Review: Wines of Opolo, 2023 Releases
Opolo is a long-time friend of Drinkhacker, turning out a tight range of zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon-focused wines from the Paso Robles area. Today we dig into three new releases from the winery, two zins and a cab.
2021 Opolo Zinfandel Summit Creek – The classic zinfandel recipe has been followed to a T here, the experience offering a punchy, sweet note of blueberry and blackberry jam, taking a mild wintergreen path on the finish. Soothing milk chocolate late in the game makes this a dangerously easy sipper — and at 15% abv, you’re well advised to keep your wits about you. B+ / $20
2021 Opolo Mountain Zinfandel Paso Robles – Chocolate and black raspberry notes dominate this dessert-adjacent zinfandel, which ultimately takes a small detour through the barnyard, evoking turned earth, licorice, and a darker chocolate element. While never overly complicated — though far less saccharine than the 2020 release — the wine’s expressive, fruit-laden qualities make it hard to disagree with on a more sensory level — though pairing it with a hearty or spice-driven meal isn’t a bad call. B / $28 [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
2021 Opolo Cabernet Sauvignon Summit Creek – Big but not overly dense, this layered cabernet offers some restraint, bringing into moderated focus notes of blackberry bramble, soft red currants, and a lacing of vanilla. Mildly tannic, it still has plenty of life ahead of it and shouldn’t need cellaring to enjoy today, its chocolate- and raspberry-laced finish showcasing the greatest hits of Paso Robles cabernet. A terrific bargain. A- / $23
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