Tagged: Arroyo Seco AVA

Zabala Vineyards: The Quest of One Vineyard Groupie!

THE STORY

Many years ago, we stopped into the Mercy tasting room at the entrance of Carmel Valley Village. It was the winery which first introduced us to the Zabala and Griva vineyards, from which they produced exceptional whites and reds. Their tasting room portrayed photos of the rocky soils of Zabala Vineyards.  I quickly became obsessed with Zabala.  If I see it listed on a wine label, I know right away the wine has the potential to be fantastic.

In 2019, while our daughter was visiting from the east coast, I asked my family to jump in the car with me so I could see the rocky vineyards chock full of “Greenfield potatoes,” as the smooth river rocks are fondly called. I think they thought I was a little crazy. I was presenting Mercy wines in my east coast wine class and felt I needed to see the vineyards for myself. I had become a Zabala Vineyards groupie, especially for Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah wines made from their grapes.

Since Mercy closed, I have been on a hunt for any winery who makes a single varietal Syrah from Zabala Vineyards.  I have yet to find one rivaling Mercy’s bounty, but I keep looking.

A year or so later, our friend who makes up part of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod informed us me that Luis Zabala was in his biking group. He promised to introduced us…but time went on.

Fast forward to the August 2023 Arroyo Seco Winegrowers’ 40th Anniversary celebration, which I covered in two posts: Let’s Have a Big Party to Celebrate Arroyo Seco Winegrowers!and The Big Party Continues for Arroyo Seco Winegrowers! While I was there to cover the event in Decanting Monterey, the entire time I was looking for, asking about, and trying to meet Luis Zabala.  A shameless groupie indeed! I got someone to point him out, texted my friend a picture to be sure, and introduced myself to him.  I explained our mutual friend connection, and Luis kindly offered to have us down to the vineyard for a tour. We finally made it there in March – with our friend!

Thank you, Luis, for hosting us, humoring us, and being patient with us while we asked you all our questions.  Spending that time in your vineyard with you was a very special day for Decanting Monterey – and me personally.

ABOUT ZABALA VINEYARDS – WHAT DID I LEARN

I came armed with a list of questions and Luis patiently – and with subtle humor – answered them all.  Who knew he was a comedian! I am going to intersperse what I learned with the official history and other information on their website, which I would encourage you to read in full – so much richness of Californian history in this property and family. The text in quotes comes directly from their website:

Originally of Spanish Basque heritage, his family came up to what is now the Central Coast of California in the 1840’s and 50’s from Valparaiso, Chile.

“In earlier days, our forefathers defended the states’ historic missions of what would become California, and in return were granted various tracts of land in the Monterey and Santa Barbara counties. While the specifics of those plots have evolved over the last two centuries, our family has retained over 2,500 acres of this land between the coastal counties today.”

Luis showed us a map of his property and the vineyards.  While most of the area was farmland, the big swath where the vineyards are today was “marginal land” – not suitable for farming. 

“Our ancestors have been farming the land for over a century. However, it was not until the early 1970’s that J. Luis Zabala was approached by investors from the community to plant the Zabala holdings with wine grapes. The site proved to be ideal for growing Chardonnay, as the demand for quality Californian wines quickly expanded.”

So, how did Luis get involved? Intending to work in a different field, he got his MBA in finance and worked in technology up in Seattle – until the situation at the vineyard dictated that he needed to return. He’s now been in the business for 30 years. And his daughter, Leslie, has joined him in the business.

“Since the seventies, the vineyard has continued to expand. In the 1980’s, Luis Zabala Sr. passed ownership of the land to his five children, who continue his legacy by growing premium wine grapes in the family name. Zabala Vineyards now holds over one thousand acres of Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir in one of California’s most unique viticultural regions, and contributes to the highest premium vineyard-designate wine bottlings from the Central Coast.”

Luis added the following beyond their current webpage:

“The success of Zabala Vineyards really is a Team effort. Namely, Jason Melvin providing the wisdom of his years of experience as Vineyard Manager, my wife Joni Zabala, as the guiding light and sounding board behind the success of the vineyard, and Leslie Zabala, representing the next generation who is vitally interested in carrying on the family legacy.”

I love that!

One of our first questions was how many acres was his vineyard.  He quipped, “It’s only one, but it is really narrow.” Funny guy. Then he answered us seriously. Today he has about 800 acres planted, growing a number of varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Graciano, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, and Syrah. I hope I got them all! As we approached Zabala Vineyardsfrom the north, we noticed acres and acres of uprooted vines. My first question was about those vines. The vines are about 30 years old, so they have begun the process to rip out (and I hope replant) those older vines.

The fruit from his vines makes incredible wine. I asked him what makes his fruit so special?  He had a very simple response: “It is the struggle.” The vines must struggle through the rocky soil to get to the water and nutrients while enduring the frigid, windy nights.  As Mercy’s website used to say, the Arroyo Seco AVA is “windblown, numbingly cold, fog laden, semi-arid, rock strewn, austerely beautiful.”

I love to present Zabala Sauvignon Blanc wines in my classes from various producers, such as Corral Wine Co. and I Brand’s Paysan label. The wines are floral and tropical with a nice minerality on the finish. I am presenting the 2022 vintage from Corral in my upcoming wine class.

I am forever seeking a Syrah made from Zabala grapes that can match the flavor of the Mercy wine. Luis showed me a shelf of bottles of Zabala Vineyard Syrah and suggested I check out I Brand, Corral Wine Co., Lepe Cellars, Morgan, and Field Recordings (in Paso Robles). Of those, I know that Lepe Cellars and Field Recordings bottle Zabala Syrah as a single varietal.

We toured his property to see the Syrah vines up close, including some new vines just being planted. We got a good look at the large, smooth “Greenfield potatoes.” He also provided a lesson about irrigation and the use of bilateral cordon and unilateral cordon with cane grape trellising to achieve a “balanced vineyard.”  Made sense, but he knew we had no idea what he was talking about. 

We asked Luis what he thought of the 2023 vintage.  He finished harvest in mid-November and was happy with the ripening, despite there not being a hot day all summer.  We asked how much fruit he produced and he pulled our legs responding that “one ton gets a good price.” He harvests several thousands of tons of grapes, either by machine or by hand, depending on the customer’s request.  And the wineries decide when their fruit gets picked.

I had asked him earlier in the day if he ever intended to produce his own wines for sale to the public.  His response was that it is a different business model, with a heavy focus on sales and lots of time on the road. He is content running the operations of this large vineyard. We wrapped up our tour visiting the small trailer that contains his “winery” with his little label “machine” and a few barrels. Charming. Definitely not a set-up for large production!

As we ended our tour, he generously handed us bottles of his own Syrah which he makes for family and friends. Thank you, Luis, for sharing your time, your world, your expertise, your vines, your humor and your wine with us. It was a perfect afternoon which we will not forget.

THE WINE

2019 Zabala Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1320)

My Review: Hint of tar, opening up into full-on blackberry jam and pipe tobacco. The medium-bodied palate was dominated by blackberry fruit, with a distinct cherry on the finish.  Opened up to present as a rich, full-bodied wine on day 2, with a tannic finish.The fruit is quite delicious on this wine. April 2024

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Trade Tasting Reveals the Gems of Monterey Wines!

THE STORY

Thanks to a last-minute reminder from Kim Stemler, Decanting Monterey was able to attend this year’s Monterey County Vintners & Growers Wines Trade and Media Wine Tasting in Carmel. This was really a great opportunity without large crowds to taste enjoy the gems of Monterey wines. I am so grateful, Kim, for the reminder!

The event was held at the Carmel Mission Inn, an easy drive and access with just enough parking. The weather was sunny – and a tad windy.  While most of the wineries were inside, it was great to be outdoors with the rest, although a few wine glasses were lost to the wind!

