Tagged: Decanting Monterey

Bernardus Delights Its Members with an Over-the-Top Marinus Dinner!

THE STORY

In November, we attended our third over-the-top Marinus dinner at the Bernardus Winery Tasting Room. I have to say, this is our favorite local event of the year and, I don’t know how, but it just keeps getting more impressive. The 2023 Marinus dinner was an elegant affair. The tables were decorated so beautifully and the service was impeccable. The wines and the food were exquisite, all the way down to the imported flavored French butters!  The Marinus blends are aging nicely and the multi-course food pairings created by Carmel Valley’s Chef Jerome Viel were sumptuous. You can read more about Jerome here: https://jeromescarmelvalleymarket.com/chef-jerome-viel/.

I will confess that I bugged Heather relentlessly about the date for this event, as I knew it was coming and we had been traveling. I for sure didn’t want to miss this event and last year, we got the last 4 seats! Thanks for putting up with me, Heather! When is it next year? 😊

With the recent retirement of winemaker Dean DeKorth, we were hosted by his replacement, Jim McCabe.  We had met him at the previous Marinus dinner and he hosted the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod at the winery this past summer. Jim was fully in his element on this night, informing us about the wines and happenings at the winery. His presence and conversations with the many attendees were so valuable and appreciated.

As if we didn’t already feel special enough, our meal began with the final 3 bottles of the 1993 Marinus – the year of their first bottling of this red blend on its 30th Anniversary. Making a fine Bordeaux wine in Carmel Valley was the vision and dream of founder Ben Pon, who passed away in 2019. And I must say that the 1993 was drinking fine, giving credence and confidence in the longevity of later vintages. Ben Pon’s vision has indeed been realized!

THE WINEMAKER’S STORY

Jim McCabe did not start out wanting to be a winemaker.  Originally from Massachusetts, he got into graduate school in Sonoma to pursue a Masters in Comparative Literature. He took a job at Bernardus while finishing his thesis.

He was impressed by the 2006 Bernardus Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir. He found it bigger, fuller, and more enjoyable than the jug wines which were so popular back then.  😊 As a result, he started to take winemaking more seriously. Dean DeKorth, his boss and mentor, taught him much about wine appreciation and winemaking.

THE WINERY

To kick off our event, winemaker Jim McCabe addressed the group with a brief history of the Bernardus Winery and the Marinus vineyard. Motor sport enthusiast and golfer Ben Pon moved here in 1989-1990. He noticed Durney was making intense Cabernets in Carmel Valley/Cachagua and he wanted to see what the area could be for wines. He had a vision to create a small pocket of Bordeaux in Carmel Valley. He wanted to explore what varieties would do well there. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to see what they could do, then added Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. You can read more about the founding and history of Bernardus Winery here.

Over the course of the evening, Jim shared a few tidbits about the winery and winemaking:

  • Bernardus hand harvests its grapes. Jim shared that there is a big difference in quality between machine and hand picking. Machines enter into the mix “Matters Other than Grapes” – MOG.
  • Making Marinus wine is like “squidding.” Seriously, Jim did say that…
  • One of their challenges is how to get grape growing and harvesting right in Cachagua, with its big diurnal shift. Cabernet Sauvignon needs sustained heat. So, they have to pick late.
  • As of the dinner on November 9th, they had still not harvested their Cabernet Sauvignon!  Due to the rains, followed by a cool spring/summer without wildfires, the region enjoyed one of its best and longest growing seasons.
  • The Marinus Vineyard is also a great place for Merlot. They have put a higher percentage of Merlot in the blend over the years. They reevaluate the percentages of the various grape varieties every year to develop their strategy for each vintage’s blend.
  • Marinus is a limited production red blend. They try to get the balance of varietals to show the best bottle – “the best we can” – vs having it taste the same every year. The blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant varietal, changes from year to year. The Signature Marinus is the best of the best. It can be a different blend than the Marinus in a given year.
  • They prefer French barrels and are able to buy 500 new barrels per year. Some old ones get purchased by a local brewery!

THE WINES

Winery tasting notes come from their website, the tasting sheet, or conversations with the winemaker or tasting room staff unless otherwise indicated. I quickly jotted down the blends at a subsequent visit to the tasting room, so I may not have them exactly right. You can read more about most of these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2015 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $125 (#889) 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Petit Verdot, 12% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc

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!” Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Uncorked! Awarded TOP RED WINE!

My Review: This was the wine we enjoyed as we walked in the door. I don’t have new notes, so am providing mine from July, which was a blind tasting: Dark berry, cherry and caramel notes with at first hints of barnyard and hay on the nose. Earthy palate of dark fruits with a touch of smoke on the finish. Much more of a big cab style wine. We like it. July 2023

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: This wine was perfectly paired with the black cod. Dark ruby in color. Spicy, black pepper on the nose. So smooth and rich, elegant. If we were tasting bling, no one would guess it was 30 years old. It’s similar to one of those fine, aged Bordeaux wines we open at home sometimes. November 2023

2010 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $65 (#39) 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc

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.”

My Review: Served with the duck confit and smoked lentils. Inky/dark garnet in the glass. Extraction is great says Jim. Slightly earthy nose. Palate is still rich but leaner. Still smooth.  We’ve had this vintage many times over the years and it has been interesting to watch its progression.  Several years ago, we thought it might be past its prime, but it might have been the bottle in the tasting room.  Since that time, as on this night, it has been drinking well. Hang in there, 2010! November 2023

2013 Bernardus Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey, 14.1% ABV, $75 (#157) 35% Caberbet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc

Winery Notes: “The robe of our 2013 Marinus is a very deep crimson. On the nose we find dried cranberry aromas accented by subtle spice notes. The palate is intensely flavored with impressions of bright red cherry and plum. The finish shows excellent tannic structure promising a long life for this vintage of Marinus, much like that of a fine Bordeaux.”

My Review: Served with the pork tenderloin. This is the vintage that caused me to fall in love with Marinus and become a club member. Inky in the glass. Smooth nose of cedar and velvety fruit. Dark berries on the palate. Blackberry and cherry on the finish. Still a favorite. November 2023.

2017 Bernardus Signature Marinus Red Wine, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $125  (#891)

Winery Notes: This was the first tasting of this vintage – opened for us on this special night.  No notes are available yet on their website.

My Review: Dark in the glass. Umami bouquet – go figure. Fresh on the palate. Bright black and red berries on the palate with a licorice finish. A lovely finish. I think it is still young, but the winery thinks it is ready to drink. Showing well and perfectly paired with the venison medallion – a good choice. November 2023.

