#5 on Hi-Time's North American Reds of 2024
Aaron Jackson is a Central Coast native with Hawaiian roots and is a hardcore surfer. So, you can imagine how dedicated to winemaking Aaron must be when he has to leave those firing point breaks to head for the vineyards! At a young age, he found himself working in coastal Pinot Noir vineyards near his hometown of Cayucos and working in cellars producing wines from Paso Robles' westside, most uniquely Petite Sirah. While studying wine at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, he pooled together the pennies from his weekend jobs and launched his eponymous label with the first vintage of Aaron Petite Sirah in 2002.
Mauka, meaning "towards the mountains" in Hawaiian language, is a blend that was a long time coming. Aaron has always been fascinated with Bordeaux varietals, but struggled to find the vineyards that gave him a more classical Cabernet profile, which is what he's been looking for. However, he began working with some wonderful, cooler sites in the Willow Creek and Adelaida districts that finally gave him what he desired!
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "These latest 2021s are easily the finest wines I’ve tasted from proprietor Aaron Jackson. These are rich, powerful, classic Paso Robles reds yet they hold onto a beautiful sense of purity, and they’re an absolute joy to drink."
"The 2021 Mauka is based on 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Petite Sirah, and the rest Petit Verdot, all of which spent 22 months in 65% new French oak. It has a terrific perfume of blackcurrants, spicy oak, leafy herbs, and chocolate. This carries to a full-bodied red that has beautiful purity, a focused mouthfeel, and ripe tannins. I like it today yet see no reason this beauty wouldn’t continue to evolve gracefully for another 10-15 years."
Aaron Jackson is a Central Coast native with Hawaiian roots and is a hardcore surfer. So, you can imagine how dedicated to winemaking Aaron must be when he has to leave those firing point breaks to head for the vineyards! At a young age, he found himself working in coastal Pinot Noir vineyards near his hometown of Cayucos and working in cellars producing wines from Paso Robles' westside, most uniquely Petite Sirah. While studying wine at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, he pooled together the pennies from his weekend jobs and launched his eponymous label with the first vintage of Aaron Petite Sirah in 2002.
Mauka, meaning "towards the mountains" in Hawaiian language, is a blend that was a long time coming. Aaron has always been fascinated with Bordeaux varietals, but struggled to find the vineyards that gave him a more classical Cabernet profile, which is what he's been looking for. However, he began working with some wonderful, cooler sites in the Willow Creek and Adelaida districts that finally gave him what he desired!
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "These latest 2021s are easily the finest wines I’ve tasted from proprietor Aaron Jackson. These are rich, powerful, classic Paso Robles reds yet they hold onto a beautiful sense of purity, and they’re an absolute joy to drink."
"The 2021 Mauka is based on 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Petite Sirah, and the rest Petit Verdot, all of which spent 22 months in 65% new French oak. It has a terrific perfume of blackcurrants, spicy oak, leafy herbs, and chocolate. This carries to a full-bodied red that has beautiful purity, a focused mouthfeel, and ripe tannins. I like it today yet see no reason this beauty wouldn’t continue to evolve gracefully for another 10-15 years."
Overall Rating
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