In January, our COVID Wine Pod partners invited us over to celebrate their daughter receiving a final job offer in Washington DC. After appropriately celebrating with Champagne, a mystery wine appeared.
First, we did a proper toast with real Champagne. Then, we played Mystery Wine.
One of our favorite games to play in the pandemic has been Guess the Mystery Wine. This wine had already been decanted, no label in sight. We guessed New World. It was very familiar on the nose, but we couldn’t place it. It didn’t taste like a Cabernet Sauvignon – more like a Zinfandel, Syrah, or Petite Sirah. My guess was Petite Sirah. Our host’s better half guessed Syrah – bingo, she was right! A Law Estate Syrah from Paso Robles!
AboutLaw Vineyards: “We are committed to making exceptional wines through sustainable and organic farming practices with minimal inputs. Located above Peachy Canyon Road on the west side of Paso Robles, the vineyard is one of the highest in the area at 1,600 to 1,900 feet. It is planted in high density, small-lot blocks. The extreme slopes, limestone soils, and multiple aspects create the distinct canvas and palette from which we work.”
About the 2017 Intrepidfrom the winery: “The Intrepid’s dense purple juice presents an alluring nose of brown sugar, fleshy, dark fruits, black pepper, violets and baked blueberry pie. It maintains a sense of finesse, through the balance of course tannins, juicy acidity and mid palate weight. Despite all the decadence it offers, it never seems over the top; a humble extrovert if you will. It stays flawlessly balanced, has a lively, ample texture, and delivers a moreish finish. Not just for the Northern Rhône crowd, it’s a brilliant representation of this terroir that will keep for years.” Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 98 points!
93 Points – Wine Enthusiast: “Those seeking wines of tremendous power and unctuous oak will enjoy this booming bottling, which was aged in 71% new barrels and begins with aromas of milk chocolate, cassis, maple butter and purple flowers. It’s thick and lush on the palate, where caramelized black-fruit, creamy cappuccino and bold baking-spice flavors go big.” Matt Kettmann, 5/2021
My Review: Very dark and dense ruby in the glass. Black fruit, cardamom and vanilla on the nose. Intense dark fruit and cassis on the finish, with a touch of menthol and a lot of vanilla on the end, representing its high alcohol content. Still a bit more like a Petite Sirah to me! We enjoyed this wine. January 2022
You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room. Check it out here. Tastings are daily except Wednesdays from 10-4, by reservation only.
*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.
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*)
While I didn’t have any photos of the 2013, I hope these 2015 Las Arenas images will do!
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
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*)
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
When I reduced my posts to once a week and started hitting the tasting rooms, I didn’t realize how far behind I might get! I’ve decided to present some of these single wines tasted from August to November over the next few weeks to close out 2021. Today I am presenting 7 of them from outside Monterey County, in the order of tasting date. Next week I’ll have a collection of Monterey County wines/wineries to close out 2021. Starting in January, I’ll be back to winery tastings with the occasional one-off wines.
PLease share this blog with your family and friends – the more the merrier! If you have not yet subscribed to my weekly blog, you can enter your email at the very bottom right of this page – then confirm it from your email. I promise no selling of your address, just my weekly post delivered straight to you. And I encourage your comments – maybe you know a winery I should check out. Also, feel free to share back what local wines you are enjoying!
2015 Donati The Immigrant, Paicines, San Benito County, 14.5% ABV, $35 (#555*)
From the Donati Family Vineyard Website: “Albino Donati immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1907. Just like many others who came to America, he arrived with a commitment to create a better life for his family. His hard work, determination, and perserverance have created footsteps for our family to follow for generations. The creation of “The Immigrant” is in honor of his legacy.”
