Tagged: Decanting Monterey

LAW: Now That’s a Classy Release Party!

THE STORY

Our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners invited us to attend Law Estate Wines’ classy release party in August – and wow – what a release party it was!  First, when you drive up to the winery, you realize it is on a whole different level than what we are used to in quaint Monterey County.  The Impressive modern architecture outside immediately sends the signal that this is going to be a powerful experience. 

The elegance continued inside, with a warm welcome and an icebreaker glass of rosé.  The staff was so friendly, welcoming, and prepared for this large, formal, sit-down event. Plus, their lovely wines were accompanied by bites of food pairings.  I was blown away by the experience – and the wines. We thank our friends deeply for inviting us.

The winery has been gracious in their follow-up emails to me – and, not by any of my action, is planning to come up north to do an event for our own American Wine Society Monterey Chapter – we are so fortunate! This might be a good time for you to join our chapter!

This is the second in a series of five posts about our wine escapades down south! I have written about Law Estate Wines several times (just search for “Law” on any page of my website), with the most recent one here: Law Beyond Category: A Powerful Spanish Blend.

I wrote last week about the Paso Robles AVA here: Niner: Beautiful Setting, Impressive Wines.  You can read more here: About Paso Robles.

ABOUT THE ADELAIDA DISTRICT, PASO ROBLES AVA

Excerpt from Adelaida District 2:  

“The Adelaida District, which is the most northwestern of the 11 Paso Robles districts, approximately 53,100 acres, is well defined by its mountainous topography. Nestled within the southern end of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, many slopes are covered with coastal and live oak woodland decorated by Lace Lichen. Lace Lichen? It’s what looks like Spanish Moss, but isn’t, and happens to be the State of California’s official State Lichen. Beyond the novelty, its existence suggests two things: a clean air environment because of its sensitivity to sulfur dioxide, as well as a damp setting, which is fitting since the Adelaida District is one of the wettest of the Paso Robles districts due to the orographic influence as storms travel from the Pacific Ocean, east…

“In 1973, famed winemaker and viticulturist Andre Tchelistcheff came to Paso Robles at the request of Doctor Stanley Hoffman to consult at the Hoffman Mountain Ranch (HMR). His guidance helped the Hoffman’s achieve wines of merit in various international competitions. Mr. Tchelistcheff said of the HMR project: “Love, devotion, and self-sacrifice are very rare in this day, but they are needed to make great wines and the Hoffman boys have these qualities”. He also called HMR Vineyards “a jewel of ecological elements”, which today remains true as the HMR vineyard is still producing high-quality fruit.

“What at times seems like a legend in Paso Robles is rainfall. On the average, the Adelaida District receives around 30 inches of rain in a year cycle, which is approximately 20 more inches than some of the dryer parts of the Paso Robles AVA. On exceptionally wet years, vineyards have measured up to 45 inches of precipitation, and somewhere around nine inches in dry years. Luckily, the calcareous soil has both water retentive capabilities and good drainage. This duality comes as a result of much of the calcareous rock being porous, like a sponge, and yet because it fractures easily, it allows water to travel deeper into the bedrock. The sponge-like qualities prove to be important as vines grow deep seeking out moisture during the warm summers.

“There is a modest maritime influence from the Pacific Ocean as the warm air of the Paso Robles area rises, mixing with the cool moist air on the coast, creating fog that will roll in and out of Estero Bay to the west. A vacuum effect is created that brings cooling winds into the Paso Robles AVA. Further south of the Adelaida District, the Templeton Gap sees these winds standing up flags, but back up in the north, these winds are less dynamic but with equal cooling power. The diurnal variance of the Adelaida District can vary between morning lows of 50 degrees Fahrenheit to afternoon highs of 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the height of summer.

“There is a common thread with many of these growing conditions shared across the Paso Robles AVA, but to different degrees or extremes. The Adelaida District assuredly has the highest elevation at 2,200 feet but shares its geology, diurnal temperature swings, and other attributes with its neighboring AVAs. What is certain is that growers in the Adelaida District, even prior to it officially becoming an AVA, take advantage of these circumstances to grow the best fruit possible, leading to some exceptional wines…”

ABOUT LAW (from their website)

Story of Law:

“Why are we ‘Here’? One, we have long had a passion for Rhone inspired blends. Two, Paso Robles is ‘America’s Rhone’. Those parts were easy. Our mantra was to find a vineyard site that could produce ultra-premium, limited production, Rhone and Priorat style wines that would be a true expression of the site. After two years of evaluating many potential sites (almost to exasperation), we finally found our Holy Grail. The analysis of 42 soil pits on this site revealed coveted limestone with low vigor soils. This, combined with the high elevation and steep slopes, was the unique and remarkable property that would produce the premium fruit we desired. Critical to our goal is a winery that can manifest the quality of the terrific fruit and create a world-class wine. We also believe that the Tasting Room should be an environment much like your home living room, where you can relax with friends and family while enjoying our Law Estate wines. As we continue to showcase and share the best that our estate has to offer, we will always be honored to have you joining us in the adventure.”

