Category: Wine Blog/Reviews

Santa Barbara’s Tensley: “get out of the way and let the vineyard speak for itself”

I encouraged our mostly East Coast wine class in February to pick a Central Coast wine to share (virtually, of course).  I kept it broad – might be hard for them to find a Monterey County wine, so anywhere from the San Francisco Bay and Livermore all the way down to Santa Barbara County. I had been eyeing this Tensley Syrah (link from wine.com) in Wine Spectator and was thrilled to learn my husband had ordered some from K&L Wine Merchant – as though he were reading my mind!  The variety of wines presented was fascinating, spanning Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties! 

This map depicts the counties/AVAs of the wines presented in this class (plus Santa Cruz). Map credited to https://www.wineandvinesearch.com/united_states/california/central_coast.php

Here is a vintage ordered list of everyone’s wines– each one had a story, perhaps for future blogs:

  • 2019 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, 15% ABV, $40 from K&L
  • 2018 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant Cuvée Oumuamua, Monterey County, $19 at K&L (WE 93 + Top 100)
  • 2017 Robert Hall Cavern Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 15.0% ABV, $40 Costco
  • 2016 Donati Family Vineyard Claret, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 13.8% ABV, $17 at Pearson’s (DC) ( I previously presented this wine in my Paicines AVA class for the Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar, Fall 2019)
  • 2016 Gainey Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills AVA, 13.6% ABV, $22
  • 2015 Fess Parker Epiphany Grenache Blanc, Santa Ynez AVA, 14.1% ABV, 4 cans for $25 at Rodman’s (DC)

About Santa Barbara wines from the wine.com link above: “With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.

“Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.”

About Tensley also from wine.com:

“In 1998 Joey Tensley launched Tensley Wines with one hundred cases and one single goal – to start a well-priced, Syrah-driven brand that let the unique vineyards of Santa Barbara County speak for themselves…The wine press began taking notice of Tensley in 2001. That year Matt Kramer of the Wine Spectator named two of Tensley’s 2001 Syrah’s to his list of the Top Ten Wines in the World and Robert Parker scored all the ‘01’s in the high 90’s, calling them “serious, hand-crafted efforts.”

“In 2008 Food and Wine Magazine named the 2006 Colson Canyon Syrah “Top Syrah in America Over $20.” Two years later, Robert Parker gave the 2008 Anniversary Series Colson Canyon Syrah 99 points, and The Wine Spectator named the 2008 Colson Canyon Syrah #17 of its Top 100 Wines in the World. The 2007 Colson Canyon Syrah was ranked #22 the year before…

“While Tensley and its reputation have continued to grow, Joey has stayed true to the philosophy he had from day one – make quality wine that is well priced and always, “get out of the way and let the vineyard speak for itself.”

2019 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, 15% ABV, $40 (#253*)

Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 96 points; drink now or hold through 2039!

“The 2019 Tensley Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah is elegant, showing perfumed notes of violets on the nose but it also packs a punch with its smoked meat notes, deep purple fruits and notes of graphite and pepper. The light touch of new oak balances the chocolate of the wine with notes of vanilla. This wine is rich and approachable now. It can also age beautifully over the next 12 years.”

My Review: Deep rich red color.  Bright cherry bubblegum and plum on the nose.  Super rich, tongue-coating palate, with round, deep berry flavors after it opened up.  A bit of perfume on the palate. February 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.    

Cambria Estate Winery: “Drawn to the grit and beauty of winemaking…”

Today marks a blog milestone:  I am posting the last wine from 2020! Now we can really put 2020 in the rearview mirror – and my wine tracking and number sequencing just got a heck of a lot easier.  More importantly, it is my first wine from Santa Maria Valley AVA!  Traveling south – virtually, anyway! Someday…

About Santa Maria Valley AVA from Santa Barbara Vintners: “The often foggy and windswept Santa Maria Valley is the northern most appellation in Santa Barbara County. The region’s first officially approved American Viticultural Area (AVA) enjoys extremely complex soil conditions and diverse microclimates. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are two varieties which especially benefit from the ocean’s influence and are this AVA’s flagship wines…Other great varieties such as Syrah and Pinot Blanc grow amazingly, too.”

