Cuvée POM

As the second in a string of three very favorable vintages, 2013 may be remembered as the best since 2007 for Paso Robles and much of California. Winter rainfall was sparse at just one third of normal. A warm spring favored early vine growth and a proper pollination period, followed by the most defining element of the vintage which was the ideal daytime temperatures during veraison. This “Goldilocks fortnight” (not too hot, not too cold) resulted in exceptional phenolic development and some of the densest and darkest wines we’ve ever made. Temperate weather through the harvest period allowed us to pick each block at ideal maturity without concern for rain or heat spikes. When assembling the blend, we worked out the primary fruit signature by initially balancing the volume of Merlot and Malbec. The blend was then finished with equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which sharpened the palate and established length.

CUVÉE POM

The inspiration for J. Lohr Cuvée POM comes from the Grand Cru wines of Pomerol in the Right Bank of Bordeaux. These legendary wines are traditionally composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with sparse additions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Winemaking is given the freedom to emulate these great wines without the restrictions of varietal percentages, instead keenly focusing on the texture and complexity of the blend that nature delivers with each vintage.