The best part of the event is to be able to dig deep with local winemakers we have gotten to know over the years such as Ian Brand, David Baird and Keith Prader. Those frank conversations are the real way to learn what is happening in Monterey wine country.  In addition, the event allowed us to get to know more of them. We connected with some well-known vintners in our community such as Jack and Dawn Galante. We had the chance to properly introduce ourselves to Russell Joyce. And it was nice to see Sam and Joe Miller from Rexford Winery who no longer have a tasting room in Carmel Valley. And there were newer faces including Greg Hill from Tira Nanza, who has extended another visit to their vineyards – we will do it! And, regretfully, I did not get to all the tables to catch up with some of my favorite vintners: Sabrine Rodems and Miguel Lepe.  I’m sure I’ll see you soon.  

We had a strategy to each pick one wine from a table, but even that quickly became too much.  There are always too many wines to try, despite our efforts. So grateful for the conversations we had and, for those we couldn’t quite get to, we hope to see you at the next one!

ABOUT THE MONTEREY WINES TRADE AND MEDIA WINE TASTING

FROM THE INVITATION:

“This experience allows trade and media members exclusive opportunities to discover and explore the latest releases and other available wines. Indulge in a diverse selection of over 100 wines from over 25 local wineries. This trade tasting allows for more interactive conversations with winemakers, proprietors, and even a few growers.

“The event will showcase wines from various AVAs within Monterey County, including Carmel Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Chalone, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley, Hames Valley, Monterey, and nearly approved Carmel Coast AVA.

WHY SERVE LOCAL?

“By serving local wines, you enhance the overall guest experience, offering authenticity, uniqueness, and a connection to the local community. This benefits your establishment’s reputation and appeal, strengthens customer relationships, and contributes to long-term success and increased sales.”

THE GEMS OF MONTEREY WINES

We tasted quite a few wines that day – so I am narrowing them down to 8 gems – from my palate’s perspective. Those standouts fit some “best” categories, so I will label them that way. I’ll admit up front that these larger events do not make for good note taking, so my descriptions are going to fall well short of my normal standard.  I hope I will have the chance to visit the wineries and do more detailed notes over the course of the summer. 

Winery notes come from the event tasting sheet or their website. You can read more about each winery on its respective website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

BEST WHITE: 2023 Tira Nanza Estate Grown Viognier, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $60 (#1313)

Winery Notes: “We dry farm our Viognier to produce wines that emphasize both the varietal and the place where it’s grown. Our 2023 Viognier is dry and full bodied with perfumed notes of white flowers and apricot that are so emblematic of the varietal. This is a wine that is sure to entice both seasoned Viognier fans as well as newcomers to the varietal.”

My Review: This is an incredibly aromatic wine with full bodied flavors on the palate, making it the number 1 wine of the event for me! April 2024

BEST SPARKLING: 2020 Odonata Sparkling Riesling, Tondre Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $42 (#1314)

My Review: Very tasty with tiny bubbles.  Crisp and balanced. I enjoyed this wine greatly. April 2024

BEST CHARDONNAY: 2021 Talbott Chardonnay, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $45 (#1315)

Winery Notes: “Our 2021 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay is an elegant expression of the fog-cloaked vines of our legendary Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Wisps of lemon zest and Tahitian vanilla conjure hints of meringue clouds dotted with lemon curd. The mouthfeel is silky with touches of salinity. Bright layers of sliced apple and pear supported by toasted brioche lift the fruit, leading to a long, lingering finish with a touch of rich caramel.”

My Review: 30% new oak leads to a rather oaky nose with a sophisticated palate, standing heads and shoulders above the rest. April 2024

BEST ROSE: 2023 Tira Nanza Malbec Rosé, North Coast AVA, 13.5% ABV, $30 (#1316)

Winery Notes: “Back by popular demand, our 2023 Malbec Rosé shares the same vibrant fruit and complexity that made our previous vintages so special. This wine is crisp and dry with inviting aromas of strawberry and flavors of raspberry and ripe melon.”

My Review: Another aromatic wine from Tira Nanza – this rosé stood out to me as flavorful – much more like a Provencal rose – a perfect wine to sip in the microclimate! April 2024

BEST RED: 2018 Shale Canyon Cabernet Franc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $35 (#1317)

Winery Notes: “Our 2018 Estate Cabernet Franc starts with aromas of dark fruit, slight oak and a touch of floral.  A complex wine with flavors of dark cherry, dark berry and cassis.  A finish of vanilla with a hint of leather and medium firm tannins.”

My Review: I went “wow” when I tasted this wine.  I have presented his big Cab Francs before in my classes and this one did not disappoint – full-bodied deliciousness. April 2024

BEST SYRAH: 2019 Silvestri Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1098)

Winery Notes: “Syrah fans everywhere!  Our Syrah continues to please year after year.  Savor the aromas of blackberry and dried plum while enjoying the mouth-watering flavors, velvety texture along with medium tannins.”

My Review: I’ve presented this wine before.  Coming from Carmel Valley, this is a richer Syrah than most of our cool climate permits.  Blackberry and blueberry notes on the nose, followed by a smooth and rich palate. So easy to drink! April 2024

BEST LOCAL RED BLEND : 2018 De Tierra The Puzzler, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $49 (#1318)

Winery Notes: “IN THE GLASS: Garnet in color. Nose offer notes of rich earth, plum fresh fig, black licorice and a hint of spice. ON THE PALATE:  Plush tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. The wine starts with notes of plum and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a long tobacco finish.”

My Review: Spice box on the nose, followed by a very smooth palate.  This is a well-integrated wine.  I’d like to explore presenting this in a class! April 2024

BEST “CALIFORNIA” RED BLEND: 2021 Galante Vineyards Big Little Wine Vintner’s Reserve, California, 14.5% ABV, $65 (#1319)

Winery Notes: “No lies! The lushest and most fruit forward wine to come out of the Galante stables, this homage to Monterey Peninsula’s lineage of film locales is the 50/50 blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot from Napa Valley. This wine greets the senses with its brilliantly violet tinged magenta hues, ripe raspberry, and dried orange peel notes on the nose. A fruit bowl of bramble berries fill the mouth, finishing with bold and lingering tannins, dark chocolate and chicory.  A “big” finish from all these “little” grapes.”

My Review: This was the last wine we tried at the event and it was a big one.  A nice blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot – what is not to like.  April 2024

THE TASTING ROOMS

You, too, can try the gems of Monterey wines by visiting one of our many tasting rooms! Please check each winery’s website for their specific locations and hours.

Several of today’s wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea: Talbott, Shale Canyon, Silvestri, De Tierra, and Galante.

Odonata’s tasting room is located down the Monterey Wine Trail – but not too far – very accessible!

Tira Nanza’s wines are only available at the winery in Cachagua, but you can reserve a tour on their website!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW DECANTING MONTEREY ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon*

East End “Members for the Day” – A Crazy Good Idea!

THE STORY

The tasting rooms in the Carmel Valley Village “East End” (the old White Oaks shopping center) decided to share “Members for the Day” – a member at one winery could taste at all the tasting rooms! With our Tasting Passport in hand, we could taste at Parsonage, Corral Wine Co., Chesebro, Windy Oaks, Austin Harlow, and I. Brand & Family! How cool was that!

ABOUT THE EAST END “MEMBERS FOR THE DAY”

Each winery sent an invitation to its members, inviting 2 members plus 2 friends to spend a Sunday afternoon visiting the 6 wineries.  Each prepared a limited menu from which attendees could pick a couple of wines to try.  Or that was the idea, anyway. From the members’ perspective, this was a great way to try wineries we had never been to, bring a friend or two, and meet new people. 

From the tasting room staff perspective, this was a bit of crowd-management chaos, in a fun way. Lots of people signed up and the fine print of only picking a couple of wines at each one was totally lost on the members. Some wineries told us verbally, others printed it on the menu, and yet another simply opened 2 wines as the only ones available that day – smart.

