Tagged: 2019

Impressive Corral Lineup for the Monterey AWS WinedUP Friday!

 Back in May, I received a call from Phil Arnold, the Vice Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society. He expressed I could be helpful to their WinedUP Friday wine tasting events because I know so much about our local wineries. The first one I organized was at Parsonage, which I wrote about here: .  The next one was at Corral, which I negotiated for 1 September, the Friday of Labor Day Weekend! I previously wrote about Corral here: https://decantingmonterey.com/come-say-hello-at-corral-wines-new-tasting-room/.

From the Corral Wine Co website: “Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards. In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast. We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”

Happy Birthday, Jessica!

Corral Wine Tasting Room, which only opened in January 2022, has a very cool and relaxing vibe. Jessica Gatton, their awesome tasting room manager, and I were expecting quite a crowd and I wanted the members to be able to taste all the wines.  We weren’t really sure how it would go, as people arrived at different times, so no one was on the same wine at the same time.  And it was Jessica’s birthday – she had plans immediately after the event. On the verge of chaos, Corral reinforcements arrived, including their co-owners Skip and Dani Wilcox and co-owner/winemaker, Adrien Valenzuela.  The Corral staff all chipped in to pour the wines and the AWS group was very happy. The wine was greatly enjoyed and many purchases wrapped up the evening. Thank you, Jessica, Adrien, Skip, and Dani, for all your hard work, making this an exceptional event! 

As soon as Jacqueline Van Nes, Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the AWS, realized we had the winemaker in the house, she inquired if he would speak to us. Adrien readily agreed! We were thrilled that he was willing to address our group – an unplanned and very welcomed action. 

Corral Winemaker Adrien Valenzuela with Monterey AWS Chapter Chair Jacqueline Van Nes

Adrien shared with us his wine background and training.  A local from Salinas, he said he had left the area and had not planned to come back. He is written up as one of four up-and-coming winemakers in this September 5, 2019 Monterey Weekly article: Four young Monterey County winemakers talk about launching new labels in a time of uncertainty. Here is a quote from the article: “The career paths taken by Monterey County’s winemakers are not always predictable. Adrien Valenzuela studied biology and expected a career in nursing to follow – that is, until he did an internship at Estancia. He is now a winemaker for Constellation Brands in Gonzales, which owns almost 30 different labels, including Estancia and Robert Mondavi.” And now with Corral Wine Co.

He also shared the Corral story and trajectory. Their first vintage was in 2018, with a mere 500 cases, with fruit sourced from Monterey, Paso Robles, and Gilroy.  This past year, that number reached 1400 cases and now they are expecting 2600!  Nice!  While some of what they produce comes from Bell Ranch in the Carmel Valley, they have been fortunate to obtain fruit from some notable Monterey County vineyards (Zabala in Arroyo Seco, KW Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and Massa in Carmel Valley). And they are expanding their acquisition of fruit from specific areas of Paso Robles, as well as from the Enz Vineyard in San Benito County. 

Phil Arnold got up to say a few words about the Monterey Chapter of AWS, a young chapter that started in January 2020, right before the pandemic. It is a great group of people interested in learning more about wine.  In addition to the first Friday WinedUP events, they host an annual BBQ, wine judging and other events. If you are interested, you can join them by becoming a member of the national AWS here:  https://americanwinesociety.org/.  The AWS is “America’s largest community of wine explorers”! Then you can join the Monterey Chapter. Membership is quite affordable and they are a non-pretentious and friendly social group. 

Today, I am presenting 8 Corral wines from the AWS tasting event, 2 of which have been presented here before, with expanded tasting notes. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. You can read more details about some of these wines on their webpage here. 

2019 Corral Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, $28 (#604)

Winery Notes: “Bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit, such as guava and grapefruit dominate along with some fresh cut hay, lemon blossom, wet stone and racing acidity.”

My Review:  Very light, pretty in the glass. Grapefruit, guava and grilled pineapple on the nose. Yummy palate of lychee, mango, papaya, sweet grapefruit and hay, with some minerality on the finish. Love Zabala VIneyard and find this to be a very attractive and sophisticated wine.  I’d like to feature this wine in a future class! March/September 2022

2020 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, $26 (#605)

Winery Notes: “Bright and fresh aromas of strawberry and orange blossom, with nice, bright acidity.”

My Review: Dusty rose (“ballet slipper pink”) in color.  Sweet bouquet of white peach, with a light palate of white peach and honey and a touch of smoke on the finish.  This is a 2020 rose (fire year), afterall. A classic pool wine. Only red wine they made from 2020. March/September 2022

2021 Corral “Pancho’s Chard” Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.1% ABV, $36 (#839)

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Winery Notes: “Crisp & refreshing acidity, with aromas of citrus and honeysuckle.”

My Review:   Light in color, with the scent of “Melon de Bourgogne” and lemon on the nose. A bit of a wine spritzer look and taste in the glass. Fairly lemony palate – “like a lemon bar! This is such a new release that they don’t even have the labels yet! September 2022

2019 Corral Pinot Noir,  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $52 (#840)

Winery Notes: “Composed of two different clones from two vineyards in the heart of The Santa Lucia Highlands, this Pinot Noir shows off a lighter body, bright, red fruit and earthiness.” From the Highlands Ranch & KW Ranch Vineyards.

My Review: Transparent dark ruby in the glass.  Perfume on the nose.  Palate laden with alcohol.  This wine seems young and not ready for release – might need to open up more or settle down. September 2022

2019 Corral KW Ranch Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $58 (#841)

Winery Notes: “Rich flavors of cherry, plum, and nutmeg. Elegant and lasting finish.”

My Review: Inky ruby in the glass.  Smells like dark fruit, almost raisiny.  Very bold on the palate – big and smooth.  I’m not a Pinot Noir lover, but I truly like this wine! As with the 2018, I would not have guessed this was a Pinot Noir if I were doing a blind tasting.  This is one of my favorite wines from today’s tasting. We thought we had this wine at home, but it was the previous vintage, so I will have to rectify that! September 2022

2019 Corral Enz Vineyard Old Vines Zinfandel, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 14.8% ABV, $48 (#842)

Winery Notes:  “Light-medium body, old vine Zinfandel. Red fruit and spices.”

My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in the glass.  Nose of dark fruits, pepper and violets.  Very jammy, mocha (cocoa powder), with some licorice on the finish. I’m a long-time Zinfandel fan and took one home! On a previous visit, Larry Bell played mystery wine with this wine with me – while I suspected Zinfandel, I didn’t think he was making one.  And he did – and it is good! September2022

2019 Corral “See What You Can Do” Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $62 (#843)

Winery Notes: “50/50 Cabernet & Syrah blend with notes of cranberry, pine needles, and all spice.” 50% Cabernet from Massa Estate, Cachagua (Carmel Valley AVA); 50% Syrah from Zabala Vineyard (Arroyo Seco AVA) 75 cases produced.

My Review:  Inky in the glass.  Mocha, plum, dark berries and vanilla on the nose.  Palate of sharp berries and spearmint with vanilla and anise on the finish.  This wine is very young for all this big fruit from some of the best vineyards in our area. Recommend cellaring for a year or more – if you can resist!  One of our favorite Corral wines. September 2022

22019 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 14.5% ABV, $52 (#844)

Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit: blackberries, blueberries tobacco, black pepper, and toasted baking spices. Rich in flavor, full bodied with a long finish.”

My Review:  Beautiful dark ruby in the glass.  Smoke and alcohol on the nose – not a ton of fruit.  Palate is smooth and rich with dark berry flavors and yummy.  This is my favorite, current Corral wine – we keep buying more because we keep opening it at home! September 2022

We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA!  Hours are Sunday, Monday and Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm; Friday and Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00ish pm; and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. They have two tastings:  The Cellar Rats (referring to Larry and Skip) ($20 for 4 wines) and The Maker (referring to their winemaker, Adrien) ($25 for 6 wines). 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Wrapping Up our “Sideways” Tour with Beckmen Vineyards!

This is the final post in my “Sideways” tour in Los Olivos.  I wanted to visit a couple of tasting rooms at their wineries for the true Ballard Canyon experience, but our time was extremely limited. And we had to drive to Buellton (yes, Buellton!) to spend the night. Luckily, Beckmen was kind of on the way! We drove from downtown Los Olivos along back roads and a long driveway to beautiful Beckmen Vineyards and their tasting room. I was grateful to them for being flexible on our arrival time (I probably changed it 3 times!).  We felt like total tourists, bumbling around the property trying to find the entrance to the tasting room. 

The tasting room has such a picturesque setting – with the outdoor seating area overlooking a pond. By the time we got there, it was extremely hot outside. We decided to taste indoors in the air conditioning, rather than outside, enjoying the view.  We were met by Tasting Room Associate Dannika, who was extremely knowledgeable about all the wines, the owner, and the history. She was very engaging and professional. I’d love to go back on a not-so-hot day and enjoy more of their wines – and the view from the deck. 

About Beckmen: “Beckmen Vineyards began after Tom and Judy Beckmen left their innovative electronic music company Roland Corp, US to become pioneers of California wine. With youngest son Steve as Winemaker, and oldest son Jeff joining as Director of Sales later on, Beckmen Vineyards is a family owned and operated winery. Since 1994, we’ve established ourselves as a benchmark Santa Barbara County grower and producer. Our consistent quality vintage after vintage keeps us a favorite of critics, tastemakers, and collectors. Our wines have filled the cellars and tables of the country’s finest restaurants and houses (including the White House).

“Beckmen wines are crafted almost exclusively from our two vineyards, the Thomas and Judith Beckmen Estate Vineyard in Los Olivos District AVA and Purisima Mountain Vineyard in Ballard Canyon AVA. Farming over 150 acres of vines, we view every vintage as another opportunity to grow our legacy as a world-class winery by creating wines that future generations will enjoy. Currently, we’re proud to be hosting wine lovers seven days a week, providing unforgettable experiences at our beautiful winery and tasting room in the Santa Ynez Valley.”

