In July, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod experienced the best winery tour ever at Bernardus! Last November, at the Marinus dinner, Jim McCabe, assistant winemaker at Bernardus, invited us to come up to the winery in Cachagua for a tour. We finally made it there in July! And I would say the fun wine education aspects of the tour were what made it so special.
Winery notes for this post come from conversations with the winemaker unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about Bernardus on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Also, with all the wine events and special tastings we have done, I will be posting twice weekly for a bit to get caught up! My, we have been busy!!
Jim McCabe met us outside where he explained what happens to the grapes from the moment they arrive at the facility. He indicated that harvest is looking 2-3 weeks late this year due to the winter and spring rains. Veraison is a little late, but every really hot, sunny day we get speeds it up. Chemistry and appearance will tell them when to harvest the grapes.
In response to our questions about white grapes, they expect 2-3 tons per acre. They gently press the white grapes to avoid any off flavors. They shoot for 150-170 gallons of juice per ton.
We grabbed our glasses as we moved inside.
THE WINES
We started out tasting some Monterey Chardonnay at the filtration stage, followed by a Pinot Noir at the cold fermentation stage. We then went deep into the barrel room to do more wine education. We examined how different barrel ages affect the wine, how different yeasts influence the flavor profile, and how to recognize and resolve reduction! What fun!
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County (#1065)
We tasted this sample at the filtration stage.
My Review: Light golden. Nice delicious tropical nose. Pineapple and butter. Rich and sweet on the palate with a bright finish, some bitter notes yet nice. July 2023
2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Gary’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1066)
This sample was at the cold fermentation stage.
My Notes: Garnet. Cold. Plum and perfume. Tasty palate. Smooth. July 2023
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1067)
We compared 2 samples from different aged barrels.
My Notes:
New oak barrels: Buttery, tropical nose with some sulfur dioxide. Rich and viscous on palate with pineapple flavors on the finish. Wow. Big. Delicious. July 2023
3-year-old oak barrels: Faint tropical notes on nose and more sophisticated palate. Leaner yet tasty with more subtle flavors and more acidity. July 2023
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1068)
We compared 2 samples made with different yeasts – and then a combined sample! Wow – we made some wine!!
Winery Notes: Every 2 weeks, they top off the barrels and perform battonage. They expect to bottle 19 barrels of Sierra Mar Chardonnay.
My Notes:
D47 yeast: More acidic on the nose. Citrus notes. Mouthfilling, completely different flavor profile. Explodes on front end. Crushed pineapple a hidden bitterness on the finish. More acidic overall to me.
Montrachet yeast: Totally different. Pale in glass. Butter and mild pineapple on nose. More vanilla and tartness on the palate. Rounder flavors.
Blended samples: Crushed pineapple on the nose. Balanced palate. Burnt caramel on the finish. Very nice.
2022 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County (#1069)
Winery Notes: A little Hungarian oak. Intended for Marinus red blend.
My Notes: Intense dark ruby in color. Tart jam on nose. Juicy on the palate.
2022 Bernardus Merlot, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County (#1070)
Jim had just talked to us about reduction a few moments before we tasted this wine. One of our members identified it right away, so we got to see first hand how to mitigate reduction.
Barrel sample: Rubbery notes. Reduction is starting! Bright and dark raspberry on the palate. Dark and bitter on finish.
Post-copper treatment: Immediately changed flavor: lots of jammy, berry fruit and no reductive flavors. Tasted amazing.
Other fun facts (any of which I could have captured wrong):
They have a small, full-time staff of 8 people, plus contract support for busy times.
In their winemaking, they use French oak barrels for a period of 3 years.
They have some huge, 2000-gallon oak tanks which they can use for Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, taking the place of stainless tanks.
Grapes from Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards that don’t make the vineyard designate bottlings can then become part of their Santa Lucia Highlands program.
They are elevating their Marinus vineyard. Doing more hand work and replacing some of the old vines.
The label: They are dropping the “B” label and going to a cleaned-up version (see the one on the right below) of the old one for brand recognition.
They also switched cork sources to improve the reliability of their corks. Their “Monterey” line has screw tops.
He showed us a brand new barrel and even let us sniff inside!
They produce 45,000-61,000 cases in an average harvest year.
And, finally, examine your spit after drinking Cabernet Sauvignon – it might surprise you. (But none of us can remember why…)
Tasting Bernardus Wines: Their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every day! Reservations are not required. You can see more information and book a tasting here or email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call them at 831-298-8021.
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.
Our wine allocations from our various memberships go through peaks and valleys. A peak was in October when suddenly it seemed we needed to pick up wine from them all at the same time! We stopped in at Bernardus and were offered a tasting. It was there that we learned about the Marinus Dinner and snatched the last seats for the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. Marinus is the Bernardus flagship Bordeaux-style red blend. You can read more about former owner Ben Pon’s dream to make Bordeaux-style wine right in Carmel Valley here: https://decantingmonterey.com/bernardusmarinus2010/.
