True Myth Wine – Worth the Patience

San Luis Obispo’s Edna Valley in the Central Coast of California in San Luis Obispo County has several fine wineries and True Myth 2014 Chardonnay is a delightful find from one of the Niven Family vineyards. I recently had the pleasure of tasting and enjoying the 2014 Chardonnay from Paragon Vineyard.

The winemaker is Christian Roguenant and The Niven Family has pioneered this Edna Valley AVA for more than forty years. The 2014 Chardonnay is rich, fruity, smooth and balanced and was fermented 50% in French oak barrels and 50% cold tank fermented, 38% was in total new oak. It was SIP Certified Sustainable and aged nine months on the lees. The vine ages ranged from five to forty years and were located 5.4 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The alcohol content is 13.5% and the average brix at harvest was 23.87 at harvest. Suggested retail price: $18.

Christian Roguenant’s Tasting Notes:

A classically styled Chardonnay from the Edna Valley showcasing aromas of pear, white peach, pineapple and wet stone. Flavors of beautiful tropical fruit with mineral undertones and textured creaminess are balanced with refreshing acidity, a hallmark of Paragon Vineyard, that keeps the wine lively and fresh from start to finish. All topped off with the perfect complement of vanilla bean and toasted oak.”

My take:

While enjoying this chardonnay, even with the benefit of the wonderful tasting notes, I was able to distinguish and enjoy the aromas of peach more than anything else. Someone else at the table picked up on the pear. In any case, we both felt it was well balanced and had a nice finish.

The second wine I was fortunate to try from True Myth was its 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. This comes from the Paso Robles appellation with grapes from six different vineyards. Paso Robles has a rugged terrain and offers diversity. True Myth’s slogan is “Her Secret is Patience,” and it shows with this selection.

This is a rich, fruity, full-bodied and smooth wine. It was fermented in closed and opened top fermenters at 82 degrees for 14-28 days and aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels for 18 months with 50% of the barrels being new. The average vine age is over 20 years. The average brix at harvest 26.19 and the alcohol rate is 14.5% and suggested retail is $24. The winemaker was Christian Roguenant.

Christian Roguenant’s Tasting Notes:

Pure Paso Robles, this rich yet smooth Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with elegant aromas of blackberry, blueberry, pepper and cassis which lead to flavors of dark red fruits with hints of cedar spice, cocoa powder and caramelized oak. These persistent flavors create a long lingering finish. While very accessible now, this wine will continue to evolve nicely for years to come.”

My take:

Picking up the berry and pepper flavor was easy and a little cedar. This was served with rack of lamb and paired quite well. It was quite enjoyable and I would make a point to acquire this again for a dinner party.

About The Niven Family and True Myth:

They have a legacy in the Edna Valley, where they have ben living and farming their historic Paragon Vineyard since 1973. The Niven family has found the Central Coast of California to provide the weather and rich fertile soil for them to produce an exceptional quality of wine that reflects a true representation of the terroir of its origin and inspires and motivates them for each new harvest. To quote the Niven family, “True Myth presents an authentic experience, which only Mother Nature can express: one of depth, wonder, and a little bit of magic. Taste and Believe.”

Standing on a knoll in the Edna Valley, you can see the True Myth winery, which is surrounded by the Paragon Vineyard. This is quite interesting as it was built under the direction of its winemaker Christian Roguenant in 1999. He combined hi-tech and dramatic with innovative equipment, large and small presses, and more than fifty small open top tanks, two French Oak casks and four individually climate-controlled barrel rooms, plus two five hundred gallon concrete eggs made in France. Rarely does a winemaker have the opportunity to oversee and work in his own project.

The True Myth tasting room is in the historic Independence Schoolhouse built in 1909 located in the heart of Edna Valley. You will find it surrounded by an expansive picnic area and views of the SIP Certified Paragon Vineyard. For those into bocce, there are also two full size bocce courts.

Tasting Room:

5828 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: 805 269-8200

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Winery Address:

4915 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: 805 597-8200

www.truemythwinery.com

Proprietors: The Niven Family

Winemaker: Christian Roguenant

Vineyard Manager: Scott Williams

Appelations/Varietals: Edna Valley, Paragon Vineyard, Chardonnay, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

True Myth wines is available in forty-eight of the fifty states in the U.S. and Canada. True Myth is also available in many restaurants that are serving “on tap” wine.

Images courtesy of True Myth Winery