Category: Wine Blog/Reviews

Decanting Monterey Tells All: Introducing New Monterey Wines and Wine Regions in DC!

Last week, I had the opportunity to present Monterey wines to my old wine group one more time. It is always an honor to be asked back. I do this class about once a year and am always glad to see my old wine friends. What I didn’t expect was almost a full house!  There were a lot of new faces in the room – including my daughter and a few of her friends.

But – before I go on, Decanting Monterey has hit another milestone: 10,000 views! This is huge! I have each and every one of my readers to thank for this achievement. I appreciate you so much.

What do I look for in a local wine to present? First of all, quality – it has to be a very tasty, good quality wine.  But, right along with taste is its price. The wine budgets for these nonprofit classes are always tight.  As wine and shipping prices rise, these get harder and harder to pull off.  You see, I don’t want to present them grocery store wines. And I don’t just want to present good value wines. Rather, I like to present delicious wines from wineries I know directly.  I like the personal aspect of developing relationships and sharing stories.  And I like the challenge of the hunt to find the very best wines to fit the budget. This time, I presented two Gold Medal wines – the audience really loved that. And the fact that most of our local wineries will ship out of state is a plus – the audience can go directly to the winery and order more.

Our local wineries are always quite generous to me. They give me steep discounts on their wine (sometimes they donate wine, even!) in return for me giving their wines visibility to a new audience. I’m so grateful. Shipping was probably the biggest wildcard this year. It varied from a winery that could give me a deal ($30) on shipping to those who can’t catch a break (over $70!).  I considered checking out a big box store there to see what they carry, but that runs counter to my m.o.  I also keep the audience in mind: I don’t like presenting an expensive class, but the high attendance last week for the most expensive class I have presented to date shows I should worry less about this. 

I’m already starting to think how I will put together another class for them next year.  I am watching the sales and shipping bargains.  It is too soon and too hot to ship now, but the wheels are turning. Readers:  Got any recommendations??  Please comment!

THE CLASS ITSELF

I start these classes by ensuring everyone knows where Monterey County is – about 2 hours south of San Francisco and just north of the Paso Robles wine growing area.  I talk about the fact we are a cool wine growing region, thanks to the influence of the frigid and deep Monterey Bay.  I talk about the Thermal Rainbow® – our grapevines which expeirence high valley temperatures during the summer days are brought relief by the afternoon winds coming off the bay which both stress and cool the vines – with accompanying fog to keep them from getting too cold overnight.

I give them our stats, which I obtain from the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association website – my go-to website for everything Monterey wine. I also read the crop reports myself (funny, no one else in the room reads crop reports 😊).  I noted our grape-growing acreage has dropped a bit (perhaps from the wildfires?), dropping us to the 5th largest in the state, just behind Napa.  And that we remain the largest producer of Chardonnay in the U.S. and the largest producer of Pinot Noir in California. I mentioned the recent Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival event and highlighted how many of the wineries present were from outside the county (more to come on that event in the upcoming weeks). Some 50% of our grapes are purchased from outside the county.

I like to present wines from our different Monterey County American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).  For the first time I presented one from San Antonio Valley AVA, which gave me a great launching point on our wine growing origins starting in the 1770s with the Franciscan missionaries. And, from there, our history as to how we got to modern winemaking in the region.

In the last couple of years, I have added a section on climate change to my presentations.  We talk about the devastating impact of the wildfires in 2020, the heat spike just before harvest in 2022, and all that rain this past winter.  It’s real, folks.

I highlight the ease and affordability of coming to Monterey to taste wine.  Armed with our tasting room brochures provided by Kim Stemler of the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association, I invite them all to visit.

In this class, I focused on three wine growing areas in the county: Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley, and one “technically” from Monterey. Much of the information below is distilled from the AVA website above.

I have presented Arroyo Seco AVA wines to them many times before, which literally means “dry riverbed.” With maps available on the tables, I was able to describe the steep, narrow gorge, where Bordeaux varietals prosper, opening out to the Salinas Valley floor, more appropriate for Burgundian varietals. Arroyo Seco experiences harsh weather conditions varying from warm days to windy, foggy and cold nights. I mostly enjoy the white wines from Arroyo Seco, but I have been pleasantly surprised by bold and big reds produced from grapes in the gorge as well as from the valley floor. In this class, I presented wines from Chesebro, Corral, and Shale Canyon – both from the valley floor and the gorge.

It was my pleasure to be able to bring them a wine from the San Antonio Valley AVA for the first time. Although it is one of the oldest wine growing areas in California, it is one of the youngest AVAs in Monterey County, established in 2006. A mere 25 miles north of Paso Robles, it is in the southern part of the county, nestled in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Range. It has great variance in elevation – from 580 to 2800 feet, and its soils are primarily gravelly loam and clay. Due to its warmer climate, it is an excellent growing area for full-bodied Rhône, Bordeaux, as well as Portuguese & Spanish, varietals.

The last wine growing area I presented was the Monterey AVA, in this case a bit of a catch-all.  As vintner Mark Bunter is quoted as saying, “In one of the many examples of AVA nonsense, this vineyard, a mile outside Carmel Valley Village, isn’t in the Carmel Valley AVA, although vineyards 10 miles away, in Cachagua valley, are. So legally it’s not Carmel Valley wine, it’s Monterey wine. Whatever.” A new Carmel Coast AVA is coming soon to capture this gap!

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE WINES!

In today’s post, I will showcase the 5 wines presented in my class. Winery notes come from their tasting sheets, the bottles, and/or their websites.  My notes are from my previous tastings of these wines. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

CHESEBRO: “With lots of 300 cases or less, and a penchant for offbeat, as well as mainstream varietals, Chesebro’s production may be small, but the effort is prolific. We are passionate about true varietal expression, as well as preserving the unique voice of each vineyard site, from soil to glass. All of our wines are made solely from our vineyards in the Arroyo Seco and Carmel Valley AVA’s.

“This connection to every every aspect from vine to bottle allows us to keep our quality high and prices affordable. Our commitment to wines of distinction will be evident from your first visit to our casual and welcoming tasting room in beautiful Carmel Valley Village. Come find out what artisan wines, lovingly farmed and made by hand, truly taste like.”

2020 Chesebro Vermentino, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.1 ABV, $23 (#991)

Winery Notes: “A unique Italian (and French) white variety typically found in Corsica, Sardina and Liguira. Smooth and light on the palate with mouthwatering acidity. It is aromatically complex with citrus, herbal and often floral notes. Versatile and fresh it can be a great pairing with many lighter dishes such as poultry, fish, vegetables and fresh cheeses.”

My Notes: Straw in the glass. Perfume of apricot and citrus blossom on the nose. Crisp palate with apple and pear flavors with a slightly bitter grapefruit/lime twist on the finish. (March 2023)

CORRAL WINE CO: “Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards. In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.”

2020 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.4% ABV, $28 (#943)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of guava & grapefruit dominate with fresh cut hay, lemon blossom and wet stone. Racing acidity with a pleasant minerality.”

My Review: Golden and viscous in the glass. Grilled pineapple, citrus blossom and guava on the fragrant nose. Rich palate of tropical flavors, a touch of sweetness, with minerality on the finish – very nice. February 2023 (At the event itself, we experienced bottle variation. I have used this wine in other classes before with no issues. I have tasted this wine subsequent to this class and it was perfectly fine.)

SHALE CANYON WINES: Current production is ~1000+ cases/year. Arroyo Seco. They grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah & Mourvèdre. Making classic and unique blends, such as our current favorite ZSM: Zinfandel, Syrah & Mourvèdre.

2017 Shale Canyon Cabernet Franc, Arroyo Seco AVA, 14.2% ABV, $35 (#948)

Winery Notes: “Best of Class and Best of Show for $31 to $50 range at the 2023 4th annual International Cabernet Franc Competition! Our 2017 Estate Cabernet Franc starts with aromas of dark fruit, slight oak and a touch of floral. A complex wine with flavors of dark cherry, dark berry and cassis. A finish of vanilla with a hint of leather and medium firm tannins.

“Cabernet Franc is one of the world’s top 20 most popular grape varieties. Recent DNA testing has proven it to be an ancestor to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Malbec. It is so popular that is has its own “wine” holiday, International Cabernet Day is celebrated August 30th.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. A sweet blackberry nose. Smooth and yummy palate of dark, lean fruit. Very balanced. This wine was a huge hit in the wine class, including my own daughter asking that we ship her a case! I’m working on it. March 2023

PIERCE RANCH VINEYARDS: “The story behind Pierce Ranch Vineyards is a love story of wine shared amongst friends and our beloved community. It starts in the iconic vineyards of southern Monterey County’s San Antonio Valley appellation in the year 2000. There is a depth to the terrain that exposes the remarkable quality of the region. A small, family-owned affair, we bring a sentimental spirit to viniculture, to honoring the land, and to cultivating and harvesting the grapes in the late summer and fall. The romanticism of crush and the sweeping vineyards flows into our cozy tasting room. What began as a cottage house built in 1915 has become a space where our community meets in the magical garden and rustic indoor setting to taste the ambrosial wine with a unique focus on Portuguese and Spanish varieties. It’s a love story that never ends, poetry in a bottle that starts with respect of the land and the community by never using herbicides and only using native yeasts with minimal intervention. It is a dedication to the vines and attention to the grapes so they continue to thrive with the years.”

