It is always fun to hunt down what I feel are wines truly representative of what we can do here in Monterey for my wine classes. My next one is for the Northern Virginia American Wine Society. I was reading the Wine Enthusiast Magazine a couple of months back and saw this Monterey Chardonnay earned the #9 spot on The Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2021. I tracked it down at a market in Carmel-By-The-Sea and we served it during a family reunion. Now that I have finally tasted it, I hope I can still acquire a couple more bottles!
About Diora: “At Diora, indulgence indeed begins in the Vineyard. Diora is the culmination of a thirty-year vineyard-to-bottle journey at the Santa Lucia Highlands and our family-owned San Bernabe estate in Monterey. Specific blocks at San Bernabe were replanted in the early 1990s in a unique wind orientation to allow the vines to thrive off the Monterey Bay’s cool ocean breezes and thicken the skins to heighten the luscious, round textures on the palate. The elevated positioning of the Santa Lucia Highlands helps produce Diora’s underlying structure and mouth-coating texture.” Diora is part of the Delicato family of wines.
2019 Diora La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay, San Bernabe AVA, Monterey, 14.5% ABV, $20 (Wine #652*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “This Diora La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay is a beautiful, golden hue, with aromas of toasted oak mingle with light spice notes of cinnamon. The delicate flavors of vanilla bean give way to a lovely, soft and light buttery layer. This reminds one of a rich, yet delicate crème brûlée with a soft, round mouthfeel that will pair beautifully with lobster or sautéed scallops. The light acidity and long finish of this wine will also be a great accompaniment to a variety of dishes.” This wine comes mostly from its San Bernabe estate vineyard, where it gets its tropical notes. The rest comes from its Santa Lucia Highlands vineyard, providing more of the citrusy balance.
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Excellently presented aromas of butter, nectarine, warm almond and white flower are delicate but expressive on the nose of this bottling. An immediate acidity races through the palate, lifting the toasty and buttery elements while pairing smartly against the ripe citrus and white flower elements.” Matt Kettmann, December 2021
My Review: Viscous and golden in the glass. Tropical nose with melon and a touch of smoke. Grilled peach and pineapple on the palate with toasted caramel on the finish. This was a very interesting, atypical Chardonnay which everyone enjoyed. April 2022
Diora’s website contains a tab for finding their wines near you. You can also order their wines from their website – it will take you to Delicato’s purchasing engine. While Diora does not appear to have a tasting room, Delicato Family Wines is located at 12001 South Highway 99 in Manteca, California between Modesto and Stockton and is open every day from 9am – 5:30pm. You can find more details here.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
I introduced you to Kori Wines back in September here: https://decantingmonterey.com/kori-wines-its-a-family-affair/. When I stopped in for that tasting last August, I was hoping to taste the soon-to-be-released 2019 Syrah by winemaker Sabrine Rodems. It didn’t arrive in time.
I was able to go back to visit in February, where we were warmly welcomed in the tasting room and we left with several bottles tucked under our arms.
Today I am presenting just this one Kori wines. The winery notes and prices come from their website.
2019 Kori Syrah, KW Ranch Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14%, $42 (#650*)
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Pleasantly funky aromas of nori, toasted sesame seed, asphalt and black plum make for a compelling nose on this bottling. That funky streak extends through the sip, where tar, teriyaki and pepper flavors meet with a furikake seasoning, all atop roasted dark fruit.” Matt Kettmann, May 2022
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Berries on the nose. Smooth on the palate with notes of berry jam and chocolate. February 2022
You can buy KORi wines online or at their tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea “Monday-Thursday 1-6 (TUES CLOSED), Friday Noon-6, Saturday Noon-7, Sunday Noon-6. Reservations not required. Mission St between Ocean & 7th Avenue, Court of the Fountains, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921”
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
My neighbor was in town last month and she is always game to “help” me with my wine blog. We belong to the same winery out in Carmel Valley Village – and she was willing to check out Joyce with me. I hadn’t been to Joyce since December 2019, when I picked up a case of James Joyce Merlot for a planned (and cancelled) wine class. My DC area friends enjoyed that case of wine during the pandemic. In the hopes of finding another Merlot for my next class, we headed to Joyce.
We were warmly welcomed in the tasting room and headed outside to one of the very nice tables for the tasting. Our server was very knowledgeable and provided us tons of information, answering even my peskiest question. The menu was very much focused on Monterey wines from across the county: Carmel Valley, Monterey, and Santa Lucia Highlands sub-AVAs. While I was still on a mission to find wines for a class, the menu didn’t include their James Joyce label from San Benito County. And no Merlot to try: sold out. And no industry discount. Alas, I can’t get lucky every time!
Today I am presenting 5 wines we tasted at their Tasting Room in February, plus 1 I purchased for later consumption. Unless otherwise specified, winery notes come from their website. The map below gives a good visual on the vineyards they use for their wines.
2018 Joyce Wine Co Escolle Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, 13.3% ABV, $35 (#643*)
Winemaker Notes: “The fruit for this Chardonnay comes from Escolle Vineyard located at the Northern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands. This site is impeccably farmed by the Caraccioli Family, who are incredible stewards of their land. Very low water usage translates into low yields of intense fruit full of flavor and acidity. The strong marine influence and well drained gravelly loam soils of Chular combine to deliver Chardonnay fruit that showcases both power and finesse.”
