I usually don’t do back-to-back tastings at the same winery, but I had to make an exception. Doug Beakes, the Chair of the John Marshall Chapter (Northern Virginia) of the American Wine Society (AWS) was in town to bike with friends and wanted to know where they should taste wines.
(Some history here: Back in the Fall of 2019, I presented Monterey wines to their AWS chapter at Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run, VA. Doug previously had seen me present our local wines at the Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar. It was a fun venue – right among the winery’s barrels. He says I’m invited back; maybe I’ll do it again next fall!)
Back to my story: I always ask people what kind of wines they like so I can recommend the right spots – do they like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (what Monterey is widely known for) – or are they looking for something else? His answer was BIG REDS – and they only wanted to go to one spot. I decided to take them to Parsonage, even though I had just been there the week before.
Doug was accompanied by Mike Wassenberg, his AWS chapter Vice-Chair, and their biking buddy/wine drinking/nice guy friend Mark Svedlund from Sebastopol. We were unexpectedly joined by Bill Parsons, who just happened to be in the tasting room when we dropped by. It was a warm afternoon in Carmel Valley Village and my companions were a bit wilted from their bike ride. Nice guy Mark fetched cheese and bread and Bill provided colorful narrative to the wines.
Bill Parsons holding court with our Virginia visitors. Alex Lallos from Chesebro Wines joined us at the end.
Today, I am presenting 5 Parsonage wines – 3 from our tasting that day and 2 library wines from our personal collection which were tasted separately. Last week’s post included combined tasting notes for 3 wines we tasted with this group and our barrel tasting buddies – the 2018 Estate Syrah, the 2018 Rocco and the 2017 Xandro. We tasted 5 other wines which I have previously presented here – they are not included! Winery notes come from their website and tasting sheet.
I’ve written about Parsonage to in many 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/.
Winery Notes: “The nose promises richness with its ripe bing cherries and that rare, fully vine-ripe raspberry that you’d get at a farmer’s market. The bouquet carries a mysterious spice akin to baking spices with a trace of black tea. The red fruit shows up in a big way on the palate – very rich and dense on the long, full, and delicious finish.”
My Review: Beautiful deep ruby in color. Cherry on the nose. Chewy palate with a touch of acidity. Darker, richer than a typical Monterey Pinot Noir – we liked it. October 2021
2014 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $26 (#542*) Merlot, Syrah blend
My Review: From our cellar: Stunning bouquet. Very big, jammy cherry-berry nose. Rich, dark berries on the palate and anise on the finish. Still drinking well. October 2021
My Review: From our cellar: Dark ruby in the glass. Rich dark berries in the nose with prune notes (at first, sulfur, which died down to a slight cooked prunes smell.) Big mouthfeel and bursting with blackberry with cola and tobacco flavors. Still something on the finish – like cooked fruit and tobacco. This wine could go another 5 years or so. October 2021
2018 Parsonage Bixby Reserve, Carmel Valley, 15%, $80 (#544*) Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
My Review: Wow! Dusty on the nose. Pretty, intense dark fruit – berry and cherry on the palate and milk chocolate on the finish. I become a bigger fan of this wine each year! October 2021
2008 Parsonage “Snosrap” Cyrano Bordelaise Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#545)
My Review: This Bordeaux blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the last wine we tasted, so my notes are very weak. I think Bill said “hoisin sauce.” This wine was rather tasty and I took a bottle home! We are looking forward to tasting it again soon. October 2021
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.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
It has been a good, long while since I have presented Parsonage here. I’ll be making up for that with the next couple of posts! I had the opportunity to take our COVID Wine Pod plus some visiting friends to the Parsonage Village Vineyard for a barrel tasting, at the invitation of Bill Parsons himself. Who was I to say no? Little did we know when the date was set that they would be harvesting that day! We did our best to stay out of the way of the action.
It is always exciting to get a glimpse of the future of your favorite wines. It is also an opportunity to get inside the head of the vintners a bit, gain insights about techniques they used to make up for the lost vintage of 2020, the detrimental impact of drought conditions on fruit production, and pandemic influences. Bill and I have an agreement that I can write about anything he tells me – and so I will! Hope I got it all right!
Bill talked a bit about the changes implemented in reaction to the pandemic that had a positive impact, such as having outdoor space and a reservation system for wine tasting. They have a beautiful parklet with plenty of sun for us coastal dwellers to enjoy, as well as ample shade for those warmer days. On the negative side, he highlighted supply chain issues for critical supplies including bottles, foils, and corks. About the drought conditions impacting his fruit, he said, “I am a farmer. I am at the mercy of the elements.” The Syrah was still hanging at the time of our visit. Shortly after our visit, we had that torrential rain – I was very worried how my beloved Syrah survived the storm. Bill just told me this week: “Not only did the Syrah survive the inch and half drenching in five hours, but it thrived as a result. We just harvested this morning in fact!”
Today, I am presenting 10 Parsonage wines – 5 barrel tastings at the winery and 5 wines currently available in the tasting room. I tasted a few of these wines the following week with another group of experts. I’ve melded my notes here – the rest of those wines will appear next week!
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/.
