Corral Wine Co. co-owner and winemaker Adrien Valenzuela had shared with us that the newly-released Pinot Noirs would be available now in the tasting room in early February. We stopped by the check them out – and to try again their new Petite Sirah. I’m honing in on my wines for my next DC class and wanted to check out my options. I’ve got their Sauvignon Blanc in my lineup – what else might I pick?
Sourcing grapes from some of the regions very best vineyards is key to their success – from the correct side of Paso (depending on the varietal) to some of my personal favorite vineyards in Monterey County and beyond to San Benito County.
THE WINES – AVAILABLE NOW!
Today I am presenting 3 Corral Wine Co.wines from this September tasting, plus a few we tasted earlier in the year. I previously wrote about my first sip of the 2020 Petite Sirah here: Monterey County Vintners & Growers Celebrate 50 Amazing Years!Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2021 Corral Wine Co. Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $68 (#1267)
Winery Notes: “Bright vibrant aromas of red fruit: strawberry, pomegranate, dark cherry, and rose petals. Rich texture, balanced acidity, and a long fruit driven finish.”
My Review: Ruby, earth and cherry on the nose. Tobacco, tart cherry on the front. Fades on back palate. Very representative of our region. February 2024
2021 Corral Wine Co. Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA , Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#1268)
Winery Notes: “Rich, full flavors of drk cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, spice, and a long finish.”
My Review: Darker in color with more purple in the ruby. Dark cherry on the nose. Big bodied and rich dark berries on the palate. Unsweetened chocolate and espresso bean on the finish, with a touch of alcohol. Now here is a wine I would like to present in a class! February 2024
2020 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $54 (#1249)
Winery Notes: “Deep aromatics of ripe red and black fruit, black pepper, and leather with hints of graphite, nutmeg, and a slightly charred oak which give way to its full body but elegant mouthfeel and flavors of dark berries and nice structured tannins on the finish.”
My Review: Rich, thick dark purple in the glass. Eucalyptus or sage on the dark berry nose, following over to the thick, rich palate. This is one delicious tasty wine. I took some home and would definitely present this wine in a class! February 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
“Come say “Hello” at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village” located at19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley. Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6 p.m.
On a lovely September day, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod decided to stop in at Corral Wine Co. to experience their beautiful portfolio of tasty wines. There, we were warmly greeted and hosted by their expert staff, LeAnne and Marissa. It was a nice, quiet afternoon to taste some new releases, as well as retaste some of our favorites.
My last post about Corral Wine Co.was here: Impressive Corral Lineup for the Monterey AWS WinedUP Friday!A few of today’s wines were also in this post – but I am providing updated notes here. My notetaking can be really detailed or really skimpy when traveling with the Wine Pod – depends if we are “working” or simply enjoying ourselves – and how many tastings we have done in a single day.
We’ve been fans of Corral since they first opened their tasting room in January 2022 and find their young winemaker Adrien Valenzuela to be one of the most exciting, promising, up and coming winemakers we have encountered. His versatility seems to have no bounds – from a flavorful, delicate Sauvignon Blanc to his creative “See What You Can Do With It” red blend.
Sourcing grapes from some of the regions very best vineyards is key to their success – from the correct side of Paso (depending on the varietal) to some of my personal favorite vineyards in Monterey County and beyond to San Benito County.
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 8 Corral Wine Co.wines from this September tasting, plus a few we tasted earlier in the year. Some of these wines have been presented here before. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of lemongrass, citrus, fersh herb, and guava with hints of gooseberry. Flavors of lemon, peach, and citrus finishing with a nice minerality and racing acidity.”
My Review: Straw in the grass. A slightly sweet nose of grapefruit & melon. The nose follows over to the palate with a grapefruit twist on the finish. It’s a lot, in a good way. September 2023
(Honeydew on the nose. A nice, round palate finishing with pineapple and citrus fruits. July 2023)
2021 Corral Rosé of Pinot Noir, River Road, Monterey County, 13.25% ABV, $26 (#1206)
Winery Notes: “Bright and delicate, with aromas of strawberry and orange blossom. Aged in 100% Stainless Steel for 10 months.”
My Review: Ballet slipper pink in color. Sweet Bouquet of honeysuckle. Rich in flavor – a touch sweeter than I generally prefer – but just barely. April 2023
2022 Corral Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russell Estate, Monterey County, 13.25% ABV, $28 (#1207)
Winery Notes: “Bright and delicate with hints of strawberry, cotton candy, and hibiscus. Flavors of raspberry tea and white peach linger through the finish.”
My Review: Pale pink in color. Honeysuckle on the nose. White peach and floral on the palate. Quite nice but a tad sweet for me. 100% patio wine. Great for the beach. September 2023
Winery Notes: “Rich tropical aromatics of grilled pineapple, ripe fruit, and toasted coconut with hints of sweet baking spices. Subtle flavors of oak and spice finish on the palate with a nice oily body. Long lasting finish enhances the richness of this Chardonnay.”