We attended the previous Marinus dinner in 2019 (pre-pandemic). The event was spectacular – a multi-course meal by Carmel Valley’s Chef Jerome Viel who expertly crafted dishes to paired nicely with Marinus wines of various vintages. You can read more about Jerome here: https://jeromescarmelvalleymarket.com/chef-jerome-viel/.
The recent 2022 Marinus dinner was an expanded affair. Limited to 22 Marinus club members, it took up 2 rooms in their tasting room – twice the size of the previous event. The meal was lovely from beginning to end. I felt as though it were New Year’s Eve and our anniversary dinner all rolled into one!
The Pon Family CrestWinemaker Dean describes the wines.
This is a rather lengthy writeup, so bear with me. It starts with the tasting room visit, focused on the 5 non-Marinus wines we had, followed by the Marinus dinner writeup of 6 Marinus wines and our beautiful meal, to close out 2022 in a celebratory way! A few of these wines have been presented here before and several library wines are no longer available. And we did start off the dinner with a glass of their rose from Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, their new effort to do something a little different. I previously wrote up that wine (#677) here: https://decantingmonterey.com/monterey-county-vintners-and-growers-know-how-to-celebrate-monterey-winemakers/.
Winery tasting notes come from their website, the tasting sheet, or conversations with the winemaker or tasting room staff unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about most of these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2021 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $30 (#884)
Winery Notes from www.wine.com: “Bernardus 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.”
My Review: Golden in the glass. Tropical on the nose and tasty on the palate. This vintage is slightly metallic on the finish. I believe the Monterey Chardonnay is representative of our region. October 2022
2021 Bernardus Ingrid’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $50 (#885)
Winery Notes: “As the vineyard matures, the wines seem to keep getting better and better. This vintage of Ingrid’s Chardonnay is possibly our finest to date! The aromas express ripe tropical fruits and honeysuckle. The palate is very rich and complex with flavors of ripe white fruits and ginger cookie spice. A beautiful expression of this special Carmel Valley vineyard!”
My Review: Very tropical palate with tasty pineapple notes – a cut above. A very fine example of what Monterey County can do with Chardonnay. October 2022
2019 Bernardus Marinus Vineyard Merlot, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $50 (#371)
Winery Notes: “In the glass you will see a wine of deep crimson red. The aromas show bright dark red fruit scents with subtle spice notes. The palate is very rich and soft, with flavors of dried cherries and cranberries, accented with hints of chocolate. The delicious flavors linger beautifully on the long, powerful finish. A superb Merlot!” 90 Points- Wine Enthusiast
My Review: Ruby in color. Sweet spice on the nose. Delicious palate of cherry and berry fruits. I like this bottling even more than the previous vintage. October 2022
2017 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, Monterey County 12.8% ABV, $125 magnum, currently (as of 12/21) on sale $62.50!!! (#289)
Winery Notes: “Our 2017 Cabernet exudes spicy aromas of red berry and cranberry. The palate beautifully reflects the aromas showing juicy red fruit flavors with a subtle, refreshing acidity. Our Cabernet has been aged for six months in 28-year-old neutral French oak tanks in order to allow the fruit flavors of these grapes to shine through without any oak barrel influence. We hope you will enjoy this wonderful wine as much as we do!”
My Review: Dark ruby in color. Vibrant, fresh red and black fruits on the nose – berries, cherry, carrying over to the palate. Tasty, with a dry finish with a touch of cassis and tobacco. While seemingly light in comparison to the bigger Marinus blends, this opened up into a tongue-coating, delicious little wine. September 2022
2018 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, Monterey County 12.6% ABV, $50 (#886)
Winery Notes: “In the glass you will see a wine of deep crimson red. The aromas show beautiful dark red fruit scents with subtle spice notes. The palate is very rich, expressing intense black cherry and plum flavors, supported by ripe tannins on the finish. An excellent addition to our Bernardus line-up!”
My Review: Pretty rich ruby in color. A toasty nose with nice Cabernet Sauvignon flavors on the palate. October/November 2022
1993 Bernardus Marinus Red Table Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $30 (#887)
Winery Notes: This was the first year they produced Marinus. The grapes were planted in 1989. It was made by winemaker Don Blackburn. From K&L Wine Merchants: “According to Wine Spectator: “A new Bordeaux-style blend that’s firm and intense, if a bit on the tannic side. Currant, cherry and anise flavors are well focused and well proportioned, and finish with dry tannins. Try after 1997.” (08/1996)
My Review: Inky in the glass. Dark and tannic with a touch of ham on the nose. Drinking well – like an old Bordeaux. Balanced. November 2022
2000 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County (#888)
Winery Notes from www.wine.com: “Increasing vine maturity coupled with almost perfect growing conditions enabled us to make a wine of great concentration that still has subtlety and elegance. Even in years of great ripeness our winemaking style emphasizes the textural element of the wine, making it approachable now, with the balance of flavors to age gracefully.”
