Tagged: 2021

Last Minute Switchup Leads to Scratch!

When the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society lost the planned location for their December gathering, the Scratch Tasting Room offered an excellent alternative! We are indebted to Scratch’s staff for accommodating us on very short notice.  It allowed us to have an exceptional social and wine education event.  I knew from photos announcing its opening that this tasting room was designed to the nines.  But I didn’t realize how spacious it was!  It would be a great location to have a quiet tasting with a girlfriend or a larger event like a bachelorette party or a reception. Really lovely. And the wines matched the setting.

Sabrine Rodems is Monterey County’s most renowned female winemakers. Not only is she the winemaker for the highly respected Wrath Winery (where I first learned of her), but also has her own label – Scratch – and serves as the winemaker for Kori Wines.  While I enjoyed a bottle of Scratch’s Blanc de Blanc earlier in the pandemic, and have written up one or two of her wines, I had not had the opportunity to stop by for a wine tasting or write up a review.

About Scratch from its Website: “Scratch is a project of Winemaker Sabrine Rodems producing small-lot Chardonnay Sparkling, Riesling, Grenache, Pinot Noir and Cabernet from Monterey, Arroyo Seco, Santa Lucia Highlands and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA’s.

“Sabrine received her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA in Theatre, Film and Television and worked in the film and theatre industry for many years before deciding to go back to school to earn her Master’s of Science in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. For the past twenty years Sabrine has been making highly acclaimed wines from some of the best vineyards in California.

“Working in the Central Coast and Monterey area has given her access to some of the best cool climate grapes in the world.” 

I’m also intrigued by her edgy labels. I asked the winery about the message behind them and got this response: “Mr. Cola was once a photographer for the New York Times then eventually found his calling in producing art. Sabrine was originally drawn to Mr. Colla due to his edgy nature as well as powerful message. As we do not have a lot of female wine makers today, we really wanted to showcase strong independent “bad ass” women on our labels to celebrate the change in the industry but also in hopes of inspiring the next generation of female wine makers.” They suggested we check out the artist’s website here: https://www.eddiecolla.com/.

On Eddie’s website he says this: ” There is a visual conversation that takes place on the streets of urban environments. This conversation is dominated primarily by advertising and utilitarian signage and assumes passive participation. Whether invited or not I am going to participate in this conversation. Public spaces were never intended to be coated from top to bottom with photos of consumer products. These spaces should, in some manner, reflect the culture that thrives in that space.”

Erin O of Terravenos and me!

I have 7 Scratch wines to present to you today from this event. I was assisted in my tasting notes by Erin O of Terravinos. I’ll write more abut her in the coming weeks. Therefore, today my notes are a little more in-depth and descriptive. Erin has a much more sophisticated and trained palate than I. I’ve added “assisted by Erin” to those reviews. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or website: https://www.scratchwines.com/. Any errors are mine and mine alone. 

Our Monterey AWS Chapter Leadership!

2020 Scratch Blanc de Blanc, Monterey AVA, 12% ABV, $49 (#905)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Extra Brut Chardonnay sparkling wine with brisk acidity and refreshing bubbles. Citrus with some tropical flair of lychee, guava and white flowers.”

My Review, assisted by Erin: Light cream soda in the glass. Pear and honeysuckle on the yeasty nose. Very crisp palate with notes of lemon zest and green apple – very balanced flavors and a creamy mousse. Super youthful. Nice. December 2022

2020 Scratch Brut Rose, Monterey AVA, 12.1% ABV, $49 (#906)

Winemaker’s Notes: “The touch of 828 Clone Pinot Noir to the Clone 96 Chardonnay base synergistically add a juiciness to the mid-palate that makes you want to take another sip!  Clone 96 Chardonnay has a round honey-dew melon mouth feel and with the addition of pinot makes you think you are biting into a fresh Fuji apple.  This sparkling wine is make using the classic Methode Champenoise, fermented in the bottle.”

