Review: High on the Hog, Red Wine

Paso Robles kind of flies under the radar as a wine region. They just don’t get the publicity they deserve. It’s an outstanding wine region, but one you don’t hear about as often as some other parts of California. But make no mistake, Paso Robles should not be overlooked.

One of the things I correlate with Paso Robles is big, bold red wine. They have some hot, dry days and a profound diurnal shift that makes for well-ripened fruit and big wines. Paso Robles is also known for producing Rhone style wines, which coincidentally, include some big, bold red wines.

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre (GSM) is the most common blend for Rhone-style reds. You could call those grapes the trinity of Rhone red wine. The folks at McPrice Myers / Hard Working Wines took the idea of a GSM and upped the ante. They essentially made a GSM+++ with their High on the Hog Red Wine.

I say plus, plus, plus because it’s a GSM plus Graciano, plus Petite Sirah, plus Viognier. Those grapes add complexity, richness and elegance to this wine. It all comes together as a very well made wine.

Tasting Notes

The aromas on this wine will make you think you’re drinking a bottle that cost at least twice as much. It offers rich cherry, plum and blackberry fruit complemented by licorice, nutmeg and herbal fragrances. The palate brings rich, concentrated cherry, pomegranate, blackberry and strawberry flavors with vibrant acidity and oomph! The mouthfeel is nice. The finish is quite long with those rich fruit flavors reverberating for several minutes.

I tend to prefer wines with lower alcohol levels. This one comes in at a whopping 15.2% ABV, yet it wasn’t hot at all in the glass, which is a sign of skilled winemaking.

Wine: High on the Hog Red Wine
Varieties: 34% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 22% Mourvédre, 10% Graciano, 4% Petite Sirah, 2% Viognier
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 15.2%
Rating: 92
Average price: $25.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.