Paso Robles

Paso is actually now the best source of Rhone varietals in CA (IMO), too. Some good places in Paso are, in no particular order: Turley*, L'Aventure, Garretson, Tablas Creek, Linne Calodo and Justin.

• Their main operation is in Sonoma, but they now have a tasting room in Paso as well.

Mark Lipton

Bishop's Peak Rock Solid Red. A wonderful Syrah blend. Deep fruit, chocolate, tobacco. My current favorite ~$10USD bottle of wine.

-- Robert

Tablas Creek has some good wines, though I think they're a little too pricey for quality. I think I've actually liked the whites more than the reds.

Justin - I like the Bordeaux blend (Isoceles) if priced reasonably (say $40 in a good vintage)

Peachy Canyon makes a good Dusi Ranch, too.

Garretson's Rhone varietals are good.

The J Lohr 7 Oaks Cab is often a decent QPR. I seldom find their upper end offerings worth the tariff.

HTH Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

Justin Isosceles is great! I was on Futures program for about $15 a bottle until 1996 and 1997 when it became $24.00 bottle.

Have not bought since then since I have so much. Nice stuff. Holds well but I don't really notice that is develops over time. I think it drinks well early and that's about the best it gets.

Don't know why but 1993 still drinks the same as when released.

dick

Yes, I totally agree with you. A couple of other very good ones are Saxum, Villa Creek, and Hug Cellars (the last two are very small production). Pipestone and Nadeau are not quite at that level but still good.

Thanks for all the recs! I know Turley and Justin quite well, and have heard of some of the others, but trying the rest will be fun. I have to go to big tastings for work (work, work, work...so terrible, yes?) but find that a small forum like this gives a better idea of those hidden gems out there.

EOS zin and cab sauv are pretty good and tasty for the price as well. About $15-20 US.