Seeking advice on Paso Robles wineries

[newsguy]

Am going to a tasting tonight of winemakers from Paso Robles. I haven't had a ton of experience with this region, so I'm looking for advice on producers to definitely not miss. Wineries are listed below. Any feedback is appreciated...

Anglim
Bianchi
Cass
Clautiere
Clayhouse
Eberle
Edward Sellers
EOS
Four Vines
Grey Wolf
Halter Ranch
J. Lohr
L’Aventure
Martin & Weyrich
Midlife Crisis
Opolo
Orchid Hill
Robert Hall
Rotta
Silver Horse
Tablas Creek
Treana
Villa Creek
Vina Robles
Wild Horse
Zenaida

Thanks, folks.

[Innkeeper]

Have experience with and recommend: Eberle, EOS, and J.Lohr.

Have heard many good things about but have not tried: Tablas Creek

[wondersofwine]

I've liked Eberle. Like IK I have heard good things about Tablas Creek (possibly for Rhone-style blends.) Four Vines is somewhat interesting but maybe not a don't miss entry. I've heard of Martin and Weyrich but don't remember what I heard--good or neutral.

[Drew]

Got some Robert Hall, my last name, in the cellar given to me by my sister. Popped one a year ago and very tannic showing little fruit. Don't know how it is now and I'm gonna sit on the several I have for a while.

Drew

[Innkeeper]

Missed the Four Vines. Their Naked Chardonnay is a killer. Love it.

[Kcwhippet]

Haven't been to Paso for about 12 years, and there are an awful lot of new names on that list. But, I've had the following and liked them all.

Eberle
Eos
Four Vines
Grey Wolf
J. Lohr
Martin & Weyrich (nice picnic patio)
Silver horse
Wild Horse

[TheEngineer]

Opolo makes a decent Pinot Noir amongst other things. I recall that it was more on the softer and riper end of the spectrum. Okay to pull in front of a non-wine geek client [img]http://wines.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Other as noted on the list are okay as well though I tend to prefer the lower then J Lohr products and find that their higher end products are not as convincing (though solid). definitely more of an opinion than fact.

[This message has been edited by TheEngineer (edited 03-27-2007).]

[oostexan]

L'Aventure makes excellent, but pretty pricey, rhone styled wines. His Syrah Cab blend called Optimus is one of my must purchase wines every year. His estate cabs and syrahs are great, though they get up there in price. He makes a wine called a Cote-a-Cote that is quite good as well.

I have also had a couple of the Four Vines and they are very, very good. Their Anarchy blend and Sophisticate Zin are both very nice wines at reasonable priced.

The Treana blend used to be a wine that I bought every year, but the quality has subsided over the last few vintages and I stopped buying it.

Mark

[TheEngineer]

Newsguy,

so what did you think about the tasting?