Category: Wine Blog/Reviews

KORi Wines: It’s a “family affair”!

Time to celebrate a friend’s birthday while her husband was out of town.  Since she forms a core part of the Decanting Monterey COVID Wine Pod, why not go to lunch in Carmel-by-the-Sea and do some wine tasting afterwards?  After a lovely patio lunch at Grasings, we headed to our first stop – KORi!

I didn’t know much about KORi Wines except that they are relatively new and have earned critical acclaim. I was excited to know more about her wines and her at her tasting room!

From the Label: “Kori Wines are a family affair – a partnership between respected Santa Lucia Highlands grower Kirk Williams and his stepdaughter Kori Violini.”  Yes, we are talking Kirk Williams of KW Ranch fame!

Critical Acclaim from the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition:

  • Double Gold: 2017 San Saba Syrah (Monterey) 94 pts
  • Gold: 2017 KW Ranch Pinot Noir (SLH) 90 pts
  • Silver: 2018 Griva Sauvignon Blanc (Arroyo Seco), 2014 KW Ranch Pinot Noir (SLH)
  • Bronze: 2018 Highlands Ranch Rosé (SLH) 

Today I am presenting 7 of Kori’s wines.  The winery notes come from the labels and their website. The prices are from the tasting sheet.  We were excited to know that the winemaker is Sabrine Rodems from Wrath, as well as her own label, Scratch. The reds are all aged in French oak. 

2018 KORi Blanc de Blanc, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, ??% ABV, $45 (#449*) 

Winery notes: “Our first sparkling wine from our estate grown Chardonnay.  Vibrant acidity and a fresh (dry) palate. Drink 2020-2028.”

Winery Tasting Notes: “Lemon. Lime Zest. White Blossom. White Nectarine. Fig. Lychee.”

My Review: Nose at first was yeasty, common in California sparklers, but it dissipated over time.  Clover and a touch of nuttiness on the nose. Stone fruit and citrus on the palate.  My Champagne loving partner liked this wine. August 2021                                                                                                                          

2020 KORi Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.6% ABV, $27 (#450*) 

Winery notes: “A personal favorite varietal of Kori’s, grapes sourced from esteemed Griva Vineyard in Arroyo Seco.”

Winery Tasting Notes: Guava. Lychee. Melon. Lemon Cream.

My Review: Viscous yet clear like water in the glass. Green apple, crisp pear and honey on the nose.  Honey and grapefruit on the palate with some ripe cheese flavor mid-palate.  Very refreshing. August 2021                

2019 KORi Rosé, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.2% ABV, $25 (#451*) 

Winery Notes: “Our 2nd vintage! Like the previous vintage, 2019 is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes from our estate owned Highlands Ranch Vineyard.” 200 cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes: “Rose Petal. Rainer Cherry. Wet Gravel. Crab Apple. Stone Fruit.”

Critical Acclaim: “Bronze Medal – SF International Wine Competition 2019”

My Review: With 24 hours on the skins, this wine is bold in color.  Slightly bitter on the nose.  Rich in flavor on the palate, we’d say this is not a patio-sipping rosé. Rather, this would make a great food wine. August 2021                

2018 KORi Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA (#452*) 

    Winery notes: Not available.

    My Review: Slightly perfumey on the nose.  Good, rich flavor with a slightly bitter finish. Would be good with a meal.  August 2021                 

    2017 KORi Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.3% ABV, $49 (#453*) 

    Winery notes: “From our family, estate owned first vineyard planted in 1997 at the corner of Fariview & River Roads in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Drink 2020-2027” 94 pts from Wine Enthusiast

    Winery Tasting Notes: “Pomegranate. Blackberry. Bay Leaf. Red Cherry.”

    Critical Acclaim: Gold – SF International Wine Competition

    My Review: Ruby in color. Intense cooked cherry on the nose.  The palate was raisin-like – intense fruit yet both bitter and sweet. This wine had been opened from the previous day; we declined an offer to open a fresh bottle. August 2021            

    2018 KORi Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, 14.5% ABV, $55 (#454*) 

    Winery notes: “The first Cab from KORi Wines!  Sabrine couldn’t have done a better job making our debut Cab with single vineyard Alexander Valley fruit. Drink 2020-2030.” 225cases produced.

    Winery Tasting Notes: “Pomegranate. Charred Pepper. Sour Cherry. Black Tea.”

    My Review: Ruby in color.  Green pepper on the nose.  Dark berries with solid tannins.  Explosive of flavor on the palate with a slightly tobacco finished. Delicious, yet a bit light for a Cabernet Sauvignon. I would recommend cellaring this wine. August 2021   

    2018 KORi Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.5% ABV, $42 (#455*) 

    Winery notes: “Hot off the heels of the, now sold out, 2017 vintage comes the San Saba 2018 which a slightly drier year shows the same great black fruit, plum, baking spice & smoked meat put in a more concentrated package.” 195 cases produced.

    Winery Tasting Notes: “Juicy Bramble Fruit. Black Pepper. Cigar Box.”