Tasting notes: “AROMA Rose hips, stone fruit, clove spice, toast/dough, river stone FLAVOR Apple, bosc pear, wild peach, steely/mineral, brioche/lees”
My Review: Pale golden in color. Tropical notes on the nose. Balanced oak on the tasty and lively palate, with a touch of lime on the finish. We liked this wine. February 2022
Winemaker’s Notes (condensed from the Tech Sheet): “The Gabilan Mountain Pinot Noir comes from a small vineyard site positioned on a soft slope located on the east side of the Salinas Valley in Monterey County. Soils consisting of decomposed granite and limestone allow for an ethereal expression of Pinot Noir. To highlight and preserve the purity of the wine, grapes were fermented using partial whole-cluster and native yeast. The resulting wine was then aged for 10 months in neutral French oak barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. These honest winemaking practices combined with thoughful farming allow this vineyard site to show both power and finesse.” 18 barrels produced.
My Review: Translucent bright ruby in the glass with a bright red berry nose. Smooth on the palate with light berry flavors with subtle structure on the finish. A pleasant wine. February 2022
2019 Joyce Wine Co Tondre Grapefield Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, $45 (#645*)
Winemaker Notes: “Tondre Grapefield captures the soul of the Santa Lucia Highlands in the glass with dark brambly fruit, spice, light earth tones and a decedent textural mouth feel that comes from the cool climate site set of the regions sandy loams. This vintage shines with a deep garnet/ruby hue and a medium/full bodied palate of blackberry, plum and of course cherry fruits along with a touch of tea spice, lavender and soft oak. This wine gains in the glass and while youthful fresh it delivers an excellent play between lush ripe fruit and savory briar notes, this is not a vintage to miss.” 18 barrels produced.
My Review: Richer and darker in color, seemingly a tiny bit cloudy in the glass, with a richer bouquet than the previous wine. Richer flavors on the palate, with some tartness in the balance. February 2022
2019 Russell Joyce Grenache Syrah, Monterey, 13.7% ABV, $38 (#646*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “The special Small Lot Collection Grenache-Syrah is a blend of 70% Grenache from Cedar Lane and 30% Tondre Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah. Mostly concrete tank fermentation and aging making for a new California expression of a Southern Rhone style red in an ode to Chateaneuf-du-Pape. The ripe and dark fruited Grenache-Syrah has an intense purple/magenta hue in the glass with an incredible bouquet of wild flowers and spices that leads to a forward palate of olallieberry, racy plum, red currant and huckleberry fruits, sprigs of lavender, pepper, minty notes and a fresh tang with some delicate floral tones, savory elements and lingering kirsch. Seriously proportioned and dense without being heavy, this very limited Grenache-Sryah release, develops nicely with air and love the studied display of fruit and stony earth that comes out.”
My Review: Berry on the nose. A nice palate of robust, smooth fruit – very appealing to my taste. February 2022
2019 Russell Joyce Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley 13.8% ABV, $60 (#647*)
Notes from the Tasting Room: The grapes for this wine come from the Joullian Vineyard in Carmel Valley. With light oak notes, it is a more fuller representation of the fruit.
My Review: Dense, dark ruby in the glass. Berry notes on the nose. A medium palate of dark berry flavors. Pretty yummy. February 2022
2019 Joyce Wine Co Tondre Grapefield Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands, 13.4% ABV, $35 (#648*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Planted in 1997, Tondré Grapefield sits in the center of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The terroir is defined by portruding Southeast facing slopes, strong marine influences from the Monterey Bay and ancient glacial soils consisting of decomposed granite, gravel and sandy loam. To show transparency, the fruit was harvested at moderate sugars and fermented using 60% whole clusters and native yeasts. The wine was then aged for 10 months in a combination of small concrete vessels and neutral French oak barrels before being bottled infined and unfiltered. These honest winemaking practices combined with thoughtful farming allow the savory fruit and natural acidity of this cool climate Syrah to shine.” 10 barrels produced.
My Review: Fresh ruby in the glass. At first, Bing cherry on the nose. Palate of bright, tart cherry flavors a la Jolly Rancher. As it opened up over a couple of days, the flavors balanced out, revealing a little more earth and deeper flavors. March 2022
You can buy Joyce wines from their web site or tasting room. Their tasting room is located at 1 East Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village is open. It has a lovely outdoor setting. You can find more information and make a reservation here.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
I’ve been saving up these reviews for a single I Brand post. One of the things I really like about Ian’s wines is his boldness to expose us to varietals which we might not even have heard of – and to do them very well. The Arneis in this post is one of those – the Melon de Bourgogne was another we really enjoyed. And we tend to enjoy the Grenache wines – a varietal lighter than our normal fare, but one I Brand also does very well. His Cabernet Francs fascinate me – different in style from each other and always just a tad leaner than some of the big Cab Francs we tend to get around here. We’ve also been digging deep into our wine room and found some hidden treasures, like the 2012 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah.
I have 6 wines to present to you today from across all 3 labels of I Brand & Family, La Marea and Le P’tit Paysan and spanning 2012-2020 and covering Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Unless otherwise specified, winemaker’s notes come from the winery tech sheets or notes online.
2020 I Brand & Family Arneis, Vista Verde Vineyard, San Benito County, 12.7% ABV, $30 (#633*)
We invited our neighbor over to our sunny patio on this January day and decided to try this Arneis, a varietal I did not know!
Winemaker’s Notes: “A delightful and balanced expression of the Piedmontese white from the calcium laced gravels of the Vista Verde Vineyard in San Benito County.”
