This is my second post about the Monterey Winemakers Celebration held on June 10th in Carmel-By-The -Sea. Today’s post is focused on local vintners in attendance whom I’ve written about before. Last week’s post focused on relative new-comers. If you are a fan of Monterey wines, this is the event for you! Great wine and food!
In today’s post, I’ll share some wines from our local vintners whom I’ve written about before in this blog. As I mentioned last week, I was grateful for this opportunity afforded to me by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association,my go-to resource for all things Monterey wine. As my avid readers know, Decanting Monterey is a self-funded labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines. The only “compensation” I receive is free tastings (most places), discounted purchases, an occasional comped bottle, and, most importantly, the appreciation of our vintners. (You can always make a small donation to my website operations here: Donate to Decanting Monterey ).
About the Monterey Winemakers Celebration: “Join the vintners (winemakers) & growers of Monterey County and enjoy the incredible wines and culinary abundance from one of the world’s premier wine regions in the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This iconic Monterey County wine festival, in its 30th year, will be held on Saturday, June 10, during Carmel’s Culinary Week. The event is moving back to the streets – Dolores (between Ocean and 7th) and 7th Street (between Dolores and San Carlos). Some of our favorite Chefs and food purveyors will join us to delight you with their magic….”
Today I am briefly presenting 8 wines I have not previously. Winery notes come from their website, unless otherwise indicated. Some are so newly released that their websites do not yet contain any information about the wines. I did not capture detailed tasting notes at this event, so I’ve cobbled together my notes from memory. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2018 Odonata Hook Vineyard Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.3% ABV (#1034)
My Notes: This tasted very similar to the 2019 vintage: Rich berries, mocha and a touch of what I call that mellow, earthy Central Coast Syrah funk. It was nice to finally meet Denis Hoey in person. June 2023
2018 McIntyre Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV (#1035)
Winery Notes:
“This wine is an amalgamation of the best blocks, best lots and best barrels from our 80-acre estate. The core comes from our “Old Vine” block. Planted more than four decades ago, this is the oldest planting of Pinot Noir in the SLH AVA. It is own rooted – a rarity in Californian – and trained on a Lyre trellis system. The remainder is a mix of Swan and Dijon clone 777 trellised on a VSP. The crop was thinned to a maximum of three tons per acre or 1.5 lbs. of fruit per foot of cordon. Row orientation is primarily north/south, which provides even sun exposure throughout the day.”
“At McIntyre our winemaking techniques are minimalistic. Our philosophy of “thoughtful but limited intervention” guarantees that the character and complexity of our fruit is highlighted in all of our wines. The grapes for this Pinot were harvested and hand-sorted in the early morning hours. Primary and malolactic fermentations were managed naturally using the wild, indigenous yeast strains that thrive in our vineyards.” 93 points – Wine Enthusiast
My Notes: Impressive! In my opinion, McIntyre makes some of our best local Pinot Noir – rich and fuller-bodied than the typical Pinot Noir. Very much worth a stop at their Crossroads tasting room. June 2023
2016 Puma Road The Predator Red Wine Blend, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 14.4% ABV, $40 (#1036)
My Notes: This vintage is back to being an exceptional red blend – more reminiscent of the 2013 vintage than more recent versions. Inky, with dark berries on the smooth palate. I liked this wine. Tune to get back to Puma Road for a complete tasting! June 2023
2019 Kori KW Ranch Vineyard Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14% ABV, $42 (#1037)
Winery Notes: “Juicy Bramble Fruit. Black Pepper. Cigar Box…Winemaker Sabrine Rodems.” 93 points, Wine Enthusiast
My Notes: To me, this is a richer, more mellow vintage than the 2018 – very balanced, full of yummy berry flavors with the black pepper notes in balance with the rest of the palate. I do love the fruit from KW Ranch! June 2023
2021 Chalone GSM, Chalone AVA (#1038)
My Notes: This is a very worthy local GSM coming from one of the oldest Monterey vineyards. The big news here is that Chalone Vineyards is seeking a wine tasting room space in Carmel – stay tuned! June 2023
2020 Carmel Road Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 13.5% ABV, $18 (#1039)
Winery Notes: “The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of blackberry and sweet oak that lead to a rich, yet structured palate with flavors of black cherry, blueberry, and notes of vanilla bean.”
My Notes: This is a very drinkable, value Cabernet Sauvignon with a safe “California designation” (with 2020 being a wildfire year for Monterey County). This is the one winery in today’s post that I have not presented before. June 2023
2021 Russell Joyce Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, $60 (#1040)
Winery Notes: “More fruit-foward on the nose than the palette, the dominant berry character is balanced by bright notes of pungent herb and spice, and deepened with warm, earthen elements.
“The fruit for this Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Joullian Vineyards, a site deep in the heart of Carmel Valley at an elevation of 1400ft. Due to its elevation among the steep hills of the Santa Lucia Range, this region is sheltered from Monterey’s cool maritime fog, yet the combination of the sandy loam soils, old vines and dramatic contrast between the mild days and colder night temperatures produce fruit with thick skins that create wines with depth and elegance.
“AROMA ripe blackberry, black currant, black cherry, juniper berry, driftwood
“PALATE blackberry pie, fresh raspberry, star anise, leather”
My Notes: The grapes for this wine come from the Joullian Vineyard in Cachagua. I previously reviewed the 2019 in Decanting Monterey. This vintage was even richer with dark berry flavors – pretty yummy. June 2023
2021 Lepe The Gatti Vineyards Cabernet Franc, San Antonio Valley AVA, 14.5% ABV, $45 (#1041)
Winery Notes: “This wine is well balanced with perfect examples of savory, earthy and fruit overtones opening up with dried herbs, crushed gravel and roasted coffee beans. On the palate, notes of dark chocolate, black pepper and plum provide complexity and a compelling finish.”
My Notes: This is the first Lepe Cabernet Franc I have tasted – I recall it being very good, tasty and worthy of a revisit soon! June 2023
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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