Raviole de Boeuf
My Review: More purple in color. Leathery. A little alcohol up front with dark fruits on the palate. So smooth. Super well balanced. November 2022
2010 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County (#39) Cabernet Sauvignon 59%, Merlot 29%, Petit Verdot 7%, Cabernet Franc 5%
Winery Notes: “Our 2010 Marinus exhibits its typical deeply colored robe. The aromas express beautiful red fruits accented by classic notes of cedar. The delicious flavors are soft and full, with spicy dark cherry and plus flavors and a smooth texture of well integrated tannins. Although drinking beautifully now, this Marinus will age gracefully for many years to come.”
Roasted Duck Breast
My Review: Cassis/prune on the nose. Very smooth on the palate. Pairs well with the duck breast. Very delicious. Chalky. Drinking well! November 2022 Marinus is aged in oak for 16 months.
2015 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $125 (#889)
Winery 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!”
My Review: Label says 14.1% ABV, but probably 14.8%. Rich, dark berry nose with licorice and cocoa notes. Delicious full palate. I gave this wine two hearts! November 2022
2017 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.9% ABV, $75 (pre-release) (#890)
Winery Notes: This vintage has more Merlot in the blend – more like a Right Bank Bordeaux. This was a cooler winter.
Assiette de Fromage
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “This is a classic taste of the Carmel Valley, starting with aromas of blackberry jam, stewed berry and oak spice on the nose. The palate combines a rich blackberry-sauce core along with peppery spices and a luxurious streak of vanilla.” Matt Kettmann, 12/2022
My Review: This vintage has more Merlot, more like a Right Bank Bordeaux. Black licorice, blackberry and toasted oak on the nose – a marshamallowy vanilla. Very jammy yummy on the palate. Be ready for this one to be released – it is terrific. November 2022
2017 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County 14.1% ABV, $125 (pre-release) (#891)
Winery Notes: N/A
Chocolate Decadence
My Review: Inky purple in the glass. Cocoa on the nose. Dark berry and cocoa on the palate. Really jammy. So delicious. This is going to be a great wine. November 2022
Tasting Bernardus Wines: Their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open Tuesday-Saturday. every day! Reservations are not required. You can see more information and book a tasting here or email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call them at 831-298-8021
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!
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
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
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
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
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.
A few months back, they asked me to find a tasting room for their November WinedUP Friday. I suggested Hahn, as there was a desire to get back to Carmel-By-The-Sea. I have a relationship through my wine education efforts with the staff at Hahn, yet arranging this event took some convincing. I was able to work this out with Hahn’s Coby Shammas, who has worked with me in the past, helping me identify some Hahn wines for my classes and arranging a tasting for Decanting Monterey last February, which is posted here: https://decantingmonterey.com/hahn-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-decanting-monterey/.
I was recently asked by the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society if I would be willing to serve as an advisor to their board. I had to feel out what level of commitment this meant – maybe a meeting a month – and to keep doing what I am doing for them. Which means occasionally using my contacts to find them a venue for their WinedUP Fridays – both an educational and social event. I said ok, and am now officially a Monterey AWS Board Advisor! It is one small recognition that this blog has some meaning to someone. If you like what I am writing about, please feel free to comment or “like” this post – engagement is always welcomed!Also always looking for recommendations, although I have yet to run out of material!
OK, back to our event…The Hahn tasting room is a stellar event location. Nicely decorated with ample indoor and outdoor seating, it easily accommodated our group of about 20 people! The tasting menu that day was perfect, with 2 higher-end Lucienne label wines available for us. Extra hands were on staff to help pour and answer our many questions. Coby and the other wine presenters did a great job of ensuring we were able to taste all the wines. My final task was to ensure we were all out the door by 6:15 – we made it – with some prodding! I’d call the event a success!
I am presenting 7 Hahn wines today. Our one common comment on the wines is that Hahn loves its toasty oak. If you are also a fan, this is the winery for you! Winery vintage and tasting notes come from their website. I encourage you to read more about Hahn here: https://decantingmonterey.com/hahn-inspired-by-the-rhone-blends-of-southern-france/ and on their website.
2017 Hahn Winery Selection Blanc de Noir Brut , Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 11.5% ABV, $50 (#864) 100% Pinot Noir
Vintage Notes: “Our Blanc de Noir, meaning “white of red”, is made of 100% Pinot Noir grapes from our certified sustainable Smith Vineyard. The fruit was harvested by hand in mid-August when sugars were low and acid was beautiful. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures, allowing the wines bright fruit aromas to shine.” 150 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Aromas of red cherry, raspberry, cantaloupe and toasted brioche, complemented by hints of apricot and orange zest. Flavors of grapefruit, pear, white peach and toasted bread lead into a long and graceful finish.”
