May 15, 2023 - Still drinking well. PnP. Its fruit masks it’s high Abv. No notes taken. Held its own against Saxum Broken Stones and a Cayuse Armada.
February 19, 2022 - Blackberry, pepper, fruit forward, fresh
January 16, 2022 - Outstanding example demonstrating some of the very best that Paso Robles rhone blends have to offer. Full bodied, extracted, opulent, and displaying tremendous length on the finish. While this particular wine possesses the significant alcohol core necessary to support such a tremendous flavor profile, it somehow manages to do so in a way that could serve as a model template for other producers of this style. Higher ABV wines often posses a distinct kirsch liquor taste as one of the primary flavor profiles. When carefully crafted, the liquor component remains in balance with the other aspects of the wines but is omnipresent and sometimes requires a significant amount of air to blow off the heat associated with the high ABV. Where this particular Torrin excels is that it never really displayed that liquor component. It somehow manages to stay just below that threshold. Part of me wonders if it's due to the extra touch of acidity that manages to retain a freshness on the finish. The style is somewhat reminiscent of a Realm Bard or Bevan Ontogeny, but the Torrin carries just a little more acidity and alcohol.
The flavor profile consists of grilled/black plum, blackberry, black cherry, and blood orange. The aroma possesses a similar profile with the addition of a slight hint of crushed violet. The structure and finish follow through with black cherry pit, spice, black licorice, and a dusty cocoa powder tannin.
At this stage in the wine's development, it's displaying very few signs of tertiary flavors. This one has a long future ahead of it.
January 14, 2022 - ready with decant
November 7, 2020 - PnP then vacu sealed snd drank over three days. Deep purple color. Nose is expressive with red and dark fruits and some baking spice and vanilla with a touch of savory notes underneath. Body is fully extracted with round dark fruits snd moderate tannins. Medium acidity and long finish. Great balance. It did integrate a little over the three days and in my mind it is only entering its drinking window.
January 27, 2020 - Dark. Black fruits and earth. Decanted for two hours. Not long enough as it was initially closed and tight. Opened up beautifully over the course of a grilled steak dinner. Gorgeous fruit, rich and well balanced with powdery tannins and a long finish.
August 16, 2019 - Pop and pour and enjoyed with food (grilled baby-back ribs, polenta, and greens, in case you were wondering).
Dark purple color.
Nose offers cherries, and some violet notes. Some beef blood as well.
rich, dark fruit with that wonderful violet element, with dark chocolate and tobacco notes on the back end.
While this is a big and rich wine, there is sufficient acidity to give this lift and the tobacco notes add a savory component to the rich fruit.
December 2, 2018 - Rich, delicious blackberry fruit with cassis and earthy flavors, excellent structure, silky texture, wine was much better the second day on the coravin, i.e. needs much breathing time. Initially very closed and tight, barely accessible
September 4, 2018 - Decanted for 8 hours prior to consumption. I was obviously ready to rhapsodize over this wine, but those who arrived before me have already informed you excitedly. In truth, I probably should have given it 100 points. In 35 years of pursuit, this is among the few bottles which have tempted me.
June 5, 2018 - Oh wow, this is one of the best Paso wines I have tasted in the past 6 months. What a wonderful wine! 76% Syrah/24% Grenache. Beautiful, rich and creamy texture on the first sip. Layers of flavor that include wild berry and blackberry fruit with some savory notes, baking spices, milk chocolate, black licorice, and white pepper. There is a brightness to this wine that is so refreshing and perfectly balanced right now. Nice acidity, smooth tannins, and a tremendous long finish. Wish I had more.