    Critical Acclaim: Double Gold – SF International Wine Competition

    My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  White pepper and jammy berries on the nose, with lots of pepper masking most of the fruit on the palate. August 2021                

    You can buy KORi wines online or at their tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea “Monday-Thursday 1-6 (TUES CLOSED), Friday Noon-6, Saturday Noon-7, Sunday Noon-6. Reservations not required. Mission St between Ocean & 7th Avenue, Court of the Fountains, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921” 

    *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.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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    Another Parsonage Wine, Another Bill Parsons Story!

    I asked my significant other to open something special for the two of us to enjoy – and he selected this library wine.  We learned earlier this year that, when you are allocated a library wine, you should not delay too long in opening it.  We were excited to try this 2006 Parsonage Dario.  Bill Parsons, the proprietor of Parsonage, always has a story about his wines – and he loves to tell a story!

    My dearest DC friends enjoying some Bill Parsons storytelling back in 2019!

    I try to be balanced in my selection of wineries to present. But, of course, the model I use drives me a bit more to wineries where I am a member or have a close relationship – especially during the first pandemic year of the blog when wine tastings were curtailed. So, I am a bit embarrassed to share these stats of how many wines per winery I posted during year one of Decanting Monterey. Bill Parsons likes this chart – and you can see why…we have been buying their wines since before they had a tasting room – and they were one of only a few places we visited to taste wine in year one of the pandemic. As I look at the data, I am not sure it is 100% correct, but you get the gist. And I have been able to get out and explore a bit more in recent months, so Year Two should look a bit different.

    Count of wines by winery during Decanting Monterey’s first year – guess where we are members!

    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/. Winery notes below are from Bill Parsons.  

    2006 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $80 (#444*)

    Winery Notes: “The Dario, named for Ali and Frank’s number two son and our grandson number three, is 100% Estate merlot. We usually make 50-100 cases a year. The 2006 vintage was our first Dario. Vintage 2006 started out to be our best ever. In barrel tasting it was just sublime. We made the mistake of hiring a crossflow filtration specialist who over heated some of our wines. He sort of cooked the estate merlot before we figured out what was happening. We never filtered again after that episode. The 2006 estate cab and Tanner reserve weren’t harmed and they were beautiful. The 2006 Dario was only slightly diminished…The Dario has always been a favorite for both Summer and me. The fruit is heavy on blackberry and black plum. The nose is always floral with exotic spices. The mouthfeel is full without tannic heft of our cabs and syrahs.” 

    My Review: Sweet yet smoky on the nose. Intense dark fruit, plum and a little tobacco on the palate. Still drinking well, a little thinner than expected. We have learned to drink these library wines when they are issued and not to continue to hold them! So, if you have one, open it! July 2021

    Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – click here for the details.  You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at 19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.  

    • Tasting Room Photo Courtesy Parsonage

    *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.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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    Sometimes You End Up with Grocery Store Chardonnays

    I admit I am spoiled living in the heart of Chardonnay country, where we can take a short drive or simply reach into our fridge for a really delicious Chardonnay.  While we aren’t the biggest white wine fans, we do enjoy sipping a good one on our front porch on a rare warm and sunny day, like the other day when we opened a stunning I Brand & Family 2018 Chardonnay from Escolle Vineyard. This wine (reviewed here before) boasted lemon colors, tropical nose, and rambunctious tropical flavors with a pineapple overlay. But I digress…

    I’ve been on the road a bit dealing with family matters.  Fortunately, I was sent with a lovely 6-pack of local big reds I love.  I visited a relative who opened one of today’s Chardonnays and I had to resort to a grocery store for the other one for a family gathering.  They both fit the Central Coast profile of this blog, so lucky me!

    2019 La Crema Chardonnay, Monterey, 13.5% ABV, $20 (Wine #438*)

    This is one of my Chardonnay-loving friend’s favorite Chardonnays, so I was happy to try it with my relatives. I found it rated for 89 points on wine.com.

    About La Crema: “When La Crema was founded in 1979 as La Crema Viñera, meaning the Best of the Vine, the name was intended as an unabashed boast: These vineyards produced the very best grapes in the region. Today, the name has been shortened to mean, simply, the best, and La Crema’s wines represent the best grapes from preeminent cool-climate regions in California and Oregon.

    “La Crema wines—inspired by Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—are made in small lots that nurture distinct flavors and balance. The end result is elegant wines that are unswerving in quality over time.” 

    Winemaker’s Notes from their website: “Aromas of baked apple, brioche, and PINEAPPLE are followed by flavors of Asian pear, LEMON-TANGERINE, and notes of MINERALITY. The 2019 vintage presents balanced acidity and a long finish.” 100% Chardonnay; 8 months in the barrel.

    My Review: Buttery, tropical notes on the nose.  Butterscotch and tropical fruits on the palate – a bit sweet yet perfect for a hot Sacramento evening. Very different from the non-oaky Monterey Chardonnays I typically drink. July 2021

    2019 Edna Valley Chardonnay, Central Coast, 13% ABV, $9 (Wine #439*)

    When you are stuck in a small town SavMor for wine options, the selection is far from what I can find at even my local Safeway.  We know Edna Valley for its excellent wine, so this was the safest, best choice available!

