Tagged: Cabernet Franc

Boëté – A Personal Milestone Celebration Inside the Winery!

I had a milestone birthday over the weekend and chose to celebrate with a private Boëté wine experience at Saunders Vineyard.  We have been members at Boëté since long before we moved back to California – they make big reds in the style I like and, IMHO, deliver the best single-varietal Cabernet Franc and one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in the region.  Our tasting was very special – we were greeted by Jana Saunders, along with Oreo and Cabi, their dogs.  The winery was in full operation. Not only did we get to taste their current releases, but also sampled the not-yet-released 2018 Reserve Cabernet Franc and the 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon! We were privileged to get an education by John Saunders on some of the Library wines we have in our wine room, influencing our decision to open the 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for my birthday dinner!

  • A beautiful start to our afternoon!
  • This delicious food platter accompanied our private tasting!

Over the past few months at home, we have opened several Boëté wines, including an older vintage of the Cheval Rouge red blend, and both the 2015 and 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignons (vs. the reserves).

A rare photo of the 3 of us celebrating my birthday at Boëté! This is our half of the COVID Wine Pod!

I last published about Boëté wines in February here https://decantingmonterey.com/boete-valentines-event-marries-new-release-with-abstract-art/ and first introduced you to them in August here: https://decantingmonterey.com/boete-exceptional-cabernet-franc-from-carmel-valley/.  

Boëté 2015 Cheval Rouge, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.5% ABV, $32 (#334*)

The Cheval Rouge is a red blend comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

My Review: Ruby/purple in the glass.  Blackberry and plum on the nose.  Medium-to-full bodied, with flavorful dark berries on the palate, with a slightly chalky finish. Very nice. March 2021

Boëté 2014 Cabernet Franc, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.5% ABV, $50 (#335*)

This was the first vintage of the Cabernet Franc that took me to the moon – I have been a huge fan ever since!

My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Black plum and blackberry on the nose and palate. Still tastes young and not quite resolved. Super smooth. Went very well with our lamb dinner. April 2021

Boëté 2018 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA (#336*)

Oreo made sure we were tasting wine properly: Pet the dog, sip the wine, pet the dog…!

My Review: Cherry on the nose.  Very smooth on the palate and quite young.  Will be glad to retaste this upon release! April 2021

Boëté 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $50 (#337*)

My Review: Garnet in color.  Fresh crushed berries and chocolate on the nose.  Vibrant dark fruit on the palate on the palate with lingering cherry and vanilla flavors. February 2021

Boëté 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $50 (#338*)

Wine Enthusiast rated the 2017 vintage 91 points: Quite dark in the glass, this bottling from a vineyard near Carmel Valley Village offers blackberry jam and leather on the nose. The palate is thick with firm tannins, delivering dark berry, dark cocoa and violet flavors. MATT KETTMANN, August 2020

My Review: Dark ruby/purple in the glass – nice legs.  Delicious blackberry jam with a hint of vanilla on the nose.  Mouthfilling dark berry jamminess on the palate – very smooth and drinkable at this young age.  Highly recommended.  Might have to buy more of this! March 2021

Boëté 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $?? (#339*)

An extremely special birthday wine!

My Review: Now this was a delicious wine – perhaps one of the best Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon wines we have ever tasted! Dark ruby in the glass with notes of menthol and nicotiana, maybe a little anise, on the nose.  Dark raspberry and plum on the smooth palate.  A little chewy and savory in a good way.  Would not guess this was a Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!   May 2021

Boëté 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, not released (#340*)

Winery was busy while we were there!

My Review: Deep, rich nose.  Dark fruit and complex tannins, a bit tart.  This wine is so very young. April 2021

You can read more about the winery and purchase their wines here https://www.boetewinery.com/. You can also taste their wines by reservation.  For more information, please call 831-625-5040 or email boetewinery@comcast.net.

*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.    