THE WINES

I have 6 wines to present to you today from Law Estate Wines. Winery notes come from their website and prices, from the tasting sheet. Please check their website for pricing, as it is slightly different from our tasting sheet. My notes are enhanced by the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. The map above comes from the Paso Robles AVA website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Law Estate Wines  Rosé, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $39 (#1178) 42% Grenache, 41% Mourvèdre, 11% Carignan, 6% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Everyone’s favorite spring and summer time vice is back again and with astonishing brilliance! This Bandol inspired Rose dazzles with purpose and distinction. Its captivating copper-pink hue will draw you in with anticipation, while wafting notes of rose petal and magnolia aromatics welcome you. Crisp watermelon, fresh strawberry and sliced peaches begin their dance as they wash over your palate, accompanied by hints of minerality, before engulfing the palate with an electric acidity. This Rose is sure to leave your mouth watering and a craving to experience it again. Fair warning… this is one wine you are going to want to stock up on as it’s notorious for its disappearing act.”

My Review: Dusty rose. Nice classic bouquet and a slightly tart palate. We liked this starter wine. August 2023

2021 Law Estate Wines  Soph, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14% ABV, $85 (#1179) 47% Roussanne, 29% Marsanne, 24% Clairette Blanche   

Winery Notes: “The unity of this wine is linked on a tight rope of balance. Soph is pretty, yet serious; giving generously, yet remains focused. A lively tension of brilliant lemon and orange peel, balances a decadent ripeness of juicy white peach, golden apple, honeycomb, and honeysuckle;  an act, brilliantly poised in the balance of ripeness and tension. Like the dawn of a Spring morning, it breathes new life and starts a new beginning. This beautiful Rhone expression can be cellared to build complexity over the next ten years; gaining maturity, wisdom and even more personality, like the true inspiration behind the wine itself, our lovely Sophia.” 96 points – Wine Advocate

My Review:  Pretty golden in the glass. Bold nose of almond biscotti. Honey and a bitterness on the palate. “It is not messin’ around.” August 2023

2020 Law Estate Wines  Beguiling, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.7% ABV, $85 (#1180) 86% Grenache, 14% Syrah

Winery Notes: “This engaging wine exemplifies its brilliant light ruby shade with a breath of garigue, red cherry, cranberry compote, and dry-roasted fennel seed. A fresh floral lift, and touches of delicate oak, give restrained hints of vanilla and caramel.  Its fleshy, lush finish shows a striking mouthfeel of rich, velvety, polished tannins. While primary fruit drives this wine, Beguiling shows the promise of tertiary complexity to come, with an ideal drinking window to capture its purity of fruit within 3 years of release.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Earth/dirt on the nose. Lots of intense cassis, black currant on the palate. Heavy on the Grenache. Tobacco and ash on the finish. Paired well with the aged Manchego and membrillo (quince paste) tapa. August 2023

2020 Law Estate Wines  Audacious, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.5% ABV, $85 (#1181) 41% Grenache, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Showcasing a deep cherry red and magenta core, the nose expresses delicate red fruits of currant and strawberry, assisted by  structured graphite, cassis and blackberry from the generous helping of Cabernet Sauvignon.  Opulent and full textured, French oak accentuates the mouthfeel, but is never dominant. This togetherness combines the lovely floral aromatics of Grenache with the savory panache of Cabernet.  While accessible now and carrying a seamless structure and mouthfeel, patience will reward mid-term cellaring of around 4-6 years of release.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. A little hot on the nose. Dirt and earth on the palate. Dark fruit wrapped in lots of tobacco, leather on the finish. Lacking expected depth. August 2023

2020 Law Estate Wines Beyond Category, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.5% ABV (#1182) 58% Tempranillo, 42% Grenache

Winery Notes: “There is a gentleness to the power of this brooding giant, as it unfurls ripe blackberry with juicy tension from Grenache. Emanating from the glass, a brilliant plum, leather, clove and anise seed-like spice captures your attention. The exotic tamarind and spice complexity leads and persists into a never-ending finish. Its powerful embrace is reinvigorated by the primary, vibrant red fruit electricity of the Grenache. Fans of tannins and balance, this is your wine and will beautifully age for 4-6 years of release.”

