A look at the vineyard blocks of Alta Colina

Alta Colina grows and makes Rhone-varieties in the Adelaida District AVA of Paso Robles. It’s a family business, started in 2003 when Bob Tillman bought 131 acres in the “high hills” of western Paso. Milestones came every two years after that: planting 31 acres in 2005, harvesting their first fruit in 2007 and selling their first bottle in 2009.

Every Alta Colina wine is made from organically grown, estate fruit. The vineyards range from 1,600 to 1,780 feet, above the fog but graced by cooling Pacific breezes. Vine care and harvest are all by hand.

The wines reflect their sunny, breezy origin. Rich and fruit-forward, yet complex, the varietals are true expressions and each blend is distinct. [Note that the 2012 vintage does not bear the Adelaida District AVA due to the late timing of that region’s legal acknowledgement. But all the wines are, in fact, from Adelaida District.]

2013 Alta Colina Estate  Claudia Cuvée Marsanne Adelaida District Paso Robles 90 13.9% 750ml $35

A lovely, very drinkable wine with buttered peach, marzipan, dried white flowers, yellow apple and pear on the nose. Medium+ bodied palate with very fine, slippery texture and lasting flavors of pear, peach and honeyed almond with peach pit at the end.

2012 Alta Colina Grenache Paso Robles 90+ 15.5% 750ml $48

Blueberry, dusty red cherries and spicy wood aromas precede a more savory palate of charred oak (which recedes with lengthy decanting), red licorice, rosemary and earthy spice. Body is medium+ with lots of fine and soft chalky texture.

2012 Alta Colina GSM Paso Robles 91+ 15.2% 750ml $48

Zesty berries, ripe red cherry, tarragon and sweet wood on the nose. In the mouth there are flavors of wood, ripe and briary, dark berries, cherry, Kalamata olives, spiced meat and iron. Medium+ body with firm, fine, chalky tannins. I recommend lengthy decanting which trades oak for fruit.

2013 Alta Colina Sun Worshipper Red Wine Adelaida District Paso Robles 91 15.4% 750ml $55

54% Mourvedre, 27% Grenache, 15% Syrah. Blackberry jam and five-spice feature on the nose. They’re joined by dark chocolate, dark spice, sun-dried tomato and caramel on the palate. Body and the very fine, soft, chalky tannins are medium+. Long finish.

2012 Alta Colina Old 900 Syrah Paso Robles 92+ 15.5% 750ml $48

Opaque ruby-purple in the glass and powerfully aromatic: fresh and jammy blackberry, black pepper, dark spice and dark flowers. Flavors match the nose, especially the rich, blackberry jam and floral notes. Medium+ body and a plethora of very soft, chalky texture. Decant a good while. Drink now through 2022.

2013 Alta Colina Old 900 Syrah Adelaida District Paso Robles 93 15.3% 750ml $48

Gorgeous aromas which jump up to greet you: grilled black plum, black and Kalamata olive, licorice and dry Mediterranean herb. Nearly full-bodied in the mouth with black cherry and dark chocolate added to the mix. A thick blanket of fine-grained chalk keep all those flavors in line. The finish is long and very juicy. Decanting may be good here, but you won’t be able to resist drinking it right away.

2013 Alta Colina Ann’s Block Petite Sirah Adelaida District Paso Robles 93 15.3% 750ml $55

Deeply aromatic with jammy black and purple fruit, bing cherry jam and five-spice. Full-bodied and sumptuously structured with fine-grained chalk that becomes drying but doesn’t impede the long finish. Drink now through 2026 (or longer).

The winery and tasting room is 2825 Adelaida Road. It is open Thursday though Monday, 11am to 4pm and by appointment. A tasting of five wines is $10, refundable with a purchase of two bottles or more. Two-hour vineyard tours are available by reservation.

Note: Alta Colina has two 40-amp Tesla chargers in their parking lot, a very welcome feature in the wilds of wine country.

Copyright Fred Swan 2016. Map courtesy of Alta Colina. All rights reserved.