As soon as we go to the valley to pick up wine allocations, it never fails that we get another club notification! We live on the chilly coast, so going to Carmel Valley to taste new releases and get warm is a welcome task. In this instance, we went Parsonage Winery.
The real fun with this release is tasting 2021 The Aussie side by side with its reserve version – the Xandro. I’m impressed with each of these 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blends, but in very different ways. I also managed to sneak in a purchase of the yet-to-be-released 2021 Rocco Reserve Syrah and a miraculous find of the last available 2019 Rocco. Someone is looking out for me!
In addition, Parsonage has made two 2023 Chardonnays: one 100% stainless steel and one in oak. Read below to see which one I preferred!
THE WINERY
Since I write about Parsonage often, I’m including their latest newsletter as the update!
THE WINES
Today I’m bringing you 5 new releases wines. Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Some of these are so new that tasting notes aren’t even yet available! Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2023 Parsonage Chardonnay, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $40 (#1464)
Winery Notes: “A charming nose of pear and lemon blossom with subtle hints of kiwi and hazelnut. A fully rounded out palate structure with lemongrass and tropical fruit notes.”
My Review: Golden in color. Grilled pineapples and white flowers on the nose. Full malolactic fermentation. Very flavorful palate, with caramel notes. Very pleasant. I preferred this Chardonnay. October 2024
2023 Parsonage Wood Reserve Chardonnay, Diamond T Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV (#1465)
My Review: Asparagus and honey on the nose. Leaner and cleaner – a much more sophisticated wine. I confess that I had taken a medication which may have influenced some of these flavors and smells, so don’t go by me! Decide for yourself! Love the new quilt Mary Ellen Parsons made which is on this label! October 2024
2021 Parsonage The Aussie, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $46 (#1466)
Winery Notes: “This 2021 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah has an uncommon level of lusciousness. The nose fairly resonates with exquisitely ripe dark fruit, the full spectrum of bramble berry, black currant, black cherry, and black raspberry with a depth of florl spicy notes. All of that beautiful, ripe fruit explodes on the palate and prompts tears from one’s eyes on the fabulous finish.”
My Review: Fruit forward bouquet. Plum and yum with menthol and cinnamon notes. Very tasty palate – a Sharon kind of wine. But tears, really?? October 2024
2021 Parsonage Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $52 (#1467)
Winery Notes: “The nose is powerfully aromatic with a core of ripe dark fruit and a dusting of mixed spices. Chewy intensity in structure with layers of blackberry, current, plum, and blueberry with subtle notes of mocha, peppercorn and a hint of graphite on the finish.”
My Review: A darker rich color. Dark fruit and leather on the nose. Intense, concentrated dark flavor. This is one to watch. October 2024
2021 Parsonage Xandro Reserve, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1468)
Winery Notes: “Our reserve blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Nose of black and blue fruit, fig newton, earthy exotic black cardamom-nutmeg-vanillin, and Parsonage terroir perfume. Opulent palate of blackberry, black currant, black cherry, blueberry, and curry spices. Exquisitely lengthy and delicious finish!!
My Review: Dark purple in the glass. Big, rich, fruity nose and the palate will wake you up! Sophisticated, intense, a reserve for sure! We liked this wine. October 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
“Hooray! We are open for both indoor and outdoor wine tasting daily.”
19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village
Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm; Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm.
“Reservations can be made here or by phone. Please call us at 831-659-7322 for same day reservations.”
Since we emerged from the pandemic, I’ve been trying to get Bernardus Winery to host theMonterey Chapter of the American Wine Society. After two years of asking, Bernardus said yes and hosted our October First Friday WinedUP event! And I have to say that the expertise of Heather Rammel and Ivy, the quality of the wines presented, and allowing us to use their entire tasting room space made for an exceptional evening. It was one of the best attended and most social of our outings to date! We hope to be invited back!
I wanted to ensure we tasted the best of Bernardus with vineyard-designated wines and finishing with a Marinus. I asked for their best Chardonnay, personally selected the Garys’ Vineyard and the Rosella Vineyard Pinot Noirs and requested we finish with a Marinus Bordeaux-style red blend. Heather selected the Sierra Mar Vineyard Chardonnay (which we tasted in the barrel over a year ago) and surprised us with a Signature Marinus as a final wine – that was a bonus! They also surprised us with a significant discount in purchasing the wines we tasted that night. Lovely.
“Our founder, Ben Pon, viewed wine as an art—an art form that rises above the ordinary. This philosophy continues to inspire Bernardus wines today, reflected in our meticulous attention to detail, unwavering commitment to quality, and the pursuit of crafting exceptional wines.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 7 Bernardus wines, including a few from another tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Some of my reviews are amplified by my good friend Erin from terravenos. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $55 (#1068)
Winery Notes: “The 2022 Sierra Mar Chardonnay exhibits elegant aromas highlighted by a leesy complexity with toasted oak notes. The pallet shows intense white peach with hints of tropical fruits and warm baking spices. This well-balanced wine lingers on the pallet and shows the richness and intensity of fruit grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands.” 94 points- The Wine Independent; 90 points- Wine Enthusiast.