2017 Pierce Ranch Tempranillo, San Antonio Valley AVA, 13.1% ABV, $28 (#236)

Winery Notes: “Native of the Rioja, product of our Panhandle and Y Ranch Vineyard plantings. Received a Gold/Best Tempranillo award in Monterey County.”

My Review: Beautiful garnet in the glass with plum and violet notes.  Has come into its time: rich finish of dark fruit, coca cola, licorice and cassis. While not the biggest Tempranillo around, it is delicious and drinking very well. I should have presented this wine before the Cabernet Franc, as it was overshadowed by that huge wine. March 2023

BUNTER SPRING WINERY: “Bunter Spring Winery is a small family operated winery in the Coombsville AVA in the southeast corner of Napa Valley.  We also have some production in Monterey.  Most vintages we make a few hundred cases of wine, mostly for ourselves, but also for sale to friends on our mailing list, and a few restaurants and wine shops.  Why make wine?  We just don’t care for many of the wines sold today. We make the kind of wine we want to drink: balanced, interesting, made with few or no additives, and low or no sulfite. We list all ingredients, the actual sulfite level, and the actual alcohol level on every label.  Incredibly, NO OTHER WINERY DOES THAT…”

2018 Spring “Pizza Wine,” Highlands Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.96% ABV, $24 (#757)65% Zinfandel, 35% Syrah

Winery Notes: “You can drink this with burgers, too, or with nothing at all, but it’s really good with pizza and spicy pasta.  Aged sixteen months in American oak barrels.  Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast, tartaric acid, sulfite.  Not filtered, not fined.  At bottling: total sulfite 52 ppm, residual sugar 0.3 g/l (dry).”

“In this vineyard, rows marked “Zinfandel” are promiscuously punctuated with Syrah and other varieties. Monterey is hardly a byword to Zin groupies, and the wine struck me as intensely fruit punchy but otherwise didn’t remind me much of Zinfandel, so I finished the job they started in the vineyard, and blended in more Syrah, to get a deeper, darker wine, with fuller body yet less alcohol. Yes, less alcohol. Believe it or not.” 16 months in once-used American oak barrels.

My Review: Very dark in color. Sweet dark fruit and perfume on the nose. Jammy dark berries and a touch of alcohol on the palate. This wine was favorably received by the class and is one of my favorites. It’s not as sophisticated as some of his other wines, but, as a ‘Zin groupie” living in Monterey, I appreciate it. I have presented this wine in 2 of my DC-area classes. June 2022

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Spur of the Moment Wine Experience at A Taste of Monterey

Out for a long walk with an out-of-town neighbor, we decided to stop into briefly at A Taste of Monterey, where my neighbor is a member. I’ve written previously about A Taste of Monterey here: https://decantingmonterey.com/a-taste-of-monterey-the-official-regional-wine-visitors-center/.

As I said in that post, A Taste of Monterey is a great place to start if you don’t know much about our local wines.  It calls itself ““The Official” Regional Wine Visitors’ Center.” They have an extensive wine shop in the front, plenty of tasting flights to choose from, and food pairings to accompany your tasting.  You will find wines from our established wineries, such as Pierce Ranch, Scheid, and Silvestri; as well as Kori Wines and Cru, all of which have their own local tasting rooms. In addition, you will find some micro producers who don’t have tasting rooms of their own. Plus they have huge picture windows with bayfront views – perfect for sighting otters or watching a sunset.

About Muirwood: “WINES CRAFTED WITH CARE FROM MONTEREY COUNTY’S RENOWNED ARROYO SECO VINEYARDS”

“The Zaninovich family has deep farming roots, spanning nearly a century. In the early 1970s, we were captivated by the raw beauty and exceptional potential of the undiscovered Arroyo Seco wine region in Monterey County. Today this area has emerged as one of California’s most celebrated wine-growing regions, and among the most breathtaking.

“We are inspired by the legacy of John Muir, who sought to preserve the wilderness for future generations. With four generations of California farming in harmony with nature, we have great respect for this land we call home. Like John Muir, we take a long-term perspective. We believe in nurturing the land so that it may bear fruit for generations to come.

“The Arroyo Seco is located southeast of the Monterey Bay in the valley adjacent to the Arroyo Seco Creek, we’re lucky to enjoy a unique combination of growing conditions and soils which create grapes with character and flavor. We get a richness and quality of grapes that you don’t find anywhere else.”

About Pareto Estate Wines: “The Pareto Principle, also called the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. This is true in the world of wine, where 80% of wine is consumed by 20% of the people. With Pareto’s Estate, we raise our glasses to those of us that take up the slack of others. Cheers to the 20%!

“The vineyards of Pareto’s Estate are located in Monterey County on California’s central coast. This area is known for having the longest growing season in California, lasting on average about two weeks longer than other regions.  We thank the early morning fogs and gusty afternoon winds for this fortunate phenomenon – it wreaks havoc on women’s hairdos but the grapes love it.

“We also pay homage to the awesome influence of the Monterey Bay, for without its plummeting depth of over 10,000 feet, the fog, chilly air and reliable breezes wouldn’t exist.  And without them, Monterey doesn’t win the prize for longest hang time.  And without longest hang time, the impeccable fruit that bursts with vibrant aromas and complex flavors would be….let’s not even go there.

“A few other facts you should know.  At Pareto’s Estate, our wines are 100% estate grown.  Estate grown means that the grapes are grown on our vineyards and are crushed each vintage at our winery.  Nobody else gets to touch them.  Nobody.  Yes, we’re control freaks.  Another tidbit is that our winery is a thing of beauty.  Built in 2005, it is state-of-the-art and absolutely gorgeous if you’re into that sort of thing, which we are.  One last factoid – our vineyards are 100% sustainably certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.  We love our vines and take care of them…”

About Comanche Cellars: “My name is Michael Simons, and what started as a love affair with wine has turned into a passion for producing small lots of very handcrafted wines from neighboring vineyards.  Our tiny (1,800 cases) winery is named after Comanche, my horse when I was ten years old. He was an important part of a young life, and I use his name as a loving tribute to this old friend. These days, I ride a bicycle, and since this love affair with wine turned into a full-blown obsession, finding time for riding anything can be tough. But I still think of Comanche often, and am proud that his name and shoes are on every bottle of my wine. Maybe those horseshoes will bring you some good luck!

“Comanche Cellars is on California’s Monterey Peninsula, where we take advantage of the incredible wealth of vineyards that can be found in almost every direction. All throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA’s, there are winegrowers and winemakers producing incredibly beautiful wines that, we think, can and will rival the best the world has to offer. We’re happy to be in the sweet spot right now, as Wine Enthusiast recently named Monterey as one of the Top 5 winegrowing regions worldwide!

“Saddle up, come along for the ride, and see for yourself what all the buzz is about. Just give us a call or drop us an email.”

Today I am presenting the 3 wines we tasted in March. We each selected a different flight – I chose the Rockin’ Reds Flight. The winery has since moved on with a different set of 3 reds for this flight. Winery notes come from the winery, unless otherwise stated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. 

2019 Muirwood Merlot, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.5% ABV, $15 (#988)

Winery Notes: Winemaking: French & American oak aging, careful barrel selection & blending process. Vineyards/Fruit: Wiley Ranch “Twin Oaks” Block:  Elegant, balanced; Wiley Ranch “Vaquero” Block:  Ripe, rich. Flavor Profile: Dark plum and ripe berries, soft & smooth finish. Food Pairings: Pizza Margherita, Classic Meatloaf.

Wine Enthusiast – 88 points: Dark cherry and cedar aromas make for a familiar start to this bottling. Hearty dark fruits show on the palate as well, with splash of wood oil and a fairly fierce acidity. Matt Kettmann, October 2021

My Review: Almost purple in the glass. Plum on the dusty, mellow, pleasant nose. Perfume and grapes notes. Juicy palate of blackberry, blueberry. So smooth. Best of today’s wines. March 2023

2018 Pareto Estate Wines Eighty20 Cabernet Sauvignon, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $17 (#989)

Winery Notes: “NOSE blackberries, blueberries, plum, with notes of vanilla and mocha. PALATE medium-bodied, soft tannins, rich lingering fruit finish. VARIETAL Cabernet Sauvignon. WINE Cabernet Sauvignon from the southern Monterey region, just north of Paso Robles, benefits from long, warm days and cool nights as well as modest rainfall. The result is big, bright, fruit-driven wine with rich tannins and a long finish.”

My Review:  Dark ruby. Barnyard on the nose, with rose petal and light cherry notes. Palate of smooth fruits. Hints of barnyard, yet quite tasty. It opened up over the course of the tasting. March 2023

2020 Comanche Tempranillo, Pierce Ranch Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, $34 (#989)

Winery Notes: This special Spanish grape creates a wine that is bold and spicy. Aged in 50% new American oak barrels, it brings aromas of dark cherry, smoked meats and a long satisfying finish.

My Review: Almost garnet/ruby in color. Tart cranberry and raspberry on the nose. Spicy mouthful of berries and dark cherry. Lively palate. I enjoyed this wine. March 2023

You can visit  A Taste of Monterey at 700 Cannery Row, Ste. KK, Monterey, CA – 93940. They are open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-7pm. You can also buy the wines they carry on their website! Comanche’s tasting room is located at 412 Alvarado Street, Monterey, and is open Tues-Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri 3-9 pm, Sat 1-9 pm, ​Sun 1-6 pm.

