I Brand & Family had a low key Autumn Release in November with pickups in the tasting room and not at a party at the winery. Ian explained why: harvest and crush were very late this year due to the cool spring and long growing/ripening season. Instead, he hosted a member holiday party in December, where we were able to taste verticals of their Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre wines. What a treat! There was also great music by El Pecado de Juana, delicious tamales Oaxaquenos by Pedro Martinez & Family and a vegan pozole by Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Cultura.
I decided to enjoy that party and not try to take notes, as we sorted out which, if any, wines we would take home – one of each variety the 2013 La Marea Grenache, the 2017 I Brand & Family Mourvèdre, and the 2018 P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon – one of the last with the old label!
I have 7 wines to present to you today from 3 labels: I Brand & Family, La Marea and P’tit Paysan.These wines were all from that low key Autumn 2023 Release. As typical with Ian’s wines, they span a number of our local AVAs across 3 counties! Winery notes come from the winery’s tech sheets (thank you, Will!). Any errors are mine and mine alone. Now, for the reviews!
2022 La Marea Alt-Cut’ Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $30 (#1222)
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “Green pears, lanolin, almond blossom and brioche on the nose. Tart mango and honeysuckle lead the attack on the palate. Mild tannins balanced with mellow acidity contribute to a well-rounded white with a complex bouquet.”
My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Honeysuckle on the nose. Bright acidity on the palate – a very tasty wine. November 2023
2022 I Brand & Family Melon de Bourgogne, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $30 (#1223)
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “This wine is bursting with bright honeydew melon and white pepper on the initial nose, evolving into savory notes of saffron and tarragon. The attack on the palate is full of juicy fruit with a prevalent creamy salinity on the back reminiscent of Salazar oysters. Soft acid builds on the front and provides a distinct glycerin mouthfeel that lingers into more of a hum of soft acidity that permeates the palate.”
My Review: Hay in the glass. Honey on the nose. Baking spices and honey on the palate. Fairly sweet. November 2023.
2021 I Brand & Family Cabernet Franc, DeRose Vineyard, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 12.7% ABV, $36 (#1224)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Location: DeRose is a 25-year-old own rooted planting of Cabernet Franc. The DeRose Vineyard is part of the old Vaché planting and is the oldest continuously producing commercial vineyard in California. It was subsequently owned by William Palmtag and Almaden Winery, at which time it housed the largest barrel storage room in the world. Soils are a mix of lime and granite. The hill above the Cabernet Franc block is occupied by a lime mine…
“Tasting Notes: The initial bouquet is a lovely perfume of wild raspberry and Santa Rosa plum with subtle hints of sweet tobacco and violet. Red fruit persists on the palate, incorporating a vibrancy reminiscent of Ranier cherries. Underlying the ripeness of the fruit is a bright acidity melded with pronounced tannins to create a well-integrated interpretation of the variety.”
My Review: Garnet, almost purple in the glass. Sweet plum on the nose. Plum, red and black berries and black pepper on the palate. Delightful. November 2023
2021 I Brand & Family Cabernet Franc, Bates Ranch, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 11.9% ABV, $48 (#1225)
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “The bouquet is rich with aromas of dried red fruits and cocoa nibs. Hints of espresso and chocolate-covered cherry lead the way on the palate, rounding to strawberry. Coastal fir lingers with pronounced tannins that create a wonderful tension with the wine’s mellow acidity.”
My Review: Garnet in color. Cinnamon on the nose. Bright, crushed fruit on the palate with a slightly tannic finish. This will age into a nice wine. November 2023.
2021 Paysan Le P’tit Pape, Central Coast AVA, 13.2% ABV, $25 (#1226)
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “The nose begins with wet river rock and California chaparral combined with cherries and plum skin leading the way toward a meaty, teriyaki, black olive reminiscence. Composed on the palate, notes of white pepper and dried herbs – bay laurel and thyme, provide a complex complement to the fruit on the nose. A distinct umami soy/hoisin silkiness finishes with an understated balance and subtle minerality.”
My Review: Garnet in color. Cinnamon and plum on the nose. Cherry on the palate. Tart palate with a touch of central coast funk. November 2023.
2021 I Brand & Family Cabernet Sauvignon, Fellom Ranch, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 13.9% ABV, $85 (#1227)
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “The bouquet is rich with dusty, overripe plum, cedar, graphite, and hints of pine pitch resin. This translates to the palate and reveals the iron in the volcanic soil, which becomes present on the back. Super juicy acidity lingers and melds with mellow tannins creating a velvety finish.”
