We were so happy to learn that the Chesebro tasting room in Carmel Valley Village had reopened and stopped by on a quiet Friday before a 3-day weekend. I admire the wineries that put their own staff’s safety and winemaking first and discouraged gatherings during the height of the pandemic to help stop the spread of the virus. But I sure am glad they are open now! It was great to see tasting room manager Alex Lallos after well over a year. He has been helpful to me over the years with my wine classes and is one of several winery subscribers to Decanting Monterey!
We tasted a lot of wines that day across three tasting rooms – and there was a lot of catching up to do – so not all of my own notes are very detailed. Fortunately, I do have the winery’s tasting sheet to help me along! Most wine descriptions come from the tasting sheet – except the Grenache Rose! I will be splitting our tasting into 2 posts – the whites today and the reds, next week!
Current Tasting Sheet at Chesebro, May 2021
I’ve written about Chesebro several times – just search “Chesebro” and you will find them all!
Chesebro 2019 Grenache Rosé, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.2% ABV, $19 (#360*)
Winery Notes: “This Provençal style 100% Grenache Rosé is beautifully light pink in color. Aromas of fresh picked strawberry, grapefruit skin and raspberry essence. Perfect for a warm afternoon. Classic!”
My Review: Very pale pink/salmon in the glass. Light and refreshing in a similar style to the 2018, which our French Rosé wine pod members loved. By the way, this wine is getting in short supply according to their webpage. May 2021
Chesebro 2019 Vermentino, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $23 (#361*)
Winery Notes: “Vermentino is a variety most often associated with Sardinia. Corsica and Liguria. It has appealing aromas of pines and citrus and a smooth palate balanced by mouthwatering acidity. It is late ripening in this cool site allowing the development of complex and elegant flavors. Refreshing and vibrant.” 98 cases produced.
My Review: Perfume on the nose, a touch of lime on the palate and a smooth finish. Classic. Chesebro was the first California Vermentino we had ever tasted and probably my favorite Chesebro white. May 2021
Chesebro 2017 Grenache Blanc, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $25 (#362*)
Winery Notes: “Brilliant light almost translucent gold in color with a kaleidoscope of aromas including white peach, grapefruit, citrus blossom and tangerine. A subtle hint of vanilla and butterscotch really round out the nose. On the palate, citrus and stone fruits. Round yet refreshing through the finish.” 100 cases produced.
My Review: Sweet aromatics, white peach and citrus on the palate, slightly metallic, and a lingering finish. May 2021
Winery Notes: “Pale yellow gold in color. Fabulous aromatics with white flowers, lemon verbena and ever so subtle vanilla bean. The palate is fresh and vibrant, almost Chablis-like in its cut and precision. Each sip has amazing energy and tension balanced by the inherent richness of the clean Chardonnay fruit.” 80 cases produced.
My Review: I said pork rib BBQ on the nose. Alex suggested “gun flint.” Well, ok, fine. Intense flavors on the palate. May 2021
Buying Chesebro Wines: You can buy Chesebro wines via their website (www.chesebrowines.com) or in their tasting room at Updated information on its tasting room hours and reservation link is here. They are open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM by reservation. Chesebro has curbside pickup and has always been great about shipping wines to the East Coast for me.
Chesebro price list as of May 2021
*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.
In normal times, the Bernardus tasting room is filled with members and visitors. During the pandemic, Bernardus has taken a very conservative approach to focus on winemaking while limiting even outdoor tastings – I respect that! When asked by Heather, the tasting room manager, if I would like to do a tasting when I picked up my wine shipment in early March, I jumped at the opportunity! Little did I know how solo it would be – I was the only person on their lovely patio! I felt very safe, as well as catered to! I am presenting six Bernardus wines for today’s blog.
The expansive Bernardus patio is perfect for outdoor tastings!
Winery Notes: “Our 2019 Signature Griva bottling has aromas of grapefruit accented by mineral nuances. The beautifully rich palate exhibits bright tropical fruit flavors with notes of lime and grapefruit zest. The 2019 version is beautifully rich, yet perfectly balanced with a gently crisp, refreshing acidity.”