My Review: Golden and viscous in the glass. Grilled pineapple, Meyer lemon, golden apple and a hint of brioche and white flower on the nose. Palate explodes with rich flavors, sweetened by honeydew, balanced by the acidity of pineapple on the finish. Vibrant and flavorful, balanced oak. October 2024
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $55 (#1067)
Winery Notes: “Our 2022 Rosella’s Chardonnay exhibits beautiful fruit forward aromas highlighted by rich toasted oak and caramel notes. The palate is intense, exhibiting ripe peach accented by tropical fruits. This wine is wonderfully balanced, it shows the richness and intensity of fruit grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands, while also having a nice long crisp finish to bring all the flavors into focus.” 94 points- The Wine Independent; 91 points- Wine Enthusiast.
My Review: Golden in color. Caramel and hint of citrus on the nose. Big flavors on the palate with a caramel finish. May 2024
2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $70 (#1445)
Winery Notes: “Shows kirsch and linzer torte notes that hold sway, with a licorice wrapping and a dose of sweet spices on the briar-tinged finish. Drink now through 2026. 443 cases made.” 91 Points- Wine Spectator; 94 points- The Wine Independent.
My Review: Ruby in color. Baking spices like cinnamon clove, dusted with chili pepper and light cherry on the nose. Quite representative of an SLH Pinot Noir on the palate. May 2024
2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Ingrid’s Vineyard, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $80 (#1446)
Winery Notes: “Our 2021 Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes spicy, dark red fruit aromas. The wine is very intense and beautifully focused. Flavors exhibit essences of black cherry, ripe berries and subtle toasty oak notes. Our 2021 Ingrid’s Pinot Noir is very structured, allowing for several years of ageing or it can be enjoyed in its youth for its bright fruit expression.” 91 Points- Wine Enthusiast
My Review: Dark ruby in color. A fruity nose and a much fruitier palate than the Soberanes. Bright red fruits mid palate. Smooth tannins on the finish. I could drink this wine. May 2024
2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $80 (#1066)
Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “Creamy caramel and black cherry aromas make for an immediately appealing nose on this bottling, while layers of lilac and candied rose add loveliness. That plushness carries into the palate, where it’s balanced by an invitingly dank herbal edge. — Matt Kettmann.”
My Review: Dried leathery fruit, countered by bright red fruits (Bing cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and pomegranate) on the nose and palate. Palate enhanced by Chinese Five spice. Super tart, bright and vibrant. October 2024
2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard; Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $80 (#1075)
Winery Notes: “This has a nice rich feel, with crushed raspberry and boysenberry preserves underscored by hints of mulling spices and red tea. The finish is carried by understated juicy energy as the fruit plays out. Drink now through 2025. 446 cases made.” 91 Points- Wine Spectator; 95 points- The Wine Independent.
My Review: Darker ruby in the glass. A darker, jammier nose than the Garys’. Cocoa and jam on the smooth palate with a spicy finish. This is overall a heavier wine of darker, jammier fruit flavor compared to the bright and tart Garys’. I have become a fan of Rosella Vineyard’s Pinot Noir fruit. October 2024
2018 Bernardus Signature Marinus Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#1447)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 vintage is a stunning wine, exemplifying the superb potential of this unique vineyard. The gorgeous aromas exhibit dark red stone fruits with notes of violets and spice. The flavors are deep and very intense, with cedar, black cherry, cranberry, and boysenberry fruit essences on a long, velvety finish.”
My Review: Cinnamon and earth on the nose. A brighter fruit palate with tons of oak – young. A lovely, velvety wine brimming with flavors.
“In June 1994, pioneer Ben Pon opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley, establishing a legacy that endures to this day. While in the region enjoy a scenic journey along the 17-mile drive from Pebble Beach to our Tasting Room, where you can savor some of the highest quality wines in the region. Visit us!”
5 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley. Open Sunday and Monday – 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 11:00am to 4:00pm; Friday and Saturday- 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Sometimes it sounds too good to be true and sometimes it is such a good deal, you can’t pass it up. When we saw a Cabernet Sauvignon from Carmel Valley’s Cachagua region on sale for $16 at K&L Wine Merchants, we had to try it! By the time we did – and determined it was worthy for one of my wine classes – it was completely sold out.
“A desire line is a path made by the one walking it. It’s often a path that diverts from the main trail, whether through an empty field to get from one street to another or a straight line up a mountain made by someone too impatient for switchbacks…
“Our winemaking path is guided by our vineyard sources, spanning 400+ miles across the expanse of Northern California. We go wherever a fascinating vineyard hooks us in and inspires us – these are sites that produce vibrant and singular wines that speak compellingly of place and time. From Riesling in the single-vineyard Cole Ranch AVA to 1890s-planted vines in Contra Costa County, our vineyards are the most important part of our wines: so much so that our labels feature the vineyard name as the largest text on the bottle along with a hand-drawn illustration of the vineyard.
“Desire Lines wines are inspired by pioneering California winemakers and their coming-of-age wines from the 1970s and 80s – Cody describes this philosophy as “neo-classical” though Emily maintains that isn’t a sensible way to describe winemaking. What this looks like in the cellar is native yeast fermentations, lots of whole-cluster use in many of our reds, barrel fermentation for our whites, and aging in primarily neutral oak and large format barrels.