(Image purchased from the Santa Barbara Vintners’ webpage)

About Cambria Estate Winery: “For 30 years, the Jackson family has sustainably farmed and passionately tended our remarkable Santa Maria estate. Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson’s daughters, Katie Jackson and Julia Jackson, grew up among these vines. Drawn to the grit and beauty of winemaking, Katie and Julia continue the family business. Together with Barbara Banke’s keen knowledge of the industry and incredible business sense, Katie’s passion for sustainability and the land, and Julia’s creative backbone and dedication to empowering communities, the women of Cambria shape who we are today.” They primarily produce fine Pinot Noirs and a range of whites, with the Syrah being the single exception. 

2015 Cambria Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley AVA, 13.9% ABV, $30** (#251*)

Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “The 2015 Tepusquet Syrah has a deep purple color with concentrated raspberry, black berry flavors and aromas of cured meat and mocha. The wine is medium bodied with balanced tannins that contribute to a round smooth texture. A long finish is accompanied by nice acidity with nuances of dark berry fruit. This wine is a classic cool climate Syrah with good structure and true varietal characters. Pair with baby back ribs with Tepusquet Syrah BBQ Sauce.”

**We found this wine on the K&L Wine Merchants’ web page (SKU #1483394) for $15 (now out of stock).  Nicely rated at 94 points by Vinous, with adjectives including “powerful,” “dense,” and “inky.”  You can read the full review here.  The 2017 vintage is the current release, listed for $32 on Cambria’s website here.

My Review:  Purplish-red in color. Vanilla and dark berry/cherry on the nose. Juicy in flavor with deep berry flavors with a touch of mint. December 2020                         

*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.    

Scheid: Finding the Yin Yang of Monterey Wines!

I introduced Scheid Vineyards to you back in September here: https://decantingmonterey.com/scheid-vineyards-innovative-twist-on-an-austrian-classic/.   When I picked up that Grüner Veltliner, I looked for what else I wanted to try and picked up a couple of big reds. 

Today’s post gets really fun, as we are venturing to the southern most tip of Monterey County’s 9 AVAs – through the Monterey AVA on down to San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs! 

When driving down Highway 101, you will see that Scheid’s vineyards stretch along almost the entire Salinas Valley down to the San Luis Obispo County line! (Map courtesy of Scheid Vineyards)

On its website ( https://www.scheidvineyards.com/), Scheid describes the San Lucas appellation as having “sunny days tempered by cooling ocean breezes. Here, the days are warmer and longer, yet cool down quite dramatically when the sun goes down. Fruit-forward and softly-textured wines are the hallmark of this region, known for producing an outstanding array of varietals.”  And they describe the Hames Valley as having “long, warm days that make this an ideal area for sun-loving reds. This region produces balanced, full-bodied wines of intensity, such as Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Malbec.”

2017 Scheid 50/50, Monterey AVA, 14.8% ABV, $30 (#247*) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Syrah.

The “yin yang” of the 50/50 melded into a delicious wine!

About the 50/50: Scheid describes the 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah as “yin yang” – “complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole as part of a dynamic system” – combining the “rich, polished and powerful” Cabernet Sauvignon with the “supple, fruit-forward and a little sassy” Syrah. They describe the 2017 50/50 as possessing “the structure and dark fruit flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon and the softness and jammy fruit of Syrah, combining to present a delicious example of elegance and power in one glass. Aromas of blackberry preserves and plum accented with notes of sage and smoky spices will convince you that soul mates really do exist.”  The 50/50 comes from their Mesa del Rio Vineyard in the Monterey AVA, plus their San Lucas and Hames Valley vineyards.  This unfiltered wine was aged 16 months in American, Hungarian and French small oak barrels for secondary fermentation and aging. 480 cases produced.