2014 Bernardus Marinus, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $75 (#290) 52% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec

Winery Notes: “The robe of our 2014 Marinus is very deeply-colored. The aromas exude beautifully ripened red fruits accented by subtle spice notes. The mouthfeel is very soft and full expressing delicious flavors of ripe cherry and plum. The finish is well structured with soft tannins promising a long life for this superb bottle, similar to a fine Bordeaux.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. Tobacco on the nose. Deep intense berries on the palate with a minty finish. -goes with the earthiness of the raclette. Lovely. November 2023

2019 Bernardus Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 9.0% ABV, valued at $50, not for sale (#1215)             

Winery Notes: Inspired by Sauternes. Can only make this when the conditions are right. Has to be a humid, wet year. Bernardus has only made this 3 times: 2011, 2012, 2019. Can open it and keep it open.

My Review: Honey on the nose. Viscous, with a nice balance between the sweet and orange blossom and a touch of tartness. I enjoyed this wine – a perfect pairing with our orange almond cake. November 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

The Bernardus Tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every afternoon except Monday, with slightly different hours each day. Reservations are recommended but not required. You can see more information and book a tasting here, via email tastingroom@bernardus.com, or by calling them at 831-298-8021

 © Decanting Monterey 2023

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DENO Wine Paso Rouge: A Splash of Red from the Eastside!

THE STORY

This is another Monday Catch-Up post about another Paso discovery: DENO Wine Paso Rouge! The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod enjoyed this wine at the home of our partners, who are big Paso Robles fans. 

ABOUT DENO Wines:

HISTORY

 “Alto Pomar Vineyard (DENO’s estate vines) was initially planted in 1993, as the dream of Dennis Sharpe, a native Southern Californian.  As an agriculture student in both High School and College, Dennis made frequent trips to Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo for agricultural events.  There were few wineries at that time on the Central Coast but grape growing had been part of the local farming scene for decades.   Dennis noticed the limestone and fossilized sea shells in many areas of the county.  After developing a taste for fine wine in the early 1970’s the thoughts of those white rock soils brought an appreciation for what these soils could achieve in growing premium grapes.

“In 1992 Dennis began a search for country home in San Luis Obispo County.  After a few months an 8 acre parcel in the hills east of Templeton was found.  This land was part of the Bowers Orchard Tract which included 600 acres of Almond trees planted in 1916.  The land had been divided into parcels many years before.  This property would become Alto Pomar Vineyard.

“Over the years Alto Pomar grew little-by-little.  What started as a “hobby” vineyard grew to about 3 acres of primarily rhone type grapes.  Another 11 acres of land was purchased in the middle 90’s. The the decision to make wine from the estate fruit was made in 2008. Dennis has managed the vineyard and worked with Eric Ogorsolka, owner of Zenaida Cellars, to make DENO Wines through 2017. Since 2018 DENO wines have been made at ONX Winery with the Custom Crush Team.

VINEYARDS

“DENO wines are made from fruit from our estate, Alto Pomar Vineyard, and other local vineyards in the Paso Robles area. The objective is to turn the best fruit into exceptional wines.

“Alto Pomar is located in the eastside Templeton Hills at almost 1400 feet in elevation and takes advantage of the winds and temperature swings of the Templeton Gap. The varying soils are primarily calcareous marls and shales with mixed clays and gravel. Farming the steep ridges of Alto Pomar is a challenge. Water is limited and the vines naturally produce extremely low yields (2 tons/acre) of intense and well-balanced fruit.

“The grapes from Alto Pomar have a common thread of spice, brightness and balanced maturity. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and a few scattered other varieties make up the small (3 acre) vineyard.

“The vineyard is farmed in both trellis and head-trained fashion. The oldest vines are now over 25 years of age…”

​WINEMAKING

“Harvest timing is always a challenge and the window of harvest for ideal balance is very short. Grapes are harvested when the acid and maturity appear to be in the best harmony. This results in wines of balance and ripe flavors.

“Fruit is harvested as early in the morning as possible to maintain a cool initial soak before fermentation. Grapes are delivered to the winery and destemmed leaving whole berries in the fermentation bins. Dry ice is added when the cold soak is desired for a longer period. Typically, fermentation starts within three days and the wines are pressed after approximately two to four weeks, depending on the fruit and the vintage.

“Minimal manipulation of the wine is performed with constant monitoring to bring the wine to a finely finished product. Bottling is usually done unfiltered.

“DENO wine typically benefits from decanting in its early years. The wine is balanced with natural acidity and the grapes’ own fruitful maturity.”

THE WINE

I have just one wine to present to you today from DENO Wine. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2018 DENO Wine Paso Rouge, Alto Pomar Vineyard, El Pomar District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.4% ABV, $40 (#1214) 65% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre

Winery Notes: “Floral aromas with perfume of bright red berries. Red berry/Raspberry flavors with a nice elegant feel.  Balanced and softly structured.  Opens nicely in the decanter.”

My Review: Translucent ruby in the glass. Raspberry jam and leather on the nose. Juicy palate of raspberry jam – 💯 raspberry. Went well with espresso chocolate. October 2023

TASTING ROOM

According to its Facebook page, DENO Wine might have a shared tasting room with Clavo Cellars at 315 S. Main Street in Templeton.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Corral Wine Co.: A Beautiful Portfolio of Tasty Wines!

THE STORY – A Beautiful Portfolio of Tasty Wines!

On a lovely September day, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod decided to stop in at Corral Wine Co. to experience their beautiful portfolio of tasty wines. There, we were warmly greeted and hosted by their expert staff, LeAnne and Marissa. It was a nice, quiet afternoon to taste some new releases, as well as retaste some of our favorites.

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: Impressive Corral Lineup for the Monterey AWS WinedUP Friday! A few of today’s wines were also in this post – but I am providing updated notes here. My notetaking can be really detailed or really skimpy when traveling with the Wine Pod – depends if we are “working” or simply enjoying ourselves – and how many tastings we have done in a single day. 

We’ve been fans of Corral since they first opened their tasting room in January 2022 and find their young winemaker Adrien Valenzuela to be one of the most exciting, promising, up and coming winemakers we have encountered. His versatility seems to have no bounds – from a flavorful, delicate Sauvignon Blanc to his creative “See What You Can Do With It” red blend. 

Sourcing grapes from some of the regions very best vineyards is key to their success – from the correct side of Paso (depending on the varietal) to some of my personal favorite vineyards in Monterey County and beyond to San Benito County.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 8 Corral Wine Co. wines from this September tasting, plus a few we tasted earlier in the year.  Some of these wines have been presented here before. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1088)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of lemongrass, citrus, fersh herb, and guava with hints of gooseberry. Flavors of lemon, peach, and citrus finishing with a nice minerality and racing acidity.”

My Review: Straw in the grass. A slightly sweet nose of grapefruit & melon. The nose follows over to the palate with a grapefruit twist on the finish. It’s a lot, in a good way. September 2023

(Honeydew on the nose. A nice, round palate finishing with pineapple and citrus fruits. July 2023)

2021 Corral Rosé of Pinot Noir, River Road, Monterey County, 13.25% ABV, $26 (#1206)

Winery Notes: “Bright and delicate, with aromas of strawberry and orange blossom. Aged in 100% Stainless Steel for 10 months.”