Wine Enthusiast – 89 points: This bottling is very shy on the nose, offering tight boysenberry and wet gravel aromas with patience. The palate is a bit flat as well, but eventually delivers flavors of baked cherry and baking spice, held together by tense tannins. MATT KETTMANN 12/2018
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Mellow berries on the nose. Very smooth on the palate, nice berries, cedar and mint. This is one of those super smooth reds I could just keep drinking. I would have given it a much higher score – in the 92-point range. August 2021
2019 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant, Central Coast, 13.5% ABV, $16 (#556*)
Wine class chose the varietal Cinsault, intending a foreign wine. I found this Bonny Doon wine at Whole Foods in Washington DC. My notes say I paid $23 for it, but it is generally available for less than that!
Winemaker’s Notes from the bottle: “In 1954 the mayor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape was quite perturbed and apprehensive that UFOs are flying cigars might do damage to their vineyards. So right thinking man all, they passed a legal ordinance prohibiting such landings. The ordinance has worked well, as there have been no such landings since the adoption of this far sighted legislation. The stellar composition of our cigar Volant call flying cigar” contains 56% Grenache 30% since so 13% Sarah and 1% petite Sirah.”
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points & Best Buy: A delicate color in the glass, this blend of 56% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 13% Syrah and 1% Petite Sirah pops with bright raspberry, crushed rock, turned earth and lilac aromas on the nose. The palate is tense with rocky edges and yet zesty with pomegranate and strawberry flavors. MATT KETTMANN
My Review: Ruby, somewhat translucent in the glass. A little sulfur on the nose upon opening. Cherry and leather on the palate. Nice on a hot DC evening. August 2021
2017 DeRose Dry Farmed Zinfandel, Cedolini Vineyard, Cienega Valley, San Benito County, 15.1% ABV, $45 (#557*)
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Berry jam and crab (shellfish) on the nose. Berry pie on the palate – it’s a berry-o-rama in the mouth, chalky, slightly sweet, slightly ripe or cooked, with a peppery finish. September 2021
A DC friend (Scott Gudes) brought this wine from his very first wine tasting in Paso Robles! We had it with our dinner at Poppy Hall – very nice.
From the label: “David Bailey planted this vineyard on the old family property on Peachey Canyon Road. This is a head pruned, dry farmed vineyard. This wine is 100% Zinfandel – old time Paso baby! Yeahh! It is all you might expect and then just a wee bit more.”
My Review: Purple in the glass. Jammy and spicy on the nose. Juicy and smooth on the palate. Opened up nicely to dark berries with an even darker, intense fruit finish.October 2021
2015 Trinitas Old Vines Petite Sirah, Contra Costa County, 16.2% ABV, $36 (#559*)
I love a good Petite Sirah and found this for $18 at Costco!
From the Trinitas Website: “This is by no means elegant, its rather a massive hulking bruiser of a wine! In fact, this might be the most decadently textured dry red wine we’ve ever made. Which doesn’t surprise us. 2015 was not only the third year of the drought, but also the vines we source from in Contra Costa County are mainly planted in sandy soils, so they are well drained and receive much more heat. Trust us, this all shows in the wine! This deep, dark-purple elixir has skyrocketing aromas of baked blueberries, blackberries, and toasted vanilla. With just one sip, its heavenly texture completely saturates the palate with baked berry cobbler and vanilla bean flavors that are lifted by dusty tannins as it trails off into a very persistent finish. This is so opulent, juicy, and scrumptious, that it’s nearly impossible to resist. Which is probably why Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93 points and Editor’s Choice!”
My Review: Inky in the glass with aromas of smooth dark berries. Very dark blueberry and blackberry fruit on the palate with cassis and black currant on the finish. Very smooth. Great value for the flavor – I would buy this again!October 2021
2017 Turley Zinfandel, Duarte Vineyard, Contra Costa County, 15.3% ABV, $33 (#560*)
From the Turley website: “This wine is an homage to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area. The wine is comprised of fruit from the turn-of-the-century Evangehlo, Mori, and Salvador vineyards, planted between 1890 and 1960.Thanks to the sandy soils and impressive age of the vines, the wine has some of the softest, silkiest tannins we’ve ever seen in a Zinfandel.”