My Review: Light golden in the glass. Toasted coconut on the nose, almost Sauternes like. Banana on the palate. September 2023
2019 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#841)
Winery Notes: “Rich flavors of dark cherry, plum, and nutmeg. Elegant and lasting finish.”
My Review: Pale garnet in color. Caramel on the nose. Spices including nutmeg on the mid palate. A bit of tobacco on the finish. September 2023
(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 – we have some at home! September 2022)
2019 “See What You Can Do With It” Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $62 (#843)
Winery Notes: “50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah blend with notes of cranberry, pine needles, and all spice.”
My Review: It’s got a great nose – “It smells up my alley,” proclaimed a Wine Pod member. This is truly my kind of wine. The Syrah hits mid palate with white pepper notes. A touch tart on the finish like a cherry Jolly Rancher. Right now, the grape varietals are tasting somewhat separately. September 2023
(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 – recommend cellaring for a year or so – if you can resist! One of our favorite Corral wines. September 2022)
2020Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $82 (#1209)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of black cherry, currant, and cedar. Hints of violet and blackberry. Aged in 50% new French oak.”
My Review: Deep garnet in the glass. Perfume on the nose. Very deep fruit and spice on the palate. This is going to be a great wine. April 2023 and September 2023
2019 Corral Petite Sirah, Aleksander Vineyard, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $72 (#844)
Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit: blackberries, blueberries tobacco, black pepper, and toasted baking spices. Rich in flavor, full bodied with a long finish. Aged in 100% Oak barrels, 50% new oak, 25% French, 25% American oak.”
My Review: Our last wine – and skimpy notes. Magenta in the glass, barnyard on the nose. We always like this wine. September 2023
(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)
THE TASTING ROOM
“Come say “Hello” at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village” located at19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley. Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6 p.m.
We wrapped up the late summer Decanting Monterey Wine Pod visit to Paso Robleswith a lunch tasting at Halter Ranch. What a perfect spot for great food and big reds just the way we like them. While we enjoyed a delicious lunch, our server Kennedy gave us an exceptional presentation of the wines being tasted that day.
I really appreciated the recognition as an industry person and the corresponding discount. Those not-so-small gestures help make this not-for-profit blog possible! I’d go back again for this experience in a heartbeat.
“Set along the westernmost boundaries of Paso Robles, California, surrounded by the wild, and wide-open Santa Lucia Mountain Range of the Central Coast, Halter Ranch is a 2,700-acre organic nature estate dedicated to land, art, and legendary terroir-driven wine made with the finest organic grapes. Envisioned by Swiss entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world-leading land conservationist, Hansjörg Wyss, the estate is an homage to his mother, Alice Halter, and a haven for the natural world to flourish and deliver exceptional, timeless wines.
Block 22 Syrah
You can read more about Halter Ranch and its 100% estate and organic wines here.
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 6 Halter Ranchwines. There were two tastings: the Ranch Flight and the Silver Label Flight – we chose the latter. Winery notes come from our server, the bottles, and their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2016 Halter Ranch Cuvée Alice Estate Reserve, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.9% ABV, $150 (#1200) 66% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 2% Tannat
Winery Notes: This is a GSM with the addition of Tannat. Their most expensive wine is named in honor of the owner’s mother, Alice.
My Review: Dark ruby. Warm spice on the nose. Big mouthful of smooth wine. Very tasty. We liked this wine. September 2023
2020 Halter Ranch Cuvée Alice Estate Reserve, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.7% ABV, $96 (#1201) 45% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 8% Tannat, 7% Mourvèdre
Winery Notes: “The 2020 Cuvée Alice has aromas of rose petals, blood orange, and bing cherry. The entry is soft, supple, and inviting to the palate with flavors of dragon fruit, raspberry, and mulled spices. The vibrant acid and low tannin structure makes this wine a perfect option for pairing with food, and equally a wine that will age gracefully.”
My Review: Darker, slightly purple in the glass. Alcohol followed by vegetal notes on the nose. Dark red fruits on the palate. Austere, yet fairly complex, ending with some leather, orange and smoke. Grape blend is very balanced. September 2023
2020 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Block 22 Syrah, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.8% ABV, $88 (#1202)
Winery Notes: “The 2020 Block 22 Syrah has aromas of blueberry, ripe plum, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The entry is rich and juicy, driven by flavors of elderberry, raspberry, and boysenberry preserve. The mid palate has length and acidity, balanced by soft, supple tannins that lead to a clean, food-friendly finish.”
My Review: Inky purple in color. A lot of legs in the glass. Smoked ham on the nose. Yummy big rich, dark fruit with lots of coffee and chocolate. A little orange oil and caramel on the finish. Sweet. A big wine. We took a lot of this wine home but wish we had taken more! We have enjoyed this several times since! September 2023
2019 Halter Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (#1203) 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot
Winery notes: “The 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of black cherry, red currant, cassis, and a touch of pencil lead. The palate is soft and rich, exuding flavors of raspberry, blueberry, and a hint of cocoa. Lengthy, integrated tannins lead to a seamless finish.”
