Monthly Archive: November 2024

An Unexpected Tasting of New Bernardus Pinot Noirs!

THE STORY

We stopped by Bernardus Winery in late October with an out of town visitor.  My goal was to re-taste the 2018 Signature Marinus to update a recent post. And we lucked into a number of new releases, including its trio of 2022 Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs, which it is selling as a package deal! We tasted these  wines without knowing their order – I guessed the Rosella’s right!

My last post about Bernardus was here: Bernardus Hosts Monterey AWS for the Very First Time!

ABOUT THE 90+ SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIRS

“Explore our single vineyard Pinot Noirs from Gary Francioni’s vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.  Each designated vineyard is expressive of its unique terroir.” $168 for the bundle (normally $240). 

  • 2022 Sierra Mar Pinot Noir- 95 points Wine Enthusiast
  • 2022 Soberanes Pinot Noir- 95 points Wine Enthusiast
  • 2022 Rosella’s Pinot Noir- 92 points Wine Enthusiast

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 5 Bernardus wines from this late October tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $28 (#1459)

Winery Notes: “Our 2023 Griva bottling has tropical fruit aromas accented by grapefruit and white peach.   The palate exhibits hints of minerality with rich, lush tropical fruit flavors. With notes of guava, citrus peel, and stone fruit, this intense Sauvignon Blanc finishes with refreshing acidity.” 92 points- Wine Enthusiast.

My Review: Pale in the glass. Pineapple, grapefruit, perfume and honeydew on the nose. Bitter grapefruit zest up front, followed by Meyer lemon and grilled pineapple. October 2024

2023 Bernardus Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France, 12.5% ABV (#1460)

Winery Notes: (Just released – no notes available as of yet!)

My Review: Ballet slipper pink. Honeydew on the nose. Flavorful palate of marshmallow, melon, watermelon and citrus. Lingering flavors in the palate. October 2024

2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV (#1461)

Winery Notes: “Santa Lucia Highlands’ two most renowned growers, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, have joined forces on an exciting vineyard located next to the celebrated Garys’ Vineyard in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is called Soberanes Vineyard. We at Bernardus are honored to be among the few wineries to receive both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this fabulous vineyard! We have chosen two Pinot clones: the celebrated Pisoni clone and Dijon clone 667.

“Our 2022 Soberanes Pinot exhibits aromas of ripe blackberry and cola. Typical of this special vineyard, the palate is full and intense with flavors of ripe, dark red fruits. The finish is long, rich and silky.”

My Review: Cherry and earth on the nose. Lighter palate of very SLH flavors but without sour cherries. Pomegranate, cranberry bright red fruit and soft spices. October 2024

2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $70 (#1462)

Winery Notes: “Sierra Mar is a superb vineyard planted by the renowned grower Gary Franscioni on a dramatic hilltop location at the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands. We at Bernardus are honored to be among the few to receive both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from this SLH super star…

“Our 2022 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir exhibits seductive scents of ripe red cherries and raspberries accented with hints of spice. The palate shows bright fruit flavors of cranberry, plum and baking spice notes on a long flavorful finish.”

My Review: More purple in the glass. Darker, sweeter fruit in the nose. A much bigger palate of warm, dark plum and brown sugar with an acidic punch. October 2024

2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard,  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV (#1463)

Winery Notes: “The Santa Lucia Highlands are known as one of the premier Pinot Noir appellations of the world. One reason for this lofty reputation is Rosella’s Vineyard, one of the finest Pinot and Chardonnay vineyards in California. Gary Franscioni planted his home ranch, named for his lovely wife, in the heart of the Highlands. His home vineyard is planted with a selection of the best available Pinot Noir clones and farmed with unparalleled passion and attention to detail. We at Bernardus are fortunate to have access to three small blocks: 2 planted with Dijon clone 777, and a third with the celebrated Pisoni clone.

“Our 2022 Rosella’s Pinot displays beautiful aromas of ripe plums and boysenberry. The palate is very rich and full-bodied, with ripe black cherry flavors accented by subtle baking spices ending with soft tannins and a long, silky finish.”

My Review: Even a richer wine. Warm nose and big rich dark palate with a leathery, tannic finish. I like this wine the best of the 3. I have become a huge Rosella’s fan. October 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Welcome to the Bernardus Tasting Room – The first tasting room in Carmel Valley!

