Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 3, 2015

11

FOOD AND DRINK

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 3, 2015 

The drought that we 
are strangled by continues on, although hope 
seems just around the corner with “El Nino” 
coming to save the day. This writer got to 
thinking about the drought’s affect on our wine 
industry, and the prices the consumer will pay 
in the immediate future. If you have driven to 
Paso Robles, you know that there are groves of 
almonds, cherries, and I-know-not-what-else, 
but one thing do I know is that Paso Robles is 
big on wine grapes. Temperatures can reach 100 
degrees in Paso Robles, and yes, the drought has 
affected the growing community of the Central 
Coast. Paso Robles has 26,000 acres under vine 
and is home to over 200 wineries. That’s a lot of 
water needed! 2012 pickings were up over 2011 
yields, and I was told that April showers were 
a welcome sight and stopped the chances of 
a 2012 spring frost. I was also told, by several 
vintners, that prices remain steady even with the 
drought, partly due to the competition to get to 
get wine to our local markets.

A local Paso Robles wine that I think you will 
enjoy is the 2012 J Lohr Hill Top Cabernet - 
all grapes are from the Paso Robles AVA. The 
aforementioned heat gave this cabernet an up 
to the mark of tannins and pushed the grapes 
to full ripeness - can you say “perfect storm”? 
I hope so, because we need a few rain drops 
this winter. Matured in french oak barrels, I 
found this cabernet to be full bodied and well 
balanced with a medium layer of cherries (sorry, 
no almonds here). Priced in the upper $20’s, I 
suggest buying two bottles - one for now and 
one for next year for a special occasion. I rarely 
drink cabernet without a meal, but this one 
might be an exception, it’s that good. 

 

J Lohr has been producing wines from this 
region since 1974. Jerry Lohr started with 280 
acres, and now has over 900 acres in Monterey 
and 2000 in Paso Robles. 

Each week I will give you my Dills Score. I have 
added points for value. I’m starting with a base of 
50 points; I added 8 points for color, 7 points for 
aroma or “nose”, 8 points for taste, 8 points for 
finish, and 9 points for my overall impression, 
which includes my value rating.

90 overall Price check $30 Vons and other fine 
retailers

 Email Peter at thechefknows@yahoo.com and 
follow me on Twitter @KINGOFCUISINE 
check out my radio show on AM 830 KLAA at 
6 PM Sundays

Peter will be hosting a wine tasting at Vons 
on Sunday at 1 PM, free to the public 2855 E 
Colorado

 Blvd.

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com