My Review: Pale golden yellow in the glass. Bosch pear with orange blossom and lime notes on the nose. Fresh and flinty, it opened up to be a lovely wine with round, flavors of grilled pineapple with a touch of olive juice and lime on the finish. An excellent summer patio wine. January 2022
2019 I. Brand & Family Pinot Gris, Eden Rift Vineyard, Cienega Valley, San Benito County, 11.5% ABV, $30 (#634*)
My Review: Light orange like a lollipop in the glass. Very smooth on the palate with a pleasant tartness on the finish. We liked this wine. October 2021
2017 La Marea Grenache, Central Coast, 13% ABV, $30 (#635*)
Winemaker’s Notes from the Wine Crush: “This Grenache is mostly sourced from Monterey; it is de-stemmed and stainless steel fermented. The color is extremely pale ruby with, clean ripe aromas of both black and red cherry. Notes of sarsaparilla and a delicate restrained earthy quality.”
Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “Light in the glass and almost rusty in color, this bottling begins with aromas of dried cherry juice, chaparral spice and toasted sage. Lightly bodied on the palate, it’s an herbal display, showing thyme, sagebrush and toasted nuts, with touches of rosewater and red currant.” Matt Kettmann, 10/2020
My Review: A pretty, translucent ruby in the glass. Cherry, cranberry on the nose. Dances on the palate with light cherry and red currant, with a lingering intensity on the finish. December 2021
2014 La Marea Grenache, Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone AVA, 14.1% ABV, $38 (#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.”
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. September 2021
2018 I Brand & Family Cabernet Franc, Bates Ranch, Santa Cruz Mountains, 12.3% ABV, $42 (#637*)
About Bates Ranch: “Bates Ranch, the least known of the holy trinity of Bordeaux varietal sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains…located in the extreme southeastern end of the appellation, on Redwood Retreat Road… We are honored to receive the fruit from half of a small block of Cabernet Franc planted in 1978 for this bottling. Soils in this section of the vineyard are the red Franciscan series of volcanic influenced sedimentary rocks that runs along the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains.”
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “Medium to Full-bodied. Lush, dark red berries, with purple lavender and hidden dried herb components on the nose. On palate, bright acidity, plays against tannic structure. Followed by a burst of dark red fruits, balsamic reduction, and the expected herbal, bay leaf, oregano, dried basil, with touches of a peppery edge on the finish.”
My Review: Dark ruby in color. Red fruits on the nose. Smooth and fresh, with a medium palate of raspberry, cherry and plum. This is a lighter, more delicate Cab Franc – a great food wine. January 2022
2012 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $22 (#638*)
Wine Enthusiast – 87 points: “Ian Brand’s stab at this grape shows a lot of black rock minerality and bloody meats on the nose, layered across blueberry syrup and sour cherry elements. The palate is much lighter than other takes on this varietal, showing menthol-laced flavors of blackberries and tobacco.” Matt Kettmann, June 2015
My Review: Inky ruby in the glass. Dark plum and blueberry on the nose. Soft blueberry and blackberry fruit on the palate, enveloped by a licorice finish. October 2021
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.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
Now that in-person venues are reopening more fully, wine class is back! I’ve signed up to present Monterey wines to 2 different organizations in June back in DC and Northern Virginia. I like to represent as many of our sub-AVAs as I can – and definitely want the Santa Lucia Highlands in the mix. I used a Hahn Pinot Noir in my 2019 class and felt it was about time I went back to do a full tasting. Doggy Grooming Day provided the perfect opportunity. As always, feel free to comment or “like” this post – engagement is welcomed!
We were warmly greeted by Coby Shammas and Bill Anderson in their Carmel Plaza tasting room. Coby worked with me for my 2019 Northern Virginia American Wine Society class and Bill gave us a thorough tutorial on the winery, its vineyards, and the wines. We felt very special!
2020 Hahn Rose, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.2% ABV, $24 (#624)
Vintage Notes: “Vineyards planted in the Santa Lucia Highlands experience a long and dry growing season that results in wines with remarkable depth, complexity and ripe fruit flavors. Hahn’s SLH vineyards – Lone Oak, Doctor’s, Smith and Hook – are planted on a narrow bench at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Here, plentiful sun and well-drained soils aid concentration and flavor development.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Beautiful bright salmon in color, this Rosé opens with aromas of fresh raspberry, strawberry, citrus blossom, guava and hints of rose petal. Bright acidity highlights flavors of juicy strawberry and Bing cherry, which are complemented with clean mineral notes on a lingering finish.”
My Review: Pink, almost orange in the glass. Sweet citrus blossoms with a hint of tangerine on the nose. Balanced with good Pinot Noir flavors and minerality shining on the back end. Very smooth. I was planning on using this wine in one of my wine classes, but it sold out before I could seal the deal. Now I am looking forward to the 2021 release! February 2022
2019 Hahn Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $25 (#625)
Vintage Notes: “About average winter rainfall provided good soil moisture profile for the start of the growing season. Budbreak started the last week of February, mostly in younger blocks, with the rest popping out mid-March. Canopies were at arm’s length by the end of April with no signs of cap fall until the middle of May. Veraison started slightly later than normally, towards the end of July, which led to a later start of harvest. The weekend of 9/14, we had a heat spike, but after three days the weather returned to normal. The harvest started fast, but overall had a beautiful even pace with cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures throughout the end of season. The quality of the fruit was outstanding, resulting in wine with beautiful color, concentrated flavors, balanced tannins, round mouthfeel and soft acidity.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Lively aromas of citrus, orange blossom with hints of tropical fruit and butterscotch. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied with a silky, smooth mouthfeel and balanced acidity. Flavors of lemon, pineapple and pear, combined with delicate butter notes and creamy minerality, lead to an elegant long finish.”
