Category: Wine Blog/Reviews

Sierra Foothills Wine Country: Getting Off the Monterey Peninsula!

THE STORY

We don’t get off the Monterey Peninsula very often, but we were able to tag a weekend in the Shenandoah Valley area of Amador County onto a rare trip up north. I’m a Zinfandel girl at heart, so it was fun to get back to my wine loving roots.  I had never visited the Sierra Foothills wineries, so everything was a first for me.  We were able to spend 2 days wine tasting – and I am so glad we did!

The hills were very dry in Shenandoah Valley and the road to get there was narrow and windy.  It didn’t look like anyplace I had been before.  We are talking rural. We blew right past Plymouth in the blink of an eye. And suddenly we found our first winery! We were able to visit each of the wineries without a reservation (it was mid-November, after all) and were please by the affordability of the tasting fees – in some places there was no tasting fee at all!

Lots of grapes were left hanging in this region due to lower demand.

We stayed in tiny Plymouth at the lovely boutique Rest hotel (highly recommended) and had our first night’s meal at Taste, a first-rate experience across the board.

This is going to be a two-part series highlighting my recommendations of standout wineries and wines based on our visit. Today’s post focuses on Villa Toscano, Cooper Vineyards and Scott Harvey Wines. I’d like to share with you some of our experiences on our first day visiting.  We did not make it to all the wineries recommended to us.  I’m going to focus on the highlights to keep this as short and sweet as possible.

THE SIERRA FOOTHILLS WINE REGION

Let’s start at the top with a history of the Sierra Foothills Wine Region from this Wine Enthusiast article:

“The region’s wine industry dates back to the Gold Rush when, in the mid 1800s, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world arrived searching for riches. Some looked for gold and others, like businessmen Levi Strauss, Domingo Ghirardelli and Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, serviced those looking for gold. Southern European settlers, mainly from Italy, first began planting grapevines in the area. The region’s diverse soils proved ideal for growing grapes. The wine industry soon took off thanks to a population boom and by the early 1900s, the Sierra Foothills had become a major producer for California.

Image from Amador Vintners

“Unfortunately, Prohibition dealt a severe blow to business. But vineyards were merely abandoned instead of being ripped out entirely. In the 1970s, winemakers began to discover the many old vines still producing high-quality grapes and saw potential in the Sierra Foothills. In 1987, The Sierra Foothills American Viticulture Area (AVA), with its six sub-zones of California Shenandoah Valley, Amador County, El Dorado, Fair Play, Fiddletown and North Yuba, was officially established. Today, the region has more than 200 wineries.”

ABOUT AMADOR COUNTY WINEGROWING REGIONS

We didn’t know much about Amador County wines, so relied on this Amador Vintners website plus recommendations from friends and wine ratings to pick our stops. Our experience spanned some of the oldest wineries in the region to some of the newest. Most of the wineries we visited were in the Shenandoah Valley AVA, known for its Zinfandel and Barbera wines, but it is much more than that. At the recommendation of the hotel’s happy hour winery, we also drove over to Fiddletown to check out a newer winery focusing on Rhône varietals.  That will be in next week’s post!

Image from Amador Vintners

From Amador Vintners: “Amador Wine Country: Relaxed and Unpretentious. With a stunning setting in the Sierra Foothills that delivers an authentic wine country experience. Exactly how you remember California’s wine country used to be. The 50+ wineries comprising the Amador Vintners Association are dedicated to producing premium-quality wines that offer distinctive regional character. This character can also be seen in each winery’s genuine brand of hospitality!”

THE WINERIES & WINES

I have 6 wines to present to you today from Villa Toscano, Cooper Vineyards and Scott Harvey Wines.  Winery notes are from their websites, tasting sheets, or conversations with staff. I would like to add an honorable mention to the 2022 Jeff Runquist Tempranillo, $32 (#1496) – My Notes: Beautiful dark color in the glass. Balanced, big bold flavors with cassis on the finish. This was our favorite by far at this winery.

Villa Toscano

Our first stop was Villa Toscano – mostly because it boasted lunch at its Bistro and was a good place to rendezvous with our friends.  It’s older architecture in a Tuscan style, reminiscent of times gone by. We got their first and made a bee line to their Tasting Room, where the staff helped us hone in on a few of the best reds. We were pleasantly surprised. It was also the first place we encountered a White Barbera!

The 2023 White Barbera was a little zippy and a fun wine!

There are so many wines to explore here (the image above is only their reds!) and it is worthy of a future visit, when we can spend more than 10 minutes in the tasting room! Here are a couple of the wines we liked so much that we took them home!

2020 Villa Toscano Gold Rush Old Vine Zinfandel, Shenandoah Valley AVA, Amador County, 15.7% ABV, $45 (#1494)

Winery Notes: “Blackberry, mulberry with bold acidity. Notes of leather and black currant.”

My Review: Cinnamon and cherry on the nose. Lingering palate of jammy, dark fruit. That is a mouthful. A Sharon kind of wine. We took a 2019 and a 2020 home. November 2024

2020 Bella Piazza Montepulciano, Shenandoah Valley AVA, Amador County, $38 (#1495)

Winery Notes for the 2019 Vintage: “Dark berry and red plum aromas with subtle notes of violet and dried herbs.”

My Review: I don’t have detailed tasting notes on this wine. The nose had some sweetness to it – in a good way, followed by a velvety palate of bold flavors. We took 2 home. November 2024

Cooper Vineyards

When we walked into Cooper Vineyard’s bustling tasting room, we immediately felt the down-to-earth cowboy vibe. The friendly staff walked us through each wine and several made my list. Alas, I only managed to take one home.

