Wine Tasting @ HASR Wine Co

HASR Wine Co recently hosted a wine tasting featuring several "trophy" type of wines that aren't usually available for sale to the general public. The tasting featured five different selections from Linne Calodo of the Paso Robles region in Central California, the Justin Isoceles Reserve which previously was only available to Club Members at the winery and two selections from Blankiet in Napa Valley. Most of the Linne Calodo wines previously were available at R. Fields so I never bothered signing up for their mail list but once their popularity soared, wine availability plunged so much so that only a couple of wines are available at the retail level and unfortunately their mail list is wait list only. Winemaker/Owner Matt Trevison makes several Zinfandel based wines along with traditional Rhone blends. We sampled the 2011 Outsider (78% Zinfandel, 18% Syrah and 4% Mourvedre) which had a nice balance of earth and fruit.

The 2011 Problem Child (72% Zinfandel, 20% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre) which was like your typical fruit forward Zinfandel.

The 2011 Perfectionist (62% Syrah, 27% Mourvedre, 7% Grenache and 4% Tannat) which also was a red ripe fruit forward wine.

The 2011 Rising Tides (38% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah) which had a nice nose and initial burst of fruit on the fore palate but a little thin on the mid palate.

And my favorite, the 2010 Overthinker (42% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 23% Mourvedre) which was a cross between Paso Rhone and French Rhone. It had the most complexity though I would cellar it for a couple more years before uncorking (HASR Wine Co offers a 10% discount for sampled wines if purchased that day).

The creme de la creme was the 2009 Justin Isoceles Reserve which reminded me of an Opus One (and only a little cheaper) with loads of ripe red fruit and long finish.

We also sampled the 2010 Blankiet Prince of Hearts (76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Caberner Franc and 1% Petit Verdot) which is Blankiet's second label.

Along with their primary wine, the 2006 Blankiet Estate Red (60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot). I used to be on their mail list but curtailed my purchases when the wine hit the $150 price point with a 3 bottle minimum.

E then graciously uncorked a bottle of 2010 Almaviva which again is like Opus One (one of the partners is Baron Rothschild) with a South American twist. Big and mouth-filling with a very long finish.