Tagged: Albarino

Decanting Monterey Heads East to Spread the Word!

Last week, I went back to DC to visit with family and friends – and to present Monterey County wines to one of the long-established wine groups there.  As a member of this self-run, informal group, I’ve been able to present Monterey wines to them over the years. I’ll be back in the fall presenting 8-10 of our fine wines to one of the Northern Virginia AWS chapters.  

The format for these classes is straightforward: 5 wines, plus bread and cheeses – all within a budget at varying levels.  The challenge is to find exceptional wines at affordable prices that demonstrate the diversity of the region and the prowess of our winemakers. The group seemed very pleased with the Monterey wines I shared with them – I am invited back!

This is the group that got me interested in wine education and certification, eventually leading to this blog. This is all done on a volunteer basis, but has given me a way to deepen my relationships with our local wineries.  In return, I often get to enjoy industry discounts and, on rare occasions, the wineries donate wines for me to sample/review or, even better, wines to present in my classes! These classes are operated on very small budgets – every little bit helps!

For this event, the wineries rolled out the red carpet.  Bernardus donated both cases of their wine to the cause (one was donated in 2020 for a class canceled due to the pandemic), Chesebro gave me a great discount and free shipping, and Bunter Spring gave me their distributor’s rate.  I cannot thank them enough.  

I usually start out explaining where Monterey County is on the Central Coast (not everyone knows – can you believe it?!?); our winemaking history; our unique, cool climate due to its proximity to the deep, frigid waters of the Monterey Bay; plus the diversity in terrain and soils – from the “engine room” of the Salinas River and valley to the rugged mountains of Cachagua and “Greenfield potatoes” of Arroyo Seco. 

And we have frank conversations about the devastating impact of the wildfires on the vineyards, the wineries – the livelihoods and homes of our vintners – it is not just a crop statistic (wine grapes were ranked #5 in 2017 and #12 crop in 2020 – a 44% drop in crop value, according to the Monterey County crop report). It is rewarding to share that we are the largest grower of Chardonnay grapes in the US and Pinot Noir in California – most people do not know these fun facts!

Finally, I like to encourage them to come for a visit! With 65 tasting rooms in the county today, there are lots of options, whether you want to do the River Road Wine Trail, stroll in Carmel-By-The-Sea, drive out to Carmel Valley Village – or even taste in downtown Monterey and Cannery Row!  And our tastings are very affordable, averaging $20-25 vs. what one might pay farther north.  

Of course, the very best part of doing these classes is catching up with my wine friends, seeing my daughter and her friends enjoying these wines, and visiting our old neighborhood. Miss them all.

Here is the lineup of wines I presented last week – most have been reviewed here before. Winery notes coe from their tasting sheets, websites, or conversations with tasting room staff and winemakers:

2021 Chesebro Albariño, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $24 (#734)

Winery Notes: The climate here is quite Mediterranean, like Galicia. All stainless steel – they chill the musk down – longer fermentation, stabilized and bottled cold. Their take on a traditional Spanish white variety.  Lots of stone fruit and citrus with a touch of minerality on the nose. Apricot blossom and kumquat. Balanced, with bright acidity.

My Review: I had only tasted this wine once before when it was first released.  Boy, what a stellar wine to start the evening.  It was knock-your-socks-off flavorful!  It demonstrated how enjoyable a well-made Albariño can be, balanced by the minerality in the soil. Straw in color. Lovely tropical and citrus aromas on the nose. Stone fruit balanced by bright acidity. Tasted in March/June 2022

2020 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 12.6% ABV, $28 (#566) 95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon

Winery Notes:   Grapes come from a block specially planted for Bernardus in the Griva Vineyard with the celebrated “Musqué” clone. Hand-picked various ripeness in order to have a broad palette of flavors and acidity for the final blend. Fermentation: cool temperature in stainless steel tanks. Aged for several months in large, neutral 30-year-old French oak tanks. Tasting notes:  Aromas of lime zest accented by grassy notes. The palate is soft and long, exhibiting crisp fruit flavors with notes of lime and grapefruit. A beautiful balance of rich texture and a gently crisp, refreshing acidity. 10,550 + cases produced.

My Review: Tropical nose with pineapple and lime notes and a hint of smoke.  Sophisticated palate reflects the winemaking approach described above.  Tropical and lime zest flavors.  Clean and refreshing. And look at the new labels, reflecting a refreshed brand for Bernardus!