My Review, assisted by Erin:  Dusty rose/pale pink in color.  Strawberry jam with a little biscuit and red apple on the nose. Strawberry and rose petals on the palate, amplified by crisp red fruits and ruby grapefruit.  A soft mousse. Fills the palate with bubbles. Youthful. December 2022

2019 Scratch Riesling, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $28 (#907)   

Winemaker’s Notes: “This Riesling is on fire! Big acid, bright minerality, grapefruit and lemon with a hint of flowers.   There is no residual sugar in this wine so it is not sweet at all, it is completely dry.  From the rocky, loamy Kristy’s Vineyard.  ”

My Review, assisted by Erin: Medium lemon in color. Some lees on the creamy, biscuity nose – reminiscent of a sauterne! Nectarine, peach and minerality on the palate. Muted acidity and brightness. Drink now. December 2022

2021 Scratch Boekenoogen Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.4% ABV, $49 (#908)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Bright energetic palate of Cranberries, pomegranate seeds, sour cherries and berries. This juicy Pinot from the near top of the Santa Lucia Highlands bench shows the classic fruit of this AVA along with nutmeg, cinnamon and hints of white pepper.”

My Review, assisted by Erin: Pale ruby in color.  Bouquet of cranberry, raspberry, red plum, and warm baking spices, followed by a touch of garrigue. Raspberry and cranberry on the palate with medium minus tannins and medium acid, leading to a slightly bitter finish. Not cherry at all. The intensity of the fruit is not matched by the alcohol. December 2022

2018 Scratch KW Ranch Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $49 (#909) 

Winemaker’s Notes: “A rich and lush Pinot Noir with black cherries, plum, nutmeg, clove and hints of anise. Produced using 30% whole clusters fermentation creates a structured wine with balanced tannins and complexity.”

My Review assisted by Erin:  Pale garnet in color. Dried cranberry and Bing cherry on the nose – potpourri. Medium-bodied palate presents a little jammy with medium plus grippy tannins and a touch of caramel with cherry notes on the finish. High alcohol.

2018 Scratch Grenache, Arroyo Seco AVA, 14.5% ABV, $49 (#910)

Winemaker’s Notes: “This wine with nutmeg, clove, anise and black cherries will make your meal sing!  This is a sneak-peek at this yet-to-be-released-wine.”

My Review, assisted by Erin: A perfume of rose petal, lavender, raspberry, black cherry and red fruits like cranberry and a tiny bit of chocolate, tobacco.  Perfume carries over to palate with cranberry and raspberry flavors. This is a big wine with medium grippy tannins. December 2022

2017 Scratch Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, 14.4% ABV, $75 (#911)           

Winemaker’s Notes: “From the steep hillside of the JANACA Vineyard on Mt. Madonna. Rich flavors of plum and blackberries with juniper, nutmeg, clove. Classic Cabernet!”  

My Review, assisted by Erin: Inky in the glass. Brambly, blackberry nose with baking spice, mint and sage notes. Full bodied and rich with chalky tannins. This is a lovely wine that represents well one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon growing regions in California. December 2022

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The Scratch Tasting Room is located at 1 East Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Sunday – Thursday: 12 PM – 7 PM; Friday – Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM.  You can find more information here.

Bernardus Marinus Dinner: What a Way to Close out 2022!

Our wine allocations from our various memberships go through peaks and valleys.  A peak was in October when suddenly it seemed we needed to pick up wine from them all at the same time! We stopped in at Bernardus and were offered a tasting. It was there that we learned about the Marinus Dinner and snatched the last seats for the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod.  Marinus is the Bernardus flagship Bordeaux-style red blend. You can read more about former owner Ben Pon’s dream to make Bordeaux-style wine right in Carmel Valley here: https://decantingmonterey.com/bernardusmarinus2010/.

We attended the previous Marinus dinner in 2019 (pre-pandemic). The event was spectacular – a multi-course meal by Carmel Valley’s Chef Jerome Viel who expertly crafted dishes to paired nicely with Marinus wines of various vintages.  You can read more about Jerome here: https://jeromescarmelvalleymarket.com/chef-jerome-viel/.

The recent 2022 Marinus dinner was an expanded affair.  Limited to 22 Marinus club members, it took up 2 rooms in their tasting room – twice the size of the previous event.  The meal was lovely from beginning to end.  I felt as though it were New Year’s Eve and our anniversary dinner all rolled into one!