Bunter Spring: Goodbye, 2020, Promising 2019s, and a Terrific 2017 Cab Franc

I last brought you a Bunter Spring wine in October here: https://decantingmonterey.com/bunter-spring-there-is-no-excuse-for-bad-wine/. Check there for more about the winery and how we discovered it.

Mark provided his readers a very blunt assessment of 2020 here.  But he also added this: “Any good news we have is NOT from 2020.  There are some promising 2019s coming up.  The sauv blanc and orange wine from Santa Cruz are daring- we harvested earlier than ever before, to get high natural acidity for drinking with shellfish and shrimp.  The sauv blanc is a ringer for Sancerre. Our ’19 estate Syrah is perfectly balanced and intensely varietal, again leaning toward a European version of the grape. It will spend another year or so in barrel. Carmel Valley Palisades 2019 pinot noir will be bottled this spring. It reminds me of our 2013 Sonoma Coast pinot.   We made some excellent Monterey reds in 2018: a pinot noir from Carmel valley, another from Santa Lucia Highlands, and some zin, cab sauv, and cab franc from a “sleeper” vineyard hidden in the hills high above Arroyo Seco.  These follow distinctive 17 cab sauv and cab franc from a fifty year-old organic vineyard in Carmel Valley.  We have plenty of good wine for the short term.  We will need to make some whites in ’21 to go with our estate Syrah, and whatever other red grapes we buy.” 

Bunter Spring 2017 Spring Cabernet Franc, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.34% ABV, $30 (#225*)  86% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48 cases produced

“It tastes like California sunshine:  ripe black cherry and red raspberry, heady with alcohol.“

Winemaker’s Notes : “This wine is from a historic organic vineyard in the hills high above the Carmel River.  The AVA gives a distinct and recognizable character to its fruit, something midway between Napa and Paso Robles – which is exactly where it is!…”  From the back label: “Aged 20 months in French and American oak barrels, 50% new.  This wine smells like something from the Mother Country:  lilac, violets, saddle soap, bay spice, cassis.  It tastes like California sunshine:  ripe black cherry and red raspberry, heady with alcohol.  Dense with fine tannins.  It has a long, warm aftertaste of sour cherry candy…Not Fined. Not Filtered.”

My Review:  Very inky, almost purple in color. Fresh blueberry and plum on the nose. Very rich intense dark berry and cassis on the palate, a little chalky. Opens into deep cherry and dark berry lingering flavors.  I prefer this vintage to the 2016.  October 2020

Outdoor tastings…pending licensing…at 9 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village

According to their website, “Our Carmel Valley tasting room remains closed to the public.  We have created an outdoor tasting area and soon should have that operating, pending licensing…” On the flip side, he is offering the public 25% off, 35% off 12 bottle case purchases and a very generous discount to club members.  To buy their wines, check out their current releases and contact Mark by phone or email to order.  Directions are here.  They ship within California and to Washington DC and Florida. 

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

© Decanting Monterey 2021

Idle Hour: Bringing Clarksburg and Oakhurst to Carmel Valley!

I’m going slightly off brand, but with a purpose.  With the boom of tasting rooms in Carmel Valley Village came a couple of what appeared to be interlopers – wineries not based in Carmel Valley or even Monterey County.  Yet, they are also part of our winery/tasting room fabric.  We are quite fond of them and are including them here.  Idle Hour is one of them.  This post is long, but includes all their wines we have tasted since March 2020.  For most, I don’t find professional reviews, so you are stuck with mine.

Idle Hour is Relocating its Carmel Valley location to Big Sur Vineyard’s tasting room at 1 Delfino Place!

We learned of Idle Hour Winery when they opened a tasting room in Carmel Valley. Idle Hour is Oakhurst’s (near Yosemite) first winery, making handcrafted wines (idlehourwinery.com). All of their wines are fermented using native yeasts, those which come from the vineyards with the fruit, also known as resident yeasts, making their wines “truly indicative of the vineyards they come from.” These are award-winning wines for affordable prices.

