We decided on rather short notice to pop out to the valley in March to hunt for wines for 2 upcoming wine classes. And at the very last minute, we invited the rest of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod to join us. We were in a bit of a time crunch, as this was dog grooming day. We tasted a Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a few Pinot Noirs – and got way behind schedule. I selected both the Sauvignon Blanc and the Chardonnay as options for my class, with the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc being chosen by Bernardus as the one for the class – previously presented here: https://decantingmonterey.com/decanting-monterey-heads-east-to-spread-the-word/.
Today’s relatively short post is about the other 3 wines we tasted that day. We also go to see the cute new “B” label for the Bernardus wines – part of it rebranding as a more approachable wine for all generations.
This is the attractive new “B” label for the Sauvignon Blanc.Back label of the Sauvignon Blanc used in my class.
In addition, I wanted to mention that we also recently served the 2010 and 2011 vintages of Bernardus Marinus. The 2010 is still drinking extremely well and the 2011 was probably the best wine we had over a friends’ reunion weekend. These tastings validate why I continue to be a Marinus member at Bernardus!
The 2010 is still drinking well!The 2011 is a great example of why we love the Marinus blend!
Winery tasting notes come from their website or the tasting sheet, unless otherwise indicated.
2020 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $30 (808)
Winery Notes: “The Bernardus 2020 Monterey Chardonnay exhibits bright white fruit aromas accented by subtle oak notes. The palate is intense and beautifully focused with vibrant peach and tropical fruit flavors along with spice accents. The long finish is supported by a refreshing acidity. Another superb example of Chardonnay from Monterey County!” Over 14,000 case-equivalents were produced! You can read more here.
My Review: Golden in the glass. Delicious with a buttery nose and grilled pineapple on the palate. Butter and caramel on the finish. Two of us really liked this wine. I find it highly representative of a Monterey County Chardonnay and would like to use it in a future class. March 2022
2018 Bernardus Sierra Mar Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, $70 (809)
Winery Notes (2019 vintage): “Our 2019 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir exhibits aromas of ripe red berries accented with hints of spice. The palate is silky and elegant with flavors of red cherries and berries.” 343 case-equivalents were produced. You can read more about the 2019 vintage here.
My Review: Darker red in color. A richer nose with notes of salami and salt (sea spray). Raspberry with a little smoke on the finish. Although we aren’t huge Pinot Noir fans, we all liked this wine! March 2022
2019 Bernardus Ingrid Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, Monterey, 14% ABV, $64 (810)
Winery Notes: “Our 2019 Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes spicy, dark red fruit aromas. The wine is very intense and perfectly focused. Flavors are redolent with essences of black cherry, red berries and subtle toasty oak notes. This vintage of Ingrid’s Pinot Noir is beautifully structured allowing for several years of ageing or it can be enjoyed in its youth for its bright fruit flavors.” 313 case-equivalents were produced. You can read more here.
My Review: Berry on the nose. A lighter palate of red currant, a touch of cranberry, with pepper on the finish. We think we should have tried these two Pinot Noirs in the opposite order. March 2022
Tasting Bernardus Wines: Good news! Their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is now open every day! Finally! Hurray! From their website: “…Reservations recommended. Tasting reservations are available at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00pm for up to 12. Walk ins accepted based on availability. We offer a flight of 4 two ounce pours of our single vineyard and reserve wines for $20 per flight. Wine Club tastings are complimentary. We also have cheese and charcuterie for $29 and bottled sparkling italian water for $6. Please pre-order for groups larger than 6.” You can see more information and book a tasting here or email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call them at 831-298-8021
We stopped in briefly at the Windy Oaks tasting room in Carmel Valley Village last February where we met knowledgeable Kerry Winslow, Wine Educator for Windy Oaks, who let us sample some pretty incredible Pinot Noirs, including some made from Burgundy clones of distinctive heritage. We finally got back to the tasting room on a busy Saturday for a full tasting (sorry, Kerry – we should have come in on a weekday but it was a target of opportunity!). Despite the busy environment, Kerry ensured each table received his full attention and shared his in-depth expertise with each of us, making it a very special tasting for us. Nothing short of perfect. We are self-admittedly not the biggest Pinot Noir fans, but those Burgundy clones are impressive.
Here’s what Jim Schultze, Founder & Winemaker, says about their wines on their website: “Our goal is to create wines which elegantly reflect their terroir — wines with balance, complexity and harmony. One wine writer described our approach as “extreme minimal intervention” where we try to do as little as possible in the winery to manipulate the grapes. We want our vineyards to speak for themselves!”
Today, I am presenting 8 Windy Oaks wine, most from the July tasting, but also a couple from our brief tasting in February. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors in my recollection of what Kerry told us are solely mine.
February 2022 Tasting SheetJuly 2022 Tasting Sheet
With this posting, we cross the 800 mark for wines I have reviewed during COVID, not all of them within the scope of Decanting Monterey. Wow. Who would have thought a temporary COVID hobby I started to entertain family and friends would turn into this!!
2017 Windy Oaks Old Vines Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.8% ABV, $45 (#800)
Winery Notes: According to Kerry, the Miller Vineyard is located close to the summit. Also known as the “4-barrel Chardonnay,” 18 months in 25% new oak barrels. This wine received a little lees stirring and rested on the lees.
My Review: Beautiful golden in color. Must and chicken tamale (a very familiar scent) on the nose. Tropical and buttery, with margarita rim notes on the finish. July 2022 (No buttery, no oak)
2021 Windy Oaks Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, $34 (#801)
Winery Notes: “The brand new Estate Grown Barrel Fermented Rosé of Pinot Noir was picked early to keep freshness and vitality all from etate vines. The grapes were crushed and allowed to soak for about four hours before pressing to used French oak. Matured for close to 8 months this Rosé has depth, loads of flavor and exceptionally elegant mouthfeel.” Only 2 barrels were made.
My Review: Dusty rose in the glass. Watermelon on the palate. Very tasty with good acidity. Perhaps a tad sweet. A nice summer patio wine. July 2022
Winery Notes: “The main estate Pinot Noir comes from various parcels and a full selection of clones fermented mainly with native yeasts and partial whole cluster. Then it was aged 18 months in French oak with 35% new barrels used, then bottled unfiltered. 350 cases made.”
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “Lovely fruit concentration and vibrant energy that showcases the harmony of the vintage and the vineyards. Medium full palate of luxurious red fruits, racy acidity and elegant French oak nuances. Expressive layers of black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and tangy plum fruits that rush at you in the mouth with a hint of rose petals on the nose, that fades nicely into a slight spicy and toasty note while lingering on the finish with an opulent creamy/satiny feel.”
My Review: Transluscent pale ruby in the glass. A light nose of cherry and black tea, carrying over to the palate. Easy to drink. A little sweet with a slightly bitter finish. July 2022
2018 Windy Oaks Les Deux Grands Crus Special Release Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.7% ABV, $105 (#803)
Winery Notes: Only 2 barrels were made of this wine from grapes grown from two well-known and respected Burgundy vineyards.
My Review: Transparent ruby in color. Light cherry on the nose, but a richer palate of cherry and wood. Earthy and elegant. This is a lovely wine and my favorite of the tasting. Even I really like this Pinot Noir! February & July 2022
2019 Windy Oaks Limited Release – Wood Tank Fermented Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.6% ABV, $64 (#804)
Winery Notes: “The Wood Tank Pinot was fermented in our French oak open top wood (tank) fermenter that adds dimension and textural richness. This vintage was aged close to 24 months in French oak barrels.”
My Review: A nice, translucent ruby. Cherry and black tea on the nose. Rich cherry on the palate leading into a darker finish. While flavors are very typical of a California Pinot Noir, this wine is very elegant and smooth. July 2022
Winery Notes: “Top top barrel selection of the vintage, coming from our old estate vines. Always beautifully structured this new release Reserve was aged close to 24 months in French oak barrels with a selection of close to 50% new wood and bottled unfined & unfiltered.” (from the tasting sheet February 2022)
My Review: My only notes for this wine tasted back in February were that I liked it. February 2022
Winery Notes: New release. 24 months in French barrels, 25-50% new.