I learned some notable things about the Beckmens, part of the original Rhône Rangers. Dannika shared that the Beckmens were the first to make a Rosé and the first to bottle Grenache as a single varietal in Santa Barbara County, paving the way for many others who have followed. You can read more about the Beckmens in this Forbes article from 2019.

We recently received a newsletter from Steve Beckmen in honor of International Grenache Day. He was offering a special on 3 of his highly rated Grenache bottlings and said this:

“…For many vintages, our Block Eight Grenache was one of the most intense and exotic Grenache wines that we produced. That is not surprising given the smaller berries and clusters that this old head trained block produces. Sadly, the 2019 Block Eight Grenache might be one of the last bottlings of this wine as intense heat and drought have had an effect on these vines. If you’re a fan of Block Eight, you’ll want to take advantage of this opportunity.
 
“The 2020 Grenache Libre is the first vintage of this wine, produced from a new head trained block of Grenache combined with fruit from Block Eight with 35% whole cluster. In his 94 point rating, Jeb Dunnuck described the wine as having ” Châteauneuf-like notes of ripe red and black fruits, dried herbs, graphite, and loamy earth all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, fine yet present tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. 
 
“The Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache has been a fixture in our portfolio since the beginning. 2020 also garnered 94 points from Dunnuck. It’s a truly great vintage that he describes as “wonderfully balanced, with ripe, sweet tannins and the rare quality of Grenache that brings richness yet with no sensation of weight or heaviness…”

I also want to share this quote about why the Ballard Canyon AVA is so special for Syrah from a 2014 interview with Steve Beckmen in The Wine Write: “Ballard Canyon is a special place, and we’re extremely excited about the AVA designation.  We really enjoy working with the great group of producers and growers in Ballard Canyon.  We all believe that having California’s first dedicated Rhone (Syrah) focused AVA will help in the promotions of our wines.  Some of the most respected wineries and vineyards in Santa Ynez are within our Ballard Canyon group.  We have a few newly released wines with the new AVA on the label, and one of our new Syrahs uses the new Ballard Canyon bottle…response to those has been really positive.”

They also have a line of natural wines – 1NGREDIENT – which are single ingredient and aged in clay pots.  The only other place I have experienced this in the U.S. is with Wrath’s Falanghina.

I don’t want to leave our “Sideways” tour without mentioning our dinner at The Hitching Post 2. The menu was as expected, heavy on the steaks. Two of us meat eaters enjoyed delicious steaks (I have the smallest filet mignon) with all the fixings. It was quite a delicious meal. My steak was prepared perfectly. I would definitely eat there again. The restaurant is run quite efficiently and it was packed, which I found a bit surprising for a weeknight. We stopped to check out the bar on our way in and out, just to refresh movie scenes in our minds. 

Today I am presenting 7 Beckmen Vineyards wines. Winery notes come from their website, unless otherwise noted.

I’ll also add an 8th wine from dinner here – The Hitching Post Syrah (#835). I am not sure of the vintage or even that it was “BIG CIRCLE”. It might be fun to do a tasting of Hitching Post wines on a future visit. According to the winery’s website, “”BIG CIRCLE” is our Santa Barbara Syrah that features the fruitiness and acidity of our cool climate, combined with the body and broad flavors brought on by warm days during the ripening season, creating a full bodied and lively wine.” While our food at The Hitching Post 2 was out of this world, the house Syrah just could not compare to all the great wines we tasted all day. I don’t think I could even finish it – and that is all I will say. I’m sure they make some good ones – that glass just wasn’t it. 

2021 Beckmen Vineyards Purisma Mountain Vineyard Grenache Rosé, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 13.4% ABV, $29 (#828)

Winery Notes: “Bright lifted aromas and flavors of watermelon, cranberry, strawberry and citrus highlight the 2021 PMV Grenache Rosé. The cooler vintage provided great acidity that carries the impressive flavors on the very long finish. Our trademark creamy texture and the wines’ impeccable balance make this an epic vintage of our Rosé. Drink this now and over the next 2-3 years. Crafted from 100% certified biodynamic grapes.”

My Review: Brownish rose in the glass. A perfumed nose of gardenia and watermelon. Crisp, cold, refreshing.  An excellent rosé. Very enjoyable. August 2022

2020 Beckmen Vineyards Purisma Mountain Vineyard Viognier, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#829)

Winery Notes: “One of our favorite vintages ever for this wine, the 2020 is fantastic and everything we expect out of our Viognier. Outgoing aromas of apricot, honeysuckle, jasmine, white flowers, and a touch of white pepper show the full array of Viognier aromatics. The mouth balances richness and elegance, creaminess with a touch of acid, showing how truly great our Viognier can be. The flavors glide over the palate with stone fruits, apricot, white flower, and a mineral note that finishes incredibly long.

We cannot express how excited we are to release the 2020 PMV Viognier! It should continue to drink beautifully for the next 5-7 years or more. Crafted from 100% certified biodynamic viognier.”

My Review: Light golden in color. Nice perfume on the nose. A very tasty palate of honeysuckle and citrus.  Crisp and delicious. August 2022

2019 Beckmen Vineyards Estate Block Eight Grenache, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 15.2% ABV, $65 (#830)

Winery Notes: “There is always an exotic side to the Block 8 Grenache that separates it from our other bottlings. It is one of our most intense Grenache wines we produce, which is not surprising based on the smaller berries and clusters that this old, head trained, own rooted vineyard delivers. Complex aromas of candied orange, violets, white pepper, and red fruits are lifted and expressive. The mouth shows its usual richness and structure with red and black fruits, dried flowers, and spices that are deep and concentrated. A terrific vintage of Block 8 Grenache that should age for the next 12-15 years or more.” See the box above for more info – now is the time to snap this wine up!

My Review: Transparent ruby in the glass. ripe and bright due to the long growing season. Heavier than most Grenache. Pretty darn delicious. A cut above most Central Coast Grenache wines.  As it should be since Steve Beckmen was the first to bottle it as a single varietal. August 2022

2019 Beckmen Vineyards Purisma Mountain Vineyard Block Six Syrah, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14.8% ABV, $75 (#831)

Winery Notes: “Block Six was the first section of Purisima Mountain Vineyard to be farmed biodynamically starting in 2002 and is the highest elevation block in the vineyard featuring significant deposits of chalky limestone. These factors contribute to a wine that has consistently been our finest Syrah bottling.

“Classic Block Six Syrah aromas of game, pepper, blackberry, chocolate, and mineral highlight the 2019 vintage. Another stellar year for this wine, the palate is packed with more spice, dark fruits, chocolate, and plum with amazing texture, fine tannins, and balanced acidity. Delicious as usual, the 2019 should age beautifully for the next 25-30 years. Crafted from 100% certified biodynamic grapes.” Vinous – 93 points

My Review: By now, it is getting late in our day. Rich berry and smooth – one of the top Syrahs I have tasted today. Very elegant and impressive. I took one home! August 2022

2019 Beckmen Vineyards Purisma Mountain Vineyard Syrah, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, $39 (#832)

Winery Notes: “The cool 2019 growing season produced a very savory vintage of PMV Syrah. Cured meats, game, roasted earth, pepper, blackberry, and coco highlight the aromas of the 2019. Elegant and rounded on the palate (reminiscent of the very successful 2015 vintage), the mouth shows off sweet black fruits, dark chocolate, game, mocha, and pepper with fine tannins that carry the flavor through the very long, savory finish. A bit young and tight upon release, the 2019 should be decanted or aged for the short term and will age beautifully for the next 15-18 years or longer. Crafted from 100% certified biodynamic syrah grapes.” Vinous – 94 points

My Review: This Syrah was good, but, to my overused palate, at first it tasted more like a Côte-Rôtie-style Syrah co-fermented with a touch of Viognier. Palate of berries and a touch of ash with a tart finish. It really isn’t fair to taste this at the end of a day of tasting and side by side with the Block Six. I’ll have to do a retaste of this 94-point wine. August 2022

2020 Beckmen Vineyards 1NGREDIENT Sauvignon Blanc, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, $50 (#833)

Winery Notes: “A natural wine, fermented and aged on the skins for 10 months in amphora, then hand bottled and hand labelled. Learn more about this wine and our natural 1NGREDIENT label.

Big and intense upon opening with candied lemon, mineral and citrus aromas, this thought-provoking wine fills the mouth with citrus fruits and saline flavors. The extended skin contact brings youthful tannins and juicy acidity that provide the wine with ample structure creating an edgy mouthfeel which supports the intense flavors. The wine opens up with some air or decanting to show citrus fruits, saline, green apple, and Asian pear flavors and aromas with a broad more rounded mouthfeel as the tannins integrate into the wine. The wine’s amazing acidity carries the flavors on the long, complex finish. Surprisingly full and rich for its moderate alcohol, the 2020 1NGREDIENT Sauvignon Blanc is a step up in quality from the successful inaugural release from the 2018 vintage. It should evolve beautifully for the next decade or more. Crafted from 100% certified biodynamic grapes.”

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Only one ingredient—Sauvignon Blanc grapes—went into this 63-case bottling, which was aged in clay pots. The intriguing result is a slightly cloudy, yellow wine, loaded with preserved Meyer lemon, crushed clay and baked orange aromas on the nose. The palate shows melon and nectarine as well as tangerine and grapefruit pith flavors. Unique.” Matt Kettmann 9/2022

My Review: Cloudy in the glass with a kind of yeasty weirdness.  I admire a winery that plays with clay pot fermentation and aging.  Would have been fun to try the others.  Another time! August 2022

2019 Beckmen Vineyards SYV Cabernet Sauvignon, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, $39 (#834)

Winery Notes: “It is always tough to follow a great vintage, but the 2019 SYV Cabernet Sauvignon is a great follow up to the outstanding 2018 vintage. More focused on our estate fruit from the Thomas and Judith Beckmen Vineyard, the 2019 shows classic aromas and flavors of cherry, black currant, vanilla, tobacco, and earth. The mouthfeel is smooth, round, and elegant, with great acidity from the cooler vintage in 2019 that carries the fruit on the very long finish. Approachable and ready to drink now, the wine will age wonderfully over the next 12-15 years.” Vinous – 93 points

My Review: With a splash of Merlot, this wine was spicy and juicy. Dark plum and cassis on the finish. A very nice wine to finish our day of wine tasting! August 2022

Come Visit Us at the Winery: I highly recommend adding Beckmen Vineyards to your Los Olivos wine tasting adventure if you want to drive a tiny bit out of town. “Enjoy a flight of six pre­mier wines or pic­nic at one of our gaze­bos over­look­ing our pond.” 2670 Ontiveros Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441  Open dai­ly from 11am — 5pm, reser­va­tions recommended.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Stolpman Delivers a World Class Experience: “Sideways” Part 3!