My Review: 100% Estate fruit. He will produce 100-120 cases. Aged in 100% new French oak, it will be bottled in Spring 2022. Dark ruby, purple in color. Jammy raspberry and blackberry with a touch of vanilla on the nose. Intense berry fruit on the palate with some anise on the finish. Delicious! I can’t wait to purchase this when it is released! Barrel Tasting – October 2021
2019 Parsonage Bixby Reserve, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (#529*) ~65% Petit Verdot, ~35% Cabernet Sauvignon
My Review: “An outlier wine” loved by a select group of wine club members. Deep ruby in the glass. Plum and cherry on the nose. Plum, herbs. leather, tobacco yet violets on the palate – not fruit forward. Caramel notes on the finish. Certainly more tannic than the Merlot. Barrel Tasting – October 2021
2021 Parsonage Petit Verdot, San Antonio Valley AVA, 15% ABV (#530*)
My Review: This wine is sourced from the Argyle Vineyard down in the very southern part of Monterey County. Tucked between the Salinas Valley and the Santa Lucia Mountains, the San Antonio Valley has a long, warm growing season, enefiting from the lake effect from Lake San Antonio. We tasted this wine when it was only 3 weeks old – a first for me, for sure! Vegetal on the nose. Intense plum on the palate with green bell pepper notes. Has a great foundation and is structurally balanced – can stand on its own and will be good blended with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Barrel Tasting – October 2021
My Review: Super dark ruby. Deep berry and plum on the nose. Rich dark fruits including black currant on the palate with lots of structure. 28-29 months n the barrel. Barrel Tasting – October 2021
My Review: Bill calls the 2019 vintage as “the greatest in winemaking history.” Inky ruby in the glass. Smokey essense on the nose. Super smooth on the palate with rich raspberry, blackberry, cherry, red currant and vanilla bean. Dry on the finish. Terrific, wonderful. Barrel Tasting – October 2021
2018 Parsonage Wild Card, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $38 (#533*)
My Review: Ruby in the glass, alcohol on the nose. Chewy. My experience with this wine is it needs a bit of time to settle and meld. After all the barrel tastings, though, we probably needed a reset! Will taste again sometime with a well rested palate! October 2021
2018 Parsonage BDL, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $44 (#534*)
My Review: Transluscent ruby in the glass. Raspberry on the nose, rich raspberry on the palate. Tasty and drinkable now. Would be good with garlic roasted chicken or salmon with root vegetables. October 2021
2018 Parsonage Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $48 (#535*)
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Dark berries with some caramel and spicy smokiness on the nose – like a cinnamon hard candy. Good fruit on the palate with spice melding with meat – “cinnamon and bacon,” with lingering finish of anise and pepper. “Like a Cote-Roti.” Our friends bought a bottle of this wine and we enjoyed it at dinner the following evening. October 2021
My Review: 30% slope hang, chalk rock. This is their flagship wine and my personal favorite. Purple ruby in the glass. Allspice, caramel and earth on the nose, a bit like old leather. Intense dark berries and plum on the palate with vanilla notes. Done in a traditional, earthy Rhone style. This vintage is pretty impressive – I took a bottle home of this new release. October 2021
My Review: Bill calls the 2019 vintage as “the greatest in winemaking history.” Inky ruby in the glass. Smokey essence on the nose. Super smooth on the palate with rich raspberry, blackberry, cherry, red currant and vanilla bean. Dry on the finish. Terrific, wonderful. October 2021
Tasting Room Photo Courtesy Parsonage
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.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
Another DC friend came to town – one who also happens to be an old colleague of Margaret Spring, the Spring of Bunter Spring Winery. With three former Senate staffers in the mix, wouldn’t it be fun to taste there? With their grapes sourced from multiple counties and winery and vineyards in the Coombsville section of Napa, we were delighted to learn they are open again for tasting on the weekends (Friday-Monday). I’d say our tasting far exceeded my expectations, which were already high! By that I mean high quality wines for reasonable prices. Winery notes come from their website. Check them out here.
2019 Spring Sauvignon Blanc “Oyster Wine” Santa Cruz County, 12.16% ABV, $20(#518*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Our 2019 continues the series of standout wines from this vineyard, which we began using in 2014. Barrel fermented and aged six months in older “neutral” French barrels. Totally dry, light-bodied, tart, with subtle aromas of citrus, nectarine, and dried grass. This wine was literally made for oysters on the half-shell. It’s also great with goat cheese, or alone as an aperitif or refreshing thirst-quencher. Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast, sulfite. Filtered, not fined. At bottling: total sulfite 39 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (totally dry).” 48 cases produced.
My Review: Made to go well with oysters! VIneyard is near Corralitos and Watsonville. Pale in color, a very light yellow. Honeysuckle on the nose. Lean on the palate with bright acidity. October 2021
2018 Spring Reserve Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, 14.43% ABV, $35(#519*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “This wine is fuller bodied and has a more powerful flavor and mouthfeel than our “regular” Chard, but since that’s sold out, you have to take our word for it. Pear, yellow apple, edamami, with an unctuous texture. Ingredients: grapes, yeast, sulfur dioxide. Not fined, not filtered. At bottling: total SO2 90 ppm, residual sugar 0.5 g/l (not totally dry).” 25 cases produced.
My Review: From Chula Lina VIneyard outside of Chualar. Very yellow with a lovely bouquet and delicious on the palate with butter, caramel, plenty of fruit and a touch of lemon zest on the finish. We thought this was an exceptional Chardonnay! October 2021
2019 Spring “Orange Wine” Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Cruz County, 12.08% ABV, $20 (#520*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Orange wine is a potentially misleading name for wine made from white grapes fermented on their skins in the manner of red wine. Depending on the variety, and how long the maceration, the color can range from pale straw to deep pink, almost red. This one’s relatively light as it was only on the skins for five days. It has interesting aroma and flavors reminiscent of stone fruit and herbs, dried grass, savory spice. Slightly tannic, with more texture than white wine. Good with many foods, especially Asian, and shrimp. Ingredients: grapes, yeast, 40 ppm total sulfite. Dry.” 48 cases produced.
My Review: I tasted this wine later for a special virtual wine class on “orange” wines. Pale orange, bold gold in color. At first, scents of yeast, with emerging floral notes on the nose. Strong flavors on the palate, including ripe peach – like a very bold rose – the oak comes through. After opening up, very round and flavorful on the finish. This would be a great food wine. October 2021
2019 Spring Rosé “Snow Globe”, Monterey AVA, 12.34% ABV, $20(#521*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Made from Grenache and Syrah, grown on a rocky sunbaked hillside in far southern Monterey county, picked expressly for rosé. Beautiful pale color, high-toned aroma. It has an excess of totally harmless cream of tartar that precipitates in white flakes when refrigerated. For fun, chill it, turn it upside down, and watch it snow! Ingredients: grapes, yeast, tartaric acid. Fined with milk and silica dioxide, then filtered. At bottling: 58 ppm total sulfite, 0.4 g/L residual sugar (dry).” 50 cases produced.
My Review: “A real rosé'” Pale salmon in the glass. Caramel on the nose with real red fruit flavors on the palate. Light bodied. Balanced acidity with a nice finish. October 2021
2018 Spring Pinot Noir, Hilltop Ranch, Carmel Valley, 13.68% ABV, $30(#522*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “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 ten miles away, in neighboring Cachagua valley, are. So legally it’s not Carmel Valley wine, it’s Monterey wine. Whatever. It is VERY easy-drinking, medium bodied, perfectly balanced, with lots of varietal fruit and a distinctive spicy character from custom-coopered French oak barrels. Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast , 60 ppm total sulfite. Not fined, reverse osmosis filtered. At bottling: total SO2 60 ppm, residual sugar 0.5g/L (dry).” 107 cases produced.