My Review:  Blackberry and plum on the nose, smooth round palate of dark berries, lingering flavors. Euphoric. One of the best Central Coast wines we have tasted recently. Super yum. Highly recommend. December 2020                         

2016 Scheid Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kurt’s Vineyard, San Lucas AVA, 14.8% ABV (#248*)                                 

The 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kurt’s Vineyard from Scheid’s webpage.

About the 2016 Kurt’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from their website: “Kurt Gollnick our COO, chose a 10 acre plot to plant his favorite variety, a micro site that is capable of growing world class Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is dark and concentrated with aromas of blackberries, boysenberries and elderberries with notes of chocolate, hazelnuts, toasty oak and a hint of violet. The palate delivers rich, juicy black fruit flavors followed by soft, integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.” Aged 20 months in oak barrels. Unfiltered. 

My Review:  Garnet in color with a jammy blackberry nose with caramel notes.  Juicy palate of yummy blackberry and cherry, with licorice and mint on the finish.  I really liked this wine. January 2021

You can order Scheid wines directly from their webpage.  Their tasting rooms are open daily for outdoor tasting.  You can make a reservation and get more info here:  Visit Scheid.

Scheid’s tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea!

*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: Let’s Celebrate the Tasting Room Reopening with Three Great Wines!

Since we started cataloguing wines last March, it has been quite a process to keep track of which wines I have posted to Decanting Monterey and which I haven’t, as well as all those wines that don’t fit the “Central Coast” criteria!  The Bernardus Pinot Noir in today’s post slipped through the cracks – we’ve actually had this wine three times, so you are benefiting from my most mature review!  I am highlighting it today, along with a couple of my favorites Marinus wines.

2014 Bernardus Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $55 (#42*)

About the Soberanes Vineyard:  “The Soberanes Vineyard, located in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands, builds upon a tradition of high quality hand-winegrowing. Working together again, the Pisoni and Franscioni families, whose friendship spans three generations and are known for the Pisoni, Garys’, Rosella’s and Sierra Mar Vineyards, have an additional vineyard site to explore.” 38 acres, 27 acres of Pinot Noir. 

Wine Enthusiast – 91 Points:  “Cranberry juice, touches of juniper and muddy-soil notes arise on the nose of this bottling from a popular vineyard in the region. The earthy palate combines a line of beet juice with clay, turned earth, black plum and dried pine needles, framed by chalky tannins.” Matt Kettmann, 3/2017 Drink through 2027.  (The 2018 vintage is the current release, which lists for $70 and is rated 94 points!)

My Review: Garnet in color. Cassis and tobacco on the nose. Mid-to-full bodied, with cassis, plum, eucalyptus and tobacco notes on the palate. Lingering raspberry  with a touch of bitterness. This is a big wine – even this non-Pinot fan like this Pinot Noir. January 2021

About Marinus from Bernardus: “Our Marinus vineyard in upper Carmel Valley is planted with the five traditional red Bordeaux varietals. It is divided into small blocks per grape variety, exposure and soil type. Each block has its own unique terroir and is farmed and hand harvested at peak ripeness to maximize quality. 

Marinus Collection Chez Nous!

“In recent years, our Vineyard Manager Matt Shea and Winemaker Dean DeKorth have been busy refurbishing the Marinus vineyard with spectacular results…”

2012 Bernardus Marinus, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $75 (#243*) 

2012 Bernardus Marinus

From the Label: “Our California grown Bordeaux-style wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. Petit Verdot and Malbec 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.”