Members who were used to tasting the whole menu showed no restraint. 😊 At one winery, the event overlapped with their spring release, creating added confusion to who was “allowed” to try what! We could see in the eyes of the tasting room staff that some were doing the best they could with as much enthusiasm they could muster, while others looked simply shell-shocked. We members, on the other hand, had a wonderful time. At some wineries, the sales were flowing, so the idea worked for them.

In hindsight, some said that *if* they were ever to do this again, they would limit the invitation to 2 members (no extra friends), make it clearer that people could only pick 2 wines (or only serve 2). Good ideas. I would add: make this an annual event and try not to overlap your releases so there is a single menu. (I know, easier said than done and I am guilty of showing up to do both at once). 

If you attended this event, I would love for you to leave a comment today on your experience at East End “Members for the Day”!!

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 10wines I have not presented before from 5 of the East End “Members for the Day” – Austin Harlow, I. Brand & Family, Chesebro, Windy Oaks and Parsonage.  We also tasted the wines at Corral Wine Co. – you can find my previous reviews of those wines Corral Wine Co.: A Beautiful Portfolio of Tasty Wines! and Corral: Newly Released Pinot Noirs Available Now! Winery notes come from the event tasting sheet or their website. You can read more about each winery on its respective website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Mid Life Crisis Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV , $21 (#1303)

My Review: Pale gold in color and viscous in the glass. Butter on the nose. We found this Chardonnay to be pretty tasty with a buttery and light grapefruit finish. April 2024

2021 Austin Harlow Sharon’s Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $36 (#1304)

My Review: Faint peach on the nose. A nice palate with a grapefruit twist on the end. April 2024

2023 Paysan Rosé, Central Coast AVA, 12.5% ABV, $19 (#1305) 78% Mourvèdre, 11% Cinsault, 11% Grenache.

Winery Notes: “Even though it wasn’t a warm vintage, our 2023 rosé shows more warm climate character, not unlike Spanish rosés, than in past years. The long hang time and ample canopies brought full phenological ripeness for a red wine at rosé sugars and acids. The resultant flavors are more cherry and plum than underripe strawberry and watermelon but in the same refreshing composition as usual.”

My Review: Pale pink in the glass. Light in flavor. Very refreshing. I would drink this in the micro-climate! April 2024

2023 Paysan Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $24 (#1306)

Winery Notes: “I feel like this last year people finally ‘got’ the Zabala Sauvignon Blanc. It’s not a gooseberry and cat pee SB like we were taught to like from New Zealand (and which has become, in the vein of buttery Chardonnay, a parody of itself) nor the laser thin acid bomb of Sancerre. The Musqué clone it’s based on gives a distinctly melon driven presentation, underscored by river rocks and crushed seashells. It also retains less acidity than other SB clones, which is essential in Arroyo Seco because the winds and cold nights make everything acidic. Our Zabala Sauvignon Blanc is an exceedingly pleasant wine, joyful, friendly, consistent. It’s the white wine you always want in the fridge for when you need a splash.”

My Review: Pale in the glass. Melon, peach and light pineapple on the nose.  The palate is refreshing and light with a lingering finish. April 2024

2023 La Marea Verdelho, Pierce Ranch, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 11.8% ABV, $19 (#1307)

Winery Notes: “I set a goal of exploring more white wines in 2023. We picked up some pretty esoteric stuff, including two grapes off Pierce Ranch. The second will come in the summer, but the first is this delightful Verdelho. Verdelho is a Portuguese grape grown predominantly on the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores. It creates a bright, almost spicy wine redolent of citrus and orchard fruit. This is an exceedingly pleasant quaff. We only made 50 cases of this wine, so don’t pass on it or you’ll miss it!”

My Review: Very pale in color and lacking aromatics.  Light on the palate with some ginger on the finish. We thought this would pair well with food and took one home. April 2024

2023 La Marea Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $25 (#1308)

Winery Notes: “After several short vintages, it’s lovely to finally have a decent crop off Kristy’s. The 2023 vintage was characterized by a comparatively late harvest. Across the 2023s, sugars were late to accumulate and acids remained stubbornly high as phenolics developed in the moderate temperatures. High potassium levels in the juice resulted in higher than usual finished pHs with good titratable acidities (a measure of the total acid content in the wine) meaning that the 2023 whites are deeply flavored, supple and open while remaining focused. Our 2023 Albariño has been showing great with depth and complexity to spare.”

My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. Full-bodied and delicious.  Very balanced in all its flavors. We liked this one so much that we took 2 home! April 2024.

2022 Paysan Petite Sirah, Pierce Ranch, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $27 (#1309)

Winery Notes: “One way to beat the fall heat spikes of 2022 is to pick before they hit. Heat is a fact of life in the San Antonio Valley and the secret is to work with well adapted varieties. Thick skinned Petite Sirah is a lovely choice and on the fractured silicate and calcareous rock of Block One it yields a wine of surprising elegance and grace. I made the wines for Pierce Ranch for several years earlier in my career, so I know the vineyard well and this is one of their premier blocks. Fermented with 30% whole cluster and aged in neutral oak for 11 months.”

My Review: Almost purple in the glass. A nice, black and blue fruit palate with a tannic finish.  I think this will settle down into a very yummy wine. April 2024

2016 Cheseboro Grenache, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.8% ABV, $35 (#1310)

Winery Notes: “A savory and robust Grenache from the sandy, well-drained soils of Cedar Lane Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Only 80 cases produced.  Ripe rasberries and cracked pepper with a firm core of dusty tannins. Aromas of dried sage brush leads off followed by bright red berry fruit and a long caressing finish.”

My Review: Unfortunately, I did not take notes on this wine.  I recall it being quite delicious and full, made in a style I would prefer my Grenache to be. April 2024

2018 Windy Oaks Special Release – Le Chaud, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 14.8% ABV, $85 (#1311)

Winery Notes: “Using a special piece of machinery that heat treats specific rows of the vineyard in rapid motion, it decreases the number of mildew sprays and actually increases the phenolics (important flavor contributors) in the grape skins. This results in amplified aromas and black/red fruit characteristics with unusual complexity and layering.”

My Review: I was unable to taste this wine, but my partner did – and I simply wanted to include it today.

2021 Parsonage Wild Card, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $40 (#1312)

Winery Notes: “This iteration of the beloved Wildcard, our preposterous melange of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir, will rock your world. The nose is a fragrant and seductive melange of exotic spices, wild flowers, boysenberry, and cranberry. The palate is marked by cedar notes and blueberry with a vibrant backdrop of red and black fruit in this medium-plus mouthfeel beauty.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Well-melded flavors in this red blend – a great follow-on to the fabulous 2020 vintage, which I am presenting in my DC wine class. Red and black fruits dance on the medium-bodied palate. This wine is still young and has great potential. April 2024

THE TASTING ROOMS

The Carmel Valley Village “East End” tasting rooms are located at 19 East Carmel Valley Road.  Please check each winery’s website for their specific hours.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Chesebro Sparkling Rosé: Worthy of a Trip to the Valley!

THE STORY

I’m grateful I follow some of our local wineries on social media – Chesebro Wines is one of them.  When they recently informed us that they had released the 2015 Chesebro Sparkling Rosé, we made a beeline for Carmel Valley. They opened a bottle for us to try it and we snapped up a couple to take home.  It was worthy of a trip to the valley!

I’m also including here a couple of their red blends.  The 2015 Las Arenas was recently consumed at home. On the other hand, the 2012 La Montagne Sauvage was part of a vertical tasting at their tasting room in Carmel Valley Village.  We have quite a few vintages of this blend at home awaiting the right event!

THE WINES

Today, I am presenting 3 Chesebro Wines.  I last presented their wines to you in August 2023 here: Chesebro New Releases Wow Decanting Monterey! Winery notes come from the label, their tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted.  Any errors are mine and mine alone; however, as a general rule, I do not correct any typos from the winery’s website.