My review. Garnet in color. Dark fruit and alcohol on nose. Tasty palate, a touch sweet. It’s fine. September 2023
2020 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Tannat, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $92 (#1204)
Winery Notes: “The 2020 Reserve Tannat has aromas of clove, cardamon, black tea and dark fruits. The entry is juicy and textured, driven by flavors of blackberry, black currant, and a mix of baking spices. The integrated mid palate and finish bring structure, tannin and length to an age-worthy wine for your cellar.”
My Review: Inky in the glass. Smooth, dark fruit on the nose. I really liked this wine. September 2023
2019 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Ancestor, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $85 (#1205)
Winery Notes: “The 2019 Ancestor showcases aromas of red currant and dark chocolate along with subtle hints of cinnamon and clove. The entry is soft and rich with layered flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and dark cherry. The mid- palate is thick and mouth coating with balanced acid. The finish is framed by integrated tannins and delicate flavors of caramel and truffle.”
My Review: Garnet/purple in the glass. Dark fruit on the nose. Big cab flavors on the palate. Reminds us of a Rombi cab. More refined than a Malbec. Would make an excellent mystery wine. Katrina would like this wine. I think if we opened this wine at home, we would really like it. So, we took some home. September 2023
Halter Ranch has a range of experiences including lunch, tastings, and tours. You can explore your options here. It is located at 8910 Adelaida Rd, Paso Robles and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We think you, too, would enjoy a lunch tasting at Halter Ranch!
After we had finished our first day of formal tastings with the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod, we checked into our boutique hotel – The Piccolo. Everything was elegance and wine in this place, located right in downtown Paso Robles. So tastefully decorated and attractive. And a “champagne”vending machine right in the lobby! Our friends were adventurous enough to try it out – so fun.
Our rooms were so tastefully appointed and comfy. The rooftop deck gave us another place to gather overlooking the town and the included breakfast was the perfect combination of bites to satisfy and nourish. Plus, bonus: there was an evening wine tasting in the lobby. I can’t wait to stay here again!
Proprietor Susan A. Mahler of Cypher Winery was in the hotel lobby to tell her story and pour her wines. It was fun chatting for a bit and tasting a couple of her wines. Her science background appealed to me. Based on our brief experience, I would seek out her winery for a more thorough tasting in the future. We tasted some big reds – I would have liked to take some home!
Our group then went for a delicious dinner at Les Petites Canailles, a bustling French restaurant with exceptional service. We definitely need to go back here! Our meal was accompanied by a bubbly and a Booker red blend, the latter of which I am also including in today’s post.
FIRE “Winemaker Susan A. Mahler (affectionately known as SAM ZinPunk) grew up with a solid sense of independence via an adventure-fueled, free-range 70’s style childhood. Her love for nature was nurtured by camping in the great Northwoods, along with biking and cross-country skiing on the “Rails to Trails” prairie paths and State Parks of Illinois. A passion for the outdoors led SAM to the Mountains of Snowmass, Colorado at age 18 where she developed her cooking prowess while working at two phenomenal restaurants. She also developed a life-long fanaticism for downhill skiing.”
SKY “After saving enough to attend flight school, SAM moved to Northwestern Colorado to pursue a degree in Aviation – with the ultimate goal of becoming a commercial pilot. Skiing, dirt biking, and flying over Western Colorado and Utah made for a pretty great adventure. Upon graduation, and armed with a commercial and instructor pilot license, young SAM moved to California.”
EARTH “Flying was her first love but her second love, science, ultimately won out. SAM left her life as a young commercial pilot to pursue a BA in Earth Science and an MA in Remote Sensing at UC Berkeley, followed by 5 years working as a research associate at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. During this time, SAM’s passions expanded to training and competing at an elite level in Taekwondo, and mountain biking Mt Tam and the Berkeley hills. While the Bay Area was an amazing playground for intellectual and physical pursuits, another adventure began percolating and after 12 years in Berkeley, Paso wine country came calling.”
WATER “Of the wine kind… SAM co-founded Four Vines winery while living and working in Berkeley and made the move to Paso Robles in 2002 to dive full time into the workings of running a winery. Flash forward to 2020, the adventure continues with Cypher’s 10th anniversary and the release of the long-awaited Anime Series, bringing things full circle in this adventure called life.”
Quintessence “Sharing my creations for the enjoyment of friends, family, members, and visitors is the pinnacle of my journey.”
“At Booker, our purpose is simple: to thoughtfully farm and craft world class wines that leave a small footprint but make a big impact. Our 100 acre certified organic estate vineyard produces a myriad of different wines with an emphasis on Rhône varietals. Booker wines are in limited production and often sell out to our wine club upon release. Select offerings from our current vintage are available here.”
