I usually don’t do back-to-back tastings at the same winery, but I had to make an exception. Doug Beakes, the Chair of the John Marshall Chapter (Northern Virginia) of the American Wine Society (AWS) was in town to bike with friends and wanted to know where they should taste wines.
(Some history here: Back in the Fall of 2019, I presented Monterey wines to their AWS chapter at Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run, VA. Doug previously had seen me present our local wines at the Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar. It was a fun venue – right among the winery’s barrels. He says I’m invited back; maybe I’ll do it again next fall!)
Back to my story: I always ask people what kind of wines they like so I can recommend the right spots – do they like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (what Monterey is widely known for) – or are they looking for something else? His answer was BIG REDS – and they only wanted to go to one spot. I decided to take them to Parsonage, even though I had just been there the week before.
Doug was accompanied by Mike Wassenberg, his AWS chapter Vice-Chair, and their biking buddy/wine drinking/nice guy friend Mark Svedlund from Sebastopol. We were unexpectedly joined by Bill Parsons, who just happened to be in the tasting room when we dropped by. It was a warm afternoon in Carmel Valley Village and my companions were a bit wilted from their bike ride. Nice guy Mark fetched cheese and bread and Bill provided colorful narrative to the wines.
Bill Parsons holding court with our Virginia visitors. Alex Lallos from Chesebro Wines joined us at the end.
Today, I am presenting 5 Parsonage wines – 3 from our tasting that day and 2 library wines from our personal collection which were tasted separately. Last week’s post included combined tasting notes for 3 wines we tasted with this group and our barrel tasting buddies – the 2018 Estate Syrah, the 2018 Rocco and the 2017 Xandro. We tasted 5 other wines which I have previously presented here – they are not included! Winery notes come from their website and tasting sheet.
I’ve written about Parsonage to in many 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: https://www.parsonagewine.com/.
Winery Notes: “The nose promises richness with its ripe bing cherries and that rare, fully vine-ripe raspberry that you’d get at a farmer’s market. The bouquet carries a mysterious spice akin to baking spices with a trace of black tea. The red fruit shows up in a big way on the palate – very rich and dense on the long, full, and delicious finish.”
My Review: Beautiful deep ruby in color. Cherry on the nose. Chewy palate with a touch of acidity. Darker, richer than a typical Monterey Pinot Noir – we liked it. October 2021
2014 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $26 (#542*) Merlot, Syrah blend
My Review: From our cellar: Stunning bouquet. Very big, jammy cherry-berry nose. Rich, dark berries on the palate and anise on the finish. Still drinking well. October 2021
My Review: From our cellar: Dark ruby in the glass. Rich dark berries in the nose with prune notes (at first, sulfur, which died down to a slight cooked prunes smell.) Big mouthfeel and bursting with blackberry with cola and tobacco flavors. Still something on the finish – like cooked fruit and tobacco. This wine could go another 5 years or so. October 2021
2018 Parsonage Bixby Reserve, Carmel Valley, 15%, $80 (#544*) Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
My Review: Wow! Dusty on the nose. Pretty, intense dark fruit – berry and cherry on the palate and milk chocolate on the finish. I become a bigger fan of this wine each year! October 2021
2008 Parsonage “Snosrap” Cyrano Bordelaise Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#545)
My Review: This Bordeaux blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the last wine we tasted, so my notes are very weak. I think Bill said “hoisin sauce.” This wine was rather tasty and I took a bottle home! We are looking forward to tasting it again soon. October 2021
Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – clickherefor the details. 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.
*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.
Another DC friend came to town – one who also happens to be an old colleague of Margaret Spring, the Spring of Bunter Spring Winery. With three former Senate staffers in the mix, wouldn’t it be fun to taste there? With their grapes sourced from multiple counties and winery and vineyards in the Coombsville section of Napa, we were delighted to learn they are open again for tasting on the weekends (Friday-Monday). I’d say our tasting far exceeded my expectations, which were already high! By that I mean high quality wines for reasonable prices. Winery notes come from their website. Check them out here.
2019 Spring Sauvignon Blanc “Oyster Wine” Santa Cruz County, 12.16% ABV, $20(#518*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Our 2019 continues the series of standout wines from this vineyard, which we began using in 2014. Barrel fermented and aged six months in older “neutral” French barrels. Totally dry, light-bodied, tart, with subtle aromas of citrus, nectarine, and dried grass. This wine was literally made for oysters on the half-shell. It’s also great with goat cheese, or alone as an aperitif or refreshing thirst-quencher. Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast, sulfite. Filtered, not fined. At bottling: total sulfite 39 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (totally dry).” 48 cases produced.
My Review: Made to go well with oysters! VIneyard is near Corralitos and Watsonville. Pale in color, a very light yellow. Honeysuckle on the nose. Lean on the palate with bright acidity. October 2021
2018 Spring Reserve Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, 14.43% ABV, $35(#519*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “This wine is fuller bodied and has a more powerful flavor and mouthfeel than our “regular” Chard, but since that’s sold out, you have to take our word for it. Pear, yellow apple, edamami, with an unctuous texture. Ingredients: grapes, yeast, sulfur dioxide. Not fined, not filtered. At bottling: total SO2 90 ppm, residual sugar 0.5 g/l (not totally dry).” 25 cases produced.