Owners Deb Payne & Anna Marie dos Remedios are always gracious hosts, whether at one of their tasting rooms in Oakhurst or Carmel Valley.  You will often find winemaker Anna Marie pouring wines and inviting you to come up to Yosemite to stay at their inn.  I love Idle Hour’s bottle labels – fine art by Tim Cantor (www.timcantor.com). 

The Madera Tribute reported that Idle Hour Winery in Oakhurst received best of class for its Blanc de Blanc, a double gold for its 2015 Tempranillo and silver for its 2016 Petit Verdot in the January 10 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The Clarksburg AVA, best known for Bogle Vineyards & Winery, is the home to the Heringer Estates, a prime source of Idle Hour’s grapes.

Most of their wines come from the Clarksburg AVA, which spans three counties in California’s Sacramento Valley, including nearly 65,000 acres near the town of Clarksburg (more than Napa and Monterey County!). Think Bogle. The growing region has dense clay and loam soils. Fog and cool breezes from San Francisco Bay keep the Clarksburg area cooler than nearby Sacramento.

Idle Hour Blanc de Blanc, Lodi AVA, 11.2% ABV, $?? (#59*)

The Idle Hour Blanc de Blanc is a nonvintage méthode champenoise sparkling wine made of 100% Chardonnay from the Clement Hills Vineyard, Lodi.  This wine won Double Gold and was rated 93 points, as well as named Best Sparkling Wine at the North of the Gate Wine Competition, April 2019.  With only 44 cases produced, it has sold out. 

My Review: Crisp, clean and a bit peachy.  Refreshing.

2019 Idle Hour Sauvignon Blanc, Sierra Foothills, 13.8% ABV, $28 (#113*)

My Review: Appearing medium gold and slightly effervescent in the glass, we detected a slight stinkiness on the nose, like a touch of sulfur, which rapidly dissipated.  The bouquet was lightly floral and pineapple.  This was a nice wine, with a little sweetness, creamy in the mouth with pineapple flavors and bright acidity.  We enjoyed it – perfect for the occasion – and would buy it again! 

2016 Idle Hour Petit Verdot, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg CA, 13.8% ABV, $30 (#3*)

My Review: Petit Verdot is a blending grape typically found in Bordeaux blends, but makes a nice red wine on its own. This is an enjoyable bold red, a bit tight, and we did not get the fruitiness expected from the varietal. I am not the biggest Petit Verdot fan, but my friends just love this wine. Maybe hold for a bit. March 2020

2017 Idle Hour Cabernet Franc, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg CA, 13.6% ABV, $30 (#22*)

My Review: My daughter called this wine “spicy and good.”  In addition to spice, I picked up cherry and raspberry on the palate with a little oak and green pepper.  It is one of my favorites, but I would hold this wine a bit.

2017 Idle Hour Tannat, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg AVA, 14.1% ABV, $40 (#126*)

My Review:  Garnet and inky in color.  Grass and SweeTart on the nose.  A little vegetal, yet intense flavors of SweeTart, tart cherry and plum on the palate.  Black currant, orange peel and licorice notes on the finish.   100% Tannat – sold out.  August 2020

2015 Idle Hour Tempranillo Winemaker’s Reserve, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg CA, 14.6% ABV, $32 (174*)

My Review: Deep ruby in color.  Cherry and raspberry on the nose, upon opening, with dusty notes appearing over time.  At first it was bright cherry and cranberry on the palate, but opened up into deeper, lush flavors.  I highly recommend this wine. November 2020

2012 Idle Hour Syrah Owlbox, Love Ranch Vineyard, Madera County, 14.4% ABV, $28 (210*)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Ripe plums surprisingly alive after aging almost 6 years sur lie. Medicinal aromas in this menthol finish. This 94% Syrah co-fermented with 4% Viognier, in a Coté Rotie style, giving a bright acidity and smooth mouthfeel.” (from their website)

My Review: Garnet in color.  Old World smell.  Deep aromas, followed by an initial SweeTart flavor with a dry finish.  As the wine opened up, deep, dark cherry flavors emerged. I’m personally not a big fan of the Coté Rotie style. December 2020