My Review: Pale straw in the glass. Pineapple on the nose, nice crisp acidity on the palate with pineapple notes. I’m a fan of Griva Sauvignon Blanc, so this was a real treat. March 2021
2018 Bernardus Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $50 (#286*)
Winery Notes – 93 Points by Wine Enthusiast and Vinous: “Our 2018 Soberanes Chard exhibits aromas of ripe tropical fruits and baking spice. The palate exhibits its hallmark richness and intensity along with ripe peach flavors and toasty oak notes, which linger on its long, well textured finish.”
My Review: Golden yellow in color, grassy/buttery on the nose with caramel, gardenia, butter and alcohol on the palate. March 2021
2016 Bernardus Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $70 (#287*)
Winery Notes: “The 2016 Soberanes displays a beautiful ruby robe and vibrant red fruit aromas. The palate exhibits crisp flavors of ripe red cherry and raspberry with a long finish, promising an excellent future ahead.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass, Red currant and light cherry on the nose. Earth and cherry notes on the palate – cellar this wine! March 2021
2017 Bernardus Pinot Noir Rosella Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $80 (#288*)
Winery Notes –GOLD – San Francisco Wine Competition: “The aromas beautifully express the intense red fruits so typical of the finest Pinot vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Flavors are very intense with succulent ripe red cherries and cranberries, along with subtle notes of French oak. Our 2017 iteration is a superb expression of this unique vineyard.”
My Review: Ruby in color with a nice, cherry nose. Bigger palate of cherry/berry flavors with delicious dark and red fruit on the finish. March 2021
First class service at my solo tasting!
2017 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, $50 (#289*)
Winery Notes:“Our 2017 Cabernet exudes spicy aromas of red berry and cranberry. The palate beautifully reflects the aromas showing juicy red fruit flavors with a subtle, refreshing acidity. Our Cabernet has been aged for six months in 28-year-old neutral French oak tanks in order to allow the fruit flavors of these grapes to shine through without any oak barrel influence.”
My Review: Dense, dark ruby like the 2014 Marinus. Cherry notes on the nose. Smooth on the palate – slightly vegetal on the finish. Very drinkable now, but recommend cellaring. March 2021
2014 Bernardus Marinus, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $75 (#290)
I will be presenting this wine in a future, live WWCS class!!
Winery Notes – 93 Points by Vinous: “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: 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. March 2021
The Bernardus Tasting Room will undergo a remodeling – This last reminder that this building was originally a bank is set to go.
The tasting room is closed until May 1, while the staff focuses on winemaking. You can order wines on line and pick them up at the tasting room. Check here for more information.
*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.
This is my second of three planned posts on my Spring Release 2021 I Brand wines, with this post focusing on the Le P’tit Paysan label.
But, before we get to them, let’s start with a 2017 P’tit Paysan Viognier (as they say, “vee-oh-NYAY”) which I presented in a recent wine class. Having lived near the Virginia wine region, where Viognier is plentiful, I have been impressed over the years with Le P’tit Paysan Viogniers. In my wine class, we were each asked to present a Viognier from anywhere. In our class we learned about wines from Argentina, France, California, Maryland, Virginia and Washington State!
In addition to the 2017 Viognier, I am highlighting 3 Le P’tit Paysan wines from the I Brand Spring 2021 Club Release, which I sampled at their tasting room in Carmel Valley Village.
Colorfully-labeled Le P’tit Paysan wines sampled in early March at the I Brand Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village
About Le P’tit Paysan (I Brand’s French country-imspired brand from the label: “Le P’tit Paysan – a country man or woman; peasant; clown; in country fashion. We select grapes from vineyards off the beaten path to produce wines that express the soil, climate and character of their source.”
2017 Le P’tit Paysan Viognier “L’Apiculteur”, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Montery County, 13.4% ABV, $22 (#276*)
“L’Apitculteur” from the P’tit Paysan 2017 Viognier Tech Sheet
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: ““L’Apitculteur” translates, “keeper of the bees”. Vibrant aromatics fill the nose with white floral qualities. Honeyed stone-fruits fill the mouth, apricots, peaches and pears. Cooler growing climate produces white floral components, and soft minerality. Med-full bodied weight on the palate, supports a perception of sweetness, due to clean fruit and honeyed characteristics.”
