Edward Sellers Vineyards and Wines

In 2004, Ed Sellers bought property on the west side of Paso Robles, in the notch in the coastal range known as the Templeton Gap, and founded his small eponymous winery. The focus is on Rhones, both varietally labeled wines and blends like Vertigo. Sellers has planted a vineyard, but the early vintages have been made from purchased grapes. Vertigo, made from grapes sourced from several west side vineyards, is new this year to the Edward Sellers lineup.

This is a big, bold wine, a blend of 70 percent Grenache, 17 percent Mourvedre and 13 percent Syrah. It’s not shy about alcohol, either: Vertigo weighs in 15.8 percent. But there’s enough fruit and structure to carry it, so the wine doesn’t taste at all “hot.” Rather, the wine, which sells for $30, displays juicy blueberry and black raspberry flavors; some jammy, smoky notes; nice spice; and firm tannins. It’s aged in French oak barrels, about a third of them new, and the oak adds texture and roundness rather than overt flavors. Sellers’ wines have been produced at Denner, but he’s building a winery along the busy tourist route of Highway 46 West.

Reviewed November 20, 2007 by Laurie Daniel.