bold red has medium black ruby color with fruity aromas of dried blueberries, cherries, and spice. It is medium to full-bodied in flavor with creamy vanilla, cedar, and pepper notes. It recently earned a silver medal at the Taster’s International Wine Competition.
Michael Gill Cellars 2013 Black Tie Alicante Bouchet – $45
Alicante Bouchet is a unique French grape made from crossing petit bouschet and grenache. This bold red has a dusty ruby color with fruity and earthy aromas of dried raisin and toasted embers. It has a firm tannic finish with moderate oak.
Nadeau 2014 RVR – $25
Robert Nadeau’s 2014 Rhone Varietal Red (RVR) is an elegant, even blend of counoise, syrah, grenache. It has aromas of dark fruit with delightful blackberry flavors with notes of spice, pepper and earthiness. It will pair well with lamb, ham, prime rib holiday meals.
Pomar Junction 2013 GSM “The Crossing” – $48
This is a classic Rhone-style blend of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre. It has a savory mouthfeel of red currants, with notes of cedar and finishes with supple tannins. It recently won a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Robert Hall 2014 Cuvee de Robles – $20
This is an excellent wine at a great price. The blend includes grenache, cinsaut, syrah and petite sirah. It’s a Rhone-style blend noted for its pepper and spice. It will pair well with lamb and grilled meats.
Shale Oak 2012 KU – $75
This is a red blend of 64-percent syrah, 24-percent zinfandel and 12-percent petite sirah. It’s one of our pricier recommendation, but I think its worth it, if you are looking for big bold flavors in a holiday wine.
2013 Tackitt Family Vineyards Petite Sirah, $40
This inky purple wine offers aromas and flavors of ripe plum, blackberries and a hint of pepper. Soft tannins and gently acidity create a great mouthfeel and excellent finish. It recently won a well-deserved gold medal at the San Diego Winemakers Challenge.
Top Paso Robles dessert wines
Sweet, sticky dessert wines can make a great accompaniment to holiday dessert selections. After tasting several Paso Robles dessert wines, these are our best recommendations. These wines would also make perfect holiday gifts from Paso Robles. Enjoy!
Almond Hill Vineyard 2012 Late Harvest Syrah Dessert Wine – $40
This wine was handcrafted from estate-grown syrah and aged for 24 month in a single oak barrel. It is complex, fruity, jammy, and full-bodied. It is excellent with anything chocolate and provides a beautiful end to any holiday gathering.
Eberle Winery 2011 – Vintage Port – $60
This vintage port is made with three classic Portuguese varietals and then barreled n 25-year-old cognac puncheons for added flavor. The port offers deep plum flavors, stewed raspberries and dark cherry. The port is 20-percent alcohol.
Hunt Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ‘Good Vibration de Blanc’ – $40
This decadent dessert wine would make a perfect companion to a holiday dessert. Intense caramel flavors and notes of dulche de leche give way to a slightly acidic finish. Very sweet.
Midnight Cellars Hannah & Joe’s Gemini Port – $36
This is a rich and thick blend of zinfandel, cabernet, malbec, merlot and petite sirah. It has dark flavors of cherry, cola, anise and leather with a touch of caramel.
Nadeau 2013 Late Harvest Zinfandel – $19
This a deep, dense late harvest zinfandel wine. It has flavors of clack berries with raspberry aromas. It will pair well with chocolates and cheeses or perhaps a fine cigar.
Peachy Canyon XII Zinfandel Port – $32
This rich-tasting 11-year blend is a perfect after-dinner dessert wine. It has notes of hazelnuts, dried fruit and leather. The palate brings brown butter and mocha. It’s a stout 19.8-percent alcohol.
Pomar Junction 2010 Amber Moonlight – $20
This delightful dessert wine made from last harvest viognier is sweet but not overly syrupy. It’s sweetness comes from its own residual sugar. It’s 17.6-percent alcohol. It will pair nicely with pumpkin pie and other desserts.
River Star 2012 Estrella Brilliante – $18
This is from the Touriga Nacional varietal. It’s a fortified dessert wine, dense with blackberry and floral aromas, black fruit flavors, and a velvety finish. Pairs well with chocolate, or poured over vanilla bean ice cream. It’s 18.5-percent alcohol.
Robert Hall 2013 Vintage Port – $36
This is a traditional blend of four Portuguese grapes that produces the true essence of a Paso Robles port. It is fortified with brandy to perfection. It is a rich dessert all by itself.
Victor Hugo 2014 Quasi – $32
This lighter-style late harvest zinfandel is packed with flavors of stewed strawberries and raspberries. It’s sweet, but pleasantly not syrupy. It will make a perfect dessert by itself or pair with anything chocolate. A cheese pairing would work will too.
Vista Del Rey 2012 Barbera Dessert Wine – $25
Winemaker Dave King took a little barbera and made a dessert wine in a port style. The result is a superb and sticky dessert wine. It tastes like dark berries, dark chocolate and spices. It is 19-percent alcohol.
Paso Robles wine recommendations
- Best local sparkling wines for the holidays
- Best local rosé wines for the holidays
- Best local white wines for the holidays
- Best local Rhone-style white wines for the holidays
- Best local pinot noir wines for the holidays
- Best local zinfandel and Italian-style wines for the holiday
- Best local cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style wines for the holidays
- Best local Rhone-style red wines for the holidays
- Best local dessert wines for the holidays