The Pon Family Crest
Winemaker Dean describes the wines.

This is a rather lengthy writeup, so bear with me.  It starts with the tasting room visit, focused on the 5 non-Marinus wines we had, followed by the Marinus dinner writeup of 6 Marinus wines and our beautiful meal, to close out 2022 in a celebratory way! A few of these wines have been presented here before and several library wines are no longer available. And we did start off the dinner with a glass of their rose from Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, their new effort to do something a little different.  I previously wrote up that wine (#677) here: https://decantingmonterey.com/monterey-county-vintners-and-growers-know-how-to-celebrate-monterey-winemakers/.

Winery tasting notes come from their website, the tasting sheet, or conversations with the winemaker or tasting room staff unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about most of these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2021 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $30 (#884)

Winery Notes from www.wine.com: “Bernardus 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.”

My Review: Golden in the glass. Tropical on the nose and tasty on the palate. This vintage is slightly metallic on the finish. I believe the Monterey Chardonnay is representative of our region. October 2022

2021 Bernardus Ingrid’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $50 (#885)

Winery Notes: “As the vineyard matures, the wines seem to keep getting better and better. This vintage of Ingrid’s Chardonnay is possibly our finest to date! The aromas express ripe tropical fruits and honeysuckle. The palate is very rich and complex with flavors of ripe white fruits and ginger cookie spice. A beautiful expression of this special Carmel Valley vineyard!”

My Review: Very tropical palate with tasty pineapple notes – a cut above. A very fine example of what Monterey County can do with Chardonnay. October 2022

2019 Bernardus Marinus Vineyard Merlot, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $50 (#371)

Winery Notes: “In the glass you will see a wine of deep crimson red. The aromas show bright dark red fruit scents with subtle spice notes. The palate is very rich and soft, with flavors of dried cherries and cranberries, accented with hints of chocolate. The delicious flavors linger beautifully on the long, powerful finish. A superb Merlot!” 90 Points- Wine Enthusiast

My Review: Ruby in color. Sweet spice on the nose.  Delicious palate of cherry and berry fruits. I like this bottling even more than the previous vintage. October 2022

2017 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, Monterey County 12.8% ABV, $125 magnum, currently (as of 12/21) on sale $62.50!!! (#289)

Winery Notes: “Our 2017 Cabernet exudes spicy aromas of red berry and cranberry. The palate beautifully reflects the aromas showing juicy red fruit flavors with a subtle, refreshing acidity. Our Cabernet has been aged for six months in 28-year-old neutral French oak tanks in order to allow the fruit flavors of these grapes to shine through without any oak barrel influence. We hope you will enjoy this wonderful wine as much as we do!”

My Review: Dark ruby in color. Vibrant, fresh red and black fruits on the nose – berries, cherry, carrying over to the palate. Tasty, with a dry finish with a touch of cassis and tobacco. While seemingly light in comparison to the bigger Marinus blends, this opened up into a tongue-coating, delicious little wine. September 2022

2018 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, Monterey County 12.6% ABV, $50 (#886)

Winery Notes: “In the glass you will see a wine of deep crimson red. The aromas show beautiful dark red fruit scents with subtle spice notes. The palate is very rich, expressing intense black cherry and plum flavors, supported by ripe tannins on the finish. An excellent addition to our Bernardus line-up!”

My Review: Pretty rich ruby in color. A toasty nose with nice Cabernet Sauvignon flavors on the palate. October/November 2022

1993 Bernardus Marinus Red Table Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $30 (#887)

Winery Notes: This was the first year they produced Marinus. The grapes were planted in 1989. It was made by winemaker Don Blackburn. From K&L Wine Merchants: “According to Wine Spectator: “A new Bordeaux-style blend that’s firm and intense, if a bit on the tannic side. Currant, cherry and anise flavors are well focused and well proportioned, and finish with dry tannins. Try after 1997.” (08/1996)

My Review: Inky in the glass. Dark and tannic with a touch of ham on the nose. Drinking well – like an old Bordeaux. Balanced. November 2022

2000 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County (#888)

Winery Notes from www.wine.com: “Increasing vine maturity coupled with almost perfect growing conditions enabled us to make a wine of great concentration that still has subtlety and elegance. Even in years of great ripeness our winemaking style emphasizes the textural element of the wine, making it approachable now, with the balance of flavors to age gracefully.”

