“Côte-Rôtie is a French wine Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) in the northern Rhône wine region of France. The vineyards are located just south of Vienne in the communes of Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-et-Semons.[1] The vineyards are unique because of the steep slopes facing the river and their stone walls. Côte-Rôtie can be rendered in English as “the roasted slope” and refers to the long hours of sunlight that these steep slopes receive.[2]
“The wines are red, made with Syrah grapes and up to 20% Viognier, a white grape used for its aroma. According to appellation rules, Syrah and Viognier must be fermented at the same time, a process known as cofermentation. Because of this combination, Côte-Rôtie wine typically exhibits an almost paradoxical pairing of meat aromas (including bacon) and floral aromas. [2]”
Chesebro 2014 La Mariposa, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 12.4% ABV, $30 ($22.50 sale price) (#163**)
Chesebro La Mariposa: A Côte-Rôtie- inspired wine.
Winemaker’s Notes: “This cofermented blend of Syrah (95%) and Viognier (5%) is inspired by the dense but vibrant wines of Cote Rotie in the northern Rhone Valley. The tannic structure of the cool climate Syrah is focused by the Viognier which also elevates the aromatics. Profound aromatics, deep color and a long finish. Not for the faint at heart but still elegant. Only 79 cases produced.” grapelive rated this wine 91 points.
My Review: Beautiful dense ruby red in color. Robust dark fruit on the nose. Big palate, more like an Old World Côtes du Rhône, meaty and tobacco. Surprisingly low alcohol, yet slightly port-like. The cofermenttion with the Viogner differentiates it from most Monterey County Syrahs. September 2020
Chesebro’s Tasting room in Carmel Valley Village is now open by appointment!
Buying Chesebro Wines:This wine, normally $30, is currently on sale for $22.50 at the Winemaker’s Notes link above in very limited quantities. Updated information on its tasting room hours and reservation link is here. They are open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM by reservation. Chesebro has curbside pickup and has always been great about shipping wines to the East Coast for me.
*Primary sources used by Wikipedia for this excerpt: 1. Inter Rhône: Côte-Rôtie Retrieved 19 January 2010 2. E. McCarthy & M. Ewing-Mulligan “French Wine for Dummies” pg 127-128 Wiley Publishing 2001 ISBN0-7645-5354-2
**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.
We’ve been trying to get our new friends and COVID wine buddies out to Rombi to taste his incredibly huge and complex Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines. And to have that special experience which Sal Rombi provides everyone who comes in to taste his wines. Not only is Sal an expert in winemaking, but also in hospitality. While we haven’t been able to meet up there, we did take our friends a bottle of the 2014 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, which we were able to compare side by side with a Napa Cab! Rombi did not disappoint!
In October, my wine class decided to pay homage to the California wineries besieged by fire and smoke damage. I chose the 2016 Rombi Merlot, as that is a full representation of how the Soberanes Fire affected the Carmel Valley wines. My hat is off to those vintners brave enough to bottle their wines from that vintage – Sal is among the very few.
Damage from the 2020 Carmel Fire provided by Kathy Baker of Rombi Wine.
I wrote about Rombi Wine, reviewed earlier vintages, and a bit about Cachagua in this post: Rombi: Bold, Distinctive Fruit Wrapped in Elegance. His home, winery and estate vineyard, The Carmel Valley Vineyard, are in the heart of Cachagua, where the Carmel Fire recently inflicted damage to so many of our favorite wineries and vineyards. I had the chance to drive way out to Cachagua in late September: a narrow, winding road with lots of blind curves, scorched by the fire. The damage incurred is the kind no one wants to experience. From what I have heard, most of the wineries out there are “OK.” I’ll leave it at OK. Let’s not talk about the 2020 crop.
There was almost a 40-degree difference in temperature from way out there and my little coastal town. The Carmel Valley’s terrain and climate is ideal for creating rich, full bodied wines; the Bordeaux varietals are favorites here, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot comprising more than 70% of the grapes grown in the district. Much of those grapes are grown in Cachagua.
2014 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (153*)**
This was his 8th year of production. His fruit from this vineyard is so flavorful, creating wines with up-front berry and cherry flavors. Rombi’s wines are very big and complex – highly recommend decanting to get the full fruit flavors.