My Review: Ruby in color. Some cherry notes on the nose. Very nice on the palate – even this non-Pinot lover liked this wine. October 2021
2017 Spring Cowboy Surfer Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, 13.74% ABV, $30(#523*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Our second iteration of this outrageous blend of normally antithetical varieties. The first Cowboy Surfer, 2014, was a resigned wishful last resort use for a barrel of weird Pinot. People loved it! When it was gone they asked for more. Not so easy, it turned out- there’s a reason why no one blends these two. The result almost always tastes like either a pathetically weak Cab or a nasty hot puckery Pinot. It took three years, but we finally made two wines that worked. FYI the Pinot, from close to the beach, is the surfer. The Cab, from cow country high up in the hills, is the cowboy. Black cherry, raspberry, spice, and tannin, just slightly on the aggro side right now, will mellow into a very laid-back ride. Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast, sulfite. Not fined or fitered. At bottling: total sulfite 65 ppm, residual sugar 0.1 g/l (very dry).” 49 cases.
My Review: Dark in the glass yet a bit transluscent. Perfume on the nose with a deliciousd palate showing the best of the Carmel Valley fruits – a great Cab Sauv-Pinot Noir combo – we really liked ths wine. October 2021
2016 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon “Burger Wine,” Contra Costa County, 13.27%, $18(#524*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Contra Costa is a great place for Zin, Petite Sirah, and Carignane. It’s not well known for Cab, so we got a sweet deal on this fruit, and so do you. We treated it with the same respect as all our wines, including nice once-used French oak barrels. Medium bodied, soft tannins, juicy blackberry taste, perfect with burgers. It’s vegan, so veggie burgers work too. Ingredients: organic grapes, water, yeast, tartaric acid, sulfite. Filtered, not fined. Made using reverse osmosis. At bottling: total sulfites 88 ppm, residual sugar 0.3 g/l (dry).” 73 cases.
My Review: We tasted this wine last – it was quite good, very drinkable, especially for an $18 bottle of wine. I’d like to taste it again, as being last did it a great disservice!
2014 Bünter “Natur” Syrah, Coombsville, Napa Valley, 13.27% ABV, $30(#525*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Earthy, nutty, meaty, slightly spicy, slightly floral, with medium full body, good natural acidity, and rich tannins. Goes great with very spicy (hot) food, as usual for this wine. It actually cools and soothes your mouth after a bite of anything painfully spicy. The texture and mouthfeel are superb. The aroma and flavor are typical of no-sulfite reds: less fruity, more earthy. Definitely different. Ingredients: Organic grapes. Not fined, not filtered. At bottling: total SO2 2 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (bone dry).” 100 cases produced.
My Review: Beautful dark ruby. Dark fruit notes of cassis and currant on the nose. Palate consisted largely of cherry flavors and was a little lighter than I was expecting, based on the nose. October 2021
2018 Spring Red Wine “Garagitage,” Highlands Vineyard, Monterey County, 14.64% ABV, $24 (#526*)76% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker’s Notes:
Winemaker’s Notes: “These grapes come from a small vineyard in the hills above Arroyo Seco just north of Carmel Valley Road. They were harvested, very ripe, on Sep 30, 2018. Upon release, in spring 2021, as I write, this wine is a rough and tumble California fruit bomb, with tons of grapey flavor, plenty of alcohol, and no manners. Maybe, someday, it will grow up. Meantime, have fun! Aged 15 months in once used French oak barrels.” 76 cases.
My Review: OK, this was my favorite wine: Very dark ruby in the glass. Perfume on the nose, followed by a yummy palate of dark fruit. We keep drinking it – what an incredible wine for a bargain price! October 2021
“Schniki”With a vast array of wines to choose from, Mark helps customers narrow it down with his daily tasting menu. Herr Doktor Schnickerdoodle was the visiting winery dog that day!
Want to taste their wines? From their website: Great news! Bunter Spring has resumed tasting room operations. Our Carmel Valley tasting room is open Friday through Sunday 11-5 PM. We are open the rest of the week by appointment. Since we work often in Napa, at the winery and vineyard, we are not always available, so please call in advance if possible. Your hosts are fully vaccinated. The tasting fee is $20 per person for six wines, with crackers and cheese. The tasting fee is waived with a two bottle purchase. Tasting is free to wine club members as per our Wine Club policy. Call Mark at (202) 744-1343 for an appointment. We would love to see you!
You can see 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.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
My dogs are continuing to drive where we go to taste wines. This time, we found ourselves at the Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel to fetch some extra special food for an aging pet. We decided to drop into McIntyre to see what they were pouring. In addition to some fresh vintages, we tasted some impressive older Pinot Noirs, their flagship wines. You know by now that I am not the biggest Pinot Noir fan, yet we were blown away by these.
About McIntyre Vineyards from theirwebsite: “The McIntyre Estate Vineyard lies in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, a 12-mile stretch of benchland renowned for producing wines of character and complexity. Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre site (60 acres planted) boasts some of the Highlands’ oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. The winery’s other estate property is the 81-acre Kimberly Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Proprietor Steve McIntyre is one of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in California. As owner/operator of Monterey Pacific, he farms 16,000 acres in Monterey County. The McIntyre Estate Vineyard was among the first properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands to be SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certified…”
About the Santa Lucia Highlands (same site): “In a relatively short span of time the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA has achieved superstar status. The region boasts 6,000 acres of vines ‑ primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah ‑ planted on terraces below the Santa Lucia mountain range. The region’s climate is shaped by the morning fog and strong winds funneled daily down the Salinas Valley from Monterey Bay to the northwest. SLH enjoys one of the longest and coolest growing seasons in California.” According to Santa Lucia Highlands website, “…Some of the best and most praised Pinot Noirs from California are made from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Of roughly 6,400 acres planted, about 3,500 are devoted to producing world-class Pinot Noir…” I read another article recently claiming SLH as the best Pinot Noir from California.
Today I am presenting 8 McIntyre wines. The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.