My Review: Almost purple in the glass. Black berries on the nose. Delicious berries on the palate. Smooth on the palate. Nice tannins. Maybe a touch vegetal on the finish. Buy this wine – it has great potential. November 2023
2021 I Brand & Family Syrah, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $45 (#1228)
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: “Earthy, meaty notes of peppered beef jerky. Graphite and clay transition into a savory mix of fire-roasted tomato confit and guajillo chili, which evolve into dark fruit reminiscent of a spiced blueberry compote ending with cumin and cardamom on the finish.”
My Review: Inky in the glass. Rich dark berries on the nose with a touch of smoke or dirt – in a good way. Very dark palate. IMHO, this is his best Syrah to date – I took one home. November 2023
THE TASTING ROOM
The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 5 pm. Reservations are recommended – more information here.
Since the I Brand & FamilyAutumn 2023 Releases have recently become available, there is no time better than now to issue this quick catch-up post. I’ve been collecting these reviews of I Brand & Family wines we have enjoyed at home over this past year. If only I had created Catch-Up Mondays earlier in the year!
I have 5 wines to present to you today from 2 labels: I Brand & Family and P’tit Paysan.These wines were all from our home cellar and were tasted throughout 2023. 3 of these are new writeups, plus a couple we’ve had before. The wines in today’s post span a number of our local AVAs across 2 counties. This demonstrates great breadth in their continual efforts to uncover and highlight the region’s best grapes. Winery notes come from their newsletters or websites as noted. However, I seem to have a gap in my collection of tasting notes. Any errors are mine and mine alone. Now, for the reviews!
2020 I Brand & Family Melon de Bourgogne, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $30 (#1211)
Winemaker’s Notes: N/A
My Review: Beautiful golden in the glass. Honeydew and pear on the nose. Full palate of round honeydew notes on the mid palate surrounded by a slightly bitter lemon twist. Robust yet delicate. I liked this wine. July 2023
2019 I Brand & Family Chardonnay, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, (#1212)
Winemaker’s Notes found on K&L Wine Merchants: “When Honoré Escolle purchased a summer property for his family in 1878, he established one of the most desirable benches in Monterey County. Over 130 years later, three agricultural families developed the land with the intention of carrying on the propertie’s rich tradition through quality driven vinicultural practices. The Caraccioli, Nunes and Hibino families focus on delivering a distinctive expression of northern Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.”
My Review: Beautiful dusty golden in the glass. Tropical notes of white peach, lychee and pineapple on the nose. Balanced acidity and a palate of juicy, tropical flavors. One of the best Chardonnays I’ve had lately. I can always count on Ian’s Escolle Chardonnay to be nothing short of exceptional. March 2023
2020 I Brand & Family Pinot Gris, Eden Rift Vineyard, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, $30 (#741)
Winemaker’s Notes: N/A
My Review: Pale pink in the glass – balanced acidity on the palate. February 2022 Lovely light orange in the glass like an orange lollipop. Nose of citrus blossom and yellow peach. Balanced acidity with peach, melon and tart notes amplified by a lingering finish. Lovely wine for a nice May afternoon patio tasting. May 2023
2019 I Brand & Family Old Vine Mourvèdre, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, $43 (#1213)
Winemaker’s Notes from www.wine.com: “Planted in the late 1800’s this fruit is among some of the best Mouvedre plantings on the continent. This wine tantalizes the palate. Dark brambly fruits and rose petals open the nose. Black pepper and lush fruits balance subtle savory notes. Zesty tannins and light acidity on the finish.”
My Review: Pale purple in color. Plum, blackberry and eucalyptus on the nose. Thin cherry mid-palate, followed by a robust punch of tannic and slightly acidic flavors of cherry, blackberry, tobacco and pencil lead on the finish. April 2023
2014 P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.6% ABV, $42 (#788)
Wine Enthusiast – 89 points: “Dried herbs, elderberries, peppercorns and a strong streak of gamy meat show on the nose of this bottling, which is less dense and more nuanced in style than many other Petite Sirahs. The gamy element extends to the palate, giving complexity to the black fruits and sticky tannins. ” — Matt Kettmann June 2018
My Review: Inky purple in the glass. Red raspberry, plum and a touch of brown sugar on the nose. Cassis and dark berries on the palate. A slight tartness balances the jamminess of the fruit. We like this wine. July 2023
THE TASTING ROOM
The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 5 pm. Reservations are recommended – more information here.
