Monthly Archive: September 2023

Folktale: a tradition that changes over time!

by Central Coast Sharon and Erin O’Reilly at tèr·ra·ve·nos!

THE STORY

We met David Baird of Folktale Winery at the 30th Anniversary Monterey Winemakers Celebration in Carmel-by-the-Sea this past June.  He offered us, my friend Erin O’Reilly and me a tour of the winery and a tasting. We could not manage to schedule our visits for the same date, so we visited him separately.  Erin visited him in late June and my partner and I, in early August – during perhaps the busiest wine tasting week of our summer!  Lesson learned:  pace these things out! We each deeply appreciated the private tour and detailed discussions we had about the evolution of Folktale wines and his own path to becoming a winemaker!

Readers: You are getting a real treat today, as this post is co-authored with my friend Erin O’Reilly at tèr·ra·ve·nos! My notes today are a combination of what I think I heard from David during our visit 😊, significant input from Erin, and information from the Folktale website.

If you drive out Carmel Valley Road just a few miles from Highway 1, you will see the Folktale entrance on the right. Located on the site of the former Chateau Julien Wine Estate, this winery has a beautiful, spacious setting for all the outdoor events it holds there. In addition to its tasting room, Folktale has 5 acres of vineyards, an estate home, and a 10,000 square foot barrel room. In 2015, winemaker Gregory Ahn purchased it and renamed it Folktale Winery & Vineyards.

When they first opened as Folktale, we noticed right away that it wasn’t going to be a quick taste of wines, but more of an experience – sit down, spend some time with us, enjoy our wine garden. What a great destination for weddings or a relaxed wine tasting. With its proximity to Highway 1, the location is a great one for locals and tourists alike.

The pandemic hit them hard with the mandated shutdowns, but they found a creative way to come out of it, creating a popular outdoor dining experience in their wine garden, differentiating itself from the typical Monterey tasting room. It has evolved into a sit down, order some food, taste the wines, and listen to music kind of place – and has always been a great wedding venue. Shoot, they even have a Sunday brunch! I have friends who enjoyed being able to go there with their families to enjoy food and wine in the height of the pandemic. 

Folktale prioritizes best vineyard practices and finding more appropriate wines for their growing locations.  Their estate 5-acre vineyard is “100% organically farmed meticulously by hand.” Their 300 acre vineyard in Arroyo Seco is Sustainability In Practice (SIP) Certified®. That vineyard is being replanted over time.  I think David told me 40% of their production comes from and long-term relationships with other vineyards in the area. They like the sandy, rocky, granitic soil, great for grapevines.

Since taking ownership, they have already transformed the barrel room into a full-fledged wine production facility, moving in the tanks and adding a catwalk, a new cooling system, and upgraded electrical for production operations. David shared with us the longer vision to replant the vineyards on the property and turn the estate home into a luxury hotel-type operation. Today they produce about 15,000 cases of wine across 30 different wines, reflecting their diverse portfolio. They have a goal of increasing production 10% per year. 

David was excited for harvest, hoping the nice weather would hold through veraison, harvest and crush, all outdoors activities before the juice is brought inside for fermentation. Due to our cooler spring, harvest was looking a week or two late (as of early August). He said he checks the weather every day – every warm day we get helps us catch up.  He suggested maybe we think it has been colder than it really has – that we coastal dwellers are just “sissies.” 😊Unfortunately, the previous couple of years can’t be used for comparison due to the wildfires of 2020 and the extreme heat of 2021.  And this is predicted to be an El Niño year, another concern for the vineyards. I am hoping the warm August and September temperatures have brought things back in line – before the fall rains come!

Sangiovese

After touring the wine production facility, we walked through the vineyard on the way back to the Tasting Room.  Currently, there is Sangiovese planted on site, but it is too cool of a climate for that. They plan to rip it out and plant something more appropriate, such as Chardonnay – not yet decided. We talked about the new Carmel Coastal AVA which has been proposed.  It would encompass the Folktale property.  It has been taking a long time for it to come up for discussion and decision.

Our mutual assessment:  We are excited and hopeful for Folktale’s potential in the coming years.  They have the perfect venue to showcase everything Monterey can do with wine and it certainly looks like they’re going to embrace the opportunity ahead of them. Their strategic plan is solid and they give David the leeway to lean into his creativity to dare to do something different.

ABOUT THE WINEMAKER

“David Baird is an innovative winemaker with his roots deeply grown in the vineyards of the Central Coast of California. With his winemaking degree from Cal Poly, David has previously made wine at Halter Ranch, Edna Valley, Justin Winery and Fess Parker.

“In 2015, David moved back home to the Monterey peninsula where he began collaborating with Greg and Madigan. Together they opened Folktale Winery & Vineyards in the summer of 2015, with a focus on high quality, delicious wines that embrace organic farming and natural winemaking. A blank slate for Baird, the opportunity to establish an entirely new winemaking strategy for a brand-new winery was a little daunting at first, but ultimately has provided the freedom to be creative. “There is a lot of fear and adventure in creating wines for a new winery. There’s no safety net below you. During our first year at Folktale we played it safe with very practical decisions. Since then, we’ve had a lot of fun creating new small batch wines like a Pet-Nat, whole cluster barrel fermented Syrah, and a Rosé of Grenache Blanc.”

“Folktale is the perfect place to stretch his wings. Having grown to nearly 500 acres of estate vines in Monterey County, the winery offers exceptional opportunities to innovate. “The Central Coast offers such an excellent selection of varietals, but it hasn’t seen much winemaking development over the last 50 years. My goal is to reinvent the wheel a little, refreshing old techniques to come up with new ideas. We want to have some fun while evolving as a winery and as a brand, all the while focusing on fine wines that people will enjoy, and new wines that people may not otherwise try.”

THE WINES

I have 7 wines to present to you today from our overlapping tastings across 3 labels: Folktale,  Le Mistral and Common Thread. Winery notes come from my conversation with David, the Folktale website, or as otherwise indicated.  Any errors are mine and mine alone.

ABOUT LE MISTRAL

We were curious how they got the Le Mistral label, as we knew it as belonging to Joseph Phelps. Here’s the story:  Le Mistral was sold by Phelps to Brosseau and Folktale acquired it from them. Their Joseph’s Blend is in honor of Joseph Phelps!

Le Mistral is a nod to the howling winds that whip down through the Rhône Valley, similar to what we experience in the Salinas Valley with the coastal winds that can tear through vines, prolong the growing season, and concentrate flavors in the berries. We feel this to some extent almost every afternoon in our little coastal town.

ABOUT COMMON THREAD

Common Thread is the winemaker’s own label. The name “Common Thread” comes from a single palmar crease on the hand associated with various conditions, including Down syndrome. The label has the outline of three hands, David’s and his two sons, one of whom has the condition. Sales from this wine go to supporting non-profits. You can the find Common Thread wine label online and in local shops throughout the region. Cheers to that!

2021 Folktale Talking Animals Pétillant-Naturel (Pet-Nat) Sparkling Wine, Mission Ranch Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey, 12.9% ABV, $35 (#1120)

Winemaker’s Notes from The Wine Stop: “Pétillant Natural is a natural sparkling wine using the ancestral method. Bottled just before the primary fermentation finishes, the natural effervescence and sediment are the evidence of things finishing in the bottle. The wine is bright, with notes of green apple, banana cream pie, grapefruit blossom, and undertones of guava and pineapple. The palate is lively and fresh, benefitting from the abundance of bubbles and bright acidity.”

Our Review – Powered by tèr·ra·ve·nos: Light and sparkly in the glass. Champagne notes on the nose. Soft and creamy on the palate with white peach and nectarine. Everything you’d want in a pét nat. Well balanced with bright acidity. They did disgorge and David shared a few highly entertaining videos that included dry ice and bursting bottles. Craftsmanship at its finest. August 2023

2022 Le Mistral Grenache Barrel Sample, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1121)

Winemaker’s Notes: David let us taste this barrel sample in the middle of active winemaking operations. My garbled notes say he considers this wine to have good complexity and an intrigue that he just loves. 