This is the third installment of our August “Sideways” trip to Los Olivos in search of Ballard Canyon AVA Syrahs. But, before we start on the wines, I want to take a moment to highlight our lunch experience at the Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café!  My friend was being driven from Pasadena to Los Olivos for our little “Sideways” adventure. We decided to limit ourselves to 2 tastings after lunch, instead of pushing ourselves to 3. This was a smart decision, as we were able to enjoy our experiences and not feel rushed, including our lunch!

The menu at Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café offers a great variety of options.  My friends split a pizza, while I enjoyed a California turkey sandwich on perfectly toasted bread.  Since they just arrived, they enjoyed a glass of something. I had already been to 2 wineries and stuck with an iced tea. We sat outside and had such a relaxing meal. I did venture inside and got a peek at the wines for sale.  I must say it is an impressive lineup from high-end Domaine de la Romanée-Conti to local wines. We then strolled over to Stolpman to begin our tasting.

If you can only stop at one place to taste wines in Los Olivos, I’d definitely stop here! We were given a large, shaded outdoor table and were greeted by Kim. The tasting menu was fixed, which at first disappointed me. However, more wines kept coming, so we ended up very satisfied with our tasting.  While I was disappointed that I couldn’t try the Hilltops Syrah, I did buy a bottle to try a home. It was a lot of reds in the end, and I was very satisfied with the professional presentation. And they recognized my industry status and generously comped us our tasting! I’d say it was the ultimate tasting experience.

Our presenter Kim was amazing – she had a wealth of knowledge about the winery and the wines, highlighting how it keeps its staff all year long and that they are treated like family, as opposed to hiring temporary crews just for harvest and other tasks. See the write-ups for the Para Maria and La Cuadrilla wines below. 

About Stolpman: Over 20 years ago, our Founding Partner, Tom Stolpman, discovered what we believe to be one of the greatest viticultural sites on earth. Hidden in the hills of California’s Central Coast, on a rare Limestone outcropping & unobstructed from the Pacific Ocean wind, this unique land is naturally suited to grow Syrah and Roussanne grapes. We are committed to preserving this natural environment for our vines through conscious farming, dry farming, & sustainable employment. In the winery, we prefer native fermentation & minimal manipulation.

“Dedicated to sensible farming & winemaking, we believe that we can create vibrant, site-specific wines, with a focus unique to Ballard Canyon AVA, California.”

Stolpman also partners with their vignerons, Ruben and Maria Solorzno, to create the Para Maria wines.  “Ruben cherry picks the fruit for red and rose wines from the dozens of Santa Barbara County vineyards under his farming control.” In addition: “Stolpman Vineyards employs its dedicated, passionate vineyard workers year-round.  In an effort to provide further stability to their families, the crew “La Cuadrilla” receives the profits of their wine.”

Today I am reviewing 9 Stolpman wines – the 8 we tried during our formal tasting plus another one I found while visiting my daughter in DC. Searching for a good wine at Cairo Wine & Liquor, I immediately recognized the owl logo of Para Maria de las tecolotes.  The wine was was rated 94 points and was on sale! Winery notes come from their webpage above, where you can also purchase their wines.

2021 Stolpman Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 12.5% ABV, $22 (#819)   

Winery Notes: “Super sunny lemons and white flowers with an alluring tropical note below.  Pear and Nectarine weave into the profile through the mid-palate and give way to an airy, effortless finish.  The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc’s fruit profile and body dance on a tight rope through the crisp crunch and linger on through the sunset.”

My Review: Very light in the glass, barely even pale straw. Subtle tropical notes and grilled pineapple on the nose. Refreshing palate of bright citrus and lime twist on the finish. August 2022    

2019 Stolpman Vineyards Roussanne, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 13.5% ABV, $30 (#820)                  

Winery Notes: “Aromas of Asian pear and honeysuckle sprinkled with citrus tell the tale of a rich, indulgent Roussanne ready to coat the palette in full-bodied splendor.  On the nose, one can almost smell the rich texture and the mouthfeel doesn’t disappoint.  While opulence carries the day, complimentary notes of lychee, lemongrass, and jasmine bring a more delicate prettiness.  Aromas of white flower give further lift while golden hay – the only evidence of toasty oak barrels – brings the wine to a long, luxurious finish.”

My Review: Deep golden in the glass. Rich aroma akin to chicken soup with a touch of yeast. Sweet honey and caramel on the palate with vanilla bean on the finish. My friends really liked this wine. August 2022

2021 Para Maria de las tecolotes Rosé, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 12.5% ABV, $21 (#821) Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre

Winery Notes: “Dense strawberry and melon fruit dives deep into a sunburst blast of energy on both the nose and pallet.  Fresh herb and wet stone compliment the beaming red fruit finished up with a spritz of lemon.  Taut, high-toned, and bone-dry, yet carrying texture and fruit from the front of the palate through the finish.”

My Review: Dusty rose in color. Sweet watermelon and licorice on the nose. Dry palate with watermelon flavors – a great pool wine. August 2022                                                                            

2019 Para Maria de las tecolotes, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14.1% ABV, $22 (#822) 80% Syrah, 20% Petit Verdot      

Winery Notes: “Taut blue and red plums spin seamlessly into high-toned, fiery red brightness. A winning combination of freshness and ripe depth.”

Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “This affordable blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Petit Verdot always impresses. Expertly captured aromas of berry juice, pepper and thyme are savory yet soft on the nose. The palate is tense in structure but ripe in fleshy dark-red-fruit flavors, all elevated by touches of cracked pepper and lavender.” Matt Kettmann, 3/2021

My Review: Dark and purple in the glass. Deep berry on the nose. Smooth berries with a tannin kick on the palate. Dark cherry on the finish. Yum. Matt Kettmann was right on this one! August 2022                                                                                   

2021 Stolpman Vineyards La Cuadrilla, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14% ABV, $24 (#823) 75% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 10% Sangiovese               

Winery Notes: “2021 Cuadrilla opens up with dark ripe plum highlighted with bright fresh red berries.  Deep and supple with fine chalky tannins already married with a smooth, polished texture.  An alluring otherness of wet stones, mint, and mocha prevail from the nose through the mouth captivating the senses beyond just the magnificently pleasurable profile.”

My Review: Ruby in color. Red and black berries on the nose. Grenache dominates the palate. August 2022                                                                    

2019 Stolpman Vineyards Sangiovese, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County,14.5% ABV,  $36 (#824)                 

Winery Notes: “The seamless, uber-aromatic 2019 sings a beautifully lifted “spirit note”.   Misty wild red fruit streaks over woody forest and then washes over malt and fine chalky tannins.  The wine is a journey, from the high-tone red fruit, to the forest depth, integrated tannin, and then yet another layer of deeper, riper red fruit.  The most refined and compelling Sangiovese we’ve turned out over the past 20 years.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass. Dark, smooth berries on the nose. Rich palate of red and dark fruits. I liked this wine. August 2022

2020 Stolpman Vineyards Estate Syrah, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14% ABV,    $32 (#825)     

Winery Notes: “In the glass, the 2020 Estate Grown Syrah possesses a deep black center with a bright red rim.  On the nose, boysenberry fruit sits above black olives.  Fine tannin melded into the smooth flesh carries into the finish already married with bright red acidity.   Just a hint of Syrah wildness adds nuance to the beautiful opaque wall of fruit.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Delicious berries on the palate, fruity and smooth. A little taste of Sweetarts on the finish. This was a tasty wine.  Would be great with Friday night burgers or pizza. August 2022

2020 Stolpman Vineyards Angeli Syrah, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14.1% ABV, $72 (#826)      

Winery Notes: “Booming red fruit intensity sounds the alarm for a rogue wave of coating, decadent, luxurious texture overwhelming the brain’s pleasure center.  Even in its youth, the wine has no rough edge to soften although there is still an energetic tangerine zip on the finish in its youth. An absolute all-star, gorgeous Angeli bottling, making Mama Angeli proud!”

My Review: Very inky in the glass. Intense berries, rich and smooth on the palate.  A tannic, slightly sour finish. This is a high-end Syrah – cellar this one a bit and try again. August 2022

2019 Stolpman Vineyards Hair of the Bear Red Wine, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14.3% ABV, $65 (#827) 75% Petite Syrah, 25% Rousanne

Winery Notes: “Inky purple in the glass and with a nose that pierces into pure hedonism.  Thick and ripe but well-structured and youthful.  The purple-blue-black fruit purity will evolve and continue to gain even more flesh to reach new heights in 2-3 years (2023-2025).  As one of our biggest, richest cuvees, Hair of the Bear delivers the refined 2019 vintage in its own expression, rewarding with its largess – yet finely balanced and age-worthy. With an hour of air, hints of mint and basil begin to build onto the thick-cut fruit showing nods of sophistication to this Wild West cowboy wine.”

My Review: Deep ruby in color. Ham, berries and spice on the nose. Intense berries and tannin on the palate, with notes of Sweetarts on the finish. August 2022                               

Visit: You can taste Stolpman wines at their tasting room in the center of Los Olivos: 2434 Alamo Pintado Avenue. You can make a reservation on-line on their website or give them a call at 1-805-688-0400.  I reserved on-line and it was very easy! We sat on a picnic bench in the shade and were quite comfortable despite the warm day. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Tensley: The Ultimate Los Olivos Syrah Tasting: “Sideways” Part 2!