2016 Idle Hour Petite Sirah, Heringer Estate, Clarksburg AVA, 14.5% ABV, $30 (189*)

Fresnolandia Review: “Idle Hour’s 2016 Petite Sirah is bittersweet; it begins on the tongue with a thick, sweet tart dark berry, transitions to a peppy berry, and ends with a tongue drying dark chocolate/licorice. To the nose, it is of a sweet, soy aroma; and if such a thing exists, also vibes of a dark berry vinegar.” Ronan Tetsu, 09/2020 https://www.fresnolandia.com/idle-hour-petite-sirah/

My Review: Dark purple in color, rich dark plum and blackberry. Smooth cherry some bitterness on the palate, dry and licorice finish. Super delicious. I want more of this wine. December 2020

2016 Idle Hour Vin Rouge, Heringer Estate, Clarksburg AVA, 14.2% ABV, $30 (211*) 40% Petit Verdot, 34% Tempranillo, 26% Petite Sirah

My Review: Dark in color, with a fresh and bright nose. A bit tart yet sweet on the palate like a juicy mix of wines. This is one of those blends that, upon opening, I am not sure what it wants to be. As it opens up, it melds together to a lovely red. 

You can purchase their wines from the Idle Hour website here. This wine can be purchased directly from the winery here. For other inquiries and status of tasting rooms, contact them here:  wine@idlehourwinery.com, Tel: 559-760-9090.  Check for specials, as well as the opportunity to buy gift certificates for future wine purchases and stays at their Queen’s Inn near Yosemite National Park’s southern entrance.  Check them out at www.idlehourwinery.com. 

*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.    

Madeleine: Bringing Life to a Belgian Memory

Everyone raves about the short ribs at Poppy Hall in Pacific Grove and one Saturday in June we decided to takeout short ribs.  I noticed this $20 Cabernet Franc in the window and decided to try it.  What a pleasant surprise!

About Madeleine Wines: “Madeleine was born in Belgium on March 6, 1911.  Daughter of a wine merchant, she grew up developing her palate.  Her whole life, she collected bottles that she would share with friends.  Among them were my parents, and as a boy I had my first sip.  In 2005, the first vintage of Madeleine was produced, a tribute to her life and gratitude for her inspiration.”  I am presuming this is Damien Georis speaking, also the winemaker at Georis and no relation to Walter Georis – even though they come from the same small home town in Belgium!  This wine is produced at Georis’ winery.

2016 Madeleine Maddie Red Wine, Central Coast, 13.5% ABV, $20 (#71*)

Deliciously paired with Poppy Hall Short Ribs!

From the Bottle: “Crafted in the “Loire Valley” style, that will perfectly complement your everyday meal.  Un vin de table pour un Plaisir quotidien!” 

From the Winemaker: “Opens up with scents of cherry, black olive, leather and truffle. The fruits are ripe and the mouth is full with medium tannins. The finish is dry, chalky and lingering with nuances of thyme and sage. 275 cases produced.

Review from Brix and Barrel, “This Cab Franc will remind you of cherries and truffles when it hits your nose, and the tasting notes have ripe fruit with an amazing dry finish…A lighter-bodied Cab Franc, Strawberry, and some acidity. It was aged in neutral oak, so it will be a brighter red wine that pairs great with food.”

My Review: This is a lighter red in color/density compared to the huge Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux wines we usually consume.  Has a dark fruit bouquet with a touch of tobacco.  Cherry and raspberry on the palate, very smooth and delicious.  We decanted this wine just before consumption.  Our daughter liked this wine and it paired nicely with our short ribs.  I like this better than other Central Coast Cabernet Francs made in the Loire style. 

Available from the winery’s webpage and at Poppy Hall for $20. 

*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.