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 BevMoin 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!
“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.”
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.
I’ll be writing a “Catch-Up Monday” post for several weeks to catch up on wines from the summer. These are what I would call “Classic Decanting Monterey Posts” – about a single wine or two we opened and tried. Today I have one wine from Mission Trails Vineyard and one from Morgan Winery.
My “Sometimes Neighbors” invited me over to join their group for a BBQ after they had played a whole lot of golf together. There were a couple of Monterey County wines to try. They are members of A Taste of Monterey, where we have been able to taste wines from some of our smaller producers, including Mission Trails Vineyard. In addition, they offered us a wine from Morgan Winery.
“VECINA is coined from the Spanish word for neighbor. This is our endeavor with the property situated directly southeast of the BOND winery. The beautifully terraced volcanic soil slopes of this property reside in Oakville’s western foothills. The 11-acre site faces due east and is the recipient of cool morning sun. Vecina, which appeared with the 1999 vintage in the inaugural BOND release, is always powerful, intense and savory. Vecina’s other hallmarks are blackberry fruit, with wild forest floor and mineral associated overtones.”
This 100-point wine, with a price of $650 (!!!) per bottle, was not opened on this day. It needs to be cellared for a more appropriate occasion. I hope they will invite me to join them when they do!
“Nearly 230 years ago Franciscan friars planted wine grapes in Monterey County. Although these early vineyards are no longer around, they foretold the story of the thriving grape growing industry of today. To help them navigate from mission to mission, these early missionaries would mark their trails along the California coast with mustard seeds. The mustard plants reveal the trail traveled by those dedicated missionaries. Today, one can still follow the mustard plants along the trail that the missionaries traveled. And along the way, we see vineyards planted beside the California mission trail.
“Today, Monterey County grows over 40 different varieties of wine grapes. A large portion of these varieties are blended, and many of these grapes are sent elsewhere for processing. Rare varieties like Cabernet Franc and Refosco are seldom available to consumers as a stand-alone varietal. For years, only vintners had the pleasure to sample these fine varietal wines in an individual form. Each and every variety grown in Monterey County has something special to express with its color, aroma, and flavor. It is in the spirit of exploration and promotion of the area’s quality that proprietors Ken and Robyn Rauh created Mission Trail Vineyards.”
Monterey Quality
“Mission Trail Vineyards is dedicated to showcasing the promise that Monterey wine country has to offer. Only small lots of hand-crafted wines are produced. The grapes for these wines are selected from choice locations throughout Monterey County. Ken and Robyn believe wine should be a reflection of the true varietal character with little man-made influences. Mission Trail whites; Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Marsanne and Sauvignon Blanc, are refreshing and vibrant. While the reds; Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Grenache, Mertiage, Syrah and Zinfandel, are fruit-forward and robust.”
“With more than thirty years’ experience, Dan Lee and the Morgan label have been synonymous with artisan, vineyard-centric wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey.
“Coming from a small town in California’s Central Valley, Dan Morgan Lee had prepared initially for the study of veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis. It was late in his college career that he discovered enology satisfied his interest in both science and agriculture. Immediately enrolling in the graduate enology program, Dan completed his studies and was hired as winemaker at Jekel Winery in Monterey County.
“After serving his apprenticeship at Jekel, Dan moved up the road to Durney Vineyard where he continued to make Monterey wines. While making wine full-time for Durney, Dan aspired to craft his own label. It was at a meeting of the Monterey County Winegrowers Association that he shared his vision with a banker. In addition to becoming his business advisor, that banker would also become Dan’s wife.
“In 1982, Dan and Donna Lee opened the doors of Morgan Winery. Their very first Monterey Chardonnay earned a Gold Medal at the LA County Fair and a Platinum Medal from Wine & Spirits Magazine. Since then, Morgan has become one of the Central Coast’s most recognized labels, earning “Winery of the Year” honors from Wine & Spirits in 1996 and from the San Francisco Chronicle in 2003.
“Able to pick and choose fruit sources from around the state, Dan eventually turned more of his attention to the Santa Lucia Highlands and single vineyard releases. Dan and Donna invested in their belief in the Highlands with the purchase of the Double L Vineyard in 1996. Today the Double L is one of the best known vineyards in California. Dan’s leadership and expertise in the district led to his being named the first Board President of the newly formed Santa Lucia Highlands’ winegrowers association in 2005.”
