Our 2019 Julia Rose is intriguing and contemplative. We fermented clean  racked juice in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures over the course  of many weeks. What was new for 2019, was the addition of Mourvedre.  Making up 6% of the blend, Mourvedre, adds a hint of earthy complexity  to the otherwise jubilant composition.  This wine has beautiful, soft aromatics with flowery flavors to match. There is bright acidity running  throughout with a hint of limestone inspired chalk on the bone-dry finish. 

The chalky, limestone laden soils these grapes were grown in translates to a beautiful tactile sensation on the palate. The aromatics burst with lively floral notes. Once on the palate there is an amazing interaction between the brilliant acidity and the bone-dry mineral notes. While the textures are busy playing back and forth, lush, Viognier inspired flavors delight with a delightful juiciness. The overall experience is one that is refreshing and crisp with a very elegant framework. This wine is easily paired with fish, pork, chicken, or turkey dishes.

Gold Medal- Sakura Wine Awards
92 pts Gold Medal- Toast of the Coast

While the 2017 vintage of Glacier Ridge was aging, we kept circling back to the delightful balance in this wine. Aromatics show limestone-inspired minerality that harmonizes with the hints of medium-toasted oak and fresh straw that are provided through the restrained oak regiment. The cool climate acidity is evident throughout the palate, framing in the varietally correct flavors of crisp apple and lemon zest. As this wine opens a bit, the finish lengthens and creates a beautiful finish. 
 

90 points Wine Enthusiast

This wine, vibrant ruby in appearance, offers elegant yet concentrated aromas and flavors of ripe cherries and vanilla. Grenache wholeheartedly embraces chalky soils, translating them into a silky, mineral-laden structure. These positive attributes are why we chose Grenache as the driving force behind our 2017 Three Sisters Red. The addition of Syrah, Petite Sirah & Mourvèdre help polish the presentation of this wine. Incredibly focused fruit and supple, mid-weight tannins play very nicely against the firm acid backbone. Possessing bright exuberance, this vintage will play nicely with a variety of food pairings but has the etiquette to be sipped on its own. 
 

92 points Wine Enthusiast

This untraditional blend has a harmonious ease about it. With a dense, dark color and supple mouthfeel, this versatile wine overdelivers at every turn. The nose has an unmistakable spice courtesy of the Bordeaux varietals and jammy, lush flavors on the palate. The ripe flavor profile allows this wine to be sipped as an aperitif while the plush weight on the palate makes it a perfect food wine as well. 

90 points Wine Enthusiast

Accompanying traditional notes of black currant, the nose is brimming with aromas of coffee, chocolate and baking spice. The entry to the palate is very elegant, with supple tannin countering a luxurious weight. The mid-palate is flush with sweet, red fruit flavors framed with hints of oak spice and tobacco. A robust wine of impeccable balance, this vintage will continue to evolve for years to come. 

Our estate Petite Sirah continues to amaze us with its well-mannered nature. This 2016 vintage is beautifully soft and approachable. The color is dense and brilliant, and the nose offers notes of blueberries and lilac. On the palate, you will find this wine supple and rich with support from a subtle, yet regal tannin structure. Hints of medium plus toasted oak add depth and the firm acidity frames everything in for a well-composed delivery. 

Our Tempranillo is a 100% varietal wine that was 100% estate grown. This 2016 vintage is showing the power that beckons flavors from Spain (Tempranillo’s country of origin). The aromatics are dark and rich, the flavors lush and decadent. True to our past vintages, you will find notes of dried cherry and wet clay, but the 2016 has a beautiful purity to it that sets it apart. This wine was aged in predominantly neutral barrels, along with approximately 20% once used French oak barrels to highlight our effort on the vine

90 points Wine Enthusiast - Editor's Choice

The freshly opened wine manages to impress but evolves into something magnificent with gentle aeration. Upon pulling the cork, the nose is skewed towards the savory, with hints of olive tapenade and dried sage. These notes darken and evoke to slightly sweetened malty chocolate. The palate is consistent, with finely grained tannin supporting flavors of coffee, cassis and blackberry.

