Category: Wine Blog/Reviews

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.    

Galante: Now This Cowboy Makes Big Reds!

I don’t spend nearly enough time wine tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Part of it is our search for warmth and sun. Part of it is not wanting to deal with crowds of people and parking. I did make it to a couple of the Carmel-by-the-Sea tasting rooms during COVID, mostly to pick up specific wines for my weekly class. Now that things are truly open, I want to get there more often.

When I needed to find a new groomer for my dog (that is a long, pandemic story), I thought, “This could be a win-win!”  I dropped my dog at the groomer and walked to a couple of nearby tasting rooms. Perfect!  When can he get groomed again? 😊

A year after my little guy was banned by one groomer, we struck gold!

Today’s post is about Galante Vineyards.  Galante was the first winery to open a tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  We have visited them several times over the many years. I learned from Kaela that Jack’s great grandfather was actually the founder of Carmel-by-the-Sea! Their roots in the area run deep! According to their website, Jack’s parents bought a cattle ranch in Carmel Valley and began growing grapes (focused on Cabernet Sauvignon) in 1983.  Over a decade later, Jack decided to build a winery and make his own wine.  There is definitely a ranch/cowboy theme in his tasting room and in his wines!

If you are a big red drinker, you will find something to please your palate at Galante!

The ranch is located in the Cachagua region of Carmel Valley, home to several wineries large and small producing rich Bordeaux varietals. I contend that the climate and terroir of Cachagua result in some of the finest wines produced in Monterey County. I like my reds big – and the fruit in this region seems extra delicious.

Today I am presenting 6 Galante red wines.  The winery notes come from their website linked above.

2017 Galante Kick Ass Red, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $35 (#405*) 

Winery notes: “With a blend of 73% Malbec and 27% Petite Sirah, this untamed wine from our Carmel Valley Estate vineyards has the familiar smell of saddle leather and fresh picked huckleberries.  It cuts loose with rustic flavors of blueberry cobbler rounding out its hearty finish. It’ll make any trail meal taste fancy.”

My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Intense deep berry on the nose (my Cachagua fruit!).  Bright acidity.  The Petite Sirah really tempers the Malbec in this blend. From one of the oldest vineyards in Carmel Valley. July 2021                                                                                                                               

2014 Galante “Ace High” Malbec, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $40 (#406*) 

Winery notes: “If you haven’t had a bottle of this 2014 vintage lately, you’re in for a treat!  At almost 6 years old, this wine is absolutely delicious – full-bodied, soft, and fruit forward with notes of spicy plum and blackberry – there is no better pairing with a nice grilled steak or perhaps some slow-cooked short ribs.”

My Review: Very inky in the glass.  Bright acidity on the palate (I learned Jack likes lower alcohol and a bit of acidity).  Cassis flavors on the palate with a touch of raisin and a very dry finish. July 2021                     

2018 Galante Rancho Galante, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $45 (#407*) 

Winery notes: “This lovely blend of Malbec, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon is direct and lively with excellent red fruit and bright acidity.  It will compliment most any meal or perhaps just a wonderful cheese selection.”

My Review: Smokey rich berry nose.  Smooth, intense berry fruit on the palate and a dry finish.  My notes say “Wow!” This was one of my preferred wines of those tasted today.  I took a bottle home! July 2021                     

2017 Galante Red Rose Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.3% ABV, $50 (#408*) 

Winery notes: “A blend of 8% each of Malbec, Petite Sirah & Melot with 76% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Enjoy this explosive mouth full…of beautiful cherry and sweet tangy cassis.” (from the tasting sheet)

My Review: Intense on the palate with acidity and a bit of sweet cherry on the finish. July 2021                   

2018 Galante Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $85 (#409*) 

Winery notes: “We are especially excited to present our inaugural 2018 Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon (75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot). This series celebrates Jack Galante’s great grandfather’s vision which created the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The photo on this first label depicts James Frank Devendorf in his buggy overlooking what is to become the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Aged in new French Oak for a full 20 months, this wine is opulent and rich with bold, lingering flavors of ripe blackberry, cassis and vanilla. With ample, chewy yet soft tannins, this wine will be extremely cellar worthy for many decades so put a bottle or two away but enjoy some now as well. Only 100 cases were produced!”

