VINTAGE NOTES   printable version +

During the winter of 2005/2006 we received an average amount of rainfall, most occurring later in the season. The importance of rain is always evident in the spring with an even, healthy budbreak in the vineyard. Pruning commenced in January and was completed by the middle of March.  At the end of May, our vineyards saw another 1.5inches of rain; this happens once every 25 years in Paso Robles.

 

In the wake of a cool spring, bloom occurred about two weeks later than normal, finishing in the middle of June. A period of high temperatures in early July, were our first indicators of the long, dry summer that followed. Our vineyard crews were busy during the month of August as they worked through each of our vineyards by hand in order to thin shoots, work on shoot positioning, leaf removal and green harvest.

 

For Vina Robles, harvest officially started on September 4th with our ROSEUM 2006! We picked Syrah, and for the first time, Grenache grapes for our summer wine.  Shortly thereafter, we brought in Syrah for our RED4 and the Syrée. Harvest continued on with the Petite Sirah from our Jardine Vineyard, Petit Verdot from our Huerhuero Vineyard and Zinfandel from the Westside. Lastly, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were picked at the end of October, completing our 2006 harvest.

 

Just prior to harvest we purchased an Italian-made Diemme basket press.  It is a modern, high-tech stainless steel variation of the classic wooden basket press. This new equipment enables Winemaker Matthias Gubler to fine tune our small lot winemaking and to enhance quality through gentle, balanced pressing of our red grapes. The 2006 harvest went well and we are very pleased with the excellent quality of this year’s fruit.

 

By November most wines were in French and American oak barrels for an ageing period of up to 16 months. We look forward to bottling our 2006 Roseum in December, for release in February 2007.

 

 

THE WINES OF 2006


 

Vina Robles 2006 Chardonnay, Edna Ranch

(Sold out at winery)

A brilliant straw color with aromas of lush ripe fruits, pineapple, citrus and apple pie with warm barrel spices. Lush and rounded on the palate with flavors of baked apples, pear and cinnamon with hints of tropical fruits; a fresh, clean finish.
Now thru 2009

  • 87 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, November
    2007
    "Pale gold. Ripe peach and nectarine scents are complemented by dusty minerals and fresh florality. Plush, slightly warm pit fruit flavors are gently lifted by soft acidity, this packs plenty of fruit."
  • 4-Stars - Restaurant Wine, January 2008
    "Great value: full bodied. Moderately complex chardonnay, with ripe fruit character (apple, pear), light oakiness, and overtones of roasted nut, peach, lemon peel, and vanilla. Long finish."

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Sauvignon Blanc - Jardine Vineyard

(Sold out at winery)

Brilliant pale straw in color with aromas of fresh apple, pear, hints of bergamot, honeydew melon and lychee. This wine is medium-bodied with creamy, round texture, and flavors of pineapple, yellow peach and citrus; refreshing with well balanced acidity.
Now thru 2009

  • 4 1/2 Glasses - NYC Wine Report, October  2007
    "Vina Robles is emerging as one of Paso Robles'  premier wine producers.  Their 2006 Sauvignon Blanc hits the bullseye.  It's a marvelous high-wire act that ballances subtle creaminess, lush fruit and clean acidity.  This Sauvignon Blanc will linger on your palate and won't soon be forgotten."

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Roseum

(Sold out at winery)

A wonderful, dark coral colored wine. Aromas of wild strawberries, watermelon, and kiwi fruit. Floral notes of lilies and rose petals. The vibrant, crisp acidity results in a refreshing wine with a long, clean finish.
Now thru 2009

  • 88 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, November 2007
    "Dark pink. Fresh strawberry and raspberry aromas are brightened by citrus zest and wet stones. Fleshy, seemingly off-dry red berry flavors are supple and deep, finishing with good persistence. A weighty, fruity style of pink wine that I would pair with spicy Asian dishes."
  • Exceptional - Dan Berger's Vinatge Experiences, May 3, 2007 “A rosι that competes with the best I have had in the last few years!”

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Huerhuero Vineyard

(Sold out at winery)

Deep, dark cherry red, with flavors of sweet oak, intense dark fruit with notes of blueberry and undertones of tobacco. A full-bodied, supple Cabernet Sauvignon with intense fruit and ripe tannins; balanced with a long finish.
Enjoy now through 2016

  • 90 Points, Editors’ Choice – Wine Enthusiast, August 2009
  • Silver Medal – Long Beach Grand Cru International Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards 2009
  • Silver Medal - Grand Harvest Awards 2009
  • Silver Medal - San Diego International Wine Competition 2009

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Petite Sirah, Jardine

(Sold out at winery)

Deep, inky garnet with intense aromas of blackberry and blueberry fruit; notions of incense and earth. Black cherry flavors with cedar and sweet oak components, a soft and luscious texture supported by young healthy tannins and balanced acidity.
Enjoy now through 2016