My Review: From Chula Lina VIneyard outside of Chualar. Very yellow with a lovely bouquet and delicious on the palate with butter, caramel, plenty of fruit and a touch of lemon zest on the finish. We thought this was an exceptional Chardonnay! October 2021
2019 Spring “Orange Wine” Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Cruz County, 12.08% ABV, $20 (#520*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Orange wine is a potentially misleading name for wine made from white grapes fermented on their skins in the manner of red wine. Depending on the variety, and how long the maceration, the color can range from pale straw to deep pink, almost red. This one’s relatively light as it was only on the skins for five days. It has interesting aroma and flavors reminiscent of stone fruit and herbs, dried grass, savory spice. Slightly tannic, with more texture than white wine. Good with many foods, especially Asian, and shrimp. Ingredients: grapes, yeast, 40 ppm total sulfite. Dry.” 48 cases produced.
My Review: I tasted this wine later for a special virtual wine class on “orange” wines. Pale orange, bold gold in color. At first, scents of yeast, with emerging floral notes on the nose. Strong flavors on the palate, including ripe peach – like a very bold rose – the oak comes through. After opening up, very round and flavorful on the finish. This would be a great food wine. October 2021
2019 Spring Rosé “Snow Globe”, Monterey AVA, 12.34% ABV, $20(#521*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Made from Grenache and Syrah, grown on a rocky sunbaked hillside in far southern Monterey county, picked expressly for rosé. Beautiful pale color, high-toned aroma. It has an excess of totally harmless cream of tartar that precipitates in white flakes when refrigerated. For fun, chill it, turn it upside down, and watch it snow! Ingredients: grapes, yeast, tartaric acid. Fined with milk and silica dioxide, then filtered. At bottling: 58 ppm total sulfite, 0.4 g/L residual sugar (dry).” 50 cases produced.
My Review: “A real rosé'” Pale salmon in the glass. Caramel on the nose with real red fruit flavors on the palate. Light bodied. Balanced acidity with a nice finish. October 2021
2018 Spring Pinot Noir, Hilltop Ranch, Carmel Valley, 13.68% ABV, $30(#522*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “In one of the many examples of AVA nonsense, this vineyard, a mile outside Carmel Valley Village, isn’t in the Carmel Valley AVA, although vineyards ten miles away, in neighboring Cachagua valley, are. So legally it’s not Carmel Valley wine, it’s Monterey wine. Whatever. It is VERY easy-drinking, medium bodied, perfectly balanced, with lots of varietal fruit and a distinctive spicy character from custom-coopered French oak barrels. Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast , 60 ppm total sulfite. Not fined, reverse osmosis filtered. At bottling: total SO2 60 ppm, residual sugar 0.5g/L (dry).” 107 cases produced.
My Review: Ruby in color. Some cherry notes on the nose. Very nice on the palate – even this non-Pinot lover liked this wine. October 2021
2017 Spring Cowboy Surfer Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, 13.74% ABV, $30(#523*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Our second iteration of this outrageous blend of normally antithetical varieties. The first Cowboy Surfer, 2014, was a resigned wishful last resort use for a barrel of weird Pinot. People loved it! When it was gone they asked for more. Not so easy, it turned out- there’s a reason why no one blends these two. The result almost always tastes like either a pathetically weak Cab or a nasty hot puckery Pinot. It took three years, but we finally made two wines that worked. FYI the Pinot, from close to the beach, is the surfer. The Cab, from cow country high up in the hills, is the cowboy. Black cherry, raspberry, spice, and tannin, just slightly on the aggro side right now, will mellow into a very laid-back ride. Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast, sulfite. Not fined or fitered. At bottling: total sulfite 65 ppm, residual sugar 0.1 g/l (very dry).” 49 cases.
My Review: Dark in the glass yet a bit transluscent. Perfume on the nose with a deliciousd palate showing the best of the Carmel Valley fruits – a great Cab Sauv-Pinot Noir combo – we really liked ths wine. October 2021
2016 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon “Burger Wine,” Contra Costa County, 13.27%, $18(#524*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Contra Costa is a great place for Zin, Petite Sirah, and Carignane. It’s not well known for Cab, so we got a sweet deal on this fruit, and so do you. We treated it with the same respect as all our wines, including nice once-used French oak barrels. Medium bodied, soft tannins, juicy blackberry taste, perfect with burgers. It’s vegan, so veggie burgers work too. Ingredients: organic grapes, water, yeast, tartaric acid, sulfite. Filtered, not fined. Made using reverse osmosis. At bottling: total sulfites 88 ppm, residual sugar 0.3 g/l (dry).” 73 cases.
My Review: We tasted this wine last – it was quite good, very drinkable, especially for an $18 bottle of wine. I’d like to taste it again, as being last did it a great disservice!