The Rombi 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon stood up to a Napa Cab, in our August tasting.
My Review: Purple in color, chives/wild garlic and raspberry on the nose. Nice legs. Fruit-forward and full-bodied, brimming with delicious brighter fresh fruit. Sour cherries on first sip. Ripe cherry on the palate, with a hint of mint. And a smooth, pleasant lingering cherry and chocolate finish. Good, my Napa Cab fan says. We went back and forth between this wine and one of his favorite Napa cabs – we liked them equally, yet they were so different in flavors. I’m a huge fan of the Carmel Valley Vineyard’s fruit and think I like this one second best of all his vintages so far (2015 is slightly my favorite with even more jammy, up-front fruit). August 2020
2016 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (154*)**
The Rombi 2016 Merlot has intense fruit flavors enveloped in smoke from the Soberanes Fire.
My better half remembers discussing this vintage – Rombi’s 10th vintage of Merlot – with Sal in the tasting room. They discussed how this would have been his best Merlot yet had it not been for the smoke. As I mentioned in this post https://decantingmonterey.com/where-theres-fire-theres-more-than-smoke-taint/, wines produced from a vintage of fire and smoke can be appreciated in the context of what they are.
There is a good review of this wine here on Vivino.com which highlights this is a big, meaty Merlot. Not sure I am allowed to reproduce it here.
My Review: Thick, dense garnet in the glass. Intense berry and deep smokey plum on the nose. A huge wine of intense dark cherry and cassis enveloped in smoke on the palate and finish. Imagine you are grilling ribs over wood chips, inhaling the smoke from the grill while enjoying a glass of a big Merlot. We decanted this wine, as one always should with a Rombi wine.
The lineup at Rombi’s tasting room.
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. In the aftermath of the Carmel Fire, the tasting room remains closed.
*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. That’s not why I review his wines. I’ve only “cashed in” that offer once…so far.
While hunting down a rosé for a summer wine class, I noticed a 2013 Cima Collina Syrah from Chalone AVA – a Monterey County Syrah for under $25! Since I am not very familiar with Cima Collina or the Chalone AVA, and I love our Monterey Syrahs, I thought I’d give it a try. What a pleasant surprise! I also picked up a 2014 Cima Collina Syrah Tre Gatti Vineyards from the San Antonio AVA – we did a blind tasting of this wine over the weekend. Our friends guessed this was a new world Zinfandel, Syrah, and even one vote for a Petite Sirah.
About the Chalone AVA (from Monterey Vintners & Growers Association): “The Chalone region is nestled at 1,800 feet in elevation in the central part of the Gavilan Mountain Range – set against the dramatic backdrop of Pinnacles National Monument. This region has a long history of grape growing, dating back to 1919. Here are found the oldest producing vines in Monterey County. Chalone was awarded its own AVA designation in 1982. Because of its elevation in the mountain range, Chalone is truly unique among Monterey County’s appellations…” Read more about the Chalone AVA here.
Map of the Chalone AVA from Monterey Vintners and Growers Association (link above).
About Cima Collina from A Taste of Monterey: “Cima Collina produces artisan wines from small Monterey vineyards. The idea of an “artisan wine” is the partnership with growers who meticulously cultivate vineyards, the insistence on using only carefully chosen fruit, and the creation of wine on a barrel-by-barrel basis.
“The focus on Monterey vineyards is an acknowledgment that this region is now and will continue to produce wines that are interesting, compelling and unique. Many factors conspire to make this a truly gifted region for growing grapes. With the cool maritime climate, well-drained soils and energy of their winemaking colleagues, a dynamic renaissance is currently underway in our region.
“From the rugged Big Sur coastline to the prairie lands of south Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco, every vineyard develops its own set of diverse flavors. It is their passion to discover these local flavors and produce unfined, unfiltered wines that reflect a sense of place. Each of their food-friendly current releases, reflect Winemaker Annette Hoff Danzer’s commitment to authentic artisan winemaking, with dedicated growers, carefully chosen fruit and the creation of wine on a barrel-to-barrel basis.”
Cima Collina has had a tasting room in Carmel Valley Village since 2012. I learned that Albatross Ridge had moved into that tasting room. What I didn’t realise at the time was that Albatross Ridge actually took over both the winery and tasting room in 2019 after the death of one of the prime family members running the business.