THE WINES
I have just 2 wines to present to you today. Winery notes come from their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Winery Notes: “Inspired by the powerhouse wines of Tuscany’s “Super Tuscan”, this vintage of Tusca has a twist. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from Carmel Valley and Sangiovese from Arroyo Seco and Syrah from Santa Lucia Highlands. These three wines, on their own, were promising, but when brought together in this blend, a very special wine resulted. The Syrah provides acidity dark fruit elements, Cabernet Sauvignon provides the backbone, the tannin structure. While the Sangiovese lends copious amounts of black cherry and cassis fruit varietal characteristics. The Sangiovese brings the brighter fruit of raspberry, wild cherry and hints of exotic spices like nutmeg and dried orange peel. The smooth tannin, silky mouth-feel and lingering finish were achieved by careful blending. Tusca is an excellent example of the beauty and balance that blending can bring to a wine. Said to go with anything from marinara to meatloaf. Also, it is great with anything off the grill. Tusca is a “go to” wine that will delight a wide range of palates.”
My Review: Pretty garnet in the glass. Sweet plum and dark, jammy fruit on the nose. Mellow and rich on the palate with smooth berries. A little tart on the finish with cinnamon stick notes. June 2023
2020 Morgan Twelve Clones Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $38 (#1157)
Winery Notes: “The grapes were hand sorted in the vineyard and again at the winery before being completely destemmed. Whole berry fermentation started using native and cultured yeasts in small, open top tanks. After fermentation, the wine was transferred to 35% new French oak for nine months of aging. The 2020 Twelve Clones demonstrates the finesse typical of pinot noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Aromas of black cherry, tobacco, and espresso bean are complemented by flavors of black fruit and a hint of sweet and savory spices. Perfectly poised, this medium plus bodied wine is supported by rich tannins. A wonderful accompaniment to roasted chicken and grilled salmon, as well as almost any duck, beef, or lamb preparation.”
My Review: Medium ruby in the glass. Intense cherry on the nose. Cherry and raspberry on a heavier than typical Pinot Noir palate. A touch of smoke on the finish. Complex, delicious, but the finish reminds us this was a 2020 wildfire year. June 2023
This past July, half of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod ventured out to Massa Estate for a tasting. We were impressed how many wines on their tasting menu came from the historic Durney Vineyards! I had not been there for a tasting since they first opened as Massa. This day’s “work” was long overdue! This is the first time I have presented their wines in Decanting Monterey!
As you come into Carmel Valley Village from Highway One, Massa is the first wine tasting room on your left. It has a beautiful blue peacock sign out front and a lovely outdoor garden on the side, perfect for an event or weekend brunch. Its winery out in Cachagua sits on some of the most celebrated and legendary grapes in Monterey County’s history – the Durney Vineyards. When I teach a class about Monterey wines, I tell the story of Durney becoming Heller Estate becoming Massa Estate. Durney’s Cabernet Sauvignon was among the best produced in the region – and many of today’s Massa Estate wines are made from those very same legendary vineyards! I like to talk about the Durney legacy in my wine classes. Participants ask me if this is important – and I say “Yes!”
“Overlooking the Cachagua region of Carmel Valley, (“Cachagua” is believed to be an Indian derivative of the French “cacher” and the Spanish “agua” – “hidden waters”), and framed by the dramatic surrounding hills, lie the beautiful vineyards of Massa Estate, formerly Heller Estate and Durney Vineyards. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Petit Verdot at an altitude of 1200 – 1500 feet.
“The vineyards are essentially dry-farmed. The roots of the vines descend deep in the loamy, sandy soil in search of the underground “Cachagua” springs. These stressed vines produce outstanding luscious fruit, which are then skillfully crafted into the extraordinary wines. The Cabernets have been described by wine reviewers as “super-rich, with lots of tannin and explosively long finishes”. In addition, the great variation in daily temperatures at the vineyard (which are sometimes 40 degrees in a twenty four hour period) helps to produce these exceptional age-worthy and full-bodied wines.
“The vineyards have been certified 100% organic since 1980s. Neither herbicides nor pesticides are used in the production of the grapes. This certification was granted after three vintages of clean farming although organic practices have been in place since the original plantings by the Durney’s in 1968. The winery itself was certified organic in 2012.