My Review: Straw yellow in color. Yummy boquet of sweet peach, grapefruit and gardenia. Crisp on the palate, delicious, not sweet, with a slight citrus bitterness and perhaps some lavender on the palate. Complex. March 2021
2020 Le P’tit Paysan Rosé Pierre’s Pirouette, Central Coast, 12.8% ABV, $19 (#277*)75% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, 7% Cinsault
Le P’tit Paysan Pierre’s Pirouette is always one of my favorite rosés from the Central Coast!
From their webpage: “Our Rosé is a choice blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault. These vineyards are intentionally picked for their rocky & sandy soils which drive up the minerality and keep a balanced bright acidity. A perfect summer sipper with hints of strawberry, orange peel and a subtle spice. Undertone of crushed rock, sea spray and jasmine complete this complex but easy to drink wine. Pairs well with good friends and bonfires on the beach.”
My Review: Dusty rose in color. Peachy watermelon on the nose. Round flavors on the palate – Mourvèdre dominating. A touch of sweetness and gentle tobacco on the lingering finish. Agree with rose petal in the winery’s description! March 2021
2018 Le P’tit Paysan P’tit Pape Red Rhone Blend, Central Coast, 13.4% ABV, $22 (#278*) 52% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre
The 2018 P’tit Pape might be my favorite vintage of this blend yet!
Winery Tasting Notes: “dark cherry, cocoa, stewed plums, white pepper”
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Chocolate raspberry truffle on the nose. A richer palate of dark cherry and black currant, with rose petal and cherry on the finish. This could be my favorite P’tit Pape yet! I am hoping to showcase this wine in an upcoming Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar class. March 2021
2018 Le P’tit Paysan Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, San Benito County, 12.9% ABV, $25 (#279*)
The grapes for this Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced from nearby San Benito County.
Winery Tasting Notes: “currant, blueberry, cracked black pepper, medium-bodied”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. A light, smooth bouquet and palate to match. Very drinkable – not a big wine, but a great value and drinkable now! March 2021
Warm Labor Day weekend called for opening a white wine none of us had yet tried. One of the things I admire about I. Brand wines is his reach in sourcing his grapes. In the case of this wine, he chose a vineyard that is one of my very favorites from the Arroyo Seco AVA.
2019 P’tit Paysan Sauvignon Blanc Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.9% ABV, $22 (#165*)
The 2019 Le P’tit Paysan Sauvignon Blanc
About the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc: “Certified Organic. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Zabala Vineyards is located on a large holding on the Arroyo Seco floodplains that was part of land granted to the Zabala family before California’s statehood. It was first planted in the 1970s and has grown to encompass over 1000 acres. Zabala Vineyards is one of the rockiest vineyards Ian Brand works with, full of what is locally known as ‘Greenfield Potatoes’, which are the rather inedible round river stones that dominate the soil and have been collected into piles and walls at every property in the basin. This vineyard is located directly in the path of the daily Salinas Valley winds, which control sugar development and retain natural acidity. Picked around 22.5 brix with bright acidity. Fermented in stainless steel, aged in 1/3 stainless, 2/3 neutral barrel for 7 months. Arrested malic. 120 cases produced.”
My Review: Bright yellow – pretty golden color. Grassy and citrus on the nose. All that plus a touch of pineapple on the palate. Delicious. September 2020
I Brand is open for outside porch tastings by reservation only – email them at HELLO@IBRANDWINERY.COM to order wines or reserve a tasting.
The I. Brand Tasting Room is open by appointment!
*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.
“Côte-Rôtie is a French wine Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) in the northern Rhône wine region of France. The vineyards are located just south of Vienne in the communes of Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-et-Semons.[1] The vineyards are unique because of the steep slopes facing the river and their stone walls. Côte-Rôtie can be rendered in English as “the roasted slope” and refers to the long hours of sunlight that these steep slopes receive.[2]
“The wines are red, made with Syrah grapes and up to 20% Viognier, a white grape used for its aroma. According to appellation rules, Syrah and Viognier must be fermented at the same time, a process known as cofermentation. Because of this combination, Côte-Rôtie wine typically exhibits an almost paradoxical pairing of meat aromas (including bacon) and floral aromas. [2]”
Chesebro 2014 La Mariposa, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 12.4% ABV, $30 ($22.50 sale price) (#163**)
Chesebro La Mariposa: A Côte-Rôtie- inspired wine.