My Review: Bubblegum on the nose and palate, with chalkiness shining through its long finish. This is a lighter and more subtle Pinot Noir. July 2022
2019 Windy Oaks Vaccaro Family Block Estate Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.9% ABV, $49 (#807)
Winery Notes: “The cool climate, singe acre, Estate Syrah is an elegant and peppery medium bodied version of this grape with classic northern Rhone character. 100% de-stemmed berries, native yeast fermented, and aged in used French barrels for 25 months, only 140 cases made.”
My Review: This was the last wine we tasted that day and the palate did not seem very Syrah-like. Lots of different spices on the palate, but not ones we’d usually think of in a wine. I’d like to taste this wine again as a stand-alone. July 2022
All of Windy Oaks tasting rooms are open: at the winery, in Carmel-By-The-Sea, and in Carmel Valley Village. Check here for the details: http://www.windyoaksestate.com/. Please call 831-724-9562 for reservations and other pertinent info.
The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) asked if I had any ideas or connections for one of their First Friday WinedUP. I recommended Parsonage and reached out to Summer. After some consultation (due to the potential size of our group and the after-hours time we wanted to visit), they agreed to have us. And I think everyone is glad they did!
Parsonage’s exceptional tasting room staff, Summer and Linda, welcomed the Monterey AWS with their big smiles and expertise!
While we planned to use their outside seating, the wind had kicked up – and they accommodated us indoors instead. It was perfect. We got to choose between the regular tasting and the reserve tasting. We, of course, did both since we are wine club members. And Parsonage showcased some “extra” wines, as well – their rarely-made Chardonnay and reserve Petit Verdot. Lucky us!
But before we get to those, I have another story. In December 2019, I was in the Parsonage tasting room when they informed me that they were having a big sale on their large format wines, specifically a 3-litre bottle of the 2005 Carmelstone Syrah from their estate. This is one of my all time favorite wines (please don’t tell Rocco). Normally $500, this large bottle was on sale for $265. We had a family reunion slated for Easter of 2020 and, after many texts back and forth with my husband, we decided to buy it for that event. And then COVID happened, meaning no reunion.
The 2005 3L bottle compared to the 2006 750 ml bottle!We opened this bottle with a Durand Corkscrew – just in case the cork was tricky – but it was in perfect condition!
I wondered how this bottle would hold up – and whether we would ever get to serve it. With no reunion in sight, what we would do with it? Fortunately, we were able to have the reunion in Spring of 2022. We had this wine the first night and it was spectacular. We all agreed it was the best wine of the weekend. No offense to all those other great wines we had. And we had no problem finishing off the bottle in one night – it was a lot of people and we do love our big reds!
Today, I am presenting 12 Parsonage wines – mostly from that July 1 event, but also a few others we served at our family reunion back in April. Winery notes come from the Parsonage website, as usual.
I’ve presented Parsonage to you in several prior posts and won’t repeat about them here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here: https://www.parsonagewine.com/.
2021 Parsonage Chardonnay, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 15% ABV, $36 (793)
Winery Notes: “A true outlier! No oak bombing. Never been a Chardonnay quite like this one. A white flower melange of jasmine and elderflower with tropical fruit hints of perfectly ripe kiwi, pineapple, and guava, followed by subtle lemon zest. The opulent mouthfeel suggest a presence of honey owing to the wine’s slow passage across the palate which creates a lengthy and dramatic finish.”
My Review: Full malolactic fermentation, all stainless steel. Very tropical nose with melon notes. Rich on the palate – a touch sweet, full of ripe tropical flavors. July 2022 (No buttery, no oak)
Winery Notes: “A perennial warm weather favorite. And a surprise to everyone who thinks they don’t like Rosé! Made with Grenache grapes. Owner Bill Parsons’ tasting notes: Another spectacular bouquet of candied violets, star anise, bubble gum, and your favorite perfume. Delicious mouthful of ripe strawberry, mulberry, red currant with a hint of orange zest in this off-dry marvel!”
My Review: Brownish tint to the pink juice. Tropical nose. A little sweet on the palate with a slight metallic taste on the finish. July 2022
Winery Notes: “A vibrant nose of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate and wildflowers. The gorgeous red fruit is full, round and rich on the palate with a hint of Darjeeling on the long, lovely finish.”
My Review: Ruby in color. Jammy nose of berries and cherries. A lot of fruit on the palate and a touch tart – like a dark cherry Jolly Rancher – in a good way. Black tea on the finish. I like this wine. July 2022
2019 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $28 (796) 70% Merlot, 30% Syrah
Winery Notes: “Our versatile red table wine easily pairs with a variety of different foods. We think it goes especially well with pizza and spaghetti with red sauce. This vintage is full bodied. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah. Rich, ripe and voluptous. The Cyrano is one of our best sellers.”
My Review: Pretty ruby in the glass. Yummy dark fruit on the palate and a lot of oak on the dry, slightly minty finish. New release – perhaps young still.This was left extra time in the barrels thanks to COVID (2.5 years). Let this one sit a bit more in the bottle. July 2022
Winery Notes: “Exemplary of our house style of making wine from grapes at the pinnacle of perfect ripeness, this Pinot has brilliant notes of black cherry with dried rose petals, cola, and English breakfast tea. The rich, round, elegant palate adds raspberry and currant to the dominant black cherry compote with the tea tannins driving the vibrant finish.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Very lean and sophisticated, more like a Burgundy. This reserve wine was lighter than the 2 previous wines – I’d like to taste it again in a different order. July 2022
2018 Parsonage Wild Card Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $38 (533)
Winery Notes: “As wild and crazy as they come, Frank’s seven varietal blend is to winemaking what a crazy quilt is to sewing. The magical blend, in no particular order, is Syrah, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. It’s an intriguing mélange of perfumed raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, plum and cranberry on a medium palate with a lively finish.”
My Review: This review is a complete rewrite from the tasting I did in October 2021. Rich, dark ruby in the glass. A jammy nose. Complex tannins and layered, jammy fruit. The 7 varietals have melded very nicely together in this vintage – this is a winner! July 2022
2018 Parsonage Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (535)
Winery Notes: “Big and rich, our flagship varietal. Pairs well with anything grilled or barbequed. The 18th iteration of our signature wine is deep, rich and savory with dark berries, mocha and umami that synergistically form the delicious Parsonage terroir. This vintage has a little something different that is thought-provoking and downright cerebral. There’s a fascinating component that asks you to take a moment and attempt to identify its nature. Then you can’t resist reflecting on just what is that mysterious essence? It’s quite compelling. If you figure it out, please let me know.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Sophisticated nose of berries, followed by huge palate of berries, with menthol and black pepper on the finish. Grapes sourced from their estate, Cedar Lane, and Coastview vineyards. July 2022
Winery Notes: “In a single word – MAGNIFICENT! The Rocco Estate Reserve Syrah is our flagship wine, the wine that put us on the map. All of the Rocco vintages have been big, opulent, and complex world class Syrahs. The 2018 has these attributes and more. This Rocco possesses a mysterious nature that calls out for a moment of palate reflection. It’s something about the interface of perfectly ripe fruit and savory flavor. There’s all that beautiful dark fruit colliding with grilled tenderloin and exotic spices/herbs backgrounded with mocha and hints of umami. A wine for the ages, simply MAGNIFICENT!!!”
My Review: If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take one wine, this would be it. Dark, rich ruby in the glass. Cassis and dark berries on the nose. Super huge palate of dark fruit, very smooth. Lots of oak on the finish. My all time favorite. July 2022
Winery Notes: “Our flagship wine, this vintage is opulent. The ripe black, blue, and red fruit are immense in the nose and the mouth. The palate explodes in an essence of summer savory with exotic Asian spices wrapped in umami. The fullness and concentrated richness of the finish are suggestive of a high end Amarone.”