Wine Enthusiast Review – 92 points: “One of the winery’s most celebrated releases each year, this blend of all five major Bordeaux red varieties is an excellent showcase of Carmel Valley’s class. Freshly squeezed blackberry and blackcurrant fruit meet with beef char, charcoal and dried lilacs on the nose. The palate tastes of lava rocks, dark chocolate, fresh boysenberries, dried mint and beef jerky, all woven together with a touch of smoke.” 90 points. Matt Kettmann, February 2017

My Review: Dense, dark red, garnet in color.  Black fruits on the nose with deep blackberry and leather. A mouthful of dark, dense fruit.  Leather, pepper and licorice on the finish. This Cabernet Sauvignon-driven wine is best enjoyed decanted.    August 2020

2013 Bernardus Signature Marinus, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#244*)

2013 Bernardus Signature Marinus

Winemaker Notes: “The 2013 Signature Marinus represents a selection of the best barrels from the best lots in 2013. It is both elegant, yet very powerful, exhibiting wonderfully intense aromas of ripe cranberry, black cherry and plums accented by spicy notes of cedar. The palate exhibits intense candied red cherry and cranberry flavors with hints of spice, supported by a beautifully long, well-structured finish. Our 2013 Signature Marinus demonstrates the superb quality of the Marinus Vineyard, with the ripe fruit flavors of California matched with the excellent ageing potential of the finest wines of Bordeaux.”

My Review: This was one of the first Marinus Signature series wines I got to know well from our many visits to Bernardus.  When we finally figured out we could be “Marinus only” members, we jumped at the chance.  This is a big, smooth, rich wine, full of yummy berry flavors and a nice finish.  Remains one of my very favorites.  December 2020

Patio Tasting Is Open by Reservation!!

Bernardus is open for curbside pick up Monday through Friday 10-4 and just started back up patio tastings Wednesday through Friday as of 2/10! Please email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call 831-298-8021 for a wine tasting appointment.  Please read more 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.    

Boëté – Valentine’s Event Marries New Release with Abstract Art!

I introduced you to Boëté in August here: https://decantingmonterey.com/boete-exceptional-cabernet-franc-from-carmel-valley/.  Please take a peek at that link for more about the winery.  Since that post, there have been some new releases, including their 2018 Cheval Rouge, a red blend.  I also noticed the release of a 2018 single varietal Merlot, something I don’t recall seeing before – picked one up to try for a future post!   

When Jana Saunders advertised a couple of weeks ago that they were doing a painting and sipping virtual event, I signed right up.  Here was the teaser:  “Boëté Winery is teaming up with the talented KB of KB Studio and Gallery in hosting a Virtual Pre Valentine’s Paint and Sip. This is not your normal paint & sip as you will be learning to paint with a palate knife to create a uniquely one of a kind abstract painting while enjoying Boete’s newest Cheval Rouge!” I didn’t need to be asked twice.  I am not an artist, but my daughter gave me the courage to put paint on canvas over the holidays – such a nice break from all the news!

Boëté 2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $80 (#239*)

Wine Enthusiast rated the 2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 90 points.  “Roasted red-cherry aromas meet with charcoal, smoke, oregano and marjoram on the rustic nose. Stiffer tannins uphold both bright and dark-red fruit flavors on the palate.” Matt Kettmann, August 2020

My Review: Dense deep ruby in the glass, luscious dark berry on the nose, smooth rich flavors on the palate. Deep juicy cherry and dark berries,  and a touch of cedar anise on the finish. This is an incredibly delicious wine. November 2020

2018 Boëté Reserve Cheval Rouge Winemaker’s Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $42 (#240*)

From Boëté: “A classic garnet color invites you into an elegantly expressed vintage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a pinch of Merlot. This medium body vibrant wine elevates the palate with flavors of cherry jam, vanilla and hints of chocolate. A youthful wine that will only get better with time.” This wine was released in the Fall of 2020.

My Review: Dense deep ruby in the glass, luscious dark berry on the nose, smooth rich flavors on the palate. Deep juicy cherry and dark berries, and a touch of cedar and anise on the finish. This is an incredibly delicious wine. One of my favorites. November 2020

You can read about and purchase their wines 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.