This 2013 Cima Collina Syrah from Chalone is a rich, delicious wine.
Winemaker Notes condensed from the label: The Antle Vineyard is “…on the southeastern edge of the Salinas Valley in a protected, warm, beautiful south-west facing site of decomposed granite/gravelly loam soil…: This wine is made from a “…“Phelps” clone of Syrah – the oldest clone of Syrah in California…” This wine “…is lush with textrue & fruit but also offers layers of complexity often missed in California Syrah as it furnishes aromas & flavors of licorice, rosemary, white pepper with a seamless, delicious mouthfeel and finish…”
My Review: This was a big, dense wine and reminiscent of an Australian Shiraz. Very full and smooth on the palate. Cassis on the finish. We really liked this wine and bought more of it. As of 10/2, there was at least one bottle of this vintage left at Bottles n’ Bins in Pacific Grove. Worth finding this Syrah from the Antle Vineyard, Chalone AVA in another vintage. June 2020
2014 Cima Collina Syrah Tre Gatti Vineyards, San Antonio AVA, Montrey County, 13.5% ABV, $23 (#148*)
This 2014 Cima Collina Syrah from San Antonio was quite tart upon opening.
Winemaker Notes from the label: “Tre Gatti is a carefully managed 5 acre vineyard in the southernmost reaches of Monterey County…planted on…a southern-facing rocky hillside whitewashed with limestone-rich soil. The head-trained vines are a unique selection of Syrah that produces lower yields and uncommonly small berries in compact clusters. We vinified these grapes in open-top fermenters then aged the resulting wine in French Oak for 14 months.”
My Review: Purple in color. Unfiltered. Deep red fruit and pepper on the nose. Acidic, sour cherry on the palate “like sucking like a cherry Jolly Rancher.” After the tartness dissipated, one of our friends indicated they liked it. I’d say stick with the Antle Vineyard, Chalone AVA Syrah from Cima Collina, if you can find it. October 2020
The 2012 vintage of the Cima Collina Syrh Tre Gatti Vineyards was rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast. You can find that review 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.
We discovered Mercy Vineyards when they opened a tasting room in Carmel Valley Village – they were the very first tasting room as you come into the village. We would often see the Mark Dirickson sitting out front with his lunch and a glass of white wine. All of their wines are from the Arroyo Seco AVA. Why? The dry, cobblestone (“Greenfield Potatoes”) riverbeds of granite and shale and the extreme climate of chilly winds and fog make it an ideal growing area for wine grapes.
The “Greenfield Potatoes” of the Ancient River Channel photo from Mercy Wines website
From Mercy Wines: “Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco AVA is many things: windblown, numbingly cold, fog laden, semi-arid, rock strewn, austerely beautiful. In essence, the perfect grape source for Mercy wines…the wines are sourced from three contiguous vineyards, all located in a specific part of the appellation – The Ancient River Channel…Found along the banks of a now seasonal creek, this unique riverbed corridor features ideal maritime climate with rocky, meager surface soil and hardpan just feet below ground. Low yields, unique soil attributes and meticulous farming combine to produce flavorful and distinct grapes. Grown in such a dramatic setting, the wines truly are at the Mercy of Mother Nature.” (The vineyards are Cedar Lane, Griva and Zabala.)
We were impressed from our first meeting with Mark and winemaker Mike Kohne, who were also running their nascent tasting room. They also were producing a dry Riesling, something not seen much around here. While most of their wines are Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, they had me at Syrah – my favorite Mercy wines. I featured their 2017 Riesling at my Spring 2019 Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar (WWCS) class, and their 2016 Syrah in my Fall 2019 Northern Virginia AWS seminar. I had planned to presenting their Sauvignon Blanc and the 2016 Syrah at my 2020 Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar, which is on hold indefinitely. My DC friends got to consume those wines! And I have to say we are really enjoying their Pinot Noirs – it took the pandemic for me to realize I might actually like Pinot Noir!
The truly sad news is that Mercy Vineyards is now closed. Their website www.mercywines.com is still operational. We love these guys and are sorry to see them go.
Today I am presenting 7 of their wines – some tasted before I was writing my own tasting notes, some for which there is little-to-no published information. 6 of these were tasted during the Shelter in Place order. If you gotta stay home, drink good wine!