2015 Chesebro Brut Rosé, Mission Ranch Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $50 (#1264) – Worthy of a Trip!

Winery Notes: “100% Mission Ranch Swan clone Pinot Noir. Aged on the lees for 7 years before being disgorged in 2016. Bottled with 6 grams/L dosage this wine is a light onion skin color, very fine bubbles and has aromas of brioche and bruised red apple that follows through on the palate with red berry and bright acidity.”

My Review: Beige-pink in color. Apple cider on the nose. Palate of fine bubbles and mouse with soft, raspberry notes. We bought some of this and have enjoyed it at home! February 2024

2015 Chesebro Las Arenas, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $27 (#1265)

Winery Notes: “Las Arenas refers to the sandy soils of Cedar Lane Vineyard. This Rhone style blend of 67% Grenache and 33% Syrah combines intense aromatics with smooth texture and bright acidity.”

My Review: Plum and blackberry on the nose. The palate has fruity blackberry notes balanced by a tobacco finish. This is a tasty wine. March 2024

2012 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV (#1266)

Winery Notes: “This Rhone style blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre is grown on our family ranch in the mountains of upper Carmel Valley. We feel it convey the wild character of this place we love.”

My Review: We tasted the 2014, 2013 and 2012 vintages at the same time. This vintage is all dark fruit, a touch jammier than the others. Smooth, yet chewy, with more tobacco on the finish.  Delicious. February 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

The Chesebro Tasting Room is located at 19D East Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.

“We are now open for tasting on Friday through Sunday from noon until 5 PM and by appointment on other days. Due to our limited capacity please make an appointment on all days so that we may better serve you. Appointments can either be set up through this page below or by contacting Alex directly at Alex@chesebrowines.com or 831-238-2618.” You can walk in or schedule an appointment at the tasting room link.

© Decanting Monterey 2024

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Monterey County Vintners & Growers Celebrate 50 Amazing Years!  

As a huge fan of Monterey County wines, I hold a special place for the resources and efforts of Kim Stemler and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. When I learned I could be there to join the Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years, I could not wait for the date!

THE STORY – The Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years

This annual meeting was held on January 31st at Rustiqué Winery out River Road. It was mostly attended by our local vintners and a handful of their supporters. After their board meeting, we mingled and sampled some of their newest wines, some not yet released.  It was a relaxed and friendly setting with a delicious lunch, followed by the meeting itself.

MINGLING

Before the meeting, I had the chance to speak with several winemakers I have gotten to know over the years.  We asked about the 2023 vintage and heard the following: gratitude for the lack of wildfires, plentiful in yield, yet some mixed results vineyard by vineyard. David Baird from Folktale indicated he is looking forward to the imminent release of his 2023 whites and rosé. I thanked Miguel Lepe of Lepe Cellars for recently hosting the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society and he invited us back any time! Sabrine Rodems was very excited to show off the new Scratch C-47 Grenache-Syrah. Adrien Valenzuela from Corral Wine Co. brought their latest Petite Sirah just being released – wow. Kirstie Dyer invited us up to Holman Ranch for a tour and tasting. Dennis Hoey of Odonata did a double-take at our last name – just one letter separates us. People do ask me if we are related. Later, I joked that we should invite him to our upcoming family reunion as a long, lost cousin!

There were a number of Associate members of the group present, to whom I was introduced as a “Monterey County wine influencer.” I prefer the term “groupie.” I’m just a passionate fan and wine educator who helps get the word out about our fabulous wineries and wines.

THE MEETING

At the meeting itself, there was great recognition of how far the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association has come over these past 50 years – from their early meetings in a bar to having this larger meeting in a winery barn! Kudos were given to Kim Stemler, the face of Monterey wines, for her hard work increasing the profile of our vineyards and wineries, while working with regulatory bodies.

Kim has worked to support the members and to find solutions to challenges like COVID and wildfires (air support first makes a difference!). She provides a single point of information to streamline communication. One marketing success from 2023 was renaming the River Road Wine Trail to the Monterey Wine Trail and soon we will see new signs put up to help guide visitors. And she helped us get our local wines onto the shelves of Whole Foods! She also talked about getting wineries to visit each other to share techniques and expertise. 

BRAINSTORMING

The next part of the meeting was to brainstorm at our tables some of the biggest positives and negatives for the region. At our table, we talked about the positive of growing recognition of Monterey County wines and the negative of increased shipping costs throughout the production supply chain, including delivery to consumers. As an example, the sharp increase in shipping costs during and after the pandemic have made it increasingly difficult for me to put together a class for my DC-based group. 

With this much growth in the past 50 years, I can’t even imagine what it will be like the next time the Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years!

THE WINES

Today I am sharing impressions of 9 of these latest wines; I didn’t take detailed notes.  Winery notes, where available, come from their websites or labels, or as otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Moonlit Harvest Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $22 (#1246) produced and bottled by Cowboys, Livermore, California

From the Back Label: “Eighteen eighty-three is the year C.H. Wente founded his winery in Northern California. This wine pays homage to his pioneering spirit and passion for quality grape growing and winemaking. The grapes for this wine were grown and harvested under our serenely moonlit estate vineyards located in Monterey, regarded as one of the best places in California to grow Chardonnay. The cool, coastal influences are ideal for delivering flavors of ripe apple, guava and mango balanced by subtle oak, vanilla and spice. Enjoy!”

My Review: Quite tasty and balanced with distinct tropical notes balanced with a little buttery oak – quite representative of a Monterey County Chardonnay. I would present this in a class.  January 2024

2022 (?) Kori Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1247)

My partner poured this, so I am assuming it is the 2022, for which I cannot yet find any notes. 

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: The tasty fruit for this wine comes from one of a top Arroyo Seco vineyard – Griva.  A nice balance of citrus flavors with a predominance of that classic Sauvignon Blanc grassiness.  January 2024

2021 Scratch C-47 Grenache/Syrah, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV (#1248) 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Big, bold flavors in this well-balanced wine. I don’t know the blend, but it clearly has enough Syrah to please my palate. Excellent. January 2024

2020 Corral Petite Syrah, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV (#1249)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Rich and dark blue and blackberry tongue-coating flavors. I know I am not supposed to have favorites but this was, for our palates, our favorite wine of the day!  January 2024

2019 Silvestri Eugenia Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $65 (#1250)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Eugenia is a unique blend of our estate reds (35% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Franc,15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot) at 25% New French Oak.  Aged 18 months in barrel… Our version of a Bordeaux blend using all five varietals with Malbec leading and Cabernet Sauvignon just behind offering bold flavors of plumb and black currant and structure.  Cabernet Frank and Merlot evenly support with balancing softness and a slight herbacousness and a minor contribution of Petit Vedot with color, tannin and spice.”

My Review: Very berry on the nose and palate, opening into a richer red. Tasty. January 2024

2021 Rustiqué Syrah, Tondré Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV (#1251)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: I was excited to try this Syrah from the esteemed Tondré Grapefield. My guess is that it is the first Syrah produced by Rustiqué.  It was quite berry on the nose, followed by a very nice palate.  I’d like to try this again.  Time for a visit to Rustiqué!  January 2024

2019 Odonata Sangiovese, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 14.2% ABV (#1252)

Winery Notes: “Strawberries, hints of cinnamon, leather and earth. The palate is round with balanced acidity and tannin. Great vintage for Machado Sangiovese, this wine is powerful and fruit forward, but will lean out into dried leaf and cool subtleties as time progresses. 10-20 year wine for sure.”

My Review: We got a lot of berry and cherry flavors with solid tannins on the finish – agree this would benefit from cellaring and I would like to taste it again!January 2024

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $80 (#1074)

Winery Notes: “The renowned Garys’ Vineyard was planted with the celebrated “Pisoni clone” by the two iconic growers of the Santa Lucia Highlands: Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni. Together they have brought worldwide attention to this fabulous appellation for the exceptional quality of its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. This year, Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni have graciously offered Bernardus a few extra tons of the superb Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir (expertly farmed by Mark Pisoni). This enabled us to ferment in 3 small fermenters, providing a new subtle complexity to the finished wine.