The Booker Story
“The name Booker comes from the two orphan brothers who had purchased the land in the late 1920’s. The Booker brothers were Paso’s favorite sons, dedicating their lives to being great farmers and humanitarians. From the past to present, learn how one family’s story blends into another as the values remain the same: community, giving back, and quality farming.”
THE WINES
I have 3 wines to present to you today: 2 from Cypher and 1 from Booker. Winery notes come from their bottles or websites. Any errors are mine and mine alone. I ask for your grace in my tasting notes, as it was after 2 impressive tastings earlier in the afternoon. We were kind of done, but I’m never one to pass up an opportunity.
2021 Cypher Elemental Zinfandel, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $58 (#1185)
Winery Notes: “This is an elegant expression of Paso Robles Zinfandel from vineyards in both the Templeton Gap and Adelaida Districts of Paso Robles with layer of blackberry, strawberry, cherry, black pepper and a vanilla finish. An ode to my journey into winemaking 20 years ago and the connection between Cypher’s three Anime blends, this special release is like coming around full circle.” Susan A. Mahler, Winemaker
My Review: Dark in color. Spicy and yummy on the palate. A good balance of berries, dark fruit, spice and alcohol. Well balanced. August 2023
2019 Cypher Slayer, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.1% ABV, $58 (#1186) 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 10% Zinfandel, 3% Tannat, 2% Petite Sirah
Winery Notes: “Slayer was a crazy fun wine to develop and has been a huge crowd pleaser at the tasting room. Like Fifth Element, it’s a creative blend of five varietals fused purposely to reveal layer upon layer of sensory delight as you taste the wine through its beginning, middle and end…. lingering into a gorgeous finish. The Zin, Tannat and Petite Sirah were selected and balanced to enhance the jam of this wine – which I describe as Cabby in the front and jammy in the back. Slayer is an exciting combination of fearless, unique, and beautiful.”
My Review: Very dark fruit on the nose. The palate was exquisitely smooth and delicious. August 2023
2018 Booker Oublié GSM, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.1% ABV, $80 (#1187) 38% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre, 27% Syrah
About Oublié: “Oublié is one of our lightest blends. It aims to mimic a Chateaneuf du Pape and pair well with all types of food. The name is a French term for the “forgotten,” in reference to Rhone varietals that are less commonly found in California wines.”
Winery Notes: “At first taste you will never believe this is a 2018. Soft and approachable with dark cherry and vanilla aromas, coupled with blueberries and crushed black pepper on the palate. Each component of the blend seems to fit together like the perfect puzzle piece.”
Accolades: “Jeb Dunnuck scores the 2018 vintage 96 points. In 2017 this wine was ranked #10 on Wine Spectator’s top 100. The last six Robert Parker scores average 95 points”
My Review: Apologize – we didn’t take any notes at dinner. It was a lovely wine which we all enjoyed. August 2023
“The Cypher Tasting Lounge evolved out of a love of great wine, food and bringing people together to enjoy them along with great conversation and fun. Wine flights include SAM’s seasonally inspired culinary creations to enhance your tasting experience. We invite you to relax in our lounge or garden and look forward to sharing a wine-inspired culinary adventure with you.
“The tasting lounge is located just 3 blocks South of the square in downtown Paso at the historic train depot. Built in 1880, the Depot is an architectural gem with original wood floors, windows and loaded with charm. SAM designed a welcoming atmosphere at Cypher for guests to settle in, relax, and enjoy life in the “SLO Lane” with great wines and friendly, authentic hospitality.
“Reservations are suggested to save your space and allow us to prepare your optimal tasting experience. We do our best to accommodate walk-ins. Give us a call or text at 805-237-0055 to make a reservation, or click the button above.”
“Our tasting room is open daily! The current classic tasting is a flight of four wines, waived with a 3 bottle purchase or with membership. We are operating by reservation only at this time. If you plan to visit on a weekend, we encourage you to book at least a month prior as reservations fill up quickly. We look forward to welcoming you at the estate soon!” Open daily by reservation 10 AM – 4 PM, 2644 Anderson Road, Paso Robles, California. 805.237.7367 info@bookerwines.com
Our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners invited us to attend Law Estate Wines’ classy release party in August – and wow – what a release party it was! First, when you drive up to the winery, you realize it is on a whole different level than what we are used to in quaint Monterey County. The Impressive modern architecture outside immediately sends the signal that this is going to be a powerful experience.
The elegance continued inside, with a warm welcome and an icebreaker glass of rosé. The staff was so friendly, welcoming, and prepared for this large, formal, sit-down event. Plus, their lovely wines were accompanied by bites of food pairings. I was blown away by the experience – and the wines. We thank our friends deeply for inviting us.
The winery has been gracious in their follow-up emails to me – and, not by any of my action, is planning to come up north to do an event for our own American Wine Society Monterey Chapter – we are so fortunate! This might be a good time for you to join our chapter!
This is the second in a series of five posts about our wine escapades down south! I have written about Law Estate Wines several times (just search for “Law” on any page of my website), with the most recent one here: Law Beyond Category: A Powerful Spanish Blend.