“It’s a great joy to be able to share these wines with others, like crossing paths on a trail and getting to chat for a minute about how great the view is from here…”
THE WINE:
Today I’m bringing you just one wine. Winery notes come from wine.com. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2021 Desire Lines Experimental Series No. 12 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cachagua Ridge Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $40/$16 sale (#1434)
Winemaker’s Notes: “We’ve named this wine “Cachagua Ridge” as an ode to the place – the vineyard is planted on a ridge above the Cachagua Valley, below the towering peaks of the Ventana Wilderness. “Cachagua” is purported to mean “hidden waters”, a nod to the underground springs that flow down from the Santa Lucia Mountains all along the length of the valley. The wine was fully destemmed; fermented and left on skins for 30 days; racked once over the course of a fifteen-month élevage; and raised in a mix of 225L and 500L barrels with 40% new oak included (Taransaud’s Grande Chauffe toast). I love the balance of savory and fruit-sweet elements within this wine, and I’m kind of astounded by the density and ripeness the wine possesses at just 13.4% alcohol. I think the wine is drinking exceptionally well right now, and I expect it to age beautifully – a perfect cellar defender Cabernet from one of my new favorite wine regions.”
My Review: Medium purple in the glass. At first, presented thin mid-palate, but opened up to reveal good, dark fruit flavors, which one expects from a Cachaguan Cabernet Sauvignon. Some chewy tannins to balance it all out. I would serve this at a large gathering and, at this price, wold have loved to present it in a class. Alas. In sum, a tasty little wine, and a steal at $16. We might never see that price again! August 2024
Time for a short, Monterey Catch Up Post of wines we have enjoyed at home!
THE WINES:
Today I’m bringing you a little Monterey catchup post on 4 wines, 2 new ones and 2 revisits! The Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir we found in our fridge and enjoyed on one of those rare, warm June coastal days. I picked up the Galante Vineyards Merlot at a tasting there long ago – but did not get to sample it until this past winter (amazing what we find hidden in our wine room!). We picked up the Pierce Ranch Vineyards Claret as they were closing their Cannery Row tasting room (they are open at their winery – see below!). Finally, we enjoy re-tasting Carmel Valley wines from the 2016 Soberanes Fire year to see how they are holding up. The ParsonageTanner Reserve is one which, through creative winemaking, I still don’t detect even a hint of the smoke – it is drinking beautifully.
Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2022 Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $24 (#1431)
Winery Notes: “If the Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir offers any preview into the quality of the coming wines for a given vintage, rest assured that 2022 will certainly be a vintage to remember. Sporting shades of melon, salmon, and coral that are classic for a Lucy Rosé, this beautiful offering packs unyielding aromatic intensity as it chills and condensates on the sides of the glass. Delicate at first with notes of fresh strawberry and subtle, mineral driven undertones, this wine begins to offer complexities seldom seen in rosé as it opens up in the glass. Plush notes of peach blossom and watermelon waft into the air, as the first sips offer citrus-driven flavors of tangerine and orange peel, backed by tart raspberry and rose petal. Brief but impactful aging in 100% neutral French oak barrels offer an added layer of texture that pairs seamlessly with fresh acidity.”
“The Pisoni Family has always been committed to making exceptional wines, and Lucy allows them to combine this passion with philanthropy. The Pisoni family donates one dollar of each bottle sold to Breast Cancer Research. Since inception, over $200,000 has been raised for this cause.”
My 2024 Review: Pale salmon in the glass. Peach and apricot with strawberry notes on the nose. Kind of tart on the palate like underripe strawberries and raspberries. Refreshing. Complexity is revealed as wine warms in the glass. More than a pool wine. June 2024
2018 Galante Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $100 (#1432)
Winery Notes “This Wine Gang favorite is EXTREMELY limited – only 50 cases produced – and as you all know, it always sells out quickly. Lush, ripe strawberry and toasted vanilla flavors abound in this classic Merlot.
My Review: Dark garnet in the glass – like a juicy, dark cherry. Dark fruit and a touch of vanilla on the nose. Sweet tart on the palate with an undercurrent of dark berries and plum. Cherry on the finish. March 2024
2016 Pierce Ranch Vineyards Claret, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $28 (#142)
Winery Notes: “…Benefiting from the region’s high elevation, rocky soils, and wide variation in diurnal temperature, the 2016 vintage is a nuanced, well-balanced wine with an elegant texture, restrained fruit, and a solid tannic structure. Produced on a very limited scale, its components were fermented in small lots and aged in French oak for 18 months. Flavors and aromas of red cherry, black currant, and plum combine with hints of cedar and tobacco leaf.”
My 2024 Review: Cranberry, blackberry, plum and musky herbal on the nose. White pepper, black raspberry and currant with grapefruit notes on the finish. December 2023
My 2020 Review: Raspberry and blackberry on the nose. Raspberry, tart cherry and plum on the palate, with a smooth, licorice finish. This is a very tasty, everyday Claret. May 2020
Winery Notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon is a burly beast of a wine and the fastest selling vintage we’ve ever made. When folks try it, they buy it. The nose is full of dark fruit with hints of barrel toast. The palate is full of blackberry, black cherry, and tobacco leaf. Nicely integrated tannins and a long finish. We aren’t fancy and like to pair it with a burger.” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
My 2024 Review: Medium purple in color. Crushed blackberry and cherry and brewed coffee, with a hint of sulfur, on the nose. Melange of berries and spearmint on the plate with a dry, wooden finish with lingering licorice notes. Blind tasting this wine, you wouldn’t know it was from the year of the Soberanes Fire.