2018 McIntyre Clair de Lune White Wine Blend, Monterey, 12.1% ABV, $18 (#510*)80% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer
Winery Tasting Notes: “This White Wine Blend is sure to soar. Named after the founder’s first Bernese Mountain Dog, Jura Claire de Lune, this wine is royal…Fresh, graceful and full of energy, this wine’s aroma is reminiscent of rose petals, grapefruit, with hints of apricot and melon. Intense, but not overripe, with focused acidity and plenty of slate and mineral notes this wine is the perfect complement to the end of a great day!.” 200 cases produced.
My Review: Very pale in the glass. Sweet bouquet and palate, with a touch of welcome bitterness on the finish offsetting the sweet a tad. Liked the idea to serve this as more of an after-dinner wine. September 2021
2020 McIntyre Rose of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.2% ABV, $24 (#511*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “This wine’s natural, vibrant copper color foreshadows the stunning aromas of fresh berry, watermelon, rhubarb, black cherry pie and currants. While the bouquet is open and forthright, the texture is a bit more mysterious. One moment it is dry, crisp and refreshing; the next it is bold, plush and opulent. The finish, as you might expect, is pure, full and satisfying. Enjoy!” 375 cases produced.
My Review: Pale pink in color. Crisp on the nose and a palate with apple flavors and some citrus notes – bright acidity. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Great wines speak to both sides of your brain. They are cerebral yet artistic, rational yet hedonistic. Take our 2017 McIntyre Estate Vineyard Chardonnay. For the analytical left side, there is precision, structure and minerality. For the intuitive right side, there is texture, opulence and concentration. For both sides there are lush impressions of toast, crème brûlée, oak and grilled almonds.” 321 cases produced. 92 points, Vinous
My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. Mild butter, caramel and pineapple on the nose. Bitter citrus and pineapple – very balanced – in a well-rounded flavor. Very nice, not over oaky. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “The confluence of favorable weather, mature vines, sustainable farming techniques (SIP Certified) and minimalistic winemaking practices yielded one of the most complete wines we have ever produced. Our 2017 McIntyre Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir is deep, dark, intense, powerful and exotic. It delivers a plethora of the sensory goodies stretching from earth to fruit. Highlights include plums, blueberries, violets and silky tannins.” 346 cases produced.
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. Cherry and cocoa on the nose. Round cherry and some cedar on the palate. I liked this compared to many Monterey County Pinot Noirs. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2015 Block 3 Pinot Noir embodies everything we love about the Santa Lucia Highlands. It’s big, but supple and lively. While it possesses effusive, bright fruit aromas, there is also a dark undercurrent of earth, forest and minerals. The palate is powerful, yet elegant. Best of all, this Pinot drinks beautifully now, but will continue to evolve and expand over the next decade.” 200 cases produced.
My Review: Even darker ruby in the glass. A surprisingly big nose of cassis. Very nice dark fruit flavors – a medley dancing on my palate with a dark caramel finish. Wow! We liked this wine! September 2021
2014 McIntyre Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.3% ABV, $65 (#515*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2014 Old Vine reminds me of the great 1979 Stony Hill Pinot Noir – the wine that ignited my passion for this noble grape. Polished, textured and expressive, as one would expect from 40-year-old vines, this wine offers plenty of ripe blackberry/cherry aromas and flavors that suggest Sorel mushrooms and black pepper. There is plenty of soft, supple tannin and the finish delivers exceptional presence and depth.” 200 cases (6 packs) produced.
My Review: Dark ruby. A brighter red/black fruit bouquet and much sharper, brighter on the palate with cherry and raspberry flavors. The finish is typical of California Pinot Noirs. These older Pinot Noirs are impressive. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: Our 2016 Kimberly Vineyard is the epitome of Goldilocks-climate Merlot. It marries the lavish, ripe fruit of a warm site with the elegance and structure of a cool locale. As in previous years, the dominant character traits include blackberry, anise, cassis and dried currants. Below that is a bed of juicy black fruit and supple, silky tannins. While it drinks well now, this Merlot will continue to evolve and improve over the next decade.” 250 cases produced.
My Review: Rich and dark in the glass. Some jammy baking notes on the nose. The palate was nice and “velvety,” with a dry (tannic) finish exhibiting white pepper flavors. September 2021
2015 McIntyre Per Adua (“Through Adversity”), Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.6% ABV, $60 (#517*)
Winery Notes: “Per Ardua is the ancient Gallic motto for clan McIntyre. It means “Thru Difficulty,” a sentiment that is as significant today in the Santa Lucia Highlands as it was two centuries ago for our ancestors in the Scottish Highlands. For three decades we have endeavored to produce a world-class Bordeaux red from the cool, windswept hillsides of Monterey County. Our inaugural bottling of Per Ardua is the culmination of those efforts. Deep, rich and complicated, it is emblematic of the terroir, the grapes and the difficulties we have faced over the last 30 harvests.” 150 cases produced. 92 points, Vinous
My Review: Very dark ruby in the glass. Mellow dark fruits on the nose. Mid-palate is smooth and rich with quite a bit of tannin still on the lingering finish. September 2021
You can buy McIntyre wines on their website or at their tasting studio, 169 Crossroads Blvd in Carmel, from 11-6 Thursday through Sunday. They are open for tasting 12-6 on those days or by appointment. You can contact them at 831-626-6268 or taste@mcintyrevineyards.com.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
My dog grooming-wine tasting afternoon in Carmel continues…but with a surprise: my little dog is ready early – yikes! We walked over to Shale Canyon to suggest rescheduling and they invited my dog and me to come on in! They closed the bottom half of their door and let him run around freely. I was a heck of a lot more worried about what he might do than they were. While he had a hard time settling down, he did fine, but was also a big distraction for my notetaking – I know I will need to go back.
My little dog’s first wine outing!
I admitted to them that I was a bit confused about the source of their wines. It had been a LONG TIME since I had been there. I had it in my head they were from the Sant Cruz Mountains because one of them lived there. Instead, I learned that their vineyards and wines are from Arroyo Seco, which continues to be a favorite AVA of mine. And they focus on the bigger reds I love including some tasty red blends, using intriguing names like “Consortium” and “Amalgamation.” Definitely for me, this a winning set-up. I’m impressed with their ability to grow well Zinfandel and other varietals not usually associated with Monterey County. They must have a uniquely placed vineyard to be able to pull that off! Hosted by Keith Prader himself, I had a fabulous experience in their tasting room.