My Review: Almost purple in the glass. Slight caramel on the nose.  Intense berries on the palate with a lingering finish.  This was indeed my favorite of the day. July 2021               

2001 Galante Rancho Galante Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $135 (#410*) 

Winery notes: “The color is very bright and youthful. Initially the nose may have a slight lactic scent that blows off with some air leading to expressive black fruit. The flavors are big and rich with a concentrated black currant. Very bright on the front of the palate and long on the finish. This wine will benefit from some open time but will go on for many years in the bottle. Outstanding!”

My Review: Inky dark in the glass – very different in appearance from the other wines tasted today.  BBQ ribs and some cooked fruit on the nose, reflecting the age of this library selection.  Some raisin and cassis on the palate. July 2021             

You can buy Galante wines online or at their Tasting Room on Dolores between 7th and Ocean Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea.  They are open daily!

*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.    

Fine Monterey Wine in a Can? YES!

I stopped at Wrath’s Carmel wine tasting room early last fall to pick up some Syrah and I noticed these cans on the shelf.  I learned they contained Wrath’s AL Sauvignon Blanc.  I have presented their delicious Sauvignon Blanc in a past class, so I knew this would be a quality wine.  I tried to convince my virtual wine class that we should do a tasting of canned wines, but the idea was never accepted.  So I had to back into a topic that would allow me to present this wine:  let’s do Sauvignon Blanc! For $5.99, you gotta try it, right?

2018 Wrath AL Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey AVA, 12.9% ABV, $6 for 375 ml (#402*)

(The current release is the 2019; all info on their website is linked to that vintage vs. the 2018.)

About the AL Sauvignon Blanc from wrath.com: “AL Sauvignon Blanc is the newest addition to Wrath.  We’ve got nothing against corks or bottles but ​sometimes, a can just gets the job done.  Whether hiking, boating, or by the pool… whenever cans of beer ​go into a cooler, a can of wine should be there too.  Enjoying the convenience of canned wine shouldn’t ​have to mean sacrificing quality.  Grapes used for AL are sourced from our estate San Saba Vineyard and are ​treated with the same care and respect as our bottled wines.  So go play, relax, enjoy and recycle!”

“Estate grown grapes are hand picked and hand sorted before fermenting in steel vats; then rested on the lees for 3 to 4 months while flavors knit together.  Filtering and canning takes place at the winery.  Only BPA-free cans are used. The new wine is allowed to rest for six months before release.  Our cans have an internal liner and the air pocket created by this design helps keep the wine chilled longer if being used outside and enjoyed directly from the can.”

My Review: Pale yellow/straw in the glass.  Fragrant pineapple and lemongrass on the nose.  Palate burtsing with tropical fruits.  This is a delicious wine which I would love to drink at a picnic or on the beach at sunset (if permitted!).  The can did a nice job of keeping the wine chilled. June 2021

You can buy Wrath wines directly from their website or tasting rooms. 

Regarding Tastings: Both the winery tasting room in Soledad and the Carmel Plaza tasting room are open for tastings!  Check out this link for more details: https://www.wrathwines.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.    

Carmel Valley Library Syrah Compares in Quality to High End Napa Cab!

I wasn’t planning to post again so soon about another Parsonage wine, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to highlight this library wine as my 400th COVID wine (of all wines tasted during COVID per my broader Facebook blog – se reference below)!  400!!! We were so lucky to get this 2006 Parsonage Carmelstone Syrah in our recent allocation (thank you, Summer). I told my husband that we must open this with the COVID Wine Pod for a special occasion. Just before the 4th of July, a mutual friend of ours came to town – the man who let us know in the first place that the Dubee’s had moved to our little coastal town, much less to our street!  Small world.

The Capitol Hill stories went on for hours, fueled by our visiting long-time friend, Scott.