2014 Bünter “Natur” Syrah, Coombsville, Napa Valley, 13.27% ABV, $30(#525*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Earthy, nutty, meaty, slightly spicy, slightly floral, with medium full body, good natural acidity, and rich tannins. Goes great with very spicy (hot) food, as usual for this wine. It actually cools and soothes your mouth after a bite of anything painfully spicy. The texture and mouthfeel are superb. The aroma and flavor are typical of no-sulfite reds: less fruity, more earthy. Definitely different. Ingredients: Organic grapes. Not fined, not filtered. At bottling: total SO2 2 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (bone dry).” 100 cases produced.
My Review: Beautful dark ruby. Dark fruit notes of cassis and currant on the nose. Palate consisted largely of cherry flavors and was a little lighter than I was expecting, based on the nose. October 2021
2018 Spring Red Wine “Garagitage,” Highlands Vineyard, Monterey County, 14.64% ABV, $24 (#526*)76% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker’s Notes:
Winemaker’s Notes: “These grapes come from a small vineyard in the hills above Arroyo Seco just north of Carmel Valley Road. They were harvested, very ripe, on Sep 30, 2018. Upon release, in spring 2021, as I write, this wine is a rough and tumble California fruit bomb, with tons of grapey flavor, plenty of alcohol, and no manners. Maybe, someday, it will grow up. Meantime, have fun! Aged 15 months in once used French oak barrels.” 76 cases.
My Review: OK, this was my favorite wine: Very dark ruby in the glass. Perfume on the nose, followed by a yummy palate of dark fruit. We keep drinking it – what an incredible wine for a bargain price! October 2021
“Schniki”With a vast array of wines to choose from, Mark helps customers narrow it down with his daily tasting menu. Herr Doktor Schnickerdoodle was the visiting winery dog that day!
Want to taste their wines? From their website: Great news! Bunter Spring has resumed tasting room operations. Our Carmel Valley tasting room is open Friday through Sunday 11-5 PM. We are open the rest of the week by appointment. Since we work often in Napa, at the winery and vineyard, we are not always available, so please call in advance if possible. Your hosts are fully vaccinated. The tasting fee is $20 per person for six wines, with crackers and cheese. The tasting fee is waived with a two bottle purchase. Tasting is free to wine club members as per our Wine Club policy. Call Mark at (202) 744-1343 for an appointment. We would love to see you!
You can see the current releases here 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” – including non-Central Coast wines.
My dogs are continuing to drive where we go to taste wines. This time, we found ourselves at the Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel to fetch some extra special food for an aging pet. We decided to drop into McIntyre to see what they were pouring. In addition to some fresh vintages, we tasted some impressive older Pinot Noirs, their flagship wines. You know by now that I am not the biggest Pinot Noir fan, yet we were blown away by these.
About McIntyre Vineyards from theirwebsite: “The McIntyre Estate Vineyard lies in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, a 12-mile stretch of benchland renowned for producing wines of character and complexity. Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre site (60 acres planted) boasts some of the Highlands’ oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. The winery’s other estate property is the 81-acre Kimberly Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Proprietor Steve McIntyre is one of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in California. As owner/operator of Monterey Pacific, he farms 16,000 acres in Monterey County. The McIntyre Estate Vineyard was among the first properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands to be SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certified…”
About the Santa Lucia Highlands (same site): “In a relatively short span of time the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA has achieved superstar status. The region boasts 6,000 acres of vines ‑ primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah ‑ planted on terraces below the Santa Lucia mountain range. The region’s climate is shaped by the morning fog and strong winds funneled daily down the Salinas Valley from Monterey Bay to the northwest. SLH enjoys one of the longest and coolest growing seasons in California.” According to Santa Lucia Highlands website, “…Some of the best and most praised Pinot Noirs from California are made from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Of roughly 6,400 acres planted, about 3,500 are devoted to producing world-class Pinot Noir…” I read another article recently claiming SLH as the best Pinot Noir from California.
Today I am presenting 8 McIntyre wines. The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.
2018 McIntyre Clair de Lune White Wine Blend, Monterey, 12.1% ABV, $18 (#510*)80% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer
Winery Tasting Notes: “This White Wine Blend is sure to soar. Named after the founder’s first Bernese Mountain Dog, Jura Claire de Lune, this wine is royal…Fresh, graceful and full of energy, this wine’s aroma is reminiscent of rose petals, grapefruit, with hints of apricot and melon. Intense, but not overripe, with focused acidity and plenty of slate and mineral notes this wine is the perfect complement to the end of a great day!.” 200 cases produced.
My Review: Very pale in the glass. Sweet bouquet and palate, with a touch of welcome bitterness on the finish offsetting the sweet a tad. Liked the idea to serve this as more of an after-dinner wine. September 2021
2020 McIntyre Rose of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.2% ABV, $24 (#511*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “This wine’s natural, vibrant copper color foreshadows the stunning aromas of fresh berry, watermelon, rhubarb, black cherry pie and currants. While the bouquet is open and forthright, the texture is a bit more mysterious. One moment it is dry, crisp and refreshing; the next it is bold, plush and opulent. The finish, as you might expect, is pure, full and satisfying. Enjoy!” 375 cases produced.