About Cooper Vineyards: “Since the 1970s, the Cooper Family’s mission has been to produce the highest quality fruit and present it to you in exquisite single varietal wines and beautifully balanced blends. Beginning with Barbera, Dick Cooper, family patriarch, carefully tended rolling vineyards that now boast seventeen varietals…Today our premium grapes are producing award-winning wines characterized by rich flavors and lush aromas with subtle fruitiness, balanced tannins, layered complexities, and smooth, lingering finishes.”

2021 Cooper Vineyards Barbera Riserva, Amador County, $47 (#1497)

Winery Notes: “With its perfect marriage of floral and fruity aromas, our 2021 Barbera Riserva wraps itself around you like a big hug. Caramel, apple, leather and cloves on the nose deliver pure joy and pleasure in each and every sip. A subtle spice and heat (could it be red pepper?) merge with a suggestion of raspberry to bring you a finish that is super smooth, dark and rich. A labor of love, this Riserva is barrel select and aged 34 months in 100% New American Oak. Awesome with Drunken Steak with Shitake Mushrooms.”

My Review: Dark fruit/prune and vanilla on the nose. Big dark fruit on the front palate and a lot of sweet on the finish jammy. Good balance of some sweet and tart. Perhaps our favorite Barbera of the day. November 2024

2021 Cooper Vineyards Mourvèdre, Amador County, $32 (#1498)

Winery Notes: Known by many names, Mourvedre is thought to have originated in Spain but is best known as a Rhone varietal. Historically used as a blending grape, Mourvèdre arrived in California in the 1860’s. Our 2021 single varietal Mourvèdre is not for the faint of heart with unique and captivating aromas of toffee and leather, and whispers of sandalwood – earthy, woody, sweet, spicy. This complex wine presents with warm and rich flavors of espresso, oaked vanilla and smokiness. Think stews, braises and other rich and hearty dishes as perfect food pairings.

My Review: Coffee with a hint of smoke on the nose. This wine presents as a classic Mourvèdre. Herbal, dark and brooding and quite tasty. November 2024

Cooper Vineyards Ranch Red, Amador County, 14.5% ABV, $32 (#1499)

Winery Notes: “This innovative blend of Alicante Bouchet (38%), Carignane (25%), Charbono (25%) and Barbera (12%), all 2021 vintages, is rustic yet exotic. Scents of cherry, cola, clove, cinnamon, leather, pepper and sandalwood precede flavors of warm spice, black fruits and the umami characteristics of smoked meat. Soft tannins, balanced acidity and a juicy finish will have you exclaiming…a triumph, Mike Roser, another triumph”

My Review: Bright notes dance on your palate in this everyday red. We took one home. November 2024

Scott Harvey Wines

We finished our day with a very quick stop at Scott Harvey. The impressive wines are definitely worthy of a revisit and more time to explore the whole collection – with a fresh palate.

About Scott Harvey: I encourage you to click this link and read the whole, beautiful story of Scott Harvey “Where Passion Meets Heritage”

“At the heart of our winemaking journey lies a story of love, heritage, and an unyielding passion for creating exceptional wines. It all began in the picturesque vineyards of Amador County, where Scott, our founder, grew up savoring the rich flavors of his step-grandfather’s homemade wine, crafted from the very grapes that adorned their family estate…With winemaking coursing through his veins, Scott returned to the Sierras, determined to elevate Amador County to a world-class wine region.

“Tirelessly pioneering the area’s potential, he immersed himself in various wineries, honing his craft, until destiny beckoned him to Napa Valley, a mecca for any winemaker. Scott’s winemaking mentor had just bought a small winery in Napa and needed a winemaker for the project. Dr. Richard Peterson asked Scott to make it a takeover candidate by a bigger winery.  Scott went to work and created Menage a Trois which did the job.  But despite the allure of Napa, his heart remained steadfast in Amador. The turning point arrived when the Napa winery he worked at was sold, presenting Scott with the golden opportunity to reclaim his dream.”

2021 Scott Harvey Vineyard 1869 Zinfandel, Amador County, 14.9% ABV, $75 (#1500)

Winery Notes: “Briary varietal layered Zinfandel, dark color, marjoram spice, bright cherry, tomato, white pepper, medium French oak, luscious center, layered complexity. Old Vine complexity and first growth quality.” “Crafted from the oldest documented Zinfandel vines in the U.S., delivering a piece of history in every sip. ALMOST SOLD OUT!” 90% Zinfandel, 10% Primitivo

My Review: Dark jammy nose. Finished with orange peel. As the last wines of the day, I did not capture thorough tasting notes. We took some home, so I will update this upon a revisit. November 2024

THE TASTING ROOMS

Due to the length of today’s post, please check each winery’s website for details on when and where to taste their wines.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Kicking Off the New Year with a Chesebro Favorite!

THE STORY

Image is compliments of https://pngtree.com

I hope you had a great New Year’s celebration with some of your favorite wines. Today’s kick off of 2025 continues with another one of our local favorites.

Quite often we play the Mystery Wine game amongst the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. We blind taste a wine, guess which continent it is from; then which country or wine region it is from, the varietal, the winery and sometimes even the year. I’m not very good at this game, but it challenges our collective wine knowledge and just makes things a bit more fun.

Last fall, we played such a game and I got it all wrong.  It was a big, juicy wine which I guessed was from Napa Valley. I guessed it was a red blend.  I would have never guessed that the wine was the Chesebro 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from our own Carmel Valley AVA!

I’m bringing you this wine again because of the power of blind tasting a wine – let’s see how my previous review and this one compare! And long ago, I promised to share my thoughts on the 2017 La Grava Merlot. Welcome to tpoday’s post!

