2007 Linne Calodo Cherry Red

The blockbuster 2007 Cherry Red is reminiscent of a Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape on steroids. An amazing wine that blew me away last year when tasted from barrel, is every bit as riveting from bottle. Production (0.4 tons of fruit per acre) was all from two vineyards, including the James Berry Vineyard. The result is a compelling wine with great acidity, fabulous concentration, an explosive bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, licorice, and spice box, an opulent texture, tremendous purity, and a nearly 60-second finish. A blend of 64% Zinfandel, 28% Mourvedre, and 8% Syrah, it should offer immense pleasure over the next decade. Matt Trevisan has a new state-of-the-art winery and barrel-aging facility as well as access to a new 18-acre estate vineyard. Like some of his nearby neighbors (particularly Justin Smith of Saxum), this is one of the most exciting wineries to visit on Vineyard Drive, essentially the tenderloin section of the limestone hillside vineyards of West Paso Robles. Production at Linne Calodo was off by 30-40 percent in 2007, and another 10% in 2008, but given the global economic crisis most wine producers are probably happy to have high quality, but smaller quantities given the financial climate throughout the world. Tel. (805) 227-0797; Fax (805) 227-4868