Aspiring to make a dry, old-world style Riesling, Mercy sourced Germanic clones from vines set in extremely rocky, low-yielding topsoil.
FromMercy Wines: “Fermented dry, with just the slightest touch of sweetness added back for texture, this “troken” style Riesling showcases aromas of orchard fruit as nectarine and pear notes mingle with honeysuckle, fennel, pollen and minerals in the bouquet.”
2017 Mercy Sauvignon Blanc Zabala Vineyard, 13.8% ABV, $24
I needed a good white to cook with in April and, since we bought this wine for half price, I didn’t feel too bad cooking with it – and even got to enjoy some with my meal. Just like many Mercy wines, this one is from the Zabala Vineyard – man, that place produces great fruit. I’m going to have to lean on my friends to find out which other wineries buy from Zabala or get to know the grower.
2017 Mercy Sauvignon Blanc Zabala Vineyard
From Mercy Wines: “This Sauvignon Blanc is comprised exclusively of the low-yielding, Musque clone (FPS 27) from vines at the Zabala Vineyard. Set in the Arroyo Seco AVA’s ancient river channel the property’s locale features granitic topsoil arrayed on cobblestone beds. Such meager soil further diminishes yields and in concert with strong winds and dense fog combine to provide an environment ideal for compelling fruit.
“Hand-harvested in early September 2017, the Sauvignon Blanc grapes were crushed into stainless steel for fermentation. Racked to small mueller, steel barrels the wine aged for 6 months until being bottled on April 26, 2018. Innately racy, the straw colored wine features a bouquet with exotic aromas of melon, pineapple and star fruit, as well as lemon blossom, fresh cut hay and mineral characters. Replete with acidity, this aromatic wine has, due to the clone, a nice weight while remaining bright and refreshing.”
In the spirit of creating some isolation fun, Charlie decided we would taste this wine blind – he poured me a glass and made me guess what it was. This was a big red with a spicy bouquet. Zinfandel!Nope. Joullian Retro Rouge? Nope. He confirmed it was a Monterey wine. Then he said that it is not one of my favorites – which jumped me to Pinot Noir! I guessed based on its heft that it must be the Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir! Wrong again – close, but no cigar.
On one of our 3 trips to Mercy in February 2020, the tasting room was boasting it had found these 2012 Pinot Noirs from the Arroyo Seco AVA, tucked away at the winery. They let us taste it and we bought a bunch.
2012 Mercy Pinot Noir Zabala Vineyard
This is a full-bodied Pinot Noir, once again a wine hailing from the fabulous Zabala Vineyard. The label describes this wine as follows: “Wind blown, Zabala Vineyard bears the brunt of regional maritime elements. This small-lot Pinot Noir hails from the “South Pointe”, a section of vineyard blocks nearest the seasonal creek. From this rocky locale, Mercy sources “Dijon” clones 115 and 667, as well as a touch of Pommard clone.”
From Mercy Wines: “A barrel selection of nine distinct barrels, this wine showcases the dense, juicy berry-nature of Pinot Noir grown on the Zabala ranch. Aromas of black berries and cherry mingle with notes baking spices, violets and earthy-mineral tones. Richly textured, firm tannins enhance the fruit flavors on the palate and melt away as part of the long finish.”
If I could get my hands on more of this, I would. We had this wine for Sunday night dinner with steak and a flavorful barley risotto. It was a fabulous combo. It is making me re-think my views on Pinot Noir!
2014 Mercy Pinot Noir, Cedar Lane Vineyard, 14.4% ABV, $32(Outbreak Wine #120)
About Cedar Lane Vineyard from Mercy Wines: “Located against and somewhat sheltered by a natural bench, a 40-foot palisade of bedrock along its northern border, this 60-acre vineyard is owned by Mark Chesebro and farmed by Michael Griva. Found at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains the sand as well as shale and granite cobblestone topsoil are meager with little nutrients, ultimately helping to diminish yields. The vineyard is planted to multiple varietals, including 7 different clones of Pinot Noir of which Mercy Vineyards sources two (“Pommard” clone 4 and clone 667).”
