Decanting Monterey Reaches 1,000 Wines Presented! 🎉🍷
Part 2: Mer Soliel, ROAR and CRĹŞ
Today’s post is Part 2 of my attendance at the May 13th Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival. You can find last week’s post here: https://www.decantingmonterey.com/sun-wind-wine-great-wine-and-food-in-the-prestigious-santa-lucia-highlands-ava
Before I launch into today’s post, Decanting Monterey has reached a milestone: 1,000 wines presented since the beginning of the pandemic! 🎉🍷 Yes, some of these were written and posted elsewhere before I began this website, so the total includes non-Central Coast wines. Nonetheless, that is a staggering number in just over a 3-year period, even if I do say so myself! And we have a special wine today as number 1,000. Read on!
A short recap of the Festival: The Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans said this about this event: “Sun, Wind & Wine. The Santa Lucia Highlands is a small but mighty winegrowing appellation in Monterey County that cultivates California’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With generations of family farming, innovation and sustainability as our legacy, our growers and vineyards have earned their place among the state’s most prestigious names for appellation and single-vineyard cool-climate varieties.” The number of wineries present was staggering! We had a strategy going in – to focus on wineries we did not know, to share pours, and to dump the rest.
I did not capture detailed tasting notes at this event; rather, I’ll talk about some of the wineries we met. As a reminder: Pinot Noir is not my wheelhouse, so I can only go by impressions. That said, I would attend this event again for the experience – and take a lot more pictures!
In this post, I am presenting 3 more local wineries. I define local as having their vineyards, winery or tasting room in Monterey County. Today, this means Mer Soleil, ROAR and CRĹŞ. Any winery notes are from their websites or from the pourers at this event, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
More posts are coming about this event. Next week will be non-Monterey wineries that are still in the Central Coast AVA. And the following week will be out of area wineries making wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.
MER SOLEIL
I was super excited to go to the Mer Soleil winery. As I mentioned last week, we had thought this event was going to be outdoors and were surprised it was indoors – an excellent space for this large event. We were taken aback by how HUGE the barrel room was. It was quite an experience to be in there.
“Mer Soleil began thirty years ago with a drive from the Napa Valley down to the Santa Lucia Highlands in search of the best land to plant Chardonnay.
“We put down roots in the region, drawn in by its down-to-earth vibe, rich farming history and weather that could not be more ideal for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Started by Chuck Wagner — known for founding Caymus Vineyards with his parents in 1972 — Mer Soleil is now led by Chuck’s son, winemaker Charlie Wagner. Inheriting his family’s love of farming and adventurous spirit, he first spent time at the Mer Soleil vineyard in middle school as “punishment” when he got in trouble for bringing firecrackers to school. Like other members of his family, Charlie feels most at home in the vineyard. He has led Mer Soleil’s evolution, creating both SILVER unoaked Chardonnay and a more recently released Pinot Noir. Charlie is always eager to escort people in his truck down the area’s rustic roads, so that they too can experience a place unlike any other.”
Winery notes come from this link: https://www.wagnerfamilyofwine.com/wine-shop/mer-soleil/
2013 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA (#1000) 🎉
Winery notes from wine.com: “Golden and sun-kissed, the 2013 vintage opens up with evocative scents of lemon and peach, layered with the subtle toasted notes of freshly baked bread. The palate is full and fresh, with ripe flavors of fruit blossoms and a hint of mango balanced by natural, vibrant acidity. Medium to full-bodied, the wine has a finish that is lengthy but never heavy, its mix of oak, butter and fruit characteristics blending seamlessly and leaving a harmonious, lingering impression.”
Wine.com Wilfred Wong Review – 90 points: “The 2013 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay is a teaser of a wine; begins with up-front butterscotch and crisps up towards the finish, with some nice acidity; youthful when I tasted it, which was pretty nice, time will bring into better balance. Right now, I serve this with Dungeness crab, if the season ever opened, but lobster Newberg would do nicely in its place. Medium yellow color; heady aroma of butterscotch and cream, big apples too; full bodied, surprisingly crisp on the palate; dryish, medium acidity, well balanced; playful ripe apple and wood flavors stay nicely focused; medium finish, lively aftertaste.” (Tasted: December 10, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
My Review: Golden amber in color. A musty nose with whiskey notes. Rich, deep flavors on the palate. Pretty impressive. This was the very best Chardonnay we tasted that day. Why taste any more? May 2023
2021 Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $18 (#1001)
Winery Notes: “Fresh from start to finish, Mer Soleil SILVER is a pure expression of Chardonnay, produced from the ideal coastal conditions of Monterey County, California. Never seeing the inside of an oak barrel, it is fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and small concrete tanks imported from Burgundy, France. This wine features scents of creamy citrus and a distinct minerality that evokes wet granite encountered on a hike. SILVER is round and layered on the palate, with vibrant acidity and depth.”
My Review: Clear in color. Lychee on the nose. A light palate. Would be great on a hot day or paired with food. Too light on its own. May 2023
2021 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14,5% ABV, $24 (#1002)
Winery Notes: “Taking its name from the sea and sun – the two forces of nature that shape its exotic character – this wine is as dramatic as the place where it is sourced. With morning fog, bright sunshine and gusting winds, the Santa Lucia Highlands (40 minutes south from Monterey, California) has an extended growing season. Grapes stay on the vine longer, leading to the development of intense aromas such as custard and toasted almonds, rich fruit flavors and enlivening lemon/lime.”