My Review:  We tasted this as a barrel sample. Resembles a light Pinot Noir in the glass – pale ruby.  Light cherry nose. Very balanced with cranberry and sour cherry flavors. Good tannins on the back palate. August 2023

NV Folktale The Lion for Real – an orange wine, 5-Year Solera, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $40 (#1122)            

I didn’t know anything about solera wines, so David gave us a little tutorial on how this one is made.  Again, my notes are a little garbled, so this is how I think he explained it:  You create a pyramid of the barrel racking system and connect them with hoses.  You place your fresh wine in the top barrel, and continue to move it down, one barrel at a time, as you continue to top off the lower barrels. By the time you get to bottling wine from the bottom barrel, you really don’t know the exact blend or vintage of what is in the bottle. David is excited to play with these types of wines. It is these kinds of ventures that prove him to be a creative winemaker.

I found this Wine Spectator article which explains solera winemaking far better than my notes:

“A solera system is a collection of barrels, traditionally stacked (with the bottom row containing the oldest vintage), for the purpose of fractional blending across vintages…It’s a way to create a house style, and to keep a historic thread running through a beverage that is made year after year. I find it helpful to picture a tower of barrels from multiple vintages, with the youngest barrels on the top of the pile and the oldest at the bottom. You start by removing some wine from the oldest barrel on the bottom, but then you replace that missing portion with wine from the next oldest barrel, and that portion is then replaced with the next oldest barrel, and so on down the line so that the missing amount is always replaced by the next-oldest available wine. Because you never entirely empty the barrels, the barrel on the bottom will always have at least a small amount of the oldest vintage.”

Winery Notes: This 5-year Solera is made from Riesling and Viognier wines. 

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “A mustard-yellow shade in the glass, this skin-fermented, solera-style orange wine shows ripe melon, fresh tangerine and apple-juice aromas on the nose. The texture is very grippy on the sip, where apple and orange-peel flavors meet with a slight tonic element, proving rather clean.” — Matt Kettmann.

Our Review: Cloudy, creamy and light brown sugar in the glass. Nice bouquet of peach and apricot with a touch of Mandarin orange, with those notes following over to the palate. Fruity.  August 2023

Erin’s addition: This is the wine that caught our attention at the 30th Annual Monterey Winemaker’s Celebration. That we have a local winemaker playing with orange wines and showcasing these bottles at a festival was noteworthy. David’s exploring winemaking beyond the mainstream (even though orange wines are arguably one of the oldest wine styles going back millennia). I was actually surprised that the wine wasn’t as grippy as I was expecting and still had noticeable freshness. No doubt thanks to the multifractional blending and maturation that is a solera system. Anyone who loves orange wine needs to get their hands on a bottle of The Lion for Real.

Kudos to Folktale for supporting David in exploring these exciting styles.

2021 Folktale The Ruler Pinot Noir, Central Coast, 13% ABV, $75 (#1123)

Winemaker’s Notes: “The savory and rich mouthfeel spotlights dark fruit, dried herbs, forest floor, and tobacco leaf notes on wild chalky tannins.”This wine includes grapes from both Monterey and San Benito Counties. The grapes are from Monterey and San Benito Counties: 44% Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 42% Cienega Valley AVA, 14% Chalone AVA. As David said, “Trying to make the best Pinot requires going outside SLH.” 45% whole cluster, 30% new oak.

Our Review – Powered by tèr·ra·ve·nos: Bright ruby in the glass. Robust for a Pinot Noir, with that bright Monterey cherry, raspberry, and strawberry. Toast, caramel, lavender, a touch of pepper and a hint of sous bois that points to exciting things to come for this wine. Tasty. August 2023

2021 COMMON THREAD 100% Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.0 % ABV, $40 (#1124)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Fermenting wines whole cluster, or not taking the berries off the stem, produces wines that tend to have an elegant savory and dried herb quality that just fermenting grapes on their own can’t produce. It’s in this vein that this Pinot Noir was crafted – from the organically farmed Pelio Vineyard in Carmel Valley…”

Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “This whole-cluster bottling, which supports Down’s syndrome initiatives to honor the winemaker’s son, offers dark berry jam aromas and a hint of herb on the nose. Firm tannins frame the sip, where plump red currant, lavender and violet flavors lead into a peppery finish.” — Matt Kettmann

Erin’s Review: A pretty red, featuring cherry, strawberry, currant, kirsch, and supple floral flavors. More fluid than dense, this unfolds nicely with soft, ripe tannins and a velvety finish. Despite the ample core fruit, this is a restrained, elegant Monterey Pinot. June 2023

2018 Folktale The Hound Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.7% ABV, $95 (#1032)           

Winemaker’s Notes: “THE HOUND is a classic blend of Bordeaux varietals, combining 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 11% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 9% Cabernet Franc sourced 89% from Massa Estate Vineyard and 11% from Cedar Lane Vineyard. The not-so-little brother of our Reserve Bordeaux blend, this wine is complex and elegant with aromas and flavors of blueberry, mocha, floral lilac, frisée, dusty vanilla, brown sugar, creme de cassis, pencil lead, cedar wood, and hibiscus.  The texture offers nice richness with round and full tannins. The Hound is a beautiful, bold wine that will benefit from aging.”

Erin’s Review: “Ripe, and well-built, with a racy core of blackberry, black currant, red plum, melted brown sugar, warm baking spice, an inlay of violet, and a touch of graphite. Grippy, generous tannins with a tug on the focused finish. (Let’s see what this tastes like in another 5 years, it’s still showing young, and probably has another 5-10 to go – comfortably. I hope the hold some of this back in their library.)”June 2023 (Central Coast Sharon previously presented this wine on Decanting Monterey here)        

2020 Le Mistral Syrah, Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $60 (#1125)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Brosseau Vineyard in the Chalone AVA has a remarkable combination of limestone soils, weather patterns and organic farming that produces intense minerality, texture and richness in its wines.  The Syrah was natively fermented in bins and 500L puncheons, then aged for 11 months in 17% new French oak barriques producing a wine that has rich, dark flavors and can be enjoyed for years to come.” Co-fermented with 4-8% Viognier.

My Review:  Dark ruby in color. Alcohol with a touch of earth, burnt oak and bubble gum on the nose. Nice intense berries and dark plum on the palate. August 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

The Folktale Tasting Room (Wine Garden) is located at 8940 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, CA 93923. Phone: (831) 293-7500. They are open: Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 11:30 – 7:30; Sunday: 10:00-4:00. They are closed Tuesday & Wednesday. They also have a Sunday brunch from 10-4 and have recently begun offering tours every Thursday – Monday at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm.  You can get more information and make a reservation here.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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And Now: The Final Post on the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Event!

THE STORY

As I mentioned in my previous post, I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.”  The Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting, was held in Carmel in early August, offering an opportunity to talk to vintners and their representatives one-on-one! This is part 3 of my experience there. Please read Part 1 here and Part 2 here for more details. And many thanks again to the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association for the tickets!

Today’s post will cover these local wineries and some of the wines they presented that day: Lepe Cellars, Windy Oaks Estate, Wrath, McIntyre Vineyards, and Galante Vineyards. Because these are the last wineries we visited that day, our tasting notes are skimpy – we focused more on conversations with the winemakers and staff. Winery notes come from their website or conversation with the winemaker, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

THE WINERIES/WINES

LEPE CELLARS

It was so nice to finally meet Miguel Lepe! He is one of our bright, creative NextGen winemakers – and one to watch!  I’ve tasted his wines several times and was so happy to finally meet him.  I admire the fact he is willing to make the kinds of big reds I like – in our land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I previously wrote about Lepe Cellars here: Lepe Cellars: A New Face on the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Circuit! I’m also working on a Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society event at his tasting room in Carmel-By-The-Sea in the next few months!

