THE STORY
In late July, Parsonage’s winemaker Frank Melicia educated their members on a private vineyard walk – followed by a barrel tasting of the 2021 reserve wines! It was the most thorough vineyard walk I have ever experienced and it was great to do it with a few friends! Plus, there is nothing like getting a preview of the upcoming release of some of my most favorite wines on the planet earth. I know, I am not supposed to have favorites, but the Rocco Reserve Syrah…sigh. And these 2021 reserves were scheduled to be bottled in late August. All exciting news to me.
Frank gave us an update on what is happening at the winery and in the vineyard. He was very patient answering the members’ questions. A few things I think I heard (I may have this all wrong):
- When the wells dried up during the drought, they began to source some grapes from other vineyards, such as those in Arroyo Seco AVA.
- With last winter’s heavy rainfall, they’ve had to tamp down the mildew in the vineyard.
- He does not filter their wines unless he must, with Chardonnay being the prime example.
- They really have to trim back the Merlot this year.
- The Petit Verdot on the property had the misfortune of being over-watered and fertilized, but some are coming back!
- Parsonage uses the Bien Nacido Syrah clone, which was music to my ears and explains why I am drawn to other Syrahs made with grapes from the Bien Nacido Vineyard.
- The Rocco Syrah vines are the short rows – this juice is spicy!
- The Carmelstone Syrah vines did not survive, but it is making a comeback after all that rain! We might see a Carmelstone Syrah once again! This makes me very happy. You can search Carmelstone in my search bar to see why.
- How did Frank come up with the idea to make the Aussie? Overloaded bins and stuck fermentations. So he cofermented 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah a la Penfolds.
- The Xandro is co-fermented Tanner and Rocco.
THE WINES
Today, I am presenting the 2013 Estate Syrah (a pre-wine to the barrel tasting, 4 barrel samples, and 5 wines from our home supply – one I have not reviewed before and 4 with updated tasting notes. Hint: You can tell by the numbering system if it is a wine I have previously presented – it will have a lower number. I’ll keep those reviews short and sweet. Winery notes may come from its tasting sheet or website, or from the winery direct to me, as usual. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Not going to lie, but my favorites of the barrel tasting were the Dario Reserve Merlot and, of course, the Rocco Reserve Syrah.
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.
2013 Parsonage Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1080)
We started off the July tasting with this 2013 Estate Syrah to whet our palates. I have not presented this wine before!
My Review: Dark garnet in color. The spicy nose is complemented by blackberry plum and alcohol notes. Lots of dark fruit on the front, rich mid-palate, and a complex finish. July 2023
Now, onward to the main attraction!
2021 BARREL TASTING
2021 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1081)
My Review: Dark ruby in color. Jammy blackberry on the nose. Very intense dark fruit on the rich palate with a dry finish with cocoa notes. Age this wine – a lot of tannin and a burst of acidity on the finish. July 2023
2021 Parsonage Xandro Reserve, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1082) 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah with splash of Merlot
My Review: Inky ruby in the glass. Yummy blackberry/black raspberry on the nose. Very full flavored palate. The Cabernet Sauvignon shines through on the palate. This is my favorite so far. Lots of richness and a little hot. July 2023
2021 Parsonage Rocco Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1083)
Winemaker’s Notes: The Rocco has a specific barrel every time. It’s called the “golden barrel.”
My Review: Purple/dark garnet in the glass. Jammy berries on the nose – backberry and red raspberry. Has a specific barrel every time. Golden barrel. Nice juicy palate of berries – still my favorite. July 2023
2021 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1084)
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. Dark fruit on the nose. Lean yet rich, woody Cabernet Sauvignon flavors on the lingering palate. This will be a big wine and needs lots of time. July 2023.
FROM OUR CELLAR
Most have these have been presented before, but I am sharing my current tasting notes.
2013 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV (#1085)
My Review: Pretty juicy garnet appearance in the glass. Dark berries, cassis, chocolate and plum on the nose. Mouth filling rich berries with a touch of youthful tartness on this almost 10-year old bottle. This is a juicy, delicious wine. June 2023
2018 Parsonage The BDL Red Blend, 15% ABV, $44 (#534)
My Review: Hugely different from my last tasting in October 2021. Dark ruby in the glass. Dark berries and a touch of licorice on the nose. Rich on the palate with intense dark fruit – blackberry, plum and cassis with alcohol dancing on the palate. Much more brooding than tasted in 2021. I like this wine. August 2023
2017 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#219)
My Review: Deep garnet in color. Rich cassis on the nose, with plum and blackberry flavors on the chalky palate. Delicious. August 2023
2015 Parsonage Rocco Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $80 (#346)
We played “Mystery Wine” with this one – it was decanted and we had to guess what it was. We struggled. We all agreed it was a New World wine. At one point, I guessed “Petite Sirah,” and the response was, “There is nothing petite about this wine!”
My Review: Dark and purple. Delicious. Super jammy with high alcohol and the smell of fresh leather (in a fine shop) on the nose. Herbaceous, perhaps eucalyptus. Intense cassis and blackberries on the palate with black pepper and leather on finish. Bold. Unbelievably intense and good. Alcohol is well integrated. August 2023
2016 Parsonage Xandro, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $60 (#221) 50% Cab, 45% Syrah, 5% Merlot
My Review: Inky garnet in color. Dark berries and campfire on the nose. Rich, tongue coating, jammy dark berries on the palate, wrapped in a touch of smoke. Delicious and smooth for a smoke-tainted wine. Best wine this week! May 2023
THE TASTING ROOM
Parsonage is open for tastings every day – click here for the details and to make a reservation. Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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