My Review: Hot buttered rum on the nose. Dark fruit and a touch of cedar as it opened up. buttery bone marrow, leather, rosemary and figs on the palate. Asphalt, pencil shavings and caramel on the finish. April 2022
My Review: Very dark ruby in the glass. Raisin and cassis on the nose. Rich blackberry with bubblegum notes mid-palate with a touch of smoke/tobacco on the finish. Our favorite wine of the reunion weekend. April 2022
2018 Parsonage Xandro Reserve Red Wine, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (799) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Syrah
Winery Notes: “A nose of ripe dark berries and wild flowers that creates its own unique perfume for this remarkable marriage of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested at the peak of ripeness.
All of the beautiful dark fruit of the nose is joined by mocha and a bit of umami to create glorious hedonistic delights on the palate with uncommon continuity from beginning to end.”
My Review: Such a rich, dark ruby! Lovely nose of dark fruit and carmel. Super dark fruit on the palate. A la Penfolds Grange. We liked this wine and took some home. July 2022
2018 Parsonage Bixby Reserve Petit Verdot, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (544)
Winery Notes: “The Bixby has always had a distinctly floral nose but the 2018 sets a new record for perfumed bouquet. We’re talking Chanel No. 5 here. And, no, we didn’t add any wildflowers to the fermenter. Honest! There’s delicious dark fruit on the nose and palate, mostly currant, black cherry, and huckleberry with a hint of mulberry. This is a very complex and age worthy wine that finishes with satisfyingly bracing tannins.”
My Review: Caramel on the nose and palate, mixed with bright fruit. Very tasty – not at all vegetal (which is how I used to think of Petit Verdot). July 2022
Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – clickherefor the details. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.
I was tipped off by our Wine Pod partners that I Brand was having a release party in late June – the first one since COVID made its unwelcome arrival in Monterey County. We made a quick plan to carpool there.
We have been to several past release parties where members and fans get to sample newly-released good wine, paired appetizers, and great music. In short, really fun. There were a lot of wines to try on this Sunday – some on the release menu – plus a number of library wines hidden in between. It was kind of overwhelming – in a good way! I felt rushed at first – and then just slowed down and got in the groove. We enjoyed the sliders, the pizzas, and the gourmet popsicles! And more wine. I truly appreciated the library wines, as a great counterbalance to the new releases. These wines demonstrated the staying power of Ian’s wines – and made the case for holding onto more of his wines – which are so tempting to consume right away. Thank you so much, Ian, Heather, and the rest of the I Brand Family, for making this event possible once again.
I have 14 wines to present to you today from across all 3 labels of I Brand & Family, La Marea and Le P’tit Paysan – most tasted at the release party. I have presented the 2 Grenache wines before. And I added in a Syrah from our private collection. There was a lot going on at this event and we were moving a bit quickly, so I didn’t get the detailed tasting notes I might usually capture. I did go back to the tasting room in July to polish up a few of my notes – where I also got to taste the 2016 52-month Chardonnay – a bonus review for us at the very bottom of this post! Unless otherwise specified, winemaker’s notes come from the winery tech sheets or notes online.
Winemaker’s Notes: “A perfect summer sipper. Our Piquette Nat from California is Col Fondo process, an easy drinking blend of organic Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and hibiscus flowers.”
My Review: Made from Sauvignon Blanc and hibiscus flower, this looks like a Brut rose, smells like licorice, and, to me, tastes yeasty like a fruity beer. Very popular and different. June 2022
2021 I Brand & Family Pinot Gris, San Benito County, $30 (#781)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Ranier cherries and lemon-thyme on the nose. Pink grapefruit and cara-cara orange lead the attack on the palate. Lingering tannin structure balanced with medium acidity and distinctive minerality contribute to a bright and festive Summer glass, perfectly suited for a wide array of food pairings.”
My Review: An orange wine – the wax on the bottle is a huge hint! Year over year, this is an excellent wine, light on the palate, crisp and tasty. We like this wine. June 2022
2021 La Marea Alternate Cut Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey County, $30 (#782)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Green pears, lanolin, almond blossom and brioche on the nose. Tart mango and honeysuckle lead the attack on the palate. Mild tannins balanced with mellow acidity contribute to a well-rounded white with a complex bouquet.”
My Review: Honeysuckle and citrus rind on the nose. Slightly funky palate of buttermilk and citrus rind, with a lingering creamy finish. The alternate cut makes for a heavier mouthfeel to this ever so slightly sweet Albariño. June 2022
2014 Le P’tit Paysan L’Apiculteur Cedar Lane Vineyard Viognier, Arroyo Seco AVA, $42 (#783)
Winemaker’s Notes from wine.com: “Late ripening Viognier from the alluvial benches above the Arroyo Seco River fermented in a combination of stainless steel, neutral barrels and twice used barrels. Soaring honeysuckle aromas, flavors of pear and crushed stones, partial malolactic fermentation for focus and composition.”
My Review: This “library” Viognier was a bonus wine – this is an excellent representation of Central Coast Viognier – honeysuckle yet lean. The age on this bottle made it more complex and interesting. June 2022
2021 I Brand & Family Arneis, Vista Verde Vineyard, Paicines, San Benito County, $30 (#784)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Jasmine flower and lilac on the nose. Dried apricot and quince lead the attack on the palate. Medium to full body finishes with notes of bergamot.” 133 cases produced
My Review: Another atypical varietal that Ian likes to work with. This is the second vintage of this wine that I have tried. This one is really special – a funky, earthy nose, followed by a light and tasty palate, especially after tasting the library Viognier. June2022
2021 Le P’tit Paysan Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco, 13.7% ABV, $24 (#785)
About LPP Sauvignon Blanc : “Paysan Sauvignon Blanc comes from Zabala Vineyard – located on a large holding on the Arroyo Seco floodplains that was part of land granted to the Zabala family before California’s statehood. It was first planted in the 1970s and has grown to encompass over 1000 acres. Zabala Vineyard is one of the rockiest vineyard I Brand works with, full of what is locally known as ‘Greenfield Potatoes’, which are the rather inedible round river stones that dominate the soil and have been collected into piles and walls at every property in the basin. This vineyard is located directly in the path of the daily Salinas Valley winds, which control sugar development and retain natural acidity. Certified organic grapes.”
Winemaker’s Notes: “The bouquet is an explosion of white peaches, gooseberries and perfumy passionfruit. This translates over to the palate with more gorgeous and concentrated white peach bursting to the front and evolving into hints of trailside strawberry. Bright acidity. Crisp, tart and refreshing. Lingering finish that has a subtle creaminess returning to tropical passionfruit.” 145 cases produced
My Review: The LPP Sauvignon Blanc comes from one of my favorite vineyards in Arroyo Seco. Very pale in the glass. Yummy butterscotch and tropical notes on the nose. A flavorful palate dominated by lime cloaked in honeysuckle, with a citrusy, buttery finish. Very balanced and tasty. June 2022
2019 Le P’tit Paysan Jacks Hill Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $20 (#786)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Bright, with orchard fruit giving way to an intense minerality. The wine is produced predominantly from a few vineyards at the base of Jack’s Hill, planted on the distinct iron oxide granite that dominates the east side of the Salinas Valley, directly east of Sleepy Hollow North.”
