2020 Derby Wine Estates "Implico" Bordeaux Blend Paso Robles

This wine hails from Derby Vineyard, nestled on Live Oak Road in Paso Robles' renowned Templeton Gap District. Sharing terroir with celebrated neighbors like Austin Hope and L'Aventure, this Cabernet exemplifies the beauty and complexity that Paso Robles delivers in spades. It's a wine crafted with care by a boutique, family-owned winery that’s spent years mastering the art of estate-grown excellence.

Ray and Pam Derby are visionaries in the Central Coast wine scene, never afraid to take on challenges. From revitalizing vineyards to restoring a historic building into their tasting room, the Derby’s dedication to their craft shines through in every bottle. Their vineyard on Live Oak Road is a testament to their passion, where 90+ acres of Rhône, Spanish, and Bordeaux varietals thrive under the careful watch of seasoned vineyard manager Steve Vierra.

Winemaker Sean Geoghegan, a Sonoma native, brings modern sophistication to every drop of this Cabernet. His background at Mount Eden Vineyards lends a Burgundian finesse to his approach, though here, he lets the bold Paso fruit shine. The result? A wine with deep complexity, layered with dark fruits, a hint of spice, and velvety tannins that evolve beautifully with time in the glass.

31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc,19% Malbec, 19% Petit Verdot,12% Merlot. Opaque ruby.  Ripe, spice-tinged cherry and black currant aromas, along with vanilla and floral nuances.  Broad and fleshy but lively as well, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens up.  Velvety tannins add shape to a long, smooth finish that leaves jammy black and blue fruit notes behind.

The 2020 Implico Laura's Vineyard is impossible to ignore as mentholated herbs and graphite give way to hints of white pepper, blackberries and the slightest tinge of wood smoke. Silky and round, it sweeps across the palate with ripe red and black fruits, all guided by juicy acidity as saline mineral underpinnings add lovely complexity. A coating of fine tannins mingles with hints of sour citrus, making for a structured yet fresh finale as the 2020 finishes with admirable length and concentration. Despite a bit of smokiness detected in the bouquet, this is a gorgeous wine. That said, I wouldn't hold it for as long as usually recommended. ~92 Vinous Media

~90 Decanter

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