“In June 1994, pioneer Ben Pon opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley, establishing a legacy that endures to this day. While in the region enjoy a scenic journey along the 17-mile drive from Pebble Beach to our Tasting Room, where you can savor some of the highest quality wines in the region. Visit us!”

Location: 5 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley. Open Sunday and Monday – 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 11:00am to 4:00pm; Friday and Saturday- 11:00am to 5:00pm.

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Sideways Uncorked: The Perfect Pairing of Film & Wine!

A Decanting Monterey Book Review!

THE STORY

When we were in Carmel Valley wine tasting with an old friend, he asked what the meaning was of the word “sideways,” in the 2004 Alexander Payne directed movie of the same title.  He thought it was because wine bottles need to be stored sideways. I hadn’t thought much about it, but suggested maybe because both of the lead characters, Miles (played by Paul Giamatti) and Jack (played by Thomas Haden Church) were sideways in their mid-life crises. I told our friend I would know the answer soon, as I was about to receive a pre-release copy of a new book, “Sideways Uncorked: The Perfect Pairing of Film and Wine.”

I was contacted in September by Barbara Cortlett, Media Outreach for Mira and Kirk Honeycutt, the authors of “Sideways Uncorked,” set to be released on 4 November (can be pre-ordered on Amazon).  They included the press release and asked for my address to send me an advanced copy.

We saw the movie “Sideways” for our anniversary when it was first released. The story was engaging – a wild bachelors’ weekend in and around Buellton and Los Olivos with loads of laughs and uncomfortable moments.  Each of these men brought their own baggage to the weekend, from Miles’ insecurities egging him to present himself as an expert on Burgundy (Pinot Noir) and as a successful writer about to be published – to Jack’s drive for some final sexual exploits before he ties the knot. 

I’ve been to the Santa Barbara wine growing areas a couple of times and have written about my 2022 visit in these 4 posts: Bien Nacido Estate: First Stop on Our “Sideways” Tour! , Tensley: The Ultimate Los Olivos Syrah Tasting: “Sideways” Part 2!,  Stolpman Delivers a World Class Experience: “Sideways” Part 3!,  Wrapping Up our “Sideways” Tour with Beckmen Vineyards!

Thinking about the wines I focused on during that visit, if the movie were set today, would Miles have focused on Syrah instead of Pinot or would Syrah have been his Merlot? My husband says, “Absolutely not. There was a lot of bad Merlot being made at that time in California.” And the Syrah from the region is among my favorite. Plus, I think Pinot Noir retains a bit of that snob appeal, going back to its Burgundian roots.

THE BOOK

Just like when I review a wine, I prefer not to read everyone else’s opinions and tasting notes in advance, so I didn’t read the other reviews both in the press release and on the back of the book itself.  (See the press release below!) So, I thought it was going to be about the movie. On the contrary, when I first started reading it, I was worried it was only going to be about Pinot Noir, which happens to be one of my least favorite grapes! In actuality, this book weaves together the interesting tales of both: the making of the movie and Pinot Noir’s upsurge in California and Oregon.  It has increased my interest in learning more about the grape. And, most importantly, it clarifies the meaning of “sideways.” Inebriated. Let’s not over think it. There you go, Scotty.

MY REVIEW: “Sideways Uncorked” is a fun yet educational read for anyone who enjoyed the 2004 movie, as well as wine afficionados like me interested in learning more about the growth of Pinot Noir winemaking in California and Oregon – and beyond.  Authors Kirk Honeycutt and Mira Advani advanced my appreciation of the Pinot Noir grape while giving engaging insights on the making of the movie – from Rex Picket’s initial discovery of The Windmill Inn and The Hitching Post leading to the initial screenplay, to director and co-writer Alexander Payne’s journey in the making of the movie – from obtaining the financing to make the film, and selecting the quirky cast, combining unlikely lead actors (Paul Giammati and Thomas Haden Church) with new faces (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh) to create one of the most hilarious yet uncomfortable movies of the time.  The book goes on to tell the story of working with Frank Ostini, winemaker and restaurateur of The Hitching Post, and getting the local community on board for this film. The impact on Santa Barbara wine tourism is evident, as is the boost the movie gave to Pinot Noir and the devastating impact on Merlot in the California wine industry.  Reading the book brought back many fond memories from watching the movie the first time and re-awakened a desire to watch it again.

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

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