We’re thrilled to share fantastic new scores for Broadside from Vinous! In a roundup of Paso Robles wines from the 2017 & 2018 vintage, wine critic Josh Raynolds reviewed and scored five of our current Broadside releases with 90 points or higher – including a score of 90 points for our Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon!
We’re proud of our winemaking team for their exceptional work on these wines!
varietal: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, 5% Lagrein, 2% Malbec
appellation: Paso Robles (San Juan Creek, Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles Highlands)
vintage: 2020
alcohol: 13.5%
ta:0.56 g/100ml
ph:3.86
Acclaim: 90 points, Tasting Panel Magazine
Winemaker Notes: The vast majority of this wine hails from Blocks 42 and 40 up in the Truesdale Vineyard, grown alongside grapes used by other world-class wineries. The Merlot and Malbec come from the famed Santa Margarita Ranch on the southern border of Paso Robles.
Maturation: The wines spent 18 months in almost 40% new French and American oak.
Tasting Notes: Big blast of cedar, cigar box, and blackberry aromas with hints of olive. Jam-packed flavors of plum, black olive, and dark chocolate. Big, dusty tannins support the seamless mouthfeel and a delicate core of acidity stretches out the finish.
varietal: 86% Merlot, 14% Petite Sirah
appellation: Paso Robles (Santa Margarita Ranch)
vintage: 2020
alcohol: 13.5%
ta:5.3 g/L
ph:3.8
Winemaker Notes: 2020 vintage boasted exceptional quality fruit, albeit another year with a smaller harvest owing to the ongoing drought. Summer temperatures came on later in the year, leading to a longer ripening time, and more developed flavors.
Vineyard Sourcing: Sourced from sustainably farmed, SIP certified vineyards in San Luis Obispo County, within the Santa Margarita Ranch AVA.
Maturation: 15 months in 14% New French barrels, the balance in neutral French barrels.
Tasting Notes: Flavors of black cherry cola, Italian plum, vanilla bean & sweet tobacco, with a hint of violet & cedar. The tannins are balanced and supple. It has a well-rounded acidity that keeps the flavors lingering just long enough to enjoy with any dish or on its own.
varietal: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
appellation: Paso Robles
vintage: 2019
alcohol: 15.5%
ta:0.56 g/100ml
ph:3.82
Acclaim: 93 points, Wine Enthusiast; 93 points, Wine & Spirits; 91 points, James Suckling
Vineyard Details: The majority of Cabernet Sauvignon for this blend came out of Margarita Vineyard block 49, situated on a gently sloping hillside running east-west, while the Petit Verdot came from block 44A. These grapes are hand-harvested in the dead of night when it’s the coolest and the skins are firm.
The balance of the Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the 40-year-old Grosso Kresser Ranch just south of the Willow Creek/Adelaida sub-appellation border.
Winemaker Notes: Our Margarita Vineyard grapes were all picked the evening of Oct 23rd, 2019. The Grosso Kresser fruit was picked on the evening of Nov 3rd. All fruit was crushed into one-ton bins where they were allowed to macerate for 5 days with one punch down per day prior to inoculation. The grapes were punched down twice a day during fermentation and once a day post-fermentation for another 9 days before pressing.
Maturation: The Margarita Vineyard Cabernet and Petit Verdot, and the Grosso Kresser Vineyard Cabernet were settled and racked into a mix of 36% new French and 64% once/twice used French barrels. All lots held in separate barrels. After another racking and further aging for 26 months, the barrels were blended, and the wine bottled.
varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot)
appellation: Paso Robles (Santa Margarita Ranch)
vintage: 2020
alcohol: 13.5%
ta:0.51 g/100ml
ph:3.85
Winemaker Notes: By virtue of its isolated location, Santa Margarita Ranch enjoys a protected location desirable for Cabernet growing. Harvest commenced on November 9th and finished up three days later. The small quantity of Petit Verdot we used was harvested at the same time. Fermented wines were all taken from the tank and placed in once-used French oak barrels for 16 months before being transferred out, blended, and bottled.
Maturation: 16 months in a combination of one-year old French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: Compelling aromas of blackberry and dark cherry are framed by hints of cassis and cedar. At first sip, flavors of blackcurrant and plum shine through, leading to notes of vanilla bean and a subtle hint of leather. The fine-grained tannins are supported by a balanced acidity that carries over through a lingering, flavorful finish.
varietal: Chardonnay
appellation: Central Coast (65% Edna Valley, 35% Paso Robles)
vintage: 2020
alcohol: 14.5%
ta:0.59 g/100ml
ph:3.61
Acclaim: 90 points and Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast
Winemaker Notes: Our Edna Valley Chardonnay came off the vine in late September as did our Truesdale vineyard component. Both were fermented in tank and transitioned to 30% new French and 8% new American oak post-fermentation. Our Margarita Ranch Chardonnay was picked mid-October being the coolest of the three vineyard sites that year. This wine was fermented in and stayed in stainless steel with no oak the entire time to maintain a crisp acidity and purity of fruit.
Tasting Note: Aromas of fresh lemon, pineapple and a hint of vanilla bean create a rich, enticing nose. On the palate, notes of white peach, apricot and apple are complemented by a silky, smooth texture, along with a vibrant acidity that carries the flavors through a lingering finish.
