Today’s post is about my second “dog gets groomed in Carmel-by-the-Sea” wine tasting.
We visited Manzoni at their “tasting garage” back in 2019 – a simple, straight-forward, serious affair as you begin your journey down the River Road Wine Trail heading toward the Santa Lucia Highlands. Their move into Holman Ranch’s former tasting room space in Carmel-by-the-Sea makes their wines much more accessible in a very lovely setting with space both indoors and out. I had a wonderful tasting experience here.
About Manzoni Vineyards: “…For almost 100 years, our family has lived and farmed in this beautiful little part of California’s Monterey County – today known to wine lovers as the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. The SLH – one of the New World’s prestige addresses for growing cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Syrah.
“Our home estate, in the heart of the Highlands, is only six, focused acres small. Here, hands-on wine growing and traditional winemaking combine to create limited production wines of elegance and balance. We hope you enjoy these wines as much as we enjoyed growing and making them – from our family to your table, many thanks for your support…”
About its Pinot Noir: “The Manzoni Family Estate Vineyard, in the “Heart of the Highlands,” is an ideal spot to grow world-class Pinot Noir. Here the cool Region I climate is heavily influenced by winds off nearby Monterey Bay. The porous, granitic, shaly loam soils recall this noble grape’s Northern Rhone Heritage, stressing the vines, thus providing low, concentrated yields. The Family Estate Vineyard is planted to three Dijon clones: 115, 777 and the proprietary “La Tache.”
Today I am presenting 6 Manzoni wines. The winery notes come from their tasting sheet and website linked above.
2020 Manzoni Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.5% ABV, $27 (#418*)
Winery notes: “Aromas of grapefruit. The palate is rich with bright tropical fruit flavors with notes of lime and grapefruit zest. Perfectly balanced with a gentle crisp refreshing acidity.”
My Review: Pale in the glass. Tropical fruits on the nose. Bright acidity on the palate with lemon rind and pineapple flavors. July 2021
2019 Manzoni Chardonnay North Highlands Cuvée, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#419*)
Winery notes: “The 2019 Manzoni Chardonnay is a vibrant example of the Santa Lucia Highlands in an exceptional vintage. Aromas of dense tropical fruits leap out of the glass wrapped in subtle brioche that hints towards uncommon richness and weight. In the palette, this wine is unusually nimble while maintaining the intensity and mouth-feel promised by its exotic aromatics. Flavors of mango, mandarin orange and guava are led by hard spices and vanilla into a long finish. Crisp acidity allows this wine to flow over the tongue with focus and clarity that completes the experience.”
My Review: Light golden in color. A perfumy, bold, tropical bouquet. The intense pineapple on the palate reminded me strongly of some candy I used to eat in my childhood. July 2021
2020 Manzoni Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.9% ABV, $27 (#420*)
Winery notes: “As this wine sits in the glass, you notice the rich hues and colors are pleasing to the eye and give hints to the aromas and flavors to come. This wine is a deep Garnet with a beautiful clarity. In the nose, rich strawberry and cream notes with hints of rose petal rise out of the glass with startling focus and intensity. On the palate, intense ripe red berry fruit is matched with and creamy, unctuous mouth-feel and balanced acidity to provide a seamless flavor profile. While certainly on the more opulent side of Rose styles, this wine is marvelously clean and nuanced in its rendering of a Rose of Pinot Noir and is a classic example of what this style has to offer the discerning wine drinker.”
My Review: Salmon in the glass. Bouquet was sweet, with crisp apple and pear dominant and a touch of celery. Very nice crisp apple and pear flavors on the palate. July 2021
2019 Manzoni Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $35 (#421*)
Winery notes: “Aromas of dark cherries, blackberry and smoky, spicy oak rise out of the glass. Cassis and hard spices are supported by concentrated red and black berries. In the mouth, this wine has a velvety richness and fine, ripe tannins that support the dense, ripe and concentrated fruit. Red plums and berry compote are followed by firm acidity that keeps the wine fresh and balanced. The wine finishes with hard spices and fine vanilla flavors with hints of toasty oak. A great combination of New World ripeness and old word structure. Ripe tannins support a core of rich fruit in this opulent and larger framed wine. All the flavors hang together in great balance for this intensely flavored and well-heeled Pinot Noir.”
My Review: Translucent, light ruby in the glass. Very much a traditional nose and palate, as one would expect from one of our premier Pinot Noir growing regions – the Santa Lucia Highlands. July 2021
2018 Manzoni Estate Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $32 (#422*)
Winery notes: “Ripe black fruit and berry aromas mingled with hints of smoky oak and vanilla. The palate follows with intense flavors of ripe red fruits, hard spices and a core of silky tannin. The finish is exceptionally long with balanced acidity bringing the combinations of fruit, spice and vanilla to a clean and satisfying resolution.”
My Review: Beautiful ruby in color. A bit smokey (sulfur?) on the nose – perhaps it was just opened? Rich and full berry flavors on the palate with a touch of white pepper on the finish. I am usually not a big fan of SLH Syrah, but this one was in my wheelhouse! Grown on one of the lowest vineyards of the Manzoni Estate – that could explain it! July 2021
2018 Manzoni Cuvée Louie, Paicines AVA, 14.1% ABV, $47 (#423*)
Winery notes: “Aromas of dark berry and fruit lift lazily out of the glass followed by hard spices and well-heeled vanilla and hints of oak. They are intense and rich with real visceral weight to the experience. Rarely are the Bordeaux varietals so giving in the nose. The palate is no less joy with flavors of blueberry, darkest cherry and bright plum combining with lively acidity to provide for an intensely focused mouth-full of flavor. The complexities brought on by the combining of all five Bordeaux varietals, the cinq cepage, has both a mesmerizing and invigorating effect. Enjoy with the richest of steaks, a fine roasted joint of lamb and all of your favorite soft cheeses and roasted nuts.”
My Review: Lovely rich berry nose following through on the palate. My favorite from today’s tasting. I have a fondness for the Paicines AVA and this was the wine I chose to take home with me! 20% each Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot from the Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard. July 2021
You can buy Manzoni wines online or at one of their tasting rooms: daily in Carmel-by-the-Sea on 7th Ave between San Carlos and Dolores or at the vineyard on the weekends. “We’re located on the beautiful River Road Wine Trail in the Salinas Valley with wonderful views of the Santa Lucia Highlands. We hope to see you here soon!”
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
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