My Review: Dark ruby in color. I could not discern a nose on this one.  Cocoa and intense dark berries on the palate. That I like. Too bad it is sold out! August 2023

2020 Law Estate Wines  Aspire, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.4% ABV, $85 (#1183) 83% Syrah, 17% Grenache

Winery Notes: “The hyper-expressive dark fruit of blackberry, blueberry and fig is cloaked in rich sage, black pepper, clove and cola.  Aspire elevates with a freshness shining through, in the dark crimson glass. French oak adds a vanilla and charred bacon component to its juicy, full-bodied structure. The bold finish cradles a sweet pipe tobacco, spice and dark chocolate that feel luxurious and reinforcing. Hedonistic is the appropriate word while sipping Aspire, and will culminate a pleasant symmetry and luxury now, and over the next 6 years.”

My Review: Caramel, cocoa and dark berries on the nose. Rich blackberry, blueberry flavors on the palate. I like this wine and took some home. Picked just right. August 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

“Our modern and welcoming tasting room sits on a hill overlooking the 100% estate grown Law Family Vineyard. All of the tastings are by appointment, which allows us to create personal relationships in a seated-style tasting with our guests. Guests will enjoy a flight-format of four wines while a host explains the wines, history, facility and winemaking practices. Tastings are one hour in length. Tasting fees are $45 per person.  Active Black Label Members receive four complimentary tastings each visit. Active White Label Members receive two complimentary tastings each visit…

Law is open by appointment only, 6 days a week (closed Wednesdays) for tastings at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30, 4pm. Please consult their website for more information and updates.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Joullian: Boldly Pioneering in Zinfandel!

Today I am bringing you another “Catchup Monday” – Joullian: Boldly Pioneering in Zinfandel! “Catchup Monday” is my effort to get caught up on some of the many wines we have tried this year – outside of a larger wine tasting event.  It was a busy spring and summer!

THE STORY

We’ve been tasting Joullian Vineyards & Winery wines for decades. I was at first intrigued by some of its white blends, as well as its Zinfandels.  A wine I really loved – for its complexity, flavor and value – was its Retro Rouge, which I could usually get at a club discount to fit into my East Coast wine class budgets. I previously wrote up the 2014 Retro Rouge here: Winemaker’s Secret Stash Becomes Joullian’s Retro Rouge!

We received today’s wine as a gift from a good friend who has shared both our DC and our coastal lives. While the tasting room is temporarily closed (see below), we do see a few of our local wineries making wine from their grapes, so that is a good thing. And you can buy some of their wines online as well as at A Taste of Monterey.  I’m personally interested in checking out their 2015 Hammler Cabernet Sauvignon and their 2018 Retro Rouge, if I ever get the chance.

We just opened this wine one night because we could. And it id not disappoint! In general =, we just don’t produce very big or good Zinfandel around here – in either Monterey or San Benito counties. I don’t want one to taste like a berry pie – I always want more depth. This one stood up to the challenge.

ABOUT THE CARMEL VALLEY AVA from the Joullian Vineyards & Winery website:

“Carmel Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located 12 miles inland from the California coastline, and within Monterey County.  Due to its elevation among the steep hills of the Santa Lucia Range, Carmel Valley is sheltered from Monterey’s cool maritime fog, allowing for the production of rich, flavorful Bordeaux-style wines.  Carmel Valley and the surrounding region are also home to several world class golf courses, a plethora of five-star restaurants and resorts, and countless outdoor actives making it the ideal vacation destination for any wine enthusiast!”

You can read more about the Carmel Valley AVA and all our AVAs here: Monterey County AVAs.

ABOUT JOULLIAN VINEYARDS & WINERY

“At Joullian, we focus on estate-crafted, world class wines of complexity, finesse and ageability.” Ridge Watson, Founding Winemaker

“Bordeaux grapes, the inspiration for Joullian Vineyards, led our founders to choose Carmel Valley for its warm, temperate climate and reputation of producing rich and flavorful wines.  In order to add further complexity and elegance to the lush flavors of these hillside vineyard wines, we grow multiple clones of each grape variety at different elevations, exposures and soil types.  With multiple varietal blocks, each in a slightly different set of growing circumstances, we have the ability to add extra dimension to our wines both in the field as well as in the winery.  All Joullian wines receive extended bottle aging, ensuring that upon release the wines have begun to mature and develop their special Carmel Valley character, as well as extra smoothness, complexity and bouquet.”