“The Adelaida District, which is the most northwestern of the 11 Paso Robles districts, approximately 53,100 acres, is well defined by its mountainous topography. Nestled within the southern end of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, many slopes are covered with coastal and live oak woodland decorated by Lace Lichen. Lace Lichen? It’s what looks like Spanish Moss, but isn’t, and happens to be the State of California’s official State Lichen. Beyond the novelty, its existence suggests two things: a clean air environment because of its sensitivity to sulfur dioxide, as well as a damp setting, which is fitting since the Adelaida District is one of the wettest of the Paso Robles districts due to the orographic influence as storms travel from the Pacific Ocean, east…
“In 1973, famed winemaker and viticulturist Andre Tchelistcheff came to Paso Robles at the request of Doctor Stanley Hoffman to consult at the Hoffman Mountain Ranch (HMR). His guidance helped the Hoffman’s achieve wines of merit in various international competitions. Mr. Tchelistcheff said of the HMR project: “Love, devotion, and self-sacrifice are very rare in this day, but they are needed to make great wines and the Hoffman boys have these qualities”. He also called HMR Vineyards “a jewel of ecological elements”, which today remains true as the HMR vineyard is still producing high-quality fruit.
“What at times seems like a legend in Paso Robles is rainfall. On the average, the Adelaida District receives around 30 inches of rain in a year cycle, which is approximately 20 more inches than some of the dryer parts of the Paso Robles AVA. On exceptionally wet years, vineyards have measured up to 45 inches of precipitation, and somewhere around nine inches in dry years. Luckily, the calcareous soil has both water retentive capabilities and good drainage. This duality comes as a result of much of the calcareous rock being porous, like a sponge, and yet because it fractures easily, it allows water to travel deeper into the bedrock. The sponge-like qualities prove to be important as vines grow deep seeking out moisture during the warm summers.
“There is a modest maritime influence from the Pacific Ocean as the warm air of the Paso Robles area rises, mixing with the cool moist air on the coast, creating fog that will roll in and out of Estero Bay to the west. A vacuum effect is created that brings cooling winds into the Paso Robles AVA. Further south of the Adelaida District, the Templeton Gap sees these winds standing up flags, but back up in the north, these winds are less dynamic but with equal cooling power. The diurnal variance of the Adelaida District can vary between morning lows of 50 degrees Fahrenheit to afternoon highs of 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the height of summer.
“There is a common thread with many of these growing conditions shared across the Paso Robles AVA, but to different degrees or extremes. The Adelaida District assuredly has the highest elevation at 2,200 feet but shares its geology, diurnal temperature swings, and other attributes with its neighboring AVAs. What is certain is that growers in the Adelaida District, even prior to it officially becoming an AVA, take advantage of these circumstances to grow the best fruit possible, leading to some exceptional wines…”
“Why are we ‘Here’? One, we have long had a passion for Rhone inspired blends. Two, Paso Robles is ‘America’s Rhone’. Those parts were easy. Our mantra was to find a vineyard site that could produce ultra-premium, limited production, Rhone and Priorat style wines that would be a true expression of the site. After two years of evaluating many potential sites (almost to exasperation), we finally found our Holy Grail. The analysis of 42 soil pits on this site revealed coveted limestone with low vigor soils. This, combined with the high elevation and steep slopes, was the unique and remarkable property that would produce the premium fruit we desired. Critical to our goal is a winery that can manifest the quality of the terrific fruit and create a world-class wine. We also believe that the Tasting Room should be an environment much like your home living room, where you can relax with friends and family while enjoying our Law Estate wines. As we continue to showcase and share the best that our estate has to offer, we will always be honored to have you joining us in the adventure.”
THE WINES
I have 6 wines to present to you today from Law Estate Wines. Winery notes come from their website and prices, from the tasting sheet. Please check their website for pricing, as it is slightly different from our tasting sheet. My notes are enhanced by the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. The map above comes from the Paso Robles AVA website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2022 Law Estate Wines Rosé, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $39 (#1178) 42% Grenache, 41% Mourvèdre, 11% Carignan, 6% Syrah
Winery Notes: “Everyone’s favorite spring and summer time vice is back again and with astonishing brilliance! This Bandol inspired Rose dazzles with purpose and distinction. Its captivating copper-pink hue will draw you in with anticipation, while wafting notes of rose petal and magnolia aromatics welcome you. Crisp watermelon, fresh strawberry and sliced peaches begin their dance as they wash over your palate, accompanied by hints of minerality, before engulfing the palate with an electric acidity. This Rose is sure to leave your mouth watering and a craving to experience it again. Fair warning… this is one wine you are going to want to stock up on as it’s notorious for its disappearing act.”