I Brand & Family: Inching Our Way to “Central Coast” Wines

One of the things Ian Brand is known for is sourcing grapes wherever he can find them to create his wines.  In this blog post, I am reviewing 3 of their I. Brand & Family wines – each from a different county in the Central Coast.  This post prepares us for our next move into Central Coast-labeled wines.

2018 I. Brand & Family Pinot Gris, Eden Rift Vineyard, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 13.2% ABV, $30 (#86*)

This unique 2018 Pinot Gris is lovely in color and flavors.

We pulled this wine out in June for a farewell for our daughter as she headed off on another adventure.  I had looked at this bottle earlier in the week for a Rosé class, but there was nothing on it to say it was one.  Except the wax over the cork was orange instead of yellow, as is the case in Ian Brand’s whites.  And that is because Pinot Gris will naturally give you an orange wine.  Who knew? 

From grapelive.com – 92 points: “…Coming from the low yielding terraces at Eden Rift in Cienega Valley, not far from Calera in San Benito County, Brand’s Pinot Gris is wonderfully textural and charming on the palate with juicy peach, red apple skin, citrus and passion fruit leading the way along with a touch of mineral, mountain herb, orange zest, clove, a hint of apple better and wet chalk…”

Wine Enthusiast Review   – 92 points: “With dynamic and complex expressions like this, it’s a wonder why people started stripping the naturally pink hue that Pinot Gris provides. The pinkish orange wine delivers aromas of strawberry sorbet and rosebuds and then opens onto a palate of light raspberry and watermelon. There is ample tannic tension as well.” Matt Kettmann 12/2019

My Review: Bellini pink, peach 🍑 in color, sweet peach on the nose, a balance of sweet and tart mid palate, with a refreshing finish. September 2020

2016 I. Brand & Family Old Vine Grenache, Besson Vineyard, Santa Clara AVA, 14.6% ABV, $42 (#4*)

2016 Old Vines Grenache.

Made from grapes from 100-year old vines, this wine spent about 20 months in 20% new wood barrels, making this a bigger than average Grenache. 

My Review: The 2016 Old Vines Grenache is a beautiful cherry red color with bright fruit on nose and palate.  Very balanced and tasty, with lingering flavors on the palate.  This was more enjoyable on the second day.   Enjoy now or hold for a bit. 

2016 I. Brand & Family Cabernet Franc Bates Ranch, Santa Cruz Mountains, 12.7% ABV, $42 (#80*)

2016 Cabernet Franc, Bates Ranch.

I. Brand & Family makes 2 Cabernet Francs:  a Chinon-style one from Paicines, which I presented at my Fall 2019 Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar, and this one – Bates Ranch – a richer, Bordeaux-style wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains.  They are both terrific wines, yet I much prefer the style of the Bates Ranch. 

From I. Brand via www.unionsquarewines.com: “In our opinion, Bates Ranch is the least known of the holy trinity of Bordeaux varietal sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The other two, Monte Bello and Mt. Eden, are among the most revered vineyards in California. We first became aware of Bates Ranch through the amazing, and amazingly ageworthy, 70s and 80s bottlings from classic Santa Cruz Mountain produces like Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards and Ahlgren Vineyards. Bates Ranch is located in the extreme southeastern end of the appellation, on Redwood Retreat Road. We are honored to receive the fruit from half of a small block of Cabernet France planted in 1978 for this bottling. Soils in this section of vineyard are the red Franciscan series of volcanic influenced sedimentary rocks that runs along the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Fermented whole berry with native yeasts and a three week maceration. Aged in a neutral puncheon, a neutral barrel and a once used barrel for 20 months. 94 cases produced.”

My Review: Ian Brand makes his wines lean, lower alcohol and less fruitiness than in most California wines.  What this means is you can get to the true expression of the fruit.  The 2016 Cabernet Franc Bates Ranch is still a somewhat lean Cabernet Franc.  The palate is bold and fruity with bright acidity and cranberry/cherry tartness.  Would love to try it with a cheese plate. 