THE WINES

Today, I am presenting 2 Chesebro wines.  I last presented their wines to you in August 2024 here: Chesebro New Releases: the 2023 Whites Are Available Now! Winery notes come from the label, their tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted.  Any errors are mine and mine alone; however, as a general rule, I do not correct any typos from the winery’s website.

2018 Chesebro Cabernet Sauvignon, Chaparral Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#1416)

Winery Notes: “Many people don’t know that Chesebro Winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon because generally it is not released to the public.  This is a real treat for you fans of our heavy reds. From the highest elevation (2400ft) vineyard in Carmel Valley. Chapparal Vineyard is dry farmed and gives a very small yield of less than 2 tons per acre, which means the wine is bursting with flavor, color and aromatics. Aged for 22 months in French Oak. Upon first glance this Cabernet shows a deep dark mahogany core. Soaring aromatics (both savory and fruity) emerge from the glass with dark currants on the nose complimented by fresh tobacco, cedar, sage, cassis and of course chapparal. Wondeful balance, chalky minerality and fine grained tannins. Fruit forward and charming yet densely structured – This has it all but there are only 50 cases made so get it while you can.”

My Original Review: The spicy nose is followed by a tasty palate of dark cherry and berries. It is drinking well now. Can cellar a couple of years. Another vintage (2019) is coming! We took some home. June 2024

My Mystery Game Review: Inky in the glass. Smells like a Sharon kind of big red with jammy dark cherry and black pepper notes. A New World wine, for sure. Woah – a super delicious palate with tart/bright crushed berries on the front with a jammy finish of intense berries, cassis and alcohol. I guessed this could come from Napa Valley, but I did not guess it was a Cabernet Sauvignon and I did not guess whose. This is one hell of a wine. October 2024

2017 Chesebro La Grava, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV (#1493)

Winery Notes: “La Grava is our Bordeaux inspired Merlot-based blend that pays homage to the gravelly soils of Cedar Lane Vineyard.” (from the label)

My Review: Garlic, red cherry, raspberry, cedar and mild green pepper on the nose. Palate of medium red and black fruits with a tart finish. Paired well with Trader Joe’s Organic Cacio e Pepe Puffs. December 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Published with permission from the Chesebro Facebook page

“Come Raise a Glass with Us! We are located at 19D East Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.”

“We are now open for tasting on Friday through Sunday from noon until 5 PM and by apointment on other days. Due to our limited capacity please make an appointment on all days so that we may better serve you. Appointments can either be set up through this page…or by contacting Alex directly at Alex@chesebrowines.com or 831-238-2618. Due to our remote location, appointments are not available for the winery itself….”

© Decanting Monterey 2025

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Boëté Opens a New Tasting Venue Inside The Barrel Room!

Let’s kick off 2025 with some HAPPY NEWS!!

A few weeks ago, Jana Saunders of Boëté Winery sent members an email announcing their new tasting room location. I was very happy to receive this news, as we’ve been enjoying their wines almost as long as those from their estate neighbor, Parsonage.  In fact, long ago (about 20 years ago?), they shared the same tasting room space in the Wagon Wheel Shopping Center off Carmel Valley Road.  Yes, that’s how long I’ve known their wines.  We became instant fans of their Cabernet Franc and their reserve wines. Once they closed that location, we trekked up to their winery a few times to taste and pick up our wines, but just as often, especially in the pandemic, we waited for home delivery. But, I digress.

In December, Jana and John Saunders’ sons Dillon and Jesse opened The Barrel Room at 5 Del Fino Place in Carmel Valley Village, the former location of the Village Wine & Tap Room.  While primarily a sports bar featuring beers and local wines, they are offering Boëté wine tasting from 12-5 daily for $30. The tasting includes their current releases and reserve wines. We even got to taste a new Cabernet Sauvignon their sons created!

THE WINERY

I haven’t written often about Boëté on this website. The most recent post is here from May 2021: Boëté – A Personal Milestone Celebration Inside the Winery! In that post are more links to the Boëté story. 

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 wines for the first time in this blog. Winery tasting notes come from their website, the tasting sheet, or conversations with the tasting room staff. Any errors are mine and mine alone.  As a matter of practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites. I had previously written up the 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – it is drinking extremely well – that is a must buy wine!

2019 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $54 (#1489)

My Review: Mocha and warmth (sweet and smoky like the comfort of a campfire) on the nose. Delicious palate of purple fruits – boysenberry and blueberry. I liked this wine. December 2024

2018 Boëté Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $52 (#1490)

My Review: Ripe on the nose, finishing with stewed fruit. So soft on the palate with a full fruit finish. Was opened the day before, so it had the opportunity to fully open up. December 2024

2019 Boëté Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $54 (#1491)

Winery Notes: New release.

My Review: Marshmallow, brown sugar, vanilla maybe camelia blossom (all in a good way), dark plum and subtle sweet tart on the nose. Palate is bright with red fruits including bing cherry and an herbaceous note in the finish. This is dang delicious. 😋

2022 “Saunders Brothers” Cabernet Sauvignon, Dorcich Family Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, $30 (#1492)

Winery Notes: Made by sons Dillon and Jesse, this wine will be sold only in the tasting room and will serve as one of their house wines.  Expecting a label soon.

My Review: Beautiful nose of primarily red fruits, followed by a delicious palate. Very drinkable now.  These young men know a thing or two about wine! December 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

You can taste and purchase Boëté wines at The Barrel Room every day, 12-5 p.m. 5 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village. 

You can read more about the winery and purchase their wines on line here: https://www.boetewinery.com/our-wines-list/Our-wines-list/#close. For more information, please call 831-625-5040 or email boetewinery@comcast.net.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Parsonage: From the 2008 “Snosrap” to the Latest Rocco!