2014 Mercy Pinot Noir, Cedar Lane Vineyard
Wine Enthusiast rated this wine 89 points: “Concentrated lavender and incense aromas make for a woody perfume on the nose of this appellation blend, giving lots of character to the core of cherry syrup. The palate shows the same levels of intense incense and purple flowers, which nearly overpowers the cranberry and pomegranate fruits.” Matt Kettmann October 2017
My Review: Beautiful crystalized cork. This wine has a dark robe, slightly brownish. Musty, blackberry with cedar notes on the nose. A palate of blackberry, cherry and a little leather, giving a slightly bitter finish – perhaps a little raisin. This is a very rich and full-bodied Pinot Noir. I do like my wines made from Cedar Lane grapes! August 2020
My Review: We tasted this wine last after a series of big wines – I did not capture good tasting notes. Very dark in color, this wine has lost some of its fruit and beyond its prime. Nevertheless, it was a terrific wine.
According to their website, “Mercy sources three clones from the Zabala family (clone 7 an Aussie Shiraz clone, and two French ENTAV clones 470 and 877). All get co-fermented in small open top bins and ultimately the wine spent 18 months in French oak barrels (11% new) prior to bottling.”
2012 Mercy Syrah Zabala Vineyard
Wine Enthusiast gave it 93 points with this review: “Ripe and plump blackberries shine through in a showcase of fruit purity, lifted by dried fennel, hot black gravel, peppercorns, toasted sesame and soy. There is tremendous structure and acidity on the sip, with black pepper and black-sesame nuance plus juicy boysenberry character to the midpalate.”
My Review: Almost 4 years later, this wine is drinking beautifully – blackberry and mocha with a touch of spice, full and smooth on the palate. Yum. Tasted March 2020
I presented this wine at the October 2019 Northern Virginia AWS class as a compare and contrast of wines from the same 2016 vintage, different AVAs, to show how the Soberanes Fire affected wines from Carmel Valley but not from the other Monterey County AVAs.
Regarding the 2016 Riverbed Syrah from Mercy Wines: “The progeny of grapevines located in the ancient, dried riverbed corridor of the Arroyo Seco AVA. This wine combines fruit from vines set in meager, nutrient-deficient topsoil which feature cobblestone beds of granite and shale. In addition to the distinct and finite terrain, the riverbed channel location is also is noted for its extreme climate as forceful winds and dense fog persist throughout the growing season. All these factors combine to create a distinct environment that is suited for Rhone varieties.
2016 Mercy Syrah Riverbed – the Last Release and a Great One
“Harvest in late October the grapes were transported to the winery in the early morning. At the winery the fruit was crushed with the ‘must’ racked to small bins for fermentation. Once dry, the wine was pressed off and transferred to neutral (1 and 2 year old) French oak barrels. Ultimately, it was aged 20 months before being bottled. The resulting wine shows aromas of juicy late-summer plum, cherry, lavender, sagebrush and holiday spices.”
My Review: Raspberry, blackberry and cassis on the nose. An explosion of berry and cassis on the palate, and a lingering finish. Smooth and delicious. May 2020
2014 Silvestri Estate Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $36
Long ago, we joined Silvestri’s wine club because the Parsonage winemaker, Frank, whose wines we adore, also makes their wines. They have a lovely tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea, which was always a nice experience for us when we were in town. We really enjoyed their Syrahs and Barberas. and kept getting Pinot Noir (not my favorite varietal) in our allocations. When my wine class picked Pinot Noir for class this past week, we hunted in our wine room for our last Silvestri and it was a good one!
Alan Silvestri was a famous movie soundtrack composer of great renown, who moved his family to Carmel in 1989. The Silvestri Vineyard was planted in 2000, with its first harvest in 2003. From Silvestri: “Silvestri Vineyards is located approximately 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean up Carmel Valley. This location is the key element in the terroir of this unique site. During the growing season the cool marine influence on one side and the much warmer inland mountains on the other side subject this spot to daily afternoon winds bringing dramatic temperature drops even on the sunniest days. The tight constriction of the valley at this point creates even greater wind velocities here. The vineyards are on benchlands and hillsides several hundred feet above the valley floor further exposing them to the marine onshore flow. Only cooler climate varieties can be expected to ripen here.
