Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1037369
{ SOMMjournal.com } 125 Paso Robles was once dubbed the "Rhône Zone" for leading the state in overall Syrah acreage, but the terroir seems to have decidedly chosen its signature grape: Cabernet Sauvignon. The variety makes up 42 percent of all vineyard plantings in the appellation compared to the other red Bordeaux varieties at 15 percent and red Rhône varieties at 14 percent, according to the 2017 California Grape Acreage Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, All in all, Bordeaux varieties comprise roughly 57 percent of all plantings in the Paso Robles AVA. While the dynamic region continues to rapidly expand both in recognition and in vine plantings, it's safe to say Cabernet Sauvignon is king here. Located on the northern end of San Luis Obispo County, the appellation hosts nearly 100 percent of the Cabernet grapes found within its borders, with plantings of the vari - ety increasing in the county by a sizable 60 percent since 2009. San Luis Obispo County has surpassed Sonoma in overall Cabernet Sauvignon acreage, with 14,503 acres versus 12,329, respectively, as of 2017. Napa, as a means of comparison, has 21,203 acres cur - rently planted to Cabernet. THRIVING ON PASO ROBLES TERROIR What makes the king of grapes and other Bordeaux varieties so well-suited for suc- cess in Paso Robles? According to Eberle Winery owner/winemaker Gary Eberle, the answer is threefold: "the weather, the soil, and now, the evolution of the winemakers themselves." The famed vintner is often credited as a champion for Syrah, having planted the rst Paso Robles vines of the variety in 1974, yet he says he arrived here explicitly Paso Robles overall Syrah acreage, but the terroir seems to have decidedly chosen its signature grape: Cabernet Sauvignon. The variety makes up 42 percent of all vineyard plantings in the appellation compared to the other red Bordeaux varieties at 15 percent and red Rhône varieties at 14 percent, according to the 2017 California Grape Acreage Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, All in all, Bordeaux varieties comprise roughly 57 percent of all plantings in the Paso Robles AVA. While the dynamic region continues to rapidly expand both in recognition and in vine plantings, it's safe to say Cabernet Sauvignon is king here. Located on the northern end of San Luis Obispo County, the appellation hosts nearly 100 percent of the Cabernet grapes found within its borders, with plantings of the vari ety increasing in the county by a sizable 60 percent since 2009. San Luis Obispo County has surpassed Sonoma in overall Cabernet Sauvignon acreage, with 14,503 acres versus 12,329, respectively, as of 2017. Napa, as a means of comparison, has 21,203 acres cur rently planted to Cabernet. Calcareous shale, which dominates the Paso Robles soil profile, helps promote acid retention. Booker owner/winemaker Eric Jensen believes the combination of Paso Robles' soil and climate allows for a longer Cabernet Sauvignon hang time without affecting acidity.