“Our 2021 Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes a gorgeous perfume of ripe, dark red fruits along with notes of rose pedal. The fabulous palate is very intense – powerful yet elegant – with layers of boysenberry, ripe black cherry and a hint of spice. This is without a doubt, our finest Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir to date!”

My Review: We somehow ended up with a bottle of this wine at our table.  Pinot Noir is not my wheelhouse, but this big, complex Bernardus Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of the finest I have tried.  A pretty, bright red ruby color. Cherry and raspberry nose, followed by continued red fruit flavors on the complex palate. It went exceptionally well with our meal. January 2024

2021 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV (#1253)

Winery Notes: N/A.

My Review: Tobacco on the nose. Dark plum and berry flavors on the palate. Pretty delicious. This was a great wine with which to finish the program.

THE TASTING ROOMS

With the exception of Moonlit Harvest, these wines can be tasted in our local Monterey County tasting rooms, spanning the 3 regions of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley Village, and the Monterey Wine Trail.  You can find more information on their websites or at the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association website.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Lepe Cellars Hosts a Jingle-Mingle!

THE STORY

Last August, I had the chance to meet Miguel Lepe of Lepe Cellars and his assistant Thyra Roth at the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association Trade and Media Tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There, I asked him if he would be interested in hosting the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society for one of their First Friday events – and he said yes! We finally held that event in early December and it became our chapter’s holiday party at his tasting room inside the Winfield Art Gallery. He was a gracious host, educating our group on his wines and sharing about his winemaking journey.

I previously presented Lepe Cellars Wines in 2 posts: And Now: The Final Post on the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Event!and Lepe Cellars: A New Face on the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Circuit!

ABOUT LEPE CELLARS (from their website)

About the winemaker

“Miguel Lepe studied enology and viticulture at California Polytechnic State University – SLO. He began his career working for various well respected wineries across California’s Central Coast and South America. Passionate about his craft, Miguel’s hard work and dedication has led him on a new journey – creating Lepe Cellars to showcase the best of Monterey County wines.”

Our Mission

“We take great pride in blending the best of Old World and New World techniques, enabling the wine to develop naturally over time and allowing the journey to be kept as pure as possible, highlighting the regions true terroir.”

THE WINES

I have 7 Lepe Cellars wines to present to you today representing 5 distinct AVAs within Monterey County!  You can read more about Monterey’s AVAs here. Winery notes come from their website unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2021 Lepe Cellars Chardonnay, River Ranch Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $38 (#1234)

Winery Notes: “Citrus and white flower aromas lead into a bright profile with green apples, lemon, and honeysuckle with a touch of minerality on the palate.”

My Review: Pineapple and butter notes on the nose. Crisp and flavorful on the palate with a slightly acidic finish. I took one home. December 2023

2022 Lepe Cellars Sangiovese Rose, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $30 (#1109)

Winery Notes: “This bright, stone fruit focused dry Rosé starts out with a burst of peach and apricot leading into hints of tangerine. Pairs well with seared salmon, lobster and tuna tartare.”

My Review:  A light, pretty pink hue in the glass. Caramel and fruit notes on the nose. Really delicious palate of peach – great balance of sweet and dry. I’d enjoy this in the microclimate. December 2023

2022 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV       , $40 (#1236)

Winery Notes: (Description of the 2021 vintage) “Fresh and soft in style, unleashing notes of cherries and raspberries on the palate with hints of hibiscus and rose petals on the nose.”

My Review Powered by Terravenos:  Cherry on the nose. Smooth, young. In a year, it will be glorious. Perfumed with cherry, berry and savory notes – very good with the white cheddar. December 2023

2021 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $55 (#1237)

Winery Notes: “Bright and lush in style, unleashing fresh juicy cherries and raspberries with hints of hibiscus on the finish. Light to medium body spectrum achieving a fresh fruit forward profile.”

My Review: This Pinot Noir comes from one of my favorite vineyards for Pinot in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This was a much richer, darker wine with more tobacco and tannin on the palate and finish – a very different wine from the first Pinot Noir. December 2023.

2021 Lepe Cellars Zinfandel, Wellong Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $42 (#1238)

Winery Notes: “This single-vineyard expression from southern Monterey County begins with a floral hit on the nose before diving into cherry-compote and crushed rock aromas. There is red-plum on the palate with hibiscus and cinnamon tones, finishing with a spicy kick of white pepper.”

My Review:  Smokey caramel on the nose. Rich dark berries, a little sweet on the palate. This is one of the best examples of Zinfandel in Monterey County. December 2023

2021 Lepe Cellars Syrah, Zabala Vineyards, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $55 (#1239)

Winery Notes: “Intriguing aromas of fresh blueberry and violets with hints of dark plum, black pepper and milk chocolate on the palate tied together with soft lush tannins.”

My Review:  Very dark in the glass. A warm nose with black berries. Rich palate of dark fruit. Tastes more high alcohol than it is. I’d like to put this up against a Halter Ranch. I’m always on the hunt for a Syrah made from Zabala Vineyards fruit. I like this wine and took one home. December 2023

2020 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $49 (#1110)

Winery Notes: “Elegant aromas of wild strawberry, savory soy and light licorice show on the nose of this pure varietal. Dark plum and cherries show on the first sip, with a bit of earthy forest floor woven with pepper, oak and tannin creating a velvety, rich texture.”

My Review:  I’ve had this wine before and described it like this: “Plummy and jammy on the nose. Tobacco and dark fruits on the palate. Very nice.” But today, my palate said it was smokey, baby.  This is a 2020 wine, after all. I’ll need to try it again. December 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

The Lepe Cellars tasting room is open daily from 12-7 p.m. inside the Winfield Art Gallery on Doloresbetween Ocean & 7th, Carmel-By-The-Sea.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Bernardus Delights Its Members with an Over-the-Top Marinus Dinner!

THE STORY

In November, we attended our third over-the-top Marinus dinner at the Bernardus Winery Tasting Room. I have to say, this is our favorite local event of the year and, I don’t know how, but it just keeps getting more impressive. The 2023 Marinus dinner was an elegant affair. The tables were decorated so beautifully and the service was impeccable. The wines and the food were exquisite, all the way down to the imported flavored French butters!  The Marinus blends are aging nicely and the multi-course food pairings created by Carmel Valley’s Chef Jerome Viel were sumptuous. You can read more about Jerome here: https://jeromescarmelvalleymarket.com/chef-jerome-viel/.

I will confess that I bugged Heather relentlessly about the date for this event, as I knew it was coming and we had been traveling. I for sure didn’t want to miss this event and last year, we got the last 4 seats! Thanks for putting up with me, Heather! When is it next year? 😊

With the recent retirement of winemaker Dean DeKorth, we were hosted by his replacement, Jim McCabe.  We had met him at the previous Marinus dinner and he hosted the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod at the winery this past summer. Jim was fully in his element on this night, informing us about the wines and happenings at the winery. His presence and conversations with the many attendees were so valuable and appreciated.

As if we didn’t already feel special enough, our meal began with the final 3 bottles of the 1993 Marinus – the year of their first bottling of this red blend on its 30th Anniversary. Making a fine Bordeaux wine in Carmel Valley was the vision and dream of founder Ben Pon, who passed away in 2019. And I must say that the 1993 was drinking fine, giving credence and confidence in the longevity of later vintages. Ben Pon’s vision has indeed been realized!

THE WINEMAKER’S STORY

Jim McCabe did not start out wanting to be a winemaker.  Originally from Massachusetts, he got into graduate school in Sonoma to pursue a Masters in Comparative Literature. He took a job at Bernardus while finishing his thesis.