Winemaker’s Notes: “This cofermented blend of Syrah (95%) and Viognier (5%) is inspired by the dense but vibrant wines of Cote Rotie in the northern Rhone Valley. The tannic structure of the cool climate Syrah is focused by the Viognier which also elevates the aromatics. Profound aromatics, deep color and a long finish. Not for the faint at heart but still elegant. Only 79 cases produced.” grapelive rated this wine 91 points.
My Review: Beautiful dense ruby red in color. Robust dark fruit on the nose. Big palate, more like an Old World Côtes du Rhône, meaty and tobacco. Surprisingly low alcohol, yet slightly port-like. The cofermenttion with the Viogner differentiates it from most Monterey County Syrahs. September 2020
Chesebro’s Tasting room in Carmel Valley Village is now open by appointment!
Buying Chesebro Wines:This wine, normally $30, is currently on sale for $22.50 at the Winemaker’s Notes link above in very limited quantities. Updated information on its tasting room hours and reservation link is here. They are open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM by reservation. Chesebro has curbside pickup and has always been great about shipping wines to the East Coast for me.
*Primary sources used by Wikipedia for this excerpt: 1. Inter Rhône: Côte-Rôtie Retrieved 19 January 2010 2. E. McCarthy & M. Ewing-Mulligan “French Wine for Dummies” pg 127-128 Wiley Publishing 2001 ISBN0-7645-5354-2
**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.
It’s rarely warm enough to sit out on our front porch, yet we have experienced many enjoyable afternoons in 2020 to do so. I was pleased to come home one September day to the sight of my husband and our dogs, enjoying one of those warm, sunny afternoons. He was drinking a golden glass of wine. I fetched one immediately. Ahhh! I love to come home to Mercy Chardonnay on the front porch, followed by Mercy Syrah after dinner. A perfect day.
We truly miss being able to stop at Mercy’s tasting room in Carmel Valley Village.
One of the last purchases we made was this 2015 Mercy Chardonnay Riverbed from the Arroyo Seco AVA. We wish we had purchased more! It is also sad that their webpage has been taken down – it was loaded with a wealth of historical wine tech sheets. I will need to rely on information on the label!
A full-bodied Chardonnay on a warm September afternoon.
From the Label: “In the cool, maritime-influenced Arroyo Seco AVA lies a small portion of terrain encompassing an ancient, dry riverbed. The Mercy “Riverbed” Chardonnay is the composition of contiguous vineyards in this area, all of which share shallow, rocky topsoils over hardpan subsoil. Aged in French oak, orchard and tropical fruit aromas, as well as vanilla, spice and mineral notes exude from the glass.”
My Review: Golden in color, with a floral nose, like gardenia. A little buttery, creamy, this is a rich Chardonnay. Honey, floral and a little sweet. We really enjoyed this wine and, as I indicated above, wished we had purchased more of it. September 2020
*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.
The wine class theme my DC friends picked for our late August virtual class was White Burgundy or unoaked Chardonnay, if we can’t get our hands on the real deal. Since we are limiting our trips out, I hunted in the fridge and found this Arroyo Seco wine from J. Lohr. I had picked up this wine a while back as one of the Wine Spectator’s Top Value California Chardonnays. Perfect. Except my research told me it is oaked. A rule-follower by day, I still like to color outside the lines when I can.
About J. Johr from its website: “Four decades ago, the California Central Coast had not yet emerged as one of North America’s world-class winegrowing regions. With little history or viticultural precedent, planting on the Central Coast was a gamble. One of an handful of early pioneers, Jerry Lohr was among the first to realize the inherent potential of Monterey and Paso Robles for producing high quality grapes and superb wines…After Jerry Lohr’s nearly decade-long search for the right place to plant his first vineyard, he chose a site in Monterey County that was to become the heart of the Arroyo Seco appellation. Jerry planted the winery’s first 280 acres in 1972 in Greenfield.”
The J. Lohr 2018 Riverstone Chardonnay makes Wine Spectator Top Value list!