Raviole de Boeuf

My Review: More purple in color. Leathery. A little alcohol up front with dark fruits on the palate. So smooth. Super well balanced. November 2022

2010 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County (#39) Cabernet Sauvignon 59%, Merlot 29%, Petit Verdot 7%, Cabernet Franc 5%           

Winery Notes: “Our 2010 Marinus exhibits its typical deeply colored robe.  The aromas express beautiful red fruits accented by classic notes of cedar.  The delicious flavors are soft and full, with spicy dark cherry and plus flavors and a smooth texture of well integrated tannins.  Although drinking beautifully now, this Marinus will age gracefully for many years to come.”

Roasted Duck Breast

My Review: Cassis/prune on the nose. Very smooth on the palate. Pairs well with the duck breast. Very delicious. Chalky. Drinking well! November 2022 Marinus is aged in oak for 16 months.

2015 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $125 (#889)

Winery Notes: “This 2015 vintage of our highly regarded Signature Marinus exhibits a beautiful, deep robe. The aromas are redolent with dark red fruits and dried spices. On the palate we find bright ripe-red fruit flavors and notes of cedar on a long, rich finish, promising a long life to come! A wonderful example from our estate vineyard!”

My Review: Label says 14.1% ABV, but probably 14.8%. Rich, dark berry nose with licorice and cocoa notes. Delicious full palate. I gave this wine two hearts! November 2022

2017 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.9% ABV, $75 (pre-release) (#890)

Winery Notes: This vintage has more Merlot in the blend – more like a Right Bank Bordeaux. This was a cooler winter.

Assiette de Fromage

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “This is a classic taste of the Carmel Valley, starting with aromas of blackberry jam, stewed berry and oak spice on the nose. The palate combines a rich blackberry-sauce core along with peppery spices and a luxurious streak of vanilla.” Matt Kettmann, 12/2022

My Review: This vintage has more Merlot, more like a Right Bank Bordeaux. Black licorice, blackberry and toasted oak on the nose – a marshamallowy vanilla. Very jammy yummy on the palate. Be ready for this one to be released – it is terrific. November 2022

2017 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County 14.1% ABV, $125 (pre-release) (#891)

Winery Notes: N/A

Chocolate Decadence

My Review: Inky purple in the glass. Cocoa on the nose. Dark berry and cocoa on the palate. Really jammy. So delicious. This is going to be a great wine. November 2022

Tasting Bernardus Wines: Their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open Tuesday-Saturday.  every day! Reservations are not required. 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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Hahn: Stellar Location for the Monterey AWS WinedUP Friday!

A few months back, they asked me to find a tasting room for their November WinedUP Friday. I suggested Hahn, as there was a desire to get back to Carmel-By-The-Sea.  I have a relationship through my wine education efforts with the staff at Hahn, yet arranging this event took some convincing.  I was able to work this out with Hahn’s Coby Shammas, who has worked with me in the past, helping me identify some Hahn wines for my classes and arranging a tasting for Decanting Monterey last February, which is posted here: https://decantingmonterey.com/hahn-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-decanting-monterey/.

I was recently asked by the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society if I would be willing to serve as an advisor to their board.  I had to feel out what level of commitment this meant – maybe a meeting a month – and to keep doing what I am doing for them.  Which means occasionally using my contacts to find them a venue for their WinedUP Fridays – both an educational and social event. I said ok, and am now officially a Monterey AWS Board Advisor!  It is one small recognition that this blog has some meaning to someone.  If you like what I am writing about, please feel free to comment or “like” this post – engagement is always welcomed! Also always looking for recommendations, although I have yet to run out of material!

OK, back to our event…The Hahn tasting room is a stellar event location.  Nicely decorated with ample indoor and outdoor seating, it easily accommodated our group of about 20 people! The tasting menu that day was perfect, with 2 higher-end Lucienne label wines available for us. Extra hands were on staff to help pour and answer our many questions.  Coby and the other wine presenters did a great job of ensuring we were able to taste all the wines. My final task was to ensure we were all out the door by 6:15 – we made it – with some prodding! I’d call the event a success!