About Shale Canyon from their website: “Shale Canyon Wines started vinting small lots of hand crafted varietals in 2008…Currently Shale Canyon Wines is comprised of Keith Prader, the winemaker, and Tim Prader tasting room and vineyard manager.
“Current production is about 1000+ cases per year with our main focus on producing wines that have outstanding nose, mouth feel and finish. For the Estate wines we are currently growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre. We source fruit from larger, well established vineyards whose farming practices are exemplary in the industry and whose fruit is second to none. The varietals include Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay and Petite Sirah. We enjoy making classic and unique blends as well. Our Consortium is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Striation is 75% Zinfandel and 25% Mourvedre, a wonderful floral wine. And Amalgamation, a very interesting blend of Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah.”
Today I am presenting 8 Shale Canyon wines. The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.
2019 Shale Canyon Chardonnay, Vigna Monte Nero, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $25 (#498*)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of toasted marshmallow, subtle green apple, pear, peach and a hint of lemon peel. A long finish of vanilla bean and butterscotch. This wine was not cold stabilized or filtered and has noticeable tartrates in the bottle. We recommend pouring this wine through a cheesecloth or a screen to remove them. Aged in 100% French oak.” 165 cases produced.
My Review: Pretty yellow in the glass. Great balance of butter/oak and acidity. This was extremely delicious – an amazing SLH Chardonnay for a fabulous price! September 2021
Winery Notes: “A bouquet of dark berry, violet ad earthy aromas of black pepper, thyme and a hint of citrus. Bright fruit characteristics, with fresh strawberry, raspberry and subtle cherry. Smooth tannins with hints of cedar and a drawn out finish with late fruit. 100% Mourvèdre.
My Review: Dark ruby in glass. Very dark fruit but lean on the palate. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Rose petals and cinnamon on the bouquet with cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry gracing the middle. A very long finish with vanilla bean and hint of licorice. Medium plus tannins to make this an excellent wine for food pairings.” There is some story to this wine that the UPS delivery person actually helped formulate this wine!
My Review: Dark berry and some oak in the nose. Very smooth dark fruits and some leather on the finish. Lovely. A great wine for #500! September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2016 Estate Cabernet Franc starts with a big bouquet of cherries, slight strawberry and a hint of cedar. I noticed strong fruit flavors with dark cherry, blueberry, plum and chocolate on the palate. It finished with some spice and structured tannins.” Scored at the California Cabernet Franc Wine Competition.
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Concentrated fruit and a touch of smoke on the nose. Smooth very dark fruit on the palate. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “A classic blend of Bordeaux varietals. Very aromatic with a distinctive cherry note on the nose. It is an elegant, yet complex wine with black berry, dark cherry, plum and blueberry on the palate. It has a long finish with wisps of cedar, smoke and medium plus tannins.”
My Review: Smooth, dark, and not as fruity. I was clearly distracted by my little dog for these notes! September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Subtle berry & cherry bouquet. Flavors of black cherry, plum and cranberry grace the middle. A touch of spice and leather with firm structures tannins on the finish.”
My Review: Spicy on the nose. Delicious fruit yet lean (tannic) on the finish. Pretty amazing. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “This unique blend is like no other!…All Estate Grown! The color of this wine is beautiful. Take a glass out in the sun and let the rays reflect through the wine onto a simple piece of white paper and you will see what I mean. A lovely floral bouquet starts the experience. Deep fruit with cherry, dark berry and a hint of color. Long finish with tobacco and firm tannins. This wine will also compliment rich foods so fire up the barbeque and pull out the rib eyes!”
My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Jam on the nose following through on the palate. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Violets and dark cherry and blueberry on the nose. Plum, dried cranberry and raisin in the middle. Notes of chocolate, licorice and toast on the long finish with firm tannins.”
My Review: Very smooth and rich with blue and black berry fruits. Nice! September 2021
You can buy Shale Canyon wines on their website or at their tasting room on Paseo San Carlos Courtyard, Westside San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel-by-the-Sea. They are open Sunday through Thursday 1–5, Friday and Saturday 12-7 and suggest reservations for parties of 4 or more. You can contact them at reservations@shalecanyonwines.com.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
My new modus operandi is to go wine tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea while my dog is getting groomed. In part, he goes there because they are the only ones who will take him. But my ulterior motive is to get in a couple of wine tastings while I am there – it is really a “two-fer” day! On this particular September afternoon, I had no idea how much dogs would dominate until I walked into De Tierra’s tasting room, where I was warmly greeted by their two dogs – Freya, a large, sweet Doberman and tiny, decked out Annin. They were clearly in charge of customer relations, continually making the rounds of the tables to make sure we had everything we needed!
About De Tierra Vineyards from theirwebsite: “De Tierra Vineyards began in 1998 as an organic grape-growing operation in the Salinas Valley by Tom Russell, an agriculture professional from Phoenix, Arizona. Russell had transitioned the majority of his conventional row crop vegetable operation to organic in the early 1990’s, and had great success in the California market. Russell was passionate about wine and farming, and wanted to explore the benefits of organic farming with wine grapes. Russell teamed up with friend and winemaker of Vignalta Italy, Lucio Gomiero, and planned to develop an organic vineyard in the Corral de Tierra Valley. The site was selected, a south-west facing, 40-acre farm, just 15 miles from the Salinas Valley. Through this partnership, De Tierra Vineyards was born…
“Today, De Tierra is owned by Dan McDonnal and Alix Lynn Bosch. De Tierra creates delicious award winning and hand harvested wines to share from the unique terroir of Monterey County. De Tierra, as the name suggests, focuses on providing the best representation “of the land”. Great wines begin in the vineyard, and it is their goal to translate the defining flavors of the terroir into great wine. Dan and Alix continue De Tierra’s commitment to producing superior quality boutique wines.
“De Tierra Produces 9 varietals; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Sangiovese, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc as well as 3 Red Blends. All of their wines are made with grapes from high quality vineyards in Monterey County and beyond. De Tierra’s mission is to make hand crafted, premium wines with the best fruit California has to offer…”
Today I am presenting 6 De Tierra wines, including the cleverly named “Frannin” (Freya + Annin) white and red blends. The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.