My Review: Dusty rose. Nice classic bouquet and a slightly tart palate. We liked this starter wine. August 2023
2021 Law Estate Wines Soph, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14% ABV, $85 (#1179) 47% Roussanne, 29% Marsanne, 24% Clairette Blanche
Winery Notes: “The unity of this wine is linked on a tight rope of balance. Soph is pretty, yet serious; giving generously, yet remains focused. A lively tension of brilliant lemon and orange peel, balances a decadent ripeness of juicy white peach, golden apple, honeycomb, and honeysuckle; an act, brilliantly poised in the balance of ripeness and tension. Like the dawn of a Spring morning, it breathes new life and starts a new beginning. This beautiful Rhone expression can be cellared to build complexity over the next ten years; gaining maturity, wisdom and even more personality, like the true inspiration behind the wine itself, our lovely Sophia.” 96 points – Wine Advocate
My Review: Pretty golden in the glass. Bold nose of almond biscotti. Honey and a bitterness on the palate. “It is not messin’ around.” August 2023
2020 Law Estate Wines Beguiling, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.7% ABV, $85 (#1180) 86% Grenache, 14% Syrah
Winery Notes: “This engaging wine exemplifies its brilliant light ruby shade with a breath of garigue, red cherry, cranberry compote, and dry-roasted fennel seed. A fresh floral lift, and touches of delicate oak, give restrained hints of vanilla and caramel. Its fleshy, lush finish shows a striking mouthfeel of rich, velvety, polished tannins. While primary fruit drives this wine, Beguiling shows the promise of tertiary complexity to come, with an ideal drinking window to capture its purity of fruit within 3 years of release.”
My Review: Garnet in color. Earth/dirt on the nose. Lots of intense cassis, black currant on the palate. Heavy on the Grenache. Tobacco and ash on the finish. Paired well with the aged Manchego and membrillo (quince paste) tapa. August 2023
2020 Law Estate Wines Audacious, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.5% ABV, $85 (#1181) 41% Grenache, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah
Winery Notes: “Showcasing a deep cherry red and magenta core, the nose expresses delicate red fruits of currant and strawberry, assisted by structured graphite, cassis and blackberry from the generous helping of Cabernet Sauvignon. Opulent and full textured, French oak accentuates the mouthfeel, but is never dominant. This togetherness combines the lovely floral aromatics of Grenache with the savory panache of Cabernet. While accessible now and carrying a seamless structure and mouthfeel, patience will reward mid-term cellaring of around 4-6 years of release.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. A little hot on the nose. Dirt and earth on the palate. Dark fruit wrapped in lots of tobacco, leather on the finish. Lacking expected depth. August 2023
2020 Law Estate Wines Beyond Category, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.5% ABV (#1182) 58% Tempranillo, 42% Grenache
Winery Notes: “There is a gentleness to the power of this brooding giant, as it unfurls ripe blackberry with juicy tension from Grenache. Emanating from the glass, a brilliant plum, leather, clove and anise seed-like spice captures your attention. The exotic tamarind and spice complexity leads and persists into a never-ending finish. Its powerful embrace is reinvigorated by the primary, vibrant red fruit electricity of the Grenache. Fans of tannins and balance, this is your wine and will beautifully age for 4-6 years of release.”
My Review: Dark ruby in color. I could not discern a nose on this one. Cocoa and intense dark berries on the palate. That I like. Too bad it is sold out! August 2023
2020 Law Estate Wines Aspire, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.4% ABV, $85 (#1183) 83% Syrah, 17% Grenache
Winery Notes: “The hyper-expressive dark fruit of blackberry, blueberry and fig is cloaked in rich sage, black pepper, clove and cola. Aspire elevates with a freshness shining through, in the dark crimson glass. French oak adds a vanilla and charred bacon component to its juicy, full-bodied structure. The bold finish cradles a sweet pipe tobacco, spice and dark chocolate that feel luxurious and reinforcing. Hedonistic is the appropriate word while sipping Aspire, and will culminate a pleasant symmetry and luxury now, and over the next 6 years.”
My Review: Caramel, cocoa and dark berries on the nose. Rich blackberry, blueberry flavors on the palate. I like this wine and took some home. Picked just right. August 2023
“Our modern and welcoming tasting room sits on a hill overlooking the 100% estate grown Law Family Vineyard. All of the tastings are by appointment, which allows us to create personal relationships in a seated-style tasting with our guests. Guests will enjoy a flight-format of four wines while a host explains the wines, history, facility and winemaking practices. Tastings are one hour in length. Tasting fees are $45 per person. Active Black Label Members receive four complimentary tastings each visit. Active White Label Members receive two complimentary tastings each visit…
Law is open by appointment only, 6 days a week (closed Wednesdays) for tastings at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30, 4pm. Please consult their website for more information and updates.
Last October, we had our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners over for dinner and they brought the 2015 Law Beyond Category red blend. It was a seriously big blend of Spanish varietals and abundantly food friendly. It paired well with the rigatoni we served.