THE STORY

We are never quite sure what will get pulled out of our cellar, but it never surprises me that it will be a  Parsonage wine, as we have been purchasing their wines since about 2002. They are our longest, continuous winery relationship in Monterey County. I do like my big reds.

Our Expansive Relationships with Monterey County Wineries (2021)

In this post, we have 3 cellar pulls, with the 2008 “Snosrap” – the Cyrano, followed by the just-released 2021 Rocco Reserve Syrah. I thought this might make a fun little holiday post. It was shocking to us to find this 2008 wine in our cellar, but, as some racks are double-stacked, anything could be hiding in there! And, IMHO, the Rocco should be tasted BEFORE the voluptuous Xandro (reviewed in the post linked below).  We left with a couple more Xandro’s and I admit I might need to go back and try the Rocco again!

This 2021 Xandro is so big, jammy, and delicious!

My last post about Parsonage was here: Parsonage Releases Stunning Wines from the 2021 Vintage! Since I write about them often, let’s just jump into these wines!

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you 4 Parsonage wines across several vintages and varietals.  Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Some of these are so new that tasting notes aren’t even yet available! Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2008 Parsonage Snosrap Bordelaise Red Wine, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $24 (#1485)

“the nose knows…”

My Review: Deep garnet in the glass. Very dark jammy fruit on the nose with coffee and chocolate notes. Upon opening, a bit like ruby port or that new 2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon I just reviewed. On day two, drinking so much better. Medium bodied, this wine expresses some SweetTart flavors, balanced by dark brooding fruit mid-palate with notes of spearmint, and a hint of rosemary. Retains a hot and caramelized, port-like finish. I liked this wine. November 2024

2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast AVA (#1486)

Winery Notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon field blend is joined with a mix of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It’s a full-throttle bombastic beauty, typical of younger vines. The nose is all about dark fruit marked by brambleberry compote. Plum and cassis join with brambleberry on a muscular palate that finishes with some major league tannins.”

My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Red and black fruits having a party on the nose, with cherry predominant. Juicy palate balancing bright red and black as it crosses the tongue with licorice on the finish. Is Cabernet Sauvignon supposed to be fun? This one sure is. November 2024

2015 Parsonage Dario & Bixby Reserve Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County (#1487) Merlot & Petit Verdot blend

My Review: Surprisingly bright fruit on the nose – tart blackberry. Huge palate jammed with blackberry and dark fruit flavors. Licorice notes dance on the finish. Powerful for a 9-year old wine. November 2024

2021 Parsonage Rocco Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98, (#1488)

Winery Notes: “Our magnificent flagship wine, the Rocco is what we’re known for! A restrained melange of floral, exotic spice and splendidly dark fruit harmonize into a uniquely Parsonage terroir bouquet. The generous palate of black fruit – berries, cherries, currants, plums – accented with dark chocolate, savory spice and mysterious umami all wrapped up in an elegantly full-bodied structure.”

My Review: Caramel on the nose. Full palate of dark fruit, dark berries. This newly released wine is still quite young, drinking a tad lean yet elegant, not as rich and jammy as other vintages. I would recommend tasting it before – not after the 2021 Xandro, which is such a big, jammy mouthful. You can find that wine reviewed in Decanting Monterey at the post above. December 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

“Hooray! We are open for both indoor and outdoor wine tasting daily.”

19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village

Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm, Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. “Reservations can be made here or by phone. Please call us at 831-659-7322 for same day reservations.”

© Decanting Monterey 2024

**FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Monterey AWS Chapter Wine Group Celebrates the Holidays at LadySomm!

THE STORY

The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society was seeking a place to celebrate the holidays – and I thought of LadySomm at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel. They have interesting offerings in a great space. Fortunately, the date we were seeking just happened to be open on their calendar. They offered us some fun wine education aspects and a beautiful spread of cheeses and fruits paired with some delicious bread, making for a lovely evening. Roxanne and Tamara were great hostesses for our group that evening. Thank you, ladies! And we were very happy to meet some brand new members of our local wine group!

ABOUT LADYSOMM

From their website: “At the heart of Lady Somm are two sisters, Roxane Langer and Tamara Carver, whose passion for wine has blossomed into a mission to share it with the world. With backgrounds that span the globe and the wine spectrum, they invite you to join them on a journey of discovery, education, and enjoyment. Welcome to our world of wine.”

On their website, you can dive deeper into all of their wine education, tasting salon, travel and special events. I encourage you to take a peek! I am excited about their offerings – there is something for every budget.  They host regular wine tasting and education events, running the spectrum from informal to fancy.  It’s a fun place to explore!

THE EVENT

Our holiday celebration at LadySomm was a fun event.  How lovely to enter their space, all decorated for the holidays with the beautiful charcuterie boards on display plus the 3 wine education stations: 

  • “Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles – Taste three different sparklers that evoke the holiday spirit: Are you a prosecco fan or a method Champenoise fan, OR do you even know which you prefer? Taste three of our favorites to confirm your preference.”

This was eye opening. The prosecco from Italy upon first taste was delicious, blowing my preconceived idea that all prosecco’s are sweet. Others thought it was a tad sweet, which I discovered to be true upon a revisit. Alas. The cava from Spain was extremely bubbly, crisp, and dry – the bubbles obfuscated the flavors for me, which is one of my pet peeves in overly bubbly wines. I probably didn’t give it a fair shake and will try another one again. The Champagne (obviously from France) had the finest bubbles, the most sophisticated of the three.  I do enjoy a good Champagne! Those would have been fun to blind taste to see if we could guess which was which.

  • “Beef or Fowl for your holiday table – which wine region has you covered? Taste a “perfect for your roast turkey” white wine, a big red for your prime rib and a wine that pairs well with both all from one European wine region.”