My 2020 Review: Glass-coating rich, this wine had a little sulphur and green olive on the nose, followed by umami flavors of pepperoni dipped in a good marinade. Very robust and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Little to no detection of smoke taint, despite the 2016 vintage. June 2020
Galante Vineyards: Come visit our Wine Tasting Room and Western Emporium in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea. Located off Dolores between Ocean and Seventh Ave., Galante Vineyards is proud to be Carmel’s first “Wine Tasting Room”. We cordially invite you and your guests to stop by to say “howdy” and to taste our renowned estate wines.
“Our tasting room is located in Carmel-by-the-Sea off Dolores between Ocean Street and Seventh Ave. We are currently open DAILY for outdoor tastings: Monday-Thursday 12:30-6:30pm, Friday & Saturday 12:00-7:30pm, Sunday 12:00-6:30pm”
Pierce Ranch Vineyards : “We are now hosting regular tasting hours at the winery in Lockwood every Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00 pm…The official winery address is 53527 Bradley-Lockwood Road, Bradley, CA 93426. (We know. Apparently whether or not we’re actually in Lockwood is a matter of interpretation. It might be a quantum thing.) If you need directions or if you have questions, feel free to contact us at tastingroom@piercevineyards.com. We’ll see/observe you there.”
Parsonage: “Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Room: Hooray! We are open for both indoor and outdoor wine tasting daily. Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. Reservations can be made here or by phone. Please call us at 831-659-7322 for same day reservations.”
A little birdie told me that Sal Rombi will be showcasing some new releases in his tasting room THIS WEEKEND (August 24-25)! And guess what? I had a special box in our wine room given to me by Sal with these wines! After the fun we had guessing the Mystery Wine in July, we got the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod back together to preview the Rombi new releases. It’s a tough job – somebody’s got to do it.
“Since 2006, hands-on winemaking that reflects a unique sense of place”
“Wine is a gift from nature, and every bottle produced at Rombi Wines tells a story of the land, the geography, the climate, and the hands-on philosophy of one man. Salvatore Rombi takes winemaking personally, obsessing over every detail — from harvest to barrel aging — to produce a unique range of elegant yet bold and complex red wines from the Carmel Valley Appellation. Rombi’s small vineyard and intimate tasting room provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable wine journey. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a strict allegiance to sustainable farming practices, Rombi creates award-winning, limited-production vintages. As an ode to terroir — the rock and soil, but also the land and legacy, culture and commitment, time and tradition — the wines from Rombi are always bottled poetry.”
THE WINES: Rombi New Releases
Today I’m bringing you 4 wines, 3 new to this website. Of these 4 wines, only 3 of them will be part of the Rombi new releases this weekend. These wines were gifted to me. I will always tell you when a wine has been gifted to me. As a not-for-profit blog that I fund myself, the occasional gifted bottle means a lot to me. Thank you, Sal.
In addition to Monday’s post on the 2011 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, I have written up Rombi Wines several times in Decanting Monterey – just type “Rombi” in the search bar.
All of these wines (except for the Petite Sirah) were opened early and single decanted. We sadly did not decant the Petite Sirah. That makes twice we’ve tried this wine without decanting. One must always decant or even double decant a Rombi wine! The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod collaborated on the reviews. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2021 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (#1424) (new release!)
My Review: Deep purple in color with cedar, blueberry, blackberry and violets on the palate. So good: a big blue punch with graphite notes on the finish. This wine was not fruit forward, soft yet stubborn in the middle (“brooding”) with lingering tannins. Leather and cigar paper flavors on the finish, along with lingering fruit and nutmeg notes. It reminds us of a Languedoc. “It taste like Carmel Valley smells.” Very drinkable now, but think how great this wine will be in five years! August 2024
2021 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#1425) (Sadly, this wine will not be among the new releases. We will all have to be very patient to taste this beauty!)
My Review: This wine is so good. It’s darker red in the glass than the Merlot. Has a nose of plum and allspice with a hint of cedar and dried orange peel. The palate has notes of pepper and herbes de Provence with a round mouth feel. At this young age, the tannins leave a very dry palate. It finishes with fig and cassis flavors. This wine is stupendous. It will age into one tremendous wine. August 2024
2019 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#1426) (new release!)
My Review: The nose has a touch of barnyard (we had a debate about this descriptor), a little woody with some pepper and blackberry notes. The palate is mouth-filling with blackberry and pepper flavors and a hint of licorice. This wine is tight, but opens up into a rich wine – a classic Rombi. This will age into a really good wine. Buy now and HOLD. August 2024.