THE WINE

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

2015 Joullian Zinfandel, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15.5% ABV, $35 (#1177) 90% Zinfandel, 5% Primitivo, 3% Petit Sirah, 2% (0.5% each) Aleatico, Alicante Bouschet, Carignane, Grenache

Winery Notes: “In 1984 Joullian planted some of Carmel Valley’s first Zinfandel vines. We began with a non-heat-treated Amador County clone selected by Dr. Bioletti in 1917, and have since added pre-prohibition vineyard selections from Lytton Springs, Brandlin (Mt.Veeder), St. Peter’s Church (Cloverdale) and Primitivo-3 (Puglia, Italy). For complexity, we also have small amounts of Petite Sirah (Lytton Springs), plus our Italian field crush varieties: Aleatico, Alicante Bouschet, Carignane and Black Grenache. Joullian’s multi-clonal approach in the vineyard continues to reap multidimensional benefits in the winery.

“2015 featured several weeks of 90-95°F heat in late September, early October, so we carefully culled sunburned and raisined fruit in the field, resulting in 40% less tonnage but the final Zin blend is full of perfumed rich black fruit, silky tannins and thanks to a dollop of Cabernet, refreshing acidity.”

Wine Enthusiast – 87 points: “Blackberry-sauce and cocoa-dust aromas meet with slightly sour herbs and fennel on the nose of this bottling. Ripe blackberry-sorbet flavors are dusted in more dank herbs on the palate.” Matt Kettmann, July 2020

My Review: Dark intense garnet in the glass. Almost purple. Rich mocha, raspberry, blackberry and black pepper spice on the nose, laced with alcohol. Palate bursting with dark fruit and lingering finish. Best Zin in Monterey and San Benito counties. No offense to anyone else. August 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

The Joullian tasting room is temporarily closed, but it appears to be available for private bookings.  Check out this link for more information: https://joullian.com/visit/tours-tastings/. Email: info@joullian.com.

You can order their wines on line here: Joullian Vineyards – Our Wines.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Vote for Decanting Monterey as Best Local Blog!

Loyal Fans:  Thanks to each and every one of you, Decanting Monterey was nominated for Best Local Blog of Monterey County!! I am so thankful and humbled by this nomination. And now we need your vote!

Please vote for Decanting Monterey as the Best Local Blog of Monterey County. As you know, Decanting Monterey is my not-for-profit labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines. We are 1 of 4 finalists for this category in the Best of Monterey County MC Weekly. I would be most grateful for your support. Here’s how:

HOW TO VOTE!!

From July 27-August 16, voting is open here: Best of Monterey County MC Weekly

You may need to register with name, email and zip code, but you can also skip that part and just vote. Only 1 set of votes per email address!

Please click on the photo for “Around Town,” then search for Best Local Blog and vote for “Decanting Monterey.” 

You will need to vote for 19 other local spots to submit your vote – please look around and make your favorite picks! I have a few recommendations below…

WINE-RELATED VOTING SUGGESTIONS:

Here are some other categories to vote for, all related to our wine industry in Monterey County:

AGRICULTURE:

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE:

  • Best Winery to Visit: Your choice
  • Best Tasting Room: Your choice

RESTAURANTS:

  • Best Sommelier: Your choice
  • Best Wine List: Your choice

SPECIALTY FOODS

  • Best Red Wine: Your choice
  • Best Rosé: Your choice
  • Best White Wine: Your choice
  • Best Wine by the Glass: Your choice

Thank you so much, again, for your nomination and your vote! I couldn’t do this without you!

Central Coast Sharon

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Monumental Third Year, Decanting Monterey!

Today marks the third anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! And what a year it has been! With 291 wines presented and reaching over 10,000 views, we have a lot to celebrate. Please read to the end for today’s small ask.

OUR HISTORY

Deep in the unvaccinated period of the pandemic in July 2020, Decanting Monterey was founded on wines from our own collection sampled at home, with or without our neighboring friends and our daughters, who quickly became known as the COVID Wine Pod. It was 2 posts per week and, mostly, one wine at a time. Back then, some wineries had just reopened with their COVID procedures and we still weren’t venturing out much. I also established the @decantingmonterey Facebook page.

During Year 2, as we became fully vaccinated and boosted – and double boosted, we were able to get out to more local wineries at a more deliberate pace. And the COVID Wine Pod was renamed the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod! I also moved to a single post per week and presented a single wine class to my old DC wine group. Most of the posts were based on event-driven or winery tastings and fewer individual, cellar-driven posts.  And I started the @decanting_monterey Instagram feed.

During Year 3, I began to get recognition as an entity with some stature behind it:

OUR STATS

I have some high-level stats to share with you about Year Three of Decanting Monterey!