    About Edna Valley Vineyard: “The region now home to Edna Valley Vineyard saw its first grapes planted in the days of the California missions. In the 1800s, it was believed that the grapes in this region were of the highest quality. Today, we still hold this to be true. Following in the footsteps of our founder, pioneering vineyard developer Jack Niven, we continue to craft award-winning Chardonnay – the first variety planted in the Edna Valley. In addition to our flagship Chardonnay wine, we offer five other varietal wines nationwide: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.” 

    Winemaker’s Notes from their website: “Our Chardonnay showcases grapes from some of California’s most sought-after wine regions in the Central Coast. The result is a dry, beautifully balanced, bold expression of Chardonnay with tropical aromas of toasted coconut and Tahitian vanilla. Juicy layers of white peach, split honeydew melon and ripe apricot are highlighted with hints of lemon zest and a crisp, refreshing finish.”

    My Review: Pale but rich golden in the glass.  Tropical fruits, butter and bamboo on the nose.  Light and a tad sweet on the palate, balanced acidity and a touch of bitterness on the finish.  A bit less flavor and minerality than I’m used to in my Monterey Chardonnays. August 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.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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    A Wine from Chile in a Central Coast Wine Blog?

    Now what is Sharon doing? OK, let me explain…

    In August 2019, my girlfriends and I went wine tasting in Hollister.  I was always exploring and looking for wines to showcase in my DC classes.  Lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – until we hit DeRose.  Alphonse DeRose, proprietor and vintner, personally met with us and did our wine tasting.  He had lots of the bigger reds some of us preferred.  He also talked a little about his international partnerships.  I picked up a couple of Alchemy wines from Chile and just rediscovered them in my wine room.  I suggested we do South American wines for one of our August virtual wine classes.  The topic got expanded to wines from Central and South America.

    About Carménère: Carménère was originally used as a blending grape (much like Petit Verdot), one of the six original Bordeaux varietals.  However, it suffered the fate of Phylloxera and is rarely seen in France and is mostly planted in Chile today.  It is an offspring of Cabernet Franc and related to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon!  You can read more at these two sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carm%C3%A9n%C3%A8re https://www.winefornormalpeople.com/the-best-grape-story-of-all-time-carmenere/

    About Cachapoal Valley: “The northern half of the great Rapel Valley has traditionally been known for its red wines, particularly Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, which account for approximately 80% of the region’s total production. The valley features diverse microclimates that produce a suitable environment for a wide array of wines, ranging from cold-climate varieties in the vineyards at higher altitudes in the foothills of the Andes, to varieties requiring warmer climates in the areas surrounding Lake Rapel along the coastal hills. Here in this valley, the gentle breezes from the Pacific Ocean and the clay soil create synergy to pave the way for one of the leading regions producing Carménère in the country.” https://www.winesofchile.org/en/chile-a-wine-producing-country/valleys-and-guarantee-of-origin/cachapoal/. A good map of Chilean wine growing regions can be found here: https://vineyards.com/wine-map/chile.

    2017 Alchemy Carménère, Cachapoal Valley, Chile, 14.1% ABV, $28 (Wine #433*)

    About Alchemy and the 2017 Carménère (from the bottle): “Alchemy is a hand made creation of Winemaker Alphonse DeRose and friends.  Inspired by a late night evening of music played by Chilean friends Juan Pablo and Omar, the three concocted a version of only the best grapes being processed 100% by hand.  Each berry is hand removed from every cluster one by one. The result is a robust wine with aromas of dark red fruits, spice and toast. Alchemy is only produced from exceptional year and has limited availability with only 250 cases produced!”  Alphonse DeRose is proprietor and vintner of DeRose Winery in Hollister, CA. You can buy Alchemy wines at DeRose.

    Additional Winemaker’s Notes: “Our Carmenere is a 100% handmade wine, fermented with natural yeasts, aged for 12 months in French Oak. Bottled without filtering.” (translated by Google Translate) https://www.movilatienda.cl/en/vinas/alchemy

    My Review: Inky purple in the glass.  Fragrant nose of jam and vanilla. Lush, intense dark berries on the palate.  Intense and smooth with a spicy finish.  Love this wine. August 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.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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    “Monterey-South Wine Class” – What does it even mean?

    When my DC virtual wine class picked the theme of “Monterey-South,” even I wasn’t sure what that meant.  They further clarified “Monterey County or south of Monterey.”  Perfect!  Right up my alley!  We hunted through our wine room and found a Pierce Ranch Graciano. I’ve presented Pierce Ranch a couple of times here – you can simply search “Pierce Ranch” to find them. The wines selected by my friends came from Monterey County and Paso Robles.

    I tried to capture notes from my friends’ presentations for inclusion to show the breadth of wines randomly chosen. One member lamented that he couldn’t really find in Washington DC any of the Rhone Ranger wines.  I told him he would have to come visit here and find them at the wineries!