2018 Rombi Petite Sirah, Napa Valley AVA, Napa County, 14.1% ABV, $75 (#1128) (new release!)
My Review: This was the evening’s bonus wine, so it was not decanted. Always a mistake. Rombi wines must be decanted. Late in the evening, our notes were not as extensive: Very dark purple in color. Dried fig, cigarettes and a touch of barnyard on the nose. Super rich, big palate. This wine comes off a little hot, yet is an extremely tasty wine. Next time I get my hands on one of these, we are decanting it! August 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
If you are around, be sure to stop by this weekend and taste the Rombi new releases!
“At Rombi Wines, our unique tasting room provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Salvatore Rombi is most often on hand to guide you through the winemaking process and your tasting experience. Step off the beaten path and discover Rombi, where every bottle tells a story.
“Rombi Wines Tasting Room is at 1 Center St., in the charming Carmel Valley Village. We are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m., although appointments can be made for weekday visits.”
A fun, little bonus post for your Monday morning! After many spring and summer travels, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod was finally reunited in late July. And what would a Wine Pod gathering be if we didn’t have a Mystery Wine? This is a game we play regularly. Here’s the usual format:
Old World or New World?
Which Country or Region?
What varietal or blend?
What winery?
What vintage? (yes, sometimes we can even guess the vintage)
So, on this particular evening, the Mystery Wine game went like this:
Old World or New World: Our friend guessed Old World and I was convinced it was New World.
From which region and what varietal? Our friend guessed French Bordeaux; I guessed Napa Cabernet Sauvignon or Cab blend.
What vintage? He guessed an older vintage and I thought it was younger than that.
Our impressions of this mystery wine were much more aligned – a fantastic nose – filled to the brim with dark fruit and lusciousness. The palate was quite rich with forest floor and cedar, finishing with some tannins – nicely structured.We all agreed that this was an amazing wine.
The Big Reveal: The mystery wine was the 2011 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon from the Carmel Valley AVA! We were stunned and amazed at how wonderful this wine is drinking! I often say we shouldn’t be tempted to drink Sal Rombi’s wines too early – they need to be held – and double decanted. And it was marvelous.
I’ve written up this wine twice before, but, when Sal Rombi gifted us another bottle, who could resist? Yes, I will always tell you when a wine has been gifted to me. As an all-volunteer blog that I fund myself, the occasional gifted bottle means a lot to me. Thank you, Sal.
Since 2006, hands-on winemaking that reflects a unique sense of place
“Wine is a gift from nature, and every bottle produced at Rombi Wines tells a story of the land, the geography, the climate, and the hands-on philosophy of one man. Salvatore Rombi takes winemaking personally, obsessing over every detail — from harvest to barrel aging — to produce a unique range of elegant yet bold and complex red wines from the Carmel Valley Appellation. Rombi’s small vineyard and intimate tasting room provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable wine journey. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a strict allegiance to sustainable farming practices, Rombi creates award-winning, limited-production vintages. As an ode to terroir — the rock and soil, but also the land and legacy, culture and commitment, time and tradition — the wines from Rombi are always bottled poetry.”
Sometime back, I asked Sal about the 2011 growing season. He indicated it was a good season – one in which “nothing weird” happened. This was also his 5th year of production, so he felt he was really hitting his stride. He also reminded me that one must always decant his wines!
I am posting 3 different impressions/experiences of this wine – the recent one first!
2011 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#100) (Home Library)
My Current 2024 Review: This wine was opened before the event and was decanted. We smelled cassis, stewed prunes, black pepper, Coca Cola and some tobacco on the delightful big nose of darkness. On the palate: forest floor and cedar mingle with the rich, dark fruit palate. Finishes with some tobacco – the tannins holding up to give this wine a nice structure. We single decanted this wine and tasted it blind. It pays to hold onto these wines! His carefully-tended, tiny vineyard produces fabulous fruit, followed by Sal’s expert winemaking. We all thought this mystery wine was beautiful. July 2024
My July 2020 Review: Beautiful deep ruby color. After it opened up, plum and cassis backed by complex tannins on the nose. Cherry and some tartness on the palate, with the acidity balanced out by lovely round, dark berry fruit flavors. It finishes dry, dotted with spearmint and tobacco notes. Next time, we will decant this wine as he recommends! This is an excellent Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – delicious fruit. July 2020
My Comments from My September 2022 Tasting: Tasting notes remained the same. However, we only single decanted and aerated this wine, but it would have benefited from being double decanted and double aerated. We really had to let this wine open up before we experienced the delicious, distinctive fruit we remembered from his 2015 vintage. Sal reminded me that one must always, always decant his wines. We should know better by now! After it fully opened up and also on day 2, this was still drinking deliciously. September 2022
“At Rombi Wines, our unique tasting room provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Salvatore Rombi is most often on hand to guide you through the winemaking process and your tasting experience. Step off the beaten path and discover Rombi, where every bottle tells a story.
“Rombi Wines Tasting Room is at 1 Center St., in the charming Carmel Valley Village. We are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m., although appointments can be made for weekday visits.”
I enjoy being a member of a winery that takes wine education to a new level. This summer, Parsonage offered its members 3 different events to expand their knowledge of wines: a cheese pairing, a blending class, and a vineyard walk. I did the vineyard walk last year, and was excited to participate in the cheese pairing in June and the blending class with winemaker Frank Melicia in July.