​

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Beautiful Villa of San Martino: Wine Tasting in Tuscany Part 2

This is part 2 of my wine tasting experiences recent Road Scholar trip to Italy.  You can read the first one here.

As I mentioned last week, I had a few big takeaways: 1) There will be a lot of varietals in these wines with which I am not familiar, 2) the wines will reflect the vine’s origins, the local terroir, and the weather – we should not expect them to taste the same as American versions of the same varietals, and 3) there is a Strada del Vino e dell’Olio in the region that I learned about from our tour director and got to experience. The wineries we visited made both wine and olive oil.

Today’s writeup is about Fabbrica di San Martino, located on the property of an historic villa built by Count Lorenzo Sardi, just north of Lucca. We first toured the vineyard with Giuseppi Ferrua, who, with his wife Giovanna Tronci, runs San Martino – a luxury accommodation and producer of fine wine and olive oil. His online bio is a concise version of what he shared with us that day: “Restaurant manager for twenty-two years, I’ve always worked with great passion for food and wine. I do believe wine has the power to overcome any geographical boundary, touching one’s soul. Wine moves me, this is why in 1999 I began to produce mine. I truly believe in biodynamic farming, because every day I can see its results on the quality of the soil and our products. Our wines are the result of our work and love for nature. My Motto: How do you recognize a good wine? People smile when they taste it!” I sure hope we smiled, because we really liked his wines. You can read more about his approach to winemaking here.

As we overlooked the vineyards, Giuseppe stated very clearly that the wines should be an expression of the varietal, earth and weather. He talked about the influence of the marine climate and, as we recall, the clay and calcareous soil on his grapes. All his wines are made using only the natural yeast from the grapes. He also provided some interesting tips on winemaking, if my notes are correct:  Don’t prune in an ascending moon and seed in a descending moon. 

We then toured the ground floor of the historic villa, part of their home and property. On the property is also luxury accommodations in a converted farm house where groups or individuals can stay.  It is a lovely setting with beautiful views and a huge pool.

After our tour, we tasted 4 of his wines accompanied by a little cheese and bread.  This was the quintessential Tuscan wine tasting experience with excellent wines and instruction. Although San Martino wines are distributed in the US, we were glad we ordered a case of the wines shipped home – I have yet to find where they are available here. My bottom line: I would highly recommend San Martino as a must-do wine tasting experience if you are in the Pisa/Lucca region. 

About the Estate: “The history of many villas in Lucca is deeply rooted in agriculture as, since the Middle Ages, wealthy aristocrats have invested in land. The estates used to be organized around two independent elements: the main villa, with the garden and the groves; the farmhouses, the productive heart of the estate, where the various agricultural activities were carried out.

“La Fabbrica di San Martino is a splendid testimony of this past: the estate extends over 20 hectares. Vineyards, olive groves and forest, which surround a magnificent 18th century Villa. The manor house, built by Count Lorenzo Sardi in 1735, is based on the foundations of a rustic structure from the 1500’s. The Baroque Villa is considered one of the most important of the 18th century in Lucca.

“Our family, through different generations, has always tried to preserve the story of our estate and territory. Today, we work with the same respect for this tradition.”

Today I am presenting the 4 wines we tasted in April.  It was very difficult to find winery or any other tasting notes on these wines.  Small producer, with a long reach.  I am looking forward to sharing his wines with friends in the near future!

2022 San Martino Rosato, Costa Toscana IGT, 12.5% ABV, $20 (#984) Sangiovese

My Review: Strong reddish-pink in color, like a slightly brown, pale strawberry, watermelon or a Rainer cherry. Sweet floral, honey, and strawberry jam on the nose. Strawberry and watermelon on the palate.  Tasty. April 2023

2021 San Martino Bianco, Costa Toscana IGT, 12% ABV, $24 (#985) Vermentino, Trebbiano, Malvasia Bianca

My Review:  Golden in the glass. Earthy nose, with rich earthy flavors on the palate. Pairs well with pecorino. Grew on me over time. We took some home to try later. April 2023

2021 San Martino Rosso, Costa Toscana IGT, 12% ABV, $23 (#986) 14 grapes

My Review: Candy red in the glass – like a pinot. Fresh aroma with cinnamon notes. Tasty blend with fruit flavors and a spicy finish. I liked this wine. We shipped some home. April 2023

2017 San Martino Colline Lucchesi Rosso Riserva, Colline Lucchesi DOC, 12.5% ABV, $26 (#987) Sangiovese + 3

My Review:  Garnet in the glass. Red fruit on the nose. Solid tannic structure. Favorite of the day. We purchased 3 vintages of this wine for shipping so we can do a vertical tasting with friends. Favorite wine of the weekend.  April 2023

Tasting San Martino Wines: “We think it is better to present our products here, in our estate, where customers and guests can see how we work every day. We believe this is the best way to promote our land, its unique history and tradition. On request, it is possible to book wine tasting. Giuseppe, who takes personal care of every step of the production, will guide you through a walk in the vineyard and the wine cellar; to conclude with a toast in the Villa.” Email: info@fabbricadisanmartino.it

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Enzo Carmignani:  Wine Tasting in the Hills of Montecarlo

In Tuscany with long-time friends for a cooking class with Road Scholar, we found ourselves in the middle of the Strada del Vino e dell’Olio of Lucca. As part of our tour, we visited 2 wineries for vineyard and winery tours, followed by tastings of both wines and extra virgin olive oil. In both instances, these tiny, family run wineries ship to the US. Since I started Decanting Monterey almost 3 years ago, I haven’t been writing about wines outside of the Central Coast of California, but I am making an exception for these two posts.

I had a few big takeaways: 1) There will be a lot of varietals in these wines with which I am not familiar, 2) the wines will reflect the vine’s origins, the local terroir, and the weather – we should not expect them to taste the same as American versions of the same varietals, and 3) we learned about the Strada del Vino e dell’Olio in Lucca. The wineries we visited made both wine and olive oil.

Today’s writeup is about Fattoria Enzo Carmignani, in the hills overlooking Montecarlo in operation since 1338!  They are very proud of achieving Montecarlo DOC for some of their wines. Our group tasted 8 wines with a “light lunch” – which was actually small food pairings with each wine.  The food pairings were perfect and delicious.  And they had very reasonable shipping fees to the US, with a minimum 6-bottle purchase. If you are ever out that way, I would recommend this stop for the overall experience.  These are not high-end Tuscan wines, but show you what a small, family operation can do.

The Strade del Vino in Tuscany “…offer not just a real road map but also a suggested list of producers located along the route who are committed to respecting their heritage with quality products. This is a fast and easy way to find places to stop for wine tasting those who are enthusiastic about an authentic experience.

“The hills, valleys, small towns and large cities in Tuscany, such as the famous wines of Chianti, Montepulciano, Montalcino, and Val d’Orcia, are the caretakers of local traditions and recipes which exalt the natural goodness of its land. When a visitor to the region decides to follow one of these “strade“, then they choose to wind and curve through a landscape which connects wine, olive oil and distinct flavors with its folklore, warm hospitality and culture.

“The region of Tuscany requires that the creation of the “roads of wine, oil, and flavors” follow strict regulations to guarantee the integrity of the products and safeguard the reputation from imitations & inferior quality.

“Reaching from the north of Tuscany near Lucca and the mountains of Lunigiana to the southern borders of the Colli di Maremma and Montecucco, each different itinerary was established to give a “voice” to those who firmly believe that these products represent more than just an economic resource, but rather a way of life to be protected and shared, especially for guests to the region searching for the culture of good wine and food.

“The “strade” or roads include more than just wine extending to cover a long list of products such as extra virgin olive oil and a wide range of special recipes, honey, saffron, chestnuts and even treasured and secret recipes for sweets, cheeses, kinds of pasta, and main courses…”

About Montecarlo: “Montecarlo is an ancient medieval hamlet placed in the Tuscan “province” of Lucca, which together with the surrounding town councils of Altopascio, Capannori and Porcari bound the production zone of one of the oldest wines in Tuscany… Montecarlo wine is full of history; almost surely the grape-vine had already been cultivated in this zone since Etruscan and Roman times. The ancient name of Montecarlo was “Vivinaia”, and according to the learning people, this name comes from “Vinaria Street”, the street which joined the Cassia and the Romea Street. This was a famous “Street of Wine” which went through the hill, whose slopes were already covered by Trebbiano vineyards, which gave origin to a really appreciated wine…

“The wine producing tradition in Montecarlo went farther on and at the end of the 1800 the wine growing culture remarkably improved, thanks to the eagerness of a good wine grower from Lucca, Giulio Magnani, who brought to Italy some French species of vines (White Pinot, Roussane, Sauvignon and Semillon) in order to improve the Tuscan Trebbiano; so new Montecarlo was originated from these innovations and was made according to the “French tradition” (French style). Subsequently other wine producers followed in his footsteps and imitated both the mixed vintage and its vinification.

“In 1969 the white wine from Montecarlo obtained the official reward of controlled denomination of origin D.O.C. (awarded to wine of outstanding quality) and in 1985 even the red wine obtained the same appellation.