2019 De Tierra Frannin White Blend, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $35 (#490*)65% Chardonnay from the Russell Vineyard, 35% Sauvignon Blanc from the Zabala Vineyard.
Winery Notes: Aged in stainless steel for 7 months with partial malolactic fermentation.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Pale gold with a shimmer of bright green. Nose offers hints of refreshing, mello guava and bright orange citrus…Bright citrus start transferring to mango and lychee nuts with notes of tart green apple. This wine finishes with perfectly balanced viscosity and acidity.”
My Review: Floral and honey bouquet. Honey and like on the palate with lovely acidity. Good minerality. Citrus finish. September 2021
2019 De Tierra Russell Vineyard Rosé, Monterey AVA, 13.2?% ABV, $29 (#491*)
Winery Notes: 100% Merlot, 100% stainless steel
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS: Intense garnet in color with notes of midnight grapes and blackberry with subtle tones of soft leather, almond and dark chocolate.
ON THE PALATE: Juicy dark berries and stone fruit with hints of molasses and warm black vanilla bean. This wine’s soft and mild dry finish produces a perfect balance.”
My Review: Salmon in the glass. Freshness and vanilla on the nose. Smooth on the palate. Acidity on the finish with citrus notes. September 2021
2017 De Tierra Puzzler Red Blend, Monterey AVA, 14.2% ABV, $39 (#492*) 76% Merlot, 7.5% each Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah, 1.5% Cabernet Franc
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Garnet in color. Nose offers notes of rich earth, plum, fresh fig with a hint of spice. ON THE PALATE Plush tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of plum and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a long tobacco finish.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Plum, blackberry, and coffee on the nose. Cherry and plum on the palate with tobacco on the finish. I liked this wine. September 2021
2016 De Tierra Frannin Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, 13.8?% ABV, $39 (#493*) 1/3 each: Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Deep plum in color. Nose offers notes of ripe fruit, plum, dark cherry and a hint of smokiness. ON THE PALATE: Soft tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of dark cherry and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a citrus zest finish.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass, rich dark berries and spices on the nose. Dark fruit with a peppery finish. September 2021
2017 De Tierra Russell Estate Merlot, Monterey AVA, 13.9% ABV, $39 (#494*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Intense garnet in color with notes of midnight grapes and blackberry with subtle tones of soft leather, almond and dark chocolate. ON THE PALATE Juicy dark berries and stone fruit with hints of molasses and warm black vanilla bean. This wine’s soft and mild dry finish produces a perfect balance.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Cherry on the nose. Very smooth on the palate with plum, cherry, blueberry and blackberry flavors. A touch of leather on the finish. September 2021
2016 De Tierra Syrah, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $49 (#495*) Best Red of Monterey County, 95 points, 2019 International Wine & Spirits Competition Platinum Award, Sommelier Challenge
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Deep plum in color. Nose offers notes of ripe fruit, plum, dark cherry and a hint of smokiness. ON THE PALATE Soft tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of dark cherry and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a citrus zest finish.”
My Review: Dark berries and cherry with a touch of cedar on the nose. Palate reflects the nose with a touch of leather on the finish. September 2021
You can buy De Tierra wines on their website or at their tasting room on Mission 3SE of 5th, Carmel-by-the-Sea, daily on a first come, first served basis.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
I’m venturing a little south today to Ventura County (no pun intended!). In 2019 we took a road trip with favorite relatives down to Ojai. We stayed in a lovely small boutique inn, went hiking, enjoyed the restaurants, museums and shops, and, of course, wine tasting was involved. Our favorite winery there was The Ojai Vineyard. Our experience in their tasting room was exceptional – from wines to staff engagement. We picked up some wines on that trip that were so good, we still aren’t opening them! Maybe this post will convince Mr. H to let me have another one!
I was in DC in August, so my wine class decided to meet in-person. They picked a theme of “Monterey and South of Monterey” wines. Our host was the one who first informed me of the “Rhone Rangers,” so I thought it would be appropriate to bring a Syrah for the class. Luckily for me, MacArthur Beverages was carrying a few of the Ojai Vineyard wines (still in stock, last I checked), including this Syrah. Not only that, Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 93 points!
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.”
2016 Ojai Vineyard Syrah Rolling Ranch, Ventura County (Upper Ojai), 14% ABV, $50 (#487*)98% Syrah, 2% Viognier
Winery Notes from Their Website: “It’s already been a thrill for us to taste this 2016 Syrah, which represents the first cool vintage since we’ve reworked our approach to extraction with this wine. Around 2012 we had reassessed our approach to Roll Ranch Syrah, wading into further use of stem inclusion to open up some its chewier tendencies. Wading then became a plunge into majority whole cluster fermentation and pumpovers in subsequent vintages.
“The 2016 vintage showed a partial rebound out of the drought. Yields came up from the paltry 2015 year but were still shy of average. Throughout even July and August the marine layer pushed well up into the Upper Ojai Valley where Roll Ranch sits, and those cool mornings provided a more gently ripened nature to this boisterous fruit.
“Stepping away from the plummy opacity that dominated this wine’s youth in years past, there’s some transparency into the finer, once slow to show aspects of Roll Ranch. There’s more room for the co-fermented Viognier to express itself, melding with the Syrah to express lavender chocolate, just torn Apricot, and rich seductive flavors of ripe cherry and muddled raspberry. What is lavish gets balanced by appealing dustiness and the earthy punctuation of dried herbs and nutmeg from the stems. It will continue to evolve a long while, but this Roll Ranch Syrah just rocks already—how nice is it to not have to wait ten years first?!” 22 months in French oak barrels, 27% new.
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Strangely minty. Dark plum and kalamata olive flavors. I was hoping for a richer, fruitier Syrah, but now that I see the winery’s notes, I recognize that was not their aim with this vintage. The winery has a cool aging guide for all its wines by varietal and vineyard on its website. Clearly, this wine was way too young to drink and required decanting. I would like to try it again. August 2021
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 required. You can find a link on their website!
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
Sometimes it is hard to keep track of tasting rooms and their locations, as they swap primarily between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley Village. We knew Scratch had moved to the valley and decided to check out this new winery in its tiny spot in the entry way to an art gallery. Figge, Scratch and now Lepe, which opened back in April 2021! We were impressed with the wines and look forward to going back. Check them out if you haven’t been there yet!