The cheese pairing was so enjoyable – sip delicious wines perfectly paired with scrumptious cheeses – what’s not to love! The blending class, well, that was work – and very fun. Let me start with that!
It was advertised as “Learn how to blend wines and have a great time while you’re at it! Winemaker & son-in-law, Frank Melicia, will walk you through the basics of blending and then you’ll experiment with your own blends.” What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon – pretending to be a winemaker! This was so much fun that I’d love to do it again!
I invited along my good friend Erin from tèr·ra·ve·nos. As a true “garagista”herself and having recently earned her WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine, she was the perfect partner to give our team some confidence in what we were doing.
THE WINE BLENDING EVENT – Taking Wine Education to a New Level
The Set-Up
We walked into the Parsonage barrel room/winery and found 4 named bottles of wine on each table. They were named John, Paul, Ringo, and George. Hm…not only were we blending wines, but this was going to be a blind blending – we would not even know the varietals we were blending! The intent was not to let our preconceived notions of the varietal to influence our blend. Cool!
We picked a table and were joined by Laurel and Adrien – it was nice to get to know them and they were eager to get to our task. With a little guidance from Frank and a form on our table suggesting we should attempt 10 different blends, we got to work.
Step 1: What Are We Working With?
First we tasted the wine in each of the bottles on our table and made general notes about it – we had no real consensus on what any of them were:
John: Tart and dry, cranberry notes and bright in character. Cranberry makes me think of Grenache, but maybe it was a Pinot?
Paul: Dark in color, this was a big wine with bacon and spices on the nose and palate. Oaky, structured tannins and high alcohol. My guess was that this was a Syrah.
Ringo: Light in color, transluscent, not as strong as Paul. Softer, yet still oaky. My guess was Grenache but there was no consensus. Some thought it was a Pinot Noir. Whatever it was, we didn’t really like it, especially tasting it after Paul.
George: This was a big red, dry with peppery notes and a touch stemmy. We thought this might be a Cabernet Sauvignon or maybe a Petit Verdot.
Step 2: Playing with Blending
The consensus at our table was that we preferred Paul and George and focused our blends primarily on those two wines. We played with adding different amounts of the lighter John and Ringo throughout our 10 tries. I won’t go through all of them, but just the first few.
Blend #1: The first blend we tried was 50/50 Paul and George. This made for a big wine, but the nose and the palate were dull.
Blend #2: We played it safe and lowered the blend to 45% Paul and 45% George to make room for 10% John. This wine was still a big wine, but brighter on the palate, more appealing. The tannins were more balanced and we all generally felt we would want to drink this wine.
Blends #3 & 4: We changed the ratio of Paul and George to 60/30 for Blend 3 and flipped that to 30/60 Paul and George in Blend 4, maintaining 10% John. #3 was more floral and tart, receiving an overall “eh” review. #4 was dusty, oaky and just dropped off – a resounding NO.
Blends 5-10: We kept playing with different, even moving John and Ringo to the prominent blends, which yielded interesting results:
Blend 7 was 30% John, 10% Paul, 50% Ringo, and 10% George, resulting in an approachable blend with a spicy nose, cinnamon notes, and bubblegum – a good blend.
Blend 9 was 7% John, 45% Paul, 3% Ringo and 45% George – which yielded a very balanced, mid-palate-focused blend.
Step 3: Decision and Submission Time
We revisited #2 Blend again to ensure we still liked it the best. We named our team TheRed Ringers and our wine, the 2022 Parsonality. We proudly submitted it – having fun with Frank Melicia. “We love it, yeah, yeah, yeah!”
THE RESULTS
The Winning Team!
Once all the wines were submitted. Frank did a quick taste of each one and declared the winner. Hard to believe it wasn’t us! My notes are a little confusing, but I believe the winning blend was 35% John, 53% Paul and 12% George. I think the second runner up was 5% John, 65% Paul, and 30% George. Ringo seemed universally dissed! Congrats to the winning teams!
Second Place!!
Finally, Frank revealed the wines:
John was a field blend of Bordeaux grapes. (We didn’t guess that at all.)
Paul was indeed a Syrah from Cedar Lane Vineyard. Of course it was. I got that one right.
Ringo was a Grenache – I had thought so, but not with strong confidence.
George was a Merlot! None of us guessed Merlot! Of course that is why we liked it.
THE CHEESE PAIRING AND THE WINES
I am presenting 4 Parsonage wines from the cheese pairing event. You can see the delicious cheese pairing in the tasting menu below. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting menu. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a practice, I don’t correct typos from winery websites.
I’ve presented Parsonage wines to you many times. Just type Parsonage in the search bar of any page on the Decanting Monterey website.
2021 Parsonage Rosé of Grenache, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $32 (#1417)
Winery Notes: “Another spectacular bouquet of candied violets, star anise, bubble gum, and your favorite perfume. Delicious mouthful of ripe strawberry, mulberry, red currant with a hint of orange zest in this off-dry marvel!”
My Review: I didn’t take any notes – it was a lovely wine which paired well with the cheese! We’ve enjoyed this wine a few times this summer.