“As for the vineyards and wineries, a strong activity of renewal and updating in technological developments has recently taken place in order to let the small production reach the highest trade standards by now requested by the World Market…

About Enzo Carmignani: “Fattoria Enzo Carmignani has been part of the Montecarlo village since 1386. Its history dates back to ancient times in wine and extra virgin olive oil production, devoting attention and respect to traditional methods of production. Today Elena Carmignani – together with her husband Mauro – takes care of the production, combining traditions with modern techniques, searching for excellence in their vines.”

Today I am presenting the 8 wines we tasted in April.  Winery notes come from their website. You can see the price sheet for the added cost for shipping to the US, with a minimum of a 6-bottle half case.  It is a very good shipping price. You can also order from their website, with a minimum of 6 bottles of single wine.

2020 Carmignani Tentazione Chardonnay, Toscana IGT  13.5% ABV, $28 (#976)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Tentazione IGT is made from Chardonnay (90%) and Pinot gris (10%) grapes harvested in mid-August.  The fermentation is made in stainless steel vats. This pale yellow coloured wine has got fruity aromas of citrus, white mulberry and undergrowth, a good persistence of taste and it expresses itself perfectly if combined with grilled fish, munière plaice and seafood risotto.”

 My Review: Light golden in color. Mostly Chardonnay and a little Pinot Gris. Pineapple and canteloup, on the nose. Melon on the palate with a slightly bitter finish. April 2023

2020 Carmignani Urano Sauvignon Blanc, Toscana IGT, 13.5% ABV, $28 (#977)

Winemaker’s Notes: “This delicious wine is made from 100% sauvignon blanc grapes harvested in mid-September. After the fermentation in stainless steel vats, the wine remains in the bottle for 3-4 months. The colour is bright straw-yellow. The nose reveals a good intensity with the characteristic aromas of passion fruit, litchis and pineapple, and grassy notes of tomato leaf. Good minerality. In the mouth its intense, fresh and fruity. Tasty. It can be combined with crab and shrimps as well as fried chicken and the classic “Milanese cutlet”.”

 My Review:  Straw to light in the glass. Grilled pineapple on the nose. Pineapple on the light palate with earthy flavors mid palate and a lemony finish. April 2023

2021 Carmignani Montecarlo Bianco, Montecarlo DOC, 13.5% ABV, $22 (#978) 40% Trebbiano, 10% ea: Semillon, Roussane, Vermentino, Malvasia Bianca, Sauvignon, Chardonnay

Winemaker’s Notes: “Our winery is the only one to use seven different varieties of grapes to produce this traditional wine of the area. The grapes are Trebbiano, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Vermentino, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon and Roussanne. The fermentation takes place in steel at a controlled temperature, followed by the refinement on the fine lees with weekly batonnage for 3/4 months. In the following spring it is bottled and aged for 2/3 months. Straw yellow coloured with greenish hues, it has an intense, fruity and mineral aroma, with floral hints of broom. In the mouth the wine delights the palate with its fresh and soft taste of yellow pulp fruits and kikinger. Good combination with white meats and grilled fish.” 

 My Review: Straw in the glass. White blossom, peach, cantaloupe and a touch of Gorgonzola on the nose. Flavors dance on the palate – my favorite white. April 2023

Carmignani Kapogiro Rose, Toscana IGT, $27 (#979) 35% Syrah, 35% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot

Winemaker’s Notes: “The rose perfumed Sangiovese, plummy Merlot and spicy Sirah give this rosè wine a refreshing perfume of red flowers,  berries and melon with hints of cream. Harvested in mid-September, fermented under controlled temperature and refined on fine lees for about 4-5 months, it has a pleasant and refreshing taste, supported by a good acidity and a delicate flavor of red berries. Its beautiful peel onion colour caresses the sight. Serve at 10°C combined with appetizers, white meat, Parma or Tuscan ham with melon, shrimp cocktail.”

 My Review:  Pale salmon in the glass. A sweet bouquet followed strawberry and candied fruit on the palate. Nice wine. April 2023

2019 Carmignani Intrigo Chardonnay, Toscana IGT, 14% ABV, $39 (#980)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Our Intrigo is made from 100% chardonnay grapes and aged in Hungarian acacia barrels for eight months. These barrels, instead of covering the typical citrus taste of the grape, exalts  and completes it. After being bottled, the wine rests for another six months. It has got an intense straw yellow colour. At the nose it reveals notes of acacia honey, yellow plum and natural vanilla. The wine is fresh, tasty and round: the yellow plum note comes back as well as the natural vanilla, leaving in the mouth a pleasant perfume of acacia flowers. Wonderful if paired with medium-aged cheese, grilled meat and fish” 

 My Review:  Golden in the glass. Caramel on the nose. Very strong flavors and toasty oak on the palate. April 2023

2021 Carmignani Montecarlo Rosso, Montecarlo DOC, 13.5% ABV, $22 (#981) 50% Sangiovese, 10% ea: Marlavsia Rossa, Canaiolo, Cilliegiolo, Merlot, Syrah

Winemaker’s Notes: “Montecarlo Rosso DOC is made from six different grapes: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malvasia nera. The grapes are harvested at the beginning of October and fermented at a temperature between 28°C and 30°C for 12-14 days. The wine remains in stainless steel vats  for 6 -7 months after the fermentation and another 3-4 months in the bottle. The taste is quite intense and fragrant with perfumes of cherry, rose and raspberry. With its pleasant and refreshing taste and its good structure, it matches perfectly with grilled beef, meat sauce, meat stews and the traditional “Tordellilucchesi”.” 

 My Review: Garnet in the glass. Alcohol and back cherry on the nose. Spicy on the palate. Cherry on the palate. Very dry finish. Seemed that the alcohol was not in balance. April 2023

2019 Carmignani Theorema, Toscana IGT, 14.5% ABV, $33 (#982) 30% ea: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon; 10% Sangiovese

Winemaker’s Notes: “The harvest is in early October and after the fermentation, the wine ages in French oak barrels for 18 months. Once bottled, it rests in the bottle for another six months. Its colour is intense ruby red with orange nuances. It perfumes of ripened blueberries, black cherry, black pepper, vanilla, butter, tamarind and tobacco leaves. Pair with wild boar, game, stews and mature cheese.”

 My Review:  Inky in the glass. Alcohol and dark red fruit on the nose. Rustic. A bit cooked fruit on the palate and alcoholic finish. This has potential, probably our favorite wine of the day. April 2023

2015 Carmignani Vin Santo, Montecarlo DOC, 16% ABV, $33 (#983) 90% Trebbiano, 10% Colombana

Winemaker’s Notes: “This traditional sweet wine from the province of Lucca is made of Trebbiano and Colombana grapes harvested in late October. The grapes are dried on reed mats for three months. After pressing, it ferments naturally and ages in small wooden barrels called “Caratelli” for four years. This procedure gives the wine its typical amber colour and gives it its compex aromas of honey, caramel, tropical fruits and peanuts. In the mouth it develops its fantastic taste of dried pineapple, figs and apricot as well as acacia honey and hazelnut, never being excessively sweet thanks to its good acidity. Good when paired with mature cheese, almond desserts, hazelnut cookies.”

 My Review: Dark caramel color in the glass. Sweet nose of caramel and alcohol. My notes are a little skimpy by this point in the tasting, but I recall liking this wine. April 2023

Tasting Carmignani Wines: I’ve included a link to their tasting options – definitely worth a visit if you are in the area – and take a tour of Montecarlo before or after your tasting.  I think we did the Sensory tasting and would recommend that or the Light Lunch if you make it there.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Turley Pesenti Vineyard: A Big, Tasty Petite Syrah with Brambly Juice and a Chalky Finish

It’s been a while since I have posted about a Turley Wine Cellars  wine.  While Turley still makes up a good percentage of my wine room, only a handful are from the Central Coast.  I posted sometime back about how I became a Turley girl, but let me refresh the story for you today.

I first fell in love with Turley when its Old Vines Zinfandel started showing up on DC restaurant menus for about $100/bottle.  It was something delicious and elusive, to be enjoyed for a special occasion like Valentines Day, a birthday, or an anniversary. And you couldn’t just get on their mailing list at the time – you had to wait. So, it was a Huge Big Deal when I made it onto their list. We’ve been buying their wines ever since.

Way back when, when we used to get down to the Paso Robles AVA for wine tasting, we “discovered” Pesenti winery as having some fabulous reds for reasonable prices.  When my favorite Zin producer Larry Turley took them over in 2000, it gave us some acknowledgement that we were not the only ones who thought Pesenti Vineyard produced great fruit!

Today I am presenting a single Turley Petite Syrah from the Pesenti Vineyard. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2018 Turley Petite Syrah Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.1% ABV, $38/$65* (#975)

About Pesenti Vineyard Petite Syrah: “This estate-owned and certified organic vineyard was planted by the Turley team using cuttings from the Hayne vineyard. Head-trained, dry-farmed and planted in limestone, the wines are dark, smooth, dense and classic Petite Syrah.  As the vines age the wines are increasingly expressive of the Pesenti Vineyard with minerality, savory spices and high tone pepper.”

Winemaker Notes (captured previously from their website): “Dark purple fruits, black pepper, bitter chocolate, and a touch of wild game—reminiscent of a modern northern Rhône wine. Silky, well-resolved tannins and thoroughly well-rounded, the Pesenti Petite Syrah has come into its own. Ready to drink now at cellar temperature (about 55-65ºF) and will continue to over-deliver for many years to come thanks to the copious antioxidants.” 93-95 points Vinous, 92 points Wine Advocate.