    While this was a unique way to share these Central Coast wines, I didn’t get to taste any except the Graciano. Therefore, you might see them pop up again later in this blog!

    2019 Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $28

    My friends presented this Chuck Wagner wine, now made by his son, Charlie. 

    Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “A lively flaxen gold, this wine features a harmonious nose that previews the playful balance to come on the palate. Scents of brown spice, toasted almonds, custard and light oak mingle with Meyer lemon zest, honeysuckle and a hint of apricot. Entry is round, as the wine’s fruit and natural acidity build on each other, with echoes of brown spice, citrus and apricot enveloped in a creamy texture. A vibrant finish of lemon/lime showcases the distinctly bright acidity produced from the Monterey coast, leaving an enticing freshness that prepares the palate for another sip.” Wine.com – 91 points.

    My Friend’s Review: Viscous in the glass. Nice, not overly oaky.  The oak is there and adds depth to the taste without being detracting. Pear and apple on the nose, peach and a little caramel. Nicely balanced with good acidity. Can’t say the flavor profile is bold but harmonious. August 2021

    2017 Chamisal Vineyards Chardonnay, Monterey County, 15.3% ABV, $24

    While the Chamisal Vineyard and winery is located in Edna Valley, the fruit for this wine comes from Monterey County! 

    Winemaker’s Notes from wines.com : “Toasted oak and crème brûlée. Fruit driven with lemon cream, Fuji apple, ripe pineapple, and baked pears. Rich and creamy with lingering acidity, broad texture and finishing clean.”

    The Wine Advocate – 91 points: “The 2017 Chardonnay Monterey County opens with notes of gunflint and toast over baked apples, yellow pears, popcorn and a tropical tinge. The palate is medium-bodied and rounded with an über spicy, fresh fruit profile lifted by mouthwatering acidity, and it finishes long and toasty. This has an appealing yin-yang of savory and bright citrus character.” Erin Brooks, 6/2020

    2019 Carol Shelton Coquille Blanc, Paso Robles, 13.5% ABV, $26  40% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, 10% Marsanne

    About the 2019 Coquille Blanc: “Exotic nose of spicy pears and white peaches, almond paste/marzipan, a touch of honeysuckle perfume. Multi-dimensional (many layers), a hard-to-describe range of aromatics, intriguing, almost mysterious! In the mouth it is crisply dry yet creamy and round and full-bodied, with nice almond paste on crisp-yet-juicy pear fruit.”

    My Friend’s Review: Yellow in color.  More minerality on the palate than fruit and a touch acidic on the palate.  Really brings the Paso/Central Coast terroir.  Complex – but not robust. 

    2016 Bernardus Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $75/$22 WTSO

    About the 2016 Soberanes Pinot Noir: “Santa Lucia Highlands’ two most renowned growers, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, have joined forces on an exciting vineyard located just south of the celebrated Garys’ Vineyard in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is called Soberanes Vineyard. We at Bernardus are honored to be among the few wineries to receive both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this exciting vineyard. We have chosen two Pinot clones: the celebrated Pisoni clone and Dijon clone 667. The 2016 Soberanes displays a beautiful ruby robe and vibrant red fruit aromas. The palate exhibits crisp flavors of ripe red cherry and raspberry with a long finish, promising an excellent future ahead.”

    Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “Elegantly earthy on the nose, this bottling starts with aromas of pomegranate, rose petals and dried herbs. The palate is quite tart with flavors of sour Montmorency cherry, and the savory dusting of herbs and baked earth balances the sip.” Matt Kettmann, 12/2018

    My Friend’s Review: As Cameron Hughes might say, a “Cabernet lovers Pinot Noir” with big bold flavors and a dark garnet hue. An exceptional Pinot Noir, comparing well to a 2012 Lucienne we all tasted in person together in June.  He got the wine for $22 in a complex WTSO BOGO sale. 

    2017 Pierce Ranch Graciano, San Antonio AVA, 14.8% ABV, $30 (#432*)

    My friends wanted to know what a Graciano tasted like – I could think of no direct comparison.  I looked up the grape and found this information:  I found this Vinodiversity article: “A naming mess: The original variety is Spanish and is named Graciano in its homeland the Northern Spanish Ebro Valley and Navarra. It is grown in the Jerez region of southern Spain under the name Tintilla de Rota. Graciano is used in France under the name Morrastel. But the Spanish use the variety called Mourvedre (or Mataro in Australia) under the name Morrastel. To add to the confusion the Portuguese variety Tinta Miuda is now known to be to be the same variety. Not to be outdone the Californians grow Graciano under the name Xeres.”

    And, if that wasn’t confusing enough, here’s a Matt Kettmann article about mislabeled Graciano vines akin to the Melon de Bourgogne story I recently shared. What a mess. And it doesn’t taste like Mourvèdre at all!