We debated whether to decant this library wine.  In the end, we decided to decant it right before drinking – that seemed to work! This wine compared equally in quality and taste to a 96-point rated Napa Cabernet Sauvignon we also tasted that night!  Watch out, Napa! Here comes Carmel Valley! So I have switched up the lineup, making this extremely special wine my 400th wine!

The 2006 looks miniscule compared to this double magnum of the 2005 Carmelstone Reserve Syrah we picked up for a family reunion – still waiting to happen!

Today’s Parsonage Rocco Syrah is my favorite wine – but we used to get a wine labeled “Carmelstone.”  When I asked Bill Parsons for more information about the wine over the weekend, he sent it back to me within hours!  He shared the following:

“The Carmelstone Reserve is 100% Estate Syrah from the upper northeast corner block of our vineyard, maybe one and a quarter acre.  The soil is clay-loam-silt with a generous lacing of fragmented chalk rock, what we call carmelstone.  The slope, or as I like to say “angle of repose,” is 15-20 %.

“I think we last produced the Carmelstone in 2009.  Sparse yields from 2010 to the present have forced us to eliminate its production. We thought of the Carmelstone as Rocco junior.  It had a unique character that made Frank and me want to produce it instead of folding it into the Rocco and Estate Syrah bottlings.  Now we get so little yield from that block that we put its fruit in the Estate.

“The low yield from that block has to do with drought, extreme heat cycles, pestilence, inadequate irrigation water, all of our personal horsemen of the apocalypse.  Smoke taint, my least favorite horseman doesn’t enter into it.”

2006 Parsonage Carmelstone Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $125 (#400*)

Winery Notes: “The 2006 vintage is considered one of our greatest of the first decade of the new millennium along with the ‘01, 03, and ‘08 vintages.  It is/was exceptional in my view. You confirm my view by relating the Carmelstone to a six year younger Napa cult cabernet that sold for maybe three to four times the price of our $60 bottle.” (FYI from Sharon:  )

My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in the glass. Smooth, rich dark berries. I jumped at the chance to get this Carmelstone – one of my favorites made by Parsonage and this library vintage was very good, exceptional.  The 2006 compared very favorably to a younger, high-end, 96-point Napa Cab we tasted immediately following. I’ve seen the 2005 vintage rated 96 points! June 2021

  • Tasting Room Photo Courtesy Parsonage

Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation 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. 

*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.    

Bernardus Marinus: “Taste a Dream”

I was surprised to find a half bottle of the Bordeaux-style 2007 Marinus open in our wine room. Whenever we are in the valley, we stop by Bernardus to taste some wines and check out their sales. I knew we had purchased half bottles of the smoky 2008 Marinus, but had no idea we had some 2007!  What a treat in a tiny bottle!  Marinus achieves Ben Pon’s dream of making a quality Bordeaux blend wine from Carmel Valley.  It is among my very favorite Carmel Valley (and, to be frank, Monterey County and Central Coast) wines. I don’t have the blend for this vintage, but the 2009 was 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The back of the label also mentions Malbec!

2007 Bernardus Marinus, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.2% ABV, $112 (release price $36)  (#397*)

About the Marinus Vineyard: “Bernardus owns 210 acres in the Cachagua region of the upper Carmel Valley on two sites. The Marinus vineyard comprises 36 acres. Of the 36 acres, 25 acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 acres to Merlot, 1 acre to Cabernet Franc and 1 acre to Petit Verdot. Carmel Valley is surrounded by the ridges of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Cachagua Valley is a sun-trap, a “bowl” in a high elevation that is shielded from the coastal fog and ideal for growing Bordeaux-style grapes. The daily temperatures vary from over 100° F. during the day to 50° F. during the night. The geographic “bowl” effect traps the heat during the day while elevation and ocean proximity produce cool nights. This unique microclimate creates a prolonged growing season allowing full flavor development of the fruit while on the vine. Marinus vineyard soils are varied. They range from clay loam to sandy loam. The vineyard is divided into 15 diverse “blending blocks” each producing grapes with distinct and varied flavors.”

