2016 Bishop's Peak Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep bright-rimmed ruby. Pungent aromas of cassis, cherry liqueur, licorice, cedary oak and tobacco. Juicy and lively on the palate, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors that deepen slowly with aeration. Finishes silky and quite long, with sweet, harmonious tannins and a touch of smokiness. (JR)

Generally speaking Paso Robles is know for bigger, jammier styles of Cabernet but that is not the case with Bishop's Peak. The fruit is sourced from the much cooler sub-AVA of Santa Margarita Ranch in the very south western tip of the region, close to San Luis Obispo. Here the cooling ocean influence is much more pronounced and the wines tend to be a little more elegant and structured. This bottling from Talley / Bishop's Peak is very classically styled with mulberry, cigar box, red currant, crushed rocks, and graphite. Medium plus bodied, with notable but refined varietal tannins. Stony minerals, mingle with cassis and plum with a subtle whiff of oak spice. Classy stuff...top value.