2022 Lepe Cellars Sangiovese Rosé, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $30 (#1109)

Winery Notes: “This bright, stone fruit focused dry Rosé starts out with a burst of peach and apricot leading into hints of tangerine. Pairs well with seared salmon, lobster and tuna tartare.”

My Review: By now, our tasting notes have been reduced to a few words. This rosé exhibited a mellow nose.  The Sangiovese grapes made this a very tasty version. August 2023

2020 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $49 (#1110)

Winery Notes: “Elegant aromas of wild strawberry, savory soy and light licorice show on the nose of this pure varietal. Dark plum and cherries show on the first sip, with a bit of earthy forest floor woven with pepper, oak and tannin creating a velvety, rich texture.”

My Review: Plummy and jammy on the nose. Tobacco and dark fruits on the palate. Very nice. August 2023

WINDY OAK ESTATE

I met Kerry Winslow in the Windy Oaks Tasting Room a few years back.  Extremely knowledgeable and friendly, Kerry is a class act – and he is everywhere.  After years of reading and quoting the wine blog grapelive.com, I finally put two and two together. And he has a great presence on Instagram and LinkedIn – follow him! He had us try a few wines on this day. We were just about at the end of this event, so note taking was practically non-existent. My apologies, Kerry.  I can do better. I previously wrote up Windy Oaks here: Windy Oaks: Les Deux Grands Crus and More Pinot Noir!

2018 Windy Oaks Chardonnay, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $32(#1111)

Winery Notes: Kerry indicated that this is a particular parcel of the Escolle Vineyard farmed especially for them.

Winemaker notes from wine.com: “Brilliant crisp golden delicious apple, bosc pear, lemon and pineapple fruits unfold on the rich palate along with hints of nutmeg, clove spice, butter rum and golden figs.

“This Chardonnay is sourced exclusively from the Escolle Vineyard near the famous Garys’ Vineyard, which is set on the classic sandy loams with touches of quartz and granite. All barrel fermented and aged in French oak with bâtonnage (stirred lees), it sees malolactic secondary fermentation which adds depth and texture to this lively wine.”

My Review: This is a very delicious, oaky, buttery, and creamy Chardonnay and currently available on their website. August 2023

2021 Windy Oaks Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County (#1112)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: You all know I am not the biggest Pinot Noir fan, but I liked this one.  It had a very nice, lean palate with enough complexity to hold my interest. August 2023

2016 Windy Oaks Diane’s Block Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County (#1113)

Winery Notes from wine.com: “Grown on 5-acre block, all estate, slightly warmer site, at a lower elevation, resulting in a bit more fruit forward notes. Exciting density and ultra-smooth ripe/creamy tannins with a stylish nose of wild strawberry/rhubarb and lavender. More subtle in the nose it saves its forward nature for a medium full attack on the lush palate showing fine detail and an array of red fruit flavors, mineral tones and sweet and sour notes, finishing long and spicy. The mouth feel makes an impact with layers of raspberry, black cherry and fresh picked plum along with a hint of French oak and savory spices that add excellent contrast in this serious and structured Pinot.”

My Review: It was a real treat to be able to taste this vintage of the Diane’s Block.  However, I apologize for lack of good tasting notes.Garnet in the glass with a touch of acidity on the finish. 2023

WRATH

We became quick fans of Wrath thanks to their broad portfolio of wines, especially, for me, their Syrahs.  It was through their wines that we began to get to know some of the great vineyards of Monterey County, such as their own San Saba Vineyard, the Tondré Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and, more recently, KW Ranch, also in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Because of their different lines of wines – and if I happen upon a good sale, I can even squeeze their EX (formerly Ex Animus) wines from time to time into one of my East Coast wine classes. And when I needed a Falanghina for my part of a virtual wine class, Wrath had one. You can read about it here: Ancient Roman Winemaking Meets Modern Viticulture!

2020 Wrath Swan/828 Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $39 (#1114)

Winery Notes: “Dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness highlight the characteristics of our growing area… This clonal blend uses all estate grown grapes.  It combines dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness on the nose.  The palate offers a balance of structure and acidity that compliments elegant, focused red berry and cherry cola with a hint of forest floor.  Nimble and pure, it terminates with a long clean finish that is enhanced with a touch of mineral.”

My Review: This wine was interesting to me, as the smokey, earthy nose contrasted with the rich palate of fruit which followed. August 2023

2020 Wrath Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $49 (#1115)

Winery Notes: “Wines made from master-grower Steve McIntyre’s vineyard often exhibit the telltale characteristics of Santa Lucia Highlands terroir.  Our 2020 McIntyre Vineyard Pinot Noir is no exception.  Comprised of 100 percent 115 clone and made with 20 percent whole-cluster fermentation, it is dense and complex, with pomegranate, a touch of smoke and a mineral element.  Berry flavors of cranberry and pomegranate remain persistent, blending with red currant, more mineral and bright acidity in a structured finish.” 94pts- Wine Enthusiast

“The 2020 Wrath McIntyre Pinot follows instep with previous vintages and displays classic red and black cherry flavors with a distinctive underlying minerality.”

My Review: I tend to like the Pinot Noir wines that come from the McIntyre Vineyard and this one is no exception. This one was quite rich in the palate and delicious. August 2023

MCINTYRE VINEYARD

About two years ago, we happened to be in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel and popped into McIntyre. It was a very quiet afternoon, so we got to taste a wide variety of Pinot Noirs.  That is when McIntyre Vineyards Pinot Noirs got my attention – I tasted some I actually liked!  You can read about that experience here: Impressive Pinot Noirs from Steve McIntyre Bring SLH to Life! Now I seek them out at events like these to validate my first impression! At the trade event this past August, we got to meet Kristen McIntyre and talk a bit about the wines.  Again, apologies.  As our penultimate stop, our notes are skimpy.

2019 McIntyre Family Wines Winemaker Series Don Van Staaveren Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $50 (#1116)

Winery Notes: “The idea for the Winemaker Series was born out of impatience and age-related urgency! If I’m lucky I’ll get to participate in another 20 to 30 vintages as our vineyards and wines evolve. Collaborating with a diverse set of winemakers and viticulturists provides exciting opportunities to experiment and accelerate our pace of discovery. Each Winemaker brings their own style and experience, just as a great chef or a musician, to the process of producing a life enhancing experience best shared with others” – Steve McIntyre

“Smells of bright, candied cherry fruit. The remarkably pure and crystalline cherry flavours have an aromatic sweetness to them that charms, while excellent acidity keeps the saliva flowing. Boisterous and bright with barely perceptible tannins. This expression of cherry will bring a smile to most drinkers.” (Alder Yarrow) Wine Enthusiast: 94 points

My Review: I tend to like the Pinot Noir fruit and winemaking style from McIntyre.  This one was quite delicious. Classic and elegant. I now have a better appreciation for the Winemaker Series of their wines and will stop by to taste some more. August 2023

2018 McIntyre Merlot, Kimberly Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $30 (#1117)

Winery Notes: “Our 2018 Kimberly Vineyard is the epitome of Goldilocks-climate Merlot. It marries the lavish, ripe fruit of a warm site with the elegance and structure of a cool locale. As in previous years, the dominant character traits include blackberry, anise, cassis and dried currants. Below that is a bed of juicy black fruit and supple, silky tannins. While it drinks well now, this Merlot will continue to evolve and improve over the next decade.” (Steve McIntyre)

My Review: Sadly, I have zero tasting notes for this wine and will have to revisit it in their Crossroads Tasting Room in Carmel!

