Juan Mercado’s Paso project (formerly of Realm). With the new offering out, and having not opened a bottle to try the wines yet, I opted for this as a test. Followed over three days.
75 Tempranillo/ 20 petite sirah/ 5 Graciano
With any new wines I haven’t tried, I like to follow them from pop-and-pour and see how/if they evolve over a couple of days. Right upon opening this had a very Paso-profile to it…big fruit and florals aromatically, but not really Tempranillo-like. Dark blue and black berry fruit, dark cocoa and cassis. Very primary (unsurprisingly). The mid-palate shows great weight and texture but it falls off a cliff at the finish with not much else. Check back-in…
Days two and three showed enhanced profiles of a fleshed out and broad shouldered wine (which wasn’t there on day one). The fruit profile has shades of red, some black pepper spice is on the mid-palate and the finish matches the beautiful mid-palate profile. Structure is well framed. Finishes with a weightless richness that I find in high-end Paso wines. Very enjoyable.
Juan Mercado’s Paso project (formerly of Realm). With the new offering out, and having not opened a bottle to try the wines yet, I opted for this as a test. Followed over three days.
75 Tempranillo/ 20 petite sirah/ 5 Graciano
With any new wines I haven’t tried, I like to follow them from pop-and-pour and see how/if they evolve over a couple of days. Right upon opening this had a very Paso-profile to it…big fruit and florals aromatically, but not really Tempranillo-like. Dark blue and black berry fruit, dark cocoa and cassis. Very primary (unsurprisingly). The mid-palate shows great weight and texture but it falls off a cliff at the finish with not much else. Check back-in…
Days two and three showed enhanced profiles of a fleshed out and broad shouldered wine (which wasn’t there on day one). The fruit profile has shades of red, some black pepper spice is on the mid-palate and the finish matches the beautiful mid-palate profile. Structure is well framed. Finishes with a weightless richness that I find in high-end Paso wines. Very enjoyable.
Nov 21st, 2024
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