Today we are continuing our Sideways tour with Stop Number 2 – Tensley. I previously posted about a Tensley Syrah we purchased through K&L Wine Merchants which I reviewed here: https://decantingmonterey.com/santa-barbaras-tensley-get-out-of-the-way-and-let-the-vineyard-speak-for-itself/. I was very excited to stop in for a Syrah tasting and had just enough time to enjoy Tensley before my friends arrived.  Since they were white wine fans, I felt I should get this almost pure Syrah tasting out of the way! 

My experience in the tasting room was exactly what I needed – Sabrina understood my mission and didn’t try to distract me with other wines. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient.  I was able to try (and buy 😊) all the Syrahs, store the wine in my car, and get to Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café for lunch with my friends with 5 minutes to spare!

At Tensley, it is all about the Syrah, which was the whole point of my little “Sideways” jaunt to Los Olivos. They also grow and bottle Marsanne as a single varietal, which is pretty rare to find. And I got to try one Joey Tensley wine, as well, their more entry-level line of wines.

About Tensley Wines: “Established in 1998, the first release of Tensley totaled just 100 cases. In 2015, our production reached 5,000 cases and included five single-vineyard Syrahs, the most in Santa Barbara County. Though we’ve grown in size, our philosophy has never changed – source the best fruit possible and let the vineyard speak for itself…Truly a family owned and operated winery. We look forward to seeing you soon.”

Their website summarizes it in this succinct statement: “Tensley Wines is a family owned and operated winery focusing on vineyard designated Syrah within Santa Barbara County.” Check out my previous post (above) or click here to check out their website for more information.

I have 5 wines to present to you today. Winery notes come from their webpage above, where you can also purchase their wines.

2021 Tensley Laird Vineyard Marsanne, Santa Barbara County, 14% ABV, $32 (#814) 

Winery Notes: “A very rare varietal that only a few wineries produce and this is our second vintage. It was the coolest vintage in over a decade thus resulting in a fresh mineral based version of Marsanne. We did a bit higher percentage barrel fermentation to round out the middle pallet and give weight to the wine. In all I am very excited about this fun white wine. A great that will pair well with so many dishes but the one that excites me the most is raw oysters! Look for saline, minerals, quince, star fruit and a slight nuance of almonds. Hint…. The almond flavor will evolve and show more with bottle age.” 169 cases produced.

My Review: Almost an orange glow in the glass. Apple and honey on the nose and palate. Rarely bottles as a single varietal, this was crisp and appropriately acidic. August 2022   

2021 Tensley Syrah, Santa Barbara County, 14.5% ABV, $32 (#815)                

Winery Notes: “This year’s Santa Barbara county Syrah is truly representative of the Santa Barbara county appellation. This blend brings together the best that Santa Barbara County’s diverse microclimates have to offer. The grapes come from five different vineyards: Zaca Mesa, Nolan, Laird, Thompson and Tensley. These different vineyards come together to produce a wine that is velvety and structured. Look for notes of blackberry and pepper to be balanced by bright, fresh notes of raspberries and juicy plums. This wine has a solid structure and long finish. Drink this blend now or age it up to 7-10 years.” 2100 cases.

My Review: Inky in the glass. Bouquet had a familiar, slightly off-putting aroma – I call it the “Central Coast funk.” Smooth, dark berries on the palate with a kind of yeasty finish. Took one home to cellar for a bit and try again in a few years. August 2022                                                                           

2020 Tensley Syrah, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, 14.5% ABV, $38 (#816)

Winery Notes: “The sandy soils of Steriti give the wine a complex and savory nose with pepper, herbs and a touch of salinity. The well drained vineyards give the wine medium body on color and texture. Then, you take into consideration the cool climate and you have a fresh acidic finish that makes your mouth water leaving you wanting more. The acidity makes this wine one of our favorite food friendly wines. Best to drink this wine in 6-7 years from vintage, but you can enjoy it in its youth as well.” 175 cases.

My Review: You got me on the nose of this one – such a contrast to the previous wine. So much intense berry I can’t believe it is a Syrah! The berry aromas carry over to the palate, reminiscent of a berry-forward Zinfandel more than a Syrah. Took one home! August 2022

2021 Tensley Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah, Santa Barbara County, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#817)                                

Winery Notes: “Coming from one of the coolest vintage in a decade the wine has a serious freshness. With that said the extremely low yields of 1.7 ton per acre the texture is what the wine is all about. When you put your nose in the glass think of cracked pepper, black currant and raspberry with a touch of vanilla on the finish. The finish will last a long time from the high level of acid and tannin. Drink now, but probably best to wait a few years and for those who like aged wines don’t touch for 15-20 years!” 1670 cases.

My Review: Inky, deep ruby/purple in color. Some alcohol on the nose. Intense berries with bubblegum notes on the palate. This is a refined Syrah and continues to be one of my favorite Santa Barbara County Syrahs! I absolutely took one home. August 2022                                       

2019 Joey Tensley Fundamental Red, Central Coast AVA, $18 (#818) Petite Syrah, Syrah, Mourvèdre, 1.3% Viognier  

Winery Notes: “Syrah is the rock of this complex blend, bringing weight and color, but in 2019 Grenache also became a star as we added more than ever before to lift the floral notes in the nose and bring a bright, garnet hue to the color. We once again added Mourvedre to bring an earthy, savory aspect to the dance, and, of course, Viognier to keep exotic notes of honeysuckle and tropical fruits in play. This wine is both intense and light on its feet, offering freshness and lift as well as deep notes of blackberry, currants, bacon, and espresso, At its price point, it can easily out-value any wine in its category. This red blend pairs easily with any dish from fish to red meat. It can be enjoyed now or easily age over the next 8 to 9 years.” 2850 cases. 91 points – Jeb Dunnuck

My Review: Inky in the glass. A distinctive bouquet of dark fruit and Central Coast funk.  Very approachable, if not a touch sweet after tasting all those Syrahs. A great value at $18! August 2022                                         

Visiting Tensley Wines: “The Tensley Tasting Room is located in the scenic town of Los Olivos in the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country.” They are open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 2900 Grand Avenue Suite B, Los Olivos, CA 93441.  Give them a call and let them know you are coming!  (805) 688-6761

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Bien Nacido Estate: First Stop on Our “Sideways” Tour!

I haven’t been outside of Monterey County to do wine tasting in the U.S. since I started Decanting Monterey. Planning a trip to my north San Diego County home town for a reunion, I conjured up a great idea:  Why not stop in Santa Barbara County in search of Ballard Canyon AVA Syrahs on my long drive down?  When I mentioned this to my friend who was also heading south, she said she had just rewatched the movie “Sideways” and thought we should make an adventure out of it.  She arranged for a friend to drive her over so we could make the rest of the trip south in one car. 

I booked us wine tastings in Los Olivos based on reviews of their Syrahs. I was able to do 2 quick Syrah tastings in the morning before I met them for lunch.  After lunch, we did 2 sit-down tastings at places that also served whites (their preference).  We made hotel reservations in Buellton and even ate at 2 restaurants from the “Sideways” movie – the Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café for lunch and The Hitching Post II for dinner.  Great wine, great company and good food. 

Over the next few posts, I will be presenting you the wines we tasted on this quick trip, starting with Bien Nacido Estate.  I have experienced some incredibly fabulous Syrahs made from Bien Nacido Vineyard grapes, so why not taste at the vineyard’s winery!

About Bien Nacido Estate from its website:  “World-Renowned Vineyard, World-Class Estate Wines”

“As the heart and soul of Santa Maria Valley wine country, the iconic Bien Nacido Vineyard is a coveted source of exceptional Burgundian and Rhone grape varieties and elegant estate wine. With the influence of the Pacific, the reliable California sun and incredible viticultural and winemaking teams, our vineyard consistently yields world-class fruit, resulting in a portfolio of highly acclaimed estate and client wines alike.”

“A California Icon in the Heart of the Santa Maria Valley

“One of the oldest cool-climate vineyards in California and home of the world’s most single vineyard designations, Bien Nacido Vineyard has been an acclaimed source of world-glass grapes and estate wine since its founding in 1973 by brothers Stephen and Bob Miller.

“Meaning “Well Born” in Spanish, Bien Nacido was planted on the historic site of the Rancho Tepusquet land grant, a plot of land that was granted to Tomás Olivera in 1837, when California was still a part of Mexico. The Olivera Family’s adobe, built in 1857, still graces the estate today – a majestic sentinel looking after the vines.”

In January 2021, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Bien Nacido Vineyard one of the 10 Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines:

“Located on California’s Central Coast, Bien Nacido dates to 1837. However, it didn’t arrive on many wine lovers’ maps until the Millers, a fifth-generation family of California farmers, purchased it in 1969.

“Their dream was to shepherd a vineyard that rivaled those of the great estates of Europe. Many people believe that dream has been realized.  

“Bien Nacido lies in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County. It’s one of the coolest growing sites in the state due to the ocean influence and transverse (east-west orientation) Santa Ynez mountain range. The vineyard is planted to 900 acres of vines and supplies grapes to many high-end wineries in California.”

I had called ahead to let Bien Nacido know I was coming to taste their Syrahs. Maya, the tasting room presenter, figured out who I was right away. “You must be Sharon!” My trusty notebook was a dead giveaway. I kept this first tasting very short and focused on 3 red wines. Bien Nacido also makes award-winning whites and are worthy of a longer visit. Winery tasting notes come from their website or the tasting sheet, unless otherwise indicated.

2021 Bien Nacido The Bench Red, Santa Maria Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $45 (#811)   50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre

Winery Notes: This is a newer release than posted on the website.  Maya called it a “Netflix and chill” wine.   