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. Smoke and plum on the nose. Jammy brambleberry with spice on the palate. A spicy finish with a touch of tobacco. If you stumble on a Turley Duarte, pick it up – I usually recommend decanting Turley wines. October 2021
2015 The Ojai Vineyard Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley,13.5% ABV, $45 (#561*)
The Ojai Vineyard Tasting Notes: “Aromas come on with many of the usual suspects from Bien Nacido—cured meat, purple flowers, rock dust—but also a concentrated fruity exuberance that tilts toward liqueur. It drinks with that same balance, coming on with an lavish blanket of dark fruits before gaining pitch and lengthening into a smoky savory beauty, closing out late with those cool-climate notes of herby tapenade, wood smoke and peppery meat crust. The forward feel will have many drink this sooner than later, but for peak rapture age this for several years, at least.” 97 points- Jeb Dunnuck!!
My Review: Berry blast on the nose, followed by some menthol and leather. Super delicious on the palate. Spice on the finish. We followed the Vineyard Aging Recommendations, opening this one before the 2012 Syrah, which is still not ready! We served this with Thanksgiving leftovers. I loved this wine – probably one of the best Syrahs I have recently consumed.
*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 virtual wine class selected the theme of Paso Robles. Lucky me, I had picked up this Niner “kitchen sink” wine perhaps at Costco, perhaps at Safeway, sometime back. Perfect for the occasion. I didn’t know anything about Richard Niner or his wines, so this was a chance to explore and learn!
My classmates presented these Paso Robles wines:
2018 DAOU Pessimist Red Blend, 15.2% ABV, $22 (purchase price was $11), rated 92 points
2015 Pasoport Wine Company Per Caso RHN Blend, 14.3% ABV, $44 ($11 on WTSO)
2012 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.1% ABV, $20 (purchased for $15)
About Niner Wine Estates: “We currently farm a total of 240 acres across three different vineyards in Paso Robles and Edna Valley, and make all our wine in our LEED Certified Winery at Heart Hill Vineyard. We are known for our estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as our flagship blend Fog Catcher; however, we grow a wide range of varietals and specialize in small lot bottlings that we allocate primarily to our Wine Club Members.
“After growing up on a farm in West Virginia, Richard Niner spent his career building small businesses across a wide variety of industries. One of his business ventures brought him to Paso Robles in the early 1990s and he was immediately drawn to the potential of both the land and the people who lived here. After a long search, Richard and Pam purchased their first vineyard, Bootjack Ranch, in 2001 and spent the next decade building a tasting room and winery, finding and planting two additional vineyards, and assembling the current team. In 2013 they retired and their son Andy took over the day-to-day management of the business.”
Winemaker Notes from Wine.com: “The goal for the Bootjack Red was to treat each varietal separately using techniques that preserve the best characteristics of each. As a foundation, Cabernet Sauvignon was added for structure, Malbec for a juicy component, Cabernet Franc for fine tannin and length, and Merlot for subtle fruit and finesse. All other varietals in the blend are accent pieces, each adding spice and different fruit characteristics. The barrels selected along with the amount of time spent in barrel brought all of the individual pieces together in a cohesive way.”
My Review: Dark ruby, almost purple in the glass. Caramel and blackberry on the nose. Bold up front with smooth blackberry and blueberries on the palate. Intense dark fruit and a touch of ash on the dry, slightly tannic finish. Balanced, mellow and very drinkable. September 2021
You can buy Niner wines online or at their tasting room in Paso Robles by reservation only. My Wine Pod partners have been there and say it is fabulous – including a restaurant on site – sounds like a great outing!
*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.
A September virtual wine class theme was a “white from anywhere in the U.S.” While some of my good friends had already presented this Carol Shelton wine in the “Monterey South” wine class in August, I reserved the right to taste it myself. I had the great fortune to share this with my COVID Wine Pod members over Labor Day Weekend. As Rhône wine lovers, they truly appreciated this white blend from Paso Robles.
I have 2 more Carol Shelton wines to include today: the 2015 and 2017 Peaceland Vineyard Zinfandels from Sonoma County. During my August stay in DC, I spent time with my former neighbors, who served the 2015 vintage with dinner and we received the 2017 in our Spring 2021 shipment, which we opened after I got back from DC. Aren’t I lucky!