2018 Bunter Spring “Garagitage,” Highlands Vineyard, Monterey AVA , 14.64% ABV, $24 (#526)  76% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Notes: Upon release: “These grapes come from a small vineyard in the hills above Arroyo Seco just north of Carmel Valley Road. They were harvested, very ripe, on Sep 30, 2018. Upon release, in spring 2021, as I write, this wine is a rough and tumble California fruit bomb, with tons of grapey flavor, plenty of alcohol, and no manners.  Maybe, someday, it will grow up.  Meantime, have fun!” Spring 2022: “Ripe black fruit, tannic, full bodied. Aged 15 months in once used French oak barrels.” 76 cases produced. 

My Review:  This wine continues to be one of our favorites from Bunter Spring. Dark ruby in the glass. Perfume on the nose, followed by a yummy palate of red and black fruits. Very smooth and drinkable. A terrific bargain. This was a perfect choice as a transition into our bigger reds. 

2014 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage, CM Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, $35 (#619)

Winery Notes: “Grown on our estate in the Upper Carmel Valley’s rocky mountain soils at 1500’ elevation, this Rhone style blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre is powerful and rich with aromas of cassis, dark forest berries, scorched earth and spice.  Blockbuster with a long lingering finish.” 80 cases produced

My Review: Rich ruby in the glass. Pleasant nose of fresh berries. Palate of berry jam, eucalyptus and chocolate with red currant and anise flavors on the finish. Super delicious.

2014 Bernardus Marinus Estate Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $75 (#290)52% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec 

Winery Notes: Use traditional Bordeaux vinification methods.  Each block of Marinus is farmed separately and picked at its perfect ripeness.  hand sorted and de-stemmed before being fermented in small individual fermenters.  Each one is punched down or pumped over twice daily throughout the lengthy fermentation period.  After a gentle pressing, the wines are transferred to small French oak barrels for malo-lactic fermentation and ageing for 18 months, when the final blend is created. 1375 case-equivalents produced. 

Winery Tasting Notes: Aromas exude beautifully ripened red fruits accented by subtle spice notes. Mouthfeel is very soft and full expressing delicious flavors of ripe cherry and plum. The finish is well structured with soft tannins. 

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Candied lilac and boysenberry-juice aromas make for a very fresh, floral and fruity entry to the nose of this blend of all five Bordeaux red varieties. The purple-flower flavors show on the sip too, mixed with acai, and the structure is still tightly woven six years into aging. 92 points, Editors’ Choice.” Matt Kettmann

My Review: This wine was a huge hit with the wine class and a great way to end the class:  Complex and rich. Beautiful dense, dark ruby in the glass. Intense fruit on the nose. Smooth palate full of dark berry fruits, a bit chalky yet fresh. Drinking so well with lots of future for cellaring. I could just keep drinking this wine.

Pierce Ranch: Bringing Spanish and Portuguese Varietals to Life

I have long admired Pierce Ranch for its bravery to distinguish itself by its location in the San Antonio Valley and, more importantly, working with Spanish and Portuguese varietals not typical for Monterey County.  Increasingly, our local vintners are sourcing some fruit from this region, but this is the home of Pierce Ranch.

We thought it might be cool to get more acquainted with Spanish and Portuguese varietals before an upcoming trip along the Douro/Duero River in Portugal and Spain. In early March, we had the chance to stop in for a tasting. I was also hunting for a rosé for an upcoming wine class.  Alas, it was sold out/no longer on sale.  That said, we still found several “class-worthy” wines and took quite a few home to our private stock.

About Pierce Ranch Vineyards https://piercevineyards.com/about.html: “Pierce Ranch Vineyards is a small, family-owned operation centered in southern Monterey County’s San Antonio Valley appellation. We produce limited-run, estate-grown wines with an emphasis on Spanish and Portuguese varieties….Our vineyards are located in a highland valley at the southernmost tip of Monterey County, just on the border between the small towns of Bradley and Lockwood. Perched in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Range roughly 14 miles from the ocean and some 25 miles from Paso Robles, the Bradley-Lockwood area is a unique region with viticultural roots going back more than two centuries. First recognized as an ideal grape-growing region by the missionaries of Junipero Serra, the establishment in 1771 of the Mission of San Antonio de Padua also saw the planting of some of the first vineyards on the continent. These vineyards, planted in the eponymous Mission varietal and providing fruit as well as the necessary raw material for sacramental wine, remained in cultivation until the gradual decay of the mission system in the mid 1880s.”