My Review: From our home collection. Pale golden in color. Tropical bouquet of pineapple and honeydew. Palate brimming with soft pineapple, with citrus notes. This is one of my favorite central coast everyday Chardonnays – def not buttery, oaky. June 2022
2020 I Brand & Family Pinot Noir, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley, San Benito County, 13.67% ABV, $36 (#787)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Smoked chestnuts leading into dark cherry-cola on the nose. Ripe red fruits abound in the form of Bing cherries and Santa Rosa plum. Light body with very mellow tannin structure and soft glycerin finish which lingers and fades into petrichor.” 62 cases produced
My Review: Translucent, dark ruby in the glass. Dark cherry on the nose and very smooth and tasty dark cherry on the palate. I prefer this to the previous vintage! June 2022
2014 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, San Antonio Valley, 13.8% ABV, $42 (#788)
89 points – Wine Enthusiast : “Dried herbs, elderberries, peppercorns and a strong streak of gamy meat show on the nose of this bottling, which is less dense and more nuanced in style than many other Petite Sirahs. The gamy element extends to the palate, giving complexity to the black fruits and sticky tannins.” Matt Kettmann 6/2018
My Review: The grapes for this library wine come from Pierce Ranch – and this is a delicious wine. Another reason to hold your I Brand wines. I would rate this higher than Wine Enthusiast did back in 2018. One of the wines I took home with me from this tasting! June 2022
2020 I Brand & Family Mourvèdre, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, 12.4% ABV, $45 (#789)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Saddle leather, and ripe huckleberries on the nose. Wild blueberries lead the attack on the palate transitioning into gorgeous and concentrated red ddelicious apple notes contributing to a bright and lingering finish. Medium to light body with pronounced yet balanced tannins finishes with redwood duff.” 34 cases produced
My Review: OK, this was another favorite from the release party. Light cherry and pepper notes on the nose, following through on the palate. Grapey, smooth and delicious. One of the finest Mourvèdres I have ever had. Took one home. June 2022
2019 La Marea Grenache, Central Coast, 14% ABV, $30 (#635)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Aromas of red fruit about in this ripe and silky grenache with flinty undertones. Bright acidity leads the way on the palate allowing the lovely, light red fruit shine in the form of overripe strawberries and loganberries. California anise, white pepper, and mild tannins finish neatly.” 440 cases produced
My Review: With grapes from Monterey and Santa Clara, this one gets the Central Coast label. A pretty, translucent ruby in the glass. Cherry, cranberry on the nose. Dances on the palate with smooth cherry and red currant, with a lingering intensity on the finish. December 2021, June 2022
2014 La Marea Brosseau Vineyard Grenache, Chalone AVA, $68 (#636)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Bing cherry, roasting lamb, clay. smoldering dry leaves, sea shells. Soaring aromatics. Palate opens with savory elements: garrigue, cigar tobacco, spearmint, overlaying the unmistakable elegant texture of vineyards planted on calcium-rich soils. Chaparral, menthol, red cherry and cranberry on the finish.” 124 cases produced
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Fresh cherry and raspberry on the nose. This was quite yummy with fresh red fruits on the palate and darker flavors of currant and leather on the finish. These library wines show the staying power of Ian Brand’s wines – we loved them all. A hint to hold them a bit longer. December 2021, June 2022
2021 I Brand & Family Escolle Vineyard Gamay Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 12.2% ABV, $42 (#790)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Telicherry peppercorn and carraway seed lead the bouquet, evolving into spiced black plum notes. The peppery and spice plum carries over to the palate attack and the finish is short, but exquisitely spicy for a light to medium bodied and chillable red. Pronounced yet balanced tannins. Finishes with notes of California garrigue; think sagebrush, manzanita and mugwort.” 95 cases produced
My Review: Oh, the Gamay Noir! What a way to top off the afternoon! Ruby, almost purple in the glass. Very grapey nose. Grapey, smooth, jammy, good! I took one of these wines home, too! The challenge will be to hold it and not just open it and drink it. June 2022
2018 I Brand & Family Syrah, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, $42 (#791)
Winemaker’s Notes: The Graff Family Vineyard “…is a small 3 acre vineyard planted in 1989 to Syrah, Mourvedre and Melon de Bourgogne. The site has depleted, granitic soils and, combined with the elevation and exposure, it’s a perfect situation for producing deep, funky, expressive American Syrah.” 39 cases produced
My Review: From our private collection. Dark ruby in the glass. Light cherry on the nose. Red fruits on the palate. This isn’t a huge Syrah – a bit lighter and more elegant, refreshing and tasty. Very nice on day 2. May 2022
2016 I Brand & Family 52-month Chardonnay, Monterey, 15% ABV (#792)
Winemaker’s Notes: 52-months in a steel tank. Aged in the bottle one year before release. “Delicate & oxidative aromas similar to a beautiful Fino sherry. Palate confirms aromatics. Nutty entry, candied pineapple & ripe tangerines on initial & mid-palate. Finishes with warm marzipan, toasted cinnamon, anie & cloves. Searing acidity throughout.” 41 cases produced
My Review: I am not sure I would have guessed this was a Chardonnay. Toasted pineapple notes on the nose and palate, but an almost fortified or Sauternes-like quality on the finish – butterscotch and pineapple. July 2022
The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 6 pm. Reservations are recommended – more information here.
In December 2020, we were hanging out with Sal Rombi when Gary from the Wine Trolley joined us. He shared with us his new business concept for offering wine tastings from smaller or out of business wineries, as well as offering bakery items which he makes himself. This became Taste Carmel Valley, also known as “The Sweet Spot” (http://www.carmelvalleysweetspot.com/).
Their sign outside boasts Boëté and Chock Rock wines. We have been huge fans of both – long-time members at Boëté – and have missed Chock Rock since they closed their tasting room some years back. This is a great venue to taste the fabulous Boëté wines, since they closed their tasting room.
Taste Carmel Valley (aka The Sweet Shop) is a cute place. It offers delicious family-made baked goods, unique wines, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and clothing. First, you are welcomed by their “Golden Daschund” and then the friendly staff inside. They let us know when Gary would be there to do a wine tasting for us and we came back.
On our big wine tasting weekend in June, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod stopped in to taste the Chock Rock Syrah. We found the tasting menu to be extensive. The concept is to choose 5 wines for $14. The list includes Chateau Sinnet, Karlsen (Chock Rock), Carmel Hills, Rancho Carmelo, Boëté, and Mesa del Sol. These are smaller wineries which do not currently have their own tasting room or have stopped making wine. As we pondered what to try besides the Chock Rock Syrah, Gary started pouring us wines. About 10 wines later, we finally got the Syrah!
Château Sinnet is no longer making wine and its Carmel Valley tasting room is closed (despite what you might find on Yelp, etc.). The location is still there, used now as a storeroom. Its unusual wines included a White Merlot, the Red Eyed Monkey and a Late Harvest Zinfandel. We liked to stop in there from time to time and were fans of the Red Eyed Monkey – this red blend even had its own Facebook fan club page!
CarmeloVineyards are adjacent to Parsonage and is where Frank Melicia resides – he is the winemaker for Parsonage, Silvestri and Carmelo, among other pursuits.
“Karlsen Family Wines and Chock Rock Vineyard was established in 2006 by veteran winemaker, Dan Karlsen and his wife Kathleen. Chock Rock Vineyard produces wine from their estate vineyard and other unique vineyard sites in Monterey County, California. The wines of Chock Rock are absolutely handcrafted at their estate micro-winery secluded high in the Santa Lucia Mountains at the farthest reaches of the Carmel Valley. Great fruit from unique sites coupled with 30 years of winemaking experience ensure world class quality wines. Karlsen offers Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Rosé and Syrah.” There is a lot more to the story – check out Karlsen here: https://www.karlsenwines.com/ and Chock Rock here: https://www.chockrock.com/.
“Deep in the heart of Steinbeck country, nestled between the Arroyo Seco Gorge and the Ventana wilderness, lies Mesa del Sol. The historic stagecoach stop and organic winery showcases the best of Monterey County’s rugged landscape and elegant wines. Mesa del Sol produces Old Vine Zinfandel, Grenache, Syrah, and Sangiovese. We love the “Prima Rosso” blend of all four wines.”