My Review: Light golden in the glass. Butter, a hint of caramel and grilled pineapple on the nose. Very balanced and not overdone – the toast on the barrels is just right. Minerality on the finish. This would also be a great example of a representative SLH Chardonnay for one of my classes. February 2022
Vintage Notes: “The fruit for this wine was sourced from our estate Ste. Philippe vineyard in the Arroyo Seco appellation. Located south of the Santa Lucia Highlands, this vineyard lies in a dry riverbed with sandy-loam soils affording excellent drainage. Arroyo Seco river stones, or “Greenfield Potatoes,” named for the adjacent town of Greenfield, CA, are unique to this region and integral to the soil as they store and release heat. Cool winds channeling South from Monterey Bay through the Salinas Valley contribute to an extended growing season, ensuring complexity and intensity of the fruit.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Aromas of red and black cherries, red currant, and strawberry with notes of violet and rose petals. On the palate, layers of red fruit and fresh berries, rhubarb pie with a touch of warm spices complemented by vanilla notes and integrated oak on a long delicate finish.”
My Review: Garnet in the glass. A sweetness on the nose with red raspberries and chocolate. Some good fruit on the palate, with a traditional Pinot Noir finish. We heard this is called “the yummy Pinot.” February 2022
Vintage Notes: “The year started with about a half of the average rainfall amount and most of the pruning was finished by the end of January. March storms brought some more rain and all blocks had some sign of budbreak by the end of the month. Blooming season was longer than average due to cooler weather and heavy marine layer influence. Consistent and mellow summer temperatures ensured slower fruit maturation and provided more time for development of flavors, color and depth, which led to another outstanding vintage in the Santa Lucia Highlands.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “This medium-bodied red is dark ruby in color with aromas of black cherry, strawberry and notes of vanilla and spice. A delicate mouthfeel features further flavors of dark fruits, black currant and strawberry with hints of spice and toasted oak accompanied by silky tannins and a persistent, lengthy finish.”
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Hint of cranberry and red berry on the nose. Cranberry, pomegranate, raspberry with a tang on the finish – not cloying. February 2022
Vintage Notes: “Varying microclimates and soils throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands naturally make different varietals excel in this remarkable appellation. With this understanding, we set out to craft a true Santa Lucia Highlands blend, featuring superlative varietals within this AVA. This blend of Grenache (72%), Petite Sirah (14%) and Syrah (14%) makes for a full-bodied, perfectly balanced wine.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Enticing aromas of black cherry, strawberry mousse, white pepper and hints of vanilla. A delicate mouthfeel features further flavors of red berries, black cherry and strawberry with a touch of violets and spice on an elegant medium finish.”
My Review: Rich ruby in the glass. Touch of sweet, smoke and spice on the nose, like a BBQ. Rich red and black berries on the palate. We liked this wine and took some home. February 2022
2018 Hahn Malbec, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $30 (#629)
Winery Notes (from our tasting): 100% Malbec grown at 1200 feet in the Sant Lucia Highlands in that sweet spot of the Hook Vineyard, where these other big reds come from. A somewhat surprising spot in the otherwise cooler, shadier Santa Lucia Highlands! 16 months in the barrel, 60% new oak.
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. A subdued nose and super dry on the finish. Smooth and mild. I would have preferred to taste this before the cuvee! February 2022
2018 Hahn Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $40 (#630)
Vintage Notes: (See Grenache notes above)
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2018 Syrah displays rich and expressive aromatics of dark fruits, blackberries, blueberries, white pepper and violets. The palate mimics the aromas adding rich texture and intrigue with silky tannins and a gentle toasty finish. Rich and luscious, it rounds out with chewy, thick tannins and a long finish.”
My Review: Jammy, plum and yum! We tasted this wine at home. This is a surprisingly good Syrah from a rare, warm, high altitude vineyard in SLH. I would like to get more of this! Our Decanting Monterey wine pod partners also enjoyed this wine. My husband stood alone. February 2022
Hahn Tasting Rooms are located a their estate in the Santa Lucia Highlands, as well as in Carmel Plaza. You can find more information and make a reservation here.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
In January, I received an email from Alex Lallos the manager at Chesebro informing us that they have finally released the 2014 La Montagne Sauvage. We made a bee-line for the tasting room!
Mark Chesebro’s wines have impressed us since we first “discovered” them out in Carmel Valley. Great, delicious wines at affordable prices – what’s not to like? And their wines come from Arroyo Seco and Carmel Valley, my two favorite parts of Monterey County. The Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage Rhone blend has long been one of my favorites. I presented an earlier vintage of this wine at my very first Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar. As a fan of our local wines, I felt compelled to expose others to our Monterey wines. I’ve also presented their Las Arenas at a couple of classes in the past, including at the Northern Virginia American Wine Society. Their wines are always a big hit.
After our tasting (and a thorough re-tasting of the La Montagne Sauvage at home), I decided to purchase a case and get my next DC class on the schedule! Right now, June 14th, for all my DC readers. Thank you, Alex, for making this happen for me!
Today I am presenting 5 Chesebro wines from our January tasting. Winery notes come from their tasting. I will admit, we were deep in conversation with Alex and I didn’t capture detailed tasting notes of my own! And his detailed tasting notes say it all.
I’ve written about Chesebro several times – just search “Chesebro” and you will find them.