Winery Notes: “The ever-evolving Beyond Category has now taken a more focused approach behind its lead varietal, Tempranillo. Inspired by the rich and silky Rioja wines of Spain, this Spanish blend is texturally incredible and highlights rural feelings of leather, sweet tobacco, sage and lavender. The cascade of freshness and brilliant fruit, garnered by the estate’s limestone soil, sweeps the palate with compliments of caramel and spice from the 42% new French oak used during aging.” 93 points by Vinous; 92 points by Jeb Dunnuck.
My Review: Inky in the glass. Intense nose of berries and thick on the palate. Super rich and fruity. This is my kind of wine – I wouldn’t mind having more. Sadly, the Beyond Category is sold out for all released vintages!! October 2022
You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room. Check it out here. Tastings are by reservation only.
In January, our COVID Wine Pod partners invited us over to celebrate their daughter receiving a final job offer in Washington DC. After appropriately celebrating with Champagne, a mystery wine appeared.
First, we did a proper toast with real Champagne. Then, we played Mystery Wine.
One of our favorite games to play in the pandemic has been Guess the Mystery Wine. This wine had already been decanted, no label in sight. We guessed New World. It was very familiar on the nose, but we couldn’t place it. It didn’t taste like a Cabernet Sauvignon – more like a Zinfandel, Syrah, or Petite Sirah. My guess was Petite Sirah. Our host’s better half guessed Syrah – bingo, she was right! A Law Estate Syrah from Paso Robles!
AboutLaw Vineyards: “We are committed to making exceptional wines through sustainable and organic farming practices with minimal inputs. Located above Peachy Canyon Road on the west side of Paso Robles, the vineyard is one of the highest in the area at 1,600 to 1,900 feet. It is planted in high density, small-lot blocks. The extreme slopes, limestone soils, and multiple aspects create the distinct canvas and palette from which we work.”
About the 2017 Intrepidfrom the winery: “The Intrepid’s dense purple juice presents an alluring nose of brown sugar, fleshy, dark fruits, black pepper, violets and baked blueberry pie. It maintains a sense of finesse, through the balance of course tannins, juicy acidity and mid palate weight. Despite all the decadence it offers, it never seems over the top; a humble extrovert if you will. It stays flawlessly balanced, has a lively, ample texture, and delivers a moreish finish. Not just for the Northern Rhône crowd, it’s a brilliant representation of this terroir that will keep for years.” Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 98 points!
93 Points – Wine Enthusiast: “Those seeking wines of tremendous power and unctuous oak will enjoy this booming bottling, which was aged in 71% new barrels and begins with aromas of milk chocolate, cassis, maple butter and purple flowers. It’s thick and lush on the palate, where caramelized black-fruit, creamy cappuccino and bold baking-spice flavors go big.” Matt Kettmann, 5/2021
My Review: Very dark and dense ruby in the glass. Black fruit, cardamom and vanilla on the nose. Intense dark fruit and cassis on the finish, with a touch of menthol and a lot of vanilla on the end, representing its high alcohol content. Still a bit more like a Petite Sirah to me! We enjoyed this wine. January 2022
You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room. Check it out here. Tastings are daily except Wednesdays from 10-4, by reservation only.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
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 mystery wine was opened during our chilly December happy hour with our COVID wine tribe, warmed by the flames of their fire pit. We guessed New World, but couldn’t hone in on the varietal (not one we normally taste). It was revealed to be a Tannat, for which I have a fondness. I mean, it is a palindrome, after all – perhaps the only wine that is one.
We were first exposed to Tablas Creek wines at the MacArthur Beverages annual Red Barrel Tasting charity event in Washington, DC. When we couldn’t get to California to go wine tasting, MacArthur’s brought the wineries to us. Tablas Creek was one of the few Central Coast wines we could buy in its shop back then.
About Tablas Creek from its website: “Tablas Creek is a pioneer of California’s Rhone movement. Founded in 1989, it is the culmination of a friendship between two of the international wine community’s leading families dating back to 1967: the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Haas family of Vineyard Brands. After a four-year search, the partners chose Paso Robles, California, for its many similarities to the southern Rhone, and began the lengthy process of importing vine cuttings, building a grapevine nursery, and creating an estate vineyard from scratch.” Their blends include the flagship Esprit de Tablas red and Esprit de Tablas Blanc (modeled on the Chateau de Beaucastel red and white), the Cotes de Tablas red and Cotes de Tablas Blanc (a Californian take on Rhône classics), and Patelin de Tablas red and Patelin de Tablas Blanc (a “neighborhood” wine made from 8-12 of Paso Robles’ top Rhône-style vineyards).
It was hard for us to guess the varietal of this “mystery wine!”
About the 2017 Tannat: “The Tablas Creek Vineyard 2017 Tannat is Tablas Creek’s sixteenth bottling of this traditional varietal from South-West France, known principally in the Pyrenees foothills appellation of Madiran, but originally native to the Basque region. Tannat typically has intense fruit, spice, and tannins that produce wines capable of long aging.”
My Review: Leathery on the nose, New World on the palate, juicy and strong. We liked this wine. December 2020
You can buy this wine from the winery at the link above.
