Tagged: Carmel Valley AVA

Battle of the Carmel Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons!

As we were driving out to Carmel Valley to select wines for the Carmel Rotary event in February, we hatched this idea: Wouldn’t it be fun to host a blind tasting of Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignons?  We ran the idea by one of our tasting room favorites, Summer Emmons, at Parsonage. She thought that sounded wonderful and started rattling off wineries which should be included – they were the same ones we had discussed in the car!

When we got home, Mr. H searched our collection to see if he could find wines from a single vintage. The oldest vintage we could find for all those wineries was 2015. And we did call around to try to add some other Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignons to the mix – but couldn’t get our hands on them.

This was a particularly good, albeit low yield vintage for Carmel Valley wines. As Sal Rombi of Rombi Wines explained to me long ago: Everything was going great, until flowering, when there was a lot of wind and rain. This resulted in about 55% fruit yield for the season.  Because there were fewer berries creating less weight on the vines, the fruit was much more intense, resulting in this delicious vintage. 

The hard part of arranging this event was finding a date that would work for everyone we wanted in the room. In the end, we pushed it out to March – and even then, lost a couple of participants. But it was the right group for the experience. In the room was the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod, Summer Emmons of Parsonage, and Erin O’Reilly of tèr·ra·ve·nos.

There was much anticipation and preparation for this event. The hardest part was the wine glasses:  first, finding 7 sets of glasses in which all 4 glasses were the same, and then getting all the spots off the glasses.  The amount of glassware reminded me of the time we tested Parsonage’s COVID wine tasting procedures – it was a lot of glassware, prompting them to change their plan.

The wines were all decanted at the same time. Not all our decanters were the same shape, but it was the closest we could come. And the wines were carefully pre-poured by Mr. H, a 2-ounce our of each of the 4 wines for each participant. Only he knew which wine was which and the order was mostly random. And only he and I knew exactly which wines were included in the mix, including the fact that one was a red blend. We also carefully planned the food pairings, with salami, cheeses, and a bit of dark chocolate to match the Cabernet Sauvignons.

Then the fun began. We used the tèr·ra·ve·nos tasting sheet to rate the wines. In general, we looked at and smelled each wine before we tasted them. We analyzed the flavors of each wine one-by-one. Since we didn’t know which was which, we could be bluntly honest about each one. With such a range of palates, we heard many descriptors…memorable ones…and we agreed that one of the wines – what we learned later was the red blend – tasted vastly different from the others. We did do an informal ordering of our preferences, with Wine #4 slightly edging out these other fine wines. This was a super fun format and we will do this again. Why not try this with your friends?

We started our evening with antipasto and 2 local whites:  2020 I Brand & Family Old Vines White and 2019 Corral Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc. Here are winery notes on these two wines and links to my prior postings about these wines:

2020 I Brand & Family Old Vines White (#742): “Old Vine White field blend is a blend of 3 unusual varietals. Orange Muscat, Mission and Palamino.” This was a very light white with interesting flavors, which evoked a conversation amongst us about the varietals we don’t know.

2019 Corral Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc (#604): “The Musque clone of Sauvignon Blanc showcases bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit. Guava and grapefruit compliment hints of freshly cut hay and wet stone. Finishes with a racing acidity.” This is one of our collective favorite local Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Today I am presenting the 4 Carmel Valley wines in the order we tasted. 3 have been presented here before, and 1 is new (you can tell by their numbers). As usual, the winery notes come from their tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the owner. My tasting notes this time are an amalgamation of what I heard during the tasting. Are you ready for the big reveal?

2015 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#57)

Our Review: Deep garnet in color. Spice, tobacco, black licorice and leather on the nose. Cinnamon, dark fruit, black cherry, black licorice, tobacco and a touch of smoke and leather on the tongue-coating, smooth palate with a woody, dry finish. Chewy tannins. March 2023

Previously reviewed on Decanting Monterey here.

2015 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#889) 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petit Verdot, 23% Merlot, 15% Petite Sirah

Winery Tasting Notes: “This 2015 vintage of our highly regarded Signature Marinus exhibits a beautiful, deep robe. The aromas are redolent with dark red fruits and dried spices. On the palate we find bright ripe-red fruit flavors and notes of cedar on a long, rich finish, promising a long life to come! A wonderful example from our estate vineyard!

Our Review: Lighter garnet than the previous wine, perhaps a touch cloudy. Aromas of intense dark raspberry (that delicious aroma of Cachagua fruit!) and prune; a spice like sandalwood, eucalyptus, or cigar box; and white pepper. Fruitier, packed with dark fruit and chocolate notes with a long finish. Smooth and tasty, less tannic than the previous wine.   March 2023

Previously reviewed on Decanting Monterey here.

2015 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $80 (#239*)

Wine Enthusiast rated the 2015 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 90 points.  “Roasted red-cherry aromas meet with charcoal, smoke, oregano and marjoram on the rustic nose. Stiffer tannins uphold both bright and dark-red fruit flavors on the palate.” Matt Kettmann, August 2020

Our Review: Dark garnet with hints of brown in the glass. A pretty nose of brambleberry, cassis, slightly floral, bakery yeast and “a fat crème de violet.”  Fruity flavors of blueberry, intense cassis, and sour cherry, checked by earth and green notes. Slightly acidic and alcoholic attributes. March 2023

Previously reviewed on Decanting Monterey here.

2015 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $90 (#953)

Winery Tasting Notes: “A beast of a cab, truly a bada$$. Think Jack Reacher from the books, not Tom Cruise in the movies. This brute has a deep, dark core of sophistication that reveals its identity with time. Black currants, huckleberry, and horehound licorice with great density on the palate and fully ripened tannins. My recommendation is to lay it down for a few years while it evolves into a peaceful warrior.”

Our Review: Garnet in color. Dark berries on the nose with floral and herbal hints combined with notes of smoke, wood and plastic. The palate says “Cabernet Sauvignon,” with beautiful, chalky, and smooth flavors of dark fruit, coffee, and smoke. The finish goes on forever. Perhaps our favorite amongst favorites. March 2023

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please give me feedback by leaving a comment!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Presenting Monterey Wines to the Carmel Rotary!

Several weeks ago, I got a text from the Vice Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society, Phil Arnold.  He also happened to be one of the presidents of the Carmel by the Sea Rotary Club. It went something like this: “Would you have any desire to do a presentation to our club on Monterey County wines?” It was short notice, but I have a presentation at the ready and, after some back and forth, Phil and I scoped it to 2 wines. I was given a generous budget to work with, making it easy to find wines within the price point. My husband and I took a quick trip to Carmel Valley Village for a very targeted tasting – on a mission. We selected two wines I have not presented before, making it a bit exciting under the time crunch.

Every winery visit, wine tasting and wine class has a story.  And, boy, is this a doozie.  

I had not previously done a Monterey County wine class for a local group – just East Coast wine education non-profit organizations.  I was concerned that I would be preaching to the choir, that audience members might question some facts and figures. I spent a lot of time on the historical timeline slide.  With lots of data provided by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, I tried to pick the most noteworthy points. I would wake up in the middle of the night with a blinding insight on the relevance of some of the information and keep changing this slide.

I wanted to be ready for this presentation.  To be sure I didn’t forget anything, I put a Post-it note on the inside of my front door:  laptop, charger, mouse, tasting room brochures.  As I left the house that morning, it was check, check, check, check, check. I was ready! I arrived at the Carmel Mission Inn and confidently strode across the parking lot – when I realized I had forgotten perhaps the most important thing – the wines! 😊  Luckily, my partner in crime was home and I gave him an excuse to get his car out of the garage and on the road.  We all had a good laugh about it.

In my presentation, I highlighted the rich local winemaking history, dating back to the Spanish missionaries who first plant grapes at the San Antonio Mission in 1770.  In the 1960s, commercial production really took off.  One of the most interesting data points I have is that in 1995, there were only 5 tasting rooms open in Monterey County. That seems hard to believe. Today’s number is about 65!  We’ve been wine tasting here for a long time, but even we can’t piece together exactly which 5 wineries they were. If you know, please share in a comment below! 

When I present a class on Monterey County wines, I also like to talk about the affordability of going wine tasting here.  Tasting fees tend to average about $20-$25 for a flight of 5 wines.  And it is very easy to get to most of our wineries. 

From the Corral Wine Co website: “Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards. In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast. We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.” This is the first time I have presented a Corral wine in a wine education class!  Finally!!

About Parsonage: Bill and Mary Parsons planted the seven-acre Parsonage Village Vineyard in June 1998, with their first harvest in 2000. The vineyard is planted to 3 ½ acres of Syrah, 2 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 acre of Merlot and 1/2 acre of Petit Verdot. Starting at a meager 200 cases back in 2000, annual production today is in the 1500-2000 case range. The Parsons were the first to plant Syrah in Carmel Valley and their wines are the reason I am now a big Syrah fan.  Their wines are mostly big and bold reds. 

Today I am presenting just the 2 wines.  As usual, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the winery website, or tasting room staff. Any errors are mine or mine alone.

2020 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.4% ABV, $28 (#943)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of guava and grapefruit dominate with fresh cut hay, lemon blossom and wet stone.  Racing acidity with a pleasant minerality.”