Winemaker Notes: “The 2018 Riverstone Chardonnay exhibits youthful hues of light straw. The enticing aromas are reminiscent of white peach, apricot, ripe orange, and cocoa, and complemented by the palate flavors of citrus cream and nectarine. The rich texture and balance on the palate from aging sur lie gives way to flavors of vanilla, crème brûlée, and a touch of oak can be found on the long finish.” Kristen Barnhisel, winemaker, white wine. She made a video about this wine: 2018 Riverstone Chardonnay Video. According to the video, it is made in a style that combines both Old World and New World techniques. She used 3 different kinds of oak barrels, each attributing different characteristics to the wine: American (baking spices), Hungarian (a little sweetness), and French (vanilla and mocha). This wine is the number one AVA-labeled Chardonnay in the U.S.! 100% Chardonnay.
Wine Spectator Review: “Plush green apple, pear and white peach flavors are supported by fresh acidity. The well-framed finish offers a flurry of spice details, with hints of honey. Drink now through 2023. 564,000 cases made.” 89 points, Best Value KM
My Review: Pale yellow and almost a green in color, this wine swirls with a beutiful viscosity. A classic Chardonnay nose of oak, butter and hints of pineapple and bitter citrus. Flavor explodes on the palate with intense pineapple and citrus, with butter, honey and vanilla notes. Lingering finish of all those flavors and a touch of bitter citrus. Despite the higher alcohol, it still drinks lean. This wine is overall balanced in flavors – not too oaky or buttery for those who prefer an unoaked Chardonnay and not too overwhelmingly citrus or acidic. August 2020
J. Lohr is not currently open for tastings in either its Paso Robles or San Jose locations. I found this wine in my local grocery store. It should be widely available.
Many wineries source grapes from other vineyards and regions. Some don’t even have their own vineyards and produce amazing wines through innovative sourcing. Parsonage grows Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot on its 7-acre estate vineyard. So where does this Carmel Valley winery get its other varietals – or grapes to supplement in the 2016 Soberanes Fire vintage? From Chesebro’s Cedar Lane Vineyard in Arroyo Seco – a great alternative!
From Parsonage Wine: “Parsonage is a boutique, family-run vineyard and winery located in the heart of Carmel Valley. We produce big, bold, red wines at a small scale. We named our wine Parsonage because the Parsonage is where the Parson and his family live. We’d love to meet you on your next Carmel Valley wine tasting and are open Thursdays through Mondays by appointment.”
Inside and Outside the Parsonage Winery, April 2019
I’m presenting three wines which Parsonage sources from the Arroyo Seco AVA: the 2018 Grenache Rosé, the 2016 Grenache-Syrah, and their 2016 Cyrano Red Wine. We tasted these wines with friends as we helped Parsonage test out their reopening operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parsonage says they learned a lot from our trial run. 😊
2018 Parsonage Grenache Rosé – Light and Refreshing
From Parsonage Wine: “A perennial warm weather favorite. And a surprise to everyone who thinks they don’t like Rosé! Made with Grenache grapes. Refreshing and dry. We get raspberry and strawberry with back notes of spice and stone fruit. These elements play out on the palate with a delightful fullness and a crisp finish.”
My Review: The grapes for this wine comes from Mark Chesebro’s Cedar Lane vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Very light in color, almost golden. Peach and apricot – a very light and refreshing Rosé. June 2020
The Parsonage Grenache-Syrah has frequently been a favorite. The Parsonage Village Vineyard is quite small yet powerful. They grow no Grenache and, with the Soberanes fire in the summer of 2016, their Syrah also needed to be sourced from another AVA. Fortunately for us, their long-standing relationship with Mark Chesebro’s Cedar Lane Vineyard in Arroyo Seco provided them the capability to produce this vintage from a year that was extremely hard for Carmel Valley wineries. This wine is on their Premium Tasting list – a big wine to start with right off the bat.
This is a classic Southern Rhone wine from Parsonage Wines: “This easy drinker pairs nicely with cheese & crackers. We joke that we should re-name it the “universal donor” even though that isn’t the perfect analogy. But you get the gist of it – this wine seems to be universally loved, no matter what your favorite varietal is. 70 percent Grenache and 30 percent Syrah. Fully dry. Medium-bodied but rich. Notes of black, red and blue fruit with a hint of spice on the finish..”
