Our “Micro-Climate” wine tasting continues from last week’s post with this Benom wine from Paso Robles. One of our favorite games with our Wine Pod is to play “Mystery Wine.” First, we guess Old World/New World and from there, the varietal, the region, and sometimes even the winery! We got New World right, but I have forgotten how the rest of the game turned out that March day.
The Benom Story: “Benom is the phonetic translation of the French word binôme, which translates to “a project together.” They are brothers, they are French, and for them making wine is a heritage. Arnaud and Guillaume Fabre moved to California for Love. For Guillaume, it was his love of winemaking and farming without limit(s) that brought him to Paso Robles. A love that saw him making wine for one of the most prestigious wineries in Paso Robles, L’Aventure. This passion eventually lead him to start his own brand of immaculate wine, Clos Solene…
“A tribute to the extensive Fabre legacy in both the Languedoc-Roussillon and Bordeaux regions; as multi generational stewards, farmers and winemakers from birth; the essence of everything Benom, is the utmost quality and infinite expression of what the central coast of California has to offer in harmony with the innate skilled craft of the Fabre bloodline.”
2018 Benom Lapsus Red, Paso Robles AVA, 15% ABV, $68 (Wine #733) 30% Graciano, 30% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
About Lapsus: “Meaning “an involuntary error” in Latin, Lapsus is a nod to the discovery of Graciano in the Paso Robles appellation. Since this varietal was originally believed to be Mourvèdre (monastrell), it was only natural to blend the two together. Graciano’s acidity is balanced with the rich earthiness of Mourvèdre while bringing in Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Grenache. This is an opulent wine with an elegant density, finished by a mineral-driven freshness.” 2018 was the first bottling of this blend.
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Rich aromas of pomegranate sauce meet with red flowers, wet soil and crushed rocks on the nose of this blend of 30% Graciano, 30% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Charred berry and plum flavors show on the palate, where hints of leather and tar make for a wild, slightly gamy experience.” Matt Kettmann, April 2021
My Review: Explosion of fruit on the palate – a great New World expression of a Rhone wine. Bright and cheery. I would like to try the 2019, which replaced the Grenache with Syrah. March 2022
You can purchase Benom wines here; and you can get information on visiting them here. They are open daily by appointment at their Tasting Room is located in Tin City, Paso Robles.
Copyright @decantingmonterey 2022
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