2021 Perrin+Dobbs Vineyards Ace of Spades Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage in Ace of Spades. The Cabernet sees the dayâs first light, and the afternoon shade and coastal breezes give ample ripeness, good acidity, and fine tannins. The Syrah adds bumps of spice and dark savory notes. The vibrant color catches your attention at first glance. Aromatics of cassis and tobacco are complimented by blackberry preserves and hints of cedar. Great concentration, balance, and precision transition to a seamless texture with just enough tension to ask for a bit of cellaring. If you canât keep your hands off this, decant it for a few hours and let the fireworks begin.
Winemaking
Winemaker Chad Alexander is well-versed in Cabernet Sauvignon, spending years as the head winemaker at Hess Collection and Robert Craig wineries. After 8 years of working with mountain fruit, he decided to expand his expertise by working with many boutique luxury wineries throughout Napa Valley and Paso Robles. He studied Geology in college to expand his knowledge of soil science and how it correlates with planting vineyards. His wines have consistently scored 90+ points by the worldâs top wine critics.
Vintage
This vintage shows characteristics that are rich and sophisticated on the nose with cassis, black fruit, cedar and tobacco. Excellent structure and harmony between the pure fruit core and firm, supple backbone of polished tannins. Blackberries, sweet tobacco, cedar, and some floral violet nuances define the nose, and itâs medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful texture and silky tannins.
At Perrin + Dobbs we are loyal to our natural surroundings and seek to understand them rather than control them.
Winemaker Chad Alexanderâs vision had one very singular focus-creating the highest possible quality Bordeaux varietal wines. His extreme focus on every detail from the proper soil, to his proprietary planting structure that creates âtotal vine balanceâ his exacting, almost extreme, winemaking philosophy allows for the grapes to arrive at the winery in the perfect condition to create wines that continue to rival the best in the world.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
I just got the bottle a few hours ago so I pitched it into the fridge to chill it down a little pulled it out after an hour so it was around 68-70. I wasnât able to try this with anyone else so these are just my impressions.
Anyhow to the notes. On pnp itâs a bright garnet color. Nose is bright with a combination of violet and grape jolly rancher. No smell of alcohol.
First sip after a bit of swirling was the taste is very similar to the nose. A bit more of the grape jolly rancher. Not particularly fruit sweet though, even with the jolly rancher note. No tannins, I wasnât sure what I was going to get with such a young cab. I thought that maybe Iâd get a tannic grippy monster but it was not at all. A decent amount of acid, with the mid quite evident. The end has a bit of a bitter finish.
This was without food. With food it was slightly better. The acid helps cut through fats well. But this wine doesnât hold up to heavy bbq spices and sauces. It did well with a mild cheese, I had it with a Babybel.
Overall itâs a decent every day drinker, itâs not going to wow you but itâs also not going to let you down. If youâre looking for a burger wine I think you could do a lot worse. For the case price itâs on the money Iâd pay.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Perrin+Dobbs Vineyards Ace of Spades Cabernet Sauvignon - $70 = 31.81%
FWIW to winemakers, variety offers intrigue me more than an entire case of the same bottle. I looked at the website for this vineyard, and they have 3 wines total. Another is a cab from the same year at the same retail price. Why not offer a case of 6 and 6? I bet you would sell more. Reds dominate casemates, but you could have offered 4 x 3 of your current releases. My two cents.
This was a lovely surprise for a beautiful summer evening. Bottle landed on our doorstep a little warm so we dropped in the fridge for an hour to cool before opening.
Upon Pop & Pour, we did a quick taste and it was like a fresh bowl of ripe cherries. I can confirm the earlier LabRatâs report of a strong violet, floral nose. Body was a little light, but there was structure to it.
We rested the bottle for another 45 and then poured a glass. It now had more fruit on the nose but with the additional time, a sweeter floral aroma really came through, almost like gardenia. Not heady or woody, the bouquet was so light and fragrant that it belied the rich flavor. The sweetness of cherry mellowed with more rest so it became more of a member in the ensemble than the primary player. As a dedicated drinker of big reds, this cab satisfied, yet was light enough to not be cloying or weighted for a sipping on a warm front porch August evening.