2019 Chesebro Vermentino, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $23 (#614*)
Winery Notes: “Vermentino is a variety most often associated with Sardinia, Corsica and Liguria. Alluring aromas of pine and citrus with a smooth palate balanced, by mouthwatering acidity. Late ripening in this cool site allows the development of complex and elegant flavors. Refreshing and vibrant.”
My Review: Light in the glass. Floral on the nose and palate. A very pleasant wine. January 2022
2017 Chesebro Grenache Blanc, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $25 (#615*)
Winery Notes: “Brilliant, almost transparent light-gold in color with a kaleidoscope of aromas including white peach, grapefruit, citrus blossom and tangerine. A subtle hint of vanilla and butterscotch round out the nose. On the palate, citrus and stone fruits. Round yet refreshing through the finish.”
My Review: Light golden in color with caramel on the nose. January 2022
Winery Notes: “Pale yellow gold in color. Exotic aromatics with white flowers, lemon verbena and ever so subtle vanilla bean. The palate is fresh and vibrant, almost Chablis-like in its cut and precision. Each sip has amazing energy and tension balanced by the inherent richness of the ultra-clean Chardonnay fruit.”
My Review: Pale gold in color. Earth on the nose. Both tart and sweet tangerine flavors on the palate with lemon and vanilla notes. January 2022
2016 Chesebro Las Arenas, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $27 (#617*)
Winery Notes: “Our Southern Rhone (Chateauneuf du Pape) style blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah. Aromas of cranberries and blackberries over a background of coffee and a hint of white pepper. Smooth and velvety with a long finish. Enjoyable now with a long life ahead.”
My Review: Dark ruby in color. Earth and dark plum on the nose. Plum and tobacco on the palate with a touch of sweetness along the bitter finish. I like this wine. It is also one of my favorites to showcase in wine classes. January 2022
2014 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage, CM Ranch Vineyard, Carmel Valley, $35 (#618*)
Winery Notes: “Grown on our estate in the Upper Carmel Valley’s rocky mountain soils at 1500’ elevation, this Rhone style blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre is powerful and rich with aromas of cassis, dark forest berries, scorched earth and spice. Blockbuster with a long lingering finish.
My Review: Rich ruby in the glass. Pleasant nose of fresh berries. Palate of berry jam, eucalyptus and chocolate with red currant and anise flavors on the finish. Super delicious. My very favorite of all the Chesebro wines. January 2022
Buying Chesebro Wines: You can buy Chesebro wines via their website (www.chesebrowines.com) or in their tasting room. Updated information on its tasting room hours and reservation link is here. They are open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM by reservation. Chesebro has always been great about shipping wines to the East Coast for me.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
We were seeking parking in Carmel Valley and saw a spot just outside Sal Rombi’s tasting room. We knew he was closed, but he was there – and invited us in. While we were there, Larry Bell came in to pass a flyer about Corral Wine’s new tasting room opening. He started to tell us about his wines – but he didn’t need to say too much – he had me at Sauvignon Blanc from Zabala Vineyard, one of my absolutely favorite combinations. We decided to change our plans for the afternoon to visit Corral Wines!
Larry BellSam
As a 5th generation local, Larry Bell told us a bit of his personal story, growing up in Salinas, his family ranch – Bell Ranch – with both cattle and vineyards, and a long career in tradeshows. He shared colorful stories about his grandfather. On the cool side, he was a pilot who made some daring flights including under the Bixby Bridge (did I hear that right?). On the tragic side, as a dairyman in his 30’s, his grandfather was making deliveries at the Toro Café and was attacked by banditos, leading to his premature death – a shocking story, reminding us that it really wasn’t that long ago that this area really was the wild, wild west. I’m sure there are many more stories yet to be heard!
If you get the chance, please stop by soon to try their terrific wines and welcome them to the neighborhood! Tell them I sent you! Their stylish and comfortable tasting room is located right between Parsonage and Chesebro at 19 East Carmel Valley Road in the old White Oaks shopping center.
About Corral Wine Co.: “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.” Overall production is about 1500 cases.
They have two tasting: The Cellar Rats (referring to Larry and Skip) and The Maker, referring to their winemaker, Adrian.
Today, I am presenting 7 Corral wines. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or their website.
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: Pale in the glass with a frgrant nose. Delicious palate of soft pineapple and white peach. Super good. January 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: Pale salmon in the glass. Vey nice and balanced with a full-flavored kick. We liked this rose! January 2022
2018 Corral Zabala Vineyard Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, $34 (#606*)
Winery Notes: “Rich tropical aromatics such as grilled pineapple, ripe fruit, and toasted coconut with hints of vanilla. With a slight oaky characteristic enhancing the richness of the wine.”
My Review: Honey on the nose. Rich on the palate. The oak in this wine is very subtle. January 2022
2018 Corral Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $48 (#607*)
Winery Notes: Red fruit: cherry, raspberry, and strawberry. Savory with hints of smoked meat, leather, and mineral.” From Pavo Real (Spanish Springs) and KW Ranch.
My Review: Typical Pinot Noir on the nose, yet a richer palate than most local Pinot Noirs. January 2022
Winery Notes: “Full of flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, and spice. Deep, rich fruit, with a long finish.”
My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Plum and dark cherry on the palate – big and rich. If I were playing Mystery wine, I’m not sure I would guess it was a Pinot Noir. We liked it quite a bit! January 2022
2018 Corral Petite Sirah , Paso Robles AVA, $52 (#610*)
Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit, black raspberries, tobacco, dark chocolate, cocoa, and toasted spices. Rich, powerful, with a long finish.”
