Perhaps I fully enjoyed the Spring and Summer seasons for once… When Fall's cooler temperatures recently arrived, instead of mourning the loss of warm, outdoor meals, I had an instant need to cook long-simmering dishes, like short ribs and stew. My wine cravings did a 180° as well, and fortunately, this happened to coincide with a new red blend arriving in the store, J. Lohr's Pure Paso. If you've followed my recommendations over the years, you may remember that Paso Robles holds a special place in my heart. J. Lohr was the first winery to get national attention from this region, and their entry-level of wines are solid (Seven Oaks Cabernet, Riverstone Chardonnay) and easy to point to. Often when this happens, it's difficult to move up to their next tier (kind of in the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mentality). That said, don't look past this, as it over-delivers for the price. The Pure Paso blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 1% Merlot. A quasi-Bordeaux blend with definite new world influence. This is a big, bold red wine. The nose is baked raspberry and blueberry, vanilla, cedar, and toast. The palate showcases the large percentage of Cabernet… currant, graphite, and earth, which is then rounded out with the plushness of the Petite Sirah. An ideal wine for fall temps and fall food. -Noelle Starr, Staff Consultant