90 Insider Points
Paso Robles is Esteemed for Its Micro-Climates
It's places like the Templeton Gap that produce exquisite little wines that you're not likely to find outside of their respective areas. Sharp's Hill, which you might remember from their Cuvee Rosso released some weeks back, has returned with their 2010 Chardonnay. It's still showing good fruit on a rounded palate, and is a great sipping white to have for your springtime weekenders.
A savory, buttery bouquet to start. It has a full mouth feel with creamy texture, and flavors of honeydew, cedar and fresh hay, leading into a ripe pear finish. I'm feeling a butternut squash soup with this tonight. -90 Points - JZ April '18
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Paso Robles has been called "the wild west of California wine.” And the Templeton Gap AVA consistently proves to be for the wild-hearted. A region defined by its cooler days and nights due to the ocean breeze that is blown in through a gap in the ridgeline. Daily temperature changes of 40 degrees make dressing for the day a challenge at the old Emboscada Ranch, home to Sharp’s Hill estate since 2006. It’s just this drastic shift from warm to freezing and back again that propel this Chardonnay into greatness territory.
Crisp and bright acidity are reminiscent of a matured white Burgundy, while hints of baking spice and richer, riper stone fruit on the mid palate lean toward more New World characters. The wine was aged sur lie in 100% French oak. Just 20% of the barrels are new each vintage, however, which means this delicate Chardonnay is pure and unadulterated by woody ‘seasoning.’ Drink now with food or as a winsome aperitif.
· Sharp’s Hill is located in Paso Roble’s famous Templeton Gap. This cut through the mountains allows for a regular dose of maritime chill, as cooling breezes sweep in through the Gap from the Pacific Ocean.
· Aside from bottling a handful of its own, estate-produced wines, Sharp’s Hill is also a longtime source of quality fruit for a number of Paso Robles wineries.
· Paso Robles has made a name for itself for Rhone varietals and the so-called “Rhone Rangers” who first put this Central Coast region on the winemaking map. Only later was the region’s potential for Burgundian varietals fully realized.
· From a 90-point or “Excellent” vintage, according to Parker’s Wine Advocate. Lots of intense white and red wines were made in Paso Robles and the surrounding AVAs of the Central Coast in 2010.
This wine has a beautiful golden straw color, and the nose is an intriguing array of green apple, pear and allspice. The mouth feel is perfectly balanced and richly crisp, with flavors of apple pie, vanilla, honey, and ginger that provide a wonderfully long finish, accented by roasted vanilla bean and a citrusy essence.
*invino maintains excellent cellaring conditions, and strives to sell every bottle in pristine condition. As is standard industry practice, any wine purchased over seven vintage years old, is sold "as is" and may not be returned for any reason.
From the winery
Located high in elevation above the renowned Highway 46 West near the Santa Lucia Mountain Range in the Templeton Gap, our landmark property is an ideal site for growing exceptional wine grapes. Enjoying maritime weather influences and prime calcareous soil, this family owned vineyard produces, classic, award winning wines.
This well-balanced chardonnay pairs quite well with any creamy pasta dish, a salad with a citrus vinagrette, or any variety of seafood dishes.