My Review: Dark ruby/purple in the glass. Aromas and flavors of dark plum, blueberry and blackberry. Smooth, rich and delicious. One of my favorites! January 2022
Come say hello at our newly opened Tasting Room at 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA! Hours are Sunday, Monday and Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00ish pm; and closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
It is always a welcoming experience in the Dawn’s Dream Tasting Room!
It’s doggie grooming day once again – and an opportunity to visit another Carmel-By-the-Sea tasting room. We first discovered Dawn’s Dream when their tasting room was located in the old White Oak Shopping Center, now a winery row. We stop in from time to time, but it has been a while – and long overdue to write up their wines in Decanting Monterey!
About Dawn’s Dream: “With a passion for life and a head for business, Dawn Galante started producing award-winning wines in 2011 while maintaining a business model that allows for the opportunity to give back. Dawn’s passion for helping women and children equals her passion for making wine. With the goal to produce approachable wines of exceptional quality and elegance Dawn is sourcing fruit from the finest vineyards in California. With a focus on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé, the vineyards range from the coastal regions of Monterey County, to the warm, golden hills of Carmel Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands….” You can read more on the website about her start in the winery business working with her husband, Jack Gallante, creating her own winery and pursuing her philanthropic work.
Today, I am presenting 8 Dawn’s Dream wines. Winery notes come from their website and tasting sheet.
Winery Notes: “Aromas of fresh, ripe white peach and nuances of clean, floral French oak barrels envelop your senses. A hint of spring honey leads into a palate of lean minerality and bright citrus flavors; finishing with Granny Smith apple and honeydew melon.” 93 points, Wine Enthusiast
My Review: Mild tropical notes, tart pineapple on the palate – very tasty. December 2021
Winery Notes: “The inaugural vintage! Bright minerality and toasted oak greet the senses, leading to a bone dry, lemon and lime mid palate, hinting at green apple and Bosc pear. The finish simultaneously cleanses with crisp acidity while coating the tongue with a touch of creamy vanilla. Named for Dawn’s second-born granddaughter with $5.00 of every bottle going to Peace of Mind Dog Rescue.”
My Review: Dusty yellow in the glass. A bit mellow on the nose. Butter on the palate, yet crisp with good minerality. December 2021
Winery Notes: “Aromatic hints of dried plum, exotic spice, and sweet cedar entice you in, while flavors of warm stewed black cherry and blackberry balance with cedar notes. This beautifully complex Pinot finishes with mild oak and lingering, soft, yet bright tannins.”
My Review: Translucent ruby in the glass with a big nose. Dusty rose, black tea and plum on the palate, a bit tannic, with a touch of sweetness on the finish. December 2021
Winery Notes: “Notes of Bing cherry, pomegranate and orange zest point the way to glimmers of dried raisins, black tea, and bergamot on the palate; light toasty oak lends itself to a soft and lush finish. An incredibly elegant wine!”93 points, Wine Enthusiast
My Review: Pretty ruby in the glass. Fragrant on the nose with a bit of barnyard on the palate and a touch acidic. December 2021
Winery Notes: “With a deep maroon-brick color, this wine exhibits soft, dark leather, cedar, and cranberry fragrances. Flavors of ripe blackberry, dried plum and allspice are prominent, and bold tannins make the Nicole Pinot Noir the driest of Dawn’s trilogy. One of our most food friendly wines!”
My Review: Dark, translucent ruby in the glass. A touch of barnyard on the nose. Coca cola, plum and cherry on the palate with a slight bitterness on the finish. Our favorite of the 3. December 2021
Winery Notes: “Pedigreed Pinot Noir clones and new French oak come together to create this shining star in Dawn’s portfolio. Dark berry, violet and espresso bean aromatics lead to flavors of dried blackberry, anise and vanilla. The new French oak presence gives this “beautiful dream” a toasty, bold finish.” 93 points, Wine Enthusiast
My Review: Dark ruby, almost purple yet somewhat translucent in the glass. Good cherry flavors, very balanced. December 2021
Winery Notes: “Springtime wild berries intrigue on the nose, while piquant notes of pomegranate, raspberry, and candied orange-peel dazzle the tip of your tongue with a bright yet sumptuous acidity. The finish is silk-soft and swift, making this 2016 vintage the most expressive release of our beloved “Alyssa” pinot yet!”
My Review: Very purple in color. Mellow nose. Smooth and balanced with black tea and cranberry flavors. December 2021
Winery Notes: “Ripe plum notes prevail throughout, with traces of earthy minerality, white pepper and blueberry. Bold tannins, finishing with spice and leather make our inaugural Syrah, named for Dawn’s first-born granddaughter, a first of its kind and daring addition.” 92 points, Wine Enthusiast
My Review: Inky purple in color. Deep plum on the nose – smells so smooth. A bit of spice and bubble gum on the finish. We took one of these home to try again later. December 2021
Dawn’s Dream Tasting Room, NW Corner of 7th and San Carlos, is open for tastings daily – clickhere for the details. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery hereor at their tasting room.
When I reduced my posts to once a week and started hitting the tasting rooms, I didn’t realize how far behind I might get! I’ve decided to present some of these single wines tasted from August to November over the next few weeks to close out 2021. Today I am presenting 7 of them from outside Monterey County, in the order of tasting date. Next week I’ll have a collection of Monterey County wines/wineries to close out 2021. Starting in January, I’ll be back to winery tastings with the occasional one-off wines.