You can find I. Brand & Family wines directly from the winery – email them at brandfamilywinery@gmail.com. If you want to taste their wines, they are open Thurs. – Sun. 12pm – 6pm  for tastings with limited hosted seatings.  Please contact: hello@ibrandwinery.com to make a reservation.

*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.

Puma Road: Paicines Done Big!

In March 2019, our daughter came to visit us from NYC.  The girl loves a road trip and I needed to do “research” for one of my wine classes.  We drove a long way down the beautiful Salinas Valley on Highway 101 to Soledad and worked our way back up the valley and stopped at half a dozen tasting rooms along the way.  One of the last wineries we stopped at was Puma Road.  This place was jumping with a party atmosphere and big bold reds just the way I like them.

The River Road Tasting Room – a happening place!

From Puma Road’s About Us page: “The Franscioni family has worked the Salinas Valley soil for four generations. In the early 1890s, Silvio Franscioni Sr. settled a ranch outside of Gonzales with his beloved wife Maria and their children. What began as a dairy operation developed into a row crop farm. The owner of Puma Road winery, Ray Franscioni–Silvio’s grandson, is keeping the farming tradition vibrant and alive. His business ambitions reached beyond raising dairy cows and farming lettuce. While growing 6,000 acres of row crops, he decided to embark on a vineyard operation in the early 1990s.

“For more than 20 years, Franscioni has been a prominent grape-grower in the Monterey County region. His operation has evolved into growing 2,000 acres of vines while continuing the family row crop business. About half of the grape yield is grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands; the other portion grows in the Paicines AVA.

“About a decade after becoming grape growers, the Franscioni’s decided to craft wine themselves. The family produced their first vintage in 2003 under the label RF Wines. More than a decade later, Puma Road Winery now produces 4,500 cases per year. They proudly continue to grow 15 varietals. The winery is a thriving, local-based establishment that strongly reflects the Santa Lucia Highlands as well as the Paicines AVA. The earthy flavors and rich minerality of the soils create the unique wines one can only experience at Puma Road down the River Road Wine Trail.”

Paicines is just east of Monterey County in San Benito County and on the way to Pinnacles National Park.  Rolling hills of nothing but vineyards from an area which used to be a bulk growing region for Almaden now turned into higher end wines.  See my introduction here:  https://decantingmonterey.com/where-the-heck-is-paicines-and-why-should-you-care/.

From Puma Road’s Vineyard page: “Puma Road grows nearly 1,000 acres of vines in the Paicines AVA. Our estate Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard is the perfect environment for our renowned Bordeaux varietals. The soils and climate of this area are similar to certain areas of the Mediterranian (sic): mineral-rich and generally semi-arid. The dry heat of Paicines creates big, bold wines with hints of spice and minerality from the abundance of quartz in the soil.” 

2013 Puma Road Tannat, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 15.1% ABV, $40 (#18*)

Puma Road’s 2013 Tannat can convert even a non-Tannat fan!

From the Puma Road Red Wines website: “Only around 300 acres of Tannat are grown in California. Traditionally, Tannat is used as a blending grape, to add body and deep color to other varietals. Puma Road Tannat stands on its own. Our 2013 Tannat has a nose of deep, dark fruit; warm, rich spice; and earthy leather. On the palate, experience dark cherry and plum, with notes of leather, oak and spice, and a smooth finish with just the right amount of tannin.” 

My Review: I found this wine to be deep cherry colored with very smooth tannins, dark cherry and a touch of cedar on the palate with a lingering berry aftertaste.  This was a delightful, delicious wine.

2013 Puma Road Cabernet Franc Pedregal Vineyard, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 15.9% ABV, $35 (#99*)

Puma Road makes their Cabernet Franc in a delicious and big, Bordeaux style.

I needed a Cabernet Franc for a wine class in July – had just consumed the Boëté, so preferred to open something else.  I ended up drinking the Puma Road but talking about both wines at class.  I have a history with this 2013 Puma Road Cabernet Franc Pedregal Vineyard – I presented it at my Fall 2019 Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar on Paicines AVA wines – it was a big hit! 