I previously presented a few of their wines here:   https://decantingmonterey.com/pierce-ranch-eclectic-varietals-from-the-san-antonio-ava/ and here https://decantingmonterey.com/pierce-ranch-shop-like-its-the-cold-war/.  Today I am showcasing 9 of their wines, 2 of which were previously reviewed.

2020 Pierce Albariño, San Antonio Valley AVA, $25 (#654)

Winery Notes: “This 2019 Albariño is the product of our vineyards in the San Antonio Valley, a recently declared appellation at the southernmost tip of Monterey County. Grown in a mix of calcareous rock, broken shale, decomposed granite, and clay, the 2019 vintage provides a clear expression not only of varietal character but also of our vineyards’ own unique terroir. Produced on a limited scale, it was fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel. With the rich aromatics and crisp acidity that are the signature of the variety, it features notes of white stone fruit and citrus, with a hint of salinity and a characteristic minerality. Only 121 cases were bottled.”

My Review: Straw in the glass. A lean, floral nose, classic. Tart on the palate with a lemony twist – powerful up front and fading on the finish. Was served a bit cold for a proper tasting. March 2022

2019 Pierce Rosé, San Antonio Valley AVA, $25 (#655)

Winery Notes: “The 2018 Rosé is a lively and distinctive blend of Grenache and Touriga Franca with a touch of Arinto. A rich middle and slightly creamy texture presents a fruity yet restrained profile, with notes of citrus, honeydew, and pomegranate, accompanied by a lingering acidity and salinity in the finish.”

My Review: Dusty pink in the glass. Nice, perfume, floral nose. Rich, dark flavors on the palate with grape skin flavors. Gravel rock minerality on the lingering finish. March 2022

2017 Pierce Tempranillo, San Antonio Valley AVA, $30 (#236)

Winery Notes: “Perched in a highland valley at the southern tip of Monterey County, our vineyards, with their wide variation in diurnal temperature and rocky soils, provide an excellent setting for the classic grape varieties of Spain and Portugal.This 2017 Tempranillo is the product of our Panhandle and Y Ranch Vineyard plantings, joining the structure and linearity of the Panhandle’s granite soils to the finesse and the aromatics typical of the shale and clay of the Y Ranch site. It was fermented with only native yeasts and aged in French and American oak for eighteen months. Notes of blackberry and black cherry combine with hints of lavender, cedar, tobacco, and sage.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass. A big, plum bouquet. Very nice up front flavors. This lighter-bodied Tempranillo is juicy and drinkable. While not the biggest Tempranillo, this was very tasty – we liked it. Reminiscent of one of our favorite California Tempranillo wines. March 2022

2017 Pierce Maçon, San Antonio Valley AVA, $30 (#656)  53% Petit Verdot, 30% Tempranillo, 17% Graciano 

Winery Notes: “Something of an Ibérique Supérieur, our new Maçon brings together Tempranillo, Graciano and Petit Verdot to form a slightly idiosyncratic blend of Spanish and French varieties. Combining a hint of Iberian aromatics with the earthy, mineral palate reminiscent of a Bordeaux, this is a wine that approaches Old World character while also indulging a touch of experimentation. A floral nose balances itself against a darker midpalate and a solid tannic structure, as notes of violets and dried herbs give way to an underlying earthiness and a savory, vaguely smoky finish.”

My Review: This is an intriguing combination of French and Spanish grapes. Dark ruby in color with cedar, mocha and rose petals on the nose. Full bodied, with mocha, cherry, berry and black tea flavors on the palate. Our favorite wine on this day. March 2022

2018 Pierce Cosecheiro, San Antonio Valley AVA, $32 (#657)

Winery Notes: “A nonvintage bottling consisting of our 2017 and 2018 Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, the new Cosecheiro is already proving to be a charming, lively, and eminently drinkable wine. With a rich palate framed by a fresh acidity, it foregrounds the soft fruit and florality characteristic of the younger Tourigas, while also embracing the darker earthy and mineral qualities of the older vintage. Boysenberry, black plum, red cherry coulis and black pepper on the nose meet with hints of rosemary, savory wood spice, and dark cocoa on the palate, leading to a clean, bright finish.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  This Portuguese grape exhibited cherry and dark berry on the nose, carrying over to the palate. Slate and a tad tart on the finish. Very soft. March 2022

2019 Pierce Mal/Zin, San Antonio Valley AVA, $30 (#658)  48% Zinfandel, 24% Malbec, 24% Alicante Bouchet

My Review: Leading toward purple in the glass. Peppery Zinfandel on the nose. Pleasant on the palate with round cherry and berry flavors dancing on the tongue, the Zin balanced by the 2 other grapes.  Slightly bitter and dry on the finish. March 2022