*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.    

Pierce Ranch Scores Best Tempranillo and More!

Sometimes when I buy wine during the pandemic, I approach it with the same attitude as at the grocery store – if you see it and you think you might want it someday, you’d better buy it now. And that’s how I ended up with a sampling of enough Pierce Ranch varietals to last me a whole year!

I introduced you to Pierce Ranch Vineyards and several of its wines back in October, including the 2015 Petite Sirah: https://decantingmonterey.com/pierce-ranch-eclectic-varietals-from-the-san-antonio-ava/. I mentioned there that their wines received many awards in the 2020 Monterey International Wine Competition, including Gold Medal and Best Tempranillo for their 2017 Tempranillo and Silver for the 2017 Petite Sirah – those are the wines in today’s post!

And, as a brief refresher, Pierce Ranch Vineyards is a small, family-owned operation.  From Pierce Vineyards web page: “Pierce Ranch Vineyards is a small, family-owned operation centered in southern Monterey County’s San Antonio Valley appellation. We produce limited-run, estate-grown wines with an emphasis on Spanish and Portuguese varieties.”

2017 Pierce Ranch Tempranillo, San Antonio AVA, 13.1% ABV, $28 (#236*)

Awarded a Gold Medal and Best Tempranillo at the 2020 Monterey International Wine Competition!

About the 2017 Tempranillo: “…Located in the southernmost tip of Monterey County, the newly declared San Antonio Valley appellation is already showing itself to be an ideal region for producing nuanced, complex Petite Sirah. Consisting entirely of fruit sourced from our Y Ranch Vineyard’s rocky, hillside Block 1, this, our 2015 bottling, provides and elegant expression of the variety with excellent depth and solid tannic structure. Produced on a very limited scale, it was fermented in small lots and then aged, unracked, in French oak for 18 months. Aromas and flavors of blueberry, black currant, and black plum combined with a savory component and traces of spice.”

My Review: Cherry, blueberry on the rich palate, with currant and a mellow mocha on the finish. November 2020

2017 Pierce Ranch Petite Sirah, San Antonio AVA, 15.3% ABV, $28 (#237*) (gratis)

Awarded a Silver Medal at the 2020 Monterey International Wine Competition.

About the 2017 Petite Sirah: “Located in the southernmost tip of Monterey County, the newly declared San Antonio Valley appellation is already showing itself to be an ideal region for producing nuanced, complex Petite Sirah. Consisting entirely of fruit sourced from our Y Ranch Vineyard’s rocky, hillside Block 1, this 2017 estate bottling provides and elegant expression of the variety with excellent depth and solid tannic structure. A limited run, it was fermented using only native yeasts and aged in primarily neutral French oak for 18 months. Aromas and flavors of blueberry, black currant, and black plum combine with a savory component and traces of spice.” Awarded a Silver Medal at the 2020 Monterey International Wine Competition.

My Review: Dense ruby in color. Deep cherry blueberry and blackberry on the nose. After opening up, smooth, rich dark cherry and berries with a tasty finish. Super good. Petite Sirah continues to be my favorite Pierce Ranch varietal.  This wine was given to me by Pierce Ranch – I will always let you know when I have been comped a wine. December 2020

Check out the Piece Ranch Vineyards webpage and Facebook page for their current releases and specials. This might be the chance to get some of their wines before they sell out (such small production means the favorites are gone before we even know they are there.  Their tasting room in Cannery Row is open for shopping. You can order their wines via Pierce Vineyard Tasting Room  or at (831) 372-8900, and they’ll arrange for curbside pickup or shipping (which is just $5 anywhere in California). Also, they now ship to DC and Virginia, my friends! Maybe a future Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar (WWCS) offering??

*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.    

Holiday Shopping Leads to Discovery of Wrath New Releases!