My Review: Pale pink in color. Crisp on the nose and a palate with apple flavors and some citrus notes – bright acidity. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Great wines speak to both sides of your brain. They are cerebral yet artistic, rational yet hedonistic. Take our 2017 McIntyre Estate Vineyard Chardonnay. For the analytical left side, there is precision, structure and minerality. For the intuitive right side, there is texture, opulence and concentration. For both sides there are lush impressions of toast, crème brûlée, oak and grilled almonds.” 321 cases produced. 92 points, Vinous
My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. Mild butter, caramel and pineapple on the nose. Bitter citrus and pineapple – very balanced – in a well-rounded flavor. Very nice, not over oaky. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “The confluence of favorable weather, mature vines, sustainable farming techniques (SIP Certified) and minimalistic winemaking practices yielded one of the most complete wines we have ever produced. Our 2017 McIntyre Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir is deep, dark, intense, powerful and exotic. It delivers a plethora of the sensory goodies stretching from earth to fruit. Highlights include plums, blueberries, violets and silky tannins.” 346 cases produced.
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. Cherry and cocoa on the nose. Round cherry and some cedar on the palate. I liked this compared to many Monterey County Pinot Noirs. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2015 Block 3 Pinot Noir embodies everything we love about the Santa Lucia Highlands. It’s big, but supple and lively. While it possesses effusive, bright fruit aromas, there is also a dark undercurrent of earth, forest and minerals. The palate is powerful, yet elegant. Best of all, this Pinot drinks beautifully now, but will continue to evolve and expand over the next decade.” 200 cases produced.
My Review: Even darker ruby in the glass. A surprisingly big nose of cassis. Very nice dark fruit flavors – a medley dancing on my palate with a dark caramel finish. Wow! We liked this wine! September 2021
2014 McIntyre Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.3% ABV, $65 (#515*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2014 Old Vine reminds me of the great 1979 Stony Hill Pinot Noir – the wine that ignited my passion for this noble grape. Polished, textured and expressive, as one would expect from 40-year-old vines, this wine offers plenty of ripe blackberry/cherry aromas and flavors that suggest Sorel mushrooms and black pepper. There is plenty of soft, supple tannin and the finish delivers exceptional presence and depth.” 200 cases (6 packs) produced.
My Review: Dark ruby. A brighter red/black fruit bouquet and much sharper, brighter on the palate with cherry and raspberry flavors. The finish is typical of California Pinot Noirs. These older Pinot Noirs are impressive. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: Our 2016 Kimberly Vineyard is the epitome of Goldilocks-climate Merlot. It marries the lavish, ripe fruit of a warm site with the elegance and structure of a cool locale. As in previous years, the dominant character traits include blackberry, anise, cassis and dried currants. Below that is a bed of juicy black fruit and supple, silky tannins. While it drinks well now, this Merlot will continue to evolve and improve over the next decade.” 250 cases produced.
My Review: Rich and dark in the glass. Some jammy baking notes on the nose. The palate was nice and “velvety,” with a dry (tannic) finish exhibiting white pepper flavors. September 2021
2015 McIntyre Per Adua (“Through Adversity”), Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.6% ABV, $60 (#517*)
Winery Notes: “Per Ardua is the ancient Gallic motto for clan McIntyre. It means “Thru Difficulty,” a sentiment that is as significant today in the Santa Lucia Highlands as it was two centuries ago for our ancestors in the Scottish Highlands. For three decades we have endeavored to produce a world-class Bordeaux red from the cool, windswept hillsides of Monterey County. Our inaugural bottling of Per Ardua is the culmination of those efforts. Deep, rich and complicated, it is emblematic of the terroir, the grapes and the difficulties we have faced over the last 30 harvests.” 150 cases produced. 92 points, Vinous
My Review: Very dark ruby in the glass. Mellow dark fruits on the nose. Mid-palate is smooth and rich with quite a bit of tannin still on the lingering finish. September 2021
You can buy McIntyre wines on their website or at their tasting studio, 169 Crossroads Blvd in Carmel, from 11-6 Thursday through Sunday. They are open for tasting 12-6 on those days or by appointment. You can contact them at 831-626-6268 or taste@mcintyrevineyards.com.
*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.
I don’t spend nearly enough time wine tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Part of it is our search for warmth and sun. Part of it is not wanting to deal with crowds of people and parking. I did make it to a couple of the Carmel-by-the-Sea tasting rooms during COVID, mostly to pick up specific wines for my weekly class. Now that things are truly open, I want to get there more often.
When I needed to find a new groomer for my dog (that is a long, pandemic story), I thought, “This could be a win-win!” I dropped my dog at the groomer and walked to a couple of nearby tasting rooms. Perfect! When can he get groomed again? 😊
A year after my little guy was banned by one groomer, we struck gold!
Today’s post is about Galante Vineyards. Galante was the first winery to open a tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea. We have visited them several times over the many years. I learned from Kaela that Jack’s great grandfather was actually the founder of Carmel-by-the-Sea! Their roots in the area run deep! According to their website, Jack’s parents bought a cattle ranch in Carmel Valley and began growing grapes (focused on Cabernet Sauvignon) in 1983. Over a decade later, Jack decided to build a winery and make his own wine. There is definitely a ranch/cowboy theme in his tasting room and in his wines!