2017 Pierce Cabernet Sauvignon, San Antonio Valley AVA, $25 (#659)

My Review: A warm nose. A touch of green pepper amongst the fruit. March 2022

2017 Pierce Petite Sirah, San Antonio Valley AVA, $28 (#237)

Winery Notes: “Located in the southernmost tip of Monterey County, the newly declared San Antonio Valley appellation is already showing itself to be an ideal region for producing nuanced, complex Petite Sirah. Consisting entirely of fruit sourced from our Y Ranch Vineyard’s rocky, hillside Block 1, this 2017 estate bottling provides an elegant expression of the variety, with excellent depth and solid tannic structure. A limited run, it was fermented using only native yeasts and aged in primarily neutral French oak for eighteen months. Aromas and flavors of blueberry, black currant, and black plum combine with a savory component and traces of spice.”

My Review: Purple in the glass. Dark, juicy grape flavors – delicious and smooth. Missing some distinctive fruit flavors on the palate with a chalky finish. I liked this wine. March 2022

2018 Pierce Malbec, San Antonio Valley AVA, $32 (#660)

Winery Notes: “Bordeaux native grown in our Panhandle Vineyard.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass. Palate exhibits lavender, cherry and red berry flavors – very balanced and good. March 2022

Tasting Pierce Ranch Wines https://piercevineyards.com/index.html: Please visit us at our tasting room, located on 499 Wave Street in New Monterey, between Cannery Row and Lighthouse Avenue. The tasting room hours are as follows: Mon – Thur: 12:00 – 7:00 pm; Fri & Sat: 12:00 – 8:00 pm; Sun: 12:00 – 6:00 pm.

*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.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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La Marea: Spanish-Inspired Wines “rooted in the sea, the soil and the sea air”

When my Spring Club Release became available for pickup, I contacted the I Brand tasting room to find a day I could stop by for a quiet, isolated outdoor tasting to taste their new releases. In addition to tasting those wines in early March, we have opened several other Ian Brand wines at home in 2021.  I’ll be presenting all of them in 3 separate posts by label:  La Marea, Le P’tit Paysan, and I. Brand & Family. Today’s post is about three La Marea wines, Ian Brand’s label for his Spanish-inspired wines.

More About La Marea from the Winery:  “La Marea, (Spanish for “The Tide”), made by Ian Brand of Le P’tit Paysan, is a tiny winery focused on single vineyard Spanish varietals “rooted in the sea, the soil and the sea air”. Brand believes Monterey and San Benito to be some of the most ideally suited climates in California for Spanish varietals like Albariño, Grenache (Garnacha) and Mourvedre (Monastrell). The proximity to the cool ocean waters Monterey Bay provides an optimal climate for Albarino while the warmer San Antonio and San Benito Valleys closely resemble the Spanish regions where these grapes thrive. This region, once the site of a shallow ocean bed millions of years ago, is one of the few spots in California with a high percentage of limestone found in the soil which gives the wines a high naturally acidity. As with his P’tit Paysan wines, Brand works with fruit harvested at lower Brix, ferments using a combination of native and cultured yeast, and favors neutral oak.”

2020 La Marea Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 11.9% ABV, $24 (#269*)

“The Kristy Vineyard grows on the western bench over the Salinas River on the broken sediment of ancient sea beds where it is exposed to the consistent cooling winds off the Monterey Bay. Kristy is a special because Albariño in the vineyard reaches full phenological ripeness at low potential alcohol and bright natural acidity later in the season. Usually picked between 20-22 Brix with a sub 3 PH and nearly 9 g/L TA. Whole cluster pressed and cold fermented to preserve aromatics and freshness. Secondary fermentation is arrested.” La Marea

Winery Tasting Notes: “tropical fruit, lemon zest, subtle spice, lively acidity”

My Review: Pale yellow in color, fragrant Gardenia, grapefruit and lemon curd on the nose.  Vibrant acidity on the flavorful palate of sweet grapefruit, with a lingering lemony finish. March 2021

2016 La Marea Grenache Spur Ranch, San Benito County, 13% ABV, $20? (#270*)

“Spur Ranch Vineyard is part of an 11,000 acre ranch located at a 1000 foot elevation with a fifteen degree south facing slope on the south side of Chalone peak. The soils are high-calcareous content clay over the same mica shist substrate that dominates the Chalone appellation. Fermented whole berry with a small percentage of whole cluster with both native and selected yeast strains. Aged in 100% neutral barrels for 11 months. 135 cs produced.” La Marea

Winery Tasting Notes: “Beautiful and bright representation. Profile firmly representative of its unique micro-climate terroir. Cooler region, allows peak levels of ripeness, while also obtaining low alcohol levels. Freshness, purity of fruit and an elegant, silky style. Endless layers of red fruits fill the nose. On the palate, acid leads, allowing bright red fruits, strawberries, cherries and raspberries to pop with a beam of minerality. Green anise and fennel appear, while the red fruits maintain palate saturation.” 124 cases produced.