My Review: Very slight color – a touch dusty pink. Very dry and crisp, with apple flavors. Kind of like a sophisticated, adult sparkling apple cider – an adult Martinelli’s! November 2022
Vintage Notes: “The winter rainfall was slightly below average, but we were able to compensate with early spring irrigation to fill soil profiles before budbreak. Warm spring temperatures aided vine growth and they were able to reach max canopy height. Summer temperatures heated up and slowed down vine growth as vines transitioned into fruit development. Weather leading into harvest was relatively cool and uneventful, which allowed for gradual ripening of the fruit. It was another remarkable growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands, resulting in wines with beautiful color, great structure and naturally balanced acidity.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “This elegant wine presents with expressive and complex aromatics of citrus peel, lemon, pineapple and nectarine. Bright flavors of tropical fruit, lemon zest and hints of pear and melon mingle on the mid-palate, rounding out medium-bodied mouthfeel with refreshing acidity and a clean, mineral finish.”
My Review: Extremely pale in the glass, almost like water. Honeysuckle on the noce and palate. Pear flavors, with lemon/lime on the finish. November 2022
2018 Hahn Lucienne Lone Oak Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $50 (#866)
Vintage Notes: “Aromas of white melon and ripe citrus are accented with notes of banana and spiced vanilla. Medium-bodied, refined and elegant on the palate, the wine displays flavors of lemon citrus and nectarine, highlighted by vibrant notes of minerality on a medium acidic finish.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Aromas of red and black cherries, red currant, and strawberry with notes of violet and rose petals. On the palate, layers of red fruit and fresh berries, rhubarb pie with a touch of warm spices complemented by vanilla notes and integrated oak on a long delicate finish.” 93 points – Vinous
My Review: Pale golden and viscous in the glass. Buttered toast on the nose. Crisp, slightly burnt caramel on the palate with lemon curd, coconut, and brioche notes. The oak on this wine is out of balance – all secondary. If you love a buttery Chardonnay, you will love this wine. November 2022
2019 Hahn Lucienne Smith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $60 (#867)
Vintage Notes: “Curving along the ridges and valleys of the Santa Lucia Highlands, the Smith Vineyard is Hahn’s highest elevation vineyard, reaching 590 to 1,280 feet above sea level. Originally planted in 1974, Smith is also Hahn’s first estate vineyard, and today its 131 acres are certified sustainable. With rocky well-drained soils and eastern exposures that sit well above the fog line, this is a cool climate site with moderate wind and ample sunshine that contributes to a long growing season.” 1300 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Fragrant aromas of black cherry, red plum, black tea and notes of mint and forest floor. On the palate, flavors of red cherry, black currant and a hint of clove are supported by intriguing layered round tannins, lush mouthfeel and balanced acidity.” 93 points -Vinous.
My Review: Nice transluscent ruby in the glass, swirls purple. Cherry, subtle berry, very drinkable. Tasty and juicy. The Lucienne is a respectable SLH Pinot Noir. Pick one up if you can! November 2022
Vintage Notes: “The vintage presented us with half the average rainfall, therefore, irrigation was supplemented in January and February so the vines would awaken to a full soil moisture profile. March gave us our last winter storm and by the end of the month, all blocks had signs of bud break. The early Spring weather was cooler than normal, with periods where the marine layer would leave heavy dew on the leaves and flowers. Summer was followed by mellow temperatures, allowing the fruit to mature and slowly develop complex flavors, color, and depth, resulting in wines with balanced tannic structure, round mouthfeel and soft acidity.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Aromas of black cherry and plum, with hints of vanilla and cocoa. Flavors of dark berry, sweet spice, and mocha greet the palate with a luscious mouthfeel, balanced acidity and a smooth finish.”
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Black plum and black cherry with a little baking spice on the nose. Black fruit and spices continue on the palate, smooth and tasty. A little thin, perhaps typical for the varietal. Interesting to find a Merlot from Arroyo Seco! November 2022
Vintage Notes: “The fruit for this Winery Selection Zinfandel is sustainably grown by the Mettler family, our growing partner of more than 20 years that has been farming Zinfandel since the late 1800s. Their vines are over 50 years old and certified sustainable under the highly respected Lodi Rules for Sustainable Farming program. In 2018, these vineyards had a mild early growing season which led to full canopies and good separation of the berries during veraison. Temperatures post veraison were slightly above the usual levels but still allowed for the perfect ripening of the fruit, leading to concentrated flavor and color development.”
Winery Notes: “Aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and plum with delicate notes of raisins and warm spices. Lush and full-bodied on the palate, the wine bursts with flavors of black fruit and berry accompanied by a touch of vanilla and toasty oak on the finish.”
