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SKU: 2034488
750ml
$129.98
Available: 6
95 Points! The 2023 Soul of a Lion Estate Collection is spicy in the glass, cascading up with an array of dried flowers, ground clove, incense, spiced blood orange and crushed raspberries. It displays radiance and a cool-toned feel despite its power and concentration, as masses of sour cherry and blueberry mingle over a wave of pure silk. A cascade of violet pastille lingers over a web of fine grained tannins as the 2023 finishes long, staining, structured and already quite approachable. The balance here will carry this beauty for years in the cellar. - Eric Guido, Vinous
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The fourth-largest wine producer in the world, led by California. American fine wine is defined by ripe, expressive fruit and a spirit of innovation, with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon among the most sought-after wines globally.
Paso Robles is a diverse wine region in northern San Luis Obispo County on California's Central Coast. Established in 1983, the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area spans rolling inland hills, river valleys and the eastern slopes of the Santa Lucia Range. Warm days, cool nights and Pacific breezes moving through gaps in the coastal mountains help shape a broad range of wine styles. Cabernet Sauvignon is a leading variety, alongside Merlot and other Bordeaux grapes. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre underpin the region's celebrated Rhône-style reds, while Zinfandel holds an important place in its winegrowing heritage. White varieties including Viognier and Roussanne add further diversity. Single-variety bottlings share the stage with blends that reflect Paso Robles winemakers' willingness to work across regional traditions. Eleven nested appellations reveal the area's differences in elevation, exposure, rainfall and soils. These include Adelaida District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District and Templeton Gap District. Calcareous marine deposits, sandy loams and alluvial soils contribute to a varied vineyard landscape, so a wine's character depends on its particular site as well as its grape variety and winemaking. Paso Robles offers a distinctive combination of California sunshine, coastal influence and regional individuality.
Cabernet Franc is an aromatic red grape prized for its perfume, freshness and savory character. Raspberry and violet are familiar notes, often joined by red fruit, herbs and a leafy edge. Its wines can be supple and fragrant or more firmly structured, with the balance of fruit, tannin and herbal complexity shaped by ripeness, vineyard site and winemaking. In France's Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc often takes center stage in wines from Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny. These expressions highlight the grape's ability to reflect differences between vineyards while retaining a distinctive sense of freshness. In Bordeaux, particularly Saint-Émilion, it is an important partner to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing aromatic lift, finesse and structure. Cabernet Franc generally ripens before Cabernet Sauvignon and produces wines ranging from lively, fruit-focused bottlings to concentrated examples capable of developing additional complexity with age. Its appeal lies in the interplay of fruit, floral perfume and savory detail, whether bottled on its own or used to bring nuance to a blend.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape known for deep color, firm tannins and a clearly defined structure. Blackcurrant, often described as cassis, is a signature flavor, accompanied by blackberry and, depending on the wine, cedar, graphite, mint or herbal notes. Oak aging can add spice and toast, while bottle age may bring tobacco, leather and other savory layers. The grape is a cornerstone of Bordeaux's Left Bank, especially the Médoc and Graves, where it is commonly blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and smaller amounts of other varieties. Beyond Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon has established distinctive regional identities, including Australia's Coonawarra and Margaret River. Vineyard climate and ripeness influence whether the emphasis falls on fresh fruit and herbs or richer, fuller expressions. Its tannins, acidity and concentration can support long development in well-balanced examples. Many accessible styles are made for earlier enjoyment, while more structured wines reward time as their tannins soften and their aromas evolve. Cabernet Sauvignon brings depth and backbone to blends and can also express a vineyard's character as a varietal wine.
Petit Verdot is a red grape associated with deeply colored wines, firm tannins and pronounced aromatic intensity. Violet, spice and licorice are characteristic notes, with cocoa or coffee appearing in some expressions. Even a small addition can give a blend greater depth, texture and structure. In Bordeaux, Petit Verdot traditionally plays a supporting role alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, especially on the Left Bank in the Médoc and Graves. Its late-ripening cycle makes the growing season important: sufficient warmth and time are needed to bring its fruit and tannins to maturity. The proportion used in a blend therefore varies with the vineyard, vintage and producer's style. Petit Verdot is also bottled on its own, particularly in warm growing regions where it can ripen reliably. These wines give a fuller view of its floral, spicy character and concentrated structure. Careful vineyard work and tannin management are central to balancing its intensity, whether it serves as a small but influential blending component or the principal grape in the bottle.
