Enjoy the hand-crafted, dry-farmed, Rhone blends and Zinfandels from award-winning Thacher Winery from the westside of Paso Robles with Sherman and Michelle Thacher on January 16 at 6 p.m. at Blush, 630 State St.
· 2011 CONTROLLED CHAOS, Paso Robles (usual retail $42) 47% Mourvedre, 33% Zinfandel, 20% Grenache—each part is equally represented without anyone of them outdoing the other. This wine is delicious and approachable, a true crowd pleaser.
· 2010 GSM, Central Coast (usual retail $42) A pure, supple blend of 38% Grenache, 31% Syrah and 31% Mourvedre, the 2010 GSM dishes out loads of pleasure with a seamless, upfront and fruit-loaded personality. Exhibiting ripe black raspberry, toast, spice cabinet and plenty of licorice aromas and flavors, this plush, textured, medium to full-bodied, beauty should be enjoyed over the coming 4-5 years. WINNER! 2013 LA International Wine Competition “Best of Class”
· 2011 ZINFANDEL, Paso Robles (usual retail $36) Five different Westside Paso Robles’ vineyards make up this blend, one of them being our own Kentucky Ranch Vineyard. This wine is ruby in color with notes of cherry, coffee, cinnamon, and molasses on the nose. The front of the palette has hints of vanilla that give way to a flavor of ripe strawberries. Becomes spicier with air and finishes with silky tannins, strong persistence and a bright jolt of cracked pepper.
· 2011 ViN ROUGE, Paso Robles (usual retail $38) A favorite blend of 74% Syrah and 26% Grenache — very balanced and approachable. This is the perfect cocktail hour wine. Not over-powering or loaded with astringency. Medium bodied, fruity and a crowd pleaser. No fork needed.