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “Another successful Marinus from this small Monterey County appellation. Made from all five classic Bordeaux varieties, it’s dry and rich in blackberries, black currants, crème de cassis and cedar, and is more rough in tannins than your typical Napa Cabernet blend. Drink now–2013.”  12/2010

My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Cassis on the nose. Super smooth on the palate, bursting with black fruit, a little chalky. This was extremely delicious and drinking well – beyond expecation! June 2021

While this is in general sold out, K&L Wine Merchants held a recent auction of 6 full bottles which sold for $150!

Ordering and Tasting Bernardus Wines: According to their website, you can place your wine order on line and pick it up at the winery or have it shipped to you. The tasting room is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 11:00, 1:00 or 3:00 by reservation only for outdoor seating for 4 or fewer people.  Please email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call 831-298-8021. Check here for more information. 

*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.    

Angel Falls Dark Angel: A Ballard Canyon Syrah-Grenache!

Wines-You-Want-to-Share-with-Friends-Night continues – another one from my June DC wine class – was so nice to taste all these wines in person! The connection for us with this wine is the proprietor David Choi used to own Pearson’s Wine & Spirits in Washington DC – back when it was a real wine shop.  Today’s wine was purchased years ago by a “classmate” at MacArthur Beverages in DC.

Outbreak Wine #395: 2014 Angel Falls Dark Angel Red Wine, Stolpman Vineyard, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara, 14.5% ABV, $23 (list $55) 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 10% Petite Sirah, 237 cases produced

About Ballard Canyon from www.ballardcanyonava.org: “The Ballard Canyon AVA has been considered the premier wine growing appellation in Santa Barbara County.  The Ballard Canyon AVA also boasts as it is America’s only Syrah Focused Appellation. The Ballard Canyon AVA has also achieved this prestigious recognition and official status, as receiving its very own federally recognized American Viticulture Area.”

About Angel Falls from www.angelfallswines.com: “Angel Falls was founded in 2012, following a dream and a passion to provide you with the highest quality wines from the best regions and appellations around the world. We take pride in the art of crafting distinctive and expressive wines—putting our heart and soul into every ounce, from vineyard to bottle…” They work with 2 regions in France and 2 in Santa Barbara County. One of the key team members is Peter Stolpman!

“…Spending countless hours—in the vineyards, on the road, meeting and establishing relationships with the grape growers, winemakers, luminaries and personalities—has proven to be quite an adventure!”

“…Working with elite winemakers and using the best grapes available around the world has been a dream come true. Our team values the small production approach to making every bottle of wine we handcraft just for you. The wines we produce here at Angel Falls have character. I believe it shouldn’t cost you a fortune to enjoy a really good, high quality wine. That’s why our team will continue to break the mold, providing you with the very best wines at an affordable price, from the most elite winemakers and vineyards from around the world.”

About the 2014 Dark Angel: “Medium-bodied with fresh, bright, rich and juicy flavors. Expressive with excellent structure. Aromatic notes of plums, raspberries, and wild cherries with subtle hints of cola and mocha. Fine elegant tannins with a nice lingering finish.”

 My Review: Inky. Smoke and black berries on the nose. Palate is brighter berry and a touch acidic. June 2021

I don’t see any recent vintages and wonder if Angel Falls Wines is still being produced.  Looks like most of their wines are sold out, but I saw that Bell Wine & Spirits in Washington DC carries a non-vintage Dark Angel Syrah for $20.  I might like to try that one, too!

*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.    

Lucienne: “SINGLE VINEYARD EXPRESSIONS. SMALL LOT WINES.”

Sometimes my DC wine class members present Central Coast wines that I have not had the opportunity to try.  One of them presented this 2012 Lucienne, consistently rated as one of the top Pinot Noirs from Santa Lucia Highlands.  He was fortunate to purchase this on WTSO for $18! This wine in later vintages consistently scores quite high and the typical retail price is $50. 