If you are a big red drinker, you will find something to please your palate at Galante!
The ranch is located in the Cachagua region of Carmel Valley, home to several wineries large and small producing rich Bordeaux varietals. I contend that the climate and terroir of Cachagua result in some of the finest wines produced in Monterey County. I like my reds big – and the fruit in this region seems extra delicious.
Today I am presenting 6 Galante red wines. The winery notes come from their website linked above.
2017 Galante Kick Ass Red, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $35 (#405*)
Winery notes: “With a blend of 73% Malbec and 27% Petite Sirah, this untamed wine from our Carmel Valley Estate vineyards has the familiar smell of saddle leather and fresh picked huckleberries. It cuts loose with rustic flavors of blueberry cobbler rounding out its hearty finish. It’ll make any trail meal taste fancy.”
My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Intense deep berry on the nose (my Cachagua fruit!). Bright acidity. The Petite Sirah really tempers the Malbec in this blend. From one of the oldest vineyards in Carmel Valley. July 2021
Winery notes: “If you haven’t had a bottle of this 2014 vintage lately, you’re in for a treat! At almost 6 years old, this wine is absolutely delicious – full-bodied, soft, and fruit forward with notes of spicy plum and blackberry – there is no better pairing with a nice grilled steak or perhaps some slow-cooked short ribs.”
My Review: Very inky in the glass. Bright acidity on the palate (I learned Jack likes lower alcohol and a bit of acidity). Cassis flavors on the palate with a touch of raisin and a very dry finish. July 2021
Winery notes: “This lovely blend of Malbec, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon is direct and lively with excellent red fruit and bright acidity. It will compliment most any meal or perhaps just a wonderful cheese selection.”
My Review: Smokey rich berry nose. Smooth, intense berry fruit on the palate and a dry finish. My notes say “Wow!” This was one of my preferred wines of those tasted today. I took a bottle home! July 2021
2017 Galante Red Rose Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.3% ABV, $50 (#408*)
Winery notes: “A blend of 8% each of Malbec, Petite Sirah & Melot with 76% Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy this explosive mouth full…of beautiful cherry and sweet tangy cassis.” (from the tasting sheet)
My Review: Intense on the palate with acidity and a bit of sweet cherry on the finish. July 2021
Winery notes: “We are especially excited to present our inaugural 2018 Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon (75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot). This series celebrates Jack Galante’s great grandfather’s vision which created the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The photo on this first label depicts James Frank Devendorf in his buggy overlooking what is to become the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Aged in new French Oak for a full 20 months, this wine is opulent and rich with bold, lingering flavors of ripe blackberry, cassis and vanilla. With ample, chewy yet soft tannins, this wine will be extremely cellar worthy for many decades so put a bottle or two away but enjoy some now as well. Only 100 cases were produced!”
My Review: Almost purple in the glass. Slight caramel on the nose. Intense berries on the palate with a lingering finish. This was indeed my favorite of the day. July 2021
Winery notes: “The color is very bright and youthful. Initially the nose may have a slight lactic scent that blows off with some air leading to expressive black fruit. The flavors are big and rich with a concentrated black currant. Very bright on the front of the palate and long on the finish. This wine will benefit from some open time but will go on for many years in the bottle. Outstanding!”
My Review: Inky dark in the glass – very different in appearance from the other wines tasted today. BBQ ribs and some cooked fruit on the nose, reflecting the age of this library selection. Some raisin and cassis on the palate. July 2021
You can buy Galante wines online or at their Tasting Room on Dolores between 7th and Ocean Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea. They are open daily!
*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.
Wines-You-Want-to-Share-with-Friends-Night continues – another one from my June DC wine class – was so nice to taste all these wines in person! The connection for us with this wine is the proprietor David Choi used to own Pearson’s Wine & Spirits in Washington DC – back when it was a real wine shop. Today’s wine was purchased years ago by a “classmate” at MacArthur Beverages in DC.
Outbreak Wine #395: 2014 Angel Falls Dark Angel Red Wine, Stolpman Vineyard, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara, 14.5% ABV, $23 (list $55) 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 10% Petite Sirah, 237 cases produced
About Ballard Canyon from www.ballardcanyonava.org: “The Ballard Canyon AVA has been considered the premier wine growing appellation in Santa Barbara County. The Ballard Canyon AVA also boasts as it is America’s only Syrah Focused Appellation. The Ballard Canyon AVA has also achieved this prestigious recognition and official status, as receiving its very own federally recognized American Viticulture Area.”
About Angel Falls from www.angelfallswines.com: “Angel Falls was founded in 2012, following a dream and a passion to provide you with the highest quality wines from the best regions and appellations around the world. We take pride in the art of crafting distinctive and expressive wines—putting our heart and soul into every ounce, from vineyard to bottle…” They work with 2 regions in France and 2 in Santa Barbara County. One of the key team members is Peter Stolpman!