As we weigh the pros and cons of various wineries we belong to, my husband recently stated, “I hope you didn’t cancel your Carol Shelton membership – her wine is some of the best we are getting.” I don’t think there is a higher compliment.
From the Club Newsletter: “This is the “best yet” vintage of Carol’s all-time favorite wine; it is a “red-drinker’s white,” a complex alternative to the more one-dimensional white varietal wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. *Coquille is pronounced “ko-keel” and it is French for scallop, like the scalloped shells on the Shelton family coat of arms, and now on our sexy new label!
“Best White Rhone, Platinum Medal, 94 pts at BOTH the San Diego Int’l Wine Challenge and the Monterey Int’l Wine competition, plus 91 pts from BOTH Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast!” 1362 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Exotic nose of spicy pears and white peaches, almond paste/marzipan,
a touch of honeysuckle perfume. Multi-dimensional (many layers), a hard-to-describe range of aromatics, intriguing, almost mysterious! In the mouth it is crisply dry yet creamy and round and full-bodied, with nice almond paste on crisp-yet-juicy pear fruit.”
My Friend’s Review: Yellow in color. More minerality on the palate than fruit and a touch acidic on the palate. Really brings the Paso/Central Coast terroir. Complex – but not robust. August 2021
My Review: Lemony in the glass. Honey and grass/hay on the nose. Minerally and lean, in a good way. The sweetness of the Viognier shines through in this blend. My French Rhône lovers liked this wine. September 2021
2015 Carol Shelton Zinfandel Peaceland Vineyard, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma County, 14.8% ABV, $36 (#550*)
About the Peaceland Vineyard: “On a mountaintop in the Mayacamas Range, Peaceland Vineyard sits quietly on 200 acres, with less than 40 acres planted to vines. On the eastern side of the Mayacamas, the vineyard has a cooling influence that allows for a longer growing season than its Napa Valley neighbors. Its higher elevation puts it above the fog but below the frost line, making it the ideal spot to grow grapes. While they grow a variety of vinifera at Peaceland Vineyards, Carol selects the Zinfandel and a tiny bit of Petite Sirah to make a single vineyard designate wine from this amazing vineyard.”
Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “From a vineyard planted to three clones of the variety, then blended with 12% Petite Sirah, this sees 18 months in oak, a mix of new American and neutral French. It works in its bramble of wild berry and banana, the body softly layered, rich and sumptuously lush.” Virginie Boone, 09/2018
My Review: Inky, ruby in the glass. Dark berry and mocha-ish on the nose, with some barnyard notes. Very dark berry, raspberry and plum on the palate. “Grapey!” August 2021
2017 Carol Shelton Zinfandel Peaceland Vineyard, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma County, 14.8% ABV, $36 (#551*)88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah
From the Club Newsletter: “The name of the Peaceland Vineyard cones from the translation of its owners’ German last name – Friedland. Three separate clones of Zinfandel each bring different flavor profiles, spiced up by a dollop of “Pet.” The unique “tall-head” trained vines were planted in a wild fantasia of settings – steep hillsides, amidst groves of bay and live-oak, most with stunning vistas of the city of Santa Rosa far below. It was this woodsy setting that brought about the near-demise in the Tubbs Fire of 2017, when the vineyard was partially destroyed – we thought that this 2017 would be its very LAST vintage release, but we are uber-excited to announce that it has come back from the fires and we will have a 2019 vintage and more!
“90 Pts Wine Spectator, 2 Gold Medals on brand new release.” 459 cases produced
Carol’s Tasting Notes: “Deep spicy jammy black raspberry, rich chocolatey oak, layers of loveliness! Juicy razzberry jam in mouth, bright acidity and good structure for aging. This baby packs everything that Zin should be and much more!”
My Review: Very dark, inky in the glass. Jam and a hint of smoke on the nose. I don’t have any more notes from this wine and there was none left for a retaste the next day! Carol’s newsletter indicates its aging potential is 10-20 years – clearly, we drank this one too soon! September 2021
You can buy Carol Shelton wines on her webpage and visit them in Santa Rosa. For more information, check out this link: https://www.carolshelton.com/visit/
*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 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.