My Review: Purple hue. Dark, grape aromas on the nose plus a little something slightly off-putting I call the “Central Coast Funk”. The heavy Syrah component gives it a nice, jammy palate with lots of berry and cherry flavors and a lingering finish. Yummy. I took one of these home with me. August 2022

2019 Bien Nacido Syrah, Santa Maria Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $60 (#812)

Winery Notes: “A classic expression of Bien Nacido offering aromas of fresh violet and white pepper with flavors of blueberry pie on the palate.”

My Review: Dark ruby/purple in the glass. Spice, jam and caramel on the nose. Intense dark fruit, tobacco and spice on the palate – a bit over the top. Would pair well with a rib-eye steak!  A wine to lay down and revisit. August 2022

2018 Bien Nacido The XO Reserve Syrah, Santa Maria Valley AVA, 13% ABV, $100 (#813)

Winery Notes: “Our XO Syrah is crafted exclusively from our famed X Block, the source of cool-climate California’s first Syrah plantings. Named in honor of The Executive Officer (the XO), second in command of a naval ship, this exceptional wine consistently exhibits incredibly concentrated flavors, a deep inky color and distinct elements of espresso, meat and sage. The XO Syrah spends 18 months in 25% new French Oak barrels, resulting in tight-grained tannins. With only select grapes used to harvest this wine, The XO Syrah is consistently one of our most sought-after small-lot wines, with some vintages yielding as few as 44 cases a year…

“Concentrated flavors, deep color and the prestige of coming from cool-climate California’s oldest Syrah vines make it no surprise that this exceptional wine is one of the most coveted produced from Bien Nacido Vineyard.”

Wine Enthusiast – 96 points: “This Syrah expresses leather, tobacco, and smoked meats on the nose. The palate has an unbelievable density with clove and white pepper giving way to brooding tannins and excellent length. The intensity displayed in this wine will unwind in the coming years.”

My Review: Dark ruby/purple in the glass. Spice, jam and caramel on the nose. Intense dark fruit, tobacco and spice on the palate – a bit over the top. Would pair well with a rib-eye steak!  Another wine to lay down and revisit. I was very lucky to be able to taste this members-only wine.  August 2022

Tasting Bien Nacido Wines in Los Olivos: “Our tasting room offers the perfect opportunity to experience the best of Bien Nacido Estate, with a variety of ways to explore our portfolio. Enjoy a tasting flight featuring both Bien Nacido Estate wines and the wines of our sister winery, Solomon Hills Estate. Consider upgrading your tasting experience by pairing your flight with some charcuterie and cheese. Stop in for a glass of our current selections or join some friends for a bottle to share.” Located at 2963 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA 93441.  Make a reservation on their website or call them at 805-318-6640.  They are open Sunday, Monday and Thursday 10-5 and Friday and Saturday 10-6.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Bernardus: Tasty Wines Selected to Represent Monterey County’s Best!

We decided on rather short notice to pop out to the valley in March to hunt for wines for 2 upcoming wine classes.  And at the very last minute, we invited the rest of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod to join us.  We were in a bit of a time crunch, as this was dog grooming day.  We tasted a Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a few Pinot Noirs – and got way behind schedule.  I selected both the Sauvignon Blanc and the Chardonnay as options for my class, with the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc being chosen by Bernardus as the one for the class – previously presented here: https://decantingmonterey.com/decanting-monterey-heads-east-to-spread-the-word/. 

Today’s relatively short post is about the other 3 wines we tasted that day.  We also go to see the cute new “B” label for the Bernardus wines – part of it rebranding as a more approachable wine for all generations. 

This is the attractive new “B” label for the Sauvignon Blanc.
Back label of the Sauvignon Blanc used in my class.

In addition, I wanted to mention that we also recently served the 2010 and 2011 vintages of Bernardus Marinus.  The 2010 is still drinking extremely well and the 2011 was probably the best wine we had over a friends’ reunion weekend. These tastings validate why I continue to be a Marinus member at Bernardus!

The 2010 is still drinking well!
The 2011 is a great example of why we love the Marinus blend!

Winery tasting notes come from their website or the tasting sheet, unless otherwise indicated.

2020 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $30 (808)

Winery Notes: “The Bernardus 2020 Monterey Chardonnay exhibits bright white fruit aromas accented by subtle oak notes. The palate is intense and beautifully focused with vibrant peach and tropical fruit flavors along with spice accents. The long finish is supported by a refreshing acidity. Another superb example of Chardonnay from Monterey County!” Over 14,000 case-equivalents were produced! You can read more here.

My Review: Golden in the glass.  Delicious with a buttery nose and grilled pineapple on the palate. Butter and caramel on the finish.  Two of us really liked this wine.  I find it highly representative of a Monterey County Chardonnay and would like to use it in a future class. March 2022

2018 Bernardus Sierra Mar Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, $70 (809)

Winery Notes (2019 vintage): “Our 2019 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir exhibits aromas of ripe red berries accented with hints of spice. The palate is silky and elegant with flavors of red cherries and berries.” 343 case-equivalents were produced. You can read more about the 2019 vintage here.

My Review: Darker red in color. A richer nose with notes of salami and salt (sea spray). Raspberry with a little smoke on the finish.  Although we aren’t huge Pinot Noir fans, we all liked this wine! March 2022

2019 Bernardus Ingrid Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, Monterey, 14% ABV, $64 (810)

Winery Notes: “Our 2019 Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes spicy, dark red fruit aromas. The wine is very intense and perfectly focused. Flavors are redolent with essences of black cherry, red berries and subtle toasty oak notes. This vintage of Ingrid’s Pinot Noir is beautifully structured allowing for several years of ageing or it can be enjoyed in its youth for its bright fruit flavors.” 313 case-equivalents were produced.  You can read more here.

My Review: Berry on the nose. A lighter palate of red currant, a touch of cranberry, with pepper on the finish. We think we should have tried these two Pinot Noirs in the opposite order. March 2022

Tasting Bernardus Wines: Good news! Their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is now open every day! Finally! Hurray! From their website: “…Reservations recommended. Tasting reservations are available at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00pm for up to 12. Walk ins accepted based on availability.  We offer a flight of 4 two ounce pours of our single vineyard and reserve wines for $20 per flight.  Wine Club tastings are complimentary. We also have cheese and charcuterie for $29 and bottled sparkling italian water for $6.  Please pre-order for groups larger than 6.” You can see more information and book a tasting here or email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call them at 831-298-8021

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Windy Oaks: Les Deux Grands Crus and More Pinot Noir!

We stopped in briefly at the Windy Oaks tasting room in Carmel Valley Village last February where we met knowledgeable Kerry Winslow, Wine Educator for Windy Oaks, who let us sample some pretty incredible Pinot Noirs, including some made from Burgundy clones of distinctive heritage.  We finally got back to the tasting room on a busy Saturday for a full tasting (sorry, Kerry – we should have come in on a weekday but it was a target of opportunity!).  Despite the busy environment, Kerry ensured each table received his full attention and shared his in-depth expertise with each of us, making it a very special tasting for us. Nothing short of perfect. We are self-admittedly not the biggest Pinot Noir fans, but those Burgundy clones are impressive. 

I have previously presented only a single Windy Oaks wine: https://decantingmonterey.com/windy-oaks-estate-premium-wines-grown-in-unique-terroirs/. You can also check out their website here:  https://www.windyoaksestate.com/.

Here’s what Jim Schultze, Founder & Winemaker, says about their wines on their website: “Our goal is to create wines which elegantly reflect their terroir — wines with balance, complexity and harmony. One wine writer described our approach as “extreme minimal intervention” where we try to do as little as possible in the winery to manipulate the grapes. We want our vineyards to speak for themselves!”

Today, I am presenting 8 Windy Oaks wine, most from the July tasting, but also a couple from our brief tasting in February. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors in my recollection of what Kerry told us are solely mine.

February 2022 Tasting Sheet
July 2022 Tasting Sheet

With this posting, we cross the 800 mark for wines I have reviewed during COVID, not all of them within the scope of Decanting Monterey. Wow. Who would have thought a temporary COVID hobby I started to entertain family and friends would turn into this!!

2017 Windy Oaks Old Vines Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.8% ABV, $45 (#800)

Winery Notes: According to Kerry, the Miller Vineyard is located close to the summit.  Also known as the “4-barrel Chardonnay,” 18 months in 25% new oak barrels. This wine received a little lees stirring and rested on the lees.

My Review: Beautiful golden in color. Must and chicken tamale (a very familiar scent) on the nose.  Tropical and buttery, with margarita rim notes on the finish. July 2022 (No buttery, no oak)

2021 Windy Oaks Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, $34 (#801)

Winery Notes: “The brand new Estate Grown Barrel Fermented Rosé of Pinot Noir was picked early to keep freshness and vitality all from etate vines. The grapes were crushed and allowed to soak for about four hours before pressing to used French oak. Matured for close to 8 months this Rosé has depth, loads of flavor and exceptionally elegant mouthfeel.” Only 2 barrels were made.

My Review: Dusty rose in the glass. Watermelon on the palate.  Very tasty with good acidity.  Perhaps a tad sweet. A nice summer patio wine. July 2022

2019 Windy Oaks Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.5% ABV, $45 (#802)

Winery Notes: “The main estate Pinot Noir comes from various parcels and a full selection of clones fermented mainly with native yeasts and partial whole cluster. Then it was aged 18 months in French oak with 35% new barrels used, then bottled unfiltered. 350 cases made.”

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “Lovely fruit concentration and vibrant energy that showcases the harmony of the vintage and the vineyards. Medium full palate of luxurious red fruits, racy acidity and elegant French oak nuances. Expressive layers of black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and tangy plum fruits that rush at you in the mouth with a hint of rose petals on the nose, that fades nicely into a slight spicy and toasty note while lingering on the finish with an opulent creamy/satiny feel.”

My Review: Transluscent pale ruby in the glass. A light nose of cherry and black tea, carrying over to the palate.  Easy to drink.  A little sweet with a slightly bitter finish. July 2022

2018 Windy Oaks Les Deux Grands Crus Special Release Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.7% ABV, $105 (#803)

Winery Notes: Only 2 barrels were made of this wine from grapes grown from two well-known and respected Burgundy vineyards.