“…Spending countless hours—in the vineyards, on the road, meeting and establishing relationships with the grape growers, winemakers, luminaries and personalities—has proven to be quite an adventure!”
“…Working with elite winemakers and using the best grapes available around the world has been a dream come true. Our team values the small production approach to making every bottle of wine we handcraft just for you. The wines we produce here at Angel Falls have character. I believe it shouldn’t cost you a fortune to enjoy a really good, high quality wine. That’s why our team will continue to break the mold, providing you with the very best wines at an affordable price, from the most elite winemakers and vineyards from around the world.”
About the 2014 Dark Angel: “Medium-bodied with fresh, bright, rich and juicy flavors. Expressive with excellent structure. Aromatic notes of plums, raspberries, and wild cherries with subtle hints of cola and mocha. Fine elegant tannins with a nice lingering finish.”
My Review: Inky. Smoke and black berries on the nose. Palate is brighter berry and a touch acidic. June 2021
I don’t see any recent vintages and wonder if Angel Falls Wines is still being produced. Looks like most of their wines are sold out, but I saw that Bell Wine & Spirits in Washington DC carries a non-vintage Dark Angel Syrah for $20. I might like to try that one, too!
*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.
I had a milestone birthday over the weekend and chose to celebrate with a private Boëté wine experience at Saunders Vineyard. We have been members at Boëté since long before we moved back to California – they make big reds in the style I like and, IMHO, deliver the best single-varietal Cabernet Franc and one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in the region. Our tasting was very special – we were greeted by Jana Saunders, along with Oreo and Cabi, their dogs. The winery was in full operation. Not only did we get to taste their current releases, but also sampled the not-yet-released 2018 Reserve Cabernet Franc and the 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon! We were privileged to get an education by John Saunders on some of the Library wines we have in our wine room, influencing our decision to open the 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for my birthday dinner!
A beautiful start to our afternoon!
This delicious food platter accompanied our private tasting!
Over the past few months at home, we have opened several Boëté wines, including an older vintage of the Cheval Rouge red blend, and both the 2015 and 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignons (vs. the reserves).
A rare photo of the 3 of us celebrating my birthday at Boëté! This is our half of the COVID Wine Pod!
The Cheval Rouge is a red blend comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
My Review: Ruby/purple in the glass. Blackberry and plum on the nose. Medium-to-full bodied, with flavorful dark berries on the palate, with a slightly chalky finish. Very nice. March 2021
This was the first vintage of the Cabernet Franc that took me to the moon – I have been a huge fan ever since!
My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Black plum and blackberry on the nose and palate. Still tastes young and not quite resolved. Super smooth. Went very well with our lamb dinner. April 2021
Boëté 2018 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA (#336*)
Oreo made sure we were tasting wine properly: Pet the dog, sip the wine, pet the dog…!
My Review: Cherry on the nose. Very smooth on the palate and quite young. Will be glad to retaste this upon release! April 2021
My Review: Garnet in color. Fresh crushed berries and chocolate on the nose. Vibrant dark fruit on the palate on the palate with lingering cherry and vanilla flavors. February 2021
Wine Enthusiast rated the 2017 vintage 91 points: Quite dark in the glass, this bottling from a vineyard near Carmel Valley Village offers blackberry jam and leather on the nose. The palate is thick with firm tannins, delivering dark berry, dark cocoa and violet flavors. MATT KETTMANN, August 2020
My Review: Dark ruby/purple in the glass – nice legs. Delicious blackberry jam with a hint of vanilla on the nose. Mouthfilling dark berry jamminess on the palate – very smooth and drinkable at this young age. Highly recommended. Might have to buy more of this! March 2021
My Review: Now this was a delicious wine – perhaps one of the best Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon wines we have ever tasted! Dark ruby in the glass with notes of menthol and nicotiana, maybe a little anise, on the nose. Dark raspberry and plum on the smooth palate. A little chewy and savory in a good way. Would not guess this was a Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon! May 2021
Boëté 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, not released (#340*)
Winery was busy while we were there!
My Review: Deep, rich nose. Dark fruit and complex tannins, a bit tart. This wine is so very young. April 2021
You can read more about the winery and purchase their wines here https://www.boetewinery.com/. You can also taste their wines by reservation. 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.
In normal times, the Bernardus tasting room is filled with members and visitors. During the pandemic, Bernardus has taken a very conservative approach to focus on winemaking while limiting even outdoor tastings – I respect that! When asked by Heather, the tasting room manager, if I would like to do a tasting when I picked up my wine shipment in early March, I jumped at the opportunity! Little did I know how solo it would be – I was the only person on their lovely patio! I felt very safe, as well as catered to! I am presenting six Bernardus wines for today’s blog.
The expansive Bernardus patio is perfect for outdoor tastings!
Winery Notes: “Our 2019 Signature Griva bottling has aromas of grapefruit accented by mineral nuances. The beautifully rich palate exhibits bright tropical fruit flavors with notes of lime and grapefruit zest. The 2019 version is beautifully rich, yet perfectly balanced with a gently crisp, refreshing acidity.”