My Review: Inky purple in the glass. Brambleberry, blueberry, and alcohol on the nose. Rich palate of juicy, dark, berries, including blackberry, black, raspberry, and blueberries. Very grapey. All the fruit flavors are wrapped in alcohol, with grippy tannins and a licorice and chalky finish. After opening up, it smooths out, reinforcing my opinion that this wine needed to be decanted and has a long life ahead. April 2023

*$38 is what we paid via their mailing list. Current retail price is $65.

Visit a Turley Tasting Room:

Amador County: “Nestled in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, our Amador county tasting room in Plymouth is the home of the Gold Rush and the nation’s oldest vineyards.” Open by appointment for tastings: Thursday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm, Monday 11 am – 4 pm.

Paso Robles: “A few miles inland of California’s storied Central Coast, Paso Robles is a pioneer’s paradise, where surfers, cowboys, vintners, farmers, and ranchers commingle amidst ancient vines, towering oak trees, and rolling hills.” Open by appointment for tastings: Thursday – Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Rombi: The Most Complex, Big Reds in the County Are Drinking Magnificently!

I had an allotment to pick up at Rombi Wines in Carmel Valley Village.  My Better Half said he had several questions he wanted me to ask Sal Rombi.  I started to write down the list…then I just looked at him. I mean, if he really wanted all those answers, wasn’t he coming with me? I mean, the college basketball tournament was over, baseball is just starting.  Was he worried he was going to miss…golf????

We were the first ones there on the Saturday before Easter.  And the questions started coming out almost before our first pour.  They mostly have to do with which wineries are located where in relationship to his and when they were planted.  Some of the very best wines of Monterey County – and certainly the biggest reds – come from the Carmel Valley AVA and many of those vineyards are located in Cachagua. We also played one of our favorite games:  guess which 5 tasting rooms were the only ones open in 1995.  Most of the wineries we know today did not open their tasting rooms or even start operations until the 1980’s. Sal confirmed one of them for us.

I’ve written about Rombi Wines many times – just type “Rombi” in the search bar.  As I have said before, the fruit from Sal Rombi’s Carmel Valley Vineyard is so flavorful, creating wines with up-front intense flavors. Rombi’s wines are very big and complex – highly recommend decanting to get the full fruit flavors.  Actually, we have been double-decanting and double-aerating them for best results…unless you really want to wait a day after opening. Who can wait? I mean, it is not like we decide at noon that we will have one of his big Cabernet Sauvignons after dinner.  It is usually an in-the-moment decision.

About Rombi Wines: “Carmel Valley Vineyard is at the pinnacle of the Carmel Valley Appellation located atop the ridgeline at an elevation of 1650 ft. its orientation captures cooling marine influences nightly. The vineyard is hand tended with sustainable practices. The well-drained rocky soil creates balanced vines with limited yields of superior fruit that produce exceptional wine.  The vines were planted in 1998. The original planting was 1,000 vines 50% Cabernet Sauvignon 337 on 110R rootstock and 50% Merlot 181 on RG rootstock. It was trained to Vertical Shoot Positioning and is spaced meter by two. (4’X 8’). The vineyard has been expanded to 1850 vines and another 1,000 vines will be planted this year for a total of just over 2 acres. Other plantings are scheduled.”

In today’s post I will present 4 current releases available in his tasting room. The 2019 Merlot is the only wine I had not previously tasted.  And we had a huge surprise:  the 2017 Petite Sirah made from local fruit which was absolutely NOT ready 2 years ago is now drinking beautifully.  We always recommend cellaring his wines and then the double decant. His wines do not disappoint!

Sal has always been generous to Decanting Monterey, whether it is replenishing my home stock or giving me new wines to try.  I will always let you know when a winery has comped me the wine – which a few have done.  Since this is an all-volunteer effort, it is small gestures like these that make operating my website affordable – in an indirect way!

2019 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (#974)

This was his 13th year of production.

My Review: Garnet, almost purple in the glass. Dusty raspberry notes on the nose. Tart smooth raspberry on the palate. I’m lacking words to describe how delicious this fruit is. For such a young Rombi wine, it is very drinkable now and has the structure to last. April 2023

2018 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#328)

My Review: Garnet in color. A warm nose with plum and cherry notes. Complex with lots of cherry and that delicious Cachagua fruit on the palate and chewy tannins. He makes undeniably the biggest, most complex Cabernet Sauvignon in the county. We liked this wine and it is still young. Can’t wait to see what this becomes. Cellar for the future. April 2023

2017 Rombi Petite Sirah, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.6% ABV, $75 (#331)

This fruit comes from the Galante vineyards.

My Review: A rich, bright garnet in the glass. Cherry and berry notes on the nose. Thick on the palate with cherry and berry flavors. This is a “wow” wine. This wine has improved over the years, has finally come into its own and is very drinkable right now. April 2023

2018 Rombi Petit Verdot, Napa Valley, 14.4% ABV, $75 (#330)

This is Rombi’s first Petit Verdot, which I reviewed back in 2021 and liked very much. As I wrote before, Sal shared with us the small fact that Petit Verdot is the last fruit to ripen. I likely had commented that I used to think Petit Verdot was a touch vegetal.  Perhaps others aren’t patient enough for the fruit to ripen fully!

My Review: Inky Garnet in the glass. A dusty, vegetal nose, which I often pick up from Petit Verdot, enhanced by some warm, brown sugar notes. The palate: super rich, smooth, with dark berry flavors. It’s packed with delicious, dark fruit with a slightly bitter licorice finish. This is one of my favorite Petit Verdots. April 2023

Visit the Rombi Tasting Room: If you have not yet had the opportunity to taste Sal’s wines, I highly recommend visiting him on a Saturday or Sunday, 12-5 at One Center Street, Carmel Valley Village. You can learn more about his wines online at Rombi Wines.  You can also contact Kathy and Sal at kathy@rombiwines.com  or sal@rombiwines.com for more information about buying their wines. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Georis Winery: Exceptional Wines from Cachagua and Beyond!

Our Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society is continuing to grow, making it challenging to find a spot for our first Friday “WinedUP” tastings.  A lot of our local tasting rooms are small. I have been trying to find places with larger tasting rooms to allow more of our members to participate.  It won’t always be possible, but I have found a few for this Spring.  One of the first places I thought of was Georis. It has a stunning space – indoors and out.

The Georis Winery tasting room manager, Ivan Cornejo-Martinez, was great to work with. He was very kind and flexible – we worked together to keep the event as simple as possible, limiting the number of extra staff and glasses he would need to have on hand.  It was nice to learn we could have done catered food or ordered in from Corkscrew Café across the street, as well.  In the end, we decided to reserve those options for future events.

It had been a chilly day on the coast, so despite driving through a spot of rain to get to the valley, we were thrilled that it was sunny and even warm! When we entered their spacious tasting room, we were delighted to find 3 tasting options:  Chilled (sparkling and white wines), the Grand Mix (which includes a white, a rose and 3 reds) and the Estate (all big reds). They started us with a special wine: the 2009 Deux Frères Merlot/Malbec blend – a great way to kick off the evening.  The name of the wine refers to the two Georis brothers, Walter and Gaston, who sadly passed away last year. The tasting room staff Ivan, Daisy and James were extremely knowledgeable about the wines and did a terrific job taking each of us through our tastings. I hope to go back soon with the rest of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod.

Check with the winery, as their tasting menu and prices do change!

It has been almost 3 years since I wrote about a Georis wine: https://decantingmonterey.com/2017-georis-merlot-getting-way-beyond-sideways/. And, so I am going to repeat some of it here. Plus, while they are known for their Merlots, they proved that they are making exceptional wines beyond Merlot! 

From the Georis winery’s webpage: “Walter Georis was born of a Belgian father and a German mother who immigrated to the US from Belgium in 1956 when Walter was eleven years old. After having spent his teen years in Southern California, Walter decided to move north to Carmel where he pursued a career in fine arts. Soon after arriving in Carmel, Walter designed a family restaurant, Casanova that would become internationally renowned for its cuisine and style, and its wine cellar. Remembering his childhood and the pleasures of country life on the family farms in Europe, Walter decided to combine his love of fine wines with the challenges and rewards of growing grapes and producing first class wines. In 1981, after consulting with French experts on soil and wine making, he bought a ranch in Carmel Valley and soon planted the grapes that would produce the first crop of Georis wines…

“The vineyard is located in the mountains of the upper Carmel Valley, California, 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Our 14 acre vineyard is planted to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir grapes. Our terroir is sandy clay loam with gravel and river rocks. Some small vineyard areas include chalky soils…

“Since 1982, Georis Winery proudly produces a variety of wines exceptional in quality. Georis wines represent authenticity, integrity and a commitment to terroir expressive wines. Our philosophy is to respect European wine-making traditions while embracing the generous California climate of our appellation. Our objective is to craft wines with complexity, elegance and finesse.”

Today I am presenting 12 Georis wines which we tasted at the AWS event.  Winery notes come from their website or conversations with tasting room staff.  Any errors are mine and mine alone. Sometimes I am distracted by others or feel rushed in the tasting and can’t get the notes I truly want.  I’ll have to go back. After all, this is a social event!

2009 Georis Deux Frères, Carmel Valley AVA (#963)

Winemaker’s Notes: ~80% Merlot, ~20% Malbec

 My Review: Ruby in the glass. Some soft sandalwood notes on the nose. Light on the palate.  This well aged wine is coming into its own. April 2023

2021 Georis Riesling, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#964)

Winemaker’s Notes: From Tessiere Vineyard in Arroyo Seco.  ~12 months in neutral oak.