My Review: Dark fruit and a bit of alcohol on the nose. Black tea, chai, white pepper and cinnamon on the palate. A bit brash, but we liked it. For a medium-bodied wine, it is a big one. Must be that 15% alcohol on top of the fruit. I re-tasted this wine in August and detected no brashness right out of the bottle – it was just a yummy wine. I need to get more of this vintage, if possible!! June 2020 and August 2020
Another Parsonage – this time an everyday wine and a favorite. For a long time, this wine was called “Snosrap” (Parsons spelled backwards). The label was a beautiful Mary Ellen Parsons quilt of Cyrano smelling a glass of wine. A marketing expert suggested they simply call this red blend “Cyrano.” Thus, the current naming of this wine.
From Parsonage Wine: “Our versatile red table wine easily pairs with a variety of different foods. We think it goes especially well with pizza and spaghetti with red sauce. This vintage is full bodied. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah. Rich, ripe and voluptous. The Cyrano is one of our best sellers.”
My Review: Slight brownish tint, inky and “Camembert” on the nose. The palate is smooth with bold, intense fruit, with herbal notes. This vintage is particularly delicious. Recommending snapping up some – great wine at a value price.
Once we are on the other side of this fire emergency, you can obtain these wines directly from the winery: They offer flat rate ground shipping for $14.99. Join their wine club for 20% off. You can also visit their tasting room by appointment only in Carmel Valley Village (“the village”) Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. You can make a reservation from their home page:Parsonage Wine.
2015 Blair Estate Pinot Gris, Arroyo Seco AVA, 14% ABV, 175 cases produced, List Price: $26, 216 cases produced
We have a fondness for Blair and stop into their tasting room in Carmel Plaza from time to time. We mostly go because it bears the maiden name of a good friend. And, about half the time, we’ve found Jeffrey Blair behind the counter. If you like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it’s a good place to try. Its wines are getting favorable marks in various competitions, with the 2016 vintage of their Pinot Gris scoring 91 points by Wine Enthusiast.
In general, we really like Arroyo Seco wines, with sandy loam and cobblestones in the dry river beds. Here, cold winds off nearby Monterey Bay (the Blue Grand Canyon™) can make it “wind-blown and numbingly cold” as Mercy Wines describes it, yet somehow perfect growing conditions. We like Arroyo Seco Chardonnay (did I really say that?), Grenache, and Syrah. You will hear more about them as I continue my trek through the Arroyo Seco AVA.
Matt Kettmann wrote an excellent article, The Hidden Treasures of Monterey in Wine Enthusiast which includes a nice writeup about Blair.
2015 Blair Estate Pinot Gris
The 2015 Blair Estate Pinot Gris was Blair’s third Pinot Gris release from the Arroyo Seco AVA. Unfortunately, winemaking notes not readily available, since this is not the current release. Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast, describes it like this: “Lemon cream, honeydew, honeysuckle and toast aromas show on the nose of this bottling. There is a citrusy boost to the palate, where orange-sorbet and lemon-spritz flavors arise.”
My Review: We tasted this wine before I was brave enough to do my own tasting notes. I asked my resident wine expert what he thought about the 2015 Blair Estate Pinot Gris. His response, “I opened the Chardonnay for cooking – it was fine!” Hm. Yes, well, it was a delicious Pinot Gris, always a pleasant change from Chardonnay. We did see it should have been consumed by 2018, yet it was perfectly delicious. March 2020
Check out Blair Wines for their current releases. They have a very nice tasting room in Carmel Plaza (Carmel-By-The-Sea). Their website suggests the tasting room is open every day, but always best to call ahead and confirm: (831) 625-WINE, especially during the fire emergency, much less the pandemic.
We discovered Mercy Vineyards when they opened a tasting room in Carmel Valley Village – they were the very first tasting room as you come into the village. We would often see the Mark Dirickson sitting out front with his lunch and a glass of white wine. All of their wines are from the Arroyo Seco AVA. Why? The dry, cobblestone (“Greenfield Potatoes”) riverbeds of granite and shale and the extreme climate of chilly winds and fog make it an ideal growing area for wine grapes.
The “Greenfield Potatoes” of the Ancient River Channel photo from Mercy Wines website
From Mercy Wines: “Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco AVA is many things: windblown, numbingly cold, fog laden, semi-arid, rock strewn, austerely beautiful. In essence, the perfect grape source for Mercy wines…the wines are sourced from three contiguous vineyards, all located in a specific part of the appellation – The Ancient River Channel…Found along the banks of a now seasonal creek, this unique riverbed corridor features ideal maritime climate with rocky, meager surface soil and hardpan just feet below ground. Low yields, unique soil attributes and meticulous farming combine to produce flavorful and distinct grapes. Grown in such a dramatic setting, the wines truly are at the Mercy of Mother Nature.” (The vineyards are Cedar Lane, Griva and Zabala.)
