2013 J. Lohr Cuvée Series Cuvée PAU Red Blend
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Rich Cook, Wine Review Online
- “This vintage of Cuvée PAU has more Cabernet Sauvignon than most at 88%, but it's still a fitting tribute to the three Ps – Pauillac, Paso and (Steve) Peck, who has been rocking the J. Lohr reds for a while now. It's richly Paso bold, with fine structure, weight and complexity, showing deep blackberry, cassis, toasty oak and a touch of espresso at present. Of the 2013 Cuvée series wines, this is the one I'd lay down a good while for full enjoyment. The hits just keep on comin'. Contains 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 1% Merlot.”
The varietal aromas are effusive in this 2013 J. Lohr Cuvée PAU. The savory Cabernet Sauvignon works with the blue fruited Petit Verdot in this blend to showcase a delicate hazelnut-like barrel bouquet. The bright palate is dense with ripe fruit, leaving notes of blackberry, anise and coffee. Open and decant an hour before serving to open up to full expression.
— Steve Peck, red winemaker
Wine Details
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Composition Blend
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88%
Cabernet Sauvignon
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9%
Petit Verdot
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2%
Malbec
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1%
Merlot
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Origin
Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, California
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Cellaring
Delicious now, with a structure that will soften with age for 10 to 12 years.
11 Years -
Food Pairings
Delicious with grilled rosemary lamb chops with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted beets.
Vintage
As the second in a string of three very favorable vintages, 2013 may be remembered as the best since 2007 for Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Winter rainfall was sparse at just one third of normal. The warm spring weather favored early vine growth and a proper pollination period in May. The most defining element of the vintage was the ideal daytime temperatures during veraison in late July and early August while the fruit was coloring up. This “Goldilocks fortnight” (not too hot, not too cold) resulted in exceptional phenolic development and some of the darkest colored Cabernet we’ve ever made. Temperate weather through the harvest period allowed us to pick this block at ideal maturity without concern for rain or heat spikes.
Cuvée PAU
The inspiration for this blend comes from the Grand Cru wines of the Pauillac district of Bordeaux composed primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot accents. 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.