My Review:   Transparent ruby in color. Light cherry on the nose, but a richer palate of cherry and wood. Earthy and elegant. This is a lovely wine and my favorite of the tasting.  Even I really like this Pinot Noir! February & July 2022

2019 Windy Oaks Limited Release – Wood Tank Fermented Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.6% ABV, $64 (#804)

Winery Notes: “The Wood Tank Pinot was fermented in our French oak open top wood (tank) fermenter that adds dimension and textural richness. This vintage was aged close to 24 months in French oak barrels.”

My Review: A nice, translucent ruby. Cherry and black tea on the nose.  Rich cherry on the palate leading into a darker finish. While flavors are very typical of a California Pinot Noir, this wine is very elegant and smooth. July 2022

2019 Windy Oaks Proprietors Reserve Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, $65 (#805)

Winery Notes: “Top top barrel selection of the vintage, coming from our old estate vines. Always beautifully structured this new release Reserve was aged close to 24 months in French oak barrels with a selection of close to 50% new wood and bottled unfined & unfiltered.” (from the tasting sheet February 2022)

My Review: My only notes for this wine tasted back in February were that I liked it.  February 2022

2018 Windy Oaks Rodnick Vineyard Old Vines Pinot Noir, Chalone AVA, 13.7% ABV, $49 (#806)

Winery Notes: New release. 24 months in French barrels, 25-50% new. 

My Review: Bubblegum on the nose and palate, with chalkiness shining through its long finish. This is a lighter and more subtle Pinot Noir. July 2022

2019 Windy Oaks Vaccaro Family Block Estate Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.9% ABV, $49 (#807)

Winery Notes: “The cool climate, singe acre, Estate Syrah is an elegant and peppery medium bodied version of this grape with classic northern Rhone character. 100% de-stemmed berries, native yeast fermented, and aged in used French barrels for 25 months, only 140 cases made.”

My Review: This was the last wine we tasted that day and the palate did not seem very Syrah-like.  Lots of different spices on the palate, but not ones we’d usually think of in a wine. I’d like to taste this wine again as a stand-alone. July 2022

All of Windy Oaks tasting rooms are open:  at the winery, in Carmel-By-The-Sea, and in Carmel Valley Village.  Check here for the details: http://www.windyoaksestate.com/.  Please call 831-724-9562 for reservations and other pertinent info.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Parsonage Showcases Its Powerful Wines to the Monterey AWS!

The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) asked if I had any ideas or connections for one of their First Friday WinedUP.  I recommended Parsonage and reached out to Summer.  After some consultation (due to the potential size of our group and the after-hours time we wanted to visit), they agreed to have us. And I think everyone is glad they did!

Parsonage’s exceptional tasting room staff, Summer and Linda, welcomed the Monterey AWS with their big smiles and expertise!

While we planned to use their outside seating, the wind had kicked up – and they accommodated us indoors instead.  It was perfect.  We got to choose between the regular tasting and the reserve tasting.  We, of course, did both since we are wine club members.  And Parsonage showcased some “extra” wines, as well – their rarely-made Chardonnay and reserve Petit Verdot.  Lucky us!

But before we get to those, I have another story.  In December 2019, I was in the Parsonage tasting room when they informed me that they were having a big sale on their large format wines, specifically a 3-litre bottle of the 2005 Carmelstone Syrah from their estate.  This is one of my all time favorite wines (please don’t tell Rocco).  Normally $500, this large bottle was on sale for $265. We had a family reunion slated for Easter of 2020 and, after many texts back and forth with my husband, we decided to buy it for that event. And then COVID happened, meaning no reunion.

The 2005 3L bottle compared to the 2006 750 ml bottle!
We opened this bottle with a Durand Corkscrew – just in case the cork was tricky – but it was in perfect condition!

I wondered how this bottle would hold up – and whether we would ever get to serve it.  With no reunion in sight, what we would do with it? Fortunately, we were able to have the reunion in Spring of 2022. We had this wine the first night and it was spectacular. We all agreed it was the best wine of the weekend.  No offense to all those other great wines we had.  And we had no problem finishing off the bottle in one night – it was a lot of people and we do love our big reds!

Today, I am presenting 12 Parsonage wines – mostly from that July 1 event, but also a few others we served at our family reunion back in April.  Winery notes come from the Parsonage website, as usual.

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/.

2021 Parsonage Chardonnay, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 15% ABV, $36 (793)

Winery Notes: “A true outlier! No oak bombing. Never been a Chardonnay quite like this one. A white flower melange of jasmine and elderflower with tropical fruit hints of perfectly ripe kiwi, pineapple, and guava, followed by subtle lemon zest. The opulent mouthfeel suggest a presence of honey owing to the wine’s slow passage across the palate which creates a lengthy and dramatic finish.”

My Review: Full malolactic fermentation, all stainless steel. Very tropical nose with melon notes.  Rich on the palate – a touch sweet, full of ripe tropical flavors. July 2022 (No buttery, no oak)

2021 Parsonage Grenache Rosé, Arroyo Seco AVA, 15% ABV, $29 (794)

Winery Notes: “A perennial warm weather favorite. And a surprise to everyone who thinks they don’t like Rosé! Made with Grenache grapes. Owner Bill Parsons’ tasting notes: Another spectacular bouquet of candied violets, star anise, bubble gum, and your favorite perfume. Delicious mouthful of ripe strawberry, mulberry, red currant with a hint of orange zest in this off-dry marvel!”

My Review: Brownish tint to the pink juice. Tropical nose. A little sweet on the palate with a slight metallic taste on the finish. July 2022

2019 Parsonage Estate Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $42 (795)

Winery Notes: “A vibrant nose of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate and wildflowers. The gorgeous red fruit is full, round and rich on the palate with a hint of Darjeeling on the long, lovely finish.”

My Review: Ruby in color.  Jammy nose of berries and cherries. A lot of fruit on the palate and a touch tart – like a dark cherry Jolly Rancher – in a good way.  Black tea on the finish.  I like this wine. July 2022

2019 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $28 (796) 70% Merlot, 30% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Our versatile red table wine easily pairs with a variety of different foods. We think it goes especially well with pizza and spaghetti with red sauce. This vintage is full bodied. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah. Rich, ripe and voluptous. The Cyrano is one of our best sellers.”

My Review:   Pretty ruby in the glass. Yummy dark fruit on the palate and a lot of oak on the dry, slightly minty  finish. New release – perhaps young still.This was left extra time in the barrels thanks to COVID (2.5 years). Let this one sit a bit more in the bottle. July 2022

2019 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (797)

Winery Notes: “Exemplary of our house style of making wine from grapes at the pinnacle of perfect ripeness, this Pinot has brilliant notes of black cherry with dried rose petals, cola, and English breakfast tea. The rich, round, elegant palate adds raspberry and currant to the dominant black cherry compote with the tea tannins driving the vibrant finish.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass. Very lean and sophisticated, more like a Burgundy. This reserve wine was lighter than the 2 previous wines – I’d like to taste it again in a different order. July 2022

2018 Parsonage Wild Card Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $38 (533)

Winery Notes: “As wild and crazy as they come, Frank’s seven varietal blend is to winemaking what a crazy quilt is to sewing. The magical blend, in no particular order, is Syrah, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. It’s an intriguing mélange of perfumed raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, plum and cranberry on a medium palate with a lively finish.”

My Review: This review is a complete rewrite from the tasting I did in October 2021.  Rich, dark ruby in the glass.  A jammy nose. Complex tannins and layered, jammy fruit.  The 7 varietals have melded very nicely together in this vintage – this is a winner! July 2022

2018 Parsonage Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (535)

Winery Notes: “Big and rich, our flagship varietal. Pairs well with anything grilled or barbequed. The 18th iteration of our signature wine is deep, rich and savory with dark berries, mocha and umami that synergistically form the delicious Parsonage terroir. This vintage has a little something different that is thought-provoking and downright cerebral. There’s a fascinating component that asks you to take a moment and attempt to identify its nature. Then you can’t resist reflecting on just what is that mysterious essence? It’s quite compelling. If you figure it out, please let me know.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  Sophisticated nose of berries, followed by huge palate of berries, with menthol and black pepper on the finish. Grapes sourced from their estate, Cedar Lane, and Coastview vineyards. July 2022

2018 Parsonage Rocco Reserve  Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (536)

Winery Notes: “In a single word – MAGNIFICENT!  The Rocco Estate Reserve Syrah is our flagship wine, the wine that put us on the map. All of the Rocco vintages have been big, opulent, and complex world class Syrahs. The 2018 has these attributes and more. This Rocco possesses a mysterious nature that calls out for a moment of palate reflection. It’s something about the interface of perfectly ripe fruit and savory flavor. There’s all that beautiful dark fruit colliding with grilled tenderloin and exotic spices/herbs backgrounded with mocha and hints of umami. A wine for the ages, simply MAGNIFICENT!!!”

My Review: If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take one wine, this would be it. Dark, rich ruby in the glass. Cassis and dark berries on the nose.  Super huge palate of dark fruit, very smooth. Lots of oak on the finish. My all time favorite. July 2022

2017 Parsonage Rocco Reserve  Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (222)

Winery Notes: “Our flagship wine, this vintage is opulent. The ripe black, blue, and red fruit are immense in the nose and the mouth. The palate explodes in an essence of summer savory with exotic Asian spices wrapped in umami. The fullness and concentrated richness of the finish are suggestive of a high end Amarone.”

My Review: Hot buttered rum on the nose. Dark fruit and a touch of cedar as it opened up.  buttery bone marrow, leather, rosemary and figs on the palate.  Asphalt, pencil shavings and caramel on the finish. April 2022

2005 Parsonage Carmelstone Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, 3L Bottle: $500.00 (798)

One big, hefty 3L bottle!

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Very dark ruby in the glass.  Raisin and cassis on the nose.  Rich blackberry with bubblegum notes mid-palate with a touch of smoke/tobacco on the finish.  Our favorite wine of the reunion weekend. April 2022

2018 Parsonage Xandro Reserve Red Wine, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (799) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Syrah

Winery Notes: “A nose of ripe dark berries and wild flowers that creates its own unique perfume for this remarkable marriage of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested at the peak of ripeness.