About Lucienne: “Lucienne wines showcase the distinct characteristics of Pinot Noir from each of our Santa Lucia Highlands estate vineyards: Lone Oak, Doctor’s, Smith and Hook. The wines take their name from Santa Lucia, the namesake of the appellation and patron saint of light; her crown of candles graces the wine label. These vineyard-designated releases owe their singular nature to variations in climate, topography, and wind as well as an array of clonal selections. The wines are rich, nuanced expressions of the vineyards they come from.”  This is one of Hahn’s high-end labels.

Santa Lucia Highlands AVA Map courtesy of Monterey County Vintners & Growers

About the Smith Family Vineyard: “Smith is not only our highest elevation vineyard, reaching 1,280 feet above sea level, it was also one of our first estate vineyards, planted originally in the mid-1970s. Boasting eastern exposure above the fog line, this vineyard experiences less windy conditions and a long growing season.” 131 acres planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Soil: “Farmed from alluvial materials, predominantly Chualar Loam with pockets of Placentia Sandy Loam and Arroyo Seco Gravelly Sandy Loam.”

2012 Lucienne Pinot Noir, Smith Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $50 (#392*)

Winemaker’s Notes from Wine.com: “This wine shows fragrant strawberry and blackberry aromas with earthy cocoa undertones. Silky and richly textured, this wine’s palate impression is balanced by a high-note of acidity recalling tart plums. Harmonious red and black fruit flavors come together with earthy spice notes on this wine’s long finish.”

Wine Enthusiast  – 91 points: “A heady swirl of aromas ranging from earthy red iron to hard cinnamon candy and violet flowers emerge in this wine sourced from the historic Smith Vineyard. The flavors, which arrive on a silky palate, start with dark chocolate, root beer extract and lots of geologic influence before hitting raspberry fruit.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Rich currant and cedar in the bouquet. Smooth and rich on the palate. Cassis and cedar carry through. Even I like this Pinot Noir! June 2021                                                     

Visiting Hahn: Hahn’s tasting rooms at the winery in SLH and in Carmel are open by reservation – click here for more information.

*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.    

“On the west side of the Salinas Valley, directly in the path of Monterey’s relentless afternoon winds, sits Ranch 32”

Cassandra recently visited her friend’s godparents in East Bay.  The godfather was from Monterey and served them a delicious Ranch 32 Cabernet Sauvignon.  When I needed an American “Claret” – a blend of Bordeaux varietals made in the U.S., I found out that Ranch 32 makes a Meritage! I did some digging and discovered that “Meritage” is one way of referring to such a blend.  I don’t see the “Meritage” nomenclature very often any more – it was quite the thing for a while. 

This map from Ranch 32’s website shows the location of their estate vineyards.

About Ranch 32: “This is the place where we first planted vines in 1972 when winegrowing was in its infancy in Monterey County. The specialness of the region was understood, but it would take a few decades for the vineyards to reach their full potential. Ranch 32 is about highlighting the natural characteristics of the terroir and conveying the taste of place. Each vintage, we produce small lots of wines from our sustainably farmed estate vineyards that represent the best of the appellation. From the renowned Arroyo Seco AVA, we craft our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Further south from the San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs, we bring you our Cabernet Sauvignon.” “100% Powered by Wind”

From the Monterey County Vintners & Growers website

About San Lucas AVA from their website: “Originally land that served as an open range for cattle grazing in the 1800s, the San Lucas appellation is located on the southwestern edge of the Salinas Valley and is comprised of sweeping alluvial fans and terraces.” You can read more here: https://www.ranch32wines.com/place/san-lucas

From the Monterey County Vintners & Growers website

About Hames Valley AVA from their website: “Located at the southernmost tip of Monterey County, the Hames Valley appellation has its own unique climate. It sits at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountains, with rolling hills dotted by ancient oak trees.” More here:  https://www.ranch32wines.com/place/hames-valley

Ranch 32 2018 Vineyard Reserve Meritage, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $30 40% Petit Verdot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 7% Malbec (#385*)

BevMo Review – 85 points: “Aromas of blackberries and dark plums with overtones of mocha and dark chocolate; well-integrated tannins lead to a long, layered finish.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass with a lovely, rich bouquet of dark fruits: plum, berry, oak and a touch of cherry.  The palate was balanced, quite drinkable and fresh, with a touch of tangerine on the finish.  This wine is young.  It opened up into nice, round flavors over time.  I bought this at BevMo for $29.95 and got a second bottle for 5 cents – will hold onto that one and see what happens!   June 2021                                                    

Buying Ranch 32 Wines: You can buy Ranch 32 wines at BevMo.