Here, we learned how different wines pair with turkey and beef. We tasted a Domaine de Cala, Coteaux Varois en Provence rosé with the turkey – an appropriate pairing.

Then we tried the 2021 Wrath Pinot Noir, Boekenoogen Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.3 % ABV, $49 (#1484) (92 points – Wine Enthusiast) with both the turkey and the beef, showing its versatility in food pairing. This wine was fuller-bodied than the typical SLH Pinot Noir, possessing enough structure and tannins to please our palates and stand up to the beef.

Finally we tried a Tribe & Arrow Diamond Dão Proprietary Red Blend (50% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot), Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley with the beef.  I didn’t see the vintage, but this is a limited production bottling by Olette Wines with individually numbered bottles. Another great pairing!

  • “Know What Your Nose Knows – Learning the Language of Wine: Learn to smell and identify common scents in three different wine varietals.”

Here they had on display a 2022 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1088); a Val de Meigas Albariño from Spain; and a MAX Carménère Reserva from Chile. For this exercise, they put wine glasses upside down over Le Nez du Vin wine odor bottles.  Oh, is that what you are supposed to do with them – who knew? Another fun excursion for a future wine event!

First we focused on the aroma chart or what one might smell by swirling one of the white wines in the glass. Then we could pick up each glass and try to discern the odor in each glass to the chart.  I guessed all of these correctly.  The green apple wasn’t so distinctive, but wet hay was the most memorable for me. Then we had a set of cards to use to identify the odor samples typical for a Carménère. I got green pepper off the bat, and found garlic a bit harder to discern. OK, I don’t consider myself to have a very good nose or palate for detecting the multitude of aromas and flavors in a wine, but I aced them all!

VISITING LADYSOMM

LadySomm is located at 3728 The Barnyard, G-23 on the upper level in Carmel. They are open 2-7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays. Check out their website for upcoming events throughout this holiday period and beyond! 

JOIN THE MONTEREY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY!

December is the perfect month to join the American Wine Society and select Monterey, CA as your local chapter! Please join today so you can participate in our 2025 local wine education activities!

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Living Room with Friends: A Bunter Spring Pop-Up

THE STORY

Bunter Spring Winery held a pop-up tasting about a month ago.  I had not been in his pop-up space since he took it over and it felt like we were walking into someone’s living/dining room with friends.  Surrounded by Mark Bunter and Margaret Spring’s close friends and their dogs, this felt more like a small party in someone’s home. Mark shared some novel wines, demonstrating his winemaking prowess, and some fabulous sale prices, to boot!

THE WINERY

From the Bunter Spring website:

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

VINEYARD Update

In his recent email, Mark informed us that the vineyard had been torn out and is replaced by a field of flowers:

“When Dad decided it was time to retire, I realized the winery would not be going forward.  Vineyards require a lot of upkeep.  An abandoned vineyard becomes an unsightly weedy jungle or desert, depending on rainfall.  It breeds fungi which hurt your neighbors vines.  So…”

THE WINES

We really enjoyed this Bunter Spring tasting event, as we were able to taste two wines made very differently from the same (somewhat suspicious) grape. It’s like an on-the-spot lesson in winemaking. Also, Mark dares to break from the expected in terms of what (as an example) a Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir is expected to taste like by making one with enough juice from Carmel Valley to completely change its taste profile.

As always, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the winery.  Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.

2022 Bunter Spring White Wine, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 13% ABV  $20 (#1480)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Your basic dry white wine, like in the Southern Mediterranean. Good with fish.” 40 cases produced. 

My Review: Mark said this might be Sauvignon Blanc, but neither he nor we think so.  More like a lighter white without any distinctive flavors.  It is a pleasant wine – nice and dry, worthy of serving at a party. November 2024

2022 Bunter Spring Macerated White, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 13% ABV, $20 (#1481)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Same grapes as above, fermented on their skins for extra aromatic punch and exciting texture.” 20 cases produced. 

My Review:  Slightly orange, golden in color with nice legs. Perfume on the nose and palate, followed by a mélange of bold flavors. Quite delicious and interesting. I would serve this to guests. November 2024

2021 Bunter Spring Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1482)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Mostly from a famous vineyard in SLH, plus a little lower Carmel Valley fruit.  French oaky, fruity, spicy, fun.” 50 cases produced.

My Review: This was a surprise to me.  This mostly SLH (Santa Lucia Highlands) fruit does not taste like the typical SLH Pinot.  A richer, smoother, fruitier Pinot Noir, with caramel on the finish.  We took some home. November 2024

2017 Bunter “Natur” Syrah, Coombsville AVA, Napa County, 12.86% ABV, $30 (#1483)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Subtle, complex, fresh herbs, berries, floral, meaty, earthy. Superb balance, not BIG SYRAH. That’s OK with me- I like it.” Organic grapes. 50 cases produced.

My Review: This wine was another pleasant surprise. We had for sure tasted a previous vintage – the 2014, I believe.  This one has settled down in the bottle and is ready to drink. We took some home. November 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

You can sometimes find a pop-up tasting by Mark Bunter in the back room of the Big Sur Vineyards tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. Check out the Bunter Spring Winery Facebook Page and the Bunter Spring Winery Instagram page for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

I Brand & Family Presents a Stunning Collection of Petite Sirah!

THE STORY

I Brand & Family knows how to throw a great party. Their Fall Vertical and Release Party was one of the best yet.  While I try to keep the main thing the main thing (and that would be to be sure to get notes on their new releases), we instead took great delight in the vertical tastings. Today I am sharing our side by side comparisons of various Petite Sirah vintages and the great experience we had at this party!