GALANTE VINEYARDS

While I have presented Galante wines on my website before (check out Galante: Now This Cowboy Makes Big Reds!, this was my first occasion to meet Jack Galante. The Galante family has a long legacy in the region, with his grandfather James Frank Devendorf founding Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Highlands Inn!  You can read more about the Galante history on their website.

A few years back, Galante sold its vineyards and winery to Tira Nanza (see above) and today it sources grapes from a variety of vineyards “from Paso Robles to Napa,” with most of their grapes coming from the Carmel Valley AVA, according to their website. According to Jack, they are still managing some vineyards.

Galante was the very last table we stopped at during this event – and my lack of tasting notes reflect that.  I haven’t been to their tasting room in a couple of years, so I will try to get back out there soon!

2021 Galante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Blackjack Pasture, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $80 (#1118)

Winery Notes: N/A – pre-release

My Review: My only note was that this was one heck of a serious cab.  I definitely need to retaste this wine when it is released! August 2023

2021 Galante Vineyards Legacy Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $85 (#1119) 54% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Notes: “This ongoing series celebrates Jack’s great-grandfather’s – James Frank Devendorf – vision, who founded the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Aged in new French Oak for 15 months, this Bordeaux-style wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, featuring blackberries, violets and cocoa on the nose. Dried cherry and strawberry middle notes lead to a long, lingering finish of spice and tobacco. Cellar-worthy for many decades, but enjoyable right now as well.”

My Review: The only notes I took said that this wine exhibited some rather intense fruit – also worthy of a retaste soon! August 2023

THE TASTING ROOMS

All of these wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel, Carmel Valley, or out River Road – please check their websites for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Even More Wines from the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Event!   

THE STORY

As I mentioned in my previous post, I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.”  This is part 2 of my experience at the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting organized by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association in Carmel in early August. Check my blog for Part 1 from earlier this week and I will have one more next week!

Today’s post will include our engagement with Silvestri Vineyards, Rexford Winery, Opaque Wines, Scheid Vineyards, Scratch Wines, and Tira Nanza.    

THE WINES

SILVESTRI VINEYARDS

It’s been a while since I have tasted Silvestri wines.  I have long been a fan of their Barbera and Syrah, so it was a real treat to try these at this event.

2019 Silvestri Vineyards Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1098)

Winery Notes: “Syrah fans everywhere!  Our Syrah continues to please year after year.  Savor the aromas of blackberry and dried plum while enjoying the mouth-watering flavors, velvety texture along with medium tannins. Complement with sausage pizza, grilled veggies or grilled meat.”

My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in glass. Dark fruits enrobed with eucalyptus. Mouthfilling. Delicious. I had forgotten how delicious their Estate Syrah could be! August 2023

2019 Silvestri Vineyards Estate Barbera, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $75 (#1099)

Winery Notes: “Barbera is a red grape varietal originating from the Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. Our small block of Barbera, which is the first planting of this varietal in Carmel Valley, was added to the vineyard to honor the Silvestri family heritage. It’s position on a warm southern facing slope allows this varietal to mature and ripen to its fullest potential before harvest.  With the influence of French oak barrel fermentation and maturation our Barbera exudes a deep richness and complexity that helps balance the grape’s high acidity.

“Black cherry, dried strawberry and plum aromas blend through to like flavors and move on to full, soft tannins with sufficient acidity. A more refined yet full-flavored Barbera.”

My Review: Hammy bacon on the nose, like BBQ ribs. Dark fruit on the palate. Yummy. August 2023

2019 Silvestri Vineyards Red Ranger Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $75 (#1100)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Red Ranger is the 7th release of our signature Syrah that represents a part of the vineyard featuring the Bien Nacido clone, which is known for its richness and complexity. We use 75% new French oak and age it in the cellar for 16 months…

“Red Ranger rocks!  That consistent depth of flavor, roundness and long finish are all here.  Blackberry, black currant and a trace of fig lead to the full mouthfeel, just the right acidity and long, luscious finish. Try with a sausage stew and roasted meats, or aged hard cheeses.” 93 points, 2023 Wine Enthusiast buying guide!

My Review: Inky in glass. Rich palate of dark fruits highlighted by some woody notes. My favorite red wine of the day. August 2023

REXFORD WINERY

I do miss Rexford’s tasting room in Carmel Valley.  It sat quietly next to Parsonage, where COraal Wine Co. is today.  We’d stop in to talk to the vintner from time to time.  He makes one heck of a delicious Chardonnay and Merlot.  But today I decided to try their Zinfandel.  We just don’t seem to have the right climate for Zinfandel, yet I continue to seek one out.

2019 Rexford Zinfandel, Gillian Enz Vineyards, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 15.5% ABV, $37 (#1101)

Winery Notes: “Lime Kiln Valley is a small viticultural area located in the San Benito County south of Hollister. The area features soils of decomposed granite and limestone, with warm days and cool nights that lead to a long growing season producing balanced wines with great depth. We think that Sam’s great grandparents produced wine from grapes grown here more than a century ago so we are pleased to offer this Zinfandel. Aged in American oak and bottled without fining or filtration, the wine is full-bodied with rich berry flavors and a smooth finish. Enjoy it with barbecue, grilled meats or pasta.”

My Review: Garnet in color. While our region is not known for its Zinfandel, this Rexford wine is not bad for a lighter Zinfandel. August 2023

OPAQUE WINES

At the 30th Annual Monterey Winemaker’s Celebration, which I wrote about here, I talked about the Riboli Family wines and San Simeon’s Stormwatch. At this event, I chose the Opaque line of wines.

2019 Opaque Darkness  Red Blend, El Pomar District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.9% ABV, $30 (#1102)

Winery Notes: “The word “opaque” means “impenetrable to light” and refers to the dark, inky, impenetrable color of the Riboli family’s proprietary blend. Opaque Darkness brings together the impressive quality of our estate grown Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah grapes. After aging in French and American barrels for 15 months, our hand-crafted artisan blend reveals ripe flavors of raspberry and blackberry with notes of spice and vanilla. Enjoy the darkness!”

My Review: Inky in color. Dark fruit berries not overdone. Very balanced. Really quite delicious. A superb value. August 2023

SCHEID VINEYARDS

At the Scheid table, we were introduced to a couple of family wine lines I had not heard of before. These two wines were lots of fun and perhaps the polar opposites, showing the range of what Monterey County can produce. 

Sunny with a Chance of Flowers: “Sunny is made for mindful wine lovers – who, like us, believe less can be more. Zero sugar, fewer calories and less alcohol, yet still positively delicious! It’s everything you want in a wine and more –certified sustainable, vegan and gluten-free.”

VDR – Very Dark Red: “Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. Effortlessly bold, it captivates the senses with an inherent confidence that draws you in. Slightly mysterious, yet unexpectedly approachable, this robust red blend reveals new layers of depth and personality with each lingering sip.”

Sunny Positively Bubby Rosé, Monterey County, 9% ABV, $20 (#1103)

Winery Notes: “Everything is better with bubbles! Our Sunny Bubbly delights with flavors of fresh strawberry and watermelon wrapped in a package of lovely, fine bubbles and a crisp, refreshing finish. We are all born to sparkle…Aromas of fresh strawberry and watermelon. Lovely, fine bubbles. A crisp, refreshing finish.” 91 points – Wine Enthusiast and Best Buy

My Review: Pale pink. Cantaloupe flavors. Very bubbly and light. Zero sugar. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. August 2023

2020 VDR (Very Dark Red) Proprietary Red Blend, Hames Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $25 (#1104)

Winery Notes: “Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. VDR is a non-traditional proprietary red blend headlined by a rare combination of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot – two grape varietals known for their extraordinarily deep violet hues, concentrated flavors and full-bodied profiles. Big and bold, VDR not only turns heads, it turns the curious into evangelists with its layered complexity, lush mouthfeel, supple tannins and smooth, lingering finish.” https://www.cheersandco.com/

My Review: Inky in the glass. Dark fruit and caramel on the nose. A rich, jammy palate of dark fruit. Very tasty – a great value. August 2023

SCRATCH WINES

I think anyone who has met Sabrine Rodems would agree that she is a formidable talent in the Monterey winemaking world. She makes wine for Kori, Scratch, and Wrath, all in the same building at Wrath Wines.  Her talent, creativity and stamina are equally impressive. I fell in love with Wrath’s San Saba Syrah many years ago and knew, when I tried the Wrath Ex Dolio Falanghina, that she was one to think outside the box and dare to be different. 