The 2013 Cabernet Franc spent 30 months in French oak. Nose of pencil shavings, pepper, leather and cloves. The mouth begins with rich dark cherry and cedar, followed by hints of licorice, and a caramel finish.  (Fairly certain this originally came from their web page.) This very high alcohol wine is big and juicy, enjoyed by all on Cassandra’s last night with us.

The 2014 is the current release:  The 2014 Cabernet Franc has a “nose of dark fruit, leather, and clove. The mouth begins with the flavor of dark cherry, followed by a hint of licorice, with bright acidity throughout, and a rich finish” at a much lower 14.2% ABV. Will have to order that one…

2013 Puma Road Cache, Pedregal Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 15.7% ABV, $40, sale $20 (#29*) 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc

The 2013 Cache is a delicious Cabernet-driven red blend.

From my 2019 WWCS class notes (I don’t recall the source – probably the winery): “This wine was aged 30 months in French oak. Aromas of dark fruit, dark chocolate, coffee and spice. A rich mouth feel, with flavors of cedar, vanilla, and dark red fruit, with nice acidity. This wine pairs extraordinarily well with char-grilled meats, like a juicy ribeye steak, or a ground chuck burger.”  The 2014 is the current release, also found at the current release link above.

My Review: Ruby red with deep plum and a bit of tannin on the nose.  Very smooth and dry on the palate with soft tannins.  The fruit shines through with white and green pepper notes.

Visiting Puma Road: “Reservations will be required. For our River Road Winery & Tasting Room, please call 831-675-3548 or email info@pumaroad.com. For our Monterey Portola Plaza Tasting Room, please call 831-747-1911 or email portola@pumaroad.com.”

At this time, they are offering $10 flat rate UPS ground shipping on all shipping orders of $50 or more, as well as complimentary local delivery for orders of $40 or more to many parts of Monterey County. Check out their specials!

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

© Decanting Monterey 2020

Bunter Spring: “There is no excuse for bad wine.”

We discovered Bunter Spring while wine tasting in Carmel Valley Village.  The tasting room was a bit mysterious – rarely open.  We finally caught them open and had an engaging conversation with Mark Bunter.  An older couple was in the tasting room – through them, we learned the “Spring” in Bunter Spring was a former Washington DC colleague of my husband!  We occasionally catch both Bunter and Spring in the tasting room.  One of our favorite Bunter Spring wine is the “Hippie Red” – 100% Syrah from Napa.  We opened this 2016 Cabernet Franc for Labor Day.  After a few emails with Mark, I discovered this wine is actually from the San Antonio AVA!

The Bunter Spring Tasting Room at 9 Del Fino Place in Carmel Valley Village.

From Bunter Spring Winery:  “Bunter Spring Winery is a family operated “garage” winery in the Coombsville AVA in the southeast corner of Napa Valley. We make small-lot wines for sale to friends on our mailing list and to a few restaurants and wine shops.  Bunter Spring was licensed in 2008, by Mark Bunter, after a brief (thirty years) internship in the wine cellars of people with names like Sebastiani and Mondavi.  It all started  in 1977 at Bill Cadman’s Tulocay Winery, just up the hill from Bunter Spring,  where Mark took on a volunteer  bottling line position.  Mark got interested in winemaking and  started making small batches of wine for fun in the family garage, with free grapes. After helping pick scrounged  “second crop” grapes from nearby vineyards for a few vintages, Dad Arnold (Arnie) helped plant a small vineyard on his own property (evidently, owning a vineyard was deemed the lesser of two evils).  Within fifteen short years, Arnie was ready to let Mark start selling the family Syrah instead of just giving it away.  We don’t rush things at Bunter Spring.”

Bunter Spring 2016 Spring Cabernet Franc, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $25 (#145*)  87% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petit Verdot

The 2016 Cabernet Franc comes from the San Antonio AVA!