We were impressed from our first meeting with Mark and winemaker Mike Kohne, who were also running their nascent tasting room. They also were producing a dry Riesling, something not seen much around here. While most of their wines are Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, they had me at Syrah – my favorite Mercy wines. I featured their 2017 Riesling at my Spring 2019 Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar (WWCS) class, and their 2016 Syrah in my Fall 2019 Northern Virginia AWS seminar. I had planned to presenting their Sauvignon Blanc and the 2016 Syrah at my 2020 Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar, which is on hold indefinitely. My DC friends got to consume those wines! And I have to say we are really enjoying their Pinot Noirs – it took the pandemic for me to realize I might actually like Pinot Noir!
The truly sad news is that Mercy Vineyards is now closed. Their website www.mercywines.com is still operational. We love these guys and are sorry to see them go.
Today I am presenting 7 of their wines – some tasted before I was writing my own tasting notes, some for which there is little-to-no published information. 6 of these were tasted during the Shelter in Place order. If you gotta stay home, drink good wine!
Aspiring to make a dry, old-world style Riesling, Mercy sourced Germanic clones from vines set in extremely rocky, low-yielding topsoil.
FromMercy Wines: “Fermented dry, with just the slightest touch of sweetness added back for texture, this “troken” style Riesling showcases aromas of orchard fruit as nectarine and pear notes mingle with honeysuckle, fennel, pollen and minerals in the bouquet.”
2017 Mercy Sauvignon Blanc Zabala Vineyard, 13.8% ABV, $24
I needed a good white to cook with in April and, since we bought this wine for half price, I didn’t feel too bad cooking with it – and even got to enjoy some with my meal. Just like many Mercy wines, this one is from the Zabala Vineyard – man, that place produces great fruit. I’m going to have to lean on my friends to find out which other wineries buy from Zabala or get to know the grower.
2017 Mercy Sauvignon Blanc Zabala Vineyard
From Mercy Wines: “This Sauvignon Blanc is comprised exclusively of the low-yielding, Musque clone (FPS 27) from vines at the Zabala Vineyard. Set in the Arroyo Seco AVA’s ancient river channel the property’s locale features granitic topsoil arrayed on cobblestone beds. Such meager soil further diminishes yields and in concert with strong winds and dense fog combine to provide an environment ideal for compelling fruit.
“Hand-harvested in early September 2017, the Sauvignon Blanc grapes were crushed into stainless steel for fermentation. Racked to small mueller, steel barrels the wine aged for 6 months until being bottled on April 26, 2018. Innately racy, the straw colored wine features a bouquet with exotic aromas of melon, pineapple and star fruit, as well as lemon blossom, fresh cut hay and mineral characters. Replete with acidity, this aromatic wine has, due to the clone, a nice weight while remaining bright and refreshing.”
In the spirit of creating some isolation fun, Charlie decided we would taste this wine blind – he poured me a glass and made me guess what it was. This was a big red with a spicy bouquet. Zinfandel!Nope. Joullian Retro Rouge? Nope. He confirmed it was a Monterey wine. Then he said that it is not one of my favorites – which jumped me to Pinot Noir! I guessed based on its heft that it must be the Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir! Wrong again – close, but no cigar.
On one of our 3 trips to Mercy in February 2020, the tasting room was boasting it had found these 2012 Pinot Noirs from the Arroyo Seco AVA, tucked away at the winery. They let us taste it and we bought a bunch.
2012 Mercy Pinot Noir Zabala Vineyard
This is a full-bodied Pinot Noir, once again a wine hailing from the fabulous Zabala Vineyard. The label describes this wine as follows: “Wind blown, Zabala Vineyard bears the brunt of regional maritime elements. This small-lot Pinot Noir hails from the “South Pointe”, a section of vineyard blocks nearest the seasonal creek. From this rocky locale, Mercy sources “Dijon” clones 115 and 667, as well as a touch of Pommard clone.”