My Review: Almost purple in the glass. Toasted marshmallow nose. Rich, dark berries wrapped in tobacco and toast, with anise notes on the finish and a touch of mint. November 2022
2019 Smith & Hook Malbec, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $40 (#870)
Vintage Notes: “The 2019 vintage started out with below-average rainfall causing supplemental irrigations to be applied while the vines started to awaken. There were a few heatwaves getting close to 100 degrees, but the vines bounced back from the stress with no issues. The farthest south of Hahn’s four SLH vineyards, the Hook vineyard is the least affected by the cooling influence of winds from Monterey Bay. Warmer temperatures earlier in the afternoon and consistent sun exposure accelerate ripening and yield rich, opulent flavors.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Aromas of loganberry and allspice are followed by hints of lavender, violet, and spring blossom. On the palate, notes of dark fruit with a kiss of olive and minerality, finishing with a touch of toasty cedar and espresso with a long, complex finish.”
My Review: Dark, inky ruby in color. Toasty caramel and dark fruit on the nose. A rich delicious palate of dark fruit – perhaos my favorite wine of the evening. I took one of these home! November 2022
Visiting Hahn: Hahn Tasting Rooms are located a their estate in the Santa Lucia Highlands, as well as in Carmel Plaza. You can find more information and make a reservation here.
Estate: “Immerse yourself in the Santa Lucia Highlands with a visit to our Estate Tasting room. Choose one of our three tasting options or gear up for some adventure on our ATV Tour. Be sure to include time to relax on the deck to enjoy the spectacular view of Smith Vineyard.” Open Thursday-Monday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 37700 Foothill Road, Soledad, CA 93960.
Carmel Plaza: “Come visit us in Carmel-by-the-Sea! Our Hahn Family Wines Tasting Room is located in beautiful Carmel Plaza, a popular wine and shopping destination located blocks away from Carmel Beach and the World Famous Pebble Beach Golf Course.” Open daily, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Carmel Plaza, Ocean Avenue and Mission Street on the Ground Floor.
A fun little Thanksgiving Post for you all today, including a wine from Los Altos Hills!
When I heard “the Domies” were having their 50th reunion, I was all in. While I had seen the UC Davis domes over the years, a chance to attend one of their reunions had always eluded me. My husband was one of about 2 dozen people who work on the project to build the domes back in 1972. The reunion was very well attended, with most of the former hippie-esque originals in attendance. It was a great weekend of memories and rekindling of old relationships and making new friends.
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. A dark cherry nose. Black cherry on the rich, tasty palate, with a touch of yeastiness on the finish. This is my favorite to date of the Hippie Syrahs! Can’t wait to taste the 2019! June 2022
What I did not really expect to see at this reunion was Central Coast wine! I captured 2 true “Central Coast” wines the first night we were there.
2021 Hitching Post Pinks Dry Rosé Wine, Central Coast
2009 Yáñez-Chin Winery Chardonnay, Los Altos Hills, Santa Clara County
The very first wine served as the Hitching Post Pinks. I was a bit surprised to see it up in Northern California. I’ve written about Hitching Post wine before.
The second wine was much more obscure. On the first night of the Dome Reunion, I met Luis Yáñez, the engineer who was the senior managing consultant on the Domes construction project and a part-time instructor at UC Davis. He oversaw the design and construction of the utility core elements of the domes: kitchen, bathroom, plumbing and electrical. He continues to play a role in innovative technologies and solutions.
A very sweet and friendly fellow, Luis also dabbled in wine making for a while, as the owner of the Yáñez-Chin Winery in the Los Altos Hills and brought a case of his award-winning 2009 Chardonnay for us to enjoy. He produced Chardonnay from 2008-2010 from a nearby property where he planted 127 vines of Chardonnay and built an impressive home.
I don’t know much about the Los Altos Hills wine growing region in Santa Clara County. Wineries nearby include Portola; Thomas Fogarty; Neely Winery; and the new Madsen located in Los Altos Hills. More wineries are just to the south, including historic Murrieta’s Well and Felloms Ranch, a source for grapes by our own Ian Brand.
I did find an article about residents making their own wines in “Our Town: The Official Newsletter of the Town of Los Altos Hills” from June 2017: Los Altos Hills Wine Country. It indicates that there were 112 vineyards in town at that time! There is also an annual Vines & Wine Event in Los Altos Hills with dozens of local winemakers!
2021 Hitching Post Pinks Dry Rosé Wine, Central Coast AVA, 13% ABV, $18 (#862)
The Hitching Post Pinks is made by Hartley Osini Vintners, Santa Maria, CA.
Winemaker’s Notes from their website: “A clean and softer version of our typical style of Hitching Post Wines Pinks Dry Rosé. Using our staple blend of 80% Valdiguie from French Camp Vineyards in San Luis Obispo County and 20% Pinot Noir from Quinta del Mar Vineyard.