For a lot of these wines, I will not be able to find winery notes. And, to be frank, this was our third stop for in-depth tasting, so note-taking was not so great by this point. And Gary was very entertaining. I’d like to go back in the future and do individual winery tastings here – lots to work with. OK, here we go…
2008 Château Sinnet Manatee White Merlot, $18 (#769)
Winery Notes: A Gold Medal winner from the Florida Grape Growers Association. Named for the vintner’s beloved manatees from his Florida home. Has its own Facebook fan page.
My Review: We actually really liked this wine and would consider buying it or serving it. It was very tasty. Not too sweet, as pleasant wine. June 2022
2020 Karlsen Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $28 (#770)
My Review: Caramel popcorn on the nose. Light on the palate with mild apple, pear and concrete notes. June 2022
2020 Carmelo Vineyards Rose of Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $28 (#771)
My Review: Butterscotch on the nose. Smokey on the palate (this was the year of the Carmel Fire). June 2022
Karlsen Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey County, $36 (#772)
My Review: We liked this Sauvignon Blanc – crisp. Regret we didn’t get better notes on this one. June 2022
2015 Mesa del Sol Zinfandel, Arroyo Seco, $32 (#773)
2014 Review by Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “A more mineral-driven style of Zinfandel, this bottling starts with aroma of gravel and baked earth along with exotic strawberry, red plum and sandalwood. The palate offers dried red fruits, hibiscus and carnation-like flavors, framed by a rocky sandstone-flecked minerality, proving mellow and elegant.” Matt Kettmann
2018 Review by International Wine Report – 90 points: “This 2018 Pinot Noir from Carmelo Vineyards, shows a bright aromatic profile with aromas of fresh strawberries, cherry, dried spice, dark chocolate, cured meat, vanilla blossom and earthy nuances that jump from the glass. On the palate there are lovely flavors of red berries, plum, currant and sour cherry throughout. The finish is long with live acidity. This is very enjoyable today and will age for the next 5-7 years.”
My Review: Very nice bouquet and good flavors on the palate. Bright, with a little earth, brambly with a hint of raspberry. “The perfect Pinot.” June 2022
2017 Review by International Wine Report – 88 points: “The 2017 Pinot Noir from Carmelo Vineyards offers aromas of dark cherries, currant, dried rose petals, dark chocolate, fig, and dried herbs. On the palate this is medium-bodied with lots of freshness and acidity that lifts the flavors of sour cherry, blood orange, strawberries, and spice box. Drink it over the next 4-6 years.”
My Review: I am not sure I would guess this was a Pinot Noir. Could definitely pick up smoke (Soberanes Fire year). June 2022
My Review: This was the wine we went there to taste. By then, we had had so many wines. Still delicious on the palate with alcohol notes and not as much fruit as I would have expected. I would like to go back and taste this again, as this was our favorite Chock Rock wine in the past. June 2022
2004 Château Sinnet Red Eyed Monkey, San Antonio Valley (#777) 45% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Zinfandel, 5% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah
Winery Notes: “The crispness and brightness of Bing Cherry followed by the earthy aromas of forest floor and the sweet and savory notes of sassafras and cola. This wine is the most Burgundian Pinot Noir I have ever made. It’s light color and silky tannins are testament to the extra year of aging on the sediment that I gave it. The wine finishes with the fine structure on your tongue of wet stones.”
My Review: This was presented as a “Mystery wine.” We found it to be very drinkable – smooth, dark fruit. Many years ago, we had purchased this wine and we still really like it – more than our Wine Pod partners did. June 2022
2014 Chock Rock Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $28 (#778)
Winery Notes: “100% Estate grown, a balanced wine with texture and mouth feel.”
My Review: Something seemed off with this wine. It smelled like a fortified wine, over the hill. Perhaps we needed a new bottle opened – we did not request one. I don’t think it was a proper representation of this wine. June 2022
2017 Château Sinnet Late Harvest Zinfandel, 16.2% ABV, $25 (#779)
My Review: OK, this was our last wine. And it tasted like a very done late harvest Zinfandel. These grapes were picked “as raisins.” June 2022
Taste Carmel Valley is located at 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 101, in Carmel Valley. The Sweet Spot is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Check with the staff or call (831) 624-1700 to inquire when wines will be poured. You can also order a variety of sandwiches and salads, even charcuterie plates!
I know, I just wrote up Idle Hour last month after my cruise, but we finally got the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod to their “new” Carmel Valley tasting room for a proper tasting in June. This is part 2 of our visit to Big Sur Vineyards’ tasting room – Idle Hour’s tasting room is nestled inside and, when they aren’t present to pour, Big Sur is kind enough to do so!
I have written about Idle Hour wines several times – just type “Idle Hour” in the search bar to find them. I include Idle Hour in this blog due to their tasting room located in Carmel Valley Village – and their increasing menu of Monterey County wines. You can read more about their winemaking approach and history here.
We were able to taste 5 wines on this day – 3 of them had been previously presented in this blog.
My Review: Powerful nose of grilled pineapple and peaches, following through on the palate. Yummy. Bouquet outpowers the palate. This is the same wine we had on our cruise – served one night in a regular wine glass and, the next time, in a Burgundy glass. This wine’s aromas and flavors really come out in proper stemware!
Winemaker’s Notes: “The crispness and brightness of Bing Cherry followed by the earthy aromas of forest floor and the sweet and savory notes of sassafras and cola. This wine is the most Burgundian Pinot Noir I have ever made. It’s light color and silky tannins are testament to the extra year of aging on the sediment that I gave it. The wine finishes with the fine structure on your tongue of wet stones.”
You all know by now that I am not that big of a Pinot Noir fan. The way this wine was made resulted in a more complex and rich wine, one of the best Pinot Noirs I have tasted from Monterey County. I selected this wine to present at my upcoming John Marshall Chapter, Northern Virginia AWS class.
Winery Notes: “The crispness and brightness of Bing Cherry followed by the earthy aromas of forest floor and the sweet and savory notes of sassafras and cola. This wine is the most Burgundian Pinot Noir I have ever made. It’s light color and silky tannins are testament to the extra year of aging on the sediment that I gave it. The wine finishes with the fine structure on your tongue of wet stones.”
My Review: While the winery webpage has the same description for both of these Pinot Noirs, we found them vastly different. This one was lighter in color, with barnyard and cherry notes on the nose. Flavors of bright cherry and earth on the palate.
Fresnolandia Review: “Idle Hour’s 2016 Petite Sirah is bittersweet; it begins on the tongue with a thick, sweet tart dark berry, transitions to a peppy berry, and ends with a tongue drying dark chocolate/licorice. To the nose, it is of a sweet, soy aroma; and if such a thing exists, also vibes of a dark berry vinegar.” Ronan Tetsu, 09/2020 https://www.fresnolandia.com/idle-hour-petite-sirah/
My Review: Dark purple in color, rich dark plum and blackberry. Smooth cherry some bitterness on the palate, dry and licorice finish. Super delicious. Alas, this is sold out. December 2020
You can purchase their wines from the Idle Hour website here. Check out how to visit them in Oakhurst here. You can taste their wines at the Big Sur Vineyards tasting room in Carmel Valley – just ask! The Idle Hour tasting room is in the back. Check their Facebook page Idle Hour Tasting Room @IdleHourWine for the latest info!
Today marks the second anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! My main objective has remained to expose others to the depth and quality of our Monterey/Central Coast wines, often under-appreciated by wine snobs. I like to champion our vintners and their wines out of passion, not for profit.
When I started this effort 2 years ago, my operating model was a little different. Deep in the unvaccinated period of the pandemic, the blog initially was focused on wines from our own collection that we sampled at home, with or without our neighboring friends and our daughters, who quickly became known as the COVID Wine Pod – the only people we socialized with during the pandemic. It was 2 posts per week and mostly one wine at a time. Back then, some wineries had just reopened with their COVID procedures and we still weren’t venturing out much.