From Mercy Wines: “A barrel selection of nine distinct barrels, this wine showcases the dense, juicy berry-nature of Pinot Noir grown on the Zabala ranch. Aromas of black berries and cherry mingle with notes baking spices, violets and earthy-mineral tones. Richly textured, firm tannins enhance the fruit flavors on the palate and melt away as part of the long finish.”
If I could get my hands on more of this, I would. We had this wine for Sunday night dinner with steak and a flavorful barley risotto. It was a fabulous combo. It is making me re-think my views on Pinot Noir!
2014 Mercy Pinot Noir, Cedar Lane Vineyard, 14.4% ABV, $32(Outbreak Wine #120)
About Cedar Lane Vineyard from Mercy Wines: “Located against and somewhat sheltered by a natural bench, a 40-foot palisade of bedrock along its northern border, this 60-acre vineyard is owned by Mark Chesebro and farmed by Michael Griva. Found at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains the sand as well as shale and granite cobblestone topsoil are meager with little nutrients, ultimately helping to diminish yields. The vineyard is planted to multiple varietals, including 7 different clones of Pinot Noir of which Mercy Vineyards sources two (“Pommard” clone 4 and clone 667).”
2014 Mercy Pinot Noir, Cedar Lane Vineyard
Wine Enthusiast rated this wine 89 points: “Concentrated lavender and incense aromas make for a woody perfume on the nose of this appellation blend, giving lots of character to the core of cherry syrup. The palate shows the same levels of intense incense and purple flowers, which nearly overpowers the cranberry and pomegranate fruits.” Matt Kettmann October 2017
My Review: Beautiful crystalized cork. This wine has a dark robe, slightly brownish. Musty, blackberry with cedar notes on the nose. A palate of blackberry, cherry and a little leather, giving a slightly bitter finish – perhaps a little raisin. This is a very rich and full-bodied Pinot Noir. I do like my wines made from Cedar Lane grapes! August 2020
My Review: We tasted this wine last after a series of big wines – I did not capture good tasting notes. Very dark in color, this wine has lost some of its fruit and beyond its prime. Nevertheless, it was a terrific wine.
According to their website, “Mercy sources three clones from the Zabala family (clone 7 an Aussie Shiraz clone, and two French ENTAV clones 470 and 877). All get co-fermented in small open top bins and ultimately the wine spent 18 months in French oak barrels (11% new) prior to bottling.”
2012 Mercy Syrah Zabala Vineyard
Wine Enthusiast gave it 93 points with this review: “Ripe and plump blackberries shine through in a showcase of fruit purity, lifted by dried fennel, hot black gravel, peppercorns, toasted sesame and soy. There is tremendous structure and acidity on the sip, with black pepper and black-sesame nuance plus juicy boysenberry character to the midpalate.”
My Review: Almost 4 years later, this wine is drinking beautifully – blackberry and mocha with a touch of spice, full and smooth on the palate. Yum. Tasted March 2020
I presented this wine at the October 2019 Northern Virginia AWS class as a compare and contrast of wines from the same 2016 vintage, different AVAs, to show how the Soberanes Fire affected wines from Carmel Valley but not from the other Monterey County AVAs.
Regarding the 2016 Riverbed Syrah from Mercy Wines: “The progeny of grapevines located in the ancient, dried riverbed corridor of the Arroyo Seco AVA. This wine combines fruit from vines set in meager, nutrient-deficient topsoil which feature cobblestone beds of granite and shale. In addition to the distinct and finite terrain, the riverbed channel location is also is noted for its extreme climate as forceful winds and dense fog persist throughout the growing season. All these factors combine to create a distinct environment that is suited for Rhone varieties.
2016 Mercy Syrah Riverbed – the Last Release and a Great One
“Harvest in late October the grapes were transported to the winery in the early morning. At the winery the fruit was crushed with the ‘must’ racked to small bins for fermentation. Once dry, the wine was pressed off and transferred to neutral (1 and 2 year old) French oak barrels. Ultimately, it was aged 20 months before being bottled. The resulting wine shows aromas of juicy late-summer plum, cherry, lavender, sagebrush and holiday spices.”
My Review: Raspberry, blackberry and cassis on the nose. An explosion of berry and cassis on the palate, and a lingering finish. Smooth and delicious. May 2020
Recent Comments