“Lightly peach colored with an almost rusty hue. Soft tropical notes drawing out slight watermelon rind, and strawberry. An easy sipper for hot days, the acidity gives enough amplitude on the palate to bring out a cactus pear flavor. A fun wine to accompany a cheese and charcuterie board that is balanced and repeatable to drink.”
My Review: Rich pink in color. Aromas typical of a Pinot Noir-based rosé. Very tasty. I would have this again. The Valdiguié is a nice switch up from our usual Pinot Noir-driven Central Coast rosés! I would buy this. October 2022
2009 Yáñez-Chin Winery Chardonnay, Los Altos Hills, Santa Clara County, 12% ABV, $45 (#863)
Luis brought a case of his 2009 Yáñez-Chin Chardonnay to share with the group. 90 cases were produced. He indicated this wine won third place out of 35 wineries in a Los Altos Hills wine competition, likely the Vines & Wine Event mentioned above, about 5 years ago. At that time, the wine should have sold for about $45, although Luis mostly gave it to his family and friends.
My Review: Amber in color. A little cloudy. Caramel on the palate with fig notes, a touch sweet like a vermouth. I would have liked to taste it 5 years ago! October 2022
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.
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
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
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.
Back in May, I received a call from Phil Arnold, the Vice Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society. He expressed I could be helpful to their WinedUP Friday wine tasting events because I know so much about our local wineries. The first one I organized was at Parsonage, which I wrote about here: . The next one was at Corral, which I negotiated for 1 September, the Friday of Labor Day Weekend! I previously wrote about Corral here: https://decantingmonterey.com/come-say-hello-at-corral-wines-new-tasting-room/.
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.”
Happy Birthday, Jessica!
Corral Wine Tasting Room, which only opened in January 2022, has a very cool and relaxing vibe. Jessica Gatton, their awesome tasting room manager, and I were expecting quite a crowd and I wanted the members to be able to taste all the wines. We weren’t really sure how it would go, as people arrived at different times, so no one was on the same wine at the same time. And it was Jessica’s birthday – she had plans immediately after the event. On the verge of chaos, Corral reinforcements arrived, including their co-owners Skip and Dani Wilcox and co-owner/winemaker, Adrien Valenzuela. The Corral staff all chipped in to pour the wines and the AWS group was very happy. The wine was greatly enjoyed and many purchases wrapped up the evening. Thank you, Jessica, Adrien, Skip, and Dani, for all your hard work, making this an exceptional event!
As soon as Jacqueline Van Nes, Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the AWS, realized we had the winemaker in the house, she inquired if he would speak to us. Adrien readily agreed! We were thrilled that he was willing to address our group – an unplanned and very welcomed action.
Corral Winemaker Adrien Valenzuela with Monterey AWS Chapter Chair Jacqueline Van Nes
Adrien shared with us his wine background and training. A local from Salinas, he said he had left the area and had not planned to come back. He is written up as one of four up-and-coming winemakers in this September 5, 2019 Monterey Weekly article: Four young Monterey County winemakers talk about launching new labels in a time of uncertainty. Here is a quote from the article: “The career paths taken by Monterey County’s winemakers are not always predictable. Adrien Valenzuela studied biology and expected a career in nursing to follow – that is, until he did an internship at Estancia. He is now a winemaker for Constellation Brands in Gonzales, which owns almost 30 different labels, including Estancia and Robert Mondavi.” And now with Corral Wine Co.
He also shared the Corral story and trajectory. Their first vintage was in 2018, with a mere 500 cases, with fruit sourced from Monterey, Paso Robles, and Gilroy. This past year, that number reached 1400 cases and now they are expecting 2600! Nice! While some of what they produce comes from Bell Ranch in the Carmel Valley, they have been fortunate to obtain fruit from some notable Monterey County vineyards (Zabala in Arroyo Seco, KW Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and Massa in Carmel Valley). And they are expanding their acquisition of fruit from specific areas of Paso Robles, as well as from the Enz Vineyard in San Benito County.
Phil Arnold got up to say a few words about the Monterey Chapter of AWS, a young chapter that started in January 2020, right before the pandemic. It is a great group of people interested in learning more about wine. In addition to the first Friday WinedUP events, they host an annual BBQ, wine judging and other events. If you are interested, you can join them by becoming a member of the national AWS here: https://americanwinesociety.org/. The AWS is “America’s largest community of wine explorers”! Then you can join the Monterey Chapter. Membership is quite affordable and they are a non-pretentious and friendly social group.
Today, I am presenting 8 Corral wines from the AWS tasting event, 2 of which have been presented here before, with expanded tasting notes. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. You can read more details about some of these wines on their webpage here.
Winery Notes: “Bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit, such as guava and grapefruit dominate along with some fresh cut hay, lemon blossom, wet stone and racing acidity.”