Wrath San Saba Vineyard, 2019

Back in November, with the holidays rapidly approaching, I ventured out to Carmel Plaza.  Can’t go there without stopping at Wrath! As a huge fan of their San Saba Syrah, I was thrilled to learn the 2017 had just been released.  On a previous trip, I had done a side-by-side tasting of the 2016 San Saba and the 2016 Syrah KW Ranch.  With both the 2017 San Saba in hand and the 2016 KW Ranch in my cellar, time to drink some Wrath!

I last brought you Wrath back in September, with reviews of the 2015 & 2016 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, along with the 2017 EX Sauvignon Blanc here:  https://decantingmonterey.com/wrath-harnessing-angry-fog-and-screaming-winds-to-create-great-wines/.

2016 Wrath Syrah KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.7% ABV, $39 (#232*)

From Wrath about the 2016 Syrah KW Ranch:

“KW Ranch is located in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands, southeast of McIntyre Vineyard and just northwest of Gary’s Vineyard. Planted to both Pinot Noir and Syrah in 2000 by Kirk Williams, the site features a well-exposed, gently-rolling hillside with gravely loam soils. Wines from KW Ranch tend to be intense and highly aromatic.”

“…Our 2016 KW Ranch Syrah is wildly aromatic with flashes of black pepper, smoked meat, blackberries, leather and cassis.  The palate is thick, powerful and succulently juicy.  Even though the tannnis are bold, the wine is still nimble, elegant and approachable.” 100% Syrah. 100% French oak, 30% new. 158 cases produced.

Critical Acclaim: 93 points Jeb Dunnuck;91-94pts Connoisseur’s Guide

My Review:  Deep ruby in color, white pepper, dark berry on the nose. Explosion of fruit blueberry, blackberry and cherry with a solid dose of pepper on the palate. A little licorice, medicinal, vegetal on the finish. Over time, a little tobacco on the finish. November 2020 

2017 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#233*)

From Wrath about the 2017 Syrah San Saba Vineyard:

“Our Estate San Saba Vineyard is set in a sheltered nook just below the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The estate consists of 72 acres of which 67.75 are planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Falanghina. This is a cool site with little rainfall and one of the longest growing seasons in the world. Our soils, Arroyo Gravelly Loam and Hanford Gravely Sandy Loam, provide a low-vigor, well-draining, disease- and pest-free medium for our vines. They also impart a subtle mineral quality to our wines…”

“Powerful and elegant, aromatics include blackberry, leather and peppercorns; the palate is rich and concentrated with graphite, cassis, and a hint of smoke.”  10 months in French oak, 20% new.  313 cases produced.

Critical Acclaim:  91 Wine Spectator, 93 Vinous

My Review: Dark purple in the glass, blueberry and a touch of barnyard/sulphur on the nose, intense blueberry and blacked berry on the palate – jammy and good. Vanilla on the finish. I do slightly prefer the 2016 vintage to this 2017. November 2020

You can buy these wines at A Taste of Monterey or directly from Wrath. 

Regarding Tastings: “As of Monday, Jan 25th, both Wrath tasting rooms are now allowed to open for limited outside seatings and tastings. New hours for Wrath’s winery tasting room are Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tues-Wed-Thur.  The winery patio is large so we can accommodate multiple visitor groups and still maintain 10′ plus spacings for safety.  Our Carmel tasting room is open every day from 11-5pm.” 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.    

Chesebro Rosé: An Exceptional Start to a New Alternative to Halloween

I previously brought you some Chesebro big reds here:  https://decantingmonterey.com/chesebro-artisan-wines-lovingly-farmed-and-made-by-hand/ and here:  https://decantingmonterey.com/chesebro-coferments-syrah-and-viognier-to-create-la-mariposa/.

