We saw the big Rombi sign tucked away in the shopping center just off Carmel Valley Road, just behind Boekenoogen Vineyards, and knew we had to stop in. His brother previously owned Joe Rombi’s – a restaurant in our beloved Pacific Grove, where my father-in-law was always treated like he was someone special. Rombi is typically only open on the weekends, so it took us a while to catch him in. We were so delighted finally to meet Sal Rombi, pouring wine for his guests. An amicable fellow, Sal loves sharing his wines and stories with those who walk in the door to learn about his wines. And he always treats us as though we are his special, dearest friends.
Sal Rombi’s grapes are grown on his estate, the Carmel Valley Vineyard, down in Cachagua (pronounced “Cah-Shaw-wah,” Sal reminds me – loosely meaning “hidden waters”). The backs of his elegant bottles say this: “Carmel Valley Vineyard is at the pinnacle of the Carmel Valley Appellation. Located atop the ridge line at an elevation of 1650’ its orientation captures the cooling marine influences nightly. The vineyard is hand tended with sustainable practices. The well drained rocky soil creates balanced vines with limited yields of superior fruit that produce exceptional wine.” You can read more about Sal and Rombi wines in this fun SFGate article: Monterey: Salvatore Rombi, one man winemaker of Carmel Valley.
While many vintners make their wines in a style approachable and drinkable now, Rombi’s wines are the type you definitely want to cellar and decant before drinking. Both his Cabernets and Merlots are huge, complex wines, with his Cabernet Sauvignon referred to as the best in the valley – all from his tiny estate vineyard of about 2 acres. Cachagua’s chalky and sandy soil and its warm days and cool, foggy nights make this a great place for a vineyard.
These wines are great not just due to their location: Sal’s attentive farming and winemaking make them different from any other in the valley. More than half of the Carmel Valley Vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. He matures this wine in French oak barrels, 50% new and 50%, 1-year old, for 18 months. We always have to resist the temptation to open his wines too soon.
Today I am presenting 5 Rombi wines which we have tasted during the Shelter-In-Place Order. Yes, we’ve been busy! Sal has offered to replace the wines I review the next time I see him (whenever that will be!) – very generous of him.
2011 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85
I asked Sal about the 2011 growing season. He indicated it was a good season – one in which “nothing weird” happened. This was also his 5th year of production, so he felt he was really hitting his stride. I told him we really had to let this wine open up before we experienced the delicious, distinctive fruit we remembered from his 2015 vintage. He reminded me that one must always, always decant his wines. And we will, going forward. Rombi = BIG WINES!
My Review: Beautiful deep ruby color. After it opened up, plum and cassis backed by complex tannins on the nose. Cherry and some tartness on the palate, with the acidity balanced out by lovely round, dark berry fruit flavors. It finishes dry, dotted with spearmint and tobacco notes. Next time, we will decant this wine as he recommends! This is an excellent Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – delicious fruit. July 2020
Rombi 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, 14.1% ABV, $85
My Review: The 2012 is the older, leaner version of the 2015 (below). The nose has mint and herbal notes. Very similar in flavors, with less of the up-front fruit. The palate shows dark fruit, a bit vegetal and spicy, very smooth with some tobacco, tar and licorice on the finish. May 2020
Rombi 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, 14.1% ABV, $85
Back in March when we were first sheltering on place, I had to (yes, had to) go to the valley to pick up my Rombi allotment. While I was there, Sal gave me a half bottle of his 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon in advance of its release. Nice.
After I tasted this wine, I got Sal on the phone to talk about the 2015 growing season. Everything was going great, until flowering, when there was a lot of wind and rain. This resulted in about 55% fruit yield for the season. Because there were fewer berries creating less weight on the vines, the fruit was much more intense, resulting in this delicious wine. That explains why this vintage is so delicious.
My Review: This is a fruit-forward, jammy wine. The 2015 has a lot of fruit up front. Blueberry and cassis with chai notes on the nose. The palate is jammy with cassis and blackberry and a touch of mint and leather. The tannins are surprisingly balanced at this young age. May 2020
2011 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley, 14% ABV, ~$60
Merlot is finally overcoming its Sideways stigma. This Rombi is a huge Merlot, probably unlike any you have tasted. I did ask Sal for winemaker’s notes since nothing is publicly available on this vintage, but he preferred to let the wine speak for itself. Instead, he sent me pictures of an apple pie he was baking, with these notes: “I’m picking up a bit of spice a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon a toasty sweetness the French would say tartartan!” Thanks a lot, Sal.
My Review: “The color is a beautiful beet, dark cherry red. A slightly sweet aroma of blackberry and dark plum, with cassis and caramel notes. Complex blackberry flavors jump out of the glass, with medium tannins and bit of tartness on the mid-palate, finishing with a touch of cranberry.” April 2020
2013 Rombi Estate Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $65
I have to eat my words. Recently, I was reading a consumer’s review about Rombi wines indicating a specific wine was no comparison to a Napa. I responded with the point that it is from Carmel Valley and should taste like a Carmel Valley wine. Well, now I stand corrected. Everything about this Merlot stands up to a Napa Merlot – from bouquet to palate to finish.
My Review: Deep ruby, almost purple in color. A rich, brambly high-quality bouquet (kind of Zin-like – my husband looks at me askance). This is a BIG WINE of dense dark berry on the palate, opening to a very smooth and voluptuous wine – like a Napa wine. Touch of tar, mint and cedar on the finish. Fabulous wine. July 2020
Rombi’s tasting room is located at 1 Center Street, Carmel Valley Village. Sal has created a relaxing, quiet spot to taste his big wines just in front of his tasting room. Open Saturday-Sunday 12-5 p.m. You can learn more about his wines online at Rombi Wines. You can also contact Kathy and Sal at kathy@rombiwines.com or sal@rombiwines.com for more information about tasting or buying wine.
© Decanting Monterey 2023
Recent Comments