Our second River Road Wine Trail stop with our COVID Wine Pod in mid-March was at Puma Road. Normally a rockin’ place with a bar/party atmosphere, the tastings were on the patio, but it kept some of that feel. Being mindful of social distancing, we chose a table on the opposite side of the patio from the only other party. By then, the cooling ocean breezes from the Monterey Bay had already started to swoop down the Salinas Valley. We didn’t let that stop us!
I last presented Puma Road back in November here: https://decantingmonterey.com/puma-road-paicines-done-big/. We were big fans of its 2013s, so were excited to try the new releases, as well as bubblies! Our Wine Pod mates know a bit about Champagne, after all. I am presenting (albeit briefly) 8 wines sampled that day by someone in our party! The more we taste, the less specific our notes become. Discipline flies out the window! Therefore, I commit to retasting some of these wines at Puma Road’s Monterey tasting room sometime soon! You can check out their wines here: https://pumaroad.com/ – their sales can be amazing, making them a favorite for my wine classes.
2013 Puma Road Blanc de Blanc, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13% ABV, $20 (#301*)
From the Tasting Sheet: Nose: Citrus, nectarine and raspberry. Mouth: Lemon, lime and nectarine with an orange zest finish. This is their first vintage of bubblies.
My Review: Earth on the nose, almost funky like a truffle mushroom. Quite effervescent. Did not meet our Champagne lover’s expectations, nor did the rest of the bubblies. OK, it was their first year…
2018 Puma Road Rosé, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13% ABV, $18 ($10 on sale!) (#302*) 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, $20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, 2.5% each Malbec & Petit Verdot
From their Website: “Our 2018 Bordeaux-style dry Rosé is a sunset pink, and invites with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of cherry. The palate delights with juicy flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry — bright acidity throughout, a rich mouthfeel and long finish, with a touch of orange peel just at the end…”
My Review: We found this wine to be light, dry, with some metallic notes. Perfect for a warm Spring day.
2014 Puma Road Malbec Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 14.38% ABV, $35 (#303*)
From their Website: “Our 2014 Malbec has bold aromas of spice, leather, and dark cherries. The palate experiences richness, with flavors of cherry, spice, and leather, and a smooth tobacco finish.”
My Review: Another wine we did not taste, but our companions liked. A little light with nice flavors including floral notes.
2014 Puma Road Cabernet Franc Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 14.02% ABV, $35 (#304*)
From their Website: “The 2014 Cabernet Franc has a nose of dark fruit, leather, and clove. The mouth begins with the flavor of dark cherry, followed by a hint of licorice, with bright acidity throughout, and a rich finish.”
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass with aromas of baked spice bread and vanilla. Plum on the palate and a little tight and acidic. Preferred the nose to the palate. I will definitely be tasting this one again, as I loved, loved, loved the 2013.
2014 Puma Road Cache, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 14.34% ABV, $35 (#305*) 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc.
From their Website: “The 2014 Cache is an approachable blend…This Puma Road customer favorite entices with aromas of chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, spice, and tobacco. On the palate, it offers a rich mouth feel, with flavors of dark fruit, cherry, and cedar, with nice acidity. This wine pairs extraordinarily well with char-grilled meats, like a juicy ribeye steak, or a ground chuck burger. It will also be beautiful with duck, lamb, or brisket.”
My Review: Cassis on the nose, almost port-like. Very nice dark fruit – smooth black plum. I would have liked to taste this wine a year or two ago. Will definitely re-taste this wine soon. We opened the 2013 last week and it was as lovely as we remembered.
2014 Puma Road The Predator, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 14.36% ABV, $45 (#306*)
From their Website: “The Predator is a blend of the five Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot. The result is an exceptionally smooth, yet nuanced Bordeaux-style wine. Our 2014 The Predator displays notes of dark fruit and coffee, with, leather, tobacco, and spice. The palate has a rich, velvety feel, with layered flavors of dark fruit, cherry, and dark chocolate, with toasted oak on its smooth, lasting finish. This wine can be put up for as long as you’d like, or enjoyed now. Decanting is recommended.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Dark fruit, port-like on the nose, brighter fruit flavors on the palate. As with the Cache, we would have liked to taste this one a year or two ago and will need to try it again.
2015 Puma Road TKO, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13.79% ABV $45 (#307*) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Petite Sirah.
From their Tasting Sheet: Nose: Spice, pepper, dark cherry, leather. Mouth: Smooth, rich, full-bodied, dark fruit, vanilla, caramel.
My Review: Ruby red with deep plum and a bit of tannin on the nose. Very smooth and dry on the palate with soft tannins. The fruit shines through with white and green pepper notes.
2015 Puma Road Petite Sirah, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13.75 ABV, $45 (#308*)
From their Tasting Sheet: Nose: Spice, pepper, black cherry, oak, coffee bean. Mouth: Smooth, rich feel, abundant dark fruit, cherry
My Review: Ruby red with deep plum and a bit of tannin on the nose. Very smooth and dry on the palate with soft tannins. The fruit shines through with white and green pepper notes.
Visiting Puma Road (from their website): “To reserve your tasting experience please call or email now.
River Road Winery & Tasting Room – 831-675-3548 or info@pumaroad.com Thursday-Monday – 12-5pm | Tuesday & Wednesday – closed
Monterey Portola Plaza Tasting Room – 831-747-1911 or portola@pumaroad.com Thursday-Sunday – 1-6pm | Monday-Wednesday – closed.”
You can order their wines from their website: “Please note: for your convenience, we will continue offering complimentary local delivery to most of Monterey County for orders of $40 or more. Delivery days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And, for those of you outside our delivery area, we are offering amazing flat rate UPS Ground shipping prices—$10 for up to 12 bottles, $15 for 13-24 bottles, $20 for 25-36 bottles, and $25 for 37 or more bottles. Call 831-675-3548 or click here click here to place your order today!”
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