J. Lohr 2017 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

On Jerry Lohr’s 80th birthday J. Lohr launched the ultimate, limited release red wine in its portfolio, the 2013 J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon. J. Lohr Signature Cabernet represents the culmination of their Cabernet program in Paso Robles, and the realization of Jerry’s long-standing vision to release a Cabernet Sauvignon that could compete with the finest Cabernets of Paso Robles, Napa Valley, and other celebrated, global winegrowing regions.

Sourced from the Beck Vineyard, in the Creston District of Paso Robles, a unique site perched 1,700 feet above the early morning fog. Its calcareous soils and cooling afternoon winds are perfect for growing structured, nuanced, low-yield Cabernet Sauvignon. The Clone 337 Cabernet from this estate ripens evenly and early with excellent color, purity of fruit, and mature phenolics. The hand-harvested grapes were berry-sorted into six-ton open top tanks for fermentation. Maceration took place on the skins for five days, before early pressing to limit tannin extraction. Aged 17 months in 100% new French oak from coopers Demptos, Marcel Cadet, Nadalie, and Saint Martin.

This was a Platinum Award winner at the 2021 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge with 97 points. They said "I have had the pleasure of tasting every vintage of this wine since the inaugural 2013 vintage, and the line certainly accomplishes what its namesake intended – to show that Paso Robles is worthy of international attention.  It’s “Paso bold” to be sure, but it’s nuanced with spice and pepper notes.  This may be the most age-worthy wine in the series – right now it’s still coming together, but the structured fine-grained tannins bode well for a long life – much like a life well lived has for the proprietor.  We get the benefit of both, and here’s to that!"

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 95 points saying “Almost opaque in the glass, this luxury bottling entices with intense aromas of black currant and blackberry sauce on the nose, with savory hints of dark olive and caramel spice. It’s quite dry on the palate, where licorice, violet and cassis flavors linger amidst the polished tannins.”

Jeb Dunnuck scored this 93 points saying “The most expensive release is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature, which is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 2% Saint Macaire aged 19 months in 100% new French oak. Its saturated purple hue is followed by powerful notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, chocolate, white truffle, and chalky minerality, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated, stacked mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. It's a beautiful wine. I'd give bottles 2-3 years to shed a touch of baby fat and develop more nuances, and it should keep for over a decade.”