My Review: Pale straw in the glass. Pineapple on the nose, nice crisp acidity on the palate with pineapple notes. I’m a fan of Griva Sauvignon Blanc, so this was a real treat. March 2021
2018 Bernardus Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $50 (#286*)
Winery Notes – 93 Points by Wine Enthusiast and Vinous: “Our 2018 Soberanes Chard exhibits aromas of ripe tropical fruits and baking spice. The palate exhibits its hallmark richness and intensity along with ripe peach flavors and toasty oak notes, which linger on its long, well textured finish.”
My Review: Golden yellow in color, grassy/buttery on the nose with caramel, gardenia, butter and alcohol on the palate. March 2021
2016 Bernardus Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $70 (#287*)
Winery Notes: “The 2016 Soberanes displays a beautiful ruby robe and vibrant red fruit aromas. The palate exhibits crisp flavors of ripe red cherry and raspberry with a long finish, promising an excellent future ahead.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass, Red currant and light cherry on the nose. Earth and cherry notes on the palate – cellar this wine! March 2021
2017 Bernardus Pinot Noir Rosella Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $80 (#288*)
Winery Notes –GOLD – San Francisco Wine Competition: “The aromas beautifully express the intense red fruits so typical of the finest Pinot vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Flavors are very intense with succulent ripe red cherries and cranberries, along with subtle notes of French oak. Our 2017 iteration is a superb expression of this unique vineyard.”
My Review: Ruby in color with a nice, cherry nose. Bigger palate of cherry/berry flavors with delicious dark and red fruit on the finish. March 2021
First class service at my solo tasting!
2017 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, $50 (#289*)
Winery Notes:“Our 2017 Cabernet exudes spicy aromas of red berry and cranberry. The palate beautifully reflects the aromas showing juicy red fruit flavors with a subtle, refreshing acidity. Our Cabernet has been aged for six months in 28-year-old neutral French oak tanks in order to allow the fruit flavors of these grapes to shine through without any oak barrel influence.”
My Review: Dense, dark ruby like the 2014 Marinus. Cherry notes on the nose. Smooth on the palate – slightly vegetal on the finish. Very drinkable now, but recommend cellaring. March 2021
2014 Bernardus Marinus, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $75 (#290)
I will be presenting this wine in a future, live WWCS class!!
Winery Notes – 93 Points by Vinous: “The robe of our 2014 Marinus is very deeply-colored. The aromas exude beautifully ripened red fruits accented by subtle spice notes. The mouthfeel is very soft and full expressing delicious flavors of ripe cherry and plum. The finish is well structured with soft tannins promising a long life for this superb bottle, similar to a fine Bordeaux.”
My Review: Beautiful dense, dark ruby in the glass. Intense fruit on the nose. Smooth palate full of dark berry fruits, a bit chalky yet fresh. Drinking so well with lots of future for cellaring. I could just keep drinking this wine. March 2021
The Bernardus Tasting Room will undergo a remodeling – This last reminder that this building was originally a bank is set to go.
The tasting room is closed until May 1, while the staff focuses on winemaking. You can order wines on line and pick them up at the tasting room. Check here for more information.
*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.
On a lazy Saturday, I get a call from Sal Rombi asking if we’d like to come out for a tasting – like RIGHT THEN! A quick text to our COVID Wine Squad and we were all in – lucky that our adult daughters could join us on this mission. It was SO GOOD to see Sal, after what seemed like a very long time. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together, as well as the outstanding wines. Yes, these are wines tasted in 2020 that slipped through the wine blog cracks – plus a recent tasting of his 2014 Merlot!
Sal, always a welcoming host – photo taken July 2020!
In today’s post I will review the 2014 and 2017 Rombi Merlots, and the 2014 Rombi Petite Sirah. We also tasted 2 wines I’ve reviewed before – updated reviews from our recent tasting are here:
2015 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon (one of my favorites): Garnet in color. Deep plum sage and wood scent on the nose. Puckery rich intense blackberry & dried currant on the palate. December 2020
2016 Rombi Merlot (Soberanes fire year): Garnet in color. Sweet ham hock on the nose. Rich underlying fruit, and a smokey finish. If it hadn’t been for the smoke taint, this would have been his best Merlot yet. Hats off to vintners gutsy enough to still make these wines – appreciate them for what they are! December 2020
2014 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (258*)**
This wine reflects the intense, delicious fruit fruit from Sal’s tiny Carmel Valley Vineyard.
This was his 8th year of production. His fruit from this vineyard is so flavorful, creating wines with up-front intense flavors. Rombi’s wines are very big and complex – highly recommend decanting to get the full fruit flavors. (I’ve said this before…) Sal described this wine as “wonderful” – so wonderful he only has a few bottles left in his personal stash! I still have at least one more – lucky me.