Winemaker’s Notes from the Back Label: “These grapes come from the warmer, southern end of Monterey County.  Aged for eleven months in once used French oak barrels.  Smells and tastes of ripe red cherries, fresh spearmint, green tea, hardwood, and dark chocolate.  We bottled this early to capture its fresh fruit and lively tannins.”

My Review:  Garnet with purple edges in the glass.  Warm nose of blackberry and dark plum.  Tart red fruit on the palate, with a lingering  blackberry and cassis finish.  I like this wine, but I think I am going to really like his 2017 Cabernet Franc from Carmel Valley (86% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon), skipping the Petit Verdot!  September 2020

To buy their wines, check out their current releases and contact Mark by phone or email to order.  They ship within California and to Washington DC and Florida.  Last I checked, their tasting room in Carmel Valley Village had not reopened.  In better times, it is open on the weekends or by appointment. 

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

© Decanting Monterey 2020

Boëté – Exceptional Cabernet Franc from Carmel Valley

One thing I love is an excellent Cabernet Franc. The first place I saw it bottled as a single varietal was in Virginia, of all places. When I stumbled onto Boëté, I couldn’t have been happier. These are my favorite Cabernet Francs in all of Monterey County, done in a sophisticated Bordeaux style.

The highly regarded Saunders Vineyard is right next door to Parsonage in Carmel Valley and, at one time, the two wineries shared a tasting room in a quaint shopping center as you head into the valley.  They make their big red wines from estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from their 7 acres of grapes. 

The Lovely Boëté Winery in Carmel Valley – photo courtesy of Boëté

Some background on Boëté quoted from their website here : “In the early 80’s John Saunders made wine at his Soledad Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands. At first making wine was a hobby and when his wines became popular with many of his friends in the restaurant industry, he decided to create a winery. In 1994, John and his wife Jana traded their 250-acre citrus orchard in Soledad California for 15 acres in Carmel Valley; land that had gone uncultivated due to lack of water. The first water well John drilled had gushed enough water to irrigate his vineyard forever. In early spring 1997, they planted their first vineyard on their sun-drenched hillside…

“The result is the Saunders Vineyard and his own label, Boete (Bwah-tay). The secret of the wine, Saunders says, is in the quality of the grapes, and old world wine making techniques that utilize French Oak barrels…Today, more than 6,000 grapevines grow on 7 acres, producing fruit that is widely regarded as some of California’s best.”

2013 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $50

2013 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc: Jammy and Rich

WineEnthusiast rated the 2013 Reserve Cabernet Franc Reserve 91 points.  “This bottling from a winery whose owners are originally from Brittany shows peppery spice, tart red fruit, rose petal and lava rock scents on the nose. The flavors range widely from white pepper and dill to fresh-pressed strawberry and red plum, with a slight hint of caramel. Varietally pure and very fresh.” Matt Kettmann, July 2017

My Review: While Cabernet Franc is typically blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Bordeaux blends, we enjoy this as a single varietal. This one is definitely a bigger Bordeaux-styled Cabernet Franc vs. the leaner Loire Valley Chinon style.  We found this wine to be just about perfect – jammy dark fruit on the nose, a rich mouthfeel of deliciousness on the palate, with an ever so slightly darker, just barely cooked fruit on the finish, ever so slightly tannic.      

2017 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.5% ABV, $50

2017 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc: Leather, Cherry and Vanilla Bean

WineEnthusiast rated the 2017 wine 91 points:  “Deep and dark in the glass, this bottling from a vineyard just a mile east of Carmel Valley village shows rich aromas of black currant yet with a spicy licorice kick. That licorice and dark-berry combination soars on the palate as well, proving both hearty yet still offering the grape’s inherent spice.” Matt Kettmann 7/1/2020

My Review: Bright red in color, we detected smoke, leather and sweetness on the nose.  Cherry and vanilla bean on the palate.  This is an amazing Cab Franc done in a big California style.  My favorite Monterey County Cabernet Franc.  This is their current release.

You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here.   As of this writing, they are not doing tastings at the winery.

© Decanting Monterey 2020

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