We had a packed Sunday on November 10, with 2 release parties in 2 different valleys.  We decide not to use GPS to get to the I Brand & Family winery. And, the GPS in my head (my husband says there isn’t one) turned us an exit too soon off Highway 68.  It was a lovely drive, but totally threw off our schedule. I clarified my intent to taste the new releases, but got totally distracted by the vertical tastings. Oops. The lovely BBQ lunch being served looked and smelled so delicious – alas, no time for that, either! Man, we won’t make that mistake again.

ABOUT I BRAND & FAMILY

I’ve written about I Brand & Family many times in Decanting Monterey. The most recent full post was here: I Brand Summer Releases: A Glimpse of the 2023 Vintage! The rest you can easily find by typing I Brand in the search bar on www.decantingmonterey.com.

THE WINES – PETITE SIRAH

Today I will talk about the Petite Sirah vertical tasting at this event. These are not in-depth notes, but rather, impressions of these wines in a quick serial tasting.  Any errors are mine and mine alone!

2010-2016 PETITE SIRAH WINES

Greeted by Laurel, we were able to taste these 2010-2016 vintages of P’tit Paysan/Paysan Petit Sirah. Now, what fun is that? I believe the fruit for all of them came from Pierce Ranch Vineyards in the San Antonio AVA of Monterey County.

2010 P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah “Le P’tite P’tit”, Monterey County (#1475)

My Impressions: This was the best of the bunch and we missed getting the last available bottle by 30 seconds. Pepper on the nose, sweet and smooth, retaining its full depth of dark fruit flavors – this is how a Petite Sirah should taste! November 2024

2011 P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey County (#1476)

My Impressions: In comparison to the 2010, the 2011 vintage came across lean, a touch vegetal and lacking that sweetness I associate with a Petite Sirah.November 2024

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, blueberry and earth on the nose. Soft blueberry and blackberry fruit is enveloped by a lingering licorice finish. October 2021/November 2024

2013 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $25 (#1477)

Winery Notes: “Picked at atypically low sugars for the variety. Fermented in small lots with some stem inclusion and some native yeasts. Aged on lees in less than 10% new oak.”

My Impressions: This was a fruitier Petite Sirah than the previous two vintages. November 2024

2014 P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.6% ABV, $42 (#788)

Wine Enthusiast – 89 points: “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 June 2018

My Review:  Inky purple in the glass. Red raspberry, plum and a touch of brown sugar on the nose. Cassis and dark berries on the palate. A slight tartness balances the jamminess of the fruit. This was our second favorite of the day. July 2023/November 2024

2015 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey County, $22 (#1478)             

My Impressions:  This vintage was very pleasant and a touch sweet.  We liked this wine. 2024

2016 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey County, $23 (#1479)

My Impressions: I’m surprised that I don’t already have tasting notes for this wine. This vintage was light on the palate, dancing with a cherry finish. November 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

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

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

2024 Bernardus Marinus Dinner – Nothing Short of Spectacular!

THE STORY

There are some spectacular aspects of living on the Monterey Peninsula.  Spectacular scenery, amazing wildlife, and the Bernardus Marinus annual dinner.  Yes, it is my favorite dining experience of the year.  This year’s event marks the fourth time we’ve attended this event at the Bernardus Winery Tasting Room.  It is an elegant meal designed and prepared by Chef Jerome Viel, well-paired with the right vintages of Bernardus Marinus red blend wines. I went into this event thinking it might be our last.  I walked out excited for the next one!  

The meal alone was of such quality and taste – every course was a delight – from the Venison Pâté en Croute to the Chocolate Fondant with Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet. The Roasted Capon was my favorite course – oh and the dessert. You can read more about Chef Jerome here: https://jeromescarmelvalleymarket.com/chef-jerome-viel/.

On this evening, in addition to being welcomed by Heather Rammel, the Tasting Room Manager, we were hosted by winemaker Jim McCabe and vineyard manager, Matt Shea.  In addition, our table was fortunate to be seated with their relatively new regional sales manager, Jeff Jung.

We were welcomed with a glass of the Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc and the 2022 Bernardus Sierra Mar Chardonnay. We saw the lineup of the evening’s wines – the 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2015 Bernardus Marinus red table wines.  In addition, of special note were the 2017 Marinus Signature blend plus the final four bottles of the very old, messy-labeled 1994 Marinus. Interestingly, I found that the 1994 and the 2010 vintages to be drinking the best of the wines for the evening. 

The great thing about being a Marinus club member is the chance to taste these wines at different times over the years.  While several years back, I was ready to put the 2010 in my rear view mirror, on this November night, it was drinking beautifully. And the 1994, as was the 1993 we had tasted the previous year, was holding up as a rich and tasty wine, a testament to Ben Pon’s dream to make Bordeaux-style wines right here in Carmel Valley. 

THE WINERY

This year, winemaker Jim McCabe and vineyard manager Matt Shea took turns telling us various Bernardus folklore – from race car driver/founder Ben Marinus Pon’s discovery of Durney Cabernet Sauvignon out in Cachagua and catching the dream to make a Bordeaux-style red blend right here in Carmel Valley.  I didn’t capture Matt’s whole story of Pablo, but he was key in the location of the vineyard: he knew these parts well and offered to take them up to find the right spot for planting the vineyard. 

Don Blackburn parked and camped on the property, eventually identifying 18 different blocks where he planted the grapevines.  The blocks each expressed the terroir differently. If I heard this right, Don piped music throughout the vineyards, and later in the barrel room, and finally, he paired music to the wines when he presented them to visitors. They planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and later added Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Why all these different grapes? Jim said to think of a palette of colors. Blended together, they are more than their component parts.

You can read more about the founding and history of Bernardus Winery here.