I’ve had Scratch wines a few times and finally visited her cute, trendy and spacious tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. I was delighted to chat with Sabrine a bit on this day and taste some more of her wines.

2022 Scratch Rosé of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV (#1105)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Bright pink in the glass. Fuji apple and great flavors on the palate – bright and delicious. August 2023

2021 Scratch C47 Marsanne/Roussanne White Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $59 (#1106)

Winery Notes: “These two Northern Rhone varietals grown in Carmel Valley from the Paloma Creek Vineyard are traditionally blended together. The slightly crisp nature of Marsanne with white nectarine, quince & lemon balance out the creamy Roussanne with fig, peach, pear and a little nuttiness.”

My Review: Melon on the nose. Creamy from the fruit with an attractive sweetness at the finish. August 2023

2019 Scratch C47 Red Blend, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 14.5% ABV, $95 (#1107) Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Winery Notes: “Classic Bordeaux blend from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc from the steep slopes of Janaca Vineyard. Merlot harvested from the high elevation of the Zayante Vineyard. Black berries, blueberries with hints of juniper & spices all come together in this blend, creating a sophisticated and age worthy bottle to enjoy now or in the future.”

My Review: An attractive dark garnet in color. Lots of berry flavors, yet retains a lean nature. August 2023

TIRA NANZA

We had met Greg Hill at the Monterey Winemakers’ Celebration back in June, so it was great to see him here and try another of his wines.  We are big fans of our newest and youngest wineries and believe Tira Nanza shows great promise. I previously reviewed his Cabernet Sauvignon here.

2022 Tira Nanza Malbec Rosé, Central Coast AVA, 13.5% ABV, $30 (#1108)

Winery Notes: “Back by popular demand, our 2022 Malbec Rosé may differ from its predecessor in color but it shares the same vibrant fruit and complexity that made the ‘21 so special. Lighter in color and more tropical in flavor, with notes of strawberry, cantaloupe and mango, this Rosé can be enjoyed in any setting. Fermented and aged in Stainless Steel”

My Review: We detected floral notes on the nose and palate, with anise on the finish. It was served very cold. August 2023

THE TASTING ROOMS

Most of these wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea or in Carmel Valley – please check their websites for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!


Monterey Wines Trade and Media Event in Drizzly Carmel!

THE STORY

I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.” The Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting, was held in Carmel in early August, offering an opportunity to talk to vintners and their representatives one-on-one! This event was organized by Kim Stemler, Executive Director, and Tina Huynh, Membership & Program Coordinator, of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. I am grateful to have been able to participate for the first time in this event. I also thank I Brand & Family for validating this by sending me a personal invitation.

The event was held at 7th and Steak in Carmel-By-The-Sea on what started out as a drizzly morning. We paid no attention to the drizzle and immediately headed to the back patio to start tasting wines alphabetically.  28 wineries were scheduled to pour several wines each, which meant there was a lot to do in our limited time.  My partner and I have a strategy: we prioritize wineries at which we have not tasted, we choose 2 wines at each winery table, we share the taste, and dump the rest. 

We really valued the opportunity to talk directly to the winemakers, CEOs, vineyard managers, tasting room managers and others at this special event.  Each winery was a unique experience.  Although we didn’t get to every table, I nonetheless have a lot of wines to present from this event.  I struggle with how to do that and not get grossly behind in my posts.  I’m expecting 3 posts to cover this single event. So, I am continuing my twice weekly post until I get caught up.

THE WINES

I have 12 wines to present to you today these local wineries: Caraccioli Cellars, Corral Wine Co., Folktale Winery, Holman Ranch, J Lohr, and Lucy Wines. Winery notes come from their websites or conversations with the representatives at this event. It was eye opening for me to see the wholesale prices for the wines.  While I am usually extended an industry discount, I am grateful for the occasional offer of the wholesale price for my wine education events.  That allows me to present higher quality local wines in nonprofit, budget-limited classes.  Any errors in this post are mine and mine alone. I encourage you to check their websites regarding tasting opportunities!

CARACCIOLI CELLARS

Caraccioli Cellars is one of the best places to taste sparkling wines in Monterey County, with their Brut Rosé being one of my top choices for a special celebration. We were excited to learn about their Private Property label – a second label to bring a more affordable option to highlighting our region while still leveraging grapes from the family’s highly acclaimed Escolle Vineyard. 

2021 Private Property Brut Rosé, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $40        (#1086) 57% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir

My Review: Very pale pink in color. Not too yeasty on the nose. Very crisp and tart with a lot of fruit flavors. Fine bubbles dissipated quickly. August 2023

2017 Caraccioli Cellars Brut Cuvee, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $60 (#1087)

Winery Notes: “Produced as a mixed cépage of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%), this wine is aged on the lees four years. Bright and fresh with layers of depth and structure, the Brut Cuvée is our flagship wine.” 93 Points Wine Enthusiast

My Review: A little barnyard on the nose. Fine bubbles on the crisp and slightly tart palate. Classic. I would like to present this one in a class. August 2023

CORRAL WINE CO.

It was great to see winemaker Adrien Valenzuela at this event and taste some brand new vintages!  I like to present Corral wines in my classes because I believe Adren is one of the best up-and-coming winemakers in our region.  While his whites are very tasty, what he can do with red varietals and blends is impressive. I say, “Watch this space!!”

2022 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1088)

My Review: Honeydew on the nose. A nice, round palate finishing with pineapple and citrus fruits. August 2023

2022 Corral “Pancho’s Chard” Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, Monterey County (#1089)

My Review: Nice, crisp palate. Smooth, well-melded fruit. Tasty. August 2023

FOLKTALE WINERY

As of this event, I had not yet been to Folktale for a formal tasting, but was scheduled for a winery tour with winemaker David Baird the very next day! (Post coming soon!!)

Folktale Brut Sparkling Wine, Monterey County, 11.8% ABV, $40 (#1090)

Winery Notes: “Light and refreshing, we made our Brut to enjoy on its own or paired with, well, just about anything. This sparkling wine opens with notes of green apple, banana, and tropical kiwi, developing into flavors of peach and tart strawberry on the palate. Enjoy chilled and often.”

My Review: A sweet nose. Tiny bubbles on the light, pleasant palate. August 2023

2022 Common Thread Three Strands Red Wine Blend, Central Coast AVA, 12.8% ABV, $40 (#1091) 57% Pinot Noir, 28% Pinot Gris, 15% Pinot Meunier

Winery Notes: Description of the 2021: “A blend of 2 red and 1 white grape varieties, this natural wine exudes character. Juicy with bright red fruits and exotic spice, the wine has bright acidity and fine whole-cluster tannin. Pairs wonderfully with vegetarian dishes or as a refreshing aperitif wine.” This is David’s own label.

My Review: Slightly cherry nose. A little tart. Very balanced with some cinnamon on the finish. Would be good with food! August 2023

HOLMAN RANCH

For us, it was a real treat to meet Kirstie Dyer, the CEO of Holman Ranch at this event.  I really owe Holman Ranch a visit (they make a Syrah now, after all!) and would love to see the ranch itself.