About Lepe Cellars from their website: “Our goal is simple: to capture the true expression of the vines by farming in a way that respects the biodiversity within the land. We are able to achieve our sustainable and natural approach by spending our time in the vineyards where winemaking begins. From here there is a continuous flow into the cellar where low-intervention artisanal methods are used to express a sense of place surrounding the Monterey wine region.
“We source from organically farmed vineyards and hand harvest using sheers to keep the fruit intact and pristine. Our growers avoid the use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers. From there fermentation begins in small batches using native yeasts that originate from the vineyard and cellar, allowing the development for increased complexity. Aging continues in finely grained French oak barrels where the wine evolves naturally at its own pace. When the wine is ready, we begin the bottling process. Our wines are never fined nor do we use any other additives, making our wines organic, vegan and sustainable.”
About the Winemaker: “Miguel Lepe studied enology and viticulture at California Polytechnic State University – SLO. He began his career working for various well respected wineries across California’s Central Coast and South America. Passionate about his craft, Miguel’s hard work and dedication has led him on a new journey – creating Lepe Cellars to showcase the best of Monterey County wines.” He makes his wines at the Wrath winery and his mentor was Peter Figge.
Today I am presenting 5 Lepe Cellars wines. The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet, website and emails with the winery.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Layers of lemon and lime mingle with mineral tones, wet stone, and a floral bouquet. This bright and energetic Vermentino pairs well with oysters, scallops and sushi.”
My Review: Perfumey with bitter grapefruit on the palate. Lime zest on the finish. I like a Vermentino from Cedar Lane! only 1 of 2 that I know. August 2021
2017 Lepe Cellars Chardonnay, River Ranch, Carmel Valley, 13% ABV, $32 (#479*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “Seared orange-rind and toasty bread aromas make for a slightly wild but intriguing nose. There’s a lemon-peel tang to the sip, where hints of cream, apple and pineapple converge.”
My Review: Neutral oak was used to make this flavorful Chardonnay – lemon, pineapple and a touch of bitterness fill the palate. I like this Chardonnay! August 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Bright and lush in style, unleashing fresh juicy cherries and raspberries with hints of hibiscus on the finish. Light to medium body spectrum achieving a fresh fruit forward profile. Pairs well with herb crusted pork tenderloin, grilled lamb, mushroom creams and dark sauces.”
My Review: Comes from a great SLH vineyard – garnet in color. I confess as not a Pinot Noir lover, I failed to capture proper tasting notes. August 2021
2020 Lepe Cellars Zinfandel, Wellong Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 13.7 ABV, $40 (#481*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “This single-vineyard expression from southern Monterey County begins with a floral hit on the nose before diving into cherry-compote and crushed rock aromas. It’s linear on the palate with red-plum, hibiscus and cinnamon tones, finishing with a spicy kick of white pepper.”
My Review: Spicy on the nose. This is about the best Zinfandel I have tasted from Monterey County – will for sure be one to watch. It comes from one of the best potential spots for Zin in the area. August 2021
2019 Lepe Cellars Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey, 13.7% ABV, $55 (#482*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “Elegant aromas of fresh blueberry and violets with hints of dark plum, black pepper and milk chocolate on the palate tied together with soft lush tannins. Pairs well with Lamb shawarma, Indian tandoori and barbecued ribs.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Beautifully jammy nose carrying over onto the palate. Best Syrah we tasted on this day. I sure hope I bought some! August 2021
You can buy Lepe Cellars wines on their website or at their tasting room on Dolores between 7th Avenue and Ocean, Carmel-by-the-Sea, daily 12-7 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. They are also sold at these locations:
Deer Park Wine & Spirits – Aptos, CA
Capitola Wine Bar – Capitola, CA
Star Market – Salinas, CA
Elroy’s Fine Foods – Monterey, CA
Village Wine & Tap Room – Carmel Valley, CA
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
We recently opened Ian Brand’s 2017 Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon and I wrote up this whole side-by-side review of the 2017 and the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (2018 previously reviewed here: https://decantingmonterey.com/le-ptit-paysan-new-releases-continue-to-impress/). A few weeks later, we discovered a 2012 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah in our wine room and decided to open it, as well. So, let me revise my planned post a bit!
About Le P’tit Paysan from wine.com: “The Le P’tit Paysan label is ‘Village’ wines reimagined for California. They take vineyards and lots that, for whatever reason, aren’t ready to stand on their own and we compose them into terroir specific, eminently drinkable wines that belong on your table. These wines are made with the same attention to detail that graces our single vineyard offerings, specific site selection, open top fermentation (reds) or whole cluster pressing (whites), a focus on endemic fermentations, no enzymes, no fining, gentle filtration only as needed. Easy to drink but subtly serious, easy to pair but lovely on their own, demurring complexity, bright acidity, clean and fresh as the ocean air that blows in daily off the Monterey Bay.”
We liked the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon and feel the direction of moving to Old Vines fruit from San Benito County, as he did with the 2018, is a great move. That one was incredibly young when I tasted it and it deserves a revisit soon. AND, for my DC-area readers, you can find the 2018 at lots of little markets around town!
2017 Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, 13.3% ABV, $25 (#475*)
91 Points by wine.com: “Wineries often grapple with this question: Do we produce a style of wine that most consumers will like our do we deliver the best vision of the grape variety? The 2017 Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon pulls no punches and is a true to the grape variety as can be. TASTING NOTES: This wine is pert, well-built and Old World in style. Its aromas and flavors of black currants, earth, and dried herbs and held together in a tight and elegant format. It should pair well with a pan-seared lamb chop. (Tasted: March 19, 2019, San Francisco, CA)”
My Review: Dark in the glass. Black fruits on the nose with a touch of cedar. Dark berry and cherry flavors on the palate. Vanilla on the finish. A touch acidic. August 2021
2018 Le P’tit Paysan Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, San Benito County, $25 (#279*) (previously published)
Winery Tasting Notes: “currant, blueberry, cracked black pepper, medium-bodied”
Wine Enthusiast – 91 points:“This is a great example of Cab done in a more classical style, utilizing old vines for their aromatic and flavor range while remaining light on its toes. Aromas of crunchy blackberry, pepper and crushed wet stone lead into an energetic palate of black plum, chaparral spice and cracked pepper.” Matt Kettmann, 09/2021
My Review: Ruby in the glass. A light, smooth bouquet and palate to match. Very drinkable – not a big wine, but a great value and drinkable now! March 2021
2012 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, ~$21(#476*)
Winery Notes: Black plums, blackberry, crushed rocks, black olive. Full and rich on the palate, but neither hot nor oaky. Structured without being overbearing, rich dark fruit, long finish with hints of stem tannins.