Our Wine Pod assisted one winery test out its COVID operating model – they changed their approach after our through test!
During Year 2, as we became fully vaccinated and boosted – and double boosted, we were able to get out to more local wineries at a more deliberate pace. I also moved to a single post per week. In Year 2, a majority of posts (28, to be precise) were based on event-driven or winery tastings and fewer individual, cellar-driven posts. As it should be! Those posts got longer and longer, with more and more wines presented, depending on the wines tasted during a single event. And the COVID Wine Pod was renamed as the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod!
Tasting Room Map Courtesy of the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association
I also doubled down on Monterey County wines, except when other Central Coast wines happened my way. With 65 tasting rooms in the county, I have not yet been to every one. And some of our local wineries don’t have a venue for sampling their wines.
During this second year, I quit writing my private Facebook blog to be able to dedicate more time to family and myself, as well as to enjoy social events without feeling like I was “working.” Combined, I have published roughly 766 wine reviews during the pandemic. Yikes! This is still the reference number you see at the end of each wine – helps me keep track and avoid duplicates.
Welcome to newcomer Larry Bell and Corral Wines!
I have some high-level stats to share with you about Year Two of Decanting Monterey!
www.decantingmonterey.com hit the 5,000 “views” mark! This statistic is important to me. If you are seeing my blog on social media, please be sure to click the link and open it!
242 wines were reviewed on Decanting Monterey for the first time (plus a handful of re-tastes/repeats)
173 red wines were presented, as well as 52 whites, 15 roses, and a couple of oranges. 6 sparkling wines and 1 fortified wine were presented.
Wines from 10 distinct California counties are represented, with 160 from Monterey, 20 from San Benito, 8 from Santa Cruz, 7 from Napa, and a sprinkling from Amador, Contra Costa, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Ventura and Yolo counties. There was also 1 wine from New York and 2 from Chile!
49 different wineries were discussed, including 32 from Monterey County, 13 from elsewhere in the Central Coast AVA, plus 4 others out of the area.
Bunter Spring slightly edged out Odonata and Parsonage as the most wines presented from a single winery (17 vs 16 wines presented).
I went for the first time to some new or new-to-me wineries, such as Caraccioli, Corral, Kori, and Lepe. I am always happy to showcase someone new.
And I presented our local wines to one Washington DC-based wine group, where they were extremely well received.
I started the Decanting Monterey Instagram page – I’m not too adept here, but learning.
Finally, I’ve started to assist the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society with its First Friday WinedUP events.
I COULD USE YOUR HELP! While I have some posts already queued up for Year 3, let me ask my mighty readers: Where should I visit next? Please leave me a comment on this post and let me know what some of your favorite, local places are to wine taste that I should not miss in Year 3! I have a long list of not-yet-covered wine tasting rooms and other wine venues to check out – happy to add to it. I don’t know what I don’t know. And, if you have not signed up for my free, weekly blog email, I encourage you to do so – the subscription button is on the right-hand side of each page of the Decanting Monterey website. I judge how well I am doing by how many views, subscribers, and comments I receive. Please help me spread the word and please feel free to comment on my posts! And follow my Facebook (@DecantingMonterey) and Instagram (@decanting_monterey) sites.
It’s easy to subscribe to Decanting Monterey by entering your email and hitting the “subscribe” button! Be sure to validate your email to activate your subscription!!
I remain grateful to those vintners who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have comped me bottles of wine! I am forever grateful to Bernardus, Bunter Spring and Chesebro for their generosity for that tasting. I have another class I am presenting in the fall to the Northern Virginia AWS to which I would like to add a big thanks to Idle Hour and Pierce Ranch for donating their wines. Rombi is another winery I would like to call out for providing wines for us to sample and review in this blog. I welcome such gestures! Those small acts of generosity have more than compensated me for my blog expenses. Now, if I could only figure out how to cover my airfare back to DC for the classes!!
So, here we go – Year 3! This should be a big one! Thanks for your support on this crazy journey.
The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod, having picked up the wrong wines, had to make an emergency trip to the valley. Switch made, we decided to do a little tasting before heading home. At Big Sur Vineyards’ tasting room, we could taste their wines, as well as Idle Hour’s wines. It was a no brainer. Today’s post is about Big Sur Vineyards.
We have tasted their wines over the years, with owner Lenora Carey present almost every time we dropped in. I was in the tasting room shortly after the Soberanes fire, which destroyed her home and vineyards. Yet, there she was in the tasting room. I recall talking to Lenora about her COVID plans to use test tubes for the wine tastes, an approach that continues to be popular to this day. We enjoyed the approach, allowing us to taste the wines at our own pace. She wasn’t in the tasting room when we arrived; she had a graduation event for her son. But, never fear, she showed up about halfway through our visit, personable and engaged, as always. Her fortitude is impressive.
Ondine was helping out that day for both of our tastings. Thinking back to earlier vintages, I was surprised that almost all of the wines were from Arroyo Seco (one of my preferred sources in Monterey County). Ondine reminded me that, because the Big Sur Vineyards were damaged in the Soberanes fire, Lenora is sourcing grapes from elsewhere in Monterey County.
About Big Sur Vineyards: “Big Sur Vineyards is an award-winning winery with several San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition medals. Our first vintage was 2013 and we picked Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah from neighboring vineyards, and called this wine Big Sur Red. It embodies all the things we love and value about Big Sur. This wine is bold, with big flavors and a touch of mystery.
“Big Sur Vineyards is a family wine business evolving with each vintage. We invite you to come try our wines at our Carmel Valley tasting room in the sun-drenched Carmel Valley village, just 15 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea. Enjoy our wines while taking in the view of the Santa Lucia mountain range from our sunny patio.”
I am presenting the 6 wines we tasted that day. The winery notes come from their website. Check out their bottle labels, depicting local scenes such as the Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. Gotta love it.
2019 Big Sur Vineyards Grenache Blanc, Arroyo Seco, 13.8% ABV, $38 (#761)
Winery Notes: “The single varietal limited release 100% Grenache Blanc was aged in neutral French oak to allow rich details while preserving fruit purity and freshness. Exceptional energy and brightness lead the way with a lingering sensation of richness. The nose is captivating with orange blossoms, mineral tones and sea foam leading to a medium bodied palate of tangerine, peach, sour apple and tropical fruits that feel racy and vibrant in the mouth along with steely precision and a tangy dry crispness.”
My Review: Light in color. Ripe pear on the nose. Crisp, light and a touch sweet on the palate with cream soda, apricot, melon and pear flavors. A touch of sweet lemon curd on the finish. I really liked this wine. June 2022
2019 Big Sur Vineyards Big Sur White, Arroyo Seco, 12.5% ABV, $36 (#762)
Winery Notes: “This year’s Big Sur White – a Rhone blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier – is youthfully fresh with a delicious, vivacious personality which shows delicate floral notes, crushed rocks and saltiness with a mix of citrus and stone fruits. It’s tangy on the palate that fills out with a touch of barrel aged richness. Enjoy this wine with Lebanese 7 spice lamb, broiled lobster, garlic chicken, medium-hard nutty cheeses such as emmenthaler, comté and gruyére. This wine love spicy foods! The result is a bright, but smooth white wine with tangerine, lime blossoms, almond oil, light herbs, melon flesh and a hint of butterscotch.”
My Review: Viscous in the glass. Pear on the nose, with a complex palate of crushed rocks, citrus, and a hint of apricot. Marine salt on the finish. Not sweet. June 2022
2018 Big Sur Vineyards Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, 13.8% ABV, $36 (#763)
Winery Notes: “One of our best sellers and one of our signature wines, our Chardonnay is a classic Monterey style with a hint of tropical fruit and a light creamy mouthfeel. On the palate it shows apple, pear, white peach and lemon. This vintage has a nice array of ripe flavors and fresh acidity which makes it perfect with the local catch of the day as well as poultry dishes and Brie chesses. This clear and lightly golden Chardonnay gets fuller and more complex with air in the glass, and adds a hint of hazelnut, clove and citrus notes.”