My Review: Golden and viscous in the glass. Grilled pineapple, citrus blossom and guava on the fragrant nose. Rich palate of tropical flavors, a touch of sweetness, with minerality on the finish – very nice. February 2023

Parsonage 2019 Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $48 (#944)

Winery Notes: “Our specialty varietal, full of dark fruit & white pepper with a robust palate…2-week fermentation, 30 months (longer than usual due to supply chain issues) in 9 medium plus toast French oak barrels, 2 new. 2 barrels of the final blend were from “Carmelstone” and the rest, lower Syrah plantings, including 1 barrel with lots of Rocco (reserve) fruit. Pretty exquisite.”

Parsonage Estate Syrah Vines

My Review: Inky red, almost purple in color. Spice on the nose with white pepper and Concord grape notes. Super rich palate of dark fruit, delicious, jammy fruit, with some eucalyptus on the finish. February 2023

You can taste and purchase these wines at their respective tasting rooms located next to each other at  19 East Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley Village.  For the latest on hours and reservations, please check their websites:

Corral Wine Co Tasting Room

Parsonage Tasting Room

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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I Brand Fall 2022 Release Party: A Simplified Setup!

Ian Brand’s release/wine pickup parties are always great events.  This time, the setup was a bit different – in a way that I liked! The food and music were moved outdoors, accompanied by a moon bounce and a very entertaining unicorn bucking bronco.  That allowed for better flow in the winery and more serious sampling of his new releases.  While we missed the catered food, the food trucks were a sensible and appealing alternative.

I have learned to pace myself at these events. By that, I don’t mean wine consumption (I am usually designated driver anyway), but note taking and reflection on the wines.  There is plenty of time to examine these wines. I was assisted by part of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod.

I’ve been writing wine reviews since the beginning of the pandemic. At first, it was every wine we opened. Eventually, it became just Central Coast wines. With this post, I have crossed the 900 wine reviews mark! Who would have thought this pandemic hobby to entertain family and friends would actually become something enduring!?!

I have 11 wines to present to you today from 2 labels: I Brand & Family, and Le P’tit Paysan (now Paysan) – most tasted at the release party. We’ll start with a couple of 2017s from our wine room. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or website: https://www.ibrandwinery.com/. Any errors are mine and mine alone. 

2017 I Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 12% ABV, $30 (#894)

Winemaker’s Notes from the Tech Sheet: “Location: Tres Pinot Creek, (along San Andreas Fault Line), at only 800 foot elevation. 5% south facing sloped bench, rocky alluvial deposits representing melange of geologic formations around fault zone. The area receives some amount of marine layer, off the Monterey Bay, via the Pajaro River gap. Days are mostly warm with peak temperatures in the 90s, with cold nights descending into the low 50s during the Summer and lower in the Fall.

“Winemaking: 100% Cabernet Franc. A great locale for Cabernet Franc to exhibit Loire-like structure overlaid with the bright fruit befitting California sunshine. Picked at moderate sugars and vinified whole berry (10% whole cluster) with spontaneous yeasts and a 18 day maceration, aged 11 months in 6 neutral barrels and puncheons.

“Tasting Notes: Light to medium bodied, reflecting old world, Loire Valley inspired Chinon or Saumum-Champigny characteristics through the lens of California sunshine and diurnal shifts. On the nose, bright red berries, cranberries, mild spice and herbal qualities. On the palate, red fruits, moderate acidity and tannins, allow the savory herbs and umami flavor characteristics to shine thru, upon the very long, finish. It’s 11.7% finished alcohol, but we rounded up on the label because we were a little ashamed it was so low. Don’t tell anybody.”

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “There’s a regal sense of restraint in this bottling, starting with a light color and aromas of strawberry, white pepper, marjoram and baked soil. Crisp cranberry and raspberry flavors are layered with wild chaparral and desert herbs, a style that will work well with a wide variety of foods, from tacos to tenderloin.” Matt Kettmann, 9/2020

Wilfred Wong of Wine.com – 92 points: “COMPOSITION: Cabernet Franc has been gaining traction over the past decade, and many of California’s smaller producers have uncovered a treasure trove some hidden vineyards. The 2017 I. Brand Cabernet Franc, from the Bayly Ranch, is a wine of excellent merit. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits clarity of varietal character. Its aromas and flavors of dust, dried herbs and earth should pair it beautifully with a grilled ribeye.” (Tasted: March 19, 2019, San Francisco, CA)

My Review: This Cabernet Franc is lean in Loire style. A bit too lean for me. I would prefer it in a richer, bigger Bordeaux style. August 2022

2017 Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, $25 (#895) 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot

Winemaker’s Notes: “Le P’tit Paysan offers intense blackberry, dark cherry aromas, chocolate, herbaceous and toasty notes on the palate. Medium-bodied, well-balanced with moderate and integrated tannins that give structure and liveliness to the wine.

“Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from two vineyards, a 44 year old vineyard planted in the calcareous alluvial deposits of the San Benito River and a 25 year old vineyard east of Gilroy, which grows in deep, extremely sandy soils against the foothills of the Diablo Range. The Petite Verdot from the Paicines AVA and grows in rocky alluvial deposits above the Tres Pinos arroyo. All three vineyards experience the warm days and cold nights typical of the Central Coast, allowing these late ripening Bordeaux varieties to be picked at high acidity and moderate sugars. Fermented whole berry in several lots with endemic yeasts, pressed after approximately 20 days. Aged for 11 months (3% new) French barrels. A beautiful example of ‘old school’ California Cabernet made with minimal intervention from mature vineyards.

“Pairs well with steak, duck, game, hearty stews, ribs, and dark, rich sauces.”

My Review:  Pretty ruby in the glass. Dish soap and berries on the nose.  Very pleasant palate of red and black fruits with floral notes. Hate to say, this is almost Pinot Noir-like with fruits that are more cherry and red.  September 2022

2021 I Brand & Family Graff Family Vineyard Melon de Bourgogne, Chalone AVA, 12.5% ABV, $30 (#896)              

Winemaker’s Notes: “N/A”

My Review: Hay in the glass. Citrus notes on the nose. A little buttery caramel on the palate. Overheard:  Super bright.  Done in steel with a little time in oak. November 2022

2021 I Brand & Family Fox Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, 13% ABV, $36 (#897)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Bright, intense Chardonnay from a private property in Carmel Valley.  Barrel fermented and aged 16 months in cooperage.

“Tasting Notes:  Amazingly balanced!  Toasted walnut and brioche French toast lead the way to a wine with a bright acidity and creamy layers of fruit including baked apples and grilled pineapple.  Baking spices and clove finish with a lingering, balanced acidity.”

My Review: Light golden color. Toast on the nose. Delicious tropical flavors on the palate with buttery notes. Finishes with a lemon twist. November 2022

2021 Paysan Jack’s Hill Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $22 (#898) 

Winemaker’s Notes: “Blended from a collection of five small vineyards at the base of “Jack’s Hill”, in Chualar, CA. The cool climate and distinct iron oxide granite soil provide the foundation for this clean, crisp Chablis inspired Chardonnay. The balance of acidity and minerality shine brightly with each sip. 

“Tasting Notes:  Lemon curd on brioche toast with key lime zest lead the nose and the front palate migrating into flinty undertones of wet gunpowder and a pleasant return to chamomile. Finishes with bright but balanced acidy reminiscent of tart quinine.”

My Review:  Always a favorite, this wine is light golden in the glass.  Strong flavors of pineapple and citrus on the palate. Refreshing. November 2022

2020 Paysan P’tit Pape, Central Coast, 12.8% ABV, $25, (#899)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Our classic Grenache based blend. Old world balance with a California patina. A favorite.

“Tasting Notes:  The nose begins with wet river rock and California chaparral combined with cherries and plum skin leading the way toward a meaty, teriyaki, black olive reminiscence.   Composed on the palate, notes of white pepper and dried herbs – bay laurel and thyme provide a complex compliment to the fruit on the nose.  A distinctly umami soy/hoisin silkiness finishes with an understated balance and subtle minerality.”

My Review: Dark ruby color. Cherry and tobacco on the nose. Smooth palate of red and black fruits – very balanced and tasty.  As I understand it, Ian cleverly sourced these grapes from the Santa Clara AVA and Chalone AVA to skirt any smoke taint issues from the 2020 fires in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. November 2022

2020 I Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 11.9% ABV, $30 (#900) 

Winemaker’s Notes: “100% Cabernet Franc.  A great locale for Cabernet Franc to exhibit Loire-like structure overlaid with the bright fruit befitting California sunshine. Picked at moderate sugars and vinified whole berry (10% whole cluster) with spontaneous yeasts and a 20 day maceration in open top fermenters. Aged 11 months on lees in neutral barrels and puncheons. Naturally bright and low alcohol.  

“Tasting Notes:  Dusty Earthy notes abound right up front with notes of saddle leather, and interesting green undertones of poblano pepper and tomato leaf.  The translation to the palate is immediately savory with bay laurel and a distinct salinity finishing with dusty tannins reminiscent of Chinon.  This vintage is much more initially integrated than previous iterations.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Rose petal on the nose. Lean palate of dark fruit – yet a lighter style of Cabernet Franc.  November 2022

2020 I Brand & Family Bates Ranch Cabernet Franc, Santa Cruz Mountains, 12.2% ABV, $48 (#901)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Bates Ranch Vineyard is a secret gem of the trinity of Bordeaux varietal sites nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Cabernet Franc fruit is from a small block planted atop rich red Franciscan volcanic influenced rocks in 1978. A classic example of Cabernet Franc. This full-bodied wine is bursting with lush, dark red berries and subtle lavender and hints dried herbs on the nose. Playing with balance, acidity pops off structured tannins finishing with that traditional peppery edge.

