THE STORY
One of the first places I went when my Dry January ended was to see Sal Rombi @rombiwine in his Carmel Valley tasting room. He said he had something for me. Yes, folks, February 1 and I was there! He told me he was going to be releasing his 2018 Petite Sirah this spring and he wanted me to try it. I gladly took it home. Impatient as we are, on February 2, we double decanted it (the best way to enjoy a Rombi wine!) and enjoyed it with our Sunday night dinner.
As my avid readers know, I fund this blog out of pocket. The industry recognition for waived tasting fees and discounts on wines is greatly appreciated; and the occasional gifting of a bottle of wine (or more), even more so. It doesn’t happen often, so I am so grateful when it does.
As I looked through my files, I realized we had tried this wine in August 2024 – but without the luxury of double decanting and at the end of a Decanting Monterey Wine Pod evening of tasting – not the best way, for sure. So today, I am happy to present both tastings together here in one place.
ABOUT ROMBI WINES
“Since 2006, hands-on winemaking that reflects a unique sense of place”
“Wine is a gift from nature, and every bottle produced at Rombi Wines tells a story of the land, the geography, the climate, and the hands-on philosophy of one man. Salvatore Rombi takes winemaking personally, obsessing over every detail — from harvest to barrel aging — to produce a unique range of elegant yet bold and complex red wines from the Carmel Valley Appellation. Rombi’s small vineyard and intimate tasting room provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable wine journey. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a strict allegiance to sustainable farming practices, Rombi creates award-winning, limited-production vintages. As an ode to terroir — the rock and soil, but also the land and legacy, culture and commitment, time and tradition — the wines from Rombi are always bottled poetry.”
THE WINE
Today I’m presenting 1 wine, the 2018 Rombi Petite Sirah expected to be released soon, and my two sets of tasting notes, as explained above.
2018 Rombi Petite Sirah, Napa Valley AVA, 14.6% ABV, $75 (#1128) (pre-release)
My New Review: This wine was gifted to me. Big jammy nose, including plum, violet, blackberry, licorice and Chinese five spice. A huge palate of jammy blue and black fruits, wrapped in Chinese five spice with a licorice and cassis finish. Definitely has the Napa pedigree. February 2025
My Previous Review: This was the evening’s bonus wine, so it was not decanted. Always a mistake. Rombi wines must be decanted. Late in the evening, our notes were not as extensive: Very dark purple in color. Dried fig, cigarettes and a touch of barnyard on the nose. Super rich, big palate. This wine comes off a little hot, yet is an extremely tasty wine. Next time I get my hands on one of these, we are decanting it! August 2024
And so I did!
THE TASTING ROOM
Taste Award-Winning Vintages at Rombi Wines:
“At Rombi Wines, our unique tasting room provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Salvatore Rombi is most often on hand to guide you through the winemaking process and your tasting experience. Step off the beaten path and discover Rombi, where every bottle tells a story.
“Rombi Wines Tasting Room is at 1 Center St., in the charming Carmel Valley Village. We are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m., although appointments can be made for weekday visits.”
(831) 659-7200
© Decanting Monterey 2025
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