I am presenting 7 Hahn wines today.  Our one common comment on the wines is that Hahn loves its toasty oak.  If you are also a fan, this is the winery for you! Winery vintage and tasting notes come from their website. I encourage you to read more about Hahn here: https://decantingmonterey.com/hahn-inspired-by-the-rhone-blends-of-southern-france/ and on their website.

2017 Hahn Winery Selection Blanc de Noir Brut , Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 11.5% ABV, $50 (#864) 100% Pinot Noir

Vintage Notes: “Our Blanc de Noir, meaning “white of red”, is made of 100% Pinot Noir grapes from our certified sustainable Smith Vineyard. The fruit was harvested by hand in mid-August when sugars were low and acid was beautiful. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures, allowing the wines bright fruit aromas to shine.” 150 cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aromas of red cherry, raspberry, cantaloupe and toasted brioche, complemented by hints of apricot and orange zest. Flavors of grapefruit, pear, white peach and toasted bread lead into a long and graceful finish.”

My Review:  Very slight color – a touch dusty pink.  Very dry and crisp, with apple flavors. Kind of like a sophisticated, adult sparkling apple cider – an adult Martinelli’s! November 2022

2021 Hahn Estate Grown Pinot Gris, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.1% ABV, $28 (#865)

Vintage Notes: “The winter rainfall was slightly below average, but we were able to compensate with early spring irrigation to fill soil profiles before budbreak. Warm spring temperatures aided vine growth and they were able to reach max canopy height. Summer temperatures heated up and slowed down vine growth as vines transitioned into fruit development. Weather leading into harvest was relatively cool and uneventful, which allowed for gradual ripening of the fruit. It was another remarkable growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands, resulting in wines with beautiful color, great structure and naturally balanced acidity.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This elegant wine presents with expressive and complex aromatics of citrus peel, lemon, pineapple and nectarine. Bright flavors of tropical fruit, lemon zest and hints of pear and melon mingle on the mid-palate, rounding out medium-bodied mouthfeel with refreshing acidity and a clean, mineral finish.”

My Review:  Extremely pale in the glass, almost like water. Honeysuckle on the noce and palate.  Pear flavors, with lemon/lime on the finish. November 2022

2018 Hahn Lucienne Lone Oak Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $50 (#866)

Vintage Notes: “Aromas of white melon and ripe citrus are accented with notes of banana and spiced vanilla. Medium-bodied, refined and elegant on the palate, the wine displays flavors of lemon citrus and nectarine, highlighted by vibrant notes of minerality on a medium acidic finish.”

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.” 93 points – Vinous

My Review:  Pale golden and viscous in the glass.  Buttered toast on the nose. Crisp, slightly burnt caramel on the palate with lemon curd, coconut, and brioche notes. The oak on this wine is out of balance – all secondary.  If you love a buttery Chardonnay, you will love this wine. November 2022

2019 Hahn Lucienne Smith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $60 (#867)

Vintage Notes: “Curving along the ridges and valleys of the Santa Lucia Highlands, the Smith Vineyard is Hahn’s highest elevation vineyard, reaching 590 to 1,280 feet above sea level. Originally planted in 1974, Smith is also Hahn’s first estate vineyard, and today its 131 acres are certified sustainable. With rocky well-drained soils and eastern exposures that sit well above the fog line, this is a cool climate site with moderate wind and ample sunshine that contributes to a long growing season.” 1300 cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Fragrant aromas of black cherry, red plum, black tea and notes of mint and forest floor. On the palate, flavors of red cherry, black currant and a hint of clove are supported by intriguing layered round tannins, lush mouthfeel and balanced acidity.” 93 points -Vinous.