  • www.decantingmonterey.com hit the 10,000 “views” mark! This statistic is very important to me.  If you are seeing my blog on social media or via email, please be sure to click the link and open it!
  • 291 wines were presented on Decanting Monterey for the first time.
  • 207 red wines were presented, as well as 62 whites, 20 rosés, and a couple of oranges – including 6 sparkling and 2 fortified wines.

  • Over 39 distinct varietals were presented with Pinot Noir topping the list thanks to the SLH festival I attended, followed closeky by Red Blends, and Syrah – no surprise if you know me!
  • 8 Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society events and 2 private tastings conducted at home were presented.
  • Wines from 12 California counties are represented, with 181 from Monterey, 30 from Santa Barbara, 20 from San Benito, 15 from Santa Cruz, 11 from San Luis Obispo, 9 from San Benito – and more! Plus 12 wines from Italy!

  • Wines from 6 of the 9 Monterey American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were covered, capturing 39 varietals!

  • I Brand was the most represented family of wines, followed by Parsonage. I attribute that to the steady and wonderful release events offered by I Brand & Family wines. Parsonage was one of the first local wineries to put Monterey wines squarely on our consumption radar way back when. Their wines match my palate perfectly – what else can I say?

While I have some posts already queued up for Year 3, let me ask my mighty readers:  Where should I visit next?  Please leave me a comment on this post and let me know what some of your favorite, local places are to wine taste that I should not miss in Year 3! I have a list of not-yet-covered wine tasting rooms and other wine venues to check out – happy to add to it.  I don’t know what I don’t know. 

SUBSCRIBE

And, if you have not signed up for my free, weekly blog email, I encourage you to do so – the subscription button is on the right-hand side of each page of the Decanting Monterey website. I judge how well I am doing by how many views, subscribers, and comments I receive.  Please help me spread the word and please feel free to comment on my posts! And follow my Facebook (@decantingmonterey) and Instagram (@decanting_monterey) sites.

OUR SUPPORTERS

I am grateful to Chesebro, Bernardus, Bunter Spring, Idle Hour, Pierce Ranch and Rombi for their generosity this year in donated wines or discounts. Grateful to Kim Stemler and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association for their support – what a great resource! And to Erin O’Reilly of tèr·ra·ve·nos for her partnership and advice as we navigate this world of wine.  I remain grateful to those vintners who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have comped me bottles of wine! And, of course, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod!

DONATE

Now, to my ask:

As my avid readers know, Decanting Monterey is a self-funded labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines.  The only “compensation” I receive is free tastings (most places), discounted purchases, an occasional comped bottle, and, most importantly, the appreciation of our vintners. While I do this, I protect your data from being sold or used by anyone other than for my own website statistics.  Here is my Privacy Policy.

As I come up on my 3-year renewal of my website, I am asking my readers to consider making a small donation to keep this effort going. I donate my time, energy, knowledge, and to date personally have funded this website and my wine education travel expenses. 

Here is what it takes to make Decanting Monterey run:

  • $13/month for website expenses
  • $20/year for domain registration
  • $40/year for CellarTracker
  • $42/month for Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association membership (an aspiration!)
  • $50/year for codeguard
  • $1200-2400/year in travel expenses (airfare, car rental only)

While this blog is open and free, donations to this not-for-profit effort are always welcome in any amount!  You can donate here: Donate to Decanting Monterey. All donations go toward the operation of this website and to offset travel expenses for out of area wine classes.  Even the smallest amount would be greatly appreciated.

So, here we go – Year 4!  This should be an even better one! Thanks for your support to me on this crazy journey.

Central Coast Sharon

Please Nominate Decanting Monterey as Best Local Blog Today!

I have a huge favor to ask of each of my readers – but it needs to happen today July 8th or tomorrow July 9thPlease consider nominating Decanting Monterey – A Central Coast Wine Blog www.decantingmonterey.com as the Best Local Blog of Monterey County.

As my avid readers know, Decanting Monterey is a labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines.  I share with you my local wine adventures, highlight new releases and events, and spread the word about our local vintners and their wines – all without compensation.  It would be an honor to be nominated – but that needs to happened today or tomorrow.

Here’s the link to nominate: Best of Monterey County MC WeeklyYou will have to register with name, email and zip code.  Please click on the photo for “Around Town,” then search for Best Local Blog.  Please type in: “Decanting Monterey – A Central Coast Wine Blog www.decantingmonterey.com” and submit the nomination.  That is it! You are done!

If Decanting Monterey makes it to the final ballot, you will then have the chance to vote for it from July 27 to August 16.

Thank you so much for your consideration!

Central Coast Sharon

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