This vintage of Pico Creek Merlot was influenced heavily by the heat during that period and you will find it to be a delicious outlier from our typical profile. This wine is big, juicy and unapologetically ripe. The nose is chocolaty with dense aromas of dark stone fruits. Decadent flavors are carried on the palate by a velvety tannin profile and framed in by firm acidity.

As a varietal, Malbec is normally not lauded for density of color or noteworthy tannin structure. Happy to break the mold, this wine is exceptionally balanced and built for distance. The vibrant and complex nose yields to a beautifully-refined chalky structure on the mid-palate. Notes of dark stone fruit and winter spice are layered with hints of medium toasted oak. While an outlier in some regards, the 2016 possesses the refreshing acidity that is a hallmark of our Malbec.

True to its varietal roots, this wine is brimming with juicy aromatics of black plum and raspberry jam. Adding in lesser percentages of Syrah and Petite Sirah bolstered the tannin structure and lengthened the presentation on the palate. The sum of the blend is warm, supple and inviting.

92 points Wine & Spirits (Year's Best US Syrah & Rhône Red Blends)

Lively crimson in color the weight of this wine is apparent from the first pour.  The aromatics are un-mistakenly Rhone; Candied Blackberry, cassis and bramble perfume the glass.  Dark ripe cherry and baker’s chocolate can be found on the palate and are carried to the finish by elegant tannins that create the framework on which to base this opulent and richly textured wine.  This wine is very limited in quantity and may not be available in future vintages.

90 Points Wine Enthusiast

While this obscure varietal has been relegated to being predominately a blending grape in its native France, here at Hearst Ranch Winery, we are ready to expose its potential to command a dominant role in our new blend: Pancho. Named after William Randolph’s favored cowboy and right-hand man, this wine commands a strong presence, just like its namesake.  Deep rich garnet color announces the ripe stone fruit layered with toasted oak spice on the nose.  Blackberry liquor and spice follow on the palate, supported by recognizable but well integrated tannins.  Enjoy this wine as Pancho would with a Hearst Ranch Rib-eye. 

Immediately upon opening, the nose offers up aromas of crisp pineapple, lemon grass and hints of sweet oak. Pause to admire the pale straw color of the wine and give the glass a few swirls. With a bit of air, the nose opens up and yields notes of honeysuckle, dried straw and medium toasted oak.

Extensive stirring of the lees in the early stages has helped create a beautiful balance between the resolute acidity and silky weight on the mid-palate. In addition to the firm backbone created by acidity, there are clean mineral notes framing in the lush flavors. With a finish that is elegant and refreshing, this is gorgeously layered wine that will age gracefully over the next decade. 

93 Points Josh Reynolds, Vinous 
92 Points Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast

Blackberry and cassis, layered with hints of toasted oak and leather make for a dense bouquet. Supple and medium-bodied on the palate, the 2015 Point opens with a Cabernet Sauvignon dominate bouquet while the finely textured mid-palate shows the strength in blending Bordeaux varietals. This wine shows regal texture with age-worthy tannic structure. In its youth, this structure is striking, yet the abundantly lush fruit still dominates. The 2015 Point will continue to evolve over the next 10+ years.

Our 2015 Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of impressive structure and balance. Aromatically this wine exhibits notes of blackberry preserve, layered with spicy medium-toasted oak. As the bouquet opens up in the glass, the oak influence recedes, allowing traditional Cabernet Sauvignon aromas of black currant to shine through. There is an alluring density to the aromatics that foretells a great potential for cellaring this vintage. The limestone rich soils of Paso Robles make their presence known in the chalky tannins that build on the mid-palate and shoulder a regal weight. The acid profile is prominent enough to frame in all the youthful exuberance this wine has to offer and carry through to a graceful and composed finish.