PLease share this blog with your family and friends – the more the merrier! If you have not yet subscribed to my weekly blog, you can enter your email at the very bottom right of this page – then confirm it from your email. I promise no selling of your address, just my weekly post delivered straight to you. And I encourage your comments – maybe you know a winery I should check out. Also, feel free to share back what local wines you are enjoying!
2015 Donati The Immigrant, Paicines, San Benito County, 14.5% ABV, $35 (#555*)
From the Donati Family Vineyard Website: “Albino Donati immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1907. Just like many others who came to America, he arrived with a commitment to create a better life for his family. His hard work, determination, and perserverance have created footsteps for our family to follow for generations. The creation of “The Immigrant” is in honor of his legacy.”
Wine Enthusiast – 89 points: This bottling is very shy on the nose, offering tight boysenberry and wet gravel aromas with patience. The palate is a bit flat as well, but eventually delivers flavors of baked cherry and baking spice, held together by tense tannins. MATT KETTMANN 12/2018
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Mellow berries on the nose. Very smooth on the palate, nice berries, cedar and mint. This is one of those super smooth reds I could just keep drinking. I would have given it a much higher score – in the 92-point range. August 2021
2019 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant, Central Coast, 13.5% ABV, $16 (#556*)
Wine class chose the varietal Cinsault, intending a foreign wine. I found this Bonny Doon wine at Whole Foods in Washington DC. My notes say I paid $23 for it, but it is generally available for less than that!
Winemaker’s Notes from the bottle: “In 1954 the mayor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape was quite perturbed and apprehensive that UFOs are flying cigars might do damage to their vineyards. So right thinking man all, they passed a legal ordinance prohibiting such landings. The ordinance has worked well, as there have been no such landings since the adoption of this far sighted legislation. The stellar composition of our cigar Volant call flying cigar” contains 56% Grenache 30% since so 13% Sarah and 1% petite Sirah.”
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points & Best Buy: A delicate color in the glass, this blend of 56% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 13% Syrah and 1% Petite Sirah pops with bright raspberry, crushed rock, turned earth and lilac aromas on the nose. The palate is tense with rocky edges and yet zesty with pomegranate and strawberry flavors. MATT KETTMANN
My Review: Ruby, somewhat translucent in the glass. A little sulfur on the nose upon opening. Cherry and leather on the palate. Nice on a hot DC evening. August 2021
2017 DeRose Dry Farmed Zinfandel, Cedolini Vineyard, Cienega Valley, San Benito County, 15.1% ABV, $45 (#557*)
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Berry jam and crab (shellfish) on the nose. Berry pie on the palate – it’s a berry-o-rama in the mouth, chalky, slightly sweet, slightly ripe or cooked, with a peppery finish. September 2021
A DC friend (Scott Gudes) brought this wine from his very first wine tasting in Paso Robles! We had it with our dinner at Poppy Hall – very nice.
From the label: “David Bailey planted this vineyard on the old family property on Peachey Canyon Road. This is a head pruned, dry farmed vineyard. This wine is 100% Zinfandel – old time Paso baby! Yeahh! It is all you might expect and then just a wee bit more.”
My Review: Purple in the glass. Jammy and spicy on the nose. Juicy and smooth on the palate. Opened up nicely to dark berries with an even darker, intense fruit finish.October 2021
2015 Trinitas Old Vines Petite Sirah, Contra Costa County, 16.2% ABV, $36 (#559*)
I love a good Petite Sirah and found this for $18 at Costco!
From the Trinitas Website: “This is by no means elegant, its rather a massive hulking bruiser of a wine! In fact, this might be the most decadently textured dry red wine we’ve ever made. Which doesn’t surprise us. 2015 was not only the third year of the drought, but also the vines we source from in Contra Costa County are mainly planted in sandy soils, so they are well drained and receive much more heat. Trust us, this all shows in the wine! This deep, dark-purple elixir has skyrocketing aromas of baked blueberries, blackberries, and toasted vanilla. With just one sip, its heavenly texture completely saturates the palate with baked berry cobbler and vanilla bean flavors that are lifted by dusty tannins as it trails off into a very persistent finish. This is so opulent, juicy, and scrumptious, that it’s nearly impossible to resist. Which is probably why Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93 points and Editor’s Choice!”
My Review: Inky in the glass with aromas of smooth dark berries. Very dark blueberry and blackberry fruit on the palate with cassis and black currant on the finish. Very smooth. Great value for the flavor – I would buy this again!October 2021
2017 Turley Zinfandel, Duarte Vineyard, Contra Costa County, 15.3% ABV, $33 (#560*)
From the Turley website: “This wine is an homage to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area. The wine is comprised of fruit from the turn-of-the-century Evangehlo, Mori, and Salvador vineyards, planted between 1890 and 1960.Thanks to the sandy soils and impressive age of the vines, the wine has some of the softest, silkiest tannins we’ve ever seen in a Zinfandel.”
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. Smoke and plum on the nose. Jammy brambleberry with spice on the palate. A spicy finish with a touch of tobacco. If you stumble on a Turley Duarte, pick it up – I usually recommend decanting Turley wines. October 2021
2015 The Ojai Vineyard Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley,13.5% ABV, $45 (#561*)
The Ojai Vineyard Tasting Notes: “Aromas come on with many of the usual suspects from Bien Nacido—cured meat, purple flowers, rock dust—but also a concentrated fruity exuberance that tilts toward liqueur. It drinks with that same balance, coming on with an lavish blanket of dark fruits before gaining pitch and lengthening into a smoky savory beauty, closing out late with those cool-climate notes of herby tapenade, wood smoke and peppery meat crust. The forward feel will have many drink this sooner than later, but for peak rapture age this for several years, at least.” 97 points- Jeb Dunnuck!!