“Tasting Notes:   The bouquet is rich with aromas of dried red fruits and cocoa nibs.  Hints of espresso and chocolate-covered cherry lead the way on the palate, rounding to strawberry. Coastal fir lingers with pronounced tannins that create a wonderful tension with the wine’s mellow acidity.”

My Review: Deep ruby in color. Very nice palate of dark fruit. In a surprise move, I decided to take one home! November 2022

2019 I Brand & Family Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache, Chalone AVA, 13.2% ABV, $42 (#902)

Winemaker’s Notes: “A blend of three distinct Chalone vineyards, with lots of whole cluster and meaty, minerals and depth.”

My Review: Dark ruby color. A Grenache nose with cherry notes.  Good structure.  A little chewy and good – showing very well. I liked this wine. November 2022

2019 I Brand & Family Syrah, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, 13.6% ABV, $42 (#903)

My home wine rack has some design flaws, resulting in this label damage.

Winemaker’s Notes: “From a 3 acre 1989 planting on the historic Graff Family Vineyard in Chalone AVA. Bacon Fat, mud, granite full, meaty, smooth and indulgent.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. Aromas of yeast, a little barnyard, cherry, cranberry, blackberry. Tasty palate of blackberry, black cherry, cranberry with some tobacco and licorice on the finish. December 2022

2020 I Brand & Family Bates Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.8% ABV, $48 (#904)              

Winemaker’s Notes: “Bates Ranch Vineyard is a secret gem of the trinity of Bordeaux varietal sites nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is from a small block planted atop rich red Franciscan volcanic influenced rocks in 1978. A classic example of Cabernet Sauvingon. 

“Tasting Notes:  The bouquet is rich with dusty, overripe plum, cedar, graphite and hints of pine pitch resin.  This translates to the palate and reveals the iron in the volcanic soil, which becomes present on the back.  Super juicy acidity lingers and melds with mellow tannins creating a velvety finish.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Rich dark berry and cassis nose – yummy – following through on the palate, with a touch of acidity on this finish. While not like a Napa Cab, this was quite tasty. Grown at 2100′ elevation! November 2022

The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 5 pm.  Reservations are recommended – more information here.

Parsonage Library Wine: The Last of the Carmelstone!

We learned the hard way that, when your winery allocation includes a library wine, then you really should drink it.  With that in mind, we have been combing our stock for must-drink wines and found a bunch of Parsonage that needed to be opened.  My last post about Parsonage wines was in August here:  https://decantingmonterey.com/parsonage-showcases-its-powerful-wines-to-the-monterey-aws/.  Since then, we have been to their tasting room in Carmel Valley Village to taste new releases and also sampled quite a few library wines from our own collection.

Years ago, Parsonage bottles a Syrah from the Carmelstone section of their vineyard.  I believe they told me that they no longer get enough fruit from the Carmelstone lot to bottle it separately. It was some of the finest Syrah I had ever tasted.  We found 2 bottles of the 2014 vintage in our private collection – they were enjoyed greatly and are sadly gone. That might be the end of Carmelstone for us. I do notice on their website that they have a couple of vintages of this wine in 5 liter bottles – a bit out of my size and price range, but it is tempting…

Today, I am presenting 9 Parsonage wines – a few new releases and a lot of Library wines. Only two are a repeat – the 2019 Parsonage Cyrano  and the 2016 Rocco Reserve Syrah.  I walked into the tasting room in September and found Bill Parsons and the staff engaged in an interesting exercise: how does aeration affect the Cyrano.  I got to play! So I am sharing that with you.  And the smoke-tainted Rocco is still an intriguing bottling – one I recognized immediately when playing mystery wine – worthy of an update.

I’ve presented Parsonage to you in several prior posts and won’t repeat about them here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here:  https://www.parsonagewine.com/. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or website, or from the winery direct to me, as usual. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2019 Parsonage Cyrano Red Blend, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $28 (#796) 70% Merlot, 30% Syrah   

Winery Notes: “Our versatile red table wine easily pairs with a variety of different foods. We think it goes especially well with pizza and spaghetti with red sauce. This vintage is full bodied. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah. Rich, ripe and voluptous. The Cyrano is one of our best sellers.”

My Review: Stumbled into a side by side tasting of aerated and un-aerated Cyrano.  Un: Plum and spice on the finish. Aerated: Slightly more ruby color (call me crazy), much richer palate and smoother finish, less spice. Aeration amplified the flavors! September 2022

2019 Parsonage BDL, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $44 (#877)          

Winery Notes: “The BDL (originally named the Bordelais) is our Bordeaux-style blend with a rapturous bouquet of wildflowers, exotic spice, and a broad spectrum of ripe red, blue and dark berries. A lot of complexity and beauty here. The round, vibrant palate shows off the rich berry fruit of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot blend. The fruit and the spice join together at the finish to force me to cry out, DELICIOUS!!!.”

My Review: Pretty ruby in color.  Coca cola on the nose. This is a very tasty vintage of the BDL, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. October 2022

2019 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $48 (#878) 

Winery Notes: “The nose is marked dramatically by the scent of violets and spice wrapped in black cherry compote. The palate flavors are blackberry, black cherry, black currant, and dark plum with just a hint of cassis. This medium-plus-body beauty is harmoniously balanced with ripe and supple tannins showing off on the delightfully lengthy finish.”

My Review: This wine was a very pleasant surprise. It comes from Russell Joyce’s vineyard in Paicines.  Very smooth, juicy and tasty. We took a couple of bottles home!  October 2022

2012 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $125 (#879)

Winery Notes: “Our biggest cab has a broad nose of huckleberry, horehound licorice, black cherry, cassis and a hint of pepper.  The palate is fully structured (but not stridently so like a big tannicky Napa cab) with fully ripened tannins that lead to a smooth, rounded finish.”

My Review:   Rich dark ruby in the glass. Blackberry, dark cherry and chocolate on the nose. Smooth dark berries and cedar on the palate. Super delicious. Excellent! August 2022

2012 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $125 (#880)

My Review: Inky in the glass. Bouquet of rich, dark jammy fruit, sharp licorice, alternating with sulfur. The fruit and sulfur continue to alternate onto the heavy palate with a tart cherry and tobacco finish.  We had a long discussion about this wine and think we should have decanted it and opened it way earlier! August 2022

2008 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $125 (#881)

My Review: Dark in the glass.  Beautiful nose of dark fruit – like cassis. Palate has notes of plum, prune, and cassis with a hint of sulphur. November 2022

2016 Parsonage Rocco Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $80 (#89)

Winery Notes: “This is our flagship wine and what we’re known for. It’s what our dinner guests ask for when they come to visit.  The Rocco is a big red wine to pair with steak or anything grilled or barbecued. We get brambleberry, grilled game, mocha, umami and spice. This wine is delicious now but could be aged for years and years.” 150 cases were produced. All neutral oak was used to mitigate smokiness – brilliant.

My Review: Inky. Big nose of dark fruit, alcohol, sweet tobacco and licorice (a bit of barnyard). Tons of rich, jammy, dark fruit cloaked in smoke on the finish. I recognized it right away as a Rocco. Still delicious despite the smoke taint. Probably one of the best 2016 Monterey smoke-tainted wines out there. September 2022

2014 Parsonage Carmelstone Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $125 (#882)

My Review: Cinnamon and berry on the nose. Juicy, smooth, rich palate of intense berries and cinnamon spice. I am so sad we opened both bottles and it is gone. November 2022

2015 Parsonage Xandro Reserve, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (#883) Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon blend

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  Dark berries on the nose. Very delicious warm fruit. Scrumptious! May 2022

Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – click here for the details.  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. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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A Plentiful Supply of Central Coast Wines Right at Home

I was thumbing through past issues of Wine Spectator on their way to the recycle bin, hunting for articles and reviews of Central Coast wines. One wine kept jumping out at me – Carol Shelton’s Coquille Blanc from Paso Robles.  I remembered I had the 2020 vintage to write up and thought it might be a perfect time also to share the wine we had at Thanksgiving, the 2016 Calera deVilliers Vineyard Pinot Noir from Mount Harlan in San Benito County. In addition, I’ve had the 2017 Odonata Spiketail (Santa Lucia Highlands) and the 2018 Silvestri Estate Barbera (Carmel Valley) on my list.  The great thing is that all of these wines came from our own wine room. Which is why it is always nice to have a plentiful supply of our very own Central Coast wines right at home!

Today I am presenting 4 Central Coast wines.  Winery notes come from their website or the tasting room, unless otherwise noted. I encourage you to feel free to comment, share what wine you had for Thanksgiving dinner,  or simply “like” this post – engagement is always welcomed!

2020 Carol Shelton Coquille Blanc, Paso Robles, 13.2% ABV, (#873) $27  34% Grenache Blanc 32% Roussanne 22% Viognier 12% Marsanne

I joined Carol Shelton’s wine club during the pandemic and we have been pleasantly surprised!  We met her ages ago at a Zinfandel Advocates and Producers event in Washington, DC. Over the years, our neighbors would share her wines with me. I really don’t know why it took us so long to become part of Carol’s Bunch!

