As promised last week, here is my catchup post of 7 Monterey County wines/vintners to close out 2021! I’ve reserved a few “fr emergency posts” and am excited about the winery visits I’ll be starting with in January! If you haven’t signed up to receive my blog by email, do so today – in the bottom right corner of this page!
Before we get started, may I ask, “What are you drinking New Year’s Eve?” Please share in the comments below. We might be enjoying a Caraccioli Cellars Brut Rose – to be determined!
2013 Chesebro Las Arenas, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 14.6% ABV, $27 (#564*)
I presented the 2016 vintage of this wine back in June. This is one of the wines I like to present in my East Coast wine classes!
Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “Black raspberry, blackberry, lavender and pepper show on the deeply purple nose of this blend of 67% Grenache and 33% Syrah. Dense black fruit shows first on the palate, followed by a zesty explosion of acidity, flowery spices and cola.” Matt Kettmann, 12/2016
My Review: Garnet in the glass. Anise and berries on the nose. Berries, cherry and leather on the palate with lingering anise flavors. August 2021
2016 Rombi Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, $75 (#565*)
Sal Rombi had recommended his club members open one of his Petite Sirahs as it was drinking beautifully. We opened this one by mistake, but it was a very happy mistake! I include this wine here since Sal is one of our local vintners!
My Review: Very dark ruby, almost purple in the glass. Plum and blueberry on the nose. Rich on the palate brimming with smooth dark fruits: blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry and a touch of smoke. This is fruity yet elegant, smooth and rich, with a little tobacco on the finish. Very pleased with how these wines have matured! September 2021
2020 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 12.3% ABV, $28 (#566*)
From the Bernardus Website: “All our Sauvignon Blanc grapes come from a block specially planted for Bernardus in the Griva Vineyard with the celebrated “Musqué” clone. All our grapes are hand-picked during many successive pickings at various ripeness levels in order to have a broad palette of flavors and acidity levels from which to create our final blend…
“Tasting notes: Our 2020 Griva bottling shows aromas of lime zest accented by grassy notes. The palate is soft and long, exhibiting crisp fruit flavors with notes of lime and grapefruit. Our 2020 version exhibits a beautiful balance of rich texture and a gently crisp, refreshing acidity.” 10,550 cases produced
My Review: Quite pale in color. Fresh, tropical notes on the nose – honeysuckle and white nectarine. Smooth, tropical flavors of papaya and gentle pineapple with bright acidity and a lime zest twist on the finish. We liked this wine so much that I brought a couple of bottles home – it remains a favorite! October 2021
2018 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.1% ABV, $80 (#567*)
From the Bernardus Website: “The Santa Lucia Highlands are known as one of the premier Pinot Noir appellations of the world. One reason for this lofty reputation is Rosella’s Vineyard, one of the finest Pinot and Chardonnay vineyards in California. Gary Franscioni planted his home ranch, named for his lovely wife, in the heart of the Highlands. His home vineyard is planted with a selection of the best available Pinot Noir clones and farmed with unparalleled passion and attention to detail. We at Bernardus are fortunate to have access to three small blocks: 2 planted with clone 777, and the third with the celebrated Pisoni clone.
“Our 2018 Rosella’s Pinot displays gorgeous aromas of ripe red fruits along with notes of cola and toasty oak. The palate is beautifully lush, exhibiting bright ripe red cherry and plum flavors, accented by subtle hints of spice.” 93 points – Vinous. 866 6-packs produced
My Review: Bright ruby in the glass. Nice mellow cherry and cedar on the nose. Oak (structured tannins) on the palate – dark cherry and berries (slightly sweet fruit) with leather on the finish. Very good. October 2021
2018 Boëté Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley, 14% ABV, $50 (#568*)
During one of our visits to the winery this year, we got to taste this wine – the first time I know of that they bottled a Merlot as a single varietal – it usually is blended in their popular Cheval Rouge. They weren’t sure they were going to continue to bottle it alone – we encourage them to do so, *if* supply permits! You can find all their available wines here: https://www.boetewinery.com/
My Review: Purple in the glass. Rich and juicy in the mouth with some solid dark fruits, blackberry and black currant. Balanced and very smooth on the finish. This wine is a big hit. I just bought more of it! October 2021
2017 Spring Cabernet Franc, Carmel Valley, 14.34% ABV, $35 (#569*) 86% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon
We opened this wine just after my recent, big post about their amazing wines.
From the Bunter Spring Winery Website: “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! Super ripe red fruit flavors with a whiff of lavender and spice.” 20 months in French and American oak barrels, 50% new.
My Review: Blueberry and blackberry on the nose and palate. Smooth and perfectly balanced. I really was impressed by this Cab Franc and hope we can get some more! November 2021
2017 Silvestri Red Ranger Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $75 (#570*)
I couldn’t find any notes about the 2017 vintage, but I did review the 2018 here: https://decantingmonterey.com/moving-on-inside-for-a-tasting-at-silvestri/.
My Review: Deep purple in color. Dark fruit on the nose. A bit heavy handed dark fruit upon opening with a tobacco finish. Smoother after it opened up, rounding into blackberry and plum with a touch of mint on the dark fruit palate. Some clove on the finish. Paired very well with dark chocolate. I think it is still too young to drink this wine and we should have decanted it. November 2021
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