91 Robert Parker Wine Advocate
92 Points- Josh Reynolds, Vinous- 2017

The pressed juice was fermented in barrel for 30 days, and was bottled after aging nine months in 50% new French oak. Malolactic fermentation was stopped to maintain freshness and purity on the palate, and balance was achieved through the contrast between the perky acidity and the creamy weight produced by lees stirring.   This wine offers a beautiful bouquet of lemon zest, apricot and a slight hint of pineapple, followed through on the palate by bright minerality and a long finish. Drink now through the next ten years.

92 Points Wine Enthusiast 

Simply put, our 2017 Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay is a stunner. It carries itself in a regal manner and possesses many attributes of world-class Chardonnay. Regality aside, there is also a disarming ease which only adds to its charm and versatility. Upon pulling the cork, there are beautiful aromas of sweet hay, freshly cut apple with hints of medium toasted French Oak. While firm, the acidic backbone stays elegantly in the background, constantly keeping the presentation fresh. The supple palate is laden with pure varietal Chardonnay notes and hints of limestone. We couldn’t be more proud of this vintage and are excited to release it to our members. The wine is drinking very nicely now but will happily cellar for upwards of 10 years if so desired.

94+ Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This inaugural vintage of the Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet is a reflection of the highest quality fruit yielded from the rocky limestone terroir of westside Paso Robles. Vinification began in tank with a five-day cold soak, followed by a slow 35 day fermentation. We meticulously selected barrels from four French coopers for the smooth tannins that they imparted during the 22 month cellaring. This wine offers notes of black cherry, lush blackberry, and roasted coffee bean. The berry and roasted notes continue in the palate where they are supported by fine, tight tannins which linger in the long-lasting finish. We recommend decanting this wine if you plan on drinking it in the next five years. It will age gracefully for the next two decades.

94 points Wine Enthusiast

This wine possesses a beautiful intensity with beautiful color. After 16+ months in bottle, it is abundantly evident that our 2016 Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon will evolve for many years to come. The color in the glass is inky and dense. The nose itself, also possesses substantial density. There are aromas of cassis, blackberry and kirsch layered in with those of medium toasted French Oak. Even as the wine has been allowed to breath for an extended period, the aromatics remain true and contemplative. The rich flavors are carried by a tightly wound tannin profile. With gentle aeration, the tannin softens and serves as a beautiful counter to the bright acidity that runs throughout. From the farming practices in the vineyard throughout the winemaking, there is no detail too small to pass over. This absolute stunner of a wine is truly a small-batch gem and a perfect special occasion wine.

Our 2016 Muscat of Alexandria reveals enticing and exuberant aromas of mandarin blossoms, peach and honey. On the palate the flavors of ripe tropical fruits are layered harmoniously with zesty citrus undertones. Clean finishing and refreshing, this wine is a balance between the noticeable honey-like residual sugar and natural bracing acidity. The Muscat of Alexandria is a perfect pairing to complement dessert or even as an aperitif. 

Our 2016 Point is a gorgeous, harmonious blend. 5 different varietals, playing nicely and contributing to the effort. While Cabernet Sauvignon is in the main driver at 31%, not one single varietal overtly asserts its presence in this wine. Rather, each varietal lends its strength in support of the composition. The color is a dense, garnet red in the glass. The initial aromatic notes are rich and warm with hints of malted chocolate. As you continue to inhale, beautiful, dark fruit notes intertwined with those of medium toasted French Oak fill your senses. This wine is juicy and supple on the mid-palate with a finely grained tannin structure bolstering the presentation through a graceful finish. As the 2016 aerates, the tannins trend towards an elegant chalkiness leaving no mystery about the soil composition in which the grapes were grown. Having been in bottle for over a year this wine is drinking quite beautifully. However, if you prefer a little age on your Bordeaux blends, this wine will evolve over the next 5 – 7 years.