WBW #19 2003 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones Paso Robles, CA
There are certain events in ones life that you remember because your life changes forever afterwards. It’s strange that that statement can be said when referencing wine, but for those that become passionate about it, they can pinpoint the exact moment and the bottle of wine that enticed their passion. There are also other small epiphanies that one has while drinking wine, and one of mine came on my honeymoon in June of 2002.
My wife and I traveled down the beautiful California coast, and stayed a few nights in Cambria. Seeing how the Paso Robles wine country is a quick jaunt up the road, we spent a day tasting. Through a recommendation by one of the tasting rooms (a great way to weed out bad wineries) we found ourselves in a quaint barn style tasting room that houses both winemaking, ageing, and tasting, Linne Calodo. We tasted the three wines available and were blown away. These wines where amazing, and immediately I wanted to know more about the grapes used in them. I was unfamiliar with Grenache and Mourvedre as this was early on in my wine experience (22 years old at the time) and I had mainly been collecting and drinking Cabernet. So, the motivation behind this Wine Blogging Wednesday stems from the experience that sparked my interest in the varietals from the Rhone. These are wines that every wine drinker should try, from all over the world, in different blends or on their own, with friends and family.
So, I had to go back to my first Rhone experience for this edition, although I’ve had some amazing wines from France’s Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras regions. This wine is a great example of what other countries are crafting from these varietals, and has received recognition from the likes of Wine Spectator and Robert Parker, but for the record, I found them first (I think).
Wine: 2003 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones Paso Robles, CA
Varietals: Grenache 60% Syrah 25% Mourvedre 15%
Price: $60 USD
Notes: This wine exhibits a deep cherry / purple hue with a rich aroma of dark cherry’s and cigar box, with amazing cherry, mint, and cedar flavors on the palate. Well integrated tannins exhibit the “iron fist / velvet glove” somewhat synonymous with Cabernet, a lingering finish that still displays huge fruit and chewy acid that speaks to it’s ageability. A fantastic wine.
Score: 96+ pts JAT
More Information: www.linnecalodo.com
March 8th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
WBW 19 - When in Rhône…
My first entry to the global wine tasting event Wine Blogging Wedensday, hostet this time by Jathan from winexpression.
The wine:
2004
Cuvée Prestige
Rasteau
Côtes du Rhône Villages
Appelation Côtes du Rhône Villages Contrôlée
Alcohol: 14 %Vol
C……
March 8th, 2006 at 7:11 pm
My WBW is posted at http://www.fingerlakesweekendwino.blogspot.com
March 9th, 2006 at 4:47 am
96? 96? Come now, it’s a least a . . . . 97! I’ve been a fan of Linne Calodo for a long time. If you like Sticks & Stones, try their Problem Child, Problem Child, or Cherry Red, all of which are superb examples of a super extracted Rhone style wine. If you like Linne Calodo, you’ll love Villa Creek (not too far from Linne Calodo), which produces another great Rhone style wine, also highly extracted, called The Avenger.
March 9th, 2006 at 8:51 am
WBW #19: When in Rhone…
So here we are - Wine Blogging Wednesday. I’m still a little nervous, this being my first time all. We stuck with France because we tend to drink heavily Aussie and California/Washington wines. France is still new to us. Vintage:…
March 9th, 2006 at 9:12 am
Hahahaha, yeah, it’s almost a 97, maybe a 96+. I’m actually a member there, so I get a few shipments a year. My wife and I both love all the wines Matt is crafting right now.
Thanks for the Villa Creek tip. I’ve also heard L’Aventure is good too, so I’ll have to swing by both on our next trip down there at the end of the month.
March 14th, 2006 at 10:19 am
[...] Last but not least was my own tasting note on the 2003 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones, a fantastic blend of Grenache (60%), Syrah (25%), and Mourvedre (15%). It can be said that this winery was responsible for this edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday, as tasting Matt Trevisan’s blends sparked my interest in Rhone varietals, so thanks Matt! [...]
March 15th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
We were down in Paso Robles a few weeks ago and visited Linne Calodo. We tried the Problem Child but preferred the Leona’s 04 and bought a couple of bottles of that. Nice tasting hostess too
We also enjoyed Pipestone (especially their Viognier, goes very well with Indian food), Victor Hugo, L’Aventure and Turley. Justin was overated and too busy, although we had lunch there (their 2001 Isosceles is to die for but you just can’t buy it).
March 16th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
I agree,
Justin is overrated and their staff is pretentious, it’s off my radar now when I visit the area. It’s to bad, the Isosceles is an O.K. wine, but it’s way over priced now.
You’re better off buying from Linne.
April 4th, 2006 at 10:39 am
[...] The wineries slogan sums up what they are trying to do with their wines, the varietals chosen for the area parallel those used in the respective regions of France, and are aged in 100% French Oak. The vines planted here are stressed, but get enough nutrients from the Calcareous soils to offer character that mimics that of the great growing regions in France, but this is Paso Robles, with a character and essence all it’s own, and that also comes out in the wines. Between wineries like this, Tablas Creek, Linne Calodo, Adelaida, and Saxum, Paso Robles is making a name for itself with wines of excellent quality, character, and depth, all expressive of the areas terrior. [...]