It’s been a yr or so since we’ve lined the wines of Paso Robles-based Opolo, after which solely spottily. Right this moment we appropriate that oversight with a take a look at 5 present releases.
2019 Opolo Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles – Nothing overly earth-shattering right here, this cab making for an approachable however simple expertise that rests of currants and earth, then notes of recent sage and — above all — ample tannin. It’s drinkable at the moment, however whereas it doesn’t really feel classically “tight,” one feels it may actually profit from just a few years within the cellar to let extra pink fruits develop. I actually wouldn’t complain. B+ / $36
2020 Opolo Summit Creek Zinfandel – Wealthy, juicy, and under no circumstances jammy, it is a extra immersive expression of zinfandel with its fruit revealed in layers — brambly blackberry with notes of darkish chocolate, graphite, and a few earthy forest ground within the combine. Wealthy and seductive, it’s a refreshing and targeted wine, with out that gummy high quality that mars so many zins. An actual deal with. A- / $20
2020 Opolo Mountain Zinfandel – A a lot completely different animal than the Summit Creek zin, overloaded with saccharine fruit working to cherry and blackberry jam, plus milk chocolate and a Christmassy spice word. None of this comes collectively in a significant means, resulting in a caustic end that’s overblown with blunt, candied sweetness, by no means coalescing right into a cohesive expertise. My least favourite wine on this lineup by far. C / $30
2019 Opolo Grand Rouge Paso Robles – A Rhone-style mix of 49% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 19% Counoise, and a couple of% Mourvèdre. Reasonably gummy on the palate, there’s a sure saccharine high quality to this wine from the beginning, with notes of maraschino cherry and milk chocolate sweetening up a palate that pushes at pink berries and rhubarb, with notes of brown sugar on the unctuous end. Exceptionally candy, it doesn’t evoke the Rhone, alas. B- / $22
2019 Opolo Maestro Paso Robles – “A gorgeous mix of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Counoise,” this wine presents a way more immersive and rounded expertise than the Grand Rouge expression, with notes of tar and tobacco counterbalanced by blackberry, currant, and a thick layer of spice that works effectively alongside the tobacco notes. Way more evocative of Rhone-style wines, evenly beefy with that traditional syrah component, the wine’s a bit on the unctuous, gummy aspect however stuffed with complicated taste. B+ / $34
2019 Opolo Grand Rouge Paso Robles
$22
About Submit Writer