It has been a good, long while since I have presented Parsonage here. I’ll be making up for that with the next couple of posts! I had the opportunity to take our COVID Wine Pod plus some visiting friends to the Parsonage Village Vineyard for a barrel tasting, at the invitation of Bill Parsons himself. Who was I to say no? Little did we know when the date was set that they would be harvesting that day! We did our best to stay out of the way of the action.
It is always exciting to get a glimpse of the future of your favorite wines. It is also an opportunity to get inside the head of the vintners a bit, gain insights about techniques they used to make up for the lost vintage of 2020, the detrimental impact of drought conditions on fruit production, and pandemic influences. Bill and I have an agreement that I can write about anything he tells me – and so I will! Hope I got it all right!
Bill talked a bit about the changes implemented in reaction to the pandemic that had a positive impact, such as having outdoor space and a reservation system for wine tasting. They have a beautiful parklet with plenty of sun for us coastal dwellers to enjoy, as well as ample shade for those warmer days. On the negative side, he highlighted supply chain issues for critical supplies including bottles, foils, and corks. About the drought conditions impacting his fruit, he said, “I am a farmer. I am at the mercy of the elements.” The Syrah was still hanging at the time of our visit. Shortly after our visit, we had that torrential rain – I was very worried how my beloved Syrah survived the storm. Bill just told me this week: “Not only did the Syrah survive the inch and half drenching in five hours, but it thrived as a result. We just harvested this morning in fact!”
Today, I am presenting 10 Parsonage wines – 5 barrel tastings at the winery and 5 wines currently available in the tasting room. I tasted a few of these wines the following week with another group of experts. I’ve melded my notes here – the rest of those wines will appear next week!
I’ve presented Parsonage to you in several prior posts and won’t repeat about them here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here: https://www.parsonagewine.com/.
My Review: 100% Estate fruit. He will produce 100-120 cases. Aged in 100% new French oak, it will be bottled in Spring 2022. Dark ruby, purple in color. Jammy raspberry and blackberry with a touch of vanilla on the nose. Intense berry fruit on the palate with some anise on the finish. Delicious! I can’t wait to purchase this when it is released! Barrel Tasting – October 2021
2019 Parsonage Bixby Reserve, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (#529*) ~65% Petit Verdot, ~35% Cabernet Sauvignon
My Review: “An outlier wine” loved by a select group of wine club members. Deep ruby in the glass. Plum and cherry on the nose. Plum, herbs. leather, tobacco yet violets on the palate – not fruit forward. Caramel notes on the finish. Certainly more tannic than the Merlot. Barrel Tasting – October 2021
2021 Parsonage Petit Verdot, San Antonio Valley AVA, 15% ABV (#530*)
My Review: This wine is sourced from the Argyle Vineyard down in the very southern part of Monterey County. Tucked between the Salinas Valley and the Santa Lucia Mountains, the San Antonio Valley has a long, warm growing season, enefiting from the lake effect from Lake San Antonio. We tasted this wine when it was only 3 weeks old – a first for me, for sure! Vegetal on the nose. Intense plum on the palate with green bell pepper notes. Has a great foundation and is structurally balanced – can stand on its own and will be good blended with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Barrel Tasting – October 2021
My Review: Super dark ruby. Deep berry and plum on the nose. Rich dark fruits including black currant on the palate with lots of structure. 28-29 months n the barrel. Barrel Tasting – October 2021
My Review: Bill calls the 2019 vintage as “the greatest in winemaking history.” Inky ruby in the glass. Smokey essense on the nose. Super smooth on the palate with rich raspberry, blackberry, cherry, red currant and vanilla bean. Dry on the finish. Terrific, wonderful. Barrel Tasting – October 2021
2018 Parsonage Wild Card, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $38 (#533*)
My Review: Ruby in the glass, alcohol on the nose. Chewy. My experience with this wine is it needs a bit of time to settle and meld. After all the barrel tastings, though, we probably needed a reset! Will taste again sometime with a well rested palate! October 2021
2018 Parsonage BDL, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $44 (#534*)
My Review: Transluscent ruby in the glass. Raspberry on the nose, rich raspberry on the palate. Tasty and drinkable now. Would be good with garlic roasted chicken or salmon with root vegetables. October 2021