“In 1982 the Carmel Valley Appellation was approved by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco. Heller Estate was a pioneer in developing the viticulture in the area.
“Sculpture gardens have been added to the vineyard property and at the tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. The sculptures were created by Toby Heller; an internationally known sculptor of large works. Her piece “The Dancers”, a fifteen-foot high, bronze sculpture overlooking the vineyards, inspired the Heller Estate motto “Dances on Your Palate” as well as the design for the labels.”
THE WINES
I have 10 wines to present to you today from Massa Estate. Winery notes come from their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. In general, I found their wines a tad tart for my preferences. Some, I believe, could be held, to show more down the road.
2019 Massa Estate Private Reserve Riesling, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County $29 (#1146)
Winery Notes: “The 2019 Massa Estate Riesling offers jasmine blossom, ripe pineapple, and warm golden delicious apples. The palate gives quince flavors, ample acidity with light lemon curd underneath. It finishes with long lasting acidity and warm spices into lemon cream.”
My Review: Pretty, light golden in color. Apple and honeysuckle on the nose. Lemon curd, grapefruit and pineapple on the palate. A little acidic – I would like it creamier. Overall, pretty good! July 2023
2018 Massa Estate Private Reserve Chardonnay, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $39 (#1147)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Chardonnay Reserve suggests bosc pears, nectarine blossom, lightly toasted oak, a hint of creme brulee, a kiss of salty sea air, and beeswax. The palate shows golden delicious apples and light caramelized sugar. It has medium high acidity, a long lingering finish; savory with sweet French oak and candied lemon peel.”
My Review: Pale golden in color. Butter, vanilla and caramel on the nose. Strong flavors on the palate with a finish of sea salt and lemon peel. July 2023
2019 Massa Estate Rose Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $25 (#1148)
Winery Notes: “Blueberry cobbler, California dry hill coastal shrubs, sun on a granitic slide. Juniper berries, fresh cranberry, and sandalwood on the palate. Lignified stems, dried fruit and lavender finish.”
My Review: Very pale pink in the glass. Slight whiff of barnyard on the nose, followed by the bitterness of Pinot Noir and musty notes on the finish. July 2023
2018 Massa Estate Private Reserve Merlot, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $55 (#1149)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Massa Estate Merlot suggests red plums, bing cherries, allspice, white pepper, and cigar box. The palate is fresh red fleshed apples with a touch of quince. This is really fresh for a merlot. The finish is with white pepper and Chinese five spice. It is light in its feet but structured in a way to support long term aging.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Dusty leather, cherry and white pepper on the nose. Dry on the palate with a tart cherry finish. July 2023
2018 Massa Estate Cachagua Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $39 (#1150)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Cachagua Cabernet Sauvignon offers cassis and blackberry to greet the palate while some slightly earthy and juicy characteristics mingle beautifully with the dry, dusty tannin structure. Pair this wine with a juicy hamburger topped with sauteed mushrooms and some nice aged cheddar cheese.”
MyReview: “Deep ruby in color. Dark berry jam and tarragon on the nose. Cotton candy, burnt sugar, slightly tart berries and a lot of new oak on the palate. Still too young – hold this wine! July 2023.”
2018 Massa Estate Private Reserve Petit Verdot, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $55 (#1151)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Massa Estate Petit Verdot offers delicate flavors of spiced plums, rich earth, beautiful dark chocolate, and dried persimmon with a finish of dried cherries and chocolate or cocoa.”
MyReview: Rich dark ruby, red plum on the glass. Warm brown sugar and hints of cherry on the nice nose. Spearmint and bay leaf overlay the dark berry palate. We were intrigued by this wine – one of my favorites of the day. July 2023
2018 Massa Estate Dancer’s Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $40 (#1152)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Massa Estate Dancer’s Bordeaux offers delicate flavors of black plums, cherry compote, cigar wrapper, sweet tobacco leaves, bay laurel, black cherry and toasted coconut. It has medium acidity and finishes with quiet, robust tannins with hints of licorice and sasparilla.”
My Review: Deep ruby in color with a classic fruity nose. Rounder flavors up front, followed by a mouthwatering burst of fruit and a licorice finish. I liked this wine and took some home! July 2023
2018 Massa Estate Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $65 (#1153)
Winery Notes: “Made from 50 year old vines planted by Bill Durney, the Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon offers delicate flavors of plums, salt water, toasted seaweed, sandalwood, and chaparral flowers! The palate is pure fruit, red cherries and French plums, with hints of baking spices and a touch of cinnamon stick underneath. It finishes with the classic mountain cabernet tannins, our lightest, freshest cabernet sauvignon.”