“The very rocky soils are based on a soft shale locally referred to as “chalk rock”. Devigorating rootstocks were selected to advance the harvest date and match differing soil conditions within the vineyard. Varieties were also matched to different soil conditions, sun and wind exposures. All varieties are a mix of three to five different clones originally selected at research stations in France. This was done to take advantage of the earlier ripening characteristics of these selections and to provide a palette of flavors from which to create elegant and complex wines…”
Delicious 2014 Silvestri Estate Pinot Noir – Bursting with Raspberry and Cherry
Winery Notes for the 2014 Silvestri Estate Pinot Noir: “Raspberry and sweet black cherries are the first aromas out of the glass. You then discover hints of vanilla and clove behind them. Roll that around in your mouth and feel the softness that then completes with mild tannins and balancing acidity.” Case production: 838
My Review: The 2014 Silvestri Estate Pinot Noir is cherry red and transluscent. Raspberry and cherry with sweet-tart and vanilla notes on the nose. Slightly sweet upon opening, which dissipated as the wine opened up, this wine bursts with cherry and cassis on the palate with a slightly leathery finish. This is a delicious Pinot Noir for the most discerning palate. July 2020
Check out their website for information on how to order. Their tasting room is currently closed.
2014 Joullian Vineyards Retro Rouge Red Wine Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, $25, 13.3% ABV: 48% Merlot, 21% Zinfandel, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2 % Muscat Hamburg.
We have been visiting Joullian Vineyards since our early days exploring wines in Carmel Valley Village. Its tasting room is in a lovely stone building which looks a bit more like an old church than a wine tasting room. They were one of our early favorites for unique Semillon blends and Zinfandels, a rare find in the valley.
Joullian’s Tasting Room at 2 Village Drive is open – reservations required!
This is another Cachagua winery! Distilled from Joullian’s webpage: In 1982, Joullian Vineyards, Ltd. purchased 655 acres of hillside benchland at an elevation of 1400 feet, in the heart of the remote Carmel Valley AVA. 40 acres were planted to Bordeaux varietals in the rocky Arroyo Seco series loam…plus Carmel Valley’s first Zinfandel! The rest of the vineyard was grafted in the 90’s to pre-Prohibition Zinfandel selections, sourcing clones from reputed sources such as Mount Veeder, 3 Palms, Diamond Mountain, Sterling, Ventana, Brandlin, St. Peter’s Church and Lytton Springs.
In their tasting room many years ago, we discovered the Retro Rouge. Joullian’s winemaker based this kitchen sink blend off the style of wine he enjoys. Initially, it was house blend for his private consumption only until he began sharing a few bottles with Wine Club members. Back then, it was a nonvintage blend, but now it depicts a specific vintage. And from time to time, I have stumbled into a reduced case price, helpful for my volunteer wine education efforts. A great red blend at a discount from Carmel Valley? I’m all in. Even at the $25 list price, it is an exceptional value for such a great tasting red blend from Carmel Valley and there is plenty 2014 left, last I checked about 6 months ago.
2014 Joullian Vineyards Retro Rouge
A few years back, I showcased a nonvintage bottle at the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar (WWCS) in Washington, DC. Last Fall, I included this 2014 vintage as part of my Northern Virginia AWS class. It was slated be in my upcoming WWCS class, but that is scrubbed due to COVID-19. Sigh.
Joullian’s winemaker’s notes: “Deep ruby color that continues all the way to the edges. Fresh plums, cola and rhubarb pop on the nose. It jumps back and forth between its Bordeaux and Zinfandel base. Soft and velvety at first, then a burst of dried fruit, leather and bright acidity through the finish. Somewhat waxy, lingering flavors of white pepper spice and black cherry. A wonderful, everyday drinker with or without food.” Aged 12-36 months in Center of France oak barrels. Winner of the 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Silver Award.
My review: Brilliant dark cherry/garnet color. A sweetness and smoothness on the nose of mocha, blueberry, dark plum and spice. Upon opening: deep fruit, spice and leather on the palate. After it opened up, round and juicy on the palate with a blackberry, cherry, cassis finish. Great food wine.
You can buy this wine and other Joullian wines on the winery’s webpage. As of this writing, you can also find 12 bottles of it at the Accidental Wine Company for $15.99. And I have 12 bottles parked in DC…
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