My Review: Berry blast on the nose, followed by some menthol and leather. Super delicious on the palate. Spice on the finish. We followed the Vineyard Aging Recommendations, opening this one before the 2012 Syrah, which is still not ready! We served this with Thanksgiving leftovers. I loved this wine – probably one of the best Syrahs I have recently consumed.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
A September virtual wine class theme was a “white from anywhere in the U.S.” While some of my good friends had already presented this Carol Shelton wine in the “Monterey South” wine class in August, I reserved the right to taste it myself. I had the great fortune to share this with my COVID Wine Pod members over Labor Day Weekend. As Rhône wine lovers, they truly appreciated this white blend from Paso Robles.
I have 2 more Carol Shelton wines to include today: the 2015 and 2017 Peaceland Vineyard Zinfandels from Sonoma County. During my August stay in DC, I spent time with my former neighbors, who served the 2015 vintage with dinner and we received the 2017 in our Spring 2021 shipment, which we opened after I got back from DC. Aren’t I lucky!
As we weigh the pros and cons of various wineries we belong to, my husband recently stated, “I hope you didn’t cancel your Carol Shelton membership – her wine is some of the best we are getting.” I don’t think there is a higher compliment.
From the Club Newsletter: “This is the “best yet” vintage of Carol’s all-time favorite wine; it is a “red-drinker’s white,” a complex alternative to the more one-dimensional white varietal wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. *Coquille is pronounced “ko-keel” and it is French for scallop, like the scalloped shells on the Shelton family coat of arms, and now on our sexy new label!
“Best White Rhone, Platinum Medal, 94 pts at BOTH the San Diego Int’l Wine Challenge and the Monterey Int’l Wine competition, plus 91 pts from BOTH Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast!” 1362 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Exotic nose of spicy pears and white peaches, almond paste/marzipan,
a touch of honeysuckle perfume. Multi-dimensional (many layers), a hard-to-describe range of aromatics, intriguing, almost mysterious! In the mouth it is crisply dry yet creamy and round and full-bodied, with nice almond paste on crisp-yet-juicy pear fruit.”
My Friend’s Review: Yellow in color. More minerality on the palate than fruit and a touch acidic on the palate. Really brings the Paso/Central Coast terroir. Complex – but not robust. August 2021
My Review: Lemony in the glass. Honey and grass/hay on the nose. Minerally and lean, in a good way. The sweetness of the Viognier shines through in this blend. My French Rhône lovers liked this wine. September 2021
2015 Carol Shelton Zinfandel Peaceland Vineyard, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma County, 14.8% ABV, $36 (#550*)
About the Peaceland Vineyard: “On a mountaintop in the Mayacamas Range, Peaceland Vineyard sits quietly on 200 acres, with less than 40 acres planted to vines. On the eastern side of the Mayacamas, the vineyard has a cooling influence that allows for a longer growing season than its Napa Valley neighbors. Its higher elevation puts it above the fog but below the frost line, making it the ideal spot to grow grapes. While they grow a variety of vinifera at Peaceland Vineyards, Carol selects the Zinfandel and a tiny bit of Petite Sirah to make a single vineyard designate wine from this amazing vineyard.”
Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “From a vineyard planted to three clones of the variety, then blended with 12% Petite Sirah, this sees 18 months in oak, a mix of new American and neutral French. It works in its bramble of wild berry and banana, the body softly layered, rich and sumptuously lush.” Virginie Boone, 09/2018
My Review: Inky, ruby in the glass. Dark berry and mocha-ish on the nose, with some barnyard notes. Very dark berry, raspberry and plum on the palate. “Grapey!” August 2021
2017 Carol Shelton Zinfandel Peaceland Vineyard, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma County, 14.8% ABV, $36 (#551*)88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah
From the Club Newsletter: “The name of the Peaceland Vineyard cones from the translation of its owners’ German last name – Friedland. Three separate clones of Zinfandel each bring different flavor profiles, spiced up by a dollop of “Pet.” The unique “tall-head” trained vines were planted in a wild fantasia of settings – steep hillsides, amidst groves of bay and live-oak, most with stunning vistas of the city of Santa Rosa far below. It was this woodsy setting that brought about the near-demise in the Tubbs Fire of 2017, when the vineyard was partially destroyed – we thought that this 2017 would be its very LAST vintage release, but we are uber-excited to announce that it has come back from the fires and we will have a 2019 vintage and more!
“90 Pts Wine Spectator, 2 Gold Medals on brand new release.” 459 cases produced
Carol’s Tasting Notes: “Deep spicy jammy black raspberry, rich chocolatey oak, layers of loveliness! Juicy razzberry jam in mouth, bright acidity and good structure for aging. This baby packs everything that Zin should be and much more!”
My Review: Very dark, inky in the glass. Jam and a hint of smoke on the nose. I don’t have any more notes from this wine and there was none left for a retaste the next day! Carol’s newsletter indicates its aging potential is 10-20 years – clearly, we drank this one too soon! September 2021
You can buy Carol Shelton wines on her webpage and visit them in Santa Rosa. For more information, check out this link: https://www.carolshelton.com/visit/
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
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