*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 friend of mine put me in touch with the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society. How wonderful to meet (virtually) like-minded wine aficionados! In August, they hosted a virtual wine tasting of Daou wines. It was a great event, presented by Daniel Daou himself and showcasing three of their wines.
Three terrific DAOU wines presented by Daniel Daou!
About Daniel Daou: “Daniel’s winemaking vision had one very singular focus-creating the highest possible quality Cabernet and Bordeaux wines. This mission had a critical ingredient-the Calcareous Clay soils of Bordeaux. For Daniel, there is no greater truth than the fact that great wine is made in the vineyard. His extreme focus on every detail-from the proper soil, to his proprietary planting structure that creates “total vine balance” his exacting, almost extreme, winegrowing philosophy allows for the grapes to arrive to the winery in the perfect condition to create wines that continue to rival the best in the world…Daniel was one of the first to bring Cabernet clones to Paso Robles that deliver the highest possible quality-clones from the iconic regions of the world such as Bordeaux and Napa.”
A high-end Sauvignon Blanc made in a unique process.
Winemaker Notes: “The 2019 DAOU Estate Sauvignon Blanc exemplifies how this classic Bordeaux variety excels on DAOU Mountain. The chalky soils of DAOU Mountain give this wine loads of minerality on the palate while concentrated aromas of stone fruits, guava, kiwi and citrus blossom travel through the glass to enrich your nose. A touch of Sémillon works in harmony with the Sauvignon Blanc, adding complexity and dimension. Full-bodied yet balanced, this wine provides for a complete experience with an impressively long finish.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Review – 92 Points: “The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc contains 19% Sémillon and was aged seven months in 50% new French oak. The nose opens with poached pears scents accented by beeswax, lychee, grapefruit and flowers. The medium-bodied palate has a great balance of bright fruit character and phenolic texture, and it finishes with good freshness and length.” Erin Brooks, October 2020
My Review: Pale in color (leaning toward green) with pear on the nose. Pear and bitter grapefruit on the palate with a tart finish. This is a pretty complex Sauvignon Blanc, a product of a unique process which Daniel Daou described in some detail to the group. It is not your every day Sauvignon Blanc. August 2020
A terrific example of a fine, high quality Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon.
Winemaker Notes: “The 2018 DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a shining example of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. This wine’s magnificent nose is quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon, offering scents of dark chocolate, licorice, blackberries and cured meats with a touch of cedar. The palate delivers an explosion of fresh, dark berry fruits. Flavors of blackberry, juicy black cherry, cassis and cocoa are underscored by lovely accents of blueberry and raspberry. A silky palate is nicely integrated with hints of toasty oak, graphite, mineral and forest floor. Ripe fruits and exotic spices linger on a generous, full-bodied finish that promises excellent age-worthiness.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Review – 91-93 Points: “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. It is still in barrel and will age about 18 months in 50% new French oak. The nose opens with tar, cassis and gentle blue fruit touches with notes of dried herbs, milk chocolate and coffee beans. The medium to full-bodied palate is lushly fruited but very fresh, with lifted herbal character, bright freshness and a firm but very finely grained structure, finishing long.” Erin Brooks, October 2020
My Review: Garnet in color, almost purple. Dark jammy fruit on the nose. Very smooth and juicy, balanced and pleasant. August 2020
2017 DAOU Bodyguard, Paso Robles AVA, 14.7% ABV, $40 (#199*)
Winemaker Notes (previously captured from their website): “The 2017 DAOU Bodyguard is a sleek yet powerful blend of Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah, displaying both opulence and structure. The 2017 vintage presents fragrant fruit aromas of blackberry, raspberry, currant and crème de cassis. Notes of cocoa, coffee, dark chocolate, licorice and sweet cherry pipe tobacco are rounded out with whispers of truffle, toffee, mocha and menthol. A juicy, fleshy palate offers bright, generous flavors of cherry, cranberry, strawberry and blueberry tinged with black raspberry and tamarind—all supported by underlying accents of dusty leather, pencil shavings, cigar box and crushed herbs. An elegantly styled and beautifully structured finish reverberates with focused energy, vibrant berry fruit and ripe, polished tannins.”
Wine Enthusiast Review – 92 Points: “In yet another stylishly packaged and powerful blend from the Daou brothers, this bottling combines hearty coffee, kirsch and pumice aromas with toasty vanilla and caramel on the nose. The tannic structure is soft and polished yet firm enough to uphold black-cherry, toffee and caramel flavors, which are bolstered by a black-rock minerality that lingers in the background.” Matt Kettmann, March 2020
My Review: Inky purple in color, bold flavors on the palate – really opened up into a delicious, big wine in the style I like. This is a great combination of 60% Petite Verdot and 40% Petite Sirah. August 2020
You can buy DAOU wines from their website or from retailers primarily in California and New York, with a few retailers in Michigan and Florida. They have special holiday items and packages here. DAOU is open for wine tasting with food pairings – learn more and reserve your spot 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.
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