About This Wine: “We originally created the 2008 version of this wine to celebrate our 10th anniversary as a winery in 2010. With the exotic complexity and food friendliness of a white Rhône-style blend, it is a “red-drinker’s white,” a complex alternative to the more one-dimensional white varietal wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. It is the perfect complement to its namesake shellfish, as well as chicken or pork dishes with buttery-creamy sauces. *Coquille is pronounced “ko-keel” and it is French for shellfish or scallop, like the scallop shells on the Shelton family coat of arms.” 931 cases produced – sold out!

Winery Notes:  “Enticing nose of spicy pears and white peaches, almond paste/marzipan, a touch of honeysuckle perfume. Multi-dimensional (many layers), a hard-to-describe range of aromatics, intriguing, almost mysterious! In the mouth it is crisply dry yet creamy and round and full-bodied, with nice almond paste on crisp-yet-juicy pear fruit…100% barrel fermented, then stirred weekly for 5mos About 10% finished malolactic fermentation…”

My Review:  Classic white Rhône nose, nectarine. Bright acidity balanced by a touch of sweetness. Nice tropical flavors of pineapple and pear on the palate, with a lime twist on the finish. Exceptional for a warm, summer day. September 2022

2016 Calera deVilliers Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mount Harlan AVA, San Benito County, 13.95% ABV, $79 (#874)

I picked up this wine in 2019 when I took my girlfriends to explore Hollister wines.  We took a picnic lunch and sat outside at one of their picnic benches with our flights of wines in the 90+ degree heat. It was a very special time – we were welcomed so warmly and treated so well by the winery staff.  While I am not a big Pinot Noir fan, this one blew me away.

About This Wine: “Calera’s Mt. Harlan Vineyards are located in the Gavilan Mountains 25 miles east of the Monterey Bay. The site was chosen for its limestone soils and ideal climate. At an average elevation of 2,200 feet it is among the highest and coolest vineyard sites in California.” You can read more about Mt. Harlan AVA here: https://www.calwineries.com/explore/regions/san-benito-county/mount-harlan.

Winemaker’s Notes: “Once again, de Villiers has produced one of Calera’s most voluptuous and dark-fruited expressions of Pinot Noir, with alluring aromas of blackberry, cassis and cedary cigar box. On the palate, lush dark berry and black currant flavors are supported by a firm tannic backbone that frames the fruit and carries the wine to a long, energetic finish.” Wine Advocate: 95 points.

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Hard cinnamon candies, cherry juice, pomegranate extract and a touch of balsamic vinegar combine for sharp, nose-tickling aromas on this organically grown wine from pioneering vintner Josh Jensen. The flavor-forward palate explodes with dark fruits, noticeable tannins and solid acidity, showing allspice, Vietnamese coffee and black tea elements.” Matt Kettmann, July 2015

My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Soft berry and dark plum on the nose. Nice juicy palate with some bitter tannins/tobacco on the finish. December 2022

2017 Odonata Spiketail, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV (#875)  60% Syrah, 40% Grenache

We picked up this 2017 vintage with the rest of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod during our first visit to Odonata in 2021 when we got their shortly before closing time.  We revisited with our daughter in 2022 as the single wine tasting stop, which I would highly recommend. Eric hosted us both times and shared much information on the wines, always appreciated. You can learn more at the Odonata website.

Winery Notes: “Offering copious aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, raspberry, strawberries, licorice and roasted herbs. Bright acidity, beautiful density, and full-bodied opulence.” 120 cases produced.

My Review: Rich, dark ruby in the glass. Dark berry jam on the nose. Low key palate of jammy berry flavors – this is one delicious wine. June 2022

2018 Silvestri Estate Barbera, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $50 (normally $75) (#876)

I picked up this wine in August 2021 while doing a birthday wine tasting afternoon with a key Decanting Monterey Wine Pod member.  As I recall, they did not have it open for tasting, but I had recalled really liking this wine in the past.  Their tasting room is small yet very welcoming – I miss their COVID parklet!

About This Wine: “Barbera is a red grape varietal originating from the Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. Our small block of Barbera, which is the first planting of this varietal in Carmel Valley, was added to the vineyard to honor the Silvestri family heritage. It’s position on a warm southern facing slope allows this varietal to mature and ripen to its fullest potential before harvest.  With the influence of French oak barrel fermentation and maturation our Barbera exudes a deep richness and complexity that helps balance the grape’s high acidity.” 462 cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Black cherry, dried strawberry and plum aromas blend through to like flavors and move on to full, soft tannins with sufficient acidity. A more refined yet full-flavored Barbera.”

My Review:  Inky in the glass. Mocha, dark berries and alcohol on the nose. Very cherry on the palate. Crushed cranberries and berries linger on the lively palate. September 2022

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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How Many Monterey AVAs Can I Cover in One Class??

In 2019, I was asked by the Northern Virginia John Marshall Chapter of the American Wine Society to present a class on Monterey wines.  I was informed it would be “more educational” than the short presentation I do for another Washington DC group and it would require a PowerPoint presentation.  Seriously? For something I do as a hobby/volunteer?  I decided to do it – and it was very well received. I leaned heavily on information from the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association website – thank you, Kim Stemler! The AWS chapter invited me back this year – and I was finally able to do the class in October.

This time, preparing the materials was much easier – I already had a basic presentation, which I updated with the latest Monterey County agricultural report and some climatic info, including the 2020 fire season.  My goal this time was to cover as many of Monterey County’s AVAs as I could. I managed to include: Arroyo Seco, Carmel Valley, Monterey, San Antonio Valley, San Bernabe, and Santa Lucia Highlands.  Not bad!

For the most part, my stories were very local and wines selected were based on personal relationships I have developed with vintners and tasting room staff. I also needed to live within the event’s budget, so I leaned on industry discounts and donated wines in order to present some others at their full price. For that, I am grateful especially to Bunter Spring, Chesebro, Idle Hour and Pierce Ranch. Thanks to their generosity, I was able to throw in a couple of “extra” wines to the tasting. And I was excited to be able to discuss some wineries for the first time. I’m also indebted to the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association for providing me with some large maps and the latest tasting room brochure – always a hit!

The event went well, with great appreciation by the attendees.  Some of the wines I presented were teaching points, such as how a sparkling wine producer makes a Chardonnay or making rose from a smoke taint year.   A few attendees said a couple of the wines didn’t taste like the varietal on the label. This was the case with the Pinot Noir and the Merlot.  While I agree with the Pinot Noir statement (and that’s why this non-Pinot lover liked this wine), perhaps the commenters were thinking of a French Merlot vs. a California Merlot. I am not sure. The bottom line is that they enjoyed and appreciated most of the wines. 

Today I am presenting 10 wines from Monterey County.  Many of them have been presented before, but I thought you might find it interesting to see what I put together.  Winery notes come from their website or the tasting room, unless otherwise noted. I encourage you to feel free to comment or “like” this post – engagement is always welcomed!

2017 Tassajara Road Viognier, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.4% ABV, $18 (#871)

About This Wine: A Chesebro Wines project, named after their winery’s location. Intended as a same quality, more affordable label.

Winery Notes:  Destemmed, crushed, immediately pressed. Stainless steel for 12 months. Intense tropical and citrus aromas are backed up by a smooth mouthfeel; and long crisp finish.

My Review:  The Virginia crowd, well familiar with Virginia Viogniers really enjoyed this wine. Gardenia on the nose.  Some apple and lime twist on the palate, with a touch of orange blossom and honeysuckle on the finish. February 2022

2019 Diora La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay, San Bernabe AVA, Monterey, 14.5% ABV, $20 (Wine #652*)

Winemaker’s Notes: “This Diora La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay is a beautiful, golden hue, with aromas of toasted oak mingle with light spice notes of cinnamon. The delicate flavors of vanilla bean give way to a lovely, soft and light buttery layer. This reminds one of a rich, yet delicate crème brûlée with a soft, round mouthfeel that will pair beautifully with lobster or sautéed scallops. The light acidity and long finish of this wine will also be a great accompaniment to a variety of dishes.” This wine comes mostly from its San Bernabe estate vineyard, where it gets its tropical notes.  The rest comes from its Santa Lucia Highlands vineyard, providing more of the citrusy balance. 

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Excellently presented aromas of butter, nectarine, warm almond and white flower are delicate but expressive on the nose of this bottling. An immediate acidity races through the palate, lifting the toasty and buttery elements while pairing smartly against the ripe citrus and white flower elements.” Matt Kettmann, December 2021

My Review: This was a big hit with the AWS class. I picked this wine based on Wine Enthusiast’s listing of this wine in its Top 100 Chardonnays – Top Under $25. Viscous and golden in the glass.  Tropical nose with melon and a touch of smoke. Grilled peach and pineapple on the palate with toasted caramel on the finish. This was a very interesting, atypical Chardonnay (in my opinion) which everyone enjoyed.  April 2022

2018 Caraccioli Cellars Chardonnay, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 13.9% ABV, $35 (#578*)

Winery Notes: “Pale straw, light golden hue. Lemon meringue, honey dew melon along with tropical pineapple, kiwi, lychee and guava. A flirty balance of fruit, delicate white jasmine flower and salty sea. Creamy mouthfeel coupled with structural integrated fruit throughout the sip. Fruit notes reminiscent of green apple, pear, pineapple, candied peach and nectarine. Soft florals balanced with a brined mid palate acidity, mouthwatering finish that showcases the bright fruit.” 94 points, Wine Enthusiast.