My Review: Translucent light cherry in color. Light cherry on the nose, a slight bit of vinegar. Very light on the palate, refreshing, almost as light as a rosé! After opening up, flavors became a little more complex. January 2021

2018 La Marea Grenache, Central Coast, 13.6% ABV, $30* (#271*)

The grapes for this “Central Coast” wine were sourced from San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties.

Winery Tasting Notes:  A traditional Spanish Grenache – “red plums, damp earth, baking spice, subtle complexity”

My Review: Bright, transluscent cherry.  Sweet raspberry on the nose, very smooth red currant on the palate, lingering light licorice flavors. March 2021

I Brand’s tasting room in Carmel Valley Village is open for tastings – reservations recommended.  https://www.ibrandwinery.com/visit

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Ian Brand: Discovering “…great vineyards at the edge of sensible farming”

We were out in the valley one afternoon checking out the tasting rooms and saw something new had moved into the old White Oaks Shopping Center, now primarily a “wine tasting row.”  In my memory, this fellow inside was playing guitar, but maybe he was just playing a record.  He stopped to pour us wine.  We learned he was the “I” of I. Brand – Ian Brand.  We were attracted to his wines, range of varietals and vineyards, his affordable prices, and humorous labels, akin to those at Bonny Doon.  And it is no wonder, as that is where he got his introduction to the wine business – doing an entry-level job at Bonny Doon. 

I. Brand’s Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village

Winemaker Ian Brand has come a long way since those early days in the wine business.  He and his wife Heather now produce over 10,000 cases annually in a warehouse in Salinas under three wine labels: Le P’tit Paysan (French Inspired Wines), La Marea (Spanish Inspired Wines) and I. Brand & Family (California Inspired Wines).  Wine Spectator published this illuminating 2015 Winemaking on the Edge article about Ian Brand, his wines and his family.  And, most significantly, Ian was named the San Francisco Chronicle 2018 Winemaker of the Year.

From I. Brand & Family:  “We did not set out to make these wines. We discovered great vineyards at the edge of sensible farming and decided to bring them to light. The farther we looked, the more we found – remote, challenging vineyards, with hard depleted soils, and intense sunlight tempered only by the coastal breeze. Vineyards capable of producing only the most idiosyncratic wines. Our goal as winemakers is to lightly polish the roughest edges and leave the idiosyncrasy intact. It is here in the back country, filled with individual character, where Le P’tit Paysan comes to life.”

 “La Marea, made by Ian Brand of Le P’tit Paysan, is a tiny winery focused on single vineyard Spanish varietals “rooted in the sea, the soil and the sea air”. Brand believes Monterey and San Benito to be some of the most ideally suited climates in California for Spanish varietals like Albariño, Grenache (Garnacha) and Mourvedre (Monastrell). The proximity to the cool ocean waters Monterey Bay provides an optimal climate for Albarino while the warmer San Antonio and San Benito Valleys closely resemble the Spanish regions where these grapes thrive. This region, once the site of a shallow ocean bed millions of years ago, is one of the few spots in California with a high percentage of limestone found in the soil which gives the wines a high naturally acidity. As with his P’tit Paysan wines, Brand works with fruit harvested at lower Brix, ferments using a combination of native and cultured yeast, and favors neutral oak.” (Couer Wine Company)

Another Fun I. Brand Release Party with Exceptional Catering and Great Music, 2018

You can see the influence from his time at Bonny Doon in not only his labels, but also his style of wines – they tend to be flavorful, while lower in alcohol, more in a European style.  And, back in the day when we could gather, his release parties were a fun time: wine, food and live music.  That’s where I was introduced to the music of ¿Qiensave? Quiensave Music.

Today’s post is about his wines we have been drinking since March from the Monterey AVA, specifically. Other regions and labels to follow.

