Some notes below on Tolosa, a super little winery in the Edna Valley near San Luis Obispo. We hit it when we were down in Pismo Beach last month. It's definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
Some tasting notes on wines we picked up, all estate grown:
- 2012 "No Oak" Chardonnay. A really nice fruit-forward Chardonnay that's a welcome change from heavier efforts in Northern California. It's almost French-style, crisp and light, and would pair well with shellfish, chicken, or just some crackers on a warm day.
- 2011 Pinot Noir. The Central Coast is a good Pinot region, and this wine picks up some of those characteristics. It's medium bodied and earthy. I actually enjoyed it a bit more at the winery than my first bottle at home, which was sharper than I remembered. Still, if you like Pinot you should pick it up.
- 2010 Syrah. I don't usually go out of my way to drink Syrah. While I was there we tasted it, I thought it was pleasant, so we picked up a few bottles. It was far better than I remembered when we got home. It has a pepper spice that really pops when you sip it, but is smooth on the finish with a bit of citrus. It's a great wine, and I wish I bought more of it (I guess it's an excuse for a return trip).
The people down at Tolosa are really friendly, know their stuff, and the grounds are beautiful. I'm definitely looking forward to returning, for more Syrah if nothing else!
