Deep ruby color; blackberry, blueberry, cherry, blackcurrant on the nose; dusty cherry, blackberry, strawberry, plum, licorice, toasted bread crust, oak, vanilla, chocolate on the palate.
Dry; integrated tannin and acidity. J. Lohr emphasizes black fruits in its cab, and this fits comfortably in their style. Straightforward dark fruit attack, not so much complexity but plenty of concentrated fruit. Blend of 95% cabernet sauvignon, 3% petit verdot, 1% malbec, 1% cabernet franc. Wine spent 16 month in tightly-grained new French oak.
J. Lohr started as Jerry Lohr’s vision of a Paso Robles play (south of Monterey County), and Paso Robles remains a core element of J. Lohr, but not all. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines includes more than 2,300 acres in Paso Robles dedicated to cab (this bottle), merlot, syrah, petite sirah and other red varieties, more than 1,300 acres of cool-climate estate vineyards in the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands regions of Monterey County with an emphasis on chardonnay, riesling, valdiguié, and pinot noir, and 33 acres in Napa Valley, highlighting cab and sauv blanc.
Jerry Lohr is still around, but the second Lohr generation leads the effort today. Chairman Steve Lohr is responsible for the overall management and strategic planning of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Cynthia Lohr spearheads corporate and product visibility as vice president of marketing, and Lawrence Lohr advocates for wine appreciation as director of wine education. Jeff Meier, with J. Lohr for more than three decades, is the director of winemaking.
J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2021 is solid commodity cab with assertive dark fruits. Smooth and easy drinker with no complications or layers of depth. Just drink and enjoy. Pair with beef dishes—grilled, barbecued, braised, pan-seared; lamb; wild game—venison, boar; poultry—barbecue chicken, roast chicken; comfort food—pizza, burgers and sliders, meatloaf. Cheese—creamy and bloomy cheese; fresh and soft cheese; bleu cheese, humbolt fog, brie, camembert, sharp cheddar, ricotta. $25-35
