Robles – Paso Robles Wine

Tobin James

For the last couple of years Tobin Jams has been one of those weird places that I wanted to try wine at, but just got the opportunity recently. Their decor is quite different than the lush landscapes that are put together at other winery’s and their choice of colors for their buildings are not indicative of other wineries, using bright colors that are quite noticeable compared to the landscape. One of the other major things that I find different is their lack of a large tasting room building, with vaulted ceilings or other interesting design ideas.

Tobin Jams reminds me more of an old western town bar than a winery, don’t get me wrong, they certainly know their business, it’s just very different to not walk into the almost sterol environment that is most tasting rooms. The staff is very nice and their wines were actually fun to taste, I’m not sure though that the quality matches some of the other wines that I’ve tasted.

Will I be back to Tobin James? Actually this isn’t likely as there are many other winery’s that I have yet to taste in the Paso Robles area.

Did I find a wine that I would stop in and take to a party or special event? Actually the only wine that I was completely impressed with was their desert wine.

Thanks Tobin James for a great location and an inexpensive tasting experience.

Vina Robles Sauvignon Blanc

Returning to a favorite I went back to Vina Robles, where wine tasting got started for me, again due to their whites, having just picked up a selection of reds and rose from Niner I wanted to off set that a bit with some whites and knew just the place. Generally it’s been the Sauvignon Blanc that I have been after when going to Vina Robles so when I walked in I knew that I was going to come away with a White 4 and hoped that the current tasting of the Sauvignon Blanc would be worthy of taking home as well.

Being the July 4th weekend even entry to Vina Robles was a bit sketchy due to the fact that they were opening their new amphitheater with it’s very first crowd. I just wanted to taste and buy some wine so I made it clear that I would be leaving as quickly as I had come as soon as I had tasted a couple of wines.

In the tasting room I approached the counter and told the host that I just want to try the Sauvignon Blanc and the White 4 before I took them home to enjoy. He was taken back by my request and applauded my effort to only faste the wines that I was interested in, instead of a complete flight, keep that in mind next time you go tasting, you may be treated to some extra wines that are off the menu but in the same category.

Starting correctly the host poured the Sauvignon Blanc first, it was impressive but wasn’t quite what I was looking for. It had a beautiful fruity bouquet and a nice smooth opening and a nice dry finish. Would be a great wine with a desert such as a cheesecake or some sort of a cream based food, maybe even a curry if prepared correctly.

Second we were given a taste of the “White 4” one of the staples of Vina Robles, and it did not disappoint at all, in fact it quickly overshadowed the fast of the Sauvignon Blanc, at this point I was certain that the White 4 would be the bottle of wine that I would be going home with. The “White 4” is a very consistent wine year to year, though it would be possible for you to just drop in and walk out with a bottle of “White 4” wine to take home. I always like to make sure that I test the wine before it makes it’s way out of the tasting room. Much better bouquet than the last and much better finish.

As a side note White 4 get’s it’s name from the blend of four wines that are used to make white four in this instance; Viognier, Vermentino, Verdelho and Sauvignon Blanc.

Following those two wines the host asked next if we had time to taste some other wines that were in the same category. Of course I would like to taste outside of the list when given the opportunity so we were treated to two other wines. 2011 Alberino and 2012 Vermentino. The 2011 Alberino wasn’t something that I appreciated and wasn’t going to be taking home, I had also just the same category at Niner and was much more impressed with the Vina Robles Version.

Last for the tasting was Vermentino an amazing wine honestly ready to enjoy as soon as it’s chilled in the fridge, given the opportunity I will make sure to keep a bottle available until the year changes and another tasting is necessary to ensure the quality I have come to expect.

First Taste of Paso Robles Wine

My first taste of Paso Robles wine was at a wedding held at Vina Robles, what a great location to host a wedding at.

After the ceremony was a dinner catered by Vina Robles, with dinner came a great wine that I couldn’t place and couldn’t remember when I left, not because I had so much, just due to the fact that I have a hard time remembering details like this when I’m not in the situation writing it down like I do now when I’m tasting at a vineyard. Since the wedding I had been thinking about the wine and returned almost 1 year later and asked if they would be able to tell me which wines were served at the wedding, they explained they could look it up and I soon discovered one of my favorite white wines.

Since that wedding I have visited Vina Robles a couple of times, to taste their wine and take a couple of bottles home. While I usually find myself a proponent of Red wines, Vina Robles has started to turn me towards whites. Their “White 4” is the way to go and there Sauvignon Blanc, which is an estate wine, is also amazing and I usually end up taking one of each when I return.

Next time I’m there I’ll have to try another one of their whites perhaps the Viognier, which I have recently come to like from other vineyards.

Always a Joy to Taste

It’s always a joy to step into the tasting room at Vina Robles the host there is always a joy to chat with and the wine is always top notch. I am always willing to try the newest flight of the newest wines that have been release but I always come back to one of their staples. White 4 is always an enjoyable wine for me, a smooth taste ready to enjoy from the moment that the bottle is opened.

White 4 is not an expensive wine and since it is one of the Vina Robles staples you can almost count on the consistency of the wine even from year to year you can almost stop by and pick up their newest bottle without having a quick taste, however if you decide that you want to taste the wine before buying it the hoste will be glad to oblige, though a full tasting does have cost associated with it unless you take a couple of bottles home with you.