THE WINES

Many of these wines were presented in my post about last year’s dinner: Bernardus Delights Its Members with an Over-the-Top Marinus Dinner! I’ve updated my notes for them below based on this tasting. The last two wines below – the 1994 Marinus and the 2019 Signature – are presented here for the first time.  Winery tasting notes come from their website or tasting sheets, unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about some of these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2010 Bernardus Marinus Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (#39) 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Winery Notes: “Our 2010 Marinus exhibits its typical deeply colored robe.  The aromas express beautiful red fruits accented by classic notes of cedar.  The delicious flavors are soft and full, with spicy dark cherry and plus flavors and a smooth texture of well integrated tannins.  Although drinking beautifully now, this Marinus will age gracefully for many years to come.”

My Review: Served with the Venison Pâté en Croute. Inky/dark garnet in the glass. Dark fruit – blackberries and prunes on the nose. Palate is still rich and smooth.  We’ve had this vintage many times over the years and it has been interesting to watch its progression.  It has continued to be drinking well. November 2024

2013 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey, 14.1% ABV, $75 (#157) 35% Caberbet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc

Winery Notes: “The robe of our 2013 Marinus is a very deep crimson. On the nose we find dried cranberry aromas accented by subtle spice notes. The palate is intensely flavored with impressions of bright red cherry and plum. The finish shows excellent tannic structure promising a long life for this vintage of Marinus, much like that of a fine Bordeaux.”

My Review: Served with the roasted capon. Inky in the glass. Smooth nose of cedar and velvety fruit. Less fruity and more sophisticated than the 2010. Slightly sweet blackberry and cherry on the finish. This is the vintage that led to our becoming Marinus members. November 2024.

2014 Bernardus Marinus, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $75 (#290) 52% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec

Winery Notes: “The robe of our 2014 Marinus is very deeply-colored. The aromas exude beautifully ripened red fruits accented by subtle spice notes. The mouthfeel is very soft and full expressing delicious flavors of ripe cherry and plum. The finish is well structured with soft tannins promising a long life for this superb bottle, similar to a fine Bordeaux.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. Dusty nose. Deep intense berries on the bright palate with a SweeTart finish. This wine stood up to the Stuffed Leg of Lamb. November 2024

2015 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $125 (#889) 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Petit Verdot, 12% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc

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

My Review: Dark berry, cherry and caramel notes with a hint of licorice on the nose. Earthy palate of dark fruits with a touch of smoke on the finish. Much more of a big cab style wine and perfect with the cheese course. July 2024

NEW: 1994 Bernardus Marinus Estate Red Table Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 12.7% ABV, $30 (#1473)

Winery Notes: This was the second year they produced Marinus. The grapes were planted in 1989. It was made by winemaker Don Blackburn. From the label: “Our California grown Birdeaux-style wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grapes from our Vineyards in the upper Carmel Valley. The Marinus Estate vineyard was chosen for its rare joining of varied soils and sunny inland climate moderated by a marine influence – ideal conditions for the production of Bordeaux varieties.  Taste a Dream.” Signed by BM Pon and Don Blackburn.

K&L Wine Merchants has this old Wine Spectator review: “90 points. Young, tight and well focused, with rich, complex flavors of spicy currant, cedar, leather, anise and berry at the core, it unfolds slowly to reveal some exotic spice and mineral notes.” (04/1997)

My Review: This wine represents the “history” – a little sour on the nose, leading to a very delicious palate, wrapping with cherry flavors. This is still a big wine and drinking very fine, like an aged Bordeaux we might open at home. It is, to me, a testament to the fine winemaking at Bernardus – their wines are approachable now but have the lasting power to cellar. November 2024

NEW: 2019 Bernardus Signature Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $125  (#1474)

Winery Notes: This was the first tasting of this vintage – opened for us on this special night.  No notes are available yet on their website.

My Review: This wine represents the “future” – very tight, perhaps needing decanting. Pepperoni and black licorice on the nose. Stewed fruit with bright fruit on the back of the palate. Meaty. Very young, needs much more time in the bottle.  It paired quite well with the lava cake. November 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

“The first tasting room in Carmel Valley

“In June 1994, pioneer Ben Pon opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley, establishing a legacy that endures to this day. While in the region enjoy a scenic journey along the 17-mile drive from Pebble Beach to our Tasting Room, where you can savor some of the highest quality wines in the region. Visit us!”

The Bernardus Tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every day:

  • Sunday and Monday – 12:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 11:00am to 4:00pm
  • Friday and Saturday- 11:00am to 5:00pm

Reservations are recommended but not required. You can see more information and book a tasting here, via email tastingroom@bernardus.com, or by calling them at 831-298-8021

 © Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Decanting Monterey Awarded Best Monterey Wine Blog!

THE STORY

Imagine my surprise when LuxLife Magazine reached out to me to inform me that someone nominated Decanting Monterey for one of their Hospitality Awards. At first, I told them they had the wrong person. I told them I just write a wine blog to promote our local wineries and entertain others with my stories. I suggested some other organizations far more worthy. Then a writer friend told me I should consider doing it. So, I did. To this day, I have no idea who nominated my website, but I am glad they did. Decanting Monterey was named Best Monterey Wine Blog!

I could not have achieved this international recognition without the support of the many Monterey County wineries: the personal engagements with our vintners and their tasting room staffs; the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association; the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society, my many readers via free subscription, Instagram, and Facebook; and the continued support of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod.

Cheers to the 2024 harvest – may it show the best our Monterey wines can be!

THE AWARDS

The official press release is here: LUXlife Magazine Unveils the Winners of the 2024 Hospitality Awards

This year’s awards are quite diverse in hospitality services, from restaurants and luxury hotels all the way down to a little local wine blog like mine. 

