Review: Wines of Truth and Valor, 2021 Vintage
Truth and Valor produces a range of wines — all reds — in the Paso Robles area. Recently we received the full lineup of wines from the winery, all from the 2021 vintage. Let’s taste.
2021 Truth and Valor Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles – A gooey expression of blueberry jam, filtered through anise and tannin. Lots of toasty, vanilla-soaked oak on the finish, plus the usual complement of well-spiced currants and a layer of bittersweet chocolate. There’s something of an almond brittle quality to the dusky, nutty finish, though the overarching berry-fueled sweetness ultimately trumps it all. B / $30
2021 Truth and Valor Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Paso Robles – Decidedly more balanced and, as a result, more interesting: A clearer currant character pairs well with notes of dark chocolate and tea leaf — leaning heavily on the cocoa elements as the finish builds. The wine eventually works its way toward some of the more expected notes, including vanilla, blackberry, and some baking spice, but the road there is paved with nothing but delight. Any hint of tannin in the wine has long since evaporated. Drink now. A- / $41
2021 Truth and Valor Zinfandel Paso Robles – This is a surprisingly approachable zinfandel, appropriately jammy with lush notes of raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry, but with plenty of restraint to keep the wine from becoming overly fruity or sweet. Milk chocolate and some coconut notes keep the finish rolling right along on a theme that stays just this side of the dessert list. Lightly raisiny throughout, but there’s enough acidity in the mix to keep it on its toes. A- / $27
2021 Truth and Valor Pinot Noir Paso Robles – This unusual wine is initially on the aggressive side for pinot, perking up racy notes of graphite and black pepper with what ultimately emerges as a sweet strawberry character, touched with rhubarb and vanilla cream. Of all of this, it’s the vanilla that lingers the longest, clinging to a milk chocolate quality which ultimately makes for a decidedly un-pinot-like experience, but not an unenjoyable one. B+ / $26
2021 Truth and Valor Red Blend Paso Robles – 67% merlot, 33% cabernet sauvignon. Presumably the top of the T&V lineup, this gritty blend feels like a much heavier experience than the typical wine made of 2/3 merlot, laden with notes of turned earth, graphite, and plenty of anise. Notes of plum and currants are well tempered by the more savory elements in the mix here, though the heavy, chocolate-laden finish somehow works in notes of fresh, red florals. A mixed, somewhat brooding experience. B+ / $31
2021 Truth and Valor Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Paso Robles
$41
