In our early days in Monterey back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, we occasionally tried Bargetto wines down on Cannery Row. Way back then, we remember their sweeter wines – mead and dessert-style wines – not really our thing. As we were seeking an emergency location for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society, I popped into Bargetto to see what they are offering these many decades later.
I asked – what was the big change that took the winery from those sweeter wines (which they still do make) to these higher-end, higher quality, medal winning wines? The short answer: When Lawrence Bargetto passed away in 1993, they hired an outside winemaker, who transformed their winemaking techniques. In addition, the Regan Vineyard has become one whose grapes are sought after by other local vintners for their wines. And my bottom line is: Get down to Cannery Row and give Bargetto a try!
With three different tasting menus, there is something for everyone here. Whites, reds, meads and ports. I was able to mix them up by doing a reserve tasting ($25) with one of their high-end La Vita vintages swapped for their delicious, every day Syrah. Yeah, I’m a little crazy.
I did a previous writeup of Bargetto here: https://decantingmonterey.com/bargetto-scores-a-silver-medal-for-its-dolcetto/.
About Bargetto: “The Bargetto winemaking heritage began with brothers Phillip and John Bargetto who from Castelnuovo Don Bosco, a small town in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. They brought with them years of winegrowing experience when they established BARGETTO WINERY on the banks of Soquel Creek in California…The original Bargetto family winery was located in San Francisco from 1910-1917. The name of this winery was South Montebello Vineyard and Wine Company. With Prohibition on the horizon the winery was closed and the brothers moved to Soquel in 1917…The third generation of Bargettos now direct the operation of the winery. BARGETTO WINERY represents the oldest continuous-operation winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Their pioneering spirit continued with the establishment of Bargetto Regan Estate Vineyards, near Corralitos, California in 1992. Here, cool-climate varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Grigio are carefully nurtured to produce BARGETTO WINERY’s estate wines. In keeping with the family heritage, the winery also incorporates northern Italian varietals from its Estate Vineyard into its flagship LA VITA wine.”
As always, winery notes come from their website, the tasting sheet, or conversations with tasting room staff. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2021 Bargetto Reserve Chardonnay, Regan Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.5% ABV, $37 (#924)
Winemaker’s Notes: “A blend of both clones grown at our estate vineyard, this reserve blend is the very best of Regan Chardonnay. The Mount Eden Clone expresses minerality and vibrant acidity, while the Clone 4 brings rich, ripe fruit. Pleasant aromas of butterscotch and lemon zest dominate the nose, with notes of green apple and stone fruits underneath. Luxurious and well-integrated French oak elevates the wine beautifully.”
My Review: Rose gold in the glass. Cinnamon perfume on the nose. White Peach, white nectarine on the palate and a touch of buttery oak on the finish. January 2023
2020 Bargetto Mount Eden Clone Pinot Noir, Regan Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.7% ABV, $60 (#925)
Winemaker’s Notes: “This unfined, unfiltered 2020 Mount Eden clone Pinot Noir is fruit forward yet complex, with a delectable richness on the palate. Ripe red and black fruit aromas are complemented beautifully by elegant French oak. Intense flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and boysenberry dominate the palate. This is a rich and full-bodied Pinot Noir, as is typical of the famed Mount Eden clone. Tannins are elegant and smooth, giving it a wonderfully plush mouthfeel.”
My Review: Cloudy medium ruby in color. Cherry cranberry on the nose. Smoky and tart on the palate. January 2023
2018 Bargetto Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.9% ABV, $60 (#926)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Dark fruit flavors are met with a notes of spice, sweet and smoky oak, black licorice, and potpourri. This wine is full-bodied with firmly structured tannins. 20 months in 40% new French and American oak barrels. Gold/93pts – Beverage Testing Institute, 92pts – Wine Enthusiast.”
My Review: Rich ruby in the glass. Intense dark berry on the nose like a really good Cab should smell. Mouth filling palate with berry and mint on the finish. January 2023
2019 Bargetto Syrah, Nelson Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 14% ABV, $25 (#927)
Winemaker’s Notes: “This 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah from Nelson Vineyard is beautifully purple and inky in color. It opens with aromas of black pepper, black licorice, and floral potpourri. More subtle aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and baking spice follow as the wine opens up. On the palate dark fruit and peppery spice flavors are married nicely with sweet and toasty oak.”
My Review: Deep dark ruby. Very dark berry fruit on the nose. Intense. Rich and smooth – I like this wine. A great bargain. Would pair well with barbecue or charcuterie. January 2023
2018 Bargetto La Vita Refosco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Regan Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.5% ABV, $60 (#928)
Winemaker’s Notes: “A blend of three Northern Italian varietals, the 2018 La Vita has Refosco leading the way, followed by Dolcetto and Nebbiolo. Notes of black plum and cranberry are met with black pepper, licorice, and savory spice. 32 months of barrel aging have allowed this wine’s firm tannins to soften up beautifully. 98pts/Double Gold/Best of Region – CA State Fair.”
My Review: Nice dark ruby. Cherry on the nose. Complex, dry, lean. Might need to open up. Will age nicely. The best wine of the day. January 2023
You can purchase Bargetto wines here: https://bargetto.com/ or visit them at their tasting room (open daily!) at 700-G Cannery Row, Monterey, or their historic winery and tasting room in Soquel. Click here for more details!
© Decanting Monterey 2023
Decanting Monterey is a non-profit wine education effort to promote our Monterey wineries through social media and classes. If you would like to donate to the cause, please click the PayPal button below or visit the Decanting Monterey Make a Donation page for more information. All monies received will be used to defray the expenses of operating this website and offset travel expenses for Central Coast wine education classes.
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