My Review: I chose this wine, as the Escolle VIneyard, owned by Caraccioli, is a source of grapes for some of the region’s best Chardonnays. This particular vintage presented a bit tart/acidic for the class – a good example of how a sparkling wine producer might make a Chardonnay. Pale in the glass.  Touch of soft pineapple, a little butter and woodiness on the nose “like the Lone Cypress” or a cut shrub.  Clean, nice, some minerality.  December 2021

2020 Chesebro Gamay Rosé, Arroyo Seco AVA, $19 (#872)

About This Wine: First time they have used Gamay for their rosé instead of Grenache (a wildfire by-product!). Harvested at low alcohol solely for making rosé. Grapes pressed like a white. Juice comes out this color.  Stainless steel.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Beautiful light pink in color. Aromatics of rose petals and citrus combined with a light body and crisp acidity – perfect for pairing with food or just sipping on a hot day.”

My Review:  This wine was great as a teaching point of what to do with grapes affected by the fires of 2020. It is unlike the typical Pinot Noir-based rosés from the region.  Pale pink in the glass. Tart grape bubblegum wrapped in sweetness. March 2022

2019 Idle Hour Clone 667 Pinot Noir, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 14.2% ABV, $40 (Wine #727)

Winemaker’s Notes: “The crispness and brightness of Bing Cherry followed by the earthy aromas of forest floor and the sweet and savory notes of sassafras and cola. This wine is the most Burgundian Pinot Noir I have ever made. It’s light color and silky tannins are testament to the extra year of aging on the sediment that I gave it. The wine finishes with the fine structure on your tongue of wet stones.” Spent 1.5 years on the sediment. Donated to this class (many thanks, Anna Marie dos Remedios!!)

My Review: The AWS audience said this did not taste like Pinot Noir to them, which is probably why I like this wine.  My notes: Dark ruby, almost purple in the glass. Earth, plum and spice on the nose. So not like a typical, cherry California Pinot Noir. Richer on the palate with dark fruit flavors. April 2022

2017 Pierce Ranch Vineyards Maçon, San Antonio Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $32 (#656) 53% Petit Verdot, 30% Tempranillo, 17% Graciano 

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Something of an Ibérique Supérieur, our new Maçon brings together Tempranillo, Graciano and Petit Verdot to form a slightly idiosyncratic blend of Spanish and French varieties. Combining a hint of Iberian aromatics with the earthy, mineral palate reminiscent of a Bordeaux, this is a wine that approaches Old World character while also indulging a touch of experimentation. A floral nose balances itself against a darker midpalate and a solid tannic structure, as notes of violets and dried herbs give way to an underlying earthiness and a savory, vaguely smoky finish.” Donated to this class (many thanks, Pierce Ranch!).

My Review:  The AWS group liked this little wine. This is an intriguing combination of French and Spanish grapes. Dark ruby in color with cedar, mocha and rose petals on the nose. Full bodied, with mocha, cherry, berry and black tea flavors on the palate. Our favorite wine on this tasting day in March 2022

2018 Spring Red Wine “Garagitage”, Highlands Vineyard, Monterey County, 14.64% ABV, $24  76% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker’s Original Notes: “These grapes came from a small vineyard in the hills above Arroyo Seco just north of Carmel Valley Road.  They were harvested, very ripe, on Sep 30 2018.  Upon release, in Spring 2021, ss I write, this wine is a rough and tumble California fruit bomb, with tons of grapey flavor, plenty of alcohol, and no manners.  Maybe, someday, it will grow up.  Meantime, have fun!” 15 months in once used French oak barrels.  76 cases produced.

Winemaker’s Updated Notes: “Big ripe fruity red wine, lotsa alcohol, plenty tannin, enough oak.  Screams “CALIFORNIA!” Gotta love it. Why pay more?”

My Review:  The AWS class thought this wine was fabulous, with some asking what it would be like in 5 years (I invited them to my house to see!). This was my favorite wine from a winery tasting in the Fall 2021 and continues to be a household favorite:  Very dark ruby in the glass. Perfume on the nose, followed by a yummy palate of dark fruit.  We keep drinking this wine – what an incredible wine for a bargain price! October 2021

2018 Boëté Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley, 14% ABV, $50 (#568)

During one of our visits to the winery over the last couple of years, we got to taste this wine – the first time I know of that they bottled a Merlot as a single varietal – it usually is blended in their popular Cheval Rouge.  They weren’t sure they were going to continue to bottle it alone – we encourage them to do so, *if* supply permits! You can find all their available wines here:  https://www.boetewinery.com/

Winery Notes: “Ruby red in color, aroma notes of dark berries jump out on the nose of this classic medium body Merlot, with black cherries, plum & a hint of cocoa spice on the palate.”

My Review: A couple of people in the AWS class stated this did not taste like a Merlot to them, yet everyone enjoyed it. Purple in the glass. Rich and juicy in the mouth with some solid dark fruits, blackberry and black currant.  Balanced and very smooth on the finish.  This wine is a big hit at my house. October 2021

2018 Spring “Pizza Wine”, Highlands Vineyard, Monterey, 14.96% ABV, $24 (#745) 65% Zinfandel, 35% Syrah

Winemaker’s Notes: “Fruit punchy jammy everyday red. It’s great with red-sauced pasta, too.” 75 cases produced.

My Review:  This was a big hit with the AWS class – and with me – I took all the leftovers home! Very dark in color. Sweet dark fruit on the nose. Jammy dark berries and a touch of alcohol on the palate.  I would like to present it to another class some day. June 2022

2014 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage, CM Ranch Vineyard, Carmel Valley, $35 (#618*)

Winery Notes: “Grown on our estate in the Upper Carmel Valley’s rocky mountain soils at 1500’ elevation, this Rhone style blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre is powerful and rich with aromas of cassis, dark forest berries, scorched earth and spice.  Blockbuster with a long lingering finish.

My Review: Rich ruby in the glass. Pleasant nose of fresh berries.  Palate of berry jam, eucalyptus and chocolate with red currant and anise flavors on the finish.  Super delicious. My very favorite of all the Chesebro wines. January 2022

Where can you taste these wines?  I wrap up my classes by encouraging attendees to come taste our wines for themselves and walk them through the tasting room maps in the latest brochure which I received from Kim Stemler (again, many thanks!). If you want to find these specific wineries, check out their websites for the latest information.  Here’s where I found these wines, some of which may no longer be available:

Carmel-by-the-Sea: Caraccioli Cellars Tasting Room on Dolores between Ocean and 7th.  Diora does not have a local spot to taste, but wine was purchased at Carmel Belle.

Carmel Valley: Boëté (reservation required – by appointment only), Bunter Spring (tasting room closed, but contact the winemaker to taste his wines, Chesebro (including Tassajara Road), Idle Hour (inside the Big Sur Vineyards tasting room).

Monterey:  Pierce Ranch Vineyards in the Cannery Road area of Monterey.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Talbott: High End Burgundian Wines Right Here in Carmel-By-The-Sea!

Another dog grooming day = another Carmel-By-The-Sea wine tasting.  I finally got to experience the “new” Talbott tasting room!  This visit was long overdue, as I had not tasted Talbott wine since their original tasting room location on Carmel Valley Road.  We used to go to Carmel Valley where we could taste Durney wines at Heller and then Talbott wines in the same building!  So long ago…

I was impressed by the spaciousness and the beauty of both the indoor and outdoor spaces of the Talbott tasting room. Outdoor was rustic, yet very nice and large enough for a crowd.  Indoors, I felt I was at a fancy private event. I could see a special occasion event here. 

I was warmly welcomed by Marcus Allen who stuck with me through my entire industry tasting.  He was extremely knowledgeable and friendly.  We shared Monterey wine facts back and forth. 

Talbott is one of the “original” Monterey County wine pioneers. Robert Talbott and his wife Audrey established a luxury men’s tie business in Carmel in the 1950’s and began to dream about making high quality Burgundian wines. In the 1960’s, they purchased a 75-acre cattle ranch in Carmel Valley. In 1982, they planted the Diamond T. Vineyard in Carmel Valley. And in 1983, they built their first winery in the Cachagua area of Carmel Valley.  In 1989, Talbott purchased a 125-acre ranch in Santa Lucia Highlands on River Road, site of current winery facility and River Road vineyards (28,000 sq. ft. winery building, 110 acres Chardonnay vines). At that point, Talbott sold its Carmel Valley winery to Ben Pon of Bernardus Winery.  Talbott is only one of a handful of wineries that even had a tasting room in Monterey County in the 1990’s.

About Talbott: “The renowned Talbott Vineyards crafts estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir inspired by the traditions of Burgundy. With two estate vineyards located in Monterey County, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard and Diamond T Vineyard, Talbott offers a portfolio of exceptional wines to enjoy.

