Description
The Vineyard Cellars first came across PIUS in Spring 2022. We met up with Anthony and tasted the wine while looking out over the nodding vines of Daou Mountain. His 2018 was electrically good; one of the best first impressions I have ever had. At that time we had no idea who the customers were going to be, we just knew we wanted to work with the wine and placed our first order immediately. We learned a little more about him. Anthony Versochi’s CV is highlighted by his ten-year stint at Daou Estate, ending as it’s Senior Winemaker. During this period Daou showed the fastest growth of any winery in the US wine market. Having made the decision to start his own label, he was backed by his former employer, who let him make the first couple of vintages of his new wine at Daou Winery itself. Throughout this conversation Anthony talked quickly and passionately. It became clear he was an artist in the way that he makes wines. The conviction comes first, the idea over what he wants to create, and then hard science is employed to work out how to execute his vision. It was one of those meetings where we really felt we were in at the beginning of something truly big, not just sampling a great wine but seeing the start of something. Almost three years later, it is now is an exceptionally exciting time for Pius Wines. Anthony has now established himself in his own vineyard. He is planting new vines alongside rebuilding the winery and tasting rooms. Joined by businessman Peter Twiss and fellow winemaker Bob Lotierzo, their aim is to turn Pius into one of the finest destination vineyards in Paso Robles. What we are presenting today is their Inaugural release, named as it is the first vintage made on their own estate. Anthony’s clear vision of what good wine is leaps from every glass. There’s a succulence to the fruit. The ending is flawless and it’s only when you finish a sip do you realise how stunningly integrated the tannin’s in all of Anthony’s wines are. They are mouthfuls of velvet. There isn’t one that I don’t think is a superb example of what Paso Robles can be, at it’s very best. I am delighted to be representing these wines in the United Kingdom and I know they will provide incredible pleasure to all those who put a case or two in their cellar. Drinking happily now, they will have the capacity to provoke joy and interest for decades to come—if they last that long!
Production Notes The 2021 vintage in west side Paso Robles featured distinct weather patterns that shaped the growing seasons. Early drought conditions stressed the vines, while a cool spring with minimal frost allowed healthy bud break and flowering. Summer brought heat spikes that accelerated maturation, balanced by cool nights that preserved acidity. The dry harvest period ensured optimal grape picking, resulting in wines with concentrated flavors and robust tannins. Overall 2021 produced an exceptional vintage with intense and complex characteristics. Winemaker’s Tasting Notes Signifying a balrrel selection of the best block this vintage has unveiled, the terroir of the west side of Paso Robles becomes immediately apparent. Dry farmed and from a vintage that created near perfect conditions with low yields, allows this wine to explode out of the glass immediately after pouring. Finesse and intensity is showcased in both, palate and bouquet, with flavours of chocolate dripped blueberry, plum preserves, crushed stone and unsmoked cigar.