 My Review:  This is one of those great, dry Rieslings from Arroyo Seco.  Citrus flavors balanced by salty minerality. Sweet flavors of honeysuckle or white citrus blossom complete the finish.  I described this wine as reminiscent of taking a tequila shot followed by the salt and lime – all in a very delicious package. April 2023

2021 Georis Les Abeilles Rosé, Carmel Valley AVA, $42 (#965)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Elegant and crisp Cabernet Franc based Rosè. Medium bodied and dry. Raspberry, peach candy, cantaloupe, and jasmine.” 

 My Review: This was a very nice wine, probably one of the best Central Coast Rosé wines I have tasted lately. Dry, delicately flavored, balanced, perfect in all ways. Very traditional. April 2023

2021 Georis Oaked Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, $42 (#966)

Winemaker’s Notes: Aged in 20% French barrels for 12 months. The fruit comes from our estate vineyard in Carmel Valley.

 My Review: Light in the glass with perfume on the nose. To me, this did not come off as one of those buttery Chardonnays. Balanced. A lean, lighter weight wine than I was expecting. April 2023

2017 Georis Estate Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $42 (#967)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Full bodied and earthy. Smooth, soft tannin with a lingering finish. Blueberry, cherry, forest floor and violet. 554 Cases produced.” 

 My Review: A brown tinge in the color with very typical aromas and flavors of a Central Coast Pinot Noir.  April 2023

2017 Georis Estate Les Amoureaux Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $65 (#968)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Full bodied and earthy. Smooth, soft tannin with a lingering finish. Blueberry, cherry, forest floor and violet. 554 Cases produced.” 

 My Review: This was the very last wine I tasted on the way out the door.  A new participant at the AWS tasting told me that I really needed to try it. I found it to be fuller bodied and a Pinot Noir even this Pinot Noir naysayer could really enjoy. Sorry I did not capture better tasting notes! April 2023

2017 Georis Cabernet Franc, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#969)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Very soft and acid driven with notes of cherry, leather, and roasted pepper. Fantastic progression from the front to the back of the palate with a bright acidic finish.”  From the Donati Family Vineyard in Paicines.

 My Review Powered by Terravenos:  Herbaceous, violet, and lots of mid-palate structure with mild tobacco notes on the finish. April 2023

2017 Georis Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.8% ABV, $40 (#54)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Rich and bold yet elegant with sumptuous aromas of mocha, savory chocolate, and black berry fruits. The palate is extremely generous with hints of young berry, black berry, black spices, and silky tannins.” 

 My Review Powered by Terravenos: OK, we are finally in my wheelhouse! This is one of the early wines I reviewed in Decanting Monterey. Ruby/purple in color with plum/blackberry and “Fig Newton” on the nose with rose petal, black cherry and overripe strawberry notes on the palate.  Since I first reviewed this wine almost 3 years ago, the tannins have smoothed out.  A very delicious, big wine which is drinking very well. April 2023

2017 Georis “La Chapelle” Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $80 (#970)

Winemaker’s Notes: Our annual Bordeaux blend, the 2017 vintage is 80% Merlot, 10% Petite Verdot and 10% Malbec. 

 My Review: A nice, dark berry bouquet with the nose carrying over to the palate.  Very smooth with the fruit well integrated. I liked this wine. April 2023

2017 Georis Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $45 (#971)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Powerful ruby colored with great nose of dark fruit, plum, and blackberry. Smooth elegant middle with silky tannins and a chalky finish. A dominate palate with savory notes such as dates, fennel, tobacco leaf, and leather.” 

 My Review: Warm, dark fruit on the nose.  This is a good Cabernet Sauvignon from the premier growing area for Cabernet in Monterey County – Cachagua. This has good structure and lots of tannin – this will last for years to come.  Buy some and cellar! April 2023

2017 Georis “Clos des Moutons” Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.8% ABV, $90 (#972)

Winemaker’s Notes: Our single vineyard selection, aged 26 months in French oak barrels. Think leathery, plum, and tobacco flavors. ~80% Merlot, ~20% Petit Verdot

 My Review:  Nose of rosemary.  Cherry and berry flavors on the palate.  Complex structure. This is another great wine. April 2023

2017 Georis Estate “Malbec Du Milieux”, Carmel Valley AVA, $75 (#973)

Winemaker’s Notes: A single vineyard of 5 acres of 40-year-old Malbec vines. Aged 24 months in French barrels.” 

 My Review: Warm, jammy fruit on the nose. It is a surprising mix of sweet jamminess and tart fruits like raspberry and cherry.  I found this wine intriguing – and a great one to end the tasting on a very high note. April 2023

Georis Tasting Room: Located at 1 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley Village. Open Wednesday – Monday from 12:00 – 6:00 pm with the exception of the weather and holidays. (831) 659-1080. “We greatly appreciate a call if will be joining us with a large group, we want your experience to be delightful while drinking some of California’s best.”

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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I Brand & Family’s Spring 2023 Release: Some Very Special Surprises!  

The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod looks forward to an I Brand & Family release party – a tradition for us.  There is always something surprising to taste.  And the most recent one in March was no exception.  It is a great opportunity to taste the new releases in a festive and relaxed setting.  In addition to their consistently great Albariño, standouts at this event were the Chenin Blanc from Carmel Valley and the Pinot Noir (yes, I said Pinot Noir!) from Cienega Valley, plus the most unique Cabernet Pfeffer, also from Cienega Valley. The food and entertainment were both high quality.  Oysters and small bites were provided by Oystertown and the music, by El Pacado de Juana.

I have learned there is no rush to taste the wines at these events. There is plenty of time to experience a wine fully (color, nose, body, flavors, finish), compare notes with the wine pod, and dump the rest so I can get us home safely.  Then comes the great part:  deciding which wines we will take home!

I have 8 wines to present to you today from 3 labels: I Brand & Family, La Marea and Paysan – tasted at the release party. Winery notes come from their Spring 2023 Winemaker Letter or their website: https://www.ibrandwinery.com/. I used the full notes, as this blog is about wine education and I find them so interesting! I used the microphone in my phone to transcribe the long, descriptive paragraphs. I think I corrected the sometimes-amusing text it recorded (had a hard time with Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Pfeffer, but igot Tellicherry and Cachagua right the first time), but, as always, any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 La Marea Kristy Vineyard Albariño, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $24 (#955)

Winemaker’s Notes: “At this point, what’s left to say about our Kristy’s Vineyard Albariño? We began making Albariño in 2011 to test our theory that the Salinas Valley was best suited to saline, mineral-driven, high acid whites. Steve McIntyre, the gentle caporegime of Monterey County winegrowing, pointed us to several options but said he thought Kristy’s was the best quality. By 2013 we were pretty much locked in on our winemaking program.  We tried varying our winemaking a couple of times since then but have always come back to the original because it just works. 2/3 direct press, 1/3 skin contact for two days. Cold fermented in stainless steel, arrested malic. We’ve been told several times this is the standard for aromatic whites in the new world. The biggest issue is, with the drought, yields have been down on the vineyard. We just don’t have enough of this wine. The 2022 vintage is full of intensity and bright acidity, combining the open fruit flavors of the 19 and the direct bite of 2020. A spectacular wine.

“Tasting Notes – Aromas of white nectarine and honeysuckle abound. Bright acidity leads on the palate framed by a redolence of underripe pineapple and stone fruit, which persist and blend with wet river rock on the finish.”

My Review: Straw in the glass. Nose of bright citrus, balanced by the sweetness of honeydew melon. A tasty palate with grapefruit zest on the finish. Super fresh. March 2023

2022 Paysan Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $24 (#956)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Maybe five years ago, I told my friend Eben Drucker that Sauvignon Blanc would soon be on the rise. Eben has helped us with national and international sales of our brands for almost ten years and had been mixed up in the wine business for twice that. Sauvignon Blanc was at its nadir, totally disregarded in the wake of Kim Crawford and grassy New Zealand mass production. I saw the quality of the vineyards in the ground, the budding renaissance of Sancerre on east coast wine lists, and whispers on the hippier edge of California winemaking oddly about a variety associated with country clubs and gala balls. We had been getting our toes wet in Sauvignon Blanc for a consulting project and I was closing in on an idea for a wine. We worked on the idea for a couple of years in small lots and, in 2021, we made the leap and took the bulk of the vineyard. It sold like hotcakes, and we expect the same with the 2022 vintage. The Zabala Vineyard is among the rockiest you’ll see, resplendent with river stones, reminiscent of the galets roulés of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Sauvignon Blanc at Zabala is the Sauvignon Musqué variation, which means the wine has more fruit notes, especially ripe melon.

“Tasting Notes – Satsuma Mandarin and herbaceous notes of fresh-cut chives, tarragon, and wet limestone shine brightly up front. The attack on the palate is bright and distinctly tropical dragonfruit and papaya, evolving into dry citrus flavors reminiscent of Buddha’s hand.”