He was impressed by the 2006 Bernardus Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir. He found it bigger, fuller, and more enjoyable than the jug wines which were so popular back then.  😊 As a result, he started to take winemaking more seriously. Dean DeKorth, his boss and mentor, taught him much about wine appreciation and winemaking.

THE WINERY

To kick off our event, winemaker Jim McCabe addressed the group with a brief history of the Bernardus Winery and the Marinus vineyard. Motor sport enthusiast and golfer Ben Pon moved here in 1989-1990. He noticed Durney was making intense Cabernets in Carmel Valley/Cachagua and he wanted to see what the area could be for wines. He had a vision to create a small pocket of Bordeaux in Carmel Valley. He wanted to explore what varieties would do well there. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to see what they could do, then added Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. You can read more about the founding and history of Bernardus Winery here.

Over the course of the evening, Jim shared a few tidbits about the winery and winemaking:

  • Bernardus hand harvests its grapes. Jim shared that there is a big difference in quality between machine and hand picking. Machines enter into the mix “Matters Other than Grapes” – MOG.
  • Making Marinus wine is like “squidding.” Seriously, Jim did say that…
  • One of their challenges is how to get grape growing and harvesting right in Cachagua, with its big diurnal shift. Cabernet Sauvignon needs sustained heat. So, they have to pick late.
  • As of the dinner on November 9th, they had still not harvested their Cabernet Sauvignon!  Due to the rains, followed by a cool spring/summer without wildfires, the region enjoyed one of its best and longest growing seasons.
  • The Marinus Vineyard is also a great place for Merlot. They have put a higher percentage of Merlot in the blend over the years. They reevaluate the percentages of the various grape varieties every year to develop their strategy for each vintage’s blend.
  • Marinus is a limited production red blend. They try to get the balance of varietals to show the best bottle – “the best we can” – vs having it taste the same every year. The blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant varietal, changes from year to year. The Signature Marinus is the best of the best. It can be a different blend than the Marinus in a given year.
  • They prefer French barrels and are able to buy 500 new barrels per year. Some old ones get purchased by a local brewery!

THE WINES

Winery tasting notes come from their website, the tasting sheet, or conversations with the winemaker or tasting room staff unless otherwise indicated. I quickly jotted down the blends at a subsequent visit to the tasting room, so I may not have them exactly right. You can read more about most of these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2015 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $125 (#889) 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Petit Verdot, 12% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc

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!” Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Uncorked! Awarded TOP RED WINE!

My Review: This was the wine we enjoyed as we walked in the door. I don’t have new notes, so am providing mine from July, which was a blind tasting: Dark berry, cherry and caramel notes with at first hints of barnyard and hay on the nose. Earthy palate of dark fruits with a touch of smoke on the finish. Much more of a big cab style wine. We like it. July 2023

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: This wine was perfectly paired with the black cod. Dark ruby in color. Spicy, black pepper on the nose. So smooth and rich, elegant. If we were tasting bling, no one would guess it was 30 years old. It’s similar to one of those fine, aged Bordeaux wines we open at home sometimes. November 2023

2010 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $65 (#39) 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc

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.”

My Review: Served with the duck confit and smoked lentils. Inky/dark garnet in the glass. Extraction is great says Jim. Slightly earthy nose. Palate is still rich but leaner. Still smooth.  We’ve had this vintage many times over the years and it has been interesting to watch its progression.  Several years ago, we thought it might be past its prime, but it might have been the bottle in the tasting room.  Since that time, as on this night, it has been drinking well. Hang in there, 2010! November 2023

2013 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey, 14.1% ABV, $75 (#157) 35% Caberbet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc

Winery Notes: “The robe of our 2013 Marinus is a very deep crimson. On the nose we find dried cranberry aromas accented by subtle spice notes. The palate is intensely flavored with impressions of bright red cherry and plum. The finish shows excellent tannic structure promising a long life for this vintage of Marinus, much like that of a fine Bordeaux.”

My Review: Served with the pork tenderloin. This is the vintage that caused me to fall in love with Marinus and become a club member. Inky in the glass. Smooth nose of cedar and velvety fruit. Dark berries on the palate. Blackberry and cherry on the finish. Still a favorite. November 2023.

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

Winery Notes: This was the first tasting of this vintage – opened for us on this special night.  No notes are available yet on their website.

My Review: Dark in the glass. Umami bouquet – go figure. Fresh on the palate. Bright black and red berries on the palate with a licorice finish. A lovely finish. I think it is still young, but the winery thinks it is ready to drink. Showing well and perfectly paired with the venison medallion – a good choice. November 2023.

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

Winery Notes: “The robe of our 2014 Marinus is very deeply-colored. The aromas exude beautifully ripened red fruits accented by subtle spice notes. The mouthfeel is very soft and full expressing delicious flavors of ripe cherry and plum. The finish is well structured with soft tannins promising a long life for this superb bottle, similar to a fine Bordeaux.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. Tobacco on the nose. Deep intense berries on the palate with a minty finish. -goes with the earthiness of the raclette. Lovely. November 2023

2019 Bernardus Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 9.0% ABV, valued at $50, not for sale (#1215)             

Winery Notes: Inspired by Sauternes. Can only make this when the conditions are right. Has to be a humid, wet year. Bernardus has only made this 3 times: 2011, 2012, 2019. Can open it and keep it open.

My Review: Honey on the nose. Viscous, with a nice balance between the sweet and orange blossom and a touch of tartness. I enjoyed this wine – a perfect pairing with our orange almond cake. November 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

The Bernardus Tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every afternoon except Monday, with slightly different hours each day. Reservations are recommended but not required. You can see more information and book a tasting here, via email tastingroom@bernardus.com, or by calling them at 831-298-8021

 © Decanting Monterey 2023

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Corral Wine Co.: A Beautiful Portfolio of Tasty Wines!

THE STORY – A Beautiful Portfolio of Tasty Wines!

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.

2022 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1088)

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

2021 Corral Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $38 (#1208)

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)

2020 Corral 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.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!

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Comanche Cellars: A Story About a Man, His Horse, and Good Wine!

THE STORY

I have been curious about Comanche Cellars for years, with their interesting name and trendy, downtown Monterey tasting room. I first had the chance to try one of their wines when a neighbor and I stopped into A Taste of Monterey last March. I previously brought you the 2020 Comanche Cellars Tempranillo here: Spur of the Moment Wine Experience at A Taste of Monterey. My slightly updated tasting notes say, “Almost garnet in color. Blueberry and chocolate on the nose. Spicy mouthful of berries and dark cherry. Lively palate. Updated October 2023.”

We needed a place for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) to hold its October First Friday WinedUP event and Comanche Cellars was gracious enough to host us.  My husband and I stopped by in late September to do a little pre-taste and make sure they were ready for us. SOme of my notes are from that tasting and the rest are from the AWS event.

The Comanche Tasting Room, located at ​412 Alvarado Street, was such a fun venue for our AWS Chapter.  Our group likes to explore different wineries and this setting was spacious enough and decorated in such a cute way, leaning into the “Dog & Pony” theme. And they allowed us to go “off menu” and try some of their bigger reds.  We were very happy for our experience and many of us went hope with bottles of their wines.

We were so fortunate that vintner/owner Michael Simons came to meet our group and shared that he had struggled to come up with a name for the winery.  His kids were the ones who came up with Comanche, the name of his beloved childhood horse.  In addition to Michael, we’d like to thank in particular Christina who helped us secure the date, and Gabriel and Bree who helped us go “off-menu” and were so knowledgeable about the wines.  We didn’t get to try their cheese and charcuterie boards, so will have to go back another time. Michael said the winery had a great time getting to know our group and might have had even more fun than we had!