    About the 2017 Pierce Graciano: “Perched in a highland valley at the southern tip of Monterey County, our vineyards, with their wide variation in diurnal temperature and rocky soils, provide an excellent setting for the classic grape varieties of Spain and Portugal. A standout among these is certainly Graciano, a native of Spain’s famed Rioja region. Estate-grown in the calcareous rock and shale-rich loam of our Home Ranch Vineyard, the 2017 vintage is a medium-bodied wine with dark, rounded fruit and a solid tannic structure. A limited-run bottling, it was fermented in small lots and aged in French oak for 15 months. Blackberry and black cherry combine with hints of shale and thyme.”

    My Review: Garnet in the glass. Pomegranate and cranberry on the nose. Cherry and licorice on the palate with tobacco and vanilla notes. We enjoyed this wine for several days. August 2021

    2018 J. Lohr Pure Paso Proprietary Red, Paso Robles, 14.5% ABV, $25 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Petite Sirah, 2% Syrah, 2% Malbec

    Winemaker’s Notes: “Savory varietal notes of Cabernet Sauvignon are layered with the dark fruit and spice character of Petite Sirah. The bouquet of cocoa powder, caramel, and anise works in harmony with the black cherry fruit signature of this wine. Bright and focused on the palate with a firm and appetizing finish.” 93 points – Wine Enthusiast Editors’ Choice. 

    *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.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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    Blue Fox: A Relatively New Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village!

    When I was at Galante recently, they recommended Blue Fox Vineyards tasting room.  While I haven’t been there myself, a plank-owner of our COVID Wine Pod, brought me this wine, which we enjoyed greatly.

    I don’t know much about Blue Fox. It had a tasting room in Cannery Row, but moved in the past year to Carmel Valley Village into the space Talbot used to own, right behind Cowgirl. Edible Monterey published a beautiful article about owners Edward and Julia Lovaas which you can find here. I can’t wait to taste its interesting and uncommon whites like Arneis and Tocai Friulano plus the big reds I enjoy, including Syrah and Zinfandel.

    2013 Blue Fox Cellars Syrah, Seebass Vineyard, Mendocino County, 15.2% ABV, $45 (#430*)

    Winemaker Notes: “Our Syrah thrives in the gravely clay soils of Seebass Vineyard.  Aged for 33 months in French Oak Barrels the bold tannins are tamed to create an elegant impeccably balanced wine, expressing flavors of plum, ripe raspberry, earth and spice.  Our Syrah goes well with braised meats, wild game, mushroom risotto and hard aged cheeses.  Cheers!” 

    Wine Enthusiast – 83 points: “This wine is rustic in flavor and sturdy in texture, showing cedar and dried cherry notes framed by very firm tannins, full body and a dry mouthfeel.” Jim Gordon 05/2019

    My Review: This was a delicious Syrah from Mendocino, worthy of a higher score than it received.  Elegant, balanced, flavorful and ready to drink.  While not as rich as some of my Monterey County warmer climate Syrahs, I am intrigued and want to explore more of their wines! July 2021

    You can buy this wine on Blue Fox’s website or visit them in the former Talbot tasting room 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.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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    Turley Duarte: A Silky Zin from Contra Costa!

    It’s been a long while since I’ve presented a Central Coast Turley – and this is a good one.  We got this wine when released for $32 as a Turley Mailing List Member, a bargain for the quality.

    I last brought you a Contra Costa County wine – another Turley – back in January: https://decantingmonterey.com/turley-salvador-1896-now-those-are-old-vines/

    About Turley: “Turley Wine Cellars was founded in Napa Valley by former emergency room physician Larry Turley in 1993. Under the direction of winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, Turley now makes 50 different wines from over 50 vineyards across California, primarily Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, with many vines dating back to the late 1800s. By farming organically and focusing on old vine vineyards of these varieties, Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.”

    2016 Turley Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, Contra Costa County, 15.6% ABV, $54 (#425*)

    About Duarte Vineyard from Turley.com: “This wine is an homage to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area. The wine is comprised of fruit from the turn-of-the-century Evangehlo, Mori, and Salvador vineyards, planted between 1890 and 1960.Thanks to the sandy soils and impressive age of the vines, the wine has some of the softest, silkiest tannins we’ve ever seen in a Zinfandel.” 

    Wine Advocate – 91 points: “From old vines growing in sand in Contra Costa County, the 2016 Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard offers up aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries, red fruit preserve, bay leaf and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, generous and fleshy, with rich, youthfully chewy structuring tannins and considerable concentration, depth and matter.” William Kelley 09/2018

    My Review: Deep ruby, almost purple in the glass.  Huge palate bursting with blackberry and cassis with a little cocoa.  The cocoa continues into the finish, wrapping up with a touch of tobacco.  This is a fabulous Turley.  I would rate this wine 93 points. July 2021

    While this vintage seems unavailable, the 2018 is available at MacArthur’s for $42. Buy and hold a little. And Robert Parker rates the 2019 (not yet released) 94 points! You can also shop online from Turley’s two tasting rooms or join its mailing list here:  https://www.turleywinecellars.com/remotepurchases.  Turley tasting rooms are open! Check it out and make a reservation here.