My Review: Ballet slipper pink in color. Sweet Bouquet of honeysuckle. Rich in flavor – a touch sweeter than I generally prefer – but just barely. April 2023

2022 Corral Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russell Estate, Monterey County, 13.25% ABV, $28 (#1207)

Winery Notes: “Bright and delicate with hints of strawberry, cotton candy, and hibiscus. Flavors of raspberry tea and white peach linger through the finish.”

My Review: Pale pink in color. Honeysuckle on the nose. White peach and floral on the palate. Quite nice but a tad sweet for me. 100% patio wine. Great for the beach. September 2023

2021 Corral Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $38 (#1208)

Winery Notes: “Rich tropical aromatics of grilled pineapple, ripe fruit, and toasted coconut with hints of sweet baking spices. Subtle flavors of oak and spice finish on the palate with a nice oily body. Long lasting finish enhances the richness of this Chardonnay.”

My Review: Light golden in the glass. Toasted coconut on the nose, almost Sauternes like. Banana on the palate. September 2023

2019 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#841)

Winery Notes: “Rich flavors of dark cherry, plum, and nutmeg. Elegant and lasting finish.”

My Review: Pale garnet in color. Caramel on the nose. Spices including nutmeg on the mid palate. A bit of tobacco on the finish. September 2023

(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 – we have some at home! September 2022)

2019 “See What You Can Do With It” Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $62 (#843) 

Winery Notes: “50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah blend with notes of cranberry, pine needles, and all spice.”

My Review: It’s got a great nose – “It smells up my alley,” proclaimed a Wine Pod member. This is truly my kind of wine. The Syrah hits mid palate with white pepper notes. A touch tart on the finish like a cherry Jolly Rancher. Right now, the grape varietals are tasting somewhat separately. September 2023

(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 – recommend cellaring for a year or so – if you can resist!  One of our favorite Corral wines. September 2022)

2020 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $82 (#1209)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of black cherry, currant, and cedar. Hints of violet and blackberry. Aged in 50%  new French oak.”

My Review: Deep garnet in the glass. Perfume on the nose. Very deep fruit and spice on the palate. This is going to be a great wine. April 2023 and September 2023

2019 Corral Petite Sirah, Aleksander Vineyard, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $72 (#844)

Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit: blackberries, blueberries tobacco, black pepper, and toasted baking spices. Rich in flavor, full bodied with a long finish. Aged in 100% Oak barrels, 50% new oak, 25% French, 25% American oak.”

My Review: Our last wine – and skimpy notes. Magenta in the glass, barnyard on the nose. We always like this wine. September 2023

(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)

THE TASTING ROOM

“Come say “Hello” at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village” located at19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley.  Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6 p.m.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Ranch 32: Local Meritage Undergoes an Experiment in Aging

We are almost caught up with our summer “Catchup Mondays” – Ranch 32 – Local Meritage Undergoes An Experiment in Aging. And this one will be really brief – because I already reviewed this wine back in 2021. But please read on…

THE STORY – AN EXPERIMENT IN AGING

Back in 2021, our daughter was served a delicious Ranch 32 Cabernet Sauvignon.  When I needed an American “Claret” for a wine class, I discovered the Ranch 32 makes a Meritage. I bought it at BevMo in Carmel for $29.95 and got a second bottle for 5 cents. The first tasting in June 2021 showed a bit young, so I held onto the second bottle to see what would happen – an experiment in aging. I’d have to say my little experiment had a disappointing outcome.  I guess the bottom line is to drink these wines young!

I previously wrote up this wine here: “On the west side of the Salinas Valley, directly in the path of Monterey’s relentless afternoon winds, sits Ranch 32”.

ABOUT RANCH 32:

“Place is paramount.”

“It means everything to wine. The finest wines in the world are closely identified with the regions from where they originate. Ranch 32 is about showcasing the best wine from our estate vineyards located in select AVAs of Monterey County. It is about crafting wines of tremendous depth and character that reflect their origin. Ranch 32 is the taste of place.”

You can read more about Ranch 32 here.

THE WINE

I have just one wine to present to you today from Ranch 32. Winery notes come from BevMo and from www.wine.com. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2018 Ranch 32 Vineyard Reserve Meritage, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $30 40% Petit Verdot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 7% Malbec (#385)

BevMo Review – 85 points: “Aromas of blackberries and dark plums with overtones of mocha and dark chocolate; well-integrated tannins lead to a long, layered finish.”

My Reviews:

June 2021: Ruby in the glass with a lovely, rich bouquet of dark fruits: plum, berry, oak and a touch of cherry. The palate was balanced, quite drinkable and fresh, with a touch of tangerine on the finish.  This wine is young. It opened up into nice, round flavors over time. 

September 2023: Garnet in the glass. Dark fruit and a bit of earth on the nose, following onto the palate. Grass and apple on the finish.  An experiment in aging with a disappointing outcome.      

WHERE TO FIND

Ranch 32 doesn’t have a tasting room, but you can use this link on their website to find their wines: https://www.ranch32wines.com/find-a-store.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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A Warm Thanksgiving Thanks to You!

I wanted to take a moment on this crisp and sunny coastal Thanksgiving weekend to give a warm Thanksgiving thanks to you!

To Our Monterey Wineries and Winemakers: I write this blog from my heart for you. You work hard to create delicious, impressive wines from our unique earth and climate, sometimes challenging. I am so hopeful for our very promising 2023 vintage. I thank you in return for the consideration you give me in terms of industry discounts and even sometimes donated wine for my nonprofit classes.

To My Readers: I write this blog to you – to help share our Monterey and Central Coast wines that sometimes don’t get seen outside of our local area. We’ve got good stuff here and I want you to know about it. Wine tasting here is so much fun – good wine, friendly staff, low key and affordable. I love it when you will go to the actual website and leave me a comment or two. I hope to see more of that. And thank you so much for nominating Decanting Monterey as Best Local Blog. While I didn’t win, I am so grateful for your efforts to get this website seen and heard.

To Our Local Wine Organizations: The Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans, and the Arroyo Seco Winegrowers Association I rely on you for information about our local wines and thank you for your generosity in access to your events. And the American Wine Society – Monterey Chapter, which welcomed me with open arms and has allowed me to advise them on our local wineries for their many events. If you aren’t a member, you can join today by joining the AWS and adding on our Monterey Chapter. We’d love to see you at our events.

To the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod: My husband and our friends, including our daughters who were trapped on the Monterey Peninsula with us during the pandemic. They were with me when this all started as a Facebook pandemic pastime and watched it grow into a real website and blog. I rely on the Wine Pod for tasting notes and opinions so you don’t always get just mine. Oh, and fun. We have had a number of fun adventures together exploring wineries and tasting wines.