My Review: Very light, pretty in the glass. Grapefruit, guava and grilled pineapple on the nose. Yummy palate of lychee, mango, papaya, sweet grapefruit and hay, with some minerality on the finish. Love Zabala VIneyard and find this to be a very attractive and sophisticated wine. I’d like to feature this wine in a future class! March/September 2022
2020 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, $26 (#605)
Winery Notes: “Bright and fresh aromas of strawberry and orange blossom, with nice, bright acidity.”
My Review: Dusty rose (“ballet slipper pink”) in color. Sweet bouquet of white peach, with a light palate of white peach and honey and a touch of smoke on the finish. This is a 2020 rose (fire year), afterall. A classic pool wine. Only red wine they made from 2020. March/September 2022
2021 Corral “Pancho’s Chard” Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.1% ABV, $36 (#839)
Winery Notes: “Crisp & refreshing acidity, with aromas of citrus and honeysuckle.”
My Review: Light in color, with the scent of “Melon de Bourgogne” and lemon on the nose. A bit of a wine spritzer look and taste in the glass. Fairly lemony palate – “like a lemon bar! This is such a new release that they don’t even have the labels yet! September 2022
2019 Corral Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $52 (#840)
Winery Notes: “Composed of two different clones from two vineyards in the heart of The Santa Lucia Highlands, this Pinot Noir shows off a lighter body, bright, red fruit and earthiness.” From the Highlands Ranch & KW Ranch Vineyards.
My Review: Transparent dark ruby in the glass. Perfume on the nose. Palate laden with alcohol. This wine seems young and not ready for release – might need to open up more or settle down. September 2022
Winery Notes: “Rich flavors of cherry, plum, and nutmeg. Elegant and lasting finish.”
My Review: Inky ruby in the glass. Smells like dark fruit, almost raisiny. Very bold on the palate – big and smooth. I’m not a Pinot Noir lover, but I truly like this wine! As with the 2018, I would not have guessed this was a Pinot Noir if I were doing a blind tasting. This is one of my favorite wines from today’s tasting. We thought we had this wine at home, but it was the previous vintage, so I will have to rectify that! September 2022
2019 Corral Enz Vineyard Old Vines Zinfandel, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 14.8% ABV, $48 (#842)
Winery Notes: “Light-medium body, old vine Zinfandel. Red fruit and spices.”
My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in the glass. Nose of dark fruits, pepper and violets. Very jammy, mocha (cocoa powder), with some licorice on the finish. I’m a long-time Zinfandel fan and took one home! On a previous visit, Larry Bell played mystery wine with this wine with me – while I suspected Zinfandel, I didn’t think he was making one. And he did – and it is good! September2022
2019 Corral “See What You Can Do” Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $62 (#843)
Winery Notes: “50/50 Cabernet & Syrah blend with notes of cranberry, pine needles, and all spice.” 50% Cabernet from Massa Estate, Cachagua (Carmel Valley AVA); 50% Syrah from Zabala Vineyard (Arroyo Seco AVA) 75 cases produced.
My Review: Inky in the glass. Mocha, plum, dark berries and vanilla on the nose. Palate of sharp berries and spearmint with vanilla and anise on the finish. This wine is very young for all this big fruit from some of the best vineyards in our area. Recommend cellaring for a year or more – if you can resist! One of our favorite Corral wines. September 2022
22019 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 14.5% ABV, $52 (#844)
Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit: blackberries, blueberries tobacco, black pepper, and toasted baking spices. Rich in flavor, full bodied with a long finish.”
My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in the glass. Smoke and alcohol on the nose – not a ton of fruit. Palate is smooth and rich with dark berry flavors and yummy. This is my favorite, current Corral wine – we keep buying more because we keep opening it at home! September 2022
We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA! Hours are Sunday, Monday and Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm; Friday and Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00ish pm; and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. They have two tastings: The Cellar Rats (referring to Larry and Skip) ($20 for 4 wines) and The Maker (referring to their winemaker, Adrien) ($25 for 6 wines).
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
We stopped in briefly at the Windy Oaks tasting room in Carmel Valley Village last February where we met knowledgeable Kerry Winslow, Wine Educator for Windy Oaks, who let us sample some pretty incredible Pinot Noirs, including some made from Burgundy clones of distinctive heritage. We finally got back to the tasting room on a busy Saturday for a full tasting (sorry, Kerry – we should have come in on a weekday but it was a target of opportunity!). Despite the busy environment, Kerry ensured each table received his full attention and shared his in-depth expertise with each of us, making it a very special tasting for us. Nothing short of perfect. We are self-admittedly not the biggest Pinot Noir fans, but those Burgundy clones are impressive.