    *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.    

    Manzoni Vineyards: In the “Heart of the Highlands”

    Today’s post is about my second “dog gets groomed in Carmel-by-the-Sea” wine tasting. 

    We visited Manzoni at their “tasting garage” back in 2019 – a simple, straight-forward, serious affair as you begin your journey down the River Road Wine Trail heading toward the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Their move into Holman Ranch’s former tasting room space in Carmel-by-the-Sea makes their wines much more accessible in a very lovely setting with space both indoors and out.  I had a wonderful tasting experience here.

    We enjoyed this view of the vineyards and the Santa Lucia Highlands while waiting for mud to be cleared from the road in March 2020

    About Manzoni Vineyards: “…For almost 100 years, our family has lived and farmed in this beautiful little part of California’s Monterey County – today known to wine lovers as the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. The SLH – one of the New World’s prestige addresses for growing cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Syrah.

    “Our home estate, in the heart of the Highlands, is only six, focused acres small. Here, hands-on wine growing and traditional winemaking combine to create limited production wines of elegance and balance. We hope you enjoy these wines as much as we enjoyed growing and making them – from our family to your table, many thanks for your support…”

    About its Pinot Noir: “The Manzoni Family Estate Vineyard, in the “Heart of the Highlands,” is an ideal spot to grow world-class Pinot Noir. Here the cool Region I climate is heavily influenced by winds off nearby Monterey Bay. The porous, granitic, shaly loam soils recall this noble grape’s Northern Rhone Heritage, stressing the vines, thus providing low, concentrated yields. The Family Estate Vineyard is planted to three Dijon clones: 115, 777 and the proprietary “La Tache.”

    Today I am presenting 6 Manzoni wines.  The winery notes come from their tasting sheet and website linked above.

    2020 Manzoni Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.5% ABV, $27 (#418*) 

    Winery notes: “Aromas of grapefruit. The palate is rich with bright tropical fruit flavors with notes of lime and grapefruit zest. Perfectly balanced with a gentle crisp refreshing acidity.”

    My Review: Pale in the glass. Tropical fruits on the nose.  Bright acidity on the palate with lemon rind and pineapple flavors. July 2021                                                                                                                             

    2019 Manzoni Chardonnay North Highlands Cuvée, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#419*) 

    Winery notes: “The 2019 Manzoni Chardonnay is a vibrant example of the Santa Lucia Highlands in an exceptional vintage. Aromas of dense tropical fruits leap out of the glass wrapped in subtle brioche that hints towards uncommon richness and weight. In the palette, this wine is unusually nimble while maintaining the intensity and mouth-feel promised by its exotic aromatics. Flavors of mango, mandarin orange and guava are led by hard spices and vanilla into a long finish. Crisp acidity allows this wine to flow over the tongue with focus and clarity that completes the experience.”

    My Review: Light golden in color.  A perfumy, bold, tropical bouquet.  The intense pineapple on the palate reminded me strongly of some candy I used to eat in my childhood. July 2021              

    2020 Manzoni Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.9% ABV, $27 (#420*) 

    Winery notes: “As this wine sits in the glass, you notice the rich hues and colors are pleasing to the eye and give hints to the aromas and flavors to come. This wine is a deep Garnet with a beautiful clarity. In the nose, rich strawberry and cream notes with hints of rose petal rise out of the glass with startling focus and intensity. On the palate, intense ripe red berry fruit is matched with and creamy, unctuous mouth-feel and balanced acidity to provide a seamless flavor profile. While certainly on the more opulent side of Rose styles, this wine is marvelously clean and nuanced in its rendering of a Rose of Pinot Noir and is a classic example of what this style has to offer the discerning wine drinker.”

    My Review: Salmon in the glass.  Bouquet was sweet, with crisp apple and pear dominant and a touch of celery.  Very nice crisp apple and pear flavors on the palate. July 2021                   

    2019 Manzoni Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $35 (#421*) 

    Winery notes: “Aromas of dark cherries, blackberry and smoky, spicy oak rise out of the glass. Cassis and hard spices are supported by concentrated red and black berries. In the mouth, this wine has a velvety richness and fine, ripe tannins that support the dense, ripe and concentrated fruit. Red plums and berry compote are followed by firm acidity that keeps the wine fresh and balanced. The wine finishes with hard spices and fine vanilla flavors with hints of toasty oak. A great combination of New World ripeness and old word structure. Ripe tannins support a core of rich fruit in this opulent and larger framed wine. All the flavors hang together in great balance for this intensely flavored and well-heeled Pinot Noir.”

    My Review: Translucent, light ruby in the glass.  Very much a traditional nose and palate, as one would expect from one of our premier Pinot Noir growing regions – the Santa Lucia Highlands.  July 2021                     

    2018 Manzoni Estate Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $32 (#422*) 

    Winery notes: “Ripe black fruit and berry aromas mingled with hints of smoky oak and vanilla. The palate follows with intense flavors of ripe red fruits, hard spices and a core of silky tannin. The finish is exceptionally long with balanced acidity bringing the combinations of fruit, spice and vanilla to a clean and satisfying resolution.”