ABOUT COMANCHE CELLARS (from their website)

“My name is Michael Simons, and what started as a love affair with wine has turned into a passion for producing small lots of very handcrafted wines from neighboring vineyards.  Our tiny (1,800 cases) winery is named after Comanche, my horse when I was ten years old. He was an important part of a young life, and I use his name as a loving tribute to this old friend. These days, I ride a bicycle, and since this love affair with wine turned into a full-blown obsession, finding time for riding anything can be tough. But I still think of Comanche often, and am proud that his name and shoes are on every bottle of my wine. Maybe those horseshoes will bring you some good luck!

“Comanche Cellars is on California’s Monterey Peninsula, where we take advantage of the incredible wealth of vineyards that can be found in almost every direction. All throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA’s, there are winegrowers and winemakers producing incredibly beautiful wines that, we think, can and will rival the best the world has to offer. We’re happy to be in the sweet spot right now, as Wine Enthusiast recently named Monterey as one of the Top 5 winegrowing regions worldwide!

“Saddle up, come along for the ride, and see for yourself what all the buzz is about. Just give us a call or drop us an email.”

THE WINES

I have 10 wines to present to you today from Comanche Cellars. Winery notes come from their website, bottles or the tasting room, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Comanche Cellars Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc (Pet Nat), Dorcich Family Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 11.5% ABV, $30 (#1156)

There is a story about this wine.  It was supposed to be a still Sauvignon Blanc, but the sugar and the yeast got out of control and secondary fermentation occurred. It is a happy outcome and a very fun wine.  They took their Sauvignon Blanc bottle and slapped a Pet Nat (Pétillant Natural) sticker on it! This is new on their tasting menu! I hope you get to try it!

Winery Notes: “N/A.”

My Review: Pale sparkly in the glass. White peach and honeydew on the nose. Crisp on the palate finishing with subtle notes of grapefruit and a touch of yeast on the finish. September 2023

2022 Comanche Cellars French Oak Chardonnay, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $30 (#1157)

Winery Notes: David let us taste this barrel sample in the middle of active winemaking operations. My garbled notes say he considers this wine to have good complexity and an intrigue that he just loves. 

My Review:  Touch of oak. Butter and vanilla on the nose. Like caramel popcorn. Vanilla and butter carry over to the palate. Lots of oak. It’s a big Chardonnay with lime twist on the finish. September 2023

2021 Comanche Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir, Gimelli Vineyard, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 14.85% ABV, $30 (#1158)

Winery Notes: “This beautifully-hued rosé will quickly impress you with the aromas of candied apple leading to flavors of maraschino cherry and passionfruit. The crisp, pleasing acidity makes you want to savor each and every sip while it transports you to a French sidewalk café in the summertime.”

My Review: Very pink, intensely almost orange. Watermelon and maraschino cherry on the nose. Light palate of strawberry, like a Pinot Noir – with a fruitier twist. Not exactly fruit forward to us. I preferred this rosé to the 2022 vintage. September 2023.

2022 Comanche Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir, Gimelli Vineyard, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 13.4% ABV, (#1159)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Rich pink in the glass – dustier pink than the other one. Spice on the nose. Tart and spicey on the palate. Like Asian spice – perhaps jalapeños on melon – in a good way. September 2023.

2020 Comanche Cellars Dog & Pony La Niña, Central Coast, 12.9% ABV  (#1160) 65% Tempranillo, 35% Grenache

Winery Notes: “This intriguing duet of Tempranillo and Grenache brings flavors of spiced fruit compote

wrapped in a tapestry of soft tannins and juicy acidity to create a beautifully balanced, easy to enjoy wine.”

My Review: Dark purple. Deep plum and blackberry on the nose. Smoke front palate. Nice smooth palate with a smooth, tannic finish.  During our pre-tasting, this was my favorite wine. September 2023.

2021 Comanche Cellars Sagrantino, Calleri Vineyard, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 11.7% ABV (#1161)

I had never heard of Sagrantino until this day – then saw it in an Umbrian Montefalco Rosse just a few days later – lots to learn about it! The tasting room told us that 3,000 acres of Sagrantino grapes are planted locally!

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Translucent garnet in glass. Vegetal notes with candied cherry and nutmeg on the nose. Asparagus. The nose to me is reminscent of the vegetal I get from Petit Verdot. Mouth-filling, candied cherry fruits and sour cherry finish. Wow! This is such an interesting wine. September 2023

2020 Comanche Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Tres Pinos Creek, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 12.4% ABV (#1162)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review:  Dark in the glass. Dark fruit, almost stewed prune, on the nose. Light on the palate. The nose over promises the palate. September 2023

2018 Comanche Cellars Merlot, Medeiros Family Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 14.3% ABV, $34 (#1165)

Winery Notes: “Delicious rich berry cola on both the nose and palate layered with smooth blackberry jam. These beautiful flavors are complemented by notes of leather, cedar and licorice.”

My Review:  Plum and blueberry on the nose. Add some cranberry to those and you have a nice wine! Some anise on the finish. October 2023

NV Comanche Cellars Dog & Pony Tre Zingari, Central Coast AVA, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#1166) 40% Barbera, 40% Merlot, 20% Carignane

Winery Notes: “This Old World bellezza tells the tale of three timeless gypsies; the cinnamon red

cherry pie and rose petals of Italy’s Barbera, the dark blueberry-cherry-sage of France’s Merlot and the clove tinged onion jam of Spain’s Carignane. Let fly the Romani wanderlust, if for only a short while.”

My Review Powered by tèr·ra·ve·nos: These are Erin’s notes: “Deep ruby with pronounced aromatics.  Jammy black fruit, dark cherry and plum, with some orange peel.  This wine has an earthy quality with black licorice and a little rose petal.  Alcohol and grippy tannins on the palate, with a delightful finish of violet and black fruit.  Good depth.”  My favorite wine of the day. October 2023

2019 Comanche Cellars Petite Sirah, Pierce Ranch Vineyard, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $38        (#1167)

Winery Notes: “Petite Sirah has deep rich flavors and velvety tannins. New to our portfolio, this

single varietal wine is big, bold and full bodied with aromas of dark fruit, vanilla and bayleaf. It truly is a unique grape, just don’t confuse it with Syrah!”

My Review Powered by tèr·ra·ve·nos:  Inky purple in color.  Rich, crunchy black and blue fruits, with violet and licorice laced with alcohol on the lovely nose. Add all those flavors and a touch of prune on the palate.  A good steak wine. I took one home for an upcoming class. October 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

“Join us in downtown Monterey for tasting flights, wines by the glass and our famous cheese & charcuterie boards!”

The Comanche Cellars tasting room is located at 412 Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey. ​831-747-2244.  Their hours (according to their website) are Tues-Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri 3-9 pm, Sat 1-9 pm, and ​Sun 1-6 pm. It is a popular venue and no reservations are required!

They also have fun and/or educational events such as vertical tastings and Wednesday night bingo! Check their home page for more information!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Massa Estate – the Legacy of the Durney Vineyards Continue!

THE STORY

This past July, half of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod ventured out to Massa Estate for a tasting. We were impressed how many wines on their tasting menu came from the historic Durney Vineyards! I had not been there for a tasting since they first opened as Massa.  This day’s “work” was long overdue! This is the first time I have presented their wines in Decanting Monterey!

As you come into Carmel Valley Village from Highway One, Massa is the first wine tasting room on your left.  It has a beautiful blue peacock sign out front and a lovely outdoor garden on the side, perfect for an event or weekend brunch. Its winery out in Cachagua sits on some of the most celebrated and legendary grapes in Monterey County’s history – the Durney Vineyards. When I teach a class about Monterey wines, I tell the story of Durney becoming Heller Estate becoming Massa Estate.  Durney’s Cabernet Sauvignon was among the best produced in the region – and many of today’s Massa Estate wines are made from those very same legendary vineyards! I like to talk about the Durney legacy in my wine classes.  Participants ask me if this is important – and I say “Yes!”