My Review:  Straw in color. Perfume on the nose. Rich flavors on the palate with notes of green pepper. One in our group thought it was a touch harsh. March 2023

2022 Paysan Rose, Central Coast AVA, 12.7% ABV, $19 (#957) 81% Mourvèdre, 12% Cinsault, 7% Grenache  

Winemaker’s Notes: “Over the last few vintages, our rosé has become more Mourvèdre focused, lending the wine more depth and intensity despite its pale color. With roughly 4 hours of skin contact across the lots, the 2022 has a pale, almost vin gris hue, but don’t be fooled. Hiding beneath that hint of pink is deep, textured wine. Both the Arroyo Seco Canyon Vineyard and the Siletto Vineyard are rocky and the minerality shows through. Extremely pleasurable to drink, we expect this to be peaking just as the summer heat hits. I’m in love with the new package. If you have a porch or patio, you need some of this rosé.

“Tasting Notes: Initial aromas of watermelon and cantaloupe are inescapable, transitioning to trailside strawberry with a touch of air. Melons and strawberries persist on the palate, and bright red fruits continue into the finish transforming into a pleasing strawberry-basil herbaceous salinity.”

My Review: Very pale pink in the glass.  A nice, rich rose nose out-promises the delicate palate of white peach with a watermelon finish. Based on the writeup above, this wine deserves a revisit! March 2023

2021 I Brand & Family Massa Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $36 (#958)

Winemaker’s Notes: “This is our first year working with the Chenin Blanc off Massa, (née Durney) in the Cachagua region of the upper Carmel River Basin. Planted on its own roots fifty years previous, these vines can now be called old vines, (per the Historic Vineyard Society). They produced a stunning Chenin Blanc: racy and intense. We held ours back an additional six months in bottle to allow it to flesh out. The Massa Vineyard is a special place. Still very much a rough diamond, I have seen the most stunning wines emerge from the vineyard – on par with vineyards known internationally. We made a mere 44 cases of this wine and more than half will go out to the initial club release. If you would like multiple bottles, please contact us promptly.

“Tasting Notes – Aromas of flint, toasted brioche and lemon verbena are immediately present. These flavors follow onto the palate, incorporating drier, flavors of green walnuts and more brioche; beautiful floral notes reminiscent of lavender and lilac grace the dry finish.”

My Review: Pretty, light yellow in the glass. Clean nose. Lovely, full bodied palate of fresh fruit, with peach and citrus flavors, balanced by brioche and salty notes. Our favorite of the tasting. March 2023

2020 I Brand & Family Besson Vineyard – Old Vine Grenache, Santa Clara Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $42 (#959)

Winemaker’s Notes: “This is our ninth iteration coming from the centenarian Grenache vines cared for by the Besson family since the 1940s. We’ve settled into a nice place with the winemaking and the wines grow into deep, thoughtful ruminations on time and place as they settle into the bottle. For those who have a chance to drive by the classic vineyard (it’s right across from Gilroy Gardens on Hecker Pass Highway heading west from Gilroy) the third generation of the Besson Family has started a small brand and you can taste their wine amid the old soldiers. We share these blocks with our good friends, winery mates and longtime fellow travelers, John and Alex from Birichino. Over the years they’ve sold small amounts to old-vine lions of California wine like Ridge, Sandlands, and A Tribute to Grace. We keep our allocation from the rockiest section next to Uvas Creek and produce it with spontaneous fermentations, 50% whole cluster, a touch of French oak influence and sixteen months on lees in barrel. It’s the same recipe we’ve used since 2014 and we keep it consistent because it really works with the site and because with consistent winemaking you can really see vintages expressed over time. The 2020 vintage was beset by high smoke covering the sun for extended periods and so the wine is less boisterous but more deep and textured at this early stage. This is always a star in our tasting room.

“Tasting Notes – Ripe red fruit, specifically red delicious apples, fresh pressed cider and savory hints of manzanita and Tellicherry peppercorn abound on the nose. The palate is similarly bright with additional herbaceous notes of fresh tarragon. This quickly evolving wine wraps up with distinct tannins and aromatic pine duff.”

My Review:  112-year-old vines! Garnet in color.  Perfume, plum and cherry on the nose. A good, mid-weight, bright wine with cherry notes and a little leather on the finish. March 2023

2021 I Brand & Family Flint Vineyard Pinot Noir, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 13.4% ABV, $36 (#960)

Winemaker’s Notes: “We’ve gained a reputation locally as Pinot Noir naysayers, which isn’t fair. We love Pinot Noir and I made my fair share of it when I worked in the Santa Cruz Mountains (and I still make a great deal for special projects). Because of that experience, we’re very particular about where we get our Pinot Noir from, which makes sense as Pinot Noir is very particular about where it grows well. We re-entered the Pinot Noir fray to prove a point. So much discussion in Pinot Noir winemaker circles focuses on how cold the vineyard is and what clones are used. When we worked with the Enz Vineyard, the Pinot Noir felt like a red-headed step child because the vineyard was warm, without consideration for how wonderful the site is. I am of the opinion that a great site always speaks most strongly, so we took the fruit. I was elated by the response. After the relationship with the Enz family imploded, we moved around the corner to Scott Flint‘s place. Scott is a really kind and super interesting guy. He used to make his own wine but now spends his days restoring old tractors. We used a 1946 Ford forklift to load the bins. If the bin is a little heavy, it gets difficult because the front tires don’t want to stay on the ground and that makes it tough to steer. Scott’s vineyard is at the base of Mount Harlan, home to Calera, and because the cold air sinks off the mountain onto his property it buds out late and picks about a month later than Enz and a couple of weeks later than the ‘cool climate’ Santa Lucia Highlands. All things in wine and viticulture are relative, there are no hard truths. The Flint bears the signature of the special mixed granitic and calcareous soils of the Cienega combined with the  darker red fruits and cherry compote character of a cool climate pinot noir. 2021 was just a special vintage and willowy Pinot Noir often shows vintage variation more readily than other grapes. Lovely.”

“Tasting Notes – Notes of cedar and dried porcini mushrooms are present on the nose, subtly melding with undertones of cherry preserves. The palate is well-integrated but complex. The preserved cherries come back into play, evolving into the warm cherry pie flavors typical of pinot noir. Bright acidity wraps things up and leaves you with baking spices and vanilla bean.”

My Review: Rich ruby in the glass. Light cherry on the nose. Rich palate, balanced and delicious, with tobacco on the finish. Not a Pinot Noir drinker, but I like this wine. Promises to be an exceptional wine. We bought this to cellar, as we have with other reserve Pinot Noirs from this region, with excellent results. March 2023

2021 I Brand & Family Gimelli Vineyard Cabernet Pfeffer, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 12.8% ABV, $36 (#961)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Only about 10 acres of Cabernet Pfeffer exist in the world, and most all of it is in San Benito County. The Gimelli Vineyard encompasses the remnants of the El Gabilan Vineyard, first planted in the 1890s in Grass Valley, a side canyon off the Cienega Valley on the east side of the Gabilan cordillera. Cabernet Pfeffer was rumored to be a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Trousseau made by San Jose nurseryman, William Pfeffer in the 19th century, but that story is apocryphal. Ken Ryan Kobza, our winery tsar, has been making Cabernet Pfeffer for the better part of a decade. We sent petiole samples to UC Davis five years ago and they matched most closely with a long-forgotten grape variety from the southwest of France called Mourtaou. Either way, Cabernet Pfeffer is a rare beast. Not fruity in the way California wine is alleged to always be, Cabernet Pfeffer is dominated by savory, umami flavors, like a cigar box and teriyaki. Special and super interesting, this is the only year we will make a single-varietal Cabernet Pfeffer. We’re proud to share this little slice of local history.

“Tasting notes – Our Cabernet Pfeffer smells like a humidor, with bold notes of cedar and sweet tobacco. This sweet and savory notes translate as unctuous teriyaki on the palate, quickly incorporating notes of spicy ancho chili on the mid-palate and closing with a hint of tart raspberry. Well-integrated tannins wrap up the experience.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Bouquet of enticing sweetness, balanced by cinnamon spice.  A bright palate with cranberry notes.  It is lean, medium bodied and unique, rare. We took one home. I hope we will cellar it for a bit. March 2023

2020 I Brand & Family Graff Family Vineyard Syrah, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 14.8% ABV, $36 (#962)

Winemaker’s Notes: “The 2020 Graff Syrah came early in the heat of 2020, which was fortuitous because it avoided the worst of the smoke. These vines are now more than 30 years old, farmed immaculately since their planting by the ace duo of Hector and Jose Bravo. This one, to me, shows with Chalone can be – it’s among the most compelling places to grow wine in America. Granitic brightness meets suave limestone texture, stems, and the blood iron that always emerges in great Syrahs. 80% whole cluster, 18 months on lees, another 8 months in bottle before release.

“Tasting notes – Earthy, meaty notes of peppered beef jerky. Graphite and clay transition into a savory mix of fire-roasted tomato confit and guajillo chili, which evolve into dark fruit reminiscent of a spiced blueberry compote ending with cumin and cardamom on the finish.”

My Review: Rich, dark garnet. Spice and earth on the nose. Dark berries and earth on the palate. March 2023

The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 5 pm.  Reservations are recommended – more information here.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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2012 The Ojai Vineyard: “a wonderful statement of how good Bien Nacido syrah can be”

Since spending more time on the Central Coast, my palate has shifted more toward Syrah.  While I love my Carmel Valley/Monterey County Syrahs, I have a particular fondness as well for ones from Santa Barbara County.  I wrote up my August 2022 “Sideways” tasting trip on a mission to find such wines in multiple posts about Bien Nacido, Tensley, Stolpman and Beckmen (or just search “Sideways”!).