2018 Parsonage Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $48 (#535*)
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Dark berries with some caramel and spicy smokiness on the nose – like a cinnamon hard candy. Good fruit on the palate with spice melding with meat – “cinnamon and bacon,” with lingering finish of anise and pepper. “Like a Cote-Roti.” Our friends bought a bottle of this wine and we enjoyed it at dinner the following evening. October 2021
My Review: 30% slope hang, chalk rock. This is their flagship wine and my personal favorite. Purple ruby in the glass. Allspice, caramel and earth on the nose, a bit like old leather. Intense dark berries and plum on the palate with vanilla notes. Done in a traditional, earthy Rhone style. This vintage is pretty impressive – I took a bottle home of this new release. October 2021
My Review: Bill calls the 2019 vintage as “the greatest in winemaking history.” Inky ruby in the glass. Smokey essence on the nose. Super smooth on the palate with rich raspberry, blackberry, cherry, red currant and vanilla bean. Dry on the finish. Terrific, wonderful. October 2021
Tasting Room Photo Courtesy Parsonage
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.
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.
My dog grooming-wine tasting afternoon in Carmel continues…but with a surprise: my little dog is ready early – yikes! We walked over to Shale Canyon to suggest rescheduling and they invited my dog and me to come on in! They closed the bottom half of their door and let him run around freely. I was a heck of a lot more worried about what he might do than they were. While he had a hard time settling down, he did fine, but was also a big distraction for my notetaking – I know I will need to go back.
My little dog’s first wine outing!
I admitted to them that I was a bit confused about the source of their wines. It had been a LONG TIME since I had been there. I had it in my head they were from the Sant Cruz Mountains because one of them lived there. Instead, I learned that their vineyards and wines are from Arroyo Seco, which continues to be a favorite AVA of mine. And they focus on the bigger reds I love including some tasty red blends, using intriguing names like “Consortium” and “Amalgamation.” Definitely for me, this a winning set-up. I’m impressed with their ability to grow well Zinfandel and other varietals not usually associated with Monterey County. They must have a uniquely placed vineyard to be able to pull that off! Hosted by Keith Prader himself, I had a fabulous experience in their tasting room.
About Shale Canyon from their website: “Shale Canyon Wines started vinting small lots of hand crafted varietals in 2008…Currently Shale Canyon Wines is comprised of Keith Prader, the winemaker, and Tim Prader tasting room and vineyard manager.
“Current production is about 1000+ cases per year with our main focus on producing wines that have outstanding nose, mouth feel and finish. For the Estate wines we are currently growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre. We source fruit from larger, well established vineyards whose farming practices are exemplary in the industry and whose fruit is second to none. The varietals include Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay and Petite Sirah. We enjoy making classic and unique blends as well. Our Consortium is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Striation is 75% Zinfandel and 25% Mourvedre, a wonderful floral wine. And Amalgamation, a very interesting blend of Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah.”
Today I am presenting 8 Shale Canyon wines. The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.
2019 Shale Canyon Chardonnay, Vigna Monte Nero, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $25 (#498*)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of toasted marshmallow, subtle green apple, pear, peach and a hint of lemon peel. A long finish of vanilla bean and butterscotch. This wine was not cold stabilized or filtered and has noticeable tartrates in the bottle. We recommend pouring this wine through a cheesecloth or a screen to remove them. Aged in 100% French oak.” 165 cases produced.
My Review: Pretty yellow in the glass. Great balance of butter/oak and acidity. This was extremely delicious – an amazing SLH Chardonnay for a fabulous price! September 2021
Winery Notes: “A bouquet of dark berry, violet ad earthy aromas of black pepper, thyme and a hint of citrus. Bright fruit characteristics, with fresh strawberry, raspberry and subtle cherry. Smooth tannins with hints of cedar and a drawn out finish with late fruit. 100% Mourvèdre.