2021 Parsonage The BDL, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $44 (#1418)
Winery Notes: “Our Bordeax-esque beauty made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
“For you who fell in love with the 2020 BDL (and you were legion), you won’t be disappointed in the ‘21. Its nose has the same come hither effect as the exotic sultry ‘20. A unique bouquet arises in the ‘21 from a mysterious floral-spice entanglement. The luscious dark currant-plum-mulberry melange of the ‘20 is invigorated by ripe black raspberry. The elegant mouthfeel is fuller and rounder extending the satisfyingly delicious finish!”
My Review: Pretty garnet in color. A nice nose of dark fruits. Very tasty palate of bright and dark fruits with a spearmint finish. We like this wine. Took some home and served it at a birthday celebration – it was a huge hit! I have to say that this is my favorite vintage of The BDL. June 2024
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: Cinnamon and brown sugar on the nose. Pretty tasty. Cinnamon and crushed blueberry on the palate. This wine is still young but shows great promise. June 2024
2013 Parsonage Estate Syrah (Library Wine), Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $122 (#1419)
Winery Notes: “Bright nose of brambleberries & smoked bacon. Lush mouth feel with dark fruit, plum, umami, grilled meats and an olallieberry burst on the finish.”
My Review: Deep garnet in color. Dark fruit on the nose – really yummy. The palate is leaner than the nose. Paired very well with dark chocolate sea salt truffles from Pieces of Heaven. Thank you for sharing this library wine! June 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
Parsonage is open for tastings every day – click herefor the details and to make a reservation. Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.
When we have out of town visitors, one of our favorite things to do is to take them wine tasting. With old friends in tow, we stumbled upon (figuratively, not literally!) Chesebro new releases, including its 2023 whites and a 2017 Piedras Blancas. One thing of note is its new, artistic labels and rebranding as Cedar Lane Vineyard!
THE WINES – Chesebro New Releases!
Today, I am presenting 7 Chesebro Wines. I last presented their wines to you in March here: Chesebro Sparkling Rosé: Worthy of a Trip to the Valley! 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.
2022 Chesebro Grenache Rosé, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $23 (#1410)
Winery Notes: “This rosé is 100% Grenache from the windy benches and sandy soils of the Arroyo Seco AVA. Its aromas of berries with a touch of black pepper combined with a medium body and crisp acidity make it complementary to a wide variety of foods.”
My Review: Pale in the glass. Tasty on the palate. June 2024
2023 Chesebro Grenache Rosé, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $23 (#1411)
Winery Notes: “For lovers of our Grenache rosé, you are in for a real treat. Provençal in style, beautiful light pink in color and bright profile. Aromas of fresh picked strawberry, grapefruit skin and raspberry essence. Perfect for a warm poolside or beach afternoon.”
My Review: Pretty pale pink in the glass. Balanced and crisp in the glass. Our favorite rose of the summer! I think we need some more! June 2024
2023 Chesebro Chardonnay, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $28 (#1412)
Winery Notes: “Cedar Lane Chardonnay is our tribute to the great wines of Burgundy but with a California flair. Full of minerality powered by aromas of white flowers, oystershell, flint and citrus. The flavors are precise, pure and persistent. Aged in 25% new oak for 18 months.”
My Review: We are among the first to taste it. Melon on the nose. A subtle palate, mildly tropical. Very balanced. As I recall, we may have tasted this wine at room temperature. June 2024
2023 Chesebro Albariño, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.9% ABV, $28 (#1413)
Winery Notes: “Our take on a traditional Spanish white variety. Aromas of Apricot blossom and kumquat. Lots of stone fruit and citrus loaded with minerality and verve. Vibrant and refreshing on the palate. The perfect Summer white!”
91 Points Wine Enthusiast: “Crisp and vibrant aromas of lime blossom, tart apple and a hint of tropical fruit dance across the nose of this bottling. There’s an acidic and textural edge to the palate, where apple, pear and citrus zest flavors align.”
My Review: Pale in glass. Bubble gum and orange blossom on the nose. Tasty, light palate with a slight citrus finish. June 2024
2023 Chesebro Vermentino, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.1% ABV, $28 (#1414)
Winery Notes: “A unique Italian (and French) white variety typically found in Corsica, Sardina and Liguira. Smooth and light on the palate with mouthwatering acidity. It is aromatically complex with citrus, herbal and often floral notes. Versatile and fresh it can be a great pairing with many lighter dishes such as poultry, fish, vegetables and fresh cheeses.”
My Review: Lean and lightly tart with a lingering finish. This is one of the very few, maybe the only Monterey Vermentino?? June 2024
2017 Chesebro Piedras Blancas, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1415)
Winery Notes: “Don’t be afraid to put this Rhone syled white from our estate vineyard in Carmel Valley deep in your cellar. A blend of mainly Roussanne, it is modeled after the most famous white wines in Chateauneuf du Pape, France. Rich and viscous with aromas of stone fruit and flavors of baked apples and oak. A full bodied and very srious white for the true connoiseur in mind. Pair this heady white whith cream sauces, roasted fowl and sweetbreads.”