Net, this is a very nice little Paso cab and at a good price point. It wonât top the QPR Hall of Fame, but a very versatile red to have on hand particularly for accompanying lighter fare that might be overwhelmed by an oak-bomb cali cab.
We have saved half the bottle and will taste again to see how it has evolved further. I will report back with an update this evening.
UPDATE: Wine still holding up well tonight but not much evolution. The floral nose is there and almost perfume-y but this doesnât seem to need time to open. Still a little cool from being overnight in the fridge but Iâll report back if anything changes as the evening goes on.
2021 Perrin+Dobbs Vineyards Ace of Spades Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Winemaking
Vintage
Specs
Whatâs Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$504.00/Case for 12x 2021 Perrin+Dobbs Vineyards Ace of Spades Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles at Shop ATC Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Sep 22 - Monday, Sep 26
2021 Perrin+Dobbs Vineyards Ace of Spades Cabernet Sauvignon
3 bottles for $54.99 $18.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $149.99 $12.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
I just got the bottle a few hours ago so I pitched it into the fridge to chill it down a little pulled it out after an hour so it was around 68-70. I wasnât able to try this with anyone else so these are just my impressions.
Anyhow to the notes. On pnp itâs a bright garnet color. Nose is bright with a combination of violet and grape jolly rancher. No smell of alcohol.
First sip after a bit of swirling was the taste is very similar to the nose. A bit more of the grape jolly rancher. Not particularly fruit sweet though, even with the jolly rancher note. No tannins, I wasnât sure what I was going to get with such a young cab. I thought that maybe Iâd get a tannic grippy monster but it was not at all. A decent amount of acid, with the mid quite evident. The end has a bit of a bitter finish.
This was without food. With food it was slightly better. The acid helps cut through fats well. But this wine doesnât hold up to heavy bbq spices and sauces. It did well with a mild cheese, I had it with a Babybel.
Overall itâs a decent every day drinker, itâs not going to wow you but itâs also not going to let you down. If youâre looking for a burger wine I think you could do a lot worse. For the case price itâs on the money Iâd pay.
Cheers and thank you Alice for letting me rat.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Perrin+Dobbs Vineyards Ace of Spades Cabernet Sauvignon - $70 = 31.81%
FWIW to winemakers, variety offers intrigue me more than an entire case of the same bottle. I looked at the website for this vineyard, and they have 3 wines total. Another is a cab from the same year at the same retail price. Why not offer a case of 6 and 6? I bet you would sell more. Reds dominate casemates, but you could have offered 4 x 3 of your current releases. My two cents.
@KNmeh7
good call, probably should have. The two Cabs are very different from each other despite the blends showing similar varietal make-up.
@PerrinDobbs
Welcome to the fray!
May we ask for an introduction and your association with the producer?
@rjquillin Thanks, I work with Chad Alexander the winemaker. Long time friend and amazing guy.
This was a lovely surprise for a beautiful summer evening. Bottle landed on our doorstep a little warm so we dropped in the fridge for an hour to cool before opening.
Upon Pop & Pour, we did a quick taste and it was like a fresh bowl of ripe cherries. I can confirm the earlier LabRatâs report of a strong violet, floral nose. Body was a little light, but there was structure to it.
We rested the bottle for another 45 and then poured a glass. It now had more fruit on the nose but with the additional time, a sweeter floral aroma really came through, almost like gardenia. Not heady or woody, the bouquet was so light and fragrant that it belied the rich flavor. The sweetness of cherry mellowed with more rest so it became more of a member in the ensemble than the primary player. As a dedicated drinker of big reds, this cab satisfied, yet was light enough to not be cloying or weighted for a sipping on a warm front porch August evening.
Net, this is a very nice little Paso cab and at a good price point. It wonât top the QPR Hall of Fame, but a very versatile red to have on hand particularly for accompanying lighter fare that might be overwhelmed by an oak-bomb cali cab.
We have saved half the bottle and will taste again to see how it has evolved further. I will report back with an update this evening.
UPDATE: Wine still holding up well tonight but not much evolution. The floral nose is there and almost perfume-y but this doesnât seem to need time to open. Still a little cool from being overnight in the fridge but Iâll report back if anything changes as the evening goes on.