My Review:  Nice transluscent ruby in the glass, swirls purple. Cherry, subtle berry, very drinkable. Tasty and juicy. The Lucienne is a respectable SLH Pinot Noir. Pick one up if you can! November 2022

2018 Hahn Winery Selection Merlot, Arroyo Seco AVA, 14.5% ABV, $30 (#868)

Vintage Notes: “The vintage presented us with half the average rainfall, therefore, irrigation was supplemented in January and February so the vines would awaken to a full soil moisture profile. March gave us our last winter storm and by the end of the month, all blocks had signs of bud break. The early Spring weather was cooler than normal, with periods where the marine layer would leave heavy dew on the leaves and flowers. Summer was followed by mellow temperatures, allowing the fruit to mature and slowly develop complex flavors, color, and depth, resulting in wines with balanced tannic structure, round mouthfeel and soft acidity.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aromas of black cherry and plum, with hints of vanilla and cocoa. Flavors of dark berry, sweet spice, and mocha greet the palate with a luscious mouthfeel, balanced acidity and a smooth finish.”

My Review:  Beautiful ruby in the glass.  Black plum and black cherry with a little baking spice on the nose. Black fruit and spices continue on the palate, smooth and tasty. A little thin, perhaps typical for the varietal. Interesting to find a Merlot from Arroyo Seco! November 2022

2018 Hahn Winery Selection Zinfandel, Lodi AVA, 14.5% ABV, $35 (#869)

Vintage Notes: “The fruit for this Winery Selection Zinfandel is sustainably grown by the Mettler family, our growing partner of more than 20 years that has been farming Zinfandel since the late 1800s. Their vines are over 50 years old and certified sustainable under the highly respected Lodi Rules for Sustainable Farming program. In 2018, these vineyards had a mild early growing season which led to full canopies and good separation of the berries during veraison. Temperatures post veraison were slightly above the usual levels but still allowed for the perfect ripening of the fruit, leading to concentrated flavor and color development.”

Winery Notes:  “Aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and plum with delicate notes of raisins and warm spices. Lush and full-bodied on the palate, the wine bursts with flavors of black fruit and berry accompanied by a touch of vanilla and toasty oak on the finish.”

My Review:  Almost purple in the glass. Toasted marshmallow nose. Rich, dark berries wrapped in tobacco and toast, with anise notes on the finish and a touch of mint. November 2022

2019 Smith & Hook Malbec, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $40 (#870)

Vintage Notes: “The 2019 vintage started out with below-average rainfall causing supplemental irrigations to be applied while the vines started to awaken. There were a few heatwaves getting close to 100 degrees, but the vines bounced back from the stress with no issues. The farthest south of Hahn’s four SLH vineyards, the Hook vineyard is the least affected by the cooling influence of winds from Monterey Bay. Warmer temperatures earlier in the afternoon and consistent sun exposure accelerate ripening and yield rich, opulent flavors.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aromas of loganberry and allspice are followed by hints of lavender, violet, and spring blossom. On the palate, notes of dark fruit with a kiss of olive and minerality, finishing with a touch of toasty cedar and espresso with a long, complex finish.”

My Review:  Dark, inky ruby in color. Toasty caramel and dark fruit on the nose.  A rich delicious palate of dark fruit – perhaos my favorite wine of the evening. I took one of these home! November 2022

Visiting Hahn: 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.

Estate: “Immerse yourself in the Santa Lucia Highlands with a visit to our Estate Tasting room. Choose one of our three tasting options or gear up for some adventure on our ATV Tour. Be sure to include time to relax on the deck to enjoy the spectacular view of Smith Vineyard.” Open Thursday-Monday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 37700 Foothill Road, Soledad, CA 93960.

Carmel Plaza: “Come visit us in Carmel-by-the-Sea! Our Hahn Family Wines Tasting Room is located in beautiful Carmel Plaza, a popular wine and shopping destination located blocks away from Carmel Beach and the World Famous Pebble Beach Golf Course.” Open daily, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Carmel Plaza, Ocean Avenue and Mission Street on the Ground Floor.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Interesting Showing of Central Coast Wines at the Dome Reunion!

A fun little Thanksgiving Post for you all today, including a wine from Los Altos Hills!

When I heard “the Domies” were having their 50th reunion, I was all in.  While I had seen the UC Davis domes over the years, a chance to attend one of their reunions had always eluded me.  My husband was one of about 2 dozen people who work on the project to build the domes back in 1972. The reunion was very well attended, with most of the former hippie-esque originals in attendance.  It was a great weekend of memories and rekindling of old relationships and making new friends. 