My Review: Viscous body. A touch of barnyard on the nose. The palate is balanced, flavorful with rich flavors of citrus and oak. A very pleasant wine. June 2022
2018 Big Sur Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir, Tondré Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#764)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 vintage or our Pinot Noir Reserve, hand-crafted by winemaker Mark Bunter is made from grapes sourced at the Tondré Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This central California location is considered by many to be one of the preeminent producers of Pinot Noir in California.
“Our Pinot is bursting with aromas and flavors; ripe raspberry, cherry, crushed green leaves, dried orange peel with a hint of caramel and pomegranate. On the palate you discover the earthy attributes of the Pommard clone with its silky texture of black cherry, strong sweet tea with lemon and cassis. The wine is rich and elegant leaving you with a lasting impression of spice and fruit on the finish. Pair with duck breast with juniper berry sauce, grilled chicken and mushrooms and assorted creamy and semi soft cheeses.” 60 cases produced.
My Review: Garnet in the glass. Black tea on the palate. This is a tasty wine. June 2022
2018 Big Sur Vineyards Grenache Noir, Arroyo Seco, 14.2% ABV, $38 (#765)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Grenache Noir usually makes up the dominant percentage in our signature Big Sur Red Rhone Style blend, and we are thrilled with the profound delicacy and soulful character it shows. The wine has an unbearable lightness of being with a head turning burst of fresh strawberries, rose petals and faint spiciness that is sublime. It drinks as graceful as a Pinot Noir and has wonderful sense of elegance gaining pomegranate, wild plum and fresh picked briar laced raspberry as well as subtle mineral tones, earth, faint pepper, fennel and sage. This lighter style Grenache Noir shows a fresh detail, clarity and purity of form in a balanced medium bodied wine that delivers on its potential and promise from its seductive nose to its lingering tangy finish.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Spicy pepper and plum on the nose. Cherry and smoke on the palate, reminiscent of a cherry Jolly Rancher on the finish. June 2022
2018 Big Sur Vineyards Syrah, Arroyo Seco, 13.8% ABV, $38 (#766)
Winery Notes: “Syrah is a big-bodied, dry red wine that tends to shine its brightest on the opening palate. Not only is Syrah flavor-packed, but it’s also one of the darkest colored inky wines you can find. Our 2018 Syrah has aromas of cherry, lavender, black pepper, and cassis wrapped in warm overtones of vanilla. The palate reveals red and black bramble fruit—currants, blackberries, raspberries. Tight grained tannins give way to a long, lingering finish of black pepper and a savory gaminess. Pairs beautifully with dry-rubbed brisket or well seasoned pork, any pizza with meat on it, grilled veggies and garlic mashed potatoes.”
My Review: A pretty, rich ruby in the glass. Menthol and dark fruit on the nose. Vanilla, plum and berries on the palate, not quite matching the powerful nose. June 2022
Want to buy or taste their wines? We were able to walk in for a tasting – but check out their website above to taste or buy their wines. Their tasting room is at 1 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley, with both indoor and outdoor tasting options:
“The Redwood Bar: Serving 6 tastes daily from Rosé to White to luscious Reds. You can also sip on a glass of your favorite and learn what makes Big Sur Vineyards so unique from our owner Lenora or our friendly staff!
“The panorama patio: No fog here! Come enjoy the sunshine in Carmel Valley while looking across at the Santa Lucia range. Share a bottle with friends and take in some rays! Sip a glass and stay a while!”
I happened to see on Facebook last week that Bunter Spring was suddenly closing its tasting room and was having a 50% off sale over the weekend. We contacted our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners to see if they wanted to go. It is another Senate Staffer connection which had not yet had the opportunity to taste Mark Bunter’s wines. Affirmative!
Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners enjoy their first Bunter Spring tasting!
Mark explained that a lease issue caused him to suddenly close while he seeks another venue. For a small producer like Bunter Spring, it is vital he have an outlet for people to taste and learn about his wines. While we were there, he gave us the inside scoop on each wine and a full education on yeast (which went right over my head). He let us taste many of his wines, including an array of higher end wines from Napa. We hope he finds another venue soon.
2021 Spring Chardonnay, Coombsville, Napa Valley, 13.34% ABV, $35 (#753)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Barrel fermented. Green apple, bread dough, pineapple. Medium body, subtle butter and oak. Dry.” 50 cases produced.
My Review: Pale yellow with a slightly musty nose. A tasty palate of line and pineapple, with a touch of butter on the finish. June 2022
2020 Bunter Spring Rosé of Syrah, Coombsville, Napa Valley, 12.34%, $25 (#754)
Winemaker’s Notes: “The 2020 fires in Napa were catastrophic. We picked this early, for rosé, and avoided the smoke. Dry.” 33 cases produced.
My Review: Transluscent reddish amber in the glass. A touch of sweetness on the nose, but very tasty, a bit like a cherry cola. It is different from most rosés. We bought this wine and have now enjoyed it at home. June 2022
2017 Spring Pinot Noir, Monterey County (#755)
Winemaker’s Notes (verbal): The juice for this wine comes ½ from Chalone and 1/2 from the Palisades in Carmel Valley. Earthy, French Roast coffee.
My Review: Dark ruby in color with coffee on the nose and dark fruit on the palate. Very tasty, different. June 2022
2018 Bunter Spring Hippie Syrah, Napa 14.25% (#756)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Napa organic grapes, feral ferment. Red fruit, meaty, earthy, with a big hit of spicy American oak from new barrels. Very low (40 ppm) sulfite.” 60 cases produced.
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. A dark cherry nose. Black cherry on the rich, tasty palate, with a touch of yeastiness on the finish. This is my favorite to date of the Hippie Syrahs! June 2022
Winemaker’s Notes: “Fruit punchy jammy everyday red. It’s great with red-sauced pasta, too.” 75 cases produced.
My Review: Very dark in color. Sweet dark fruit on the nose. Jammy dark berries and a touch of alcohol on the palate. I like this wine and selected it for one of my wine classes. June 2022
2017 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, 13.38% ABV, $45 (#758)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Organic grapes. A very good example of the unique local Cabernet Sauvignon character.” 24 cases produced.
My Review: What he didn’t say is these grapes come from the Massa Estate (formerly Durney/Heller), one of the most well known, local, long time producers of high end Cabernet Sauvignon in the Carmel Valley AVA. He has masterfully made this wine, which at other wineries would sell for double the price. This was my favorite wine of the day and I wish I had bought more of it. But we didn’t want to be greedy. June 2022
2016 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, Napa Valley, 13.76% ABV, $60 (#759)
Winemaker’s Notes: “100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Expensive fruit, but worth it. The real deal.” 24 cases produced.
My Review: Dark, heavy ruby in the glass. Plum and dark jammy fruits on the nose and palate. Wer took some of that wine home. June 2022
2012 Spring Red Wine, Napa Valley, 13.8% ABV, $90 (#760) 86% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot
Winemaker’s Notes: “Classic Napa style, big, tannic, structured, best with food.” 37 cases produced.
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Lively nose of violets and red fruits. A delicious palate of raspberry and cherry flavors. A bit lighter than the heavy Cabernets we had just tasted. Exceptional. June 2022
Want to buy or taste their wines? Things are in a bit of a flux at the moment. The best bet is to call Mark at (202) 744-1343. You can see some of the current releases here and contact Mark by phone or email to order. Directions are here. They ship within California and to Washington DC and Florida.
I was on the road this spring quite a bit and did not make the tasting room rounds – until late in June, when we went on a tasting streak in a single long weekend! While I was busy traveling, I sometimes sought the easy post to fulfill the weekly blog. And I have neglected some of the bigger tastings I did in the winter. As I look back, I recall I did not post my February 2022 I Brand tasting because I had another catchup post in the works. I recently attended their first release party in a couple of years – and realized there were quite a few other wines I needed to write about first. So, I am halting the presses on my more recent flurry of tastings for this catch-up post!