“For more than three decades, Talbott Vineyards wines have consistently garnered praise from wine critics and enthusiasts alike, including receiving a rare 100-point score in a Wine Spectator retrospective tasting for our 1990 Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay…”

About Sleepy Hollow Vineyard: “Our famed Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, located in the Santa Lucia Highlands, was designated one of California’s Grand Cru vineyards by Wine Enthusiast in 2016 for its ability to produce exceptional wines year after year, even under challenging conditions. With rolling hills and mountains, lush green land and bright blue skies, this vineyard has remarkable beauty. First planted in 1972, the vineyard is comprised of 565 planted acres divided into three vineyard parcels, Sleepy Hollow North, Sleepy Hollow West and Sleepy Hollow South. Each grows exclusively Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.”

About Diamond T Vineyard: “In 1982, Robert Talbott hand planted Diamond T Vineyard in Carmel Valley. First planted with the Corton-Charlemagne Chardonnay clone, this 14-acre, tightly spaced vineyard grows on a 1,200-foot mountaintop. This vineyard is virtually soil free and contains chalky shale that allows for excellent root penetration with reduced yields. Due to the challenging growing conditions here, Diamond T Vineyard is a testimony to our founder’s determination to make the finest possible wines…” It falls in the Monterey AVA. 

Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2017 Talbott Diamond T Chardonnay, Monterey AVA,   14.4% ABV, $60 (#857)

Winery Notes: “Talbott Diamond T Chardonnay is made with a selection of the finest estate grapes from Diamond T Vineyard. Old world impeccable structure meets new world vibrancy in our Chardonnay. Toasty aromas of crème brûlée lead into notes of lush tropical fruit and Meyer lemon. A bright minerality reflective of the Diamond T Vineyard terroir stays on the palette in a lingering, creamy finish. Our well-balanced, cool climate Chardonnay puts a modern, refreshing twist on a classic. The 2017 vintage in Monterey County experienced significant rainfall. Summer heat quickened harvest, which finished in early fall. Diamond T Vineyard had slightly lower than average yields, producing exceptional quality Chardonnay fruit. Our traditional warm, breezy days and cool nights resulted in a long, even season for ripening. Overall, the vintage for this year was outstanding with concentrated flavors, ripe tannins and refreshing acidity.”

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Aromas of plump white peach, seared lemon and schmaltz make for a savory entry to the nose of this bottling from a vineyard above the Carmel Valley. There is a comforting richness to the sip, yet it’s cut by strong acidity, lemon zest and an engaging texture.” Matt Kettmann, 10/2020

My Review:   Rich, golden color. Pineapple dominant on the tropical nose. Super big, tropical palate of grilled pineapple with a citrus twist with minerality on the finish.  Very complex. September 2022

2018 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Block 50 South Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.4% ABV, $60 (#858)

Winery Notes: “Sourced from the southernmost part of our Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, our Block 50 Chardonnay begins to beguile the senses immediately with aromatics that leap from the glass. Hailing from the top section of vineyard, this wine has a graceful aroma of white flowers, hints of brioche and Anjou pear. On the palate, a soft and opulent mouthfeel gives way to lively acidity with notes of lychee, Red Delicious apples and hints of vanilla. Block 50 is planted with many clones of Chardonnay—three of them have been blended together to bring dramatic layers to our Block 50 Chardonnay. We use our Mt. Eden clone for density and mouthfeel, Dijon clone 95 for fruit intensity, and just a dash of our Musque clone for intense aromatics and floral characters. Enjoy with scallops, sole and lighter fare, as well as your favorite soft cheese.” 40% new French oak, aged for 16 months. 93 points – James Suckling.

My Review: Gold with orange hues and viscous in the glass. Caramel on the nose.  Really nice “California Chardonnay” flavors – buttery with caramel notes. September 2022

2019 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Block 48 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.9% ABV, $75 (#859)

Winery Notes: “Our 2019 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Block 48 South Pinot Noir is a highly focused wine made with a single clone from a single place – clone 113 from a small block of Sleepy Hollow. Classically styled, our Pinot Noir offers a multi-faceted complexity that Sleepy Hollow famously delivers. Jewel tones of ruby and garnet with a light halo show in the glass, while aromas of ripe red fruit, black tea and earthy spice greet the nose. Notes of Bing and black cherry meld with raspberry, underscored by warm, toasted oak and rich butterscotch. The mouthfeel is opulent and round, leading to a polished finish with a kiss of sweetness.”

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Aromas of stewed cherry, mace and dried ginger make for a very inviting and bold nose in this block-designated bottling from the historic vineyard. Flavors of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon take center stage on the palate, where the tart red-cherry core holds down the fort.”

My Review: A touch cloudy yet translucent dark ruby in color. Cinnamon and floral notes on the nose. Quite a tasty palate – not quite cherry, but perhaps red currant, cranberry, and floral, with a touch of smooth tobacco on the finish. September 2022

2018 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Block 22 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $75 (#860)

Winery Tasting Sheet: “A symphony of clones 113, 115 and 667 come together to create spectacular balance and concentration in our 2018 Block 22 West Pinot Noir. These clones grow on 8-year-old vines located in an ideal parcel in the center of a slope in Sleepy Hollow Vineyards. Situated in the shadow of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Sleepy Hollow offers the vines a rare combination of protection from the elements and cool climate from the nearby Pacific. Like clockwork, marine breezes roll up to the vineyard around 1 pm, thickening the Pinot Noir skins and producing the deep, saturated color of the wine. Layers of wild blueberry and blackberry deliver an uncommonly rich, powerful mouthfeel straight through to the finish. With only 6,600 bottles produced, Block 22 West truly is an exclusive, special wine.”  94 points – James Suckling.

My Review:  A fruitier nose with dark cherry aromas. A bigger palate – more intense fruit – red and black currant, and a richer finish.  This is more of a “Sharon” wine. September 2022

2018 Talbott Diamond T Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.6% ABV, $75 (#861)

Winery Tasting Sheet: “The 2018 Diamond T Pinot Noir is a luxurious wine crafted exclusively from the five acres of Pinot Noir in the Diamond T Vineyard, which is famous for producing low yields of pristine fruit. This Diamond T shows deep ruby hues in the glass before opening to reveal aromas of crushed dark berries and ripe fruits. An abundance of silky, ripe tannins delivers a refreshing, mouthwatering palate with layers of ripe Bing cherry, raspberry and blackberries wrapped in ribbons of rich cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla. With a big flavor presence and round mouthfeel, Winemaker David Coventry calls Diamond T “one for the record books…a delicious Pinot Noir.” Only 750 cases were made.” 

My Review:  Beautiful ruby in the glass. Much more red fruit (red plum and berries) on the nose than the other Pinot Noirs. Very, very different palate, as well. Refreshing, yet intense at the same time.  Very nice fruit with soft tannins. Very drinkable. If I were blind tasting this wine, I might not peg it as a Pinot Noir. September 2022

Talbott’s Tasting Room: “We are now offering two tasting flight options daily: our Estate Flight and our Signature Flight. You will have the option to select the flight when you arrive at the tasting room, not at the time of booking. For more information about tasting experiences or assistance booking your reservation, please call 831-659-3500.”  Reservations are required.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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At Rombi, It is More than Just the Exceptional Wine!

A visit to Rombi Wines in Carmel Valley is always a good time.  Sal Rombi treats everyone like a best friend – he is full of stories and such a gracious host while we enjoy some of the biggest wines made in all of Monterey County.  And our visit with him in July was no different.  We were fortunate to have him all to ourselves.  We were able to catch up, hear some stories, and taste his current releases, most of which I have had the fortune to taste before.

 In May of 2021, I gave you a preview of Rombi wines to come here: https://decantingmonterey.com/rombi-a-preview-of-wines-to-come/.  Back in the tasting room in July 2022, I am happy to find these wines are now available for everyone to try!  I’ll be re-presenting those wines here, but also adding a few others – including some wines which would now be considered “library” wines from my own collection. 

The fruit from Sal’s Carmel Valley Vineyard is so flavorful, creating wines with up-front intense flavors. Rombi’s wines are very big and complex – highly recommend decanting to get the full fruit flavors.  Actually, we have been double-decanting and double-aerating them for best results…unless you really want to wait a day after opening. Who can wait? I mean, it is not like we decide at noon that we will have one of his big Cabernet Sauvignons after dinner.  It is usually an in-the-moment decision.

I exchanged a few dog-related texts with Sal in September. The last time we visited him in July, our dog messed up the extremely difficult dancing dog puzzle we had been working on. Separation issues. While we knew almost immediately he had eaten a few blue pieces, we didn’t know until we competed this now even more difficult puzzle that he had eaten 68 pieces. 68!!

But what I learned in our brief exchange of texts is the concern of our local vintners regarding this heat wave we’ve been having throughout the west. Harvesting at 115 degrees is not good. I found this informative article about Central Valley grapes from 2020. Fresno State Winemaker Tom Montgomery is quoted in that article as saying this: “Above about 90 degrees …the vines — the metabolism — starts to shut down. And that’s a protective measure for self-preservation. So they’re conserving water and not transpiring and not ripening fruit. Sometimes we see them stall in very hot weather.” We are all hoping for the best outcomes for the 2022 vintage. Sal did tell me later that everything is looking good for his grapes! I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground from our other local vintners as we make the rounds.