We brought a case of theme-appropriate Napa wine made by one of our local vintners – the 2018 Bunter Spring Hippie Syrah, which was enjoyed greatly by everyone.  We have reviewed this wine before (#756) here: https://decantingmonterey.com/bunter-spring-suddenly-closes-tasting-room-wine-pod-jumps-on-chance-to-taste-his-wines/.

My Review: Very dark ruby in color.  A dark cherry nose.  Black cherry on the rich, tasty palate, with a touch of yeastiness on the finish. This is my favorite to date of the Hippie Syrahs! Can’t wait to taste the 2019! June 2022

What I did not really expect to see at this reunion was Central Coast wine! I captured 2 true “Central Coast” wines the first night we were there.

  • 2021 Hitching Post Pinks Dry Rosé Wine, Central Coast
  • 2009 Yáñez-Chin Winery Chardonnay, Los Altos Hills, Santa Clara County

The very first wine served as the Hitching Post Pinks. I was a bit surprised to see it up in Northern California.  I’ve written about Hitching Post wine before.

The second wine was much more obscure. On the first night of the Dome Reunion, I met Luis Yáñez, the engineer who was the senior managing consultant on the Domes construction project and a part-time instructor at UC Davis. He oversaw the design and construction of the utility core elements of the domes:  kitchen, bathroom, plumbing and electrical. He continues to play a role in innovative technologies and solutions.

A very sweet and friendly fellow, Luis also dabbled in wine making for a while, as the owner of the Yáñez-Chin Winery in the Los Altos Hills and brought a case of his award-winning 2009 Chardonnay for us to enjoy. He produced Chardonnay from 2008-2010 from a nearby property where he planted 127 vines of Chardonnay and built an impressive home.

I don’t know much about the Los Altos Hills wine growing region in Santa Clara County.  Wineries nearby include Portola; Thomas Fogarty; Neely Winery; and the new Madsen located in Los Altos Hills. More wineries are just to the south, including historic Murrieta’s Well and Felloms Ranch, a source for grapes by our own Ian Brand.

I did find an article about residents making their own wines in “Our Town: The Official Newsletter of the Town of Los Altos Hills” from June 2017: Los Altos Hills Wine Country.  It indicates that there were 112 vineyards in town at that time!  There is also an annual Vines & Wine Event in Los Altos Hills with dozens of local winemakers!

2021 Hitching Post Pinks Dry Rosé Wine, Central Coast AVA, 13% ABV, $18 (#862)

The Hitching Post Pinks is made by Hartley Osini Vintners, Santa Maria, CA.

Winemaker’s Notes from their website: “A clean and softer version of our typical style of Hitching Post Wines Pinks Dry Rosé. Using our staple blend of 80% Valdiguie from French Camp Vineyards in San Luis Obispo County and 20% Pinot Noir from Quinta del Mar Vineyard.

“Lightly peach colored with an almost rusty hue. Soft tropical notes drawing out slight watermelon rind, and strawberry. An easy sipper for hot days, the acidity gives enough amplitude on the palate to bring out a cactus pear flavor. A fun wine to accompany a cheese and charcuterie board that is balanced and repeatable to drink.”

My Review: Rich pink in color. Aromas typical of a Pinot Noir-based rosé. Very tasty. I would have this again.  The Valdiguié is a nice switch up from our usual Pinot Noir-driven Central Coast rosés! I would buy this. October 2022

2009 Yáñez-Chin Winery Chardonnay, Los Altos Hills, Santa Clara County, 12% ABV, $45 (#863)

Luis brought a case of his 2009 Yáñez-Chin Chardonnay to share with the group. 90 cases were produced. He indicated this wine won third place out of 35 wineries in a Los Altos Hills wine competition, likely the Vines & Wine Event mentioned above, about 5 years ago. At that time, the wine should have sold for about $45, although Luis mostly gave it to his family and friends.

My Review: Amber in color. A little cloudy. Caramel on the palate with fig notes, a touch sweet like a vermouth. I would have liked to taste it 5 years ago! October 2022

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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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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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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