While hunting down a rosé for a summer wine class, I noticed a 2013 Cima Collina Syrah from Chalone AVA – a Monterey County Syrah for under $25! Since I am not very familiar with Cima Collina or the Chalone AVA, and I love our Monterey Syrahs, I thought I’d give it a try. What a pleasant surprise! I also picked up a 2014 Cima Collina Syrah Tre Gatti Vineyards from the San Antonio AVA – we did a blind tasting of this wine over the weekend. Our friends guessed this was a new world Zinfandel, Syrah, and even one vote for a Petite Sirah.
About the Chalone AVA (from Monterey Vintners & Growers Association): “The Chalone region is nestled at 1,800 feet in elevation in the central part of the Gavilan Mountain Range – set against the dramatic backdrop of Pinnacles National Monument. This region has a long history of grape growing, dating back to 1919. Here are found the oldest producing vines in Monterey County. Chalone was awarded its own AVA designation in 1982. Because of its elevation in the mountain range, Chalone is truly unique among Monterey County’s appellations…” Read more about the Chalone AVA here.
About Cima Collina from A Taste of Monterey: “Cima Collina produces artisan wines from small Monterey vineyards. The idea of an “artisan wine” is the partnership with growers who meticulously cultivate vineyards, the insistence on using only carefully chosen fruit, and the creation of wine on a barrel-by-barrel basis.
“The focus on Monterey vineyards is an acknowledgment that this region is now and will continue to produce wines that are interesting, compelling and unique. Many factors conspire to make this a truly gifted region for growing grapes. With the cool maritime climate, well-drained soils and energy of their winemaking colleagues, a dynamic renaissance is currently underway in our region.
“From the rugged Big Sur coastline to the prairie lands of south Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco, every vineyard develops its own set of diverse flavors. It is their passion to discover these local flavors and produce unfined, unfiltered wines that reflect a sense of place. Each of their food-friendly current releases, reflect Winemaker Annette Hoff Danzer’s commitment to authentic artisan winemaking, with dedicated growers, carefully chosen fruit and the creation of wine on a barrel-to-barrel basis.”
Cima Collina has had a tasting room in Carmel Valley Village since 2012. I learned that Albatross Ridge had moved into that tasting room. What I didn’t realise at the time was that Albatross Ridge actually took over both the winery and tasting room in 2019 after the death of one of the prime family members running the business.
2013 Cima Collina Syrah Antle Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $23 (#84*)
Winemaker Notes condensed from the label: The Antle Vineyard is “…on the southeastern edge of the Salinas Valley in a protected, warm, beautiful south-west facing site of decomposed granite/gravelly loam soil…: This wine is made from a “…“Phelps” clone of Syrah – the oldest clone of Syrah in California…” This wine “…is lush with textrue & fruit but also offers layers of complexity often missed in California Syrah as it furnishes aromas & flavors of licorice, rosemary, white pepper with a seamless, delicious mouthfeel and finish…”
My Review: This was a big, dense wine and reminiscent of an Australian Shiraz. Very full and smooth on the palate. Cassis on the finish. We really liked this wine and bought more of it. As of 10/2, there was at least one bottle of this vintage left at Bottles n’ Bins in Pacific Grove. Worth finding this Syrah from the Antle Vineyard, Chalone AVA in another vintage. June 2020
2014 Cima Collina Syrah Tre Gatti Vineyards, San Antonio AVA, Montrey County, 13.5% ABV, $23 (#148*)
Winemaker Notes from the label: “Tre Gatti is a carefully managed 5 acre vineyard in the southernmost reaches of Monterey County…planted on…a southern-facing rocky hillside whitewashed with limestone-rich soil. The head-trained vines are a unique selection of Syrah that produces lower yields and uncommonly small berries in compact clusters. We vinified these grapes in open-top fermenters then aged the resulting wine in French Oak for 14 months.”
My Review: Purple in color. Unfiltered. Deep red fruit and pepper on the nose. Acidic, sour cherry on the palate “like sucking like a cherry Jolly Rancher.” After the tartness dissipated, one of our friends indicated they liked it. I’d say stick with the Antle Vineyard, Chalone AVA Syrah from Cima Collina, if you can find it. October 2020
The 2012 vintage of the Cima Collina Syrh Tre Gatti Vineyards was rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast. You can find that review 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.
© Decanting Monterey 2020
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