To My Donors: I am so grateful to the people who have donated to Decanting Monterey. This is a self-funded wine blog with real operating expenses. I am proud that my handful of donors have come from our local wine industry, our local wine organizations, and from my readers. Thank you for your support.

WHAT WINES DID YOU SERVE FOR THANKSGIVING?

Now, to the most important question of the day: What local wines did you serve on Thanksgiving? We took a magnum of 2015 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, my favorite vintage of his Cabs. I previously wrote about it here.

MAKE A COMMENT TODAY!

I encourage you to make a comment on today’s post sharing the local wines that you enjoyed on Thanksgiving or over the weekend! I raise a toast to all of you in gratitude.

Central Coast Sharon

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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And It’s a Wrap: Lunch Tasting at Halter Ranch

We wrapped up the late summer Decanting Monterey Wine Pod visit to Paso Robles with a lunch tasting at Halter Ranch. What a perfect spot for great food and big reds just the way we like them.  While we enjoyed a delicious lunch, our server Kennedy gave us an exceptional presentation of the wines being tasted that day.

I really appreciated the recognition as an industry person and the corresponding discount.  Those not-so-small gestures help make this not-for-profit blog possible! I’d go back again for this experience in a heartbeat.

ABOUT HALTER RANCH

“Set along the westernmost boundaries of Paso Robles, California, surrounded by the wild, and wide-open Santa Lucia Mountain Range of the Central Coast, Halter Ranch is a 2,700-acre organic nature estate dedicated to land, art, and legendary terroir-driven wine made with the finest organic grapes. Envisioned by Swiss entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world-leading land conservationist, Hansjörg Wyss, the estate is an homage to his mother, Alice Halter, and a haven for the natural world to flourish and deliver exceptional, timeless wines.

Block 22 Syrah

You can read more about Halter Ranch and its 100% estate and organic wines here.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 6 Halter Ranch wines.  There were two tastings: the Ranch Flight and the Silver Label Flight – we chose the latter. Winery notes come from our server, the bottles, and their website, unless otherwise indicated.  Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2016 Halter Ranch Cuvée Alice Estate Reserve, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.9% ABV, $150 (#1200)  66% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 2% Tannat

Winery Notes: This is a GSM with the addition of Tannat. Their most expensive wine is named in honor of the owner’s mother, Alice.

My Review: Dark ruby. Warm spice on the nose. Big mouthful of smooth wine. Very tasty. We liked this wine. September 2023

2020 Halter Ranch Cuvée Alice Estate Reserve, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.7% ABV, $96 (#1201) 45% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 8% Tannat, 7% Mourvèdre

Winery Notes: “The 2020 Cuvée Alice has aromas of rose petals, blood orange, and bing cherry. The entry is soft, supple, and inviting to the palate with flavors of dragon fruit, raspberry, and mulled spices. The vibrant acid and low tannin structure makes this wine a perfect option for pairing with food, and equally a wine that will age gracefully.”

My Review: Darker, slightly purple in the glass. Alcohol followed by vegetal notes on the nose. Dark red fruits on the palate. Austere, yet fairly complex, ending with some leather, orange and smoke. Grape blend is very balanced. September 2023

2020 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Block 22 Syrah, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.8% ABV, $88 (#1202)

Winery Notes: “The 2020 Block 22 Syrah has aromas of blueberry, ripe plum, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The entry is rich and juicy, driven by flavors of elderberry, raspberry, and boysenberry preserve. The mid palate has length and acidity, balanced by soft, supple tannins that lead to a clean, food-friendly finish.”

My Review: Inky purple in color. A lot of legs in the glass. Smoked ham on the nose. Yummy big rich, dark fruit with lots of coffee and chocolate. A little orange oil and caramel on the finish. Sweet. A big wine. We took a lot of this wine home but wish we had taken more! We have enjoyed this several times since! September 2023

2019 Halter Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (#1203) 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot

Winery notes: “The 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of black cherry, red currant, cassis, and a touch of pencil lead. The palate is soft and rich, exuding flavors of raspberry, blueberry, and a hint of cocoa. Lengthy, integrated tannins lead to a seamless finish.”

My review. Garnet in color. Dark fruit and alcohol on nose. Tasty palate, a touch sweet. It’s fine. September 2023

2020 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Tannat, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $92 (#1204)

Winery Notes: “The 2020 Reserve Tannat has aromas of clove, cardamon, black tea and dark fruits. The entry is juicy and textured, driven by flavors of blackberry, black currant, and a mix of baking spices. The integrated mid palate and finish bring structure, tannin and length to an age-worthy wine for your cellar.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. Smooth, dark fruit on the nose. I really liked this wine. September 2023

2019 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Ancestor, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $85 (#1205)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Ancestor showcases aromas of red currant and dark chocolate along with subtle hints of cinnamon and clove. The entry is soft and rich with layered flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and dark cherry. The mid- palate is thick and mouth coating with balanced acid. The finish is framed by integrated tannins and delicate flavors of caramel and truffle.”

My Review: Garnet/purple in the glass. Dark fruit on the nose. Big cab flavors on the palate. Reminds us of a Rombi cab. More refined than a Malbec. Would make an excellent mystery wine. Katrina would like this wine. I think if we opened this wine at home, we would really like it. So, we took some home. September 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

Halter Ranch has a range of experiences including lunch, tastings, and tours. You can explore your options here.  It is located at 8910 Adelaida Rd, Paso Robles and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We think you, too, would enjoy a lunch tasting at Halter Ranch!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!

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Let’s Take Lunch to a New Level with L’Aventure

Today I am bringing you another summer “Catchup Monday” – Let’s Take Lunch to a New Level with L’Aventure.

THE STORY

After our wonderful vineyard tour at Parsonage in late July, we stopped for a much-needed lunch at Café Rustica in Carmel Valley Village. After declaring I don’t drink wine at lunch (I’m usually designated driver anyway), my husband decided to “take lunch to a new level” by ordering a very special wine – the 2020 L’Aventure Optimus.  It was the perfect accompaniment to our group’s lunch. I previously wrote about L’Aventure in March here.

ABOUT L’AVENTURE – an excerpt from their website:

HOW IT STARTED

“Following his education at L’Ecole Oenologique de Macon, Burgundy, France, Stephan established Domaine de Courteillac in Bordeaux in 1982. Over the next 15 years, Stephan developed into an artisan winemaker of fastidious craftsmanship and gained a reputation as a maverick vigneron. However, his true desire was to be more innovative than AOC law would allow.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

“Stephan wanted to expand his expertise while gaining more freedom in viticulture and vinification. In 1998, the Asseo family left Bordeaux and searched for over a year within the world’s great wine regions, ranging from South Africa to Lebanon, Argentina to Napa, but they “fell in love” with the unique terroir of west side Paso Robles. L’Aventure was born.