When Chesebro offered a sale on their 2018 rosé, I jumped at the chance to get some – good thing I did – they sold out immediately.  I learned a lesson, though:  make a copy of the Winemaker’s Notes when you purchase the wine – they might not be there when you need them!! If I get them later, I’ll update this post.

Halloween provided a great excuse (and warm weather) for an outdoor celebration!

We served this wine as our opening for a socially-distant, patio happy hour alternative to Halloween. We were ever-so-slightly in costume (no photos to protect the innocent!), much to the amusement of our guests. The Chesebro Rosé was remarkably our only Central Coast wine of the evening.

Chesebro 2018 Grenache Rosé, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.2% ABV, $19 ($14.25 sale price) (#229*)

Winemaker’s Notes for the 2019 (current release) from Cedar Lane Vineyard: For the 2019 (current release) from Cedar Lane “This Provençal style 100% Grenache Rosé is beautifully light pink in color. Aromas of fresh picked strawberry, grapefruit skin and raspberry essence. Perfect for a warm afternoon. Classic!”

My Review of the 2018: Very light pink. Raspberry on the nose and good Grenache flavors on the palate, with a little acidic bite on the finish. Our French wine lovers said this one passes for a French rosé. October 2020

Buying Chesebro Wines: The 2019 Chesebro Rosé from Cedar Lane Vineyard (one of my favorites) is the current release available for $19 here in limited supply. Updated information on its tasting room hours and reservation link is here.  Chesebro has curbside pickup and has always been great about shipping wines to the East Coast for me. 

*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.    

Bunter Spring: Goodbye, 2020, Promising 2019s, and a Terrific 2017 Cab Franc

I last brought you a Bunter Spring wine in October here: https://decantingmonterey.com/bunter-spring-there-is-no-excuse-for-bad-wine/. Check there for more about the winery and how we discovered it.

Mark provided his readers a very blunt assessment of 2020 here.  But he also added this: “Any good news we have is NOT from 2020.  There are some promising 2019s coming up.  The sauv blanc and orange wine from Santa Cruz are daring- we harvested earlier than ever before, to get high natural acidity for drinking with shellfish and shrimp.  The sauv blanc is a ringer for Sancerre. Our ’19 estate Syrah is perfectly balanced and intensely varietal, again leaning toward a European version of the grape. It will spend another year or so in barrel. Carmel Valley Palisades 2019 pinot noir will be bottled this spring. It reminds me of our 2013 Sonoma Coast pinot.   We made some excellent Monterey reds in 2018: a pinot noir from Carmel valley, another from Santa Lucia Highlands, and some zin, cab sauv, and cab franc from a “sleeper” vineyard hidden in the hills high above Arroyo Seco.  These follow distinctive 17 cab sauv and cab franc from a fifty year-old organic vineyard in Carmel Valley.  We have plenty of good wine for the short term.  We will need to make some whites in ’21 to go with our estate Syrah, and whatever other red grapes we buy.” 

Bunter Spring 2017 Spring Cabernet Franc, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.34% ABV, $30 (#225*)  86% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48 cases produced

“It tastes like California sunshine:  ripe black cherry and red raspberry, heady with alcohol.“

Winemaker’s Notes : “This wine is from a historic organic vineyard in the hills high above the Carmel River.  The AVA gives a distinct and recognizable character to its fruit, something midway between Napa and Paso Robles – which is exactly where it is!…”  From the back label: “Aged 20 months in French and American oak barrels, 50% new.  This wine smells like something from the Mother Country:  lilac, violets, saddle soap, bay spice, cassis.  It tastes like California sunshine:  ripe black cherry and red raspberry, heady with alcohol.  Dense with fine tannins.  It has a long, warm aftertaste of sour cherry candy…Not Fined. Not Filtered.”

