2012 Linne Calodo, Rising Tides, Proprietary Red, Paso Robles.
Matt Trevisan’s Linne Calodo is one of a elite set of wineries that have given the west side of Paso Robles a world class voice, along with Saxum, L’Aventure, Booker, Epoch, Torrin and Law Estate this group crafts unique hybrid red blends, mostly Rhone varietals plus Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Tempranillo and few others. These are the new wave, that since the late 90’s have made this region one of the most exciting in California, some credit must go to Tablas Creek which led the modern Rhone movement bringing a vast array of quality clones and cuttings from Beaucastel and beyond. Part scientist part artisan, Matt has created one of the most followed and sought after wineries in the central coast with rich and flavorful offerings under his Linne Calodo label, named after the chalky soils of the west side, with names like Problem Child, Nemesis, Perfectionist, Cherry Red, Overthinker, Sticks and Stones and Rising Tides. Travisan uses some oak, but is also using cement to ferment and raise his wines and they show even greater promise for the future, there are still new trails to blaze here, and he has a second label now too called Slacker Wines, so be sure to check them all out. The 2012 Linne Calodo Rising Tides is a blend of 37% Grenache, 34% Syrah and 29% Mourvedre, a classic GSM cuvee in Matt’s lineup with a dense, fruit packed palate that is lavish, decedent and opulent with black raspberry, blueberry, boysenberry, creme de cassis fruits along with hints of pepper, licorice, briar and crushed stones, saline and bitter coca. There is only a faint trace of fine toasty sweet oak, with a slight vanilla kiss and smoke note, but mostly it has been totally absorbed by the ripe fruit. The alcohol is a robust 15.3%, but not in anyway excessive or overt, this wine is perfectly balanced and weighted with wonderful balance and vigor, it feels like a very fine Chateauneuf du Pape in the mouth and is an exceptional wine with a lingering lush finish that shows plummy/stone fruit and creamy tannins, this is sexy stuff, drink from 2015 to 2020.
($65 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
