Cuvée St. E

Every vintage has its own personality; a unique history of climatic experience that shapes the flavor of the wine we taste in the glass. 2013 was the second in a string of three very favorable vintages, and may be remembered as the best since 2007 for Paso Robles. Winter rainfall was sparse — 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 temperatures during veraison in late July and early August while the fruit was coloring up. A “Goldilocks fortnight” (not too hot, not too cold) resulted in exceptional phenolic development and some of the darkest colored wines we’ve ever made. Temperate weather through the harvest period allowed us to pick each block at ideal maturity without concern for rain or heat spikes.

CUVÉE ST. E

The inspiration for our J. Lohr Cuvée St. E comes from the Grand Cru wines of St. Emilion from the Right Bank of Bordeaux. These memorable wines are composed primarily from Cabernet Franc and Merlot with touches of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. We are 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.