All of the beautiful dark fruit of the nose is joined by mocha and a bit of umami to create glorious hedonistic delights on the palate with uncommon continuity from beginning to end.”

My Review: Such a rich, dark ruby!  Lovely nose of dark fruit and carmel.  Super dark fruit on the palate.  A la Penfolds Grange. We liked this wine and took some home. July 2022

2018 Parsonage Bixby Reserve Petit Verdot, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (544)

Winery Notes: “The Bixby has always had a distinctly floral nose but the 2018 sets a new record for perfumed bouquet. We’re talking Chanel No. 5 here. And, no, we didn’t add any wildflowers to the fermenter. Honest! There’s delicious dark fruit on the nose and palate, mostly currant, black cherry, and huckleberry with a hint of mulberry. This is a very complex and age worthy wine that finishes with satisfyingly bracing tannins.”

My Review: Caramel on the nose and palate, mixed with bright fruit. Very tasty – not at all vegetal (which is how I used to think of Petit Verdot). July 2022

Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – click here for 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. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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I Brand & Family Release Party: Great People, Diverse Wines, Tasty Food, & Eclectic Music – a Fun Time for All!

I was tipped off by our Wine Pod partners that I Brand was having a release party in late June – the first one since COVID made its unwelcome arrival in Monterey County.  We made a quick plan to carpool there.

We have been to several past release parties where members and fans get to sample newly-released good wine, paired appetizers, and great music.  In short, really fun.  There were a lot of wines to try on this Sunday – some on the release menu – plus a number of library wines hidden in between.  It was kind of overwhelming – in a good way!  I felt rushed at first – and then just slowed down and got in the groove. We enjoyed the sliders, the pizzas, and the gourmet popsicles!  And more wine.  I truly appreciated the library wines, as a great counterbalance to the new releases.  These wines demonstrated the staying power of Ian’s wines – and made the case for holding onto more of his wines – which are so tempting to consume right away. Thank you so much, Ian, Heather, and the rest of the I Brand Family, for making this event possible once again.

I have 14 wines to present to you today from across all 3 labels of I Brand & Family, La Marea and Le P’tit Paysan – most tasted at the release party. I have presented the 2 Grenache wines before. And I added in a Syrah from our private collection. There was a lot going on at this event and we were moving a bit quickly, so I didn’t get the detailed tasting notes I might usually capture. I did go back to the tasting room in July to polish up a few of my notes – where I also got to taste the 2016 52-month Chardonnay – a bonus review for us at the very bottom of this post! Unless otherwise specified, winemaker’s notes come from the winery tech sheets or notes online.

2021 Piquette Nat, Arroyo Seco AVA, 7.4% AVA, $18 (#780)

Winemaker’s Notes: “A perfect summer sipper. Our Piquette Nat from California is Col Fondo process, an easy drinking blend of organic Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and hibiscus flowers.”

My Review: Made from Sauvignon Blanc and hibiscus flower, this looks like a Brut rose, smells like licorice, and, to me, tastes yeasty like a fruity beer. Very popular and different. June 2022

2021 I Brand & Family Pinot Gris, San Benito County, $30 (#781)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Ranier cherries and lemon-thyme on the nose. Pink grapefruit and cara-cara orange lead the attack on the palate. Lingering tannin structure balanced with medium acidity and distinctive minerality contribute to a bright and festive Summer glass, perfectly suited for a wide array of food pairings.”

My Review:  An orange wine – the wax on the bottle is a huge hint!  Year over year, this is an excellent wine, light on the palate, crisp and tasty. We like this wine. June 2022

2021 La Marea Alternate Cut Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey County, $30 (#782)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Green pears, lanolin, almond blossom and brioche on the nose. Tart mango and honeysuckle lead the attack on the palate. Mild tannins balanced with mellow acidity contribute to a well-rounded white with a complex bouquet.”

My Review: Honeysuckle and citrus rind on the nose. Slightly funky palate of buttermilk and citrus rind, with a lingering creamy finish. The alternate cut makes for a heavier mouthfeel to this ever so slightly sweet Albariño.  June 2022

2014 Le P’tit Paysan L’Apiculteur Cedar Lane Vineyard Viognier, Arroyo Seco AVA, $42 (#783)

Winemaker’s Notes from wine.com: “Late ripening Viognier from the alluvial benches above the Arroyo Seco River fermented in a combination of stainless steel, neutral barrels and twice used barrels. Soaring honeysuckle aromas, flavors of pear and crushed stones, partial malolactic fermentation for focus and composition.”

My Review: This “library” Viognier was a bonus wine – this is an excellent representation of Central Coast Viognier – honeysuckle yet lean. The age on this bottle made it more complex and interesting. June 2022

2021 I Brand & Family Arneis, Vista Verde Vineyard, Paicines, San Benito County, $30 (#784)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Jasmine flower and lilac on the nose. Dried apricot and quince lead the attack on the palate. Medium to full body finishes with notes of bergamot.” 133 cases produced

My Review:  Another atypical varietal that Ian likes to work with.  This is the second vintage of this wine that I have tried. This one is really special – a funky, earthy nose, followed by a light and tasty palate, especially after tasting the library Viognier. June 2022

2021 Le P’tit Paysan Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco, 13.7% ABV, $24 (#785)

About LPP Sauvignon Blanc : “Paysan Sauvignon Blanc comes from Zabala Vineyard – located on a large holding on the Arroyo Seco floodplains that was part of land granted to the Zabala family before California’s statehood. It was first planted in the 1970s and has grown to encompass over 1000 acres. Zabala Vineyard is one of the rockiest vineyard I Brand works with, full of what is locally known as ‘Greenfield Potatoes’, which are the rather inedible round river stones that dominate the soil and have been collected into piles and walls at every property in the basin. This vineyard is located directly in the path of the daily Salinas Valley winds, which control sugar development and retain natural acidity. Certified organic grapes.”

Winemaker’s Notes: “The bouquet is an explosion of white peaches, gooseberries and perfumy passionfruit. This translates over to the palate with more gorgeous and concentrated white peach bursting to the front and evolving into hints of trailside strawberry. Bright acidity. Crisp, tart and refreshing. Lingering finish that has a subtle creaminess returning to tropical passionfruit.” 145 cases produced

My Review: The LPP Sauvignon Blanc comes from one of my favorite vineyards in Arroyo Seco. Very pale in the glass. Yummy butterscotch and tropical notes on the nose. A flavorful palate dominated by lime cloaked in honeysuckle, with a citrusy, buttery finish. Very balanced and tasty. June 2022

2019 Le P’tit Paysan Jacks Hill Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $20 (#786)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Bright, with orchard fruit giving way to an intense minerality. The wine is produced predominantly from a few vineyards at the base of Jack’s Hill, planted on the distinct iron oxide granite that dominates the east side of the Salinas Valley, directly east of Sleepy Hollow North.”

My Review: From our home collection. Pale golden in color. Tropical bouquet of pineapple and honeydew. Palate brimming with soft pineapple, with citrus notes. This is one of my favorite central coast everyday Chardonnays – def not buttery, oaky. June 2022

2020 I Brand & Family Pinot Noir, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley, San Benito County, 13.67% ABV, $36 (#787)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Smoked chestnuts leading into dark cherry-cola on the nose. Ripe red fruits abound in the form of Bing cherries and Santa Rosa plum. Light body with very mellow tannin structure and soft glycerin finish which lingers and fades into petrichor.” 62 cases produced

My Review: Translucent, dark ruby in the glass.  Dark cherry on the nose and very smooth and tasty dark cherry on the palate. I prefer this to the previous vintage! June 2022

2014 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, San Antonio Valley, 13.8% ABV, $42 (#788)

89 points – Wine Enthusiast : “Dried herbs, elderberries, peppercorns and a strong streak of gamy meat show on the nose of this bottling, which is less dense and more nuanced in style than many other Petite Sirahs. The gamy element extends to the palate, giving complexity to the black fruits and sticky tannins.” Matt Kettmann 6/2018

My Review: The grapes for this library wine come from Pierce Ranch – and this is a delicious wine.  Another reason to hold your I Brand wines. I would rate this higher than Wine Enthusiast did back in 2018. One of the wines I took home with me from this tasting! June 2022

2020 I Brand & Family Mourvèdre, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, 12.4% ABV, $45 (#789)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Saddle leather, and ripe huckleberries on the nose. Wild blueberries lead the attack on the palate transitioning into gorgeous and concentrated red ddelicious apple notes contributing to a bright and lingering finish. Medium to light body with pronounced yet balanced tannins finishes with redwood duff.” 34 cases produced

My Review: OK, this was another favorite from the release party.  Light cherry and pepper notes on the nose, following through on the palate. Grapey, smooth and delicious.  One of the finest Mourvèdres I have ever had.  Took one home. June 2022

2019 La Marea Grenache, Central Coast, 14% ABV, $30 (#635)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Aromas of red fruit about in this ripe and silky grenache with flinty undertones. Bright acidity leads the way on the palate allowing the lovely, light red fruit shine in the form of overripe strawberries and loganberries. California anise, white pepper, and mild tannins finish neatly.” 440 cases produced

My Review:  With grapes from Monterey and Santa Clara, this one gets the Central Coast label.  A pretty, translucent ruby in the glass.  Cherry, cranberry on the nose.  Dances on the palate with smooth cherry and red currant, with a lingering intensity on the finish. December 2021, June 2022

2014 La Marea Brosseau Vineyard Grenache, Chalone AVA, $68 (#636)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Bing cherry, roasting lamb, clay. smoldering dry leaves, sea shells. Soaring aromatics. Palate opens with savory elements: garrigue, cigar tobacco, spearmint, overlaying the unmistakable elegant texture of vineyards planted on calcium-rich soils. Chaparral, menthol, red cherry and cranberry on the finish.” 124 cases produced