    My Review: Beautiful ruby in color.  A bit smokey (sulfur?) on the nose – perhaps it was just opened?  Rich and full berry flavors on the palate with a touch of white pepper on the finish.  I am usually not a big fan of SLH Syrah, but this one was in my wheelhouse!  Grown on one of the lowest vineyards of the Manzoni Estate – that could explain it! July 2021                 

    2018 Manzoni Cuvée Louie, Paicines AVA, 14.1% ABV, $47 (#423*) 

    Winery notes: “Aromas of dark berry and fruit lift lazily out of the glass followed by hard spices and well-heeled vanilla and hints of oak. They are intense and rich with real visceral weight to the experience. Rarely are the Bordeaux varietals so giving in the nose. The palate is no less joy with flavors of blueberry, darkest cherry and bright plum combining with lively acidity to provide for an intensely focused mouth-full of flavor. The complexities brought on by the combining of all five Bordeaux varietals, the cinq cepage, has both a mesmerizing and invigorating effect. Enjoy with the richest of steaks, a fine roasted joint of lamb and all of your favorite soft cheeses and roasted nuts.”

    My Review: Lovely rich berry nose following through on the palate.  My favorite from today’s tasting. I have a fondness for the Paicines AVA and this was the wine I chose to take home with me!  20% each Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot from the Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard. July 2021                 

    You can buy Manzoni wines online or at one of their tasting rooms:  daily in Carmel-by-the-Sea on 7th Ave between San Carlos and Dolores or at the vineyard on the weekends. “We’re located on the beautiful River Road Wine Trail in the Salinas Valley with wonderful views of the Santa Lucia Highlands. We hope to see you here soon!”

    *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.    

    Happy Birthday, Decanting Monterey!

    When I began this wine blog a year ago, I knew I was venturing into unknown territory – I knew nothing about writing a public-facing blog. I wanted to build on my four months of experience writing a private wine blog for family and friends.  Building my own webpage was exciting, confusing and nerve-wracking.  My main goal was to expose others to the depth and quality of our Monterey/Central Coast wines, often under-appreciated by wine snobs.  I like to champion our vintners and their wines out of passion, not for profit.

    I have some high-level stats to share with you and some thoughts about the way forward.  You might need to click on the graphics to read them – sorry. I write two blogs – a private one on Facebook documenting every wine tasted since the beginning of the pandemic and Decanting Monterey, focused exclusively (with a few exceptions) on Central Coast wines, including those wineries that have tasting rooms in Monterey County.  Of the 412 (!!) wines from all regions we have been tracking since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, 229 of them have been captured in this blog.

    In the past year, I have published 109 posts representing 56 wineries from more than 10 counties.  150 wines came from Monterey County (66.5%), followed by 10% from San Benito County (including one of my favorite areas – Paicines) and 6% with the “Central Coast” designation.  180 of those wines were red, followed by 35 white and 14 rose wines.  And I’ve enjoyed exploring some new-to-me wineries, such as Odonata and Seabold, which source their fruit across the broader Central Coast area. 

    Inside Monterey County, we have “traveled” together to tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, and over to the River Road Wine Trail.  44% of the wines presented come from Carmel Valley, with half of those from Cachagua and the rest from just past Carmel Valley Village.  It’s the terroir, the fruit, and the climate that lead to the big juicy reds made in the style I like.  Arroyo Seco AVA wines come in third place (15.3%) in my blog – it remains one of my favorite sources of fruit from flavorful Albariño and Sauvignon Blanc whites to rich Syrahs. 

    So what does Year Two look like for Decanting Monterey?  Yes, you will still see some of my Carmel Valley favorites – I can’t help myself.  With a primary focus on Monterey County, I will visit some wineries I have not been to since the pandemic started and will venture out to find ones I haven’t ever been to – yes, some of those exist in my own back yard!

    The pandemic and aging dogs have put a crimp in my overnight travels – I have not been down to Paso Robles or Santa Barbara County, nor have I even been able to take day trips up to the Santa Cruz Mountains, over to San Benito or way up to Livermore.  All in due time.

    I am indeed grateful to those vintners who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have comped me bottles of wine! Those small acts of generosity have justified my blog expenses. When that happens, I am transparent with my readers.  I welcome such gestures! They have allowed me to keep this blog ad-free. 

    The pace of my blog may slow down in Year Two.  Who says I have to publish two blogs/week?  I’m going to slow it down a bit through Labor Day and then we’ll see how it goes. July and August are busy months for me.  I hope to have more time to visit wineries starting in the fall. 

    One thing I would value is getting readers to sign up for this blog to be delivered in your email or to follow Decanting Monterey (@DecantingMonterey) on Facebook or @Decanting_Monterey on Instagram (new – not sure if it works yet!). (As of this writing, Facebook is giving me some trouble in automatically publishing my blog, making subscribing by email even more important!)  Just scroll down to the lower right corner on this page (or on any review) and enter your email.  You won’t get any other emails, ads or anything from me or from WordPress.  And please spread the word!  Our local vintners are the ones I am championing here – they appreciate I am giving them a little more visibility!