ROAR
Roar was also at the top of my must-taste list for this event, but we were not alone! At first, we were daunted by the line to taste, but realized it moved very quickly, so we jumped in. We had a chance to try 3 Pinot Noirs and one Syrah. Sadly, due to the crowd, I did not capture detailed tasting notes, just overall impressions. I was glad to finally try these wines!
About Roar: “ROAR Wines welcomes you to experience our handcrafted wines from family vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands of California. Four generations of farming here has given us 100 years of experience working this terrain. Our tradition of meticulous farming has played a large part in elevating our region to the highest quality of wine California offers. Please join us to learn why our wines and vineyards are unique to anywhere else in the world.”
“Gary and Rosella Franscioni started ROAR Wines with the knowledge that Pinot Noir had a shining future in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and a dream that their farming know-how would translate amazing grapes into amazing wines. Rosella’s Vineyard was planted on their home ranch in 1996, followed by Garys’ Vineyard in 1997 in partnership with the Pisoni family. The first vintage of ROAR was released in 2001, made from these two vineyards. From the beginning, Gary and Rosella’s mission was to make wines that they themselves would love to drink. Their approach was met with critical recognition almost immediately. Two more beautiful vineyards were planted about a decade later: Sierra Mar and Soberanes. Today, Gary and his sons continue to improve and innovate in the vineyards and winery to produce the best quality their land can create.”
K&L said this about ROAR: “Josh Reynolds writes on the family behind the wines of Roar in Vinous: “Gary and Rosella Franscioni planted their first vines in the Santa Lucia Highlands in 1996, at what is now known as Rosella’s vineyard. The inaugural vintage for ROAR (named for the winds that come off the ocean) was 2001, and the family has since expanded to include the Sierra Mar vineyard and, in partnership with the Pisoni family, the Garys’ and, most recently, Soberanes vineyards, all of which must be counted as among the New World’s elite sites for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and now Syrah. The Franscionis’ sons, Adam and Nick, have been steadily assuming more duties here, with Adam coming on board in 2011 and Nick in 2017. ROAR is another winery whose style has been making a gradual shift from emphasizing richness to focusing on finesse and detail.” (09/2020)
2021 ROAR Wines Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $54 (#1003)
Winery Notes: The Madame
“Turns heads with elegance, charm and charisma while never letting you forget the power of her femininity…Deliciously floral, with raspberries and rose petals. There is a touch of bold elegance in its supple texture. Like Versailles – serious, but pretty.”
My Notes: Smokey
2021 ROAR Wines Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA (#1004)
Winery Notes: The Challenger
“Quick witted and intuitive, more cowboy than scholar in the earthy, grounded way. Perseveres to get it right…Juicy berries, leather, herbs, and chapparal are tell-tale flavors of this Pinot. Earth and herbs underly flavors of freshly picked, perfectly ripe red cherries and blackberries.”
My Notes: Balanced.
2011 ROAR Wines Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $75 (#1005)
Winery Notes: The Explorer
“Our adventurous maverick, the first to jump into the pool or off the cliff. But don’t be fooled, this explorer is complex and sensitive, a deeply layered original…Dark mountain berries and spice dominate this Pinot, with a stream of fine minerality snaking through. Wild, savory elements interplay with plump fruit flavors. A delicate, yet mysterious red that plays well with many cuisines.” 93 points Wine Spectator
My Notes: This library wine was the best of the bunch. Grateful this wine was shared with us.
2021 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands (#1006)
Winery Notes: The Mystic
“Otherworldly like a sage or maybe a wizard, its aura is expansive and ethereal with an air of sorcery and magic emanating from its soul…Freshly cracked cloves, crushed blackberries, and expansive breadth of texture mirror the mountain wilderness it comes from. A softening finish of dark chocolate lingers on the tongue long afterward.”
My Notes: Deep garnet in color. Raisiny rich. I’d like to taste this one again. May 2023
CRĹŞ
This was my first chance to taste a CRĹŞ wine – and it was appropriate that my first wine of the day was a Chardonnay. CRU was on my short list of wineries I had not previously tried. Now that they have a tasting room here, we need to plan a road trip!
About CRŪ: “Deeply rooted in family & friends, CRŪ Winery sources fruit from some of the finest vineyards throughout the Central Coast of California.
“With a focus on Burgundian and Rhone varietals such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah – which are best suited to this region, we craft wines for quality everyday drinking.”
2020 CRĹŞ Winery Sarmento Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $30 (#1007)
Winery Notes: “We have long admired wines crafted from the Sarmento Vineyard and in 2020 were delighted to have the chance to produce a Chardonnay from it. This wine is a gorgeous balance of bright fruit and toasty notes imparted by aging in French oak barrels.
“It opens with notes of Meyer lemon, pineapple, butterscotch and vanilla that develop into mouthwatering flavors accented with a hint of honey and hazelnut. The finish is long, creamy and leaves you wanting another sip.”
Aged 13 months in French oak barrels.
My Review: Light honey in the glass. Butter and tropical notes on the nose. Balanced palate with minerality on the finish. The nose outperforms the palate in this wine. Overall, very nice. May 2023
Visiting CRĹŞ: CRĹŞ has two tasting rooms. One in Madera, where the winery is located, and a relatively new one in the Santa Lucia Highlands, which I have not yet visited – sounds like a Decanting Monterey Wine Pod outing! CRĹŞ Santa Lucia Highlands, 37500 Foothill Rd. Soledad, CA 831-678-0300
“Visit our beautiful tasting room in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Located in the Paraiso Vineyard, the CRŪ Winery Santa Lucia Highlands tasting room is perched on the east-facing terraces of the Santa Lucia Mountain range with stunning vineyard and valley views.”
© Decanting Monterey 2023
Recent Comments