Here’s what Jim Schultze, Founder & Winemaker, says about their wines on their website: “Our goal is to create wines which elegantly reflect their terroir — wines with balance, complexity and harmony. One wine writer described our approach as “extreme minimal intervention” where we try to do as little as possible in the winery to manipulate the grapes. We want our vineyards to speak for themselves!”
Today, I am presenting 8 Windy Oaks wine, most from the July tasting, but also a couple from our brief tasting in February. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors in my recollection of what Kerry told us are solely mine.
February 2022 Tasting SheetJuly 2022 Tasting Sheet
With this posting, we cross the 800 mark for wines I have reviewed during COVID, not all of them within the scope of Decanting Monterey. Wow. Who would have thought a temporary COVID hobby I started to entertain family and friends would turn into this!!
2017 Windy Oaks Old Vines Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.8% ABV, $45 (#800)
Winery Notes: According to Kerry, the Miller Vineyard is located close to the summit. Also known as the “4-barrel Chardonnay,” 18 months in 25% new oak barrels. This wine received a little lees stirring and rested on the lees.
My Review: Beautiful golden in color. Must and chicken tamale (a very familiar scent) on the nose. Tropical and buttery, with margarita rim notes on the finish. July 2022 (No buttery, no oak)
2021 Windy Oaks Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, $34 (#801)
Winery Notes: “The brand new Estate Grown Barrel Fermented Rosé of Pinot Noir was picked early to keep freshness and vitality all from etate vines. The grapes were crushed and allowed to soak for about four hours before pressing to used French oak. Matured for close to 8 months this Rosé has depth, loads of flavor and exceptionally elegant mouthfeel.” Only 2 barrels were made.
My Review: Dusty rose in the glass. Watermelon on the palate. Very tasty with good acidity. Perhaps a tad sweet. A nice summer patio wine. July 2022
Winery Notes: “The main estate Pinot Noir comes from various parcels and a full selection of clones fermented mainly with native yeasts and partial whole cluster. Then it was aged 18 months in French oak with 35% new barrels used, then bottled unfiltered. 350 cases made.”
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “Lovely fruit concentration and vibrant energy that showcases the harmony of the vintage and the vineyards. Medium full palate of luxurious red fruits, racy acidity and elegant French oak nuances. Expressive layers of black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and tangy plum fruits that rush at you in the mouth with a hint of rose petals on the nose, that fades nicely into a slight spicy and toasty note while lingering on the finish with an opulent creamy/satiny feel.”
My Review: Transluscent pale ruby in the glass. A light nose of cherry and black tea, carrying over to the palate. Easy to drink. A little sweet with a slightly bitter finish. July 2022
2018 Windy Oaks Les Deux Grands Crus Special Release Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.7% ABV, $105 (#803)
Winery Notes: Only 2 barrels were made of this wine from grapes grown from two well-known and respected Burgundy vineyards.
My Review: Transparent ruby in color. Light cherry on the nose, but a richer palate of cherry and wood. Earthy and elegant. This is a lovely wine and my favorite of the tasting. Even I really like this Pinot Noir! February & July 2022
2019 Windy Oaks Limited Release – Wood Tank Fermented Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.6% ABV, $64 (#804)
Winery Notes: “The Wood Tank Pinot was fermented in our French oak open top wood (tank) fermenter that adds dimension and textural richness. This vintage was aged close to 24 months in French oak barrels.”
My Review: A nice, translucent ruby. Cherry and black tea on the nose. Rich cherry on the palate leading into a darker finish. While flavors are very typical of a California Pinot Noir, this wine is very elegant and smooth. July 2022
Winery Notes: “Top top barrel selection of the vintage, coming from our old estate vines. Always beautifully structured this new release Reserve was aged close to 24 months in French oak barrels with a selection of close to 50% new wood and bottled unfined & unfiltered.” (from the tasting sheet February 2022)
My Review: My only notes for this wine tasted back in February were that I liked it. February 2022
Winery Notes: New release. 24 months in French barrels, 25-50% new.
My Review: Bubblegum on the nose and palate, with chalkiness shining through its long finish. This is a lighter and more subtle Pinot Noir. July 2022
2019 Windy Oaks Vaccaro Family Block Estate Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.9% ABV, $49 (#807)
Winery Notes: “The cool climate, singe acre, Estate Syrah is an elegant and peppery medium bodied version of this grape with classic northern Rhone character. 100% de-stemmed berries, native yeast fermented, and aged in used French barrels for 25 months, only 140 cases made.”
My Review: This was the last wine we tasted that day and the palate did not seem very Syrah-like. Lots of different spices on the palate, but not ones we’d usually think of in a wine. I’d like to taste this wine again as a stand-alone. July 2022
All of Windy Oaks tasting rooms are open: at the winery, in Carmel-By-The-Sea, and in Carmel Valley Village. Check here for the details: http://www.windyoaksestate.com/. Please call 831-724-9562 for reservations and other pertinent info.
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