In today’s post I will present 8 wines past and present! These include what he is currently pouring in the tasting room plus some wines from our home collection. I think we started collecting Rombi Wine with the 2010 vintage. I’ve presented Rombi Wines to you several times before – just type “Rombi” in the search bar!

Sal has always been generous to Decanting Monterey, whether it is replenishing my home stock or giving me new wines to try.  I will always let you know when a winery has comped me the wine – which a few have done.  Since this is an all-volunteer effort, it is small gestures like these that make operating my blog affordable – in an indirect way! One example is that I now possess the 2019 Merlot, which is not yet released – we’ll wait for the right occasion to open this one for a review. Another donation is noted below. These gifts don’t change my reviews – they are opportunities to taste unreleased wines, share with me more of a wine I really like, replenish my stock, or in some cases wines to present in my all-volunteer classes.

2018 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (#326) (Tasting Room)

This was his 12th year of production.

My Review: Beautiful dark ruby, raspberry swirling in color. Intense berry and a little must on the nose. Mouthfilling tart dark berries on the dry palate. Very good and well balanced. If the 2012 is any indicator, I’ll try to put this away for years to come! March 2021/July 2022

2012 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $65 (#836) (Home Library)

We shared this wine with our wine pod partners in early August. I have to say, these “library” Merlots are drinking incredibly well. I think we all were extremely impressed. Just proving that it pays to hold onto these wines!

My Review: Super dark and beautiful in the glass. Nice bouquet of dark plum, cherry, sagebrush and graphite on the nose. Rich palate of dark cherry, dark black raspberry, olive tapenade, tarragon and some tannin. Drinking great, but could last another 10 years. July 2022

2017 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#328) (Tasting Room)

My Review: Deep ruby in color. Distinctive, intense berry, Cassis and caramel and vanilla on the nose. A classic Cabernet nose. Intense flavors on the palate. Graphite, lean “St Estèphe-like.” Dark, intense fruit on the palate. That’s pretty good. Tongue-coating. March 2021/July 2022

2016 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $ (837) (Tasting Room)

My Review: This was the first time we had tasted this new release, affected by the Soberanes Fire. Dark ruby in the glass, tastes a bit like BBQ ribs with some ash on the finish.  I like BBQ ribs…just sayin’.

2013 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, $65 (#838) (Home Library)

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Rich dark raspberry on the nose. Pretty rich and smooth dark berries on the palate with a very dry finish. While I retain a special spot for the 2015 vintage, the 2013 is one of his best we have tasted. We double decanted and double aerated this wine before tasting. January/May 2022

2011 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#100) (Home Library)

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.  I told him we really had to let this wine open up before we experienced the delicious, distinctive fruit we remembered from his 2015 vintage.  He reminded me that one must always, always decant his wines. 

My 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. For our recent September tasting, we only single decanted and aerated this wine, but it would have benefited from being double decanted and double aerated. We should know better by now!  After it fully opened up and also on day 2, this was still drinking deliciously. July 2020/September 2022

2014 Rombi Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, 14.6% ABV, $75 (#260) (Tasting Room)

My Review: Deep purple-red in the glass. A very different nose with a touch of barnyard. Delicious, chalky, deep plum and cherry on the palate with a leathery finish. Drinking well. August 2020/July 2022

2018 Rombi Petit Verdot, Napa Valley, 14.4% ABV, $75 (#329) (Tasting Room)

This is Rombi’s first Petit Verdot! He shared with us the small fact that Petit Verdot is the last fruit to ripen. I likely had commented that I used to think Petit Verdot was a touch vegetal.  Perhaps others aren’t patient enough for the fruit to ripen fully!

My Review: Inky ruby/purple. Great nose of mocha and blackberries. Full bodied, with rich, dark berries and so smooth on the palate. Blackberry and blueberry with a touch of menthol tobacco mid-palate. Licorice dry long finish. Still the best Petit Verdot I’ve ever had! I like this wine. Sal gave me one to take home. March 2021/July 2022

Visit the Rombi Tasting Room: If you have not yet had the opportunity to taste Sal’s wines, I highly recommend visiting him on a Saturday or Sunday, 12-5 at One Center Street, Carmel Valley Village. You can learn more about his wines online at Rombi Wines.  You can also contact Kathy and Sal at kathy@rombiwines.com  or sal@rombiwines.com for more information about buying their wines. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Bernardus: Tasty Wines Selected to Represent Monterey County’s Best!

We decided on rather short notice to pop out to the valley in March to hunt for wines for 2 upcoming wine classes.  And at the very last minute, we invited the rest of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod to join us.  We were in a bit of a time crunch, as this was dog grooming day.  We tasted a Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a few Pinot Noirs – and got way behind schedule.  I selected both the Sauvignon Blanc and the Chardonnay as options for my class, with the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc being chosen by Bernardus as the one for the class – previously presented here: https://decantingmonterey.com/decanting-monterey-heads-east-to-spread-the-word/. 

Today’s relatively short post is about the other 3 wines we tasted that day.  We also go to see the cute new “B” label for the Bernardus wines – part of it rebranding as a more approachable wine for all generations. 

This is the attractive new “B” label for the Sauvignon Blanc.
Back label of the Sauvignon Blanc used in my class.

In addition, I wanted to mention that we also recently served the 2010 and 2011 vintages of Bernardus Marinus.  The 2010 is still drinking extremely well and the 2011 was probably the best wine we had over a friends’ reunion weekend. These tastings validate why I continue to be a Marinus member at Bernardus!

The 2010 is still drinking well!
The 2011 is a great example of why we love the Marinus blend!

Winery tasting notes come from their website or the tasting sheet, unless otherwise indicated.

2020 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $30 (808)

Winery Notes: “The Bernardus 2020 Monterey Chardonnay exhibits bright white fruit aromas accented by subtle oak notes. The palate is intense and beautifully focused with vibrant peach and tropical fruit flavors along with spice accents. The long finish is supported by a refreshing acidity. Another superb example of Chardonnay from Monterey County!” Over 14,000 case-equivalents were produced! You can read more here.

My Review: Golden in the glass.  Delicious with a buttery nose and grilled pineapple on the palate. Butter and caramel on the finish.  Two of us really liked this wine.  I find it highly representative of a Monterey County Chardonnay and would like to use it in a future class. March 2022

2018 Bernardus Sierra Mar Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, $70 (809)

Winery Notes (2019 vintage): “Our 2019 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir exhibits aromas of ripe red berries accented with hints of spice. The palate is silky and elegant with flavors of red cherries and berries.” 343 case-equivalents were produced. You can read more about the 2019 vintage here.

My Review: Darker red in color. A richer nose with notes of salami and salt (sea spray). Raspberry with a little smoke on the finish.  Although we aren’t huge Pinot Noir fans, we all liked this wine! March 2022

2019 Bernardus Ingrid Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, Monterey, 14% ABV, $64 (810)

Winery Notes: “Our 2019 Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes spicy, dark red fruit aromas. The wine is very intense and perfectly focused. Flavors are redolent with essences of black cherry, red berries and subtle toasty oak notes. This vintage of Ingrid’s Pinot Noir is beautifully structured allowing for several years of ageing or it can be enjoyed in its youth for its bright fruit flavors.” 313 case-equivalents were produced.  You can read more here.

My Review: Berry on the nose. A lighter palate of red currant, a touch of cranberry, with pepper on the finish. We think we should have tried these two Pinot Noirs in the opposite order. March 2022

Tasting Bernardus Wines: Good news! Their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is now open every day! Finally! Hurray! From their website: “…Reservations recommended. Tasting reservations are available at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00pm for up to 12. Walk ins accepted based on availability.  We offer a flight of 4 two ounce pours of our single vineyard and reserve wines for $20 per flight.  Wine Club tastings are complimentary. We also have cheese and charcuterie for $29 and bottled sparkling italian water for $6.  Please pre-order for groups larger than 6.” You can see more information and book a tasting here or email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call them at 831-298-8021

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Monterey County Vintners and Growers Know How to Celebrate Monterey Winemakers!

I tell you, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod is on it!  While we were completing a wine tour of Portugal and Spain, the home team was on alert for Central Coast wine activities.  We got a text the day we were flying home about the 29th Annual Monterey Winemaker’s Celebration. Were we planning to attend? The answer was yes! We last attended this event in 2018 and thought it was good but crowded. My assessment of this year’s event is that it was terrific!

This event, sponsored by the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association, was advertised as an opportunity to “Enjoy the incredible wines and culinary abundance from one of the world’s premier wine regions in the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.” It was incredibly well organized (way to go, Kim Stemler!).  Located in Devendorf Park instead of the streets of Carmel-By-The-Sea, this event seemed a bit more private, out of the hustle and bustle of the village.  The entry was very efficient.  Daunted by a huge entry line, we were instantly relieved to see tickets were being checked and wristbands allocated before the gates even opened.  With the food moved to the exterior streets, attendees could move easily among the winery booths and step out for food.

The wineries were mostly familiar to me, with a few exceptions.  Most I have been to and are captured somewhere in Decanting Monterey.  That was a good thing, as we could pick and choose which one or two wines we wanted to taste at each. And some of the winemakers were there – either in force or for part of the event, including Sabrine Rodems, Keith and Tim Prader of Shale Canyon, Ian Brand, Kori Violini and the Rexford family. It meant so much to the attendees to be able to connect with these winemakers directly. And I was so happy to see Rexford there – I have missed their tasting room in the village and hope to get up to their winery soon.