My Review: Garnet in color, with an interesting nose. My notes say floral, soapy, and fruit compote. a cherry bomb on the palate – like a cherry Jolly Rancher. Fruity and not very Cabernet Sauvignon-like. I wanted more from this wine made from some of the most legendary grapes in all of Monterey County. Still too young? July 2023
2017 Massa Estate Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $55 (#1154)
Winery Notes: “The 2017 Syrah offers hints of blackberry, French plums, white pepper, and floral violet notes. This is a darker, more full-bodied wine that is greeted with a punch of flavor that tapers off and then has a spicy peppery note in the aftertaste.”
My Review: Pretty garnet in the glass. Raisiny on the nose – almost port-like. The nose follows to the palate, yet very jammy. Reminiscent of a Syrah we recently tasted in Paso Robles, which we liked very much. I’d like to try this one again! July 2023
2019 Massa Estate Cabernet Franc, Durney Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $68 (#1155)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Massa Estate Cabernet Franc offers cypress fronds, plum skin, water over rocks, sandalwood, and forest floor. Robust tannins on finish, mouthcoating really wants rich foods.”
My Review: Light ruby in color. Barnyard on the nose, followed by a light palate of bright fruits. This is another one I would like to try again. July 2023
“The Tasting Room, located in Carmel Valley Village, is a 20 minute drive from Carmel, California and offers the public the opportunity to taste the entire range of impressive award winning Massa Estate & Heller Estate wines. There is a selection of wine accessories and wine related gifts as well as an art gallery.”
69 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley, CA 93924 Phone: 831.659.6220
Tasting Room Hours: Saturday – Sunday, 11:00am – 5:00pm “Enjoy our pet-friendly Sculpture Garden!” Current tasting menus are $15 (Classic) and $20 (Premium).
In addition to wine tasting, there are food options at the Massa Tasting Room! Local chef Michael Jones is on site preparing food! Food Hours are Saturdays: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (appetizers) and Sundays: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (brunch). His phone number for reservations is 831-659-5100. Please be sure to call to check his schedule and make a reservation!
by Central Coast Sharon and Erin O’Reilly at tèr·ra·ve·nos!
THE STORY
We met David Baird of Folktale Winery at the 30th Anniversary Monterey Winemakers Celebration in Carmel-by-the-Sea this past June. He offered us, my friend Erin O’Reilly and me a tour of the winery and a tasting. We could not manage to schedule our visits for the same date, so we visited him separately. Erin visited him in late June and my partner and I, in early August – during perhaps the busiest wine tasting week of our summer! Lesson learned: pace these things out! We each deeply appreciated the private tour and detailed discussions we had about the evolution of Folktale wines and his own path to becoming a winemaker!
Readers: You are getting a real treat today, as this post is co-authored with my friend Erin O’Reilly at tèr·ra·ve·nos! My notes today are a combination of what I think I heard from David during our visit 😊, significant input from Erin, and information from the Folktale website.
If you drive out Carmel Valley Road just a few miles from Highway 1, you will see the Folktale entrance on the right. Located on the site of the former Chateau Julien Wine Estate, this winery has a beautiful, spacious setting for all the outdoor events it holds there. In addition to its tasting room, Folktale has 5 acres of vineyards, an estate home, and a 10,000 square foot barrel room. In 2015, winemaker Gregory Ahn purchased it and renamed it Folktale Winery & Vineyards.
When they first opened as Folktale, we noticed right away that it wasn’t going to be a quick taste of wines, but more of an experience – sit down, spend some time with us, enjoy our wine garden. What a great destination for weddings or a relaxed wine tasting. With its proximity to Highway 1, the location is a great one for locals and tourists alike.
The pandemic hit them hard with the mandated shutdowns, but they found a creative way to come out of it, creating a popular outdoor dining experience in their wine garden, differentiating itself from the typical Monterey tasting room. It has evolved into a sit down, order some food, taste the wines, and listen to music kind of place – and has always been a great wedding venue. Shoot, they even have a Sunday brunch! I have friends who enjoyed being able to go there with their families to enjoy food and wine in the height of the pandemic.
