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{ SOMMjournal.com } 121 { SOMMjournal.com } 121 WINE #9: J. LOHR 2015 VINEYARD SERIES HILLTOP CABERNET SAUVIGNON ($35) Presented by Jerry Humphreys, Sales Manager for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines The Paso Robles region has become synony - mous with excellent California Cabernet Sauvignon, but that wasn't always the case. Four decades ago, the California Central Coast had yet to be discovered as a world-class wine region. Jerry Lohr, who founded J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in 1974, was among a handful of early innovators who took a gamble and invested in Paso Robles: He inherently understood the region's potential for producing high-quality grapes and stellar wines. Blessed with a long growing season with days of intense sunshine balanced by cool, wind-chilled nights, Paso Robles continues to deliver on the investment: It's proven to be an ideal home for Cabernet Sauvignon, as demonstrated by the incredible popularity of J. Lohr's agship red. J. Lohr, the fourth-largest vineyard holder in the Central Coast, remains a family-owned winery with Jerry still at the helm, assisted by his two children. All wines are produced only from estate-grown fruit, as the Lohr family never buys or sells grapes. For the Vineyard Series Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon, grapes were sourced from a handful of select Paso Robles vineyard sites. While the 2015 vintage was marked by early budbreak, a cold snap in May disrupted bloom, resulting in shatter and a yield 50 percent lower than average. How - ever, the surviving fruit swelled with explosive avors and mature, velvety tannins, producing a highly satisfying wine, with a lavish palate bursting with effusive aromas of black - berry, cassis, toasted hazelnut, and cocoa preceding a juicy, persistent nish. J. Lohr Sales Manager Jerry Humphreys assured the gath - ered sommeliers that while the 2015 is marked by J. Lohr's signature "dense but soft" texture, it boasts a structural integrity that would allow it to comfortably age for another seven to ten years. Winemaker Steve Peck recommends pairing it with rosemary-seasoned ribeye served with garlic- roasted potatoes, parsnips, and fennel. WINE #10: PATRICIUS 2006 TOKAJI 6 PUTTONYOS ASZÚ ($65) Presented by Eniko ˝ Magyar, Project Director for Vinum Tokaj International's Wines of Excellence Program The nal wine unveiled at the competition was perhaps the easiest to identify for its distinc - tive botrytis-infused richness, electric acid- ity, and swirl of golden, nectar-like luscious- ness. This is no acci- dent, as the afore- mentioned Tokaj region of Hungary possesses a terroir characterized by gently undulat - ing south-facing slopes, mineral- rich volcanic soils, and a perfect balance between humidity and warmth to induce Botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot. When left untreated, this fungus ultimately shrivels indig - enous Furmint and Hárslevelu " grapes (the traditional white varieties grown in the region) and concentrates their sugars and avors, allowing for the production of the region's revered dessert wine, Tokaji Aszú. A shining jewel in the crown of the Tokaj's rich history is the awarded Patricius winery. With 85 hectares of vines situated within vineyards established by royal decree in 1737, Patricius produces wines that represent the region's prestige while also garnering accolades like gold medals from the Decanter World Wine Awards and the Inter - national Wine Challenge for the 2006 Patricius Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Aszú. Like all Aszú wines, the Patricius Tokaji 6 Puttonyos was produced from desiccated, hand-harvested grapes painstak- ingly picked one berry at a time. The mummied berries were then mashed into a thick, dark brown paste and added to a base wine. The amount of botrytized paste, referred to as puttonyos, determines the sweetness level of the nal wine, with six being the highest allowable ranking. After undergoing fermentation, the wine aged in Hungar - ian oak casks for three years and in bottle for an additional seven. The result? A thick and unctuous yet amazingly fresh elixir that pops with luscious avors of buttered-and-grilled pineapple, dried yellow peach and mango, and candied orange peel. To cap off an indelible experience, the palate is accentuated by high oral notes with a hint of earthy botrytis and a savory vein of powdered volcanic rock. Imported by Classic Wines, Inc., and promoted by Vinum Tokaj International, LLC. Jerry Humphreys is the Sales Manager for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Attila Balla, President of Vinum Tokaj, with Eniko " Magyar, Project Director for Wines of Excellence.