*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.    

Parsonage: Big Reds Break Coastal Chill!

Friday before Memorial Day…let’s head out to the valley in search of warmth and wine! Parsonage is always one of our favorite places to taste wines – with plenty of the big reds, just the way we like them.  Summer gave us a sunny seat, giving us a little break from our coastal chill.   

Want sun? Want shade? It can all be arranged! Photo courtesy Parsonage.

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 their website, unless otherwise indicated.

Our latest haul from Parsonage – So happy to have these in my collection!

2019 Parsonage Grenache Rosé, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $29 (#385*)

Winery Notes: A perennial warm weather favorite. And a surprise to everyone who thinks they don’t like Rosé! Made with Grenache grapes. Refreshing and dry.

Owner Bill Parsons’ tasting notes: “What a nose!! If you spend some time with the nose of this lovely and sensual wine, you could discover notes of red roses, lavender, strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, watermelon, peach and citrus zest. The bouquet comes alive on the palate with strawberry and watermelon. The finish is rich, full and lively.” 

My Review: Apple cider on the nose.  Rich and flavorful on the palate.  I’d love to drink this wine on a “hot” day at our neighbors’ micro-climate patio! May 2021

2017 Parsonage Grenache-Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $36 (#386*) 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah

Grenache-Syrah photo courtesy of Parsonage.

Winery Notes: “This easy drinker pairs nicely with cheese & crackers. We joke that we should re-name it the “universal donor” even though that isn’t the perfect analogy. But you get the gist of it – this wine seems to be universally loved, no matter what your favorite varietal is…Fully dry. Medium-bodied but rich.”

Owner Bill Parsons’ tasting notes: “A bright mixed bouquet of floral notes accented by raspberry, pomegranate, blueberry, and black cherry mark the nose of this traditional blend. The palate is full, but not as massive as previous vintages. All of the fruit of the nose resonates in the mouth with a hint of umami. This iteration of our Grenache Syrah is marvelously complex and elegant.”  

My Review: Bright ruby in the glass.  Very round on the palate and delicious.  May 2021

2017 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $26 (#387*) 70% Merlot, 30% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Our versatile red table wine easily pairs with a variety of different foods. We think it goes especially well with pizza and spaghetti with red sauce. This vintage is full bodied. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah. Rich, ripe and voluptous. The Cyrano is one of our best sellers.”

My Review: This is an exciting blend – bright and energetic.  Summer says:  Good vintage, aged in neutral oak barrels, best seller year over year. May 2021

2015 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $26 (#388*) 70% Merlot, 30% Syrah 

Winery Notes: (We had this wine in our collection and opened it to compare to the 2017 we had tasted at the winery.  The two vintages seemed shockingly similar.  In fact, the winery’s tasting notes are identical to the 2017!)

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Nose of dark berries and cherry. Rich palate of dark fruits overplayed with cherry – excited, dancing on the tongue. May 2021

2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, 15% ABV, $48 (#389*) 

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon photo courtesy Parsonage.

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 very dark fruit marked by brambleberry compote. Plum and cassis join with the brambleberry on a muscular palate that finishes with some major league tannins.” The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a private vineyard in Cachagua (Carmel Valley) and the Cabernet Franc comes from Paicines AVA!

My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Cherry on the nose.  Rich cherry and berry on the palate.  Quite good! May 2021

2018 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $80 (#390*)

Photo of the 2017 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir

Winery Notes from the tasting sheet: Full bodied with full fruit expression and sensuous texture.