We were fortunate to take a trip down to Ojai in 2019 where we explored local wines, knowing nothing about any of the Ojai wineries. There, we discovered The Ojai Vineyard and picked up a couple of their exceptional Syrahs.  I reviewed their 2015 Bien Nacido Syrah from Santa Maria Valley here and their 2016 Rolling Ranch from Ventura County here.   

This winter, a couple of those special Syrahs were opened, including the high end 2019 Beckmen Block Six (#831) (one of the best Syrahs I have ever tasted – what a shame we opened it so early) and this 2012 from The Ojai Vineyard, another one at the very top of my list (which we had been waiting to open). I need a color code system – like our Wine Pod partners have – for my own high-end wines so Man With Corkscrew doesn’t just open them on a random night.

About The Ojai Vineyard from their https://www.ojaivineyard.com/: “The wines we make today are a culmination of four decades pursuing excellence with the fruit grown in our region. We believe that a history like ours is an asset only insofar as it is defined by evolution. Craft is not an overnight sensation; it is the step by step progress that only comes from intuition and experience.”

I just have this one vintage to review today, but I included the 2015 review so you could read them in the same post.  As usual, winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2012 The Ojai Vineyard, Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, 13.5% ABV, $60 (#954)

Winery Notes: “We’ve been making Bien Nacido Syrah since 1994, Vineyard manager Chris Hammell continues to work his magic here. Our section in block Z has always produced a wine of distinction, but Hammell’s farming has turned this block into a showcase of how to produce the best syrah grapes. Organic growing, low yields, and painstaking attention to detail have taken these vines to a new level–and the wines show it. This syrah is a wonderful statement of how good Bien Nacido syrah can be: a wine with fascinatingly complex aromas and dense, woodsy, berry fruit and zippy exuberance. This is an intensely flavored but completely delicious wine to drink.”

Blend: 100% Syrah | Alc: 13.5% | Vinification: 25% New French Oak | Barrel Aging: 16 Months | Total Production: 319 cases

95 points –  Antonio Galloni & Jeb Dunnuck

My Review: Deep garnet in the glass. Dark fruit on the palate, with flavors of currant and mild tobacco. Earthy and good. January 2023                                                                                                                        

2015 The Ojai Vineyard Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, 13.5% ABV, $45 (#560*)

The Ojai Vineyard Tasting Notes: “Aromas come on with many of the usual suspects from Bien Nacido—cured meat, purple flowers, rock dust—but also a concentrated fruity exuberance that tilts toward liqueur. It drinks with that same balance, coming on with an lavish blanket of dark fruits before gaining pitch and lengthening into a smoky savory beauty, closing out late with those cool-climate notes of herby tapenade, wood smoke and peppery meat crust. The forward feel will have many drink this sooner than later, but for peak rapture age this for several years, at least.” 97 points Jeb Dunnuck!!

My Review: Berry blast on the nose, followed by some menthol and leather. Super delicious on the palate. Spice on the finish. We followed the Vineyard Aging Recommendations, opening this one before the 2012 Syrah, which is still not ready!  We served this with Thanksgiving leftovers. I loved this wine – probably one of the best Syrahs I have recently consumed. August 2021

Visit The Ojai Vineyards Tasting Room: You can buy Ojai Vineyard wines on their website or at their tasting room at 109 S Montgomery St, Ojai, CA 93023 daily 12-5 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Battle of the Carmel Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons!

As we were driving out to Carmel Valley to select wines for the Carmel Rotary event in February, we hatched this idea: Wouldn’t it be fun to host a blind tasting of Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignons?  We ran the idea by one of our tasting room favorites, Summer Emmons, at Parsonage. She thought that sounded wonderful and started rattling off wineries which should be included – they were the same ones we had discussed in the car!

When we got home, Mr. H searched our collection to see if he could find wines from a single vintage. The oldest vintage we could find for all those wineries was 2015. And we did call around to try to add some other Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignons to the mix – but couldn’t get our hands on them.

This was a particularly good, albeit low yield vintage for Carmel Valley wines. As Sal Rombi of Rombi Wines explained to me long ago: Everything was going great, until flowering, when there was a lot of wind and rain. This resulted in about 55% fruit yield for the season.  Because there were fewer berries creating less weight on the vines, the fruit was much more intense, resulting in this delicious vintage. 

The hard part of arranging this event was finding a date that would work for everyone we wanted in the room. In the end, we pushed it out to March – and even then, lost a couple of participants. But it was the right group for the experience. In the room was the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod, Summer Emmons of Parsonage, and Erin O’Reilly of tèr·ra·ve·nos.

There was much anticipation and preparation for this event. The hardest part was the wine glasses:  first, finding 7 sets of glasses in which all 4 glasses were the same, and then getting all the spots off the glasses.  The amount of glassware reminded me of the time we tested Parsonage’s COVID wine tasting procedures – it was a lot of glassware, prompting them to change their plan.

The wines were all decanted at the same time. Not all our decanters were the same shape, but it was the closest we could come. And the wines were carefully pre-poured by Mr. H, a 2-ounce our of each of the 4 wines for each participant. Only he knew which wine was which and the order was mostly random. And only he and I knew exactly which wines were included in the mix, including the fact that one was a red blend. We also carefully planned the food pairings, with salami, cheeses, and a bit of dark chocolate to match the Cabernet Sauvignons.

Then the fun began. We used the tèr·ra·ve·nos tasting sheet to rate the wines. In general, we looked at and smelled each wine before we tasted them. We analyzed the flavors of each wine one-by-one. Since we didn’t know which was which, we could be bluntly honest about each one. With such a range of palates, we heard many descriptors…memorable ones…and we agreed that one of the wines – what we learned later was the red blend – tasted vastly different from the others. We did do an informal ordering of our preferences, with Wine #4 slightly edging out these other fine wines. This was a super fun format and we will do this again. Why not try this with your friends?

We started our evening with antipasto and 2 local whites:  2020 I Brand & Family Old Vines White and 2019 Corral Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc. Here are winery notes on these two wines and links to my prior postings about these wines:

2020 I Brand & Family Old Vines White (#742): “Old Vine White field blend is a blend of 3 unusual varietals. Orange Muscat, Mission and Palamino.” This was a very light white with interesting flavors, which evoked a conversation amongst us about the varietals we don’t know.

2019 Corral Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc (#604): “The Musque clone of Sauvignon Blanc showcases bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit. Guava and grapefruit compliment hints of freshly cut hay and wet stone. Finishes with a racing acidity.” This is one of our collective favorite local Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Today I am presenting the 4 Carmel Valley wines in the order we tasted. 3 have been presented here before, and 1 is new (you can tell by their numbers). As usual, the winery notes come from their tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the owner. My tasting notes this time are an amalgamation of what I heard during the tasting. Are you ready for the big reveal?

2015 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#57)

Our Review: Deep garnet in color. Spice, tobacco, black licorice and leather on the nose. Cinnamon, dark fruit, black cherry, black licorice, tobacco and a touch of smoke and leather on the tongue-coating, smooth palate with a woody, dry finish. Chewy tannins. March 2023

Previously reviewed on Decanting Monterey here.

2015 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#889) 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petit Verdot, 23% Merlot, 15% Petite Sirah

Winery Tasting Notes: “This 2015 vintage of our highly regarded Signature Marinus exhibits a beautiful, deep robe. The aromas are redolent with dark red fruits and dried spices. On the palate we find bright ripe-red fruit flavors and notes of cedar on a long, rich finish, promising a long life to come! A wonderful example from our estate vineyard!

Our Review: Lighter garnet than the previous wine, perhaps a touch cloudy. Aromas of intense dark raspberry (that delicious aroma of Cachagua fruit!) and prune; a spice like sandalwood, eucalyptus, or cigar box; and white pepper. Fruitier, packed with dark fruit and chocolate notes with a long finish. Smooth and tasty, less tannic than the previous wine.   March 2023

Previously reviewed on Decanting Monterey here.

2015 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $80 (#239*)

Wine Enthusiast rated the 2015 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 90 points.  “Roasted red-cherry aromas meet with charcoal, smoke, oregano and marjoram on the rustic nose. Stiffer tannins uphold both bright and dark-red fruit flavors on the palate.” Matt Kettmann, August 2020

Our Review: Dark garnet with hints of brown in the glass. A pretty nose of brambleberry, cassis, slightly floral, bakery yeast and “a fat crème de violet.”  Fruity flavors of blueberry, intense cassis, and sour cherry, checked by earth and green notes. Slightly acidic and alcoholic attributes. March 2023

Previously reviewed on Decanting Monterey here.

2015 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $90 (#953)

Winery Tasting Notes: “A beast of a cab, truly a bada$$. Think Jack Reacher from the books, not Tom Cruise in the movies. This brute has a deep, dark core of sophistication that reveals its identity with time. Black currants, huckleberry, and horehound licorice with great density on the palate and fully ripened tannins. My recommendation is to lay it down for a few years while it evolves into a peaceful warrior.”

Our Review: Garnet in color. Dark berries on the nose with floral and herbal hints combined with notes of smoke, wood and plastic. The palate says “Cabernet Sauvignon,” with beautiful, chalky, and smooth flavors of dark fruit, coffee, and smoke. The finish goes on forever. Perhaps our favorite amongst favorites. March 2023

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please give me feedback by leaving a comment!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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