My Review: Garnet/purple in color. Rich bramble berry and cassis on the nose. Huge palate of blueberry, blackberry and a touch of acidity, with at first a very dry finish. As it opened up, lush fruit enveloped the palate with a licorice finish. Very big, very complex, very nice wine. January 2021
2017 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (259*)
My Review: Rombi’s 11th vintage of Merlot! Pretty, ruby color with some earth on the nose. This wine might have just been opened and not decanted. Awfully young and a bit tannic with cherry flavors. I will need to taste this one again! December 2020
2014 Rombi Petite Sirah, California, 14.6% ABV, $75 (260*)
My Review: Most of these grapes are sourced from Napa. Deep purple-red in the glass. A very different nose with a touch of barnyard. Delicious, chalky, deep plum and cherry on the palate with a leathery finish. December 2020
You can learn more about and purchase his wines online at Rombi Wines. You can also contact Kathy and Sal at kathy@rombiwines.com or sal@rombiwines.com for more information about buying wine. The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday afternoons for an outdoor tasting. Come on out and spend some time with Sal.
Our daughters staying socially distant in the comfy outdoor seating at Rombi Wines!
*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.
**I have a standing offer from Sal Rombi to replenish my cellar with any of his wines I review.
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.
I had never heard of Donati until I started researching Paicines AVA wines. We visited their tasting room in Templeton (Paso Robles) (there really aren’t any tasting rooms in Paicines itself, just vineyards) to find a wine for my Paicines AVA wine class. We found a respectable, tasty Claret (Bordeaux blend) which was quite well received. I also got to taste their Family Reserves, which are mighty fine. And we discovered they bottle some of their wines in jugs, labeled “Naughty Donati.” Jut some fun facts for you.
This information was distilled previously from the Donati Family Vineyard website: Ron Donati grew up in South San Francisco, the son of a first generation Italian-American family. One of his fondest memories was the sights and smells of his grandfather making wine in his basement. Ron, a successful businessman, first bought the vineyard for his son Matt to grow high quality, unique grapes for purchase by others. Soon, after rave reviews of the fruit, he got to thinking…good grapes make great wine. So, he stopped selling and started making own wine. Donati Family Vineyard makes approachable everyday wines, but also family-named reserves for a special occasion.
Also taken earlier from their website: “The Donati Family Estate Vineyard site enjoys a variety of soils from limestone to decomposed granite to clay loam, and access to the cooling ocean breezes of the Monterey Bay. Like much of southern Napa, Sonoma, and Monterey counties, Paicines has long warm days followed by cool nights. “It’s a lot cooler than people think it would be here”, says Matt. “On the UC Davis scale of growing areas and heat where Region I is the coolest and V the warmest, Paicines is a cool Region II.” The vineyard is planted to various select clones of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Petit Verdot. Vine selections are carefully screened for viral diseases prior to planting, ensuring that the future of the vineyard is secure, and that vine health and fruit integrity remain intact from planting through harvest.” Their red wines are matured in both French and American oak for 12-18 months.
I am presenting 3 of their Family Reserves in today’s blog: 2014 Malbec, 2014 Merlot, and the 2015 GSM.
I don’t find a lot of Central Coast Malbecs – this was a big, delicious one.
Wine Enthusiast Review: “Pure blackberry aromas are lifted by dark chocolate and mint on the nose of this reserve bottling from a historic wine-growing region south of Hollister. There’s a sweet touch at first to the palate, but then gravelly tannins and zesty acidity delivers flavors of black plum, elderberry jam and tarragon. It is still quite young, and will improve in the cellar.” 92 points, Matt Kettmann 05/2018
We tasted this wine back at the beginning of the pandemic in late March, before I was writing reviews. If you like a delicious, big Malbec, try this one out – it disappeared rather quickly in my house. 141 cases of this Malbec were produced.
2014 Donati Merlot Family Reserve, Paicines, 14.7% ABV, $45 (115*)
This was a huge wine – highly recommend decanting!
Merlot was the theme for one of our virtual wine tastings in August. I had two Merlots parked in DC for my next in-person wine class, which was not meant to be. What else did I have in my wine room? The 2014 Donati Merlot Family Reserve!
nicewines.com Review: “Pure blackberry aromas are lifted by dark chocolate and mint on the nose of this reserve bottling from a historic wine-growing region south of Hollister. There’s a sweet touch at first to the palate, but then gravelly tannins and zesty acidity delivers flavors of black plum, elderberry jam and tarragon. It is still quite young, and will improve in the cellar.”
My Review: A dark red, dense-looking wine. Rich and juicy on the palate, brimming with cherry and cedar notes. A touch of leather and tartness on the finish. Definitely decant or let this wine open up to get the full flavors. In our wine class this week, we all shared the same sentiment: decant your Merlots! August 2020
A spicy blend with some of the tannic finish one might expect from a GSM.
Wine Enthusiast Review: “This blend…offers oregano, peppercorns and salted beef against a plummy backdrop on the nose. The mouthfeel is full and chalky, delivering flavors of roasted black plum and dried herbs.” 90 points, Matt Kettmann, 12/2018
My Review: Pleasant nose of red fruit. Spicy cinnamon, blackberry and cherry with some tobacco on the palate – smooth but a bit of acidity and tannic harshness on the finish. June 2020
Check out their current releases here. They have 50% off FedEx shipping (as of 10/28/2020) (some exclusions apply). Make a reservation to taste their wines in Templeton 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.
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