THE STORY
The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society decided it would be so nice to revisit A Taste of Monterey at a time of year when we could enjoy its amazing views of the Monterey Bay. I reached out to Jasmine Hernandez, the general manager at A Taste of Monterey and we set it up for a Friday happy hour in April. With a tailored tasting menu and dedicated expert staff, she once again proved that tasting wine there is more than just its amazing views!
Jasmine always spoils us by partitioning off part of the room to make a great space for our group. We especially appreciated that on a very busy Friday night. It is always a great social event there for our group. This time, she prepared us a tailored tasting menu with 6 local wines. Moreover, she dedicated one of her staff experts – Scott – to serve us. He imparted his expert knowledge of Monterey wines and was perhaps the highlight of the tasting. He is living proof that A Taste of Monterey is more than just its amazing views!
Here are links to my previous Decanting Monterey posts about A Taste of Monterey: A Taste of Monterey: “The Official” Regional Wine Visitors’ Center” and Spur of the Moment Wine Experience at A Taste of Monterey.
ABOUT A TASTE OF MONTEREY – More Than Just Its Amazing Views!
From the A Taste of Monterey website:
VISION:
“A Taste of Monterey’s aim is to present, highlight and promote the wines of Monterey County through tasting rooms, education and special events.”
Creating a complete wine tasting experience:
“From its inception, A Taste of Monterey has been more than a tasting room and wine shop. Directors and staff proudly assume the mantle of “Monterey County Wine Ambassador” and promote the bounty of the region through educational exhibits, events, a catered wine tasting program, a nationwide wine club and a popular website.
“It all started in 1993 when Ken and Robyn Rauh were recruited by Monterey County vineyard owners, Richard Smith and W.B. Butch Lindley, to establish a unique regional wine tasting and education center in the old Paul Masson Tasting Room & Museum on historic Cannery Row in Monterey.
“Ken and Robyn each had more than a decade of experience in the industry and neither was a stranger to the area or the prominence it had rightfully gained as a world-class wine region. Working cooperatively with the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, Ken and Robyn launched what has become a popular destination with tourists as well as local wine connoisseurs.”
You can read much more on their website!
THE WINES
Today I am presenting the 6 wines from this April tasting. The selections spanned larger, locally-known wineries with tasting rooms and 3 without. Winery notes come from the event tasting sheet. You can read more about each winery on its website, with the exception of Carys, for which I could find no website. I did learn that its wines are sold in supermarkets. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from source websites.
2022 Carys Pinot Gris, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $20 (#1299)
Winery Notes: “Flavors of passion fruit and Asian pear, with enticing white peach aromas with a hint of orange blossom. Soft and balanced, the bright fruit flavors are complemented by a lingering tropical finish.”
My Review: Sweet nose of honeydew melon. The palate blends cantaloupe with lime, with a slightly sweet finish. I’d like to try this again chilled. April 2024
2021 Bernardus Chardonnay, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $50 (#1072)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of ripe white fruits, floral notes with hints of vanilla. The palate brings richness and intensity showing ripe peach and yellow cherry flavors and a hint of baking spices. The full soft finish is long and lingering.”
My Review: Golden in the glass. Butter and lime twist on the nose. Big palate of oaky goodness with a slightly bitter finish. A very nice Chardonnay. April 2024
2020 Wrath Swan/828 Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, $35 (#1114)
Winery Notes: “Dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness on the nose. The palate offers a balance of structure and acidity that complements elegant, focused red berry and cherry cola with a hint of forest floor.”
My Review: A nice ruby color in the glass. Pepper and cherry with yeasty, smokey notes on the nose. Cherry on the front of the palate with smoke on the finish. I have to say the 2021 also reflected some of the same flavors. April 2024
2021 Russell Joyce Mourvèdre, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1300)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of blueberry, raspberry, toscano salami, white pepper and dried herbs. Palate of cherry jam, black plum, fresh thyme, cracked pepper and violet.”
My Review: Translucent garnet in color. This wine had some great flavors: like a dark cherry Jolly Rancher, if there were such a thing. A bit delicate for a Mourvèdre. This is an elegant wine and was a group favorite. April 2024
2018 Mission Trail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $35 (#1301)
Winery Notes: “Deep garnet in color with aromas of blackberry, cassis and oak. On the palate, there are initial flavors of plum and blackberry that lead into dark chocolate and cassis, finishing with touches of earth and cedar.”
My Review: Dark in the glass. Dark plum on the nose. The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod overall liked this wine best of the evening’s selections, although we disagreed on its flavor profile. Some thought the dark fruit was delicious and others thought the fruit was a bit done. April 2024
2015 Mesa Del Sol Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $38 (#1302)
Winery Notes: “Lively and elegant on the nose, palate and finish. Hints of elderberry and currant, lavender, black pepper and sweet tobacco. Soft and lovely tannins on the finish.” Ian Brand, winemaker
My Review: This was one of my favorite wines of the evening. The nose was replete with berry notes, followed by a delicious palate and a dry finish. April 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
A Taste of Monterey is located at 700 Cannery Row, Ste. KK (head to the back of the first floor and up the staircase), Monterey, CA – 93940 Phone : (831) 646-5446. Hours: Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-7pm. Click here for more information on wine tastings and food. Remember, it is more than just its amazing views!
© Decanting Monterey 2023
*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon*
Recent Comments