I distinctly remember this tasting – when we met Will for the first time in the tasting room. It was so nice to put a face with the new name and he warmly welcomed us. We tried to move quickly through the wines, as we were just in the neighborhood and had not planned a full tasting – we got one anyway!
I have 12 wines (zounds!) to present to you today from across all 3 labels of I Brand & Family, La Marea and Le P’tit Paysan and spanning 2016-2020. Most of these come from my February tasting, but others were from our private collection. Unless otherwise specified, winemaker’s notes come from the winery tech sheets or notes online.
While the wines speak for themselves, I’d like to include this quote from Ian’s Spring 2022 Winemaker Letter, which hit home why I remain a fan of Ian and his wines. He talks about his “…fascination with old vineyards and more obscure varieties.” He goes on to say, “To appropriately shepherd the local winemaking industry into its best iteration, there needs to be a semi-cohesive idea of what a region is – there should be an expected balance and flavor profile shared in the wines from the region…As we are able to realize and share our ideas of our terroir, wines from the region will become more valuable, which leads to more value in our community.” You can red more about Ian and Heather Brand and their wines here: https://www.ibrandwinery.com/.
2020 I Brand & Family Pinot Gris, Eden Rift Vineyard, Cienega Valley, San Benito County, 12.2% ABV, $30 (#741)
Winemaker’s Notes: “A fresh and delicious ‘orange wine’ from mature, terraced Pinot Gris grapes on the oldest, continually producing commercial vineyard in California.”
My Review: Pale pink in the glass – balanced acidity on the palate. February 2022
2020 I Brand & Family Old Vines White, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley, San Benito County, 13% ABV, $36 (#742)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Old Vine White field blend is a blend of 3 unusual varietals. Orange Muscat, Mission and Palamino.”
My Review: Straw in the glass and sweet muscat and honeysuckle on the nose. The palate was not as sweet as the nose predicted, with decent tartness with a light, slightly sweet finish. Quite refreshing – I kind of liked it! February 2022
2017 Le P’tit Paysan Jacks Hill Chardonnay, Monterey, 12.5% ABV, $22 (#743)
Winemaker’s Notes: “A pure, fresh, minerality driven, Chablis like Chardonnay blend from Jacks Hill on the Central Coast…Blended from a collection of five small vineyards at the base of “Jack’s Hill”, in Chualar, CA…planted on the distinct iron oxide granite that dominates the east side of Salinas Valley, directly east of Sleepy Hollow North. Bright, crisp and clean with orchard fruit giving way to an intense minerality.”
92 points – Wine Enthusiast: “This bottling by Ian Brand always packs bang for the buck, but he really nailed it in the 2017 vintage. Clean and delicate aromas of Asian pear, lemon rind and edgy chalk lead into a racy, crisp and tightly wound palate. Flavors of grapefruit, nectarine, blanched almond and sea salt are delicious.” *Editors’ Choice* Matt Kettmann (2/2019)
My Review: Pale yellow in color. Honeydew melon on the nose. Honey and gardenia on the palate, with lime notes on the finish. April 2022.
2018 Le P’tit Paysan Jacks Hill Chardonnay, Monterey, 13% ABV, $22 (#744)
90 points – Wine Enthusiast: “Tight and brisk aromas of lemon peel and sandstone come through on the nose of this always fairly priced bottling. It’s soft on the palate in texture, but a wet stone minerality and lemon juice acidity provide tension, with dried pear and orange peel flavors showing as well.” Matt Kettmann
My Review: A touch leaner than previous vintages with a little acidity on the finish. February 2022
2019 La Marea and 2017 Besson Old Vines Grenache – Side by Side!
2019 La Marea Grenache, Central Coast, 14% ABV, $30 (#745)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Fresh, medium bodied Grenache from three rocky vineyards averaging over 50 years of age.”
My Review: A muddy ruby, richer in color than othis other Grenaches – almost purple. Good cherry fruits on the palate. February 2022
2017 I Brand & Family Besson Vineyard Old Vines Grenache, Santa Clara County, $42 (#746)
94 points – Wine Enthusiast: “Sage-oil, tea-leaf and geranium notes meet with dried strawberry and rose petal on the spicy, earthy nose of this bottling. The palate is a mix of dried flowers and rocky minerality, with flavors of gravel, dried currant and more tea leaf making for a fascinating sip of century- old vines.” Matt Kettmann
My Review: Light, translucent ruby in color, but richer, more tannic flavors.February 2022
2016 I Brand & Family Besson Vineyard Old Vines Grenache, Santa Clara County, 14% ABV, $42 (#747)
Winemaker’s Notes: “A delightful and balanced expression of the Piedmontese white from the calcium laced gravels of the Vista Verde Vineyard in San Benito County.”
My Review: Dark, translucent ruby in color. Dark berries and smooth tannins on the palate. IMHO, one of his best Grenache wines. March 2022
2018 I Brand & Family Grenache/Syrah, Chalone AVA, 13.8% ABV, $42 (#748) 72% Grenache, 28% Syrah
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Mandarin orange and cherry notes on the nose. Palate had more heft, complexity than usual. Hands down one of our favorite of his Grenache-Syrah blends. May 2022
2019 I Brand & Family Bates Ranch Cabernet Franc, Santa Cruz Mountains, 12.2% ABV, $42 (#749)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Bates Ranch Vineyard is a secret gem of the trinity of Bordeaux varietal sites nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Cabernet Franc fruit is from a small block planted atop rich red Franciscan volcanic influenced rocks in 1978. A classic example of Cabernet Franc…Medium to Full-bodied. Lush, dark red berries, with purple lavender and hidden dried herb components, envelope the nose. On the palate, bright acidity, plays against tannic structure. Followed by a burst of dark red fruits, balsamic reduction, and the expected herbal, bay leaf, oregano, dried basil, with touches of a peppery edge on the finish.” 109 cases produced.
My Review: Lean, a bit austere with musty flavors. February 2022 February 2022
2019 I Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc, Paicines, San Benito County, 12.4% ABV, $30 (#750)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Reminiscent of old world wine making Bayly Ranch is an etherial expression of Cabernet Franc. Notes of bright berries and mild spices…”
My Review: Richer, rounder, chewier that the Bates, with cherry and dark berry flavors. Black pepper on the finish. I prefer this wine; my partner prefers the Bates. February 2022
2019 I Brand & Family Fellom Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, 14.6% ABV, $75 (#751)
Winemaker’s Notes: “First planted in the 40s and abutting the classic Ridge Santa Cruz Mountain property, Fellom Ranch produces among the most sought after grapes in California…Deep dark purple. Aromas of black current, cherries, clove spice, toasted oak, and cocoa. On the palate, lush & ripe, bramble fruit, enters med-full bodied, supple tannin and acid tension structure. Lovely wine, with pleasure to fill the palate, today, and years to come.”
My Review: Ruby, purple in the glass. Some chocolate notes on the nose with smooth, rich berries on the palate. I will do my best to hold this for an appropriate drinking time frame. February 2022
2018 Le P’tit Paysan P’tit Pape Red Rhone Blend, $22 (752)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Our classic Grenache based blend. Old world balance with a California patina. A favorite.”
93 points – Wine Enthusiast: “This blend of 52% Grenache, 36% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre speaks so strongly to the terroir of the Central Coast as it is loaded from nose to finish with dewy sagebrush, crisp freshness and peppery spice. It begins with aromas of raspberry, pomegranate and herb, then settles comfortably into a firmly textured palate of oregano, pepper, sandalwood and more red fruit.” Matt Kettmann
My Review: We tasted this wine out of order. Lovely, light, lean yet good. Always a favorite. February 2022
The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 6 pm. Reservations are recommended – more information here.
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