My Review: Very subtle sweet honeysuckle on the nose. Mild palate. June 2024
2018 Chesebro Cabernet Sauvignon, Chaparral Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#1416)
Winery Notes: “Many people don’t know that Chesebro Winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon because generally it is not released to the public. This is a real treat for you fans of our heavy reds. From the highest elevation (2400ft) vineyard in Carmel Valley. Chapparal Vineyard is dry farmed and gives a very small yield of less than 2 tons per acre, which means the wine is bursting with flavor, color and aromatics. Aged for 22 months in French Oak. Upon first glance this Cabernet shows a deep dark mahogany core. Soaring aromatics (both savory and fruity) emerge from the glass with dark currants on the nose complimented by fresh tobacco, cedar, sage, cassis and of course chapparal. Wondeful balance, chalky minerality and fine grained tannins. Fruit forward and charming yet densely structured – This has it all but there are only 50 cases made so get it while you can.”
My Review: The spicy nose is followed by a tasty palate of dark cherry and berries. It is drinking well now. Can cellar a couple of years. Another vintage (2019) is coming! We took some home. June 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
“Come Raise a Glass with Us! We are located at 19D East Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.
“We have several outside tables that are open for drop in tastings along with inside seating. Due to limited capacity we encourage our clients to make appointments.
“Chesebro Wines and Art features the work of seven local artists. Their mediums include oil paintings, monotype prints, photography, pastel illustrations, ceramics and jewelry. Click here to see more about our artists.”
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.
We really enjoy our big red wines from Parsonage. During February, we tried 3 of them: the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, the newly-released 2018 Tanner Reserve, and a recent library acquisition: the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – before it was named Tanner! Who says Monterey doesn’t make great cabs?
We recently dined with friends at Maligne restaurant in Seaside, CA. We decided to bring a special wine for corkage there and thought the 2005 Parsonage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon would be the perfect one – it did not disappoint!
I’ve presented Parsonage wines to you many times. Just type Parsonage in the search bar of any page on the Decanting Monterey website. And while you’re there, sign up to get my blog delivered to your email every Thursday!
THE WINES – Who Says Monterey Doesn’t Make Great Cabs?
Today, I am presenting five Parsonage wines. Winery notes come from their website, tasting sheets, or release notes, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. I previously presented the 2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon way back in 2020 and this is the first time I have presented the rest.
Winery Notes (upon release): “This Cabernet Sauvignon field blend is joined with a mix of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It’s a full-throttle bombastic beauty, typical of younger vines. The nose is all about very dark fruit marked by brambleberry compote. Plum and cassis join with the brambleberry on a muscular palate that finishes with some major league tannins.”
My Review: Luscious and beautiful intense, dark garnet in the glass. Tobacco, intense dark fruit on the nose. A palate of black fruits with a chalky and bitter tannic finish. It’s a big wine. Needs to open up. February 2024
Winery Notes: “Round and opulent with fully ripened tannins leading to a smooth finish.”
My Review: Garnet in the glass. (Or as Bill Parsons said, “One of the deepest mauves I’ve ever seen.”) A lot of fresh fruit and caramel on the nose. Good balance of tasty fruit and structure. This wine has a long way to go. As my partner said, “The tannins are very assertive.” Hold this wine. February 2024
2005 Parsonage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $135 (#1269)
grapelive.com Review: “Every vintage just gets better here, and 2005 looks set to take the throne as the Parsonage king wine. Nothing in this area even comes close to this wine, it is a freak of nature and I can only compare it to Napa and Pauillac in its style and richness, then again it just might even be better! Bill Parsons finds it hard to take in, but he is a man living the dream, as his wines rank as world class or even world-beaters! The 05 Reserve Cab is utterly fantastic with blackberry jam, cassis, currants and plum fruit bursting at the seams, it is almost more impressive for the depth and balance that is has! Everything is in its place and the wine is so focused and defined it can’t help but be a classic.” 98 Points, grapelive
My Review: Very dark in the glass. Dirt, oak and black fruit notes on the nose. Delicious and well-structured palate, finishing with blackberry, plum and dark cherry flavors. Can respect the age of this very well made and elegant wine. It is aging nicely and can still be enjoyed for years to come. If you’ve got one, why not enjoy it now? February 2024
2020 Parsonage The Aussie Red Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $44 (#1270)
Winery Notes: “Our popular, magical blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. We like to pair it with rack of lamb or duck. This is a big red wine. 50% Cab and 50% Syrah.
“The 2020 Aussie posits a massive bouquet in a spectrum of rich black fruit, fennel, and mineral notes. The robust palate exhibits blackberry, currant and an explosion of savory, earthy, grilled meat on its full throttle finish.”
My Review: Cherry notes, followed by a big palate of dark fruit. My style of wine. The first 2 times I tried it, I detected a hint of smoke on the finish. However, I did not notice that at all on my last tasting. March 2024
Winery Notes: “A fragrant nose of rose petal, bing cherry, cola, and Darjeeling tea. Theses flavor essences are joined on the medium-density palate by strawberry and red raspberry on the elegantly tart finish. Pairs excellently with Gruyere and crackers.”
My Review: We tasted this wine and considered it representative of the region. It’s a good Pinot. I’m not a Pinot Noir fan and I didn’t take specific notes. My apologies. February 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
Parsonage is open for tastings every day – click herefor the details and to make a reservation. Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at 19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.
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