    Another thing would be feedback.  Maybe you’ve had an experience with the winery I write about.  Maybe you have a question or even a smart-a$$ comment.  My guarantee is, if you make a comment, I will respond!

    Bottom line: Year One was a steep learning curve and a lot of fun.  I hope Year Two will be a year of exploration – getting out of my comfort zone to really getting out there.  Hope you have enjoyed being along for the ride!  Please leave me a comment!

    Central Coast Sharon

    Monga Zin – Venturing Outside the Central Coast to Cucamonga!

    This wine blog is focused on Central Coast wines, mostly from Monterey County, with few, defined exceptions.  Today, I am presenting a wine from south of the Central Coast AVA border.  Why?  Because it has an interesting story, it was extremely delicious, I’m a Zin girl, and I have adored Carol Shelton from afar ever since we went met her at a ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) event in Washington DC a long time ago.  Plus, it’s my blog – I can make the rules and break them, too! 

    About Carol Shelton (summarized from https://www.carolshelton.com/about-us/): “…Carol started at UC Davis in 1974 as an undeclared major with a penchant for language and an aptitude for science. While on a tour of Sebastiani Winery, Carol walked into the barrel room, and was moved by the scent of red wine and oak in the air…Armed with her Bachelor’s degree in Enology from Davis, she has never looked back, working her first harvest in 1978 and every harvest since then…In 1981, Carol began working for Rodney Strong and Windsor Vineyards …with Zinfandel coming up as her favorite wine time and time again…Then in 2000, at the urging of Carol’s husband Mitch, she decided to start her own winery, acting as President and Winemaker…”

    “Carol & Mitch Mackenzie, her husband and business partner, have sought out exceptional vineyards throughout California including Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, Fountaingrove District, Paso Robles, Lodi, Mendocino County, and the Cucamonga Valley of Southern California…Carol Shelton has won Winemaker of the Year five times, has countless gold medals for her wines and was named one of eight Pioneer Women Winemakers of Sonoma County in 2005. She continues to win awards and accolades – her 2011 Wild Thing Zinfandel was included in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2014…”

    About the Cucamonga AVA: The Cucamonga Valley AVA is located about 45 miles east of Los Angeles and 15 miles west of San Bernardino.  It is part of the South Coast AVA, which extends south of Santa Barbara to the San Diego border with Mexico.  With over 80 wineries in pre-Prohibition days, it is now only a handful of wineries and vineyards, mostly producing Zinfandel and other big red varietals.  It has a Mediterranean climate, great for Zinfandel, port and sherry.  There is good information on the American Winery Guide website.

    2017 Carol Shelton Monga Zin ®, Lopez Vineyard, Cucamonga Valley AVA, 14.5% ABV, $26 (#412)

    About the Lopez Vineyard (from her website): “Located in the Cucamonga Valley in southern California 70 miles inland from Los Angeles, Jose Lopez Vineyard was planted in 1918 for “packing grapes” to ship to home winemakers in Chicago and the East. These old Zinfandel vines struggle in the near desert-like conditions; with rocky-sandy soil that holds very little water. After nine decades, they have only grown to about 18 inches tall, and have just a few tiny fist-sized clusters on each vine. Many of the old vineyards in this valley have fallen victim to urban sprawl. We are fortunate that Don Galleano is passionate about keeping this old vineyard alive despite its rather poor economic returns—only a half a ton per acre instead of the expected 2-4 tons per acre of younger, irrigated vineyards. Through Don’s dedicated efforts, this vineyard passed the rigid CCOF standards in 2004, and is officially organically grown.”

    About the Monga Zin ®: “We christened the Monga Zin ® as we stumbled while saying its appellation too many times, probably after having too much of this HUMONGOUS mouthful of fruit and rich milk chocolate.”

    Winemaker Notes: “Deep black cherry fruit, dried cranberry, orange zest, berry patch in the sun! Dusty vanilla-caramel oak, graham crackers, and cocoa.   Fragrant Moroccan-Asian spices—Chinese 5-spice mélange…

    “Mouthfeel is creamy yet tangy bright cherry, firm-sturdy tannins and a long, lush finish. Super concentrated.  Quite drinkable now and will age a good 15-20 years.  Very mouthfilling!”

    100% Zinfandel, 14 months aged in 25% new American oak barrels 75% older French/American oak barrels, Released February 2019.

    My Review: Deep ruby, almost purple in the glass. Fragrant nose of berry jam on toast. Super dry and a bit tart on the palate with rich flavors of dark berry jam, cassis, with a lingering caramel finish. This is a big, complex red. I feel I could be very happy drizzling this on some ice cream. This was a big hit at my house and disappeared quickly.  June 2021

    You can buy Carol Shelton wines on her webpage and visit them in Santa Rosa.  For more information, check out this link:  https://www.carolshelton.com/visit/.

    *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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