THE SPIRIT OF L’AVENTURE

“Stephan’s philosophy of winemaking stems from a production driven mentality. Our wines reflect the vintage and terroir of Paso Robles. Optimus and Estate Cuvée are both wines that are Syrah/ Cabernet Sauvignon/ Petit Verdot blends. In these wines, as well as in our Rhône blend Côte à Côte (among others), the blending of premium varietals increases the authenticity, complexity, and balance of the wines…”

You can read more about L’Aventure here.

THE WINE

I have just one wine to present to you today from L’Aventure. Winery notes come from their website and from www.wine.com. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2020 L’Aventure OPTIMUS Red Blend, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles AVA, 14.8% ABV, $58 (#1199) 58% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot

From wine.com: “The Optimus blend is made up of predominately Syrah, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot and entirely estate-grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard. The hilly soils are intriguingly complex- due to their proximity to the ocean as the vineyard site is in West Paso Robles. The soils have a top layer of calcareous shale, filled with old marine bones, shells, diatoms, and plankton, with clay, metals, and quartz below. These vines Low yielding vines at 2.5 tons per acre. After a long growing season, thanks to the region’s heavy diurnal shift, the grapes, and harvested and undergo alcoholic fermentation in 60% new French oak, followed by full malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for 14 months in barrel, no fining or filtration.” 95 points – Rober Parker’s The Wine Advocate

Winery Notes: “Optimus is the perfect introduction to our lineup. Also known as our “crazy” Paso blend, Optimus is beautifully balanced with a lot of freshness. This wine is approachable young but can be enjoyed for up to a decade.”

My Review: OK, you caught me.  We simply enjoyed this wine with our meal and didn’t take any notes. My notes from the 2016 are here: “Inky in color. Dusty jam and leather on the nose – like a really big red wine. Dark berry jam of ripe fruit, rich and sweet (in a good way).  Cedar, mint and tarragon notes on the finish.”

THE TASTING ROOM

Visit L’Aventure: “Take in views of our vineyard from our fully covered patio as you taste through the flagship wines of our latest release from Winemaker, Stephan Asseo. Tastings are conducted by appointment only, allowing us to create personal relationships with our guests as your Estate Educator guides you through a flight of four wines.”  Other options available.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!

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TURLEY: A RARE IN-PERSON TASTING FOR DECANTING MONTEREY!

THE STORY

For the first time since 2018, we made it down to Templeton for Turley: a rare in-person tasting. I’m a long-time Turley Wine Cellars girl, ever since we first started seeing their Old Vines Zinfandel on our restaurant menus in DC. Back then, there was a long wait to join their mailing list – it was seemingly exclusive. Today, it is easier to join and the members-only access to their broad portfolio makes it a club we haven’t wanted to leave!

Decades ago, during a wine tasting day in the Paso Robles wine region, we stumbled upon a winery called “Pesenti.” It was a great find, making big reds the way we liked them at an affordable price. The next thing we knew, they were acquired by – wait for it – Turley!  While Zinfandel and Petite Sirah are the cornerstones of Turley’s Pesenti production, that have ventured out into other whites and reds from the region. It is also the location of 1 of 2 Turley tasting rooms.

We were welcomed at Turley by wine educator Steve O’Brien, who, before coming to their Paso Robles location, was their distributor in Colorado. He was extremely knowledgeable about Turley, its history and its wines.  It was a lovely morning and we sat outside on the garden patio. We were presented with the tasting menu of the day, which covered a sampling of the breadth of the Zinfandels.  Since I had corresponded with Steve before our arrival, he had some additional wines ready for us to try.

Steve updated us on the 2023 harvest.  Historically, harvest used to go well into October, but in recent years, due to warmer weather, the Zinfandel was usually picked by the end of September.  Due to our cool Central Coast spring and summer, he anticipated harvest would go well into November.

This is the fourth in a series of five posts about our wine escapades down south! I have written about Turley several times (just search for “Turley” on any page of my website), with the most recent one here: Turley Pesenti Vineyard: A Big, Tasty Petite Syrah with Brambly Juice and a Chalky Finish.

ABOUT TURLEY (from their website)

“Turley Wine Cellars was founded in Napa Valley by former emergency room physician Larry Turley in 1993. Under the direction of winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, Turley now makes 50 different wines from over 50 vineyards across California, primarily Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, with many vines dating back to the late 1800s. By farming organically and focusing on old vine vineyards of these varieties, Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.” You can read more about Turley and proprietor Larry Turley here.

ABOUT PESENTI VINEYARD

 “This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920s on primarily limestone soil. Though the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, the soil plays the most important role in distinguishing this vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. The wines have a brightness, with chalk and floral characteristic aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general.” The Zinfandel vines reached 100 years old in 2022!

THE WINES

I have 10 wines to present to you today from Turley. 7 are from our September tasting and 3, from our home cellar. Winery notes come from their website or conversations during our tasting, unless otherwise indicated.  Prices are a mix of tasting sheet and, for the wines we had at home, our member purchase receipts. As a member, we are offered a slightly discounted price from what you might find retail.  Any errors are mine and mine alone.

About Juvenile: “Though the vast majority of our wines are single vineyard designates, Juvenile is actually composed of a variety of young vines that have been replanted in several of our old vine sites. We tag the younger vines then pick them separately and make a distinct wine. Juvenile vines range in age from about 6-25 years, and we pull from a selection of our best vineyards across California.”

2020 Turley Juvenile Zinfandel, California, $20 (#1189)

Winery Notes: “Plenty of satiating spiced plum, blood orange, and stone fruits, with grippy tannins and well-balanced acidity. Eminently drinkable now owing to the classic Juvenile texture. Plus, with this vintage of Juvenile we introduced new corks that essentially eliminate TCA! What an absolutely gorgeous knockout of a wine for $20.” A best value.

My Review: Purple in color. Concord grape and blackberry on the nose. Vegetal notes combine with red and black berries in a jammy, full-bodied palate with a slightly tannic finish. September 2023

2021 Turley Juvenile Zinfandel, California, 15.2% ABV, $24 (#1190)

Winery Notes: “Fragrant, lifted aromas of ripe dark fruits like black raspberry and blood orange on the nose. Superb balance between acidity, tannin, and spice, with a succulent, profoundly satisfying texture.”