Folktale prioritizes best vineyard practices and finding more appropriate wines for their growing locations. Their estate 5-acre vineyard is “100% organically farmed meticulously by hand.” Their 300 acre vineyard in Arroyo Seco is Sustainability In Practice (SIP) Certified®. That vineyard is being replanted over time. I think David told me 40% of their production comes from and long-term relationships with other vineyards in the area. They like the sandy, rocky, granitic soil, great for grapevines.
Since taking ownership, they have already transformed the barrel room into a full-fledged wine production facility, moving in the tanks and adding a catwalk, a new cooling system, and upgraded electrical for production operations. David shared with us the longer vision to replant the vineyards on the property and turn the estate home into a luxury hotel-type operation. Today they produce about 15,000 cases of wine across 30 different wines, reflecting their diverse portfolio. They have a goal of increasing production 10% per year.
David was excited for harvest, hoping the nice weather would hold through veraison, harvest and crush, all outdoors activities before the juice is brought inside for fermentation. Due to our cooler spring, harvest was looking a week or two late (as of early August). He said he checks the weather every day – every warm day we get helps us catch up. He suggested maybe we think it has been colder than it really has – that we coastal dwellers are just “sissies.” 😊Unfortunately, the previous couple of years can’t be used for comparison due to the wildfires of 2020 and the extreme heat of 2021. And this is predicted to be an El Niño year, another concern for the vineyards. I am hoping the warm August and September temperatures have brought things back in line – before the fall rains come!
Sangiovese
After touring the wine production facility, we walked through the vineyard on the way back to the Tasting Room. Currently, there is Sangiovese planted on site, but it is too cool of a climate for that. They plan to rip it out and plant something more appropriate, such as Chardonnay – not yet decided. We talked about the new Carmel Coastal AVA which has been proposed. It would encompass the Folktale property. It has been taking a long time for it to come up for discussion and decision.
Our mutual assessment: We are excited and hopeful for Folktale’s potential in the coming years. They have the perfect venue to showcase everything Monterey can do with wine and it certainly looks like they’re going to embrace the opportunity ahead of them. Their strategic plan is solid and they give David the leeway to lean into his creativity to dare to do something different.
“David Baird is an innovative winemaker with his roots deeply grown in the vineyards of the Central Coast of California. With his winemaking degree from Cal Poly, David has previously made wine at Halter Ranch, Edna Valley, Justin Winery and Fess Parker.
“In 2015, David moved back home to the Monterey peninsula where he began collaborating with Greg and Madigan. Together they opened Folktale Winery & Vineyards in the summer of 2015, with a focus on high quality, delicious wines that embrace organic farming and natural winemaking. A blank slate for Baird, the opportunity to establish an entirely new winemaking strategy for a brand-new winery was a little daunting at first, but ultimately has provided the freedom to be creative. “There is a lot of fear and adventure in creating wines for a new winery. There’s no safety net below you. During our first year at Folktale we played it safe with very practical decisions. Since then, we’ve had a lot of fun creating new small batch wines like a Pet-Nat, whole cluster barrel fermented Syrah, and a Rosé of Grenache Blanc.”
“Folktale is the perfect place to stretch his wings. Having grown to nearly 500 acres of estate vines in Monterey County, the winery offers exceptional opportunities to innovate. “The Central Coast offers such an excellent selection of varietals, but it hasn’t seen much winemaking development over the last 50 years. My goal is to reinvent the wheel a little, refreshing old techniques to come up with new ideas. We want to have some fun while evolving as a winery and as a brand, all the while focusing on fine wines that people will enjoy, and new wines that people may not otherwise try.”
THE WINES
I have 7 wines to present to you today from our overlapping tastings across 3 labels: Folktale, Le Mistral and Common Thread. Winery notes come from my conversation with David, the Folktale website, or as otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
We were curious how they got the Le Mistral label, as we knew it as belonging to Joseph Phelps. Here’s the story: Le Mistral was sold by Phelps to Brosseau and Folktale acquired it from them. Their Joseph’s Blend is in honor of Joseph Phelps!
Le Mistral is a nod to the howling winds that whip down through the Rhône Valley, similar to what we experience in the Salinas Valley with the coastal winds that can tear through vines, prolong the growing season, and concentrate flavors in the berries. We feel this to some extent almost every afternoon in our little coastal town.
Common Thread is the winemaker’s own label. The name “Common Thread” comes from a single palmar crease on the hand associated with various conditions, including Down syndrome. The label has the outline of three hands, David’s and his two sons, one of whom has the condition. Sales from this wine go to supporting non-profits. You can the find Common Thread wine label online and in local shops throughout the region. Cheers to that!