ABOUT MASSA ESTATE ORGANIC VINEYARDS

“Overlooking the Cachagua region of Carmel Valley, (“Cachagua” is believed to be an Indian derivative of the French “cacher” and the Spanish “agua” – “hidden waters”), and framed by the dramatic surrounding hills, lie the beautiful vineyards of Massa Estate, formerly Heller Estate and Durney Vineyards. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Petit Verdot at an altitude of 1200 – 1500 feet.

“The vineyards are essentially dry-farmed. The roots of the vines descend deep in the loamy, sandy soil in search of the underground “Cachagua” springs. These stressed vines produce outstanding luscious fruit, which are then skillfully crafted into the extraordinary wines. The Cabernets have been described by wine reviewers as “super-rich, with lots of tannin and explosively long finishes”. In addition, the great variation in daily temperatures at the vineyard (which are sometimes 40 degrees in a twenty four hour period) helps to produce these exceptional age-worthy and full-bodied wines.

“The vineyards have been certified 100% organic since 1980s. Neither herbicides nor pesticides are used in the production of the grapes. This certification was granted after three vintages of clean farming although organic practices have been in place since the original plantings by the Durney’s in 1968. The winery itself was certified organic in 2012.

“In 1982 the Carmel Valley Appellation was approved by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco. Heller Estate was a pioneer in developing the viticulture in the area.

“Sculpture gardens have been added to the vineyard property and at the tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. The sculptures were created by Toby Heller; an internationally known sculptor of large works. Her piece “The Dancers”, a fifteen-foot high, bronze sculpture overlooking the vineyards, inspired the Heller Estate motto “Dances on Your Palate” as well as the design for the labels.”

THE WINES

I have 10 wines to present to you today from Massa Estate. Winery notes come from their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. In general, I found their wines a tad tart for my preferences.  Some, I believe, could be held, to show more down the road. 

2019 Massa Estate Private Reserve Riesling, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County $29 (#1146)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Massa Estate Riesling offers jasmine blossom, ripe pineapple, and warm golden delicious apples. The palate gives quince flavors, ample acidity with light lemon curd underneath. It finishes with long lasting acidity and warm spices into lemon cream.”

My Review: Pretty, light golden in color. Apple and honeysuckle on the nose. Lemon curd, grapefruit and pineapple on the palate. A little acidic – I would like it creamier.  Overall, pretty good! July 2023

2018 Massa Estate Private Reserve Chardonnay, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $39 (#1147)

Winery Notes: “The 2018 Chardonnay Reserve suggests bosc pears, nectarine blossom, lightly toasted oak, a hint of creme brulee, a kiss of salty sea air, and beeswax. The palate shows golden delicious apples and light caramelized sugar. It has medium high acidity, a long lingering finish; savory with sweet French oak and candied lemon peel.” 

My Review:  Pale golden in color. Butter, vanilla and caramel on the nose. Strong flavors on the palate with a finish of sea salt and lemon peel. July 2023

2019 Massa Estate Rose Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $25 (#1148)       

Winery Notes: “Blueberry cobbler, California dry hill coastal shrubs, sun on a granitic slide.  Juniper berries, fresh cranberry, and sandalwood on the palate. Lignified stems, dried fruit and lavender finish.”

My Review: Very pale pink in the glass. Slight whiff of barnyard on the nose, followed by the bitterness of Pinot Noir and musty notes on the finish. July 2023

2018 Massa Estate Private Reserve Merlot, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $55 (#1149)

Winery Notes: “The 2018 Massa Estate Merlot suggests red plums, bing cherries, allspice, white pepper, and cigar box. The palate is fresh red fleshed apples with a touch of quince. This is really fresh for a merlot. The finish is with white pepper and Chinese five spice. It is light in its feet but structured in a way to support long term aging.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass. Dusty leather, cherry and white pepper on the nose. Dry on the palate with a tart cherry finish. July 2023

2018 Massa Estate Cachagua Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $39 (#1150)

Winery Notes: “The 2018 Cachagua Cabernet Sauvignon offers cassis and blackberry to greet the palate while some slightly earthy and juicy characteristics mingle beautifully with the dry, dusty tannin structure. Pair this wine with a juicy hamburger topped with sauteed mushrooms and some nice aged cheddar cheese.”

My Review: “Deep ruby in color. Dark berry jam and tarragon on the nose. Cotton candy, burnt sugar, slightly tart berries and a lot of new oak on the palate. Still too young – hold this wine! July 2023.”

2018 Massa Estate Private Reserve Petit Verdot, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $55 (#1151) 

Winery Notes: “The 2018 Massa Estate Petit Verdot offers delicate flavors of spiced plums, rich earth, beautiful dark chocolate, and dried persimmon with a finish of dried cherries and chocolate or cocoa.”

My Review: Rich dark ruby, red plum on the glass. Warm brown sugar and hints of cherry on the nice nose. Spearmint and bay leaf overlay the dark berry palate. We were intrigued by this wine – one of my favorites of the day. July 2023

2018 Massa Estate Dancer’s Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $40 (#1152)

Winery Notes: “The 2018 Massa Estate Dancer’s Bordeaux offers delicate flavors of black plums, cherry compote, cigar wrapper, sweet tobacco leaves, bay laurel, black cherry and toasted coconut. It has medium acidity and finishes with quiet, robust tannins with hints of licorice and sasparilla.”

My Review:  Deep ruby in color with a classic fruity nose. Rounder flavors up front, followed by a mouthwatering burst of fruit and a licorice finish.  I liked this wine and took some home! July 2023

2018 Massa Estate Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $65 (#1153)

Winery Notes: “Made from 50 year old vines planted by Bill Durney, the Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon offers delicate flavors of plums, salt water, toasted seaweed, sandalwood, and chaparral flowers! The palate is pure fruit, red cherries and French plums, with hints of baking spices and a touch of cinnamon stick underneath. It finishes with the classic mountain cabernet tannins, our lightest, freshest cabernet sauvignon.”

My Review:  Garnet in color, with an interesting nose.  My notes say floral, soapy, and fruit compote. a cherry bomb on the palate – like a cherry Jolly Rancher. Fruity and not very Cabernet Sauvignon-like.  I wanted more from this wine made from some of the most legendary grapes in all of Monterey County.  Still too young? July 2023

2017 Massa Estate Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $55 (#1154)

Winery Notes: “The 2017 Syrah offers hints of blackberry, French plums, white pepper, and floral violet notes. This is a darker, more full-bodied wine that is greeted with a punch of flavor that tapers off and then has a spicy peppery note in the aftertaste.”

My Review:  Pretty garnet in the glass. Raisiny on the nose – almost port-like. The nose follows to the palate, yet very jammy. Reminiscent of a Syrah we recently tasted in Paso Robles, which we liked very much. I’d like to try this one again! July 2023

2019 Massa Estate Cabernet Franc, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $68 (#1155)

Winery Notes: “The 2018 Massa Estate Cabernet Franc offers cypress fronds, plum skin, water over rocks, sandalwood, and forest floor. Robust tannins on finish, mouthcoating really wants rich foods.”

My Review:  Light ruby in color. Barnyard on the nose, followed by a light palate of bright fruits. This is another one I would like to try again. July 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

“The Tasting Room, located in Carmel Valley Village, is a 20 minute drive from Carmel, California and offers the public the opportunity to taste the entire range of impressive award winning Massa Estate & Heller Estate wines. There is a selection of wine accessories and wine related gifts as well as an art gallery.”

69 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley, CA 93924 Phone: 831.659.6220

Tasting Room Hours: Saturday – Sunday, 11:00am – 5:00pm “Enjoy our pet-friendly Sculpture Garden!”  Current tasting menus are $15 (Classic) and $20 (Premium).

In addition to wine tasting, there are food options at the Massa Tasting Room! Local chef Michael Jones is on site preparing food!  Food Hours are Saturdays: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (appetizers) and Sundays: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (brunch).  His phone number for reservations is 831-659-5100. Please be sure to call to check his schedule and make a reservation!

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