My Review: Dark ruby in glass. Very dark fruit but lean on the palate. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Rose petals and cinnamon on the bouquet with cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry gracing the middle. A very long finish with vanilla bean and hint of licorice. Medium plus tannins to make this an excellent wine for food pairings.” There is some story to this wine that the UPS delivery person actually helped formulate this wine!
My Review: Dark berry and some oak in the nose. Very smooth dark fruits and some leather on the finish. Lovely. A great wine for #500! September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2016 Estate Cabernet Franc starts with a big bouquet of cherries, slight strawberry and a hint of cedar. I noticed strong fruit flavors with dark cherry, blueberry, plum and chocolate on the palate. It finished with some spice and structured tannins.” Scored at the California Cabernet Franc Wine Competition.
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Concentrated fruit and a touch of smoke on the nose. Smooth very dark fruit on the palate. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “A classic blend of Bordeaux varietals. Very aromatic with a distinctive cherry note on the nose. It is an elegant, yet complex wine with black berry, dark cherry, plum and blueberry on the palate. It has a long finish with wisps of cedar, smoke and medium plus tannins.”
My Review: Smooth, dark, and not as fruity. I was clearly distracted by my little dog for these notes! September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Subtle berry & cherry bouquet. Flavors of black cherry, plum and cranberry grace the middle. A touch of spice and leather with firm structures tannins on the finish.”
My Review: Spicy on the nose. Delicious fruit yet lean (tannic) on the finish. Pretty amazing. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “This unique blend is like no other!…All Estate Grown! The color of this wine is beautiful. Take a glass out in the sun and let the rays reflect through the wine onto a simple piece of white paper and you will see what I mean. A lovely floral bouquet starts the experience. Deep fruit with cherry, dark berry and a hint of color. Long finish with tobacco and firm tannins. This wine will also compliment rich foods so fire up the barbeque and pull out the rib eyes!”
My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Jam on the nose following through on the palate. September 2021
Winery Tasting Notes: “Violets and dark cherry and blueberry on the nose. Plum, dried cranberry and raisin in the middle. Notes of chocolate, licorice and toast on the long finish with firm tannins.”
My Review: Very smooth and rich with blue and black berry fruits. Nice! September 2021
You can buy Shale Canyon wines on their website or at their tasting room on Paseo San Carlos Courtyard, Westside San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel-by-the-Sea. They are open Sunday through Thursday 1–5, Friday and Saturday 12-7 and suggest reservations for parties of 4 or more. You can contact them at reservations@shalecanyonwines.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.
My new modus operandi is to go wine tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea while my dog is getting groomed. In part, he goes there because they are the only ones who will take him. But my ulterior motive is to get in a couple of wine tastings while I am there – it is really a “two-fer” day! On this particular September afternoon, I had no idea how much dogs would dominate until I walked into De Tierra’s tasting room, where I was warmly greeted by their two dogs – Freya, a large, sweet Doberman and tiny, decked out Annin. They were clearly in charge of customer relations, continually making the rounds of the tables to make sure we had everything we needed!
About De Tierra Vineyards from theirwebsite: “De Tierra Vineyards began in 1998 as an organic grape-growing operation in the Salinas Valley by Tom Russell, an agriculture professional from Phoenix, Arizona. Russell had transitioned the majority of his conventional row crop vegetable operation to organic in the early 1990’s, and had great success in the California market. Russell was passionate about wine and farming, and wanted to explore the benefits of organic farming with wine grapes. Russell teamed up with friend and winemaker of Vignalta Italy, Lucio Gomiero, and planned to develop an organic vineyard in the Corral de Tierra Valley. The site was selected, a south-west facing, 40-acre farm, just 15 miles from the Salinas Valley. Through this partnership, De Tierra Vineyards was born…
“Today, De Tierra is owned by Dan McDonnal and Alix Lynn Bosch. De Tierra creates delicious award winning and hand harvested wines to share from the unique terroir of Monterey County. De Tierra, as the name suggests, focuses on providing the best representation “of the land”. Great wines begin in the vineyard, and it is their goal to translate the defining flavors of the terroir into great wine. Dan and Alix continue De Tierra’s commitment to producing superior quality boutique wines.