2019 Holman Ranch Jarman Estate Reserve Brut Rosé, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $114 (magnum) (#1092)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Reserve Jarman Sparkling Brut Rosé begins with a bright citrus nose of grapefruit and lemon, carried by balanced marine salinity. Notes of raspberry and strawberry introduce a warm palate, enhanced by a hint of freshly risen dough, showing great precision. A well-integrated, restrained dosage is complemented by a persistent méthode champenoise mousse.” 87% Pinot Noir, 13% Chardonnay

My Review: Barely pink – very light in glass. We liked the flavors and the bubbles in this sparkling rosé. August 2023

2022 Holman Ranch Estate Susan’s Saignée Rosé of Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $37 (#1093)

Winery Notes: “The 2022 Susan’s Saignée Rosé shows a light salmon hue in the glass. This wine has aromas of bright strawberry and watermelon, accompanied by more tropical characteristics. The palate gives passion fruit, lemon peel and orange blossom, adding complexity. This wine is clean and lively with balanced acidity.” Made from 667 and 777 clones.

My Review: Pale pink in glass with a slightly sweet nose. Yeasty, lean palate. Metallic taste. Not a patio wine. August 2023

J LOHR

I enjoy seeing J Lohr at these events, even though I put them in a different category from our smaller, local vintners. It was terrific to meet Kristen Barnhisel, their winemaker for white wine located in Greenfield. The wines they presented today allowed us to try some different things. Would be nice if there were a tasting room in the county, but I guess I’ll just have to get down to Paso Robles more!

2021 J Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $25 (#1094)

Winery Notes: “The 2021 Arroyo Vista Chardonnay exhibits intriguing aromas of paperwhites, Meyer lemon, ripe apple, pear, and crème brulée. The rich palate texture is balanced by layered flavors of pear, lemon cream, baking spices, and minerality, with a long, sweet oak finish.” 94 Points, Best of Class, Gold at the 2023 Los Angeles International Wine Competition

My Review: A bright, pale yellow in the glass. Butter and pineapple on the nose, carrying over to the palate. Tasty. I liked it. August 2023

2022 J Lohr Wildflower Valdigué, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $13 (#1095)

Winery Notes: “Crafted in the style of Beaujolais wines. This light-bodied red wine from Monterey is perfect when served chilled and can pair with a wide variety of foods…Served slightly chilled, displays inviting fresh raspberry, cranberry, and pomegranate aromas, with a bit of black pepper and hibiscus. Flavors of brambly, bright red berry with a touch of spice, mid-palate acidity lead to a juicy, mouthwatering finish.”

My Review: So very purple in color. Cranberry, hibiscus, and plum on the nose. A surprisingly lean palate, yet quite tasty. Not a typical varietal we find bottled in these parts. August 2023

LUCY

I had never head of Lucy before, so I am including a bit of extra information about them – I was stuck by their affordability for the quality – and their charity-driven purpose.

About Lucy: “Welcome to Lucy, made by the Pisoni family. Elegant, approachable, meaningful, and fun. The Lucy philosophy is to craft beautiful wines that are classically made for pure and vibrant expressions. The wines also represent important aspects of our region’s history and community…

“The wines we take great care in crafting under our Lucy label are standouts for us in their ability to combine glamor with versatility. Because they pair well with a wide range of dishes, they’ll shine in any setting. We’re particularly proud to be able to match these three wines to a trio of outstanding causes: funds to support breast cancer research, ocean conservancy, and the Big Sur Fire Department.”

You can read more about the making of these wines here: https://lucywines.com/behind-the-wine/

2022 Lucy Wines Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $24 (#1096)

Winery Notes: “If the Lucy Rose of Pinot Noir offers any preview into the quality of the coming wines for a given vintage, rest assured that 2022 will certainly be a vintage to remember. Sporting shades of melon, salmon, and coral that are classic for a Lucy Rosé, this beautiful offering packs unyielding aromatic intensity as it chills and condensates on the sides of the glass. Delicate at first with notes of fresh strawberry and subtle, mineral driven undertones, this wine begins to offer complexities seldom seen in rose as it warms slightly. Plush notes of peach blossom and watermelon waft into the air, as the first sips offer citrus driven flavors of tangerine and orange peel, backed by tart raspberry and rose petal. Brief but impactful aging in 100% neutral French oak barrels offers an added layer of texture that pairs seamlessly with fresh, prickly acidity.”

My Review: Pale salmon in color. Musty goodness on the nose, perhaps the best smelling rose of the day.  Followed by big rose flavors, making it the tastiest rose of the day. August 2023

2022 Lucy Wines Pico Blanco White Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, $26 (#1097)

Winery Notes: “Our blend of pinot gris and pinot blanc is named Pico Blanco to commemorate a mountain peak in Monterey County known for its beauty and its high-grade limestone mineral deposits. With Pico Blanco, we pay homage to Monterey County’s earliest grape growing traditions–traditions in which pinot gris, an early-planted cool climate grape in the region–played a central role. Crafting this wine is a way for us to locate ourselves in historical time and place and to respect the traditions of grape growing in Monterey County.

“As always, purity and complexity continue to be our focus. The pinot gris and pinot blanc grapes to be blended into Pico Blanco are hand-sorted and carefully pressed to moderate the extraction and flavor derived from their skins. We use entirely neutral barrels for fermentation to sustain the purity of the fruit and to augment its texture. We also depend exclusively upon native yeast. Doing so is another way we maintain the traditional winemaking practices we prize. At the same time, this practice allows us to coax complex flavors from the fruit. We bottle Pico Blanco without any fining.”

My Review: A delightful, floral nose. Round flavors on the palate. Lingering finish. August 2023.

THE TASTING ROOMS

Most of these wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea or in Carmel Valley – I encourage you to get out there and try them for yourselves! please check their websites for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!


Parsonage’s Winemaker Educates Members on a Private Vineyard Walk!

THE STORY

In late July, Parsonage’s winemaker Frank Melicia educated their members on a private vineyard walk – followed by a barrel tasting of the 2021 reserve wines!  It was the most thorough vineyard walk I have ever experienced and it was great to do it with a few friends!  Plus, there is nothing like getting a preview of the upcoming release of some of my most favorite wines on the planet earth.  I know, I am not supposed to have favorites, but the Rocco Reserve Syrah…sigh. And these 2021 reserves were scheduled to be bottled in late August. All exciting news to me.

Frank gave us an update on what is happening at the winery and in the vineyard. He was very patient answering the members’ questions.  A few things I think I heard (I may have this all wrong):

Tanner Cabernet Sauvignon
Frank explains the Merlot situation

  • When the wells dried up during the drought, they began to source some grapes from other vineyards, such as those in Arroyo Seco AVA.
  • With last winter’s heavy rainfall, they’ve had to tamp down the mildew in the vineyard.
  • He does not filter their wines unless he must, with Chardonnay being the prime example.
  • They really have to trim back the Merlot this year.
  • The Petit Verdot on the property had the misfortune of being over-watered and fertilized, but some are coming back!
Rocco Syrah
Rocco Syrah
Carmelstone Syrah

  • Parsonage uses the Bien Nacido Syrah clone, which was music to my ears and explains why I am drawn to other Syrahs made with grapes from the Bien Nacido Vineyard.
  • The Rocco Syrah vines are the short rows – this juice is spicy!
  • The Carmelstone Syrah vines did not survive, but it is making a comeback after all that rain!  We might see a Carmelstone Syrah once again! This makes me very happy.  You can search Carmelstone in my search bar to see why.
  • How did Frank come up with the idea to make the Aussie? Overloaded bins and stuck fermentations. So he cofermented 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah a la Penfolds.
  • The Xandro is co-fermented Tanner and Rocco.

THE WINES

Today, I am presenting the 2013 Estate Syrah (a pre-wine to the barrel tasting, 4 barrel samples, and 5 wines from our home supply – one I have not reviewed before and 4 with updated tasting notes. Hint:  You can tell by the numbering system if it is a wine I have previously presented – it will have a lower number.  I’ll keep those reviews short and sweet. Winery notes may come from its tasting sheet or website, or from the winery direct to me, as usual. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

Not going to lie, but my favorites of the barrel tasting were the Dario Reserve Merlot and, of course, the Rocco Reserve Syrah.