  • 93 Points – Wine Enthusiast, March 2009
  • Gold Medal – San Diego International Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal/87 Points – Internationale Weinpramierung Zurich (Expovina) 2009
  • Silver Medal – Grand Harvest Awards 2009
  • Silver Medal – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal – Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition 2009

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 RED4

(Sold out at winery)

Dark violet, blue with intense aroma of ripe, sweet fruit; notes of plum and cherry with spice and toasty oak. A well structured wine with fresh and fruity notes; blackberry and ripe cherry.
Now thru 2015

  • 89 Points, Best Buy - Wine Enthusiast, September 2008
  • Reccommended - Gourmet Magazine, August 2008
    “Oak and fruit-forward nose. Cherry and berry fruit. Ripe, but with good acidity.”
  • Gold Medal, 90 Points, Exceptional, Best Buy – Beverage Testing Institute World Wine Championships 2008
  • Gold Medal – San Francisco International Wine Competition 2008
  • Gold Medal – Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2008
  • Gold Medal – Riverside International Wine Competition 2008
  • Silver Medal - Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2008
  • Wine of the Week – Tulsa World, September 4, 2008

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Signature

Dark, saturated garnet with intense aromas of dark fruit, including notes of blueberry, preserved fruits and all spice complimented by toasty oak. This is a full-bodied wine, concentrated on the palate, supple with a lush mouth feel; complex and refined tannins; primary flavors of blueberry and blackberry with hints of tobacco and a long finish.
Enjoy now through 2016

  • Recommended – Santé Magazine, November 2009
  • Highly Recommended/Pick of the Week – Laurie Daniel, Mercury News/Tribune, June 21, 2009
  • Pick of the Week – Kathy Marcks Hardesty, New Times, September 10, 2009
  • 93 Points – Wine Enthusiast, October 2009
  • 90 Points – Wine & Spirits, December 2009
  • Gold Medal – Long Beach Grand Cru International Wine Competition 2009
  • Gold Medal – Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2009
  • Gold Medal – Grand Harvest Awards 2009
  • Silver Medal – Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal – Florida International Wine Challenge 2009
  • Silver Medal – Critics Challenge 2009
  • Silver Medal – Riverside International Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal – Florida International Wine Challenge 2009
  • Silver Medal – San Diego International Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal – California State Fair Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal – Orange County Fair Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal – San Francisco International Wine Competition 2009

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Suendero

Dark garnet in color. This well-structured wine unfolds with notes of wild strawberry, black currant and blackberry, in addition to vanilla and coconut aromas from the oak barrels. The dark fruits re-emerge on the palate with blueberry and fresh black raspberry dominating, as well as oregano and green peppercorn supported by toasted oak tannins and a balancing acidity that provides a long finish.
Enjoy now through 2016

  • 91 Points – Wine Enthusiast, October 2009
  • Gold Medal, Cellar Selection - Beverage Testing Institute World Wine Championships 2009
  • Grand Champion Best of Show, Double Gold Medal - Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition 2009
  • Gold Medal – Grand Harvest Awards 2009

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Syrée

Deep, ripe cherry red with aromas of dark blackberry with bitter sweet chocolate and charcoal overtones. Rich on the tongue with spice, sweet oak and cedar flavors; finishes with ripe, firm tannins.
Enjoy now through 2020

  •  – Restaurant Wine, June 2009
  • Recommended – Santé Magazine, September 2009
  • Best Rhone Varietal Blend of California, Best of Class South Central Coast Appellations, Double Gold Medal, 98 Points, – California State Fair Wine Competition 2009
  • 91 Points – Connoisseurs’ Guide, July 2009
  • 90 Points – California Grapevine, September 2009
  • 90 Points – Robert M. Parker, Jr.’s The Wine Advocate
  • Gold Medal – Long Beach Grand Cru International Wine Competition 2009
  • Gold Medal/90 Points – Internationale Weinpramierung Zurich (Expovina) 2009
  • Gold Medal - Orange County Fair Wine Competition 2009
  • Gold Medal - Central Coast Wine Competition 2009
  • Silver Medal, Highly Recommended - Beverage Testing Institute World Wine Championships 2009

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Syrah, Ryan Road

Deep garnet red, with rich and velvety texture, dark cherries; powerful tannins balanced by ripe fruit with a long finish.
Enjoy now through 2014

  • 90 Points – Robert M. Parker, Jr.’s The Wine Advocate

 

 

Vina Robles 2006 Zinfandel

(Sold out at winery)

Deep purple, very intense with effusive nose of red and black berry fruits, bramble and spice. Big, full-bodied and packed with intense, sweet, ripe fruit; this wine has wonderful flavors of raspberry jam, white chocolate, spice and plum; the fruit is supported by ripe fine tannins and has a long pleasant finish.
Now thru 2012