My Review:  Purple in color. Intense berry and warm cinnamon on the nose. Palate finishes with Mandarin orange. We liked this wine. September 2023

2021 Turley Zinfandel, Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.9% ABV, $44 (#1191)

Winery Notes: “Deeply perfumed and enthralling nose of ripe red fruits, high-toned spices, orange zest, and an almost minty crushed chalk. Palate is smooth, lush, energetic, and pure, with a smack of well-toned acidity, satiating structure, and a long, precise finish.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass. Fresh berry pie on the nose. Bursts in the mouth with bright berry flavors overlaying a sour, fairly acidic palate. September 2023

2018 Turley Zinfandel, Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 15.8% ABV, $38 (#1192)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant and always distinctive, the Pesenti Zinfandel makes its spring lineup debut! Fragrant red fruits, black raspberry, chalk dust, piquant spices and wildflowers all flourish on the nose. Lush yet linear on the palate, with fresh, lively acidity and profound depth. Intensely pleasurable now, and will age well.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Red raspberry jam on the nose. Rich raspberry and blackberry on the palate. This is raspberry, cassis and vanilla all the way. July 2023

2021 Turley Whitney Tennessee Zinfandel, Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma County, 15.8% ABV, $46 (#1193)

Winery Notes: “This small, estate-owned, pre-Prohibition vineyard in Sonoma County was purchased by the winery in 2009, and we’ve since converted all to organic farming. Planted on loam and various gravel soils, the Whitney Tennessee vineyard—named for one of Larry’s four daughters—is a mixed planting as well, with small amounts of Petite Syrah and Carignane vines sprinkled throughout.

“Organically farmed pre-Prohibition vines planted head-trained and dry-farmed in the loam & gravel of Sonoma County. Profuse blue fruits, savory game, and crushed gravel. Lively synergy between acid and tannin on the palate, with a wholly satisfying texture. Best enjoyed with a quick decant.”

Steve added that the 1915 plantings are field blends, which is the case with most pre-Prohibition plantings.

My Review: A pretty ruby color. Looks full and rich. Faint dark berry on the nose. The palate is quite sophisticated, leaner than the nose. An elegant Zinfandel. September 2023

2019 Turley Duarte Zinfandel, Contra Costa AVA, Contra Costa County, 15.7% ABV, $33 (#1194)

Winery Notes: “This wine is an homage to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area.  The wine is comprised of fruit from the turn-of-the-century Evangehlo, Mori, and Salvador vineyards, planted between 1890 and 1930.Thanks to the sandy soils and impressive age of the vines, the wine has some of the softest, silkiest tannins we’ve ever seen in a Zinfandel.

“One whiff of the Duarte tells you everything you need to know about where this wine comes from. Notes of dark-skinned stone fruits, driftwood, and a bracing shoreline breeze convey the windswept sands of Contra Costa as clearly as if you were standing in the beach-like soils yourself. The palate is only further proof: suave tannins, smooth yet textured, velvety with a hint of grip, almost like peach fuzz. The type of dynamic fruit, acid, and tannin balance that can only come from ancient vines deeply rooted in the sandy soils of Northern California. Perfectly stellar from the first pour. If you’ve ever dreamed of renting a remote beach cottage in winter where you can walk your dog along the shore during the day and write your novel by a crackling fire at night, this wine is for you.”

My Review: Garnet, almost purple in the glass. Tart berry jam with baking spices on the nose. Rich palate of bright berries offset by a tartness like crushed freeze-dried berries. Sticks to the palate with lingering flavors. September 2023

2021 Turley Grenache, Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.9% ABV       (#1195)

Winery Notes: “Previously only available in our tasting room, the Pesenti Grenache makes an impressive debut on the mailing list. Made famous in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Priorat, Grenache is also one of the traditional Rhône grapes that helped put modern-day Paso Robles on the map. Aromatics include alpine strawberry, blackberry, fennel, and lavender, mingled with a spice reminiscent of garrigue. A medium-to full-bodied wine, the palate shows tangy bright red brambly fruits, spice, and a balanced acidity offset by fine-grained tannin. With a long finish, the purity and depth of this wine are sure to please even our most dedicated Zin drinkers. Drink now at 55˚- 60 ˚F.”

My Review: Translucent ruby in the glass. Berries and spice on the nose. Leather, raspberry and cranberry cloaked with a touch of sweetness on the palate. Classic Rhône. September 2023

2020 Turley Zinfandel, Ueberroth Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.7% ABV, $58 (#1196)

Winery Notes: “Planted in 1885, Ueberroth is the oldest of our Zinfandel vineyards. Located closer to the sea than any other site we work with, you can smell the salt air from the top of the vineyard hill. These ungrafted, head-trained vines are planted on very steep limestone slopes. The high pH of the soil makes for a very high-acid wine, elevating the ripe fruit flavors from this historic certified organic vineyard.

“Certified organic, ungrafted vines over 130 years old; the “grand cru” site of Paso Robles. Exuberant, intense dark red plum, wild strawberry, dried orange peel, white pepper and chalk on the nose. Brooding, dense, pedigreed, powerfully fresh and balanced on the palate with mouth-watering acidity. Ready to drink now at 55°-60°F or could age several years..”

My Review: Super dark garnet. Spice and sea on the nose. Palate is very spicy and delicious. It’s a big wine. We hadn’t had an Ueberroth in quite some time and took a couple home! September 2023

2021 Turley Estate Petite Sirah, Napa Valley AVA, Napa County, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#1197)

Winery Notes: “Planted adjacent to the Estate Zinfandel, this Petite is also certified organic. The Wappo Indians used to roam throughout the region, and obsidian arrowheads are commonplace in the rocky volcanic soils. The wine is a classic Napa Valley Petite Syrah: dark and brooding on the nose, bright and vibrant on the palate.

“Certified organic mixed planting that includes trellised and head-trained, dry-farmed heritage vines. Dark blue and purple fruits, savory spiced game, and earth, like a walk through a rain-wet northern forest. Strikingly silky on the palate, with a fresh, vivacious texture that offsets the brooding depth of this exceptional wine.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. Caramel, eucalyptus and dark berries on the nose. Lean, austere palate with light cherry flavors and vegetal notes. September 2023

2021 Turley Grenache Blanc, Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 13.4% ABV (#1198)

Winery Notes: Grenache Blanc is one of the grapes in Turley’s white blend named White Coat.  This is the 4th vintage in which they have had excedd grapes and bottled Grenache Blanc separately.

My Review: Pale, dusty white in the glass. Refreshing nose with pineapple notes. Perfume and pear on the light, crisp palate. Mineral and tar on the finish. A nice white to finish our red tasting. September 2023      

THE TASTING ROOMS

“Here at Turley, we consider ourselves and our wines Californian above all else.

We take great pride in traversing old trails in search of ancient vineyards across the state, and encourage you to explore some new territories with us.”

Their two locations are open for tastings by appointment: Thursday – Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. If you make it there, tell them Decanting Monterey sent you!

Amador County Tasting Room: “Nestled in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, our Amador county tasting room in Plymouth is the home of the Gold Rush and the nation’s oldest vineyards.”

Paso Robles Tasting Room: “A few miles inland of California’s storied Central Coast, Paso Robles is a pioneer’s paradise, where surfers, cowboys, vintners, farmers, and ranchers commingle amidst ancient vines, towering oak trees, and rolling hills.”