I’ve presented Parsonage to you in several prior posts and won’t repeat about them here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here.

2013 Parsonage Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1080)

We started off the July tasting with this 2013 Estate Syrah to whet our palates. I have not presented this wine before!

My Review: Dark garnet in color. The spicy nose is complemented by blackberry plum and alcohol notes. Lots of dark fruit on the front, rich mid-palate, and a complex finish. July 2023

Now, onward to the main attraction!

2021 BARREL TASTING

2021 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1081)

My Review: Dark ruby in color. Jammy blackberry on the nose. Very intense dark fruit on the rich palate with a dry finish with cocoa notes. Age this wine – a lot of tannin and a burst of acidity on the finish. July 2023

2021 Parsonage Xandro Reserve, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1082) 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah with splash of Merlot           

My Review: Inky ruby in the glass. Yummy blackberry/black raspberry on the nose. Very full flavored palate. The Cabernet Sauvignon shines through on the palate. This is my favorite so far. Lots of richness and a little hot. July 2023

2021 Parsonage Rocco Reserve  Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1083)

Winemaker’s Notes: The Rocco has a specific barrel every time. It’s called the “golden barrel.”

My Review: Purple/dark garnet in the glass. Jammy berries on the nose – backberry and red raspberry. Has a specific barrel every time. Golden barrel. Nice juicy palate of berries – still my favorite. July 2023

2021 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1084)

My Review:  Very dark ruby in color. Dark fruit on the nose. Lean yet rich, woody Cabernet Sauvignon flavors on the lingering palate. This will be a big wine and needs lots of time. July 2023.

FROM OUR CELLAR

Most have these have been presented before, but I am sharing my current tasting notes.

2013 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1085)

My Review: Pretty juicy garnet appearance in the glass. Dark berries, cassis, chocolate and plum on the nose. Mouth filling rich berries with a touch of youthful tartness on this almost 10-year old bottle. This is a juicy, delicious wine. June 2023

2018 Parsonage The BDL Red Blend, 15% ABV, $44 (#534)

My Review: Hugely different from my last tasting in October 2021. Dark ruby in the glass. Dark berries and a touch of licorice on the nose. Rich on the palate with intense dark fruit – blackberry, plum and cassis with alcohol dancing on the palate. Much more brooding than tasted in 2021. I like this wine. August 2023

2017 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#219)

My Review: Deep garnet in color. Rich cassis on the nose, with plum and blackberry flavors on the chalky palate. Delicious. August 2023

2015 Parsonage Rocco Reserve  Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $80 (#346)  

We played “Mystery Wine” with this one – it was decanted and we had to guess what it was.  We struggled. We all agreed it was a New World wine. At one point, I guessed “Petite Sirah,” and the response was, “There is nothing petite about this wine!”

My Review: Dark and purple. Delicious. Super jammy with high alcohol and the smell of fresh leather (in a fine shop) on the nose. Herbaceous, perhaps eucalyptus. Intense cassis and blackberries on the palate with black pepper and leather on finish. Bold. Unbelievably intense and good. Alcohol is well integrated. August 2023

2016 Parsonage Xandro, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $60 (#221) 50% Cab, 45% Syrah, 5% Merlot

My Review: Inky garnet in color. Dark berries and campfire on the nose. Rich, tongue coating, jammy dark berries on the palate, wrapped in a touch of smoke. Delicious and smooth for a smoke-tainted wine. Best wine this week! May 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

Parsonage is open for tastings every day – click here for the details and to make a reservation.  Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!


Bernardus Rolls Out Red Carpet for Special House Guest!

We are always delighted to show off Monterey wines and were thrilled that Bernardus rolled out the red carpet for our special guest in July.  My best friend from high school, Jim, came down from The City for a quick visit – but we suggested he stay long enough for a wine tasting and dinner. On the heels of our winery tour the week prior, this was the perfect time to taste Bernardus’ current releases. Plus we wanted to try Maligne restaurant in Seaside, which had just been awarded a Bib Michelin rating! Alas, this is not a food blog – but check it out!

At Bernardus, we were greeted and served by Philip, whom we have gotten to know over the years. He made sure we had the best experience possible for our special guest.  Thank you, Philip! He shared with us that Bernardus is investing in expanding its production and moving winemaking operations to a more accessible location in Arroyo Seco through its partnership with Mark Griva.  We know of Griva due to the exceptional profile of his Sauvignon Blanc grapes, so we are excited to learn more about this expansion and what it will mean for Bernardus. 

On this July day, we were excited to taste some finished products, albeit different vintage, of the wines we had just barrel-tasted at the winery.  What a difference the final blends and bottling can make! In addition to the 10 wines we tasted that day, I’ve also included the 2014 Marinus Signature, which we took on a trip to Oregon. 

THE WINES

Winery tasting notes come from conversations with the winemaker unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about Bernardus on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2021 Bernardus Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, 12.6% ABV, $30 (#677) Grenche, Syrah, Cinsault

Winery Notes: “Bernardus has been producing a small bottling of Rosé from our local vineyards for many years. Now we are now thrilled to announce the release of our first Rosé from the Provence region of France! To that end, we have partnered with a prestigious French winery: La Coste. Bernardus is very proud to present a wine based on multi-national tasting trials: Bernardus French Rosé!

“Flavors are full and rich, redolent with light red fruits on a long smooth finish. An exceptional Rosé we know everyone will enjoy!”

My Review: Angel blush in color – almost an orange- pink rich color. Lovely bouquet. Light on front palate and robust, slightly sweet finish balanced by candied orange rind. A lovely wine. This has become our house rosé this summer. Beautiful bottle, too. July 2023

2021 Bernardus Rosé, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 12.6% ABV, $30 (#1071) Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “The color is a very light pale salmon. The aromas are classic with delicate scents of red berries accented by floral notes. On the palate, we find crisp, fruity flavors of raspberry, kiwi and lime which linger on the refreshing finish. Our Bernardus Rosé is the perfect summer beverage, as the alcohol is a low 12.6%. Enjoy!” Wine Enthusiast – 92 points

My Review: Dusty rose in color with a soft, mellow, sweet nose. Crisp palate with cinnamon and clove notes, slightly tart. Very different from the Provençal rosé. July 2023

2021 Bernardus Chardonnay, Soberanes Vineyard, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $50 (#1072)

Winery Notes: “Our 2021 Soberanes Chardonnay exhibits aromas of ripe white fruits, floral notes with hints of vanilla. The palate exhibits its hallmark richness and intensity showing ripe peach and yellow cherry flavors accented by subtle baking spices. The full, soft finish is long and lingering.” Wine Enthusiast – 91 points

My Review: Yellow in glass. Buttery nose with citrus notes. carrying over to the palate. Buttery and a touch sweet. I would put ice in this wine. July 2023

2021 Bernardus Chardonnay, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $50 (#1073)

Winery Notes: “On the nose we find beautiful aromas of ripe white fruits with hints of caramel. The luscious palate exhibits flavors of ripe peaches, tangerine, and white cherry fruits, accented with subtle toasty oak notes. The texture is crisp yet rich, extending through a beautifully long, finely focused finish.