“De Tierra Produces 9 varietals; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Sangiovese, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc as well as 3 Red Blends. All of their wines are made with grapes from high quality vineyards in Monterey County and beyond. De Tierra’s mission is to make hand crafted, premium wines with the best fruit California has to offer…”
Today I am presenting 6 De Tierra wines, including the cleverly named “Frannin” (Freya + Annin) white and red blends. The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.
2019 De Tierra Frannin White Blend, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $35 (#490*)65% Chardonnay from the Russell Vineyard, 35% Sauvignon Blanc from the Zabala Vineyard.
Winery Notes: Aged in stainless steel for 7 months with partial malolactic fermentation.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Pale gold with a shimmer of bright green. Nose offers hints of refreshing, mello guava and bright orange citrus…Bright citrus start transferring to mango and lychee nuts with notes of tart green apple. This wine finishes with perfectly balanced viscosity and acidity.”
My Review: Floral and honey bouquet. Honey and like on the palate with lovely acidity. Good minerality. Citrus finish. September 2021
2019 De Tierra Russell Vineyard Rosé, Monterey AVA, 13.2?% ABV, $29 (#491*)
Winery Notes: 100% Merlot, 100% stainless steel
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS: Intense garnet in color with notes of midnight grapes and blackberry with subtle tones of soft leather, almond and dark chocolate.
ON THE PALATE: Juicy dark berries and stone fruit with hints of molasses and warm black vanilla bean. This wine’s soft and mild dry finish produces a perfect balance.”
My Review: Salmon in the glass. Freshness and vanilla on the nose. Smooth on the palate. Acidity on the finish with citrus notes. September 2021
2017 De Tierra Puzzler Red Blend, Monterey AVA, 14.2% ABV, $39 (#492*) 76% Merlot, 7.5% each Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah, 1.5% Cabernet Franc
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Garnet in color. Nose offers notes of rich earth, plum, fresh fig with a hint of spice. ON THE PALATE Plush tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of plum and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a long tobacco finish.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Plum, blackberry, and coffee on the nose. Cherry and plum on the palate with tobacco on the finish. I liked this wine. September 2021
2016 De Tierra Frannin Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, 13.8?% ABV, $39 (#493*) 1/3 each: Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Deep plum in color. Nose offers notes of ripe fruit, plum, dark cherry and a hint of smokiness. ON THE PALATE: Soft tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of dark cherry and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a citrus zest finish.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass, rich dark berries and spices on the nose. Dark fruit with a peppery finish. September 2021
2017 De Tierra Russell Estate Merlot, Monterey AVA, 13.9% ABV, $39 (#494*)
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Intense garnet in color with notes of midnight grapes and blackberry with subtle tones of soft leather, almond and dark chocolate. ON THE PALATE Juicy dark berries and stone fruit with hints of molasses and warm black vanilla bean. This wine’s soft and mild dry finish produces a perfect balance.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Cherry on the nose. Very smooth on the palate with plum, cherry, blueberry and blackberry flavors. A touch of leather on the finish. September 2021
2016 De Tierra Syrah, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $49 (#495*) Best Red of Monterey County, 95 points, 2019 International Wine & Spirits Competition Platinum Award, Sommelier Challenge
Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Deep plum in color. Nose offers notes of ripe fruit, plum, dark cherry and a hint of smokiness. ON THE PALATE Soft tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of dark cherry and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a citrus zest finish.”
My Review: Dark berries and cherry with a touch of cedar on the nose. Palate reflects the nose with a touch of leather on the finish. September 2021
You can buy De Tierra wines on their website or at their tasting room on Mission 3SE of 5th, Carmel-by-the-Sea, daily on a first come, first served basis.
*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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