I was first introduced to the Tobin James Cellars by Dennis at Vernon's Cafe in Niles, Ohio with the 2003 Tobin James Reserve Zinfandel. (written up on this blog a few years ago) I have always been a fan of the flashy winery and the Paso Robles wineries in general. Diane and I on a trip to Santa Barbera were able to visit many of them including Tobin James.
So when I saw the 2007 Tobin James "Chateau Le Cacheflo" Red Wine at Buehler's grocery store for 9.99 a bottle, I figured, "what do I have to loose?" Most red table wines from California are blended from several "Left Over" batches of wine. A nice way to bottle a drinkable, inexpensive wine from a great winery. That's what I figured I was buying.
To my surprise, this is one drinkable wine! The nose was big with the smell of black fruit and the wine was delicious. You could taste the "plum fruit bomb" right up front a slightly sweet taste usually found in high alcohol Syrah and Zinfandel. It smoothed out on the palette and finished with a long spicy taste that didn't have any of the heat associated with alcohol. This was a wine that reminded me of the old worlk (Italy to be exact) and the addition of Sangiovese and Barbera smoothed out and added some softness to the Syrah that was so evident at first sip. It was a very nice blend that got better with a little air exposure.
Alright, we finished the bottle (quickly, I might add) and I made a note to stop buy and buy more of this wine before too many people read this blog and then I'll be out of luck!
The 2007 Tobin James "Chateau Le Cacheflo" Red Wine from Paso Robles, 14.6% alcohol and at $9.99 a great QPR! The only thing keeping me from giving this wine 90 points is the fear that it will sell out so quickly, I might get shut out.