“This is a superb example of one of California’s finest vineyards!” Wine Spectator – 93 points

My Review: Caramel and lean notes on the nose. Palate finishes with some bitterness. Very different from the 2022 barrel samples we blended at the winery! July 2023

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $80 (#1074)

Winery Notes: “Seductive, with gently mulled plum and boysenberry fruit flavors gliding through atop licorice, sweet spice and bramble hints.  Ends with a swirl of black tea around the fruit.  Drink now through 2026. 231 cases made. – J.M.” Wine Spectator – 91 points

My Review: A pretty, bright red ruby color. Bright cherry and raspberry nose. Bright fruit on palate with some complexity on the palate. A lighter Pinot Noir. July 2023

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $80 (#1075)

Winery Notes: “This has a nice rich feel, with crushed raspberry and boysenberry preserves underscored by hints of mulling spices and red tea.  The finish is carried by understated juicy energy as the fruit plays out.  Drink now through 2025. 446 cases made. – J.M.” Wine Spectator – 91 points

My Review: Darker ruby and a little cloudy in appearance. A darker, jammier nose. Cocoa and jam on the palate. Heavier. More complex. I like this wine. July 2023

2018 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#1076)

Winery Notes: “The 2018 vintage is a stunning wine, exemplifying the superb potential of this unique vineyard. The gorgeous aromas exhibit dark red stone fruits with notes of violets and spice. The flavors are deep and very intense, with cedar, black cherry, cranberry, and boysenberry fruit essences on a long, velvety finish.”

My Review: Jammy nose packed with big berry notes with herbal (rosemary) notes. Structured, tannic palate with hints of sandalwood. Tasty now, but it is way too soon to be drinking this big wine. Cellar for a few more years! And then enjoy! July 2023

2018 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $75 (#1077)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Deep garnet. Dark berry fruit on the nose. Complex with Cab driven palate. Solid tannins on the finish. This will be a great wine. March 2023

2015 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $75 (#1078)

Winery Notes: “The robe of our 2015 is a deep ruby-red. The aromas exhibit scents of candied cranberry and plum, accented with baking spices. The flavors are intense and well-structured insuring a long bottle ageing potential, much like a fine Bordeaux.” Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Uncorked! Awarded TOP RED WINE! Wine Enthusiast – 92 points

My Review: Dark berry, cherry and caramel notes with at first hints of barnyard and hay on the nose. Earthy palate of dark fruits. Much more of a big cab style wine. We like it. July 2023

2014 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $125 (#1079)

We took this wine on a road trip to Oregon and opened it during our last dinner at XXX restaurant. At dinner, we did not take tasting notes. So this was recreated from our memories of this fine wine.

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Rich, brimming with dark berries across an intense and smooth palate, with a very lovely finish. This was perhaps the most wonderful Signature we have ever tasted.  Exceptional. June 2023

2013 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey, 14.1% ABV, $75 (#157)

Winery Notes: “The robe of our 2013 Marinus is a very deep crimson. On the nose we find dried cranberry aromas accented by subtle spice notes. The palate is intensely flavored with impressions of bright red cherry and plum.

“The finish shows excellent tannic structure promising a long life for this vintage of Marinus, much like that of a fine Bordeaux.”

My Review: Inky, purple in color. Lovely dark fruit on the nose like plum, prune and cassis – delightful. The palate is wow. Inky, dark, rich with a slightly bitter finish perhaps reflecting the alcohol? July 2023

WHERE TO TASTE

Tasting Bernardus Wines: As of this writing, their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open daily! Reservations are not required but encouraged!:   Sunday- 12:00pm to 4:00pm, Monday- 12:30pm to 4:00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday – 11:00am to 4:00pm, Friday & Saturday 11:00am to 5:00pm. You can see more information and book a tasting here or email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call them at 831-298-8021.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!


Best Winery Tour Ever at Bernardus!

THE STORY

In July, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod experienced the best winery tour ever at Bernardus! Last November, at the Marinus dinner, Jim McCabe, assistant winemaker at Bernardus, invited us to come up to the winery in Cachagua for a tour. We finally made it there in July! And I would say the fun wine education aspects of the tour were what made it so special.

Winery notes for this post come from conversations with the winemaker unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about Bernardus on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

Also, with all the wine events and special tastings we have done, I will be posting twice weekly for a bit to get caught up! My, we have been busy!!

Jim McCabe met us outside where he explained what happens to the grapes from the moment they arrive at the facility. He indicated that harvest is looking 2-3 weeks late this year due to the winter and spring rains. Veraison is a little late, but every really hot, sunny day we get speeds it up. Chemistry and appearance will tell them when to harvest the grapes.

In response to our questions about white grapes, they expect 2-3 tons per acre. They gently press the white grapes to avoid any off flavors. They shoot for 150-170 gallons of juice per ton.

We grabbed our glasses as we moved inside.

THE WINES

We started out tasting some Monterey Chardonnay at the filtration stage, followed by a Pinot Noir at the cold fermentation stage. We then went deep into the barrel room to do more wine education.  We examined how different barrel ages affect the wine, how different yeasts influence the flavor profile, and how to recognize and resolve reduction! What fun!

2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County (#1065)

We tasted this sample at the filtration stage.

My Review: Light golden. Nice delicious tropical nose. Pineapple and butter. Rich and sweet on the palate with a bright finish, some bitter notes yet nice. July 2023

2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Gary’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1066)

This sample was at the cold fermentation stage.

My Notes: Garnet. Cold. Plum and perfume. Tasty palate. Smooth. July 2023

2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1067)

We compared 2 samples from different aged barrels.

My Notes:

New oak barrels: Buttery, tropical nose with some sulfur dioxide. Rich and viscous on palate with pineapple flavors on the finish. Wow. Big. Delicious. July 2023

3-year-old oak barrels: Faint tropical notes on nose and more sophisticated palate. Leaner yet tasty with more subtle flavors and more acidity. July 2023

2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1068)

We compared 2 samples made with different yeasts – and then a combined sample! Wow – we made some wine!!

Winery Notes: Every 2 weeks, they top off the barrels and perform battonage. They expect to bottle 19 barrels of Sierra Mar Chardonnay.  

My Notes:

D47 yeast: More acidic on the nose. Citrus notes. Mouthfilling, completely different flavor profile. Explodes on front end. Crushed pineapple a hidden bitterness on the finish. More acidic overall to me.

Montrachet yeast: Totally different. Pale in glass. Butter and mild pineapple on nose. More vanilla and tartness on the palate. Rounder flavors.

Blended samples: Crushed pineapple on the nose. Balanced palate. Burnt caramel on the finish. Very nice.

2022 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County (#1069)

Winery Notes: A little Hungarian oak. Intended for Marinus red blend.

My Notes: Intense dark ruby in color. Tart jam on nose. Juicy on the palate.

2022 Bernardus Merlot, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County (#1070)

Jim had just talked to us about reduction a few moments before we tasted this wine. One of our members identified it right away, so we got to see first hand how to mitigate reduction. 

Barrel sample: Rubbery notes. Reduction is starting! Bright and dark raspberry on the palate. Dark and bitter on finish.

Post-copper treatment: Immediately changed flavor: lots of jammy, berry fruit and no reductive flavors. Tasted amazing.

Other fun facts (any of which I could have captured wrong):

  • They have a small, full-time staff of 8 people, plus contract support for busy times.
  • In their winemaking, they use French oak barrels for a period of 3 years. 

  • They have some huge, 2000-gallon oak tanks which they can use for Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, taking the place of stainless tanks.
  • Grapes from Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards that don’t make the vineyard designate bottlings can then become part of their Santa Lucia Highlands program.
  • They are elevating their Marinus vineyard. Doing more hand work and replacing some of the old vines.
  • The label: They are dropping the “B” label and going to a cleaned-up version (see the one on the right below) of the old one for brand recognition.

  • They also switched cork sources to improve the reliability of their corks. Their “Monterey” line has screw tops.
  • He showed us a brand new barrel and even let us sniff inside!

  • They produce 45,000-61,000 cases in an average harvest year.
  • And, finally, examine your spit after drinking Cabernet Sauvignon – it might surprise you. (But none of us can remember why…)

Tasting Bernardus Wines: Their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every day! Reservations are not required. You can see more information and book a tasting here or email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call them at 831-298-8021.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!


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