My Review:  Ruby in the glass.  Fresh cherry and raspberry on the nose.  This was quite yummy with fresh red fruits on the palate and darker flavors of currant and leather on the finish. These library wines show the staying power of Ian Brand’s wines – we loved them all. A hint to hold them a bit longer. December 2021, June 2022

2021 I Brand & Family Escolle Vineyard Gamay Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 12.2% ABV, $42 (#790)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Telicherry peppercorn and carraway seed lead the bouquet, evolving into spiced black plum notes. The peppery and spice plum carries over to the palate attack and the finish is short, but exquisitely spicy for a light to medium bodied and chillable red. Pronounced yet balanced tannins. Finishes with notes of California garrigue; think sagebrush, manzanita and mugwort.” 95 cases produced

My Review:  Oh, the Gamay Noir!  What a way to top off the afternoon! Ruby, almost purple in the glass. Very grapey nose. Grapey, smooth, jammy, good!  I took one of these wines home, too! The challenge will be to hold it and not just open it and drink it. June 2022

2018 I Brand & Family Syrah, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, $42 (#791)

Winemaker’s Notes: The Graff Family Vineyard “…is a small 3 acre vineyard planted in 1989 to Syrah, Mourvedre and Melon de Bourgogne. The site has depleted, granitic soils and, combined with the elevation and exposure, it’s a perfect situation for producing deep, funky, expressive American Syrah.” 39 cases produced

My Review:  From our private collection. Dark ruby in the glass. Light cherry on the nose. Red fruits on the palate. This isn’t a huge Syrah – a bit lighter and more elegant, refreshing and tasty. Very nice on day 2.  May 2022

2016 I Brand & Family 52-month Chardonnay, Monterey, 15% ABV (#792)

Winemaker’s Notes: 52-months in a steel tank. Aged in the bottle one year before release. “Delicate & oxidative aromas similar to a beautiful Fino sherry. Palate confirms aromatics.  Nutty entry, candied pineapple & ripe tangerines on initial & mid-palate. Finishes with warm marzipan, toasted cinnamon, anie & cloves. Searing acidity throughout.” 41 cases produced

My Review:  I am not sure I would have guessed this was a Chardonnay. Toasted pineapple notes on the nose and palate, but an almost fortified or Sauternes-like quality on the finish – butterscotch and pineapple.  July 2022

The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 6 pm.  Reservations are recommended – more information here.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Taste Carmel Valley: A “Sweet Spot” for Wine Pairings!

In December 2020, we were hanging out with Sal Rombi when Gary from the Wine Trolley joined us.  He shared with us his new business concept for offering wine tastings from smaller or out of business wineries, as well as offering bakery items which he makes himself.  This became Taste Carmel Valley, also known as “The Sweet Spot” (http://www.carmelvalleysweetspot.com/).

Their sign outside boasts Boëté and Chock Rock wines.  We have been huge fans of both – long-time members at Boëté – and have missed Chock Rock since they closed their tasting room some years back. This is a great venue to taste the fabulous Boëté wines, since they closed their tasting room.

Taste Carmel Valley (aka The Sweet Shop) is a cute place.  It offers delicious family-made baked goods, unique wines, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and clothing.  First, you are welcomed by their “Golden Daschund” and then the friendly staff inside.  They let us know when Gary would be there to do a wine tasting for us and we came back.

On our big wine tasting weekend in June, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod stopped in to taste the Chock Rock Syrah. We found the tasting menu to be extensive.  The concept is to choose 5 wines for $14. The list includes Chateau Sinnet, Karlsen (Chock Rock), Carmel Hills, Rancho Carmelo, Boëté, and Mesa del Sol. These are smaller wineries which do not currently have their own tasting room or have stopped making wine.  As we pondered what to try besides the Chock Rock Syrah, Gary started pouring us wines.  About 10 wines later, we finally got the Syrah!

A bit about the wineries included in today’s post from his website and elsewhere:   https://tastecarmelvalleycalifonrnia.square.site/

Château Sinnet is no longer making wine and its Carmel Valley tasting room is closed (despite what you might find on Yelp, etc.).  The location is still there, used now as a storeroom.  Its unusual wines included a White Merlot, the Red Eyed Monkey and a Late Harvest Zinfandel.  We liked to stop in there from time to time and were fans of the Red Eyed Monkey – this red blend even had its own Facebook fan club page!

Carmelo Vineyards are adjacent to Parsonage and is where Frank Melicia resides – he is the winemaker for Parsonage, Silvestri and Carmelo, among other pursuits. 

“Karlsen Family Wines and Chock Rock Vineyard was established in 2006 by veteran winemaker, Dan Karlsen and his wife Kathleen. Chock Rock Vineyard produces wine from their estate vineyard and other unique vineyard sites in Monterey County, California. The wines of Chock Rock are absolutely handcrafted at their estate micro-winery secluded high in the Santa Lucia Mountains at the farthest reaches of the Carmel Valley. Great fruit from unique sites coupled with 30 years of winemaking experience ensure world class quality wines. Karlsen offers Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Rosé and Syrah.” There is a lot more to the story – check out Karlsen here: https://www.karlsenwines.com/ and Chock Rock here: https://www.chockrock.com/.

“Deep in the heart of Steinbeck country, nestled between the Arroyo Seco Gorge and the Ventana wilderness, lies Mesa del Sol. The historic stagecoach stop and organic winery showcases the best of Monterey County’s rugged landscape and elegant wines. Mesa del Sol produces Old Vine Zinfandel, Grenache, Syrah, and Sangiovese. We love the “Prima Rosso” blend of all four wines.”

For a lot of these wines, I will not be able to find winery notes. And, to be frank, this was our third stop for in-depth tasting, so note-taking was not so great by this point. And Gary was very entertaining. I’d like to go back in the future and do individual winery tastings here – lots to work with. OK, here we go…

2008 Château Sinnet Manatee White Merlot, $18 (#769)

Winery Notes: A Gold Medal winner from the Florida Grape Growers Association.  Named for the vintner’s beloved manatees from his Florida home. Has its own Facebook fan page.

My Review: We actually really liked this wine and would consider buying it or serving it.  It was very tasty. Not too sweet, as pleasant wine. June 2022

2020 Karlsen Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $28 (#770)

My Review: Caramel popcorn on the nose.  Light on the palate with mild apple, pear and concrete notes. June 2022

2020 Carmelo Vineyards Rose of Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $28 (#771)

My Review: Butterscotch on the nose. Smokey on the palate (this was the year of the Carmel Fire). June 2022

Karlsen Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey County, $36 (#772)

My Review: We liked this Sauvignon Blanc – crisp. Regret we didn’t get better notes on this one. June 2022

2015 Mesa del Sol Zinfandel, Arroyo Seco, $32 (#773)

2014 Review by Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “A more mineral-driven style of Zinfandel, this bottling starts with aroma of gravel and baked earth along with exotic strawberry, red plum and sandalwood. The palate offers dried red fruits, hibiscus and carnation-like flavors, framed by a rocky sandstone-flecked minerality, proving mellow and elegant.” Matt Kettmann

2019 Carmelo Vineyards Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, $44 (#774)

2018 Review by International Wine Report – 90 points: “This 2018 Pinot Noir from Carmelo Vineyards, shows a bright aromatic profile with aromas of fresh strawberries, cherry, dried spice, dark chocolate, cured meat, vanilla blossom and earthy nuances that jump from the glass. On the palate there are lovely flavors of red berries, plum, currant and sour cherry throughout. The finish is long with live acidity. This is very enjoyable today and will age for the next 5-7 years.”

My Review: Very nice bouquet and good flavors on the palate. Bright, with a little earth, brambly with a hint of raspberry. “The perfect Pinot.” June 2022

2016 Carmelo Vineyards Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#775)

2017 Review by International Wine Report – 88 points: “The 2017 Pinot Noir from Carmelo Vineyards offers aromas of dark cherries, currant, dried rose petals, dark chocolate, fig, and dried herbs. On the palate this is medium-bodied with lots of freshness and acidity that lifts the flavors of sour cherry, blood orange, strawberries, and spice box. Drink it over the next 4-6 years.”

My Review: I am not sure I would guess this was a Pinot Noir.  Could definitely pick up smoke (Soberanes Fire year). June 2022

2015 Chock Rock Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, 15.6% ABV, $25 (#776)

My Review: This was the wine we went there to taste. By then, we had had so many wines. Still delicious on the palate with alcohol notes and not as much fruit as I would have expected. I would like to go back and taste this again, as this was our favorite Chock Rock wine in the past. June 2022

2004 Château Sinnet Red Eyed Monkey, San Antonio Valley (#777) 45% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Zinfandel, 5% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah

Winery Notes: “The crispness and brightness of Bing Cherry followed by the earthy aromas of forest floor and the sweet and savory notes of sassafras and cola. This wine is the most Burgundian Pinot Noir I have ever made. It’s light color and silky tannins are testament to the extra year of aging on the sediment that I gave it. The wine finishes with the fine structure on your tongue of wet stones.”

My Review: This was presented as a “Mystery wine.” We found it to be very drinkable – smooth, dark fruit.  Many years ago, we had purchased this wine and we still really like it – more than our Wine Pod partners did. June 2022

2014 Chock Rock Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $28 (#778)

Winery Notes: “100% Estate grown, a balanced wine with texture and mouth feel.”

My Review: Something seemed off with this wine.  It smelled like a fortified wine, over the hill. Perhaps we needed a new bottle opened – we did not request one. I don’t think it was a proper representation of this wine. June 2022

2017 Château Sinnet Late Harvest Zinfandel, 16.2% ABV, $25 (#779)    

My Review: OK, this was our last wine. And it tasted like a very done late harvest Zinfandel.  These grapes were picked “as raisins.” June 2022

Taste Carmel Valley is located at 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 101, in Carmel Valley. The Sweet Spot is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.  Check with the staff or call (831) 624-1700 to inquire when wines will be poured. You can also order a variety of sandwiches and salads, even charcuterie plates!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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