My Review:  Very inky, almost purple in color. Fresh blueberry and plum on the nose. Very rich intense dark berry and cassis on the palate, a little chalky. Opens into deep cherry and dark berry lingering flavors.  I prefer this vintage to the 2016.  October 2020

Outdoor tastings…pending licensing…at 9 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village

According to their website, “Our Carmel Valley tasting room remains closed to the public.  We have created an outdoor tasting area and soon should have that operating, pending licensing…” On the flip side, he is offering the public 25% off, 35% off 12 bottle case purchases and a very generous discount to club members.  To buy their wines, check out their current releases and contact Mark by phone or email to order.  Directions are here.  They ship within California and to Washington DC and Florida. 

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – includes non-Central Coast wines.

© Decanting Monterey 2021

Turley Salvador: 1896 – Now Those are Old Vines!

I don’t get to write much about Turley in this blog, as most of their wines fall outside the “Central Coast” theme.  I presented some Turley Pesenti Vineyard wines from Paso Robles back in December (https://decantingmonterey.com/turley-pesenti-a-whole-other-reason-to-love-paso-robles-wines/ ).  During Christmas week, we opened a Turley Zinfandel from Contra Costa County – stretching the limits of the Central Coast AVA! 

I don’t know that much about the Contra Costa County AVA but I found this description on Wine Searcher here: “Contra Costa County is an AVA directly east of San Francisco Bay in California’s Central Coast AVA. Once a prolific wine-growing region, the county is home to some century-old plantings of Zinfandel, Mourvedre and Carignan that produce rustic, earthy and leathery styles of red wine.

“The county sits on the edge of the San Francisco and Suisun bays at the entrance to where the Sacramento Delta begins to weave its way inland towards Lodi. Livermore Valley is directly south of Contra Costa County, and the city of San Francisco across the bay gives the county its name – contra costa meaning ‘opposite shore’ in Spanish…

“The quality soils of Contra Costa County are the defining feature of its terroir. Gnarled old vines were planted 100 years ago on deep, sandy soils that have restricted yields, particularly as the vines have aged. Deep and free-draining, the sand offers little resistance to wandering root systems, and the lack of water in the ground means that the vines produce small, concentrated berries with thick skins. This in turn leads to concentrated wines with firm tannins and excellent structure.”

2017 Turley Zinfandel Salvador Vineyard, Contra Costa County, 15.9% ABV, $38** (#224*)

Photo of the Salvador Vineyard, courtesy of Turley Wine Cellars

About Turley Zinfandel Salvador Vineyard from www.turleywinecellars.com: “Salvador Vineyard in Contra Costa County is a paragon of old vine Zinfandel. These organically farmed vines were planted on their own roots in 1896. The roots are free to roam deeply as the soil is solid sand for 40 feet down. The wine is stunning: suave, complex and powerfully elegant.”

Winemaker Notes: “The Salvador feels like truly old-school California, reminiscent of what wine might’ve tasted like when it was first made from these vines well over 120 years ago! Aromas of dark berries, peach skin, sandalwood & leather make this one of the most intriguing iterations of Salvador to date. The palate is intensely concentrated, co-mingled with an energizing acidity. These ancient, ungrafted vines in sandy soils make for some of the suavest tannins and most elongated finishes around.”

Wine Spectator Review  – 89 points: “Briary and loaded with zesty pepper, smoky plum and eucalyptus flavors that build speed toward mildly rustic tannins. Drink now through 2023. 545 cases made.” TF, 2018

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate highly rates other vintages giving the 2014 and 2017 94 points and the 2016, 95 points.

My Review of the 2015: Vanilla and spice on the nose, berry and cedar on the palate. Spice on the finish. Could be that sandalwood and eucalyptus! December 2020

**I bought this through their mailing list at the prices above.  Found this wine at Napa Cabs for $65.  Take a look at Turley’s special packs open to everyone – very good opportunity to get some Turley in your wine cellar. They will ship wine and do tasting room pickups (Paso Robles and Amador). https://www.turleywinecellars.com/shop/?view=products&slug=PTRRemotePurchases.    No tastings available right now.

*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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