My Review: Inky ruby in the glass. Dark plum and blueberry on the nose. Soft blueberry and blackberry fruit is enveloped by a licorice finish. October 2021
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
Continuing to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea tasting rooms, we went to an old favorite of mine, Silvestri! Silvestri has the same winemaker as Parsonage and I am partial to their bigger reds. I last brough you a Silvestri wine in August of 2020: https://decantingmonterey.com/silvestri-a-composer-of-elegant-carmel-valley-wines/. I won’t repeat the Silvestri story in this post – and you can read their latest newsletter here!
We were disappointed to see that the tasting room had lost its parklet due to decisions by the city, but were able to taste adequately nonetheless at the end of its attractive bar. I didn’t get to taste the Barbera while there, but picked it up for a future blog!
Today I am presenting 5 Silvestri wines. The winery notes and prices come from their website. About their winemaking process from their website: “Our winemaking practices involve hands-on techniques such as French oak barrel fermentation for the Chardonnay and small open topped fermentors for the red varieties. The goal is to use traditional methods to allow the expression of the terroir while taking advantage of modern knowledge about wine fermentation and aging.”
*My late add to this post is a 6th wine, the 2020 Rosé. While I did the regular tasting menu, my friend did the rosé menu and purchased this special pack of 5 rosé wines for $100! She shared this one with me on a “hot” coastal September afternoon – perfect for the occasion!*
2018 Silvestri Tre Bambine Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, 14.3% ABV, $35 (#465*)
Winery notes: “The Silvestri Vineyards Chardonnays are pressed and put into stainless steel tanks. It is then racked to French oak barrels to begin primary fermentation (sugar to alcohol) which takes place over a 3-4 week period. After primary fermentation is complete the wine is then inoculated to begin the malolactic fermentation process. This process gives the wine a buttery, creamy character. The wine is then stirred every 10 days for several months to increase mouthfeel and then barrel aged for approximately 10 months before bottling.” 134 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Meet the newest member of our family. Born from grapes grown in our hilltop vineyard delivering highly aromatic fruit flavors. Mango, melon with undertones of hazelnut make this wine a winner. Just the right amount of acidity pops up in time to create the proper balance. This wine calls for crab cakes, pork or a soft brie type cheese.”
My Review: Light yellow in color. Butter and caramel on the nose. Crisp on the palate with melon flavors and good minerality. August 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Bella Sandra lovers will be delighted with the 2017 vintage. An excellent vintage all around, this Chardonnay displays all the fruit, oak and acid balance it’s known for. Begin with the aromas of pineapple and melon then taste the flavors of Asian pear a bit of hazelnut all combined. Creamy, soft mouth-feel finishes with fine acidity. Indulge with a dish of lobster mac and cheese. Delicious!”
My Review: Grapefruit and sugar – dry and crisp – I preferred this Chardonnay to the buttery one. August 2021
Winery notes: “A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats” “This Pinot Noir comes from Block 1 in our vineyard. This specific site presents the perfect ripeness and determines the dramatic results of this wine. Science and art at it’s best, balancing numbers and taste. After picking, our Pinot Noir is de-stemmed and whole berries are put into ¾ ton fermenters where they cold soak for 24 hours before adding yeast. Whole berry fermentation maximizes the extraction of flavor and color. After another 24 hours we “punch down” 3 times a day for 10-14 days. After primary fermentation (sugar to alcohol) the juice is racked to one third to one half new French oak barrels. Malo-lactic fermentation will take place here over a months time and will remain in the barrel for 8-12 months until bottling…” 292 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Relish the aromas and flavors of this Pinot Noir. Raspberry, cherry, allspice and vanilla throughout this mouth-filling pleasure. Silky and alluring to the finish. An ideal match with wild mushroom pasta.”
My Review: Comes from the first Pinot Noir planted on the estate in the 1990’s. Dark ruby in the glass. Cherry on the nose and a little black pepper and spice. Light cherry on the palate. August 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “What a combo. This Grenache/Syrah blend is just right. These friends complement each other from the Grenache flavors of raspberry, pomegranate and fig to Syrah’s black raspberry, blueberry and white pepper spice. Soft, toasty oak gives a smooth texture and moderate tannins with balancing acidity to finish it off. Roast lamb, braised beef with mushroom sauce are some perfect pairings with this wine.”
My Review: Rich ruby color. Cherry and berry flavors intertwining on the palate, not quite sure which wine it wants to be. Lots of fruit and a slight bitterness on the finish. A tad acidic. August 2021
2018 Silvestri Syrah, Red Ranger, Estate, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $75 (#469*)
Winery notes: “The 2018 Red Ranger is the sixth release of our signature Syrah that represents a part of the vineyard featuring the Bien Nacido clone, which is known for its richness and complexity. We use 75% new French oak and age it in the cellar for 16 months…We are designating our reserve Syrah “Red Ranger” after our son Joey, a mild mannered poet until you face him on the longboard, downhill racecourse.” 114cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Red Ranger rocks! That consistent depth of flavor, roundness and long finish are all here. Blackberry, black currant and a trace of fig lead to the full mouthfeel, just the right acidity and long, luscious finish…Try with a sausage stew and roasted meats, or aged hard cheeses.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Very jammy, intense berry with an earthiness mid-palate. Some raisin flavors on the finish. Good texture. My Silvestri favorite. Always a must-buy for me! August 2021
2020 Silvestri Rosé, Estate, Carmel Valley, 14% ABV, $20 (#471*)
Winery notes: “A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Franc and Malbec shows seamless aromas of strawberry and raspberry with a dry, lingering finish.” 241 cases produced.
My Review: What a unique blend! To me, this rosé smelled like Champagne! Delicate sweetness on the palate with flavor of apricot. Perfect for a very warm, sunny day. September 2021
You can buy Silvestri wines online or at their tasting room on 7th Avenue between San Carlos and Dolores, Carmel-by-the-Sea, daily 12-6 p.m. on a first come, first served basis.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
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