2017 Le P’tit Paysan Chardonnay Jacks Hill Vineyard, Monterey County, 12.5 % ABV, $22, (#139*)

When I was asked to present a Monterey County wine class to the Northern Virginia American Wine Society, I looked far and wide for what I thought would be the best representation of our region while also available for purchase in Washington DC.  I ran out to the tasting room to try the Jacks Hill, declared it a winner, and came home triumphant.  When I shared my great find with my husband, he replied, “Well, of course it’s a great wine – we tasted it at their release party and have it in our wine room.”  :-/ 

The 2017 Jacks Hill Chardonnay comes from Chualar, east of the Salinas. Whole-cluster fermentation, racked in neutral oak barrels, one new French oak barrel and a stainless-steel tank, aged for 5 months. 40% undergoes malolactic fermentation to round out the acids, creating a balanced expression of Chardonnay. 

Jacks Hill was my pick for a Monterey County Wine for my 2019 AWS class.

Wine Enthusiast Review : “This bottling by Ian Brand always packs bang for the buck, but he really nailed it in the 2017 vintage. Clean and delicate aromas of Asian pear, lemon rind and edgy chalk lead into a racy, crisp and tightly wound palate. Flavors of grapefruit, nectarine, blanched almond and sea salt are delicious.”92 points, Matt Kettmann, February 2019

My Review: Pale gold in color, refreshingly floral, creamy peach, and pineapple nose.  Full-bodied in flavor with pineapple, citrus and the slight bitterness of lime zest.  A slightly tart wine with none of that over-oaked, buttery or cloying characteristics we often see in a California Chardonnay.  Refreshing and delicious.  August 2020

2019 La Marea Albariño Kristy Vineyard, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $24 (#103*)

The 2019 La Marea Albariño has been our wine of choice on these warm, coastal days.

The Corkery Review: “Tasting Notes:  Juicy, Lemon Citrus, Pineapple, Mineral.  This fresh and aromatic Albarino benefits from the cool winds off Monterey Bay and the soils of an ancient sea bed. The wine has beautiful texture and minerality and pairs well with fresh shellfish and grilled fish as well as spicy cuisines, including Indian and Thai.” Wine Enthusiast has rated previous vintages from 90-91 points. 

My Review: We drank this wine on a hot summer day after a Sancerre.  Crisp and clean.  The minerality showed up as a little bitterness “like a Sicilian green olive” and complemented our Mediterranean appetizers.  Perfect for the occasion. July 2020

2019 La Marea Albariño Alternate Cut, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $30 (#114*)

I needed an Albariño for a wine class in August and pulled this one out of our wine room.  We were familiar with the regular 2019 La Marea Albariño Kristy Vineyard in July, so what the heck is the Alternate Cut?? 

There is not a lot of information out there about the 2019 La Marea Albariño Kristy Vineyard Alternate Cut.  The label says this:  “We pulled aside 70 cases of one of the components of our Kristy Albarino to showcase a different side of what the vineyard and variety can do.  Destemmed and left on the skins two days, and fermented with a ‘pied de cuvee’ yeast harvested in the vine rows, this is a broader, funkier ‘alternate cut.’“

The 2019 La Marea Alternate Cut: a funkier, bolder Albariño.

Wine Enthusiast Review of the 2018 Alternate Cut:  “This experimental twist by Ian Brand shows only slight differences from his original bottling, yet they’re intriguingly fresh accents. Aromas of peach blossom, honeydew rinds and wax lead into a laser-sharp, high-toned palate that focuses on lime and the slightest touch of nectarine on the finish.” 92 points.  Matt Kettmann 12/2019 

My Review: Golden and slightly pink in color. A floral and peachy nose, followed by a full-flavored palate echoing the nose, perhaps slightly sweeter on the palate than a typical Albariño.  The finish is big, yeasty and slightly tart and bitter in a complementary way – slightly lime rind. August 2020

I Brand is open for outside porch tastings by reservation only – email them at HELLO@IBRANDWINERY.COM.  You can order their wines from the winery or via numerous shops online. As of September 7, 2020: The 2017 Chardonnay is available at Pearson’s Wine and Spirits  in DC and at  K&L Wine Merchants in CA for $20.  The 2019 La Marea Albariño Kristy Vineyard is available from the winery and several shops around the US, including K&L Wine Merchants in CA for $20 and the Princeton Corkscrew for $22.  The 2019 La Marea Albariño Alternate Cut is available from the winery and a few shops in the US, including Union Square Wines in NYC for $28, case price $25 per bottle.

*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.

© Decanting Monterey 2020

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