From the press release:

“…LUXlife focuses on recognising businesses which provide a diverse range of services from event and hospitality management, restaurants and bars, travel agents, public relations as well as marketing services, to tour operators. LUXlife aims to represent the best talent from this dynamic industry.”  Wow – I am humbled. 

“To find out more about these prestigious awards, and the dedicated establishments that have been selected for them, please visit https://lux-life.digital/lux_awards/global-hospitality-awards/ where you can view our winners supplement and full winners list.”

DECANTING MONTEREY: BEST MONTEREY WINE BLOG

“Decanting Monterey is a great place to get the real story on Monterey County wines. Central Coast Sharon shares her passion, knowledge, personal experiences, and reviews to elevate and demystify Monterey County wines. Decanting Monterey delivers wine education and wine reviews, wrapped in interesting personal stories via a weekly post. Also found on Instagram (Decanting_Monterey) and Facebook (Decanting Monterey). Nominated in 2023 & 2024 as Best Local Blog by the Monterey County Weekly.”

Have a great Thanksgiving with friends and family.  And, if you aren’t a subscriber, sign up today – it is free, I don’t sell your information, so far I don’t have any ads, and is usually just one email per week. 

Cheers,

Central Coast Sharon

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

A Rare Chance to Attend a Corral Release Party!

THE STORY

One of our Decanting Monterey wine partners recently invited me to attend a Corral Wine Co. release party.  I was quite excited about the invitation, as we consider their wines as some of the finest in the area.  For me it was a rare chance to visit their beautiful Bell Ranch estate, chat up the owners and staff, and mingle with the members.  We had a long conversation co-owner and winemaker Adrien Valenzuela who gave us the details about the new red blend, called “Tres Amigos” and the newly released Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rick and Adrien

We were greeted with a pour of their 2022 Monterey County Chardonnay, followed by their 2022 Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH) Chardonnay – a stark contrast between the two.  The SLH white was paired with potato chips – very good together! I’d say the Monterey Chardonnay would make a great every day white, while I would save the SLH one for a special occasion – like Thanksgiving!

The “Tres Amigos” is a tasty blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah.  I found it very approachable, drinkable now, and right up my alley.  It was paired with Lula’s chocolates.  Yum.  When I try to compare it to the 2019 “See What You Can Do” Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend, I find them completely different.  The 2019 was a much more structured wine, while the Tres Amigos is one I want to serve now.

We also sampled the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, which Adrien says he left in the barrel longer than usual.  It was paired with delicious brisket. The flavors in that wine certainly reflect the extra aging. I would cellar that wine for a while.

Finally, we got a barrel sample of their 2023 Zinfandel from the Enz Vineyard in San Benito County.  It is aging in once-used French barrels. I have to say it is already a big, delicious beauty, one I will look forward to once it is released. I was too blown away to capture notes, but we all said this could be the finest local Zinfandel yet!

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: Corral: Newly Released Pinot Noirs Available Now! I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

THE WINERY

From their website:

“Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards.

“In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.

“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 Corral Wine Co. wines from this November release party. Winery notes come from their website or provided at the release party. My notes are amplified by my Wine Pod partner. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2022 Corral Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $38 (#1469)

Winery Notes: “Barrel fermented with 20% New French Oak and allowed to go through complete malolactic fermentation. This Chardonnay will appeal to a wide variety of palates. Composed of precision, minerality, and freshness but also bringing some structure, body, and concentration. Aromas of toasted oak, crème brûlée, baking spices, and roasted nuts with flavors of lemon custard, pineapple, and butterscotch.”

My Review: Yellow with a little green tinge in color. Meyer lemon with grassy notes. Not super buttery, which is a plus in our view! November 2024

2022 Corral Chardonnay, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $52 (#1470)

Winery Notes: “Elegant and focused Chardonnay barrel fermented with 33% New French Oak allowed to go completey through malolactic fermentation which brings richness and an oily, silky mouthfeel with a medium to full body. Displaying aromas of tropical fruit, lemon, sweet baking spices, and hints of vanilla and clove. Rich flavors of Meyer lemon, pineapple, and stone fruit that lead way into a long lasting juicy finish because of its bright acidity.”

My Review: Yellow-gold in the glass. Butter deliciousness on the nose. Quite flavorful and classic. The acidity on the finish saves it from being too buttery. Elegant and balanced. November 2024

2021 Corral “Tres Amigos” Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, 14.2% ABV, $64 (#1471) 66% Syrah Highlands Ranch SLH, 20% Petite Sirah, 14% Cabernet

Winery Notes: “Deep purple hued wine showing off its inky color and intensity. With a nice array of aromatics: blackberries, crushed blueberries, black pepper, bay leaf, cedar, and dried herbs; matching its big flavor profile of black fruits, all spice, elegant velvety tannins, and its fresh acidity bringing it a nice long finish.”

My Review: Plum, a little chocolate and deliciousness on the palate. Smooth, with plenty of fruit and so easy on the tannins. Classy label! I want to serve this wine now. I took two home. November 2024

2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Armory Vineyard, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo, 14.5% ABV, $87 (#1472)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of dark red cherry, blueberry cobbler, dark chocolate, roasted notes, vanilla, and new leather with hints of tobacco and black pepper. A juicy palate with lots of flavor made up of maraschino cherry, anise, and blackberry; finishing with nice elegant but firm tannins.”

My Review: Purple in color. Black pepper and raisin on the nose, almost a ruby port-like quality (but in a good way). Lots of white pepper and earth on the huge dark fruit palate. Cherry on the finish. That’s a big wine and definitely expresses the Paso Robles terroir. This wine needs to be cellared at least 5 years. We wondered what it would have tasted like had it been decanted. November 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

VISIT US

“We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA”

Open Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6-ish p.m.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

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