We also enjoyed talking to The Wine Experience and mixing our own red blends (mine was rather vegetal – too much Cabernet Franc!).  We will definitely need to pay a visit and do this the proper way next time – taste each wine, then blend, silly Sharon. 

Our only regret is that we did not purchase the VIP ticket for this event, as we are reserve wine kind of people. That said, we tasted both familiar and new-to-us wines.  I’ll highlight a few memorable ones here.  I made the decision up front not to try to capture tasting notes, but to be in the moment, enjoying the event. And I can’t wait for next year’s event!

2015 Pessagno Tre Red Wine Blend, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard,  Paicines AVA, 14.12%, $42 (675*) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 20% Petite Sirah

About Pessagno: “Pessagno Winery fulfills a twenty-year dream to produce limited quantities of exclusive luxury wines from prestigious single vineyards throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties. The winery is known for creating wines of distinct character and elegance. It is widely recognized as one of California’s finest wine sources.”

Winery Notes: “The 2015 Tre offers bold aromas of dark fruits, spice, oak, and tobacco. The palate is treated to a rich feel, deep dark fruit flavors, oak and tobacco, with a velvety caramel finish.”

My Notes: I was really surprised by this beautiful blend. It was perhaps the wine most aligned to my palate that we tasted that day – big, smooth, bold.  It was among the first and last wines we visited during the tasting. I will need to visit Pessagno for a complete tasting soon. Check out their website for upcoming events at the winery – and at the vineyard in Paicines, an AVA in San Benito County of which I am very fond!

2017 Chalone Vineyard Estate Grown Syrah, Chalone AVA, $54 (676*)

About Chalone Vineyard: “Monterey’s first winery, Chalone Vineyard is nestled amongst the Pinnacle mountains in Monterey.  High atop the Gavilan plateau, the ocean breezes sweep across the remarkable terroir of the Chalone vineyard with its volcanic limestone soils that give our wines their distinctive flavor.”

Winery Notes: “Bold and complex – just as you’d want a Syrah to be. Leather, cinnamon, tobacco leaf and dark fruits offer layers of intrigue for the senses.”

My Notes: I do love my Central Coast Syrahs and this was no exception! Smooth with the dark berry and earthiness you’d expect from a Syrah.  About time we get over to Chalone to do a wine tasting, as well!

2021 Bernardus Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rose, $30 (677*) Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, & Cinsault

Winery Notes: “Bernardus has been producing a small bottling of Rosé from our local vineyards for many years.  Now we are thrilled to announce the release of our first Rosé from the Provence region of France! To that end, we have partnered with a prestigious French winery: La Coste.  Bernardus is very proud to present a wine based on multi-national tasting trials:  Bernardus French Rosé!

“Flavors are full and rich, redolent with light red fruits on a long smooth finish.  An exceptional Rosé we know everyone will enjoy!”

My Notes: We wished the Provence Rosé member of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod had been with us to taste this delicious new French rose from Bernardus. I think it will be a hit!  Pretty pale pink in the glass.  Perfume on the nose.  Light on the palate with a touch of sweetness on the finish.

2018 Pierce Ranch Olonde, San Antonio Valley, $32 (678*)  39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 59% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec

Winery Notes: Bordeaux style blend composed of Cab. Sauv., Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

My Notes: We were all impressed by this wine, one that we did not get to taste during our March visit to their tasting room.  They informed me they have some other new releases coming out in the next few weeks, so another visit soon??

2018 Silvestri Estate Barbera, Carmel Valley, $65 (679*)           

Winery Notes: “Now on sale! $60 a bottle (normally $65) for a limited time only. Barbera is a red grape varietal originating from the Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. Our small block of Barbera, which is the first planting of this varietal in Carmel Valley, was added to the vineyard to honor the Silvestri family heritage. It’s position on a warm southern facing slope allows this varietal to mature and ripen to its fullest potential before harvest.  With the influence of French oak barrel fermentation and maturation our Barbera exudes a deep richness and complexity that helps balance the grape’s high acidity.

“Black cherry, dried strawberry and plum aromas blend through to like flavors and move on to full, soft tannins with sufficient acidity. A more refined yet full-flavored Barbera” 462 cases.

My Notes: This was a terrific Barbera with delicious berry, raspberry flavors.

2018 Silvestri Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley, $48 (680*)   

Winery Notes: “Moving to a warmer section of the vineyard is our Syrah. After harvest our Syrah is de-stemmed and placed into ¾ open top fermenters.  Here, whole berry fermentation takes place to maximize the extraction of flavor and color. The juice is then racked to French oak barrels.  Malolactic fermentation is initiated and will take place for about a month. We then rack the wine after 6 months, and age for another 12-18 months before bottling.

“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. Complement with sausage pizza, grilled veggies or grilled meat.” 123 cases

My Notes: This is my kind of Syrah – big, smooth, juicy with delicious dark berry and plum flavors, without the earthiness that, for me, can be a distraction. 

2019 Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 14.5% ABV, $15 (681*)

Winery Notes: “We craft this richly textured Cabernet Sauvignon with California grapes picked at the peak of ripeness in our coastal vineyards. Adding a twist to traditional barrel-aging, select lots of the blend are aged in a mix of new and used bourbon barrels. The new barrels give the wine its deep undertones of toasted oak. The used barrels—selected from a renowned Kentucky distillery—exude notes of vanilla and dried herbs, hinting at the fine bourbon that once graced these casks. The result is a bold, flavorful wine, unlike any other Cabernet.

“Layered and complex, our Bourbon Barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon leaps from the glass with aromas of blackberry cobbler, graham cracker, brown sugar, milk chocolate, coffee and smoke. A palate of blueberry pie, praline, sweet vanilla custard, caramel and mocha is framed by soft, chewy tannins and a hint of toasted oak on the lingering finish.”

My Notes: This was kind of fun – they brought both the Bourbon Barrel-aged and Rye Barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignons for a compare and contrast.  I say Bourbon Barrel hands down! As an affordable, everyday Cabernet Sauvignon, this is kind of a fun one.

2020 Scratch  Brut Rose, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, $49 (682*)        

Winery Notes: “The touch of 828 Clone Pinot Noir to the Clone 96 Chardonnay base synergistically add a juiciness to the mid-palate that makes you want to take another sip!  Clone 96 Chardonnay has a round honey-dew melon mouth feel and with the addition of pinot makes you think you are biting into a fresh Fuji apple.  This sparkling wine is make using the classic Methode Champenoise, fermented in the bottle.”

My Notes: Wow!  Winemaker Sabrine Rodems was here!  It was so great to meet her in person.  We have enjoyed her wines from Wrath, Scratch, and Kori Wines!  And I love a great sparkling rose!  Another place to wine taste soon, as all I have tried are her sparkling wines.  

2019 Shale Canyon ZSM, Arroyo Seco AVA, $55 (683*) 48% Zinfandel, 32% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre

Winery Notes: “The 2019 ZSM is a blend of Estate Zinfandel – 48%, Arroyo Seco Syrah – 32% and Estate Mourvèdre – 20%.  On the nose you will get bright berry fruit with a touch of violet on the bouquet.  The middle is full of dark fruit, predominately blueberry, followed by raspberry and huckleberry.  On the finish you will get a touch of smokiness from the newer oak barrels, firm tannins and a touch of vanilla.  This full bodied wine is still young only having been bottled in the first week of July 2021, but it is drinking exceptionally well already.”

My Notes: This is a brand-new release which will soon be on their website and available in their tasting room!  It was our pleasure to taste this big red – another wine right up my alley.

2019 Folktale Le Mistral Joseph’s Blend, Monterey County, $50 (#684)                                   

About Folktale Winery:  “In 2015, a band of artists, craftspeople, and lovers of life brought their wandering imaginations and lofty aspirations to a magical piece of land in Carmel, California. Out in the sunny valley, we cultivated grapevines and gardens to craft beautiful wines and experiences to delight the senses. We named this place Folktale Winery & Vineyards.

“Folktale was inspired by the idea that in every great bottle of wine, there is a story. It is filled with uniqueness of place, a year of sun and rain, and the art and craft of winemaking. The story is about our people, our guests, and our passion. This is a love story, and the best love stories never end.”

Winery Notes: “Grapes for this vintage of Joseph’s Blend were hand-harvested from 5 different vineyards in our region.  Each lot fermented in small batches and was gently pressed and racked to French oak barrels to age.  After 6 months, all lots were tasted and a final blend was created.  The wine spent another year in barrel before being bottled in Aug, 2021.  In this year’s blend, Grenache came from Ventana and Mission Ranch Vineyards (Arroyo Seco AVA), Syrah from Cedar Lane Vineyard (Arroyo Seco AVA) and Tondre Grapefield (Santa Lucia Highlands AVA), and Mourvedre from Sandy Lane Vineyard (Contra Costa County).”

My Notes: OK, it was a little strange that Folktale was the only winery out in the food area.  I wished I had found them earlier and had had the capacity to give their wines a thorough tasting.  I am looking forward to seeing where their wines are going. This GSM was a fine wine, worthy of a retaste.  I admit I have shied away from Folktale as it is more of a food with wine pairings place, but maybe that isn’t a bad thing to try.  The Le Mistral tasting looks great to me.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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