PASO ROBLES Rising Star Cabernet Sauvignon

Paso Robles is stepping confidently into the spotlight with Cabernets of Napa-level quality, but at half the price

- says Mira Advani Honeycutt

California's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has long held pride of place in the global wine market. It is a wine everyone knows. But there's a new kid on the block — Paso Robles, a burgeoning wine region along California's Central Coast.

Home to some 200 wineries, Paso Cabs are rapidly gaining recognition thanks to the high scores they are receiving from wine critics and their ability to lure Cab lovers with both approachability and pedigree. Generous and fruit forward with a plush texture, these are certainly enjoyable, “drink now” wines. Yet the best Paso vineyards also deliver wines with the same structure, depth and age-ability traditionally associated with Napa Valley.

The region may or may not dethrone Napa from its spot at the top, but Paso Cabs are certainly giving it competition. Cab connoisseurs may soon be whispering PasoCab in the same breath as NapaCab.

Based on data from Circana (a global technology and data company that provides market research to brands) for the 52-week period ending 12 May 2024, Paso Robles is currently the second-largest appellation for luxury Cabernet Sauvignon, accounting for 21.5% of dollar sales. It is also seeing the third-largest growth in dollar sales, at 11%.

Paso shares similarities with noted Cab regions. It has Bordeaux's calcareous soil and Napa's sunny weather. Although hotter than Napa, Paso is blessed with its proximity to the ocean which creates dramatic diurnal shifts that swing from scorching daytime highs of 37°C to a chilly 10°C at night. This provides a longer hang time, allowing grapes to reach full maturity while retaining balanced acidity.