My Review: Translucent ruby in color. Raspberry on the nose.  Super juicy bright berry flavors and luscious. Supple tannins. Very nice Pinot Noir – even I like this one! The Hawk can stand up to a Burgundian red! May 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.  

*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.    

BOLD Wine Co: “exciting, affordable, sustainably-grown”

This is Post Two about Seabold wines, today’s post focused on BOLD Wine Co.  For more about Seabold, please see the 6/14 post. When I did my tasting at Seabold, I was told they came up with the name the night before the bottle labels needed to be printed.  They thought of the Monterey Bay and the ocean breezes and their desire to be bold in the creation of their wines. Literally Sea Bold. BOLD Wine Co is the label for wines Chris Miller, the proprietor and winemaker, gets to play and experiment with.  From their website:

BOLD Wine Co is the label for wines the winemaker gets to play and experiment with.  From their website:

“We believe that everyone should have access to delicious and balanced wines that speak to their place of origin. Every year we work with new vineyards and varieties for Seabold Cellars; those first few vintages, the new wines that we find promising are released under the BOLD Wine Co label. We produce exciting, affordable, sustainably-grown wines from the Monterey Peninsula.”

The quotes below come from the Seabold web page https://www.seaboldcellars.com/ or from their tasting sheet.  

2017 BOLD Wine Co Grenache Rosé, Paso Robles AVA, 13.4% ABV, $20 (#378*)

Winery Notes: “Drs. Serena Friedman and Michael “Farmer Mickey” Drucker built up this 400-acre ranch from scratch with their bare hands. Incredibly hard workers and tireless proponents of the Paso Robles region, they grow mostly Bordeaux and Rhône varieties…Red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper, dried lavender, red currant.” 120 cases produced

My Review: Vibrant salmon in the glass – a lot of time on the skins. Very sweet nose – almost bright cherry, followed by full-bodied strawberry cream on the palate. Like a strawberry shortcake! I would love this in a bubbly version! May 2021

2018 BOLD Wine Co Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $25 (#379*)

Winery Notes: “Balestra is located just north of the Santa Lucia Highlands on a well-drained alluvial bed of coarse loam and clay, which combined with its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, delays ripening while retaining low pH levels. Olson is one of our favorite vineyards in Monterey County, 4 miles off the Pacific Ocean, with bracing acidity. Unfortunately, while the Pinot Noir quality is outstanding, yields are typically just about 1 ton per acre…Crushed raspberry, balsamic strawberry, rhubarb, white mushroom.”  Whole cluster pressed, native yeast fermentation. 412 cases produced

My Review: Bright cherry in the glass.  Slightly sweet cherry on the nose – classic Pinot Noir.  Cherry Jolly Rancher on the palate.  Agree with the hibiscus tea! May 2021

2019 BOLD Wine Co Carignan, Redwood Valley, 13.6% ABV, $25  (#380*) 82 cases produced

Vineyard Notes: “REDWOOD VALLEY At a higher elevation and cooler temperature than much of surrounding Mendocino County, Redwood Valley has warm days and intensely cold nights, leading to a long ripening season that often lasts into November. The winemaking tradition here goes back to the mid-1800s, with small plots of original plantings from that era…VINCENZO VINEYARD First planted in 1918, Vincenzo is owned and cared for by the grandchildren of the original farmer. Organic and dry-farmed since its planting, the old-vine head-trained vines here are remarkably healthy and yield intensely flavored wines.”

Winery Tasting Notes: “Campfire, blueberry skins, black raspberry, star anise, violets, and charred meat.”

My Review: Beautiful ruby – a tad purple.  Berry/cherry on the nose – like a Pinot Noir! Smooth on the palate brimming with delicious berry flavors. Just when I was thinking I was done exploring Carignan, I found this Carignan, which I liked a lot! May 2021

You can buy BOLD Wine online or at the Seabold Tasting Room, 3 Pilot Road in Carmel Valley Village.  They are open Thursday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m. and by appointment (831-288-2730).

*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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