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Odonata: The Truth About Durif

Today I am bringing you another “Catchup Monday” – Odonata: The Truth About Durif. Still getting caught up from my busy summer – but this is an interesting wine and worth your time to read this post!

THE STORY

We last visited Odonata in March 2022 and captured our experience here: Odonata Plays “Mystery Wine” with Decanting Monterey! During that tasting, we became intrigued by a varietal that we did not know or even taste – the Durif.  I recalled being told at the time that it was like a South African Petite Sirah. But the facts say more.  I was delighted that we finally opened this wine in August, giving us the chance today to dive deep into the Durif grape. Read on!

ABOUT ODONATA from their website:

“Winemaker Denis Hoey released his first commercial vintage when he was 21. He now blends old world methods with new world technique to make nouveau-style wines. He strives to produce wines that are rich, textured, and balanced, and that respect terroir and varietal character. His success is based on careful attention to detail and the purposeful use of each step in winemaking: grape sources, fermentation technique, pressing regiment, barrel selection, and aging program. The result is clean, focused wines.

“Hoey, a native of Sacramento, grew up in a family that appreciated wines and exposed him to a wide range of quality wines that helped develop his palate. In 2004, he graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in Business Management. Soon after that, he met Jeff Emery, owner and winemaker at Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard. Their relationship quickly turned into an Old World apprenticeship for Denis, and he became the production manager for SCMV before starting Odonata Wines in Santa Cruz in 2005.

“Hoey learned many of his cellar practices at Bison Organic Brewery in Berkeley working with a much more perishable product. This taught him the importance of giving careful attention to spoilage organisms. His continuing education involves following current trends in winemaking research from the major universities. He has traveled to Italy and France on several occasions to gain a broader perspective about European winemaking techniques and varietal fidelity. He maintains a sharp palate for quality and the nuances of wines by tasting, tasting, and more tasting. He continues to challenge himself to make better wine by learning from what others are doing well–or not so well! 

“In 2014, Hoey and his wife, Claire, moved to the Santa Lucia Highlands where they are raising their family and running Odonata Winery. Their property includes a 2-acre vineyard, production facility, tasting room, and a welcoming patio where visitors can enjoy their unique wine.”

ABOUT DURIF:

From the bottle:

“What is Durif? This French varietal is a cross between Peloursin and Syrah. When brought to America, it was renamed Petite Sirah, but DNA testing has confirmed that it is, in fact, the original French Durif.”

The Wine Spectator “Ask Dr. Vinny” column has a good answer here: What’s the difference between Petite Sirah and Durif—or is there one?:

“”Petite Sirah” is the name Americans call the Durif grape. There are actually two different spellings of the variety—Petite Sirah, which is mostly widely used, and Petite Syrah, which is a bit of a throwback version, and unfortunately complicates the perception of Petite Sirah and Syrah being the same grape.

“Durif has a strange history. In the 1880s, French botanist François Durif crossed the Syrah and Peloursin grapes—some suspect by accident—to create Durif. But despite its origins being in France, it never really took off there—it’s practically nonexistent in the country today. But it thrived in California, where it has a strong following, and later it spread modestly to other parts of the world.” —Dr. Vinny

To add more details to what we have heard so far, JJ Buckley Fine Wines wrote this article, A Guide to Petite Sirah – Everything You Need to Know:

“The Petite Sirah grape is the offspring of two French grapes – Syrah and Peloursin. Both of the parent varietals come from the Rhone-Alpes region, while Petite Sirah originated further south near Tullins in southeastern France.

“In France and elsewhere outside of the United States, Petite Sirah is known as Durif. This name comes from Francois Durif, the French botanist in whose nursery the varietal originated in the 1860s.

“This varietal has been in California since 1884, when Charles McIver introduced it to his vineyards in the San Jose/Alameda County area. It waxed and waned over the years, falling out of favor in certain areas but holding true in places like Napa Valley and Livermore AVA.

“Other than California, there are a few wineries in Israel and Australia with Petite Sirah vineyards. But while it may have originated in France, modern Petite Sirah production in France is almost nonexistent.”

So, bottom line: Durif is what we in the US call Petite Sirah, a cross of Syrah and Peloursin grapes. The rest of the world calls it Durif. 

THE WINE

I have just one wine to present to you today from Odonata. Winery notes come from the bottle. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2016 Odonata Durif, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley, Santa Clara County, 14.2%, $42 ABV (#1188)

Winery Notes: “The heavy soil structure of the vineyard backs the vibrant fruit with chewy tannins. Rose petals and smoky, candied fruit are dominant fixtures in the aromatics. In your mouth, blackberries, spices, and a luscious texture blend to create a powerful punch of flavor. This wine can be enjoyed with rich or spicy pastas, pork and all red meats.”

Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “Sour black plum, purple flowers and licorice spice show on the nose of this bottling. More purple-flower flavors emerge on the sip, where the black-plum component rides a relatively lighter frame.” Matt Kettmann, October 2020

My Review: We bought this on a whim without tasting it. Purple in color. Plum, orange rind m, chalk, bubblegum and hot cocoa on the nose. Orange rind and chocolate on the dense jam of the chalky palate. Licorice and smoke on the finish. After it opened up, cinnamon was predominant on the finish. One of the most interesting wines I have enjoyed this year. August 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

VISIT ODONATA WINERY

“Nestled at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and at the beginning of the River Road wine trail lies the Odonata Winery and Tasting Room. We hope you will stop by to sample a selection of our current releases!

Located at 645 River Road, Salinas, CA 93908 (tel: 831-566-5147)

Open 7 days a week (except major holidays) from 11 am to 5 pm. Open for Happy Hour on Fridays & Saturdays from 5-7 pm. No appointments are necessary for groups of 8 or fewer.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Cypher: There’s Science Happening in the Lobby!

This is the third post in our tales of a Paso Robles road trip: Cypher: There’s Science Happening in the Hotel Lobby! You can find the first two here: Niner: Beautiful Setting, Impressive Wines and Law: Now That’s a Classy Release Party.

THE STORY

After we had finished our first day of formal tastings with the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod, we checked into our boutique hotel – The Piccolo. Everything was elegance and wine in this place, located right in downtown Paso Robles. So tastefully decorated and attractive. And a “champagne”vending machine right in the lobby! Our friends were adventurous enough to try it out – so fun. 

Our rooms were so tastefully appointed and comfy.  The rooftop deck gave us another place to gather overlooking the town and the included breakfast was the perfect combination of bites to satisfy and nourish. Plus, bonus: there was an evening wine tasting in the lobby. I can’t wait to stay here again!

Proprietor Susan A. Mahler of Cypher Winery was in the hotel lobby to tell her story and pour her wines.  It was fun chatting for a bit and tasting a couple of her wines. Her science background appealed to me. Based on our brief experience, I would seek out her winery for a more thorough tasting in the future. We tasted some big reds – I would have liked to take some home!

Our group then went for a delicious dinner at Les Petites Canailles, a bustling French restaurant with exceptional service.  We definitely need to go back here! Our meal was accompanied by a bubbly and a Booker red blend, the latter of which I am also including in today’s post.

ABOUT CYPHER WINERY from their website:

FIRE “Winemaker Susan A. Mahler (affectionately known as SAM ZinPunk) grew up with a solid sense of independence via an adventure-fueled, free-range 70’s style childhood. Her love for nature was nurtured by camping in the great Northwoods, along with biking and cross-country skiing on the “Rails to Trails” prairie paths and State Parks of Illinois. A passion for the outdoors led SAM to the Mountains of Snowmass, Colorado at age 18 where she developed her cooking prowess while working at two phenomenal restaurants. She also developed a life-long fanaticism for downhill skiing.”

SKY “After saving enough to attend flight school, SAM moved to Northwestern Colorado to pursue a degree in Aviation – with the ultimate goal of becoming a commercial pilot. Skiing, dirt biking, and flying over Western Colorado and Utah made for a pretty great adventure. Upon graduation, and armed with a commercial and instructor pilot license, young SAM moved to California.”

EARTH “Flying was her first love but her second love, science, ultimately won out. SAM left her life as a young commercial pilot to pursue a BA in Earth Science and an MA in Remote Sensing at UC Berkeley, followed by 5 years working as a research associate at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. During this time, SAM’s passions expanded to training and competing at an elite level in Taekwondo, and mountain biking Mt Tam and the Berkeley hills. While the Bay Area was an amazing playground for intellectual and physical pursuits, another adventure began percolating and after 12 years in Berkeley, Paso wine country came calling.”

WATER “Of the wine kind… SAM co-founded Four Vines winery while living and working in Berkeley and made the move to Paso Robles in 2002 to dive full time into the workings of running a winery. Flash forward to 2020, the adventure continues with Cypher’s 10th anniversary and the release of the long-awaited Anime Series, bringing things full circle in this adventure called life.”

Quintessence “Sharing my creations for the enjoyment of friends, family, members, and visitors is the pinnacle of my journey.”

ABOUT BOOKER WINES from their website:

“At Booker, our purpose is simple: to thoughtfully farm and craft world class wines that leave a small footprint but make a big impact. Our 100 acre certified organic estate vineyard produces a myriad of different wines with an emphasis on Rhône varietals. Booker wines are in limited production and often sell out to our wine club upon release. Select offerings from our current vintage are available here.”

The Booker Story

“The name Booker comes from the two orphan brothers who had purchased the land in the late 1920’s. The Booker brothers were Paso’s favorite sons, dedicating their lives to being great farmers and humanitarians. From the past to present, learn how one family’s story blends into another as the values remain the same: community, giving back, and quality farming.”

THE WINES

I have 3 wines to present to you today: 2 from Cypher and 1 from Booker. Winery notes come from their bottles or websites. Any errors are mine and mine alone. I ask for your grace in my tasting notes, as it was after 2 impressive tastings earlier in the afternoon. We were kind of done, but I’m never one to pass up an opportunity. 

2021 Cypher Elemental  Zinfandel, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County,               $58 (#1185)

Winery Notes: “This is an elegant expression of Paso Robles Zinfandel from vineyards in both the Templeton Gap and Adelaida Districts of Paso Robles with layer of blackberry, strawberry, cherry, black pepper and a vanilla finish. An ode to my journey into winemaking 20 years ago and the connection between Cypher’s three Anime blends, this special release is like coming around full circle.” Susan A. Mahler, Winemaker

My Review: Dark in color. Spicy and yummy on the palate. A good balance of berries, dark fruit, spice and alcohol. Well balanced. August 2023

2019 Cypher Slayer, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.1% ABV, $58 (#1186) 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 10% Zinfandel, 3% Tannat, 2% Petite Sirah

Winery Notes: “Slayer was a crazy fun wine to develop and has been a huge crowd pleaser at the tasting room. Like Fifth Element, it’s a creative blend of five varietals fused purposely to reveal layer upon layer of sensory delight as you taste the wine through its beginning, middle and end…. lingering into a gorgeous finish. The Zin, Tannat and Petite Sirah were selected and balanced to enhance the jam of this wine – which I describe as Cabby in the front and jammy in the back. Slayer is an exciting combination of fearless, unique, and beautiful.”

My Review:  Very dark fruit on the nose. The palate was exquisitely smooth and delicious. August 2023

2018 Booker Oublié GSM, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.1% ABV, $80 (#1187) 38% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre, 27% Syrah

About Oublié: “Oublié is one of our lightest blends. It aims to mimic a Chateaneuf du Pape and pair well with all types of food. The name is a French term for the “forgotten,” in reference to Rhone varietals that are less commonly found in California wines.”

Winery Notes: “At first taste you will never believe this is a 2018. Soft and approachable with dark cherry and vanilla aromas, coupled with blueberries and crushed black pepper on the palate. Each component of the blend seems to fit together like the perfect puzzle piece.”

Accolades: “Jeb Dunnuck scores the 2018 vintage 96 points. In 2017 this wine was ranked #10 on Wine Spectator’s top 100. The last six Robert Parker scores average 95 points”

My Review: Apologize – we didn’t take any notes at dinner. It was a lovely wine which we all enjoyed. August 2023

THE TASTING ROOMS

Cypher Tasting Lounge at the Historic Train Depot

“The Cypher Tasting Lounge evolved out of a love of great wine, food and bringing people together to enjoy them along with great conversation and fun. Wine flights include SAM’s seasonally inspired culinary creations to enhance your tasting experience. We invite you to relax in our lounge or garden and look forward to sharing a wine-inspired culinary adventure with you.

“The tasting lounge is located just 3 blocks South of the square in downtown Paso at the historic train depot. Built in 1880, the Depot is an architectural gem with original wood floors, windows and loaded with charm. SAM designed a welcoming atmosphere at Cypher for guests to settle in, relax, and enjoy life in the “SLO Lane” with great wines and friendly, authentic hospitality.

“Reservations are suggested to save your space and allow us to prepare your optimal tasting experience. We do our best to accommodate walk-ins. Give us a call or text at 805-237-0055 to make a reservation, or click the button above.”

VISIT BOOKER

“Our tasting room is open daily! The current classic tasting is a flight of four wines, waived with a 3 bottle purchase or with membership. We are operating by reservation only at this time. If you plan to visit on a weekend, we encourage you to book at least a month prior as reservations fill up quickly. We look forward to welcoming you at the estate soon!” Open daily by reservation 10 AM – 4 PM, 2644  Anderson Road, Paso Robles, California. 805.237.7367 info@bookerwines.com

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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