Winemaker’s Notes from The Wine Stop: “Pétillant Natural is a natural sparkling wine using the ancestral method. Bottled just before the primary fermentation finishes, the natural effervescence and sediment are the evidence of things finishing in the bottle. The wine is bright, with notes of green apple, banana cream pie, grapefruit blossom, and undertones of guava and pineapple. The palate is lively and fresh, benefitting from the abundance of bubbles and bright acidity.”
Our Review – Powered by tèr·ra·ve·nos: Light and sparkly in the glass. Champagne notes on the nose. Soft and creamy on the palate with white peach and nectarine. Everything you’d want in a pét nat. Well balanced with bright acidity. They did disgorge and David shared a few highly entertaining videos that included dry ice and bursting bottles. Craftsmanship at its finest. August 2023
2022 Le Mistral Grenache Barrel Sample, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1121)
Winemaker’s Notes: David let us taste this barrel sample in the middle of active winemaking operations. My garbled notes say he considers this wine to have good complexity and an intrigue that he just loves.
My Review: We tasted this as a barrel sample. Resembles a light Pinot Noir in the glass – pale ruby. Light cherry nose. Very balanced with cranberry and sour cherry flavors. Good tannins on the back palate. August 2023
NV Folktale The Lion for Real – an orange wine, 5-Year Solera, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $40 (#1122)
I didn’t know anything about solera wines, so David gave us a little tutorial on how this one is made. Again, my notes are a little garbled, so this is how I think he explained it: You create a pyramid of the barrel racking system and connect them with hoses. You place your fresh wine in the top barrel, and continue to move it down, one barrel at a time, as you continue to top off the lower barrels. By the time you get to bottling wine from the bottom barrel, you really don’t know the exact blend or vintage of what is in the bottle. David is excited to play with these types of wines. It is these kinds of ventures that prove him to be a creative winemaker.
I found this Wine Spectator article which explains solera winemaking far better than my notes:
“A solera system is a collection of barrels, traditionally stacked (with the bottom row containing the oldest vintage), for the purpose of fractional blending across vintages…It’s a way to create a house style, and to keep a historic thread running through a beverage that is made year after year. I find it helpful to picture a tower of barrels from multiple vintages, with the youngest barrels on the top of the pile and the oldest at the bottom. You start by removing some wine from the oldest barrel on the bottom, but then you replace that missing portion with wine from the next oldest barrel, and that portion is then replaced with the next oldest barrel, and so on down the line so that the missing amount is always replaced by the next-oldest available wine. Because you never entirely empty the barrels, the barrel on the bottom will always have at least a small amount of the oldest vintage.”
Winery Notes: This 5-year Solera is made from Riesling and Viognier wines.
Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “A mustard-yellow shade in the glass, this skin-fermented, solera-style orange wine shows ripe melon, fresh tangerine and apple-juice aromas on the nose. The texture is very grippy on the sip, where apple and orange-peel flavors meet with a slight tonic element, proving rather clean.” — Matt Kettmann.
Our Review: Cloudy, creamy and light brown sugar in the glass. Nice bouquet of peach and apricot with a touch of Mandarin orange, with those notes following over to the palate. Fruity. August 2023
Erin’s addition: This is the wine that caught our attention at the 30th Annual Monterey Winemaker’s Celebration. That we have a local winemaker playing with orange wines and showcasing these bottles at a festival was noteworthy. David’s exploring winemaking beyond the mainstream (even though orange wines are arguably one of the oldest wine styles going back millennia). I was actually surprised that the wine wasn’t as grippy as I was expecting and still had noticeable freshness. No doubt thanks to the multifractional blending and maturation that is a solera system. Anyone who loves orange wine needs to get their hands on a bottle of The Lion for Real.
Kudos to Folktale for supporting David in exploring these exciting styles.
2021 Folktale The Ruler Pinot Noir, Central Coast, 13% ABV, $75 (#1123)
Winemaker’s Notes: “The savory and rich mouthfeel spotlights dark fruit, dried herbs, forest floor, and tobacco leaf notes on wild chalky tannins.”This wine includes grapes from both Monterey and San Benito Counties. The grapes are from Monterey and San Benito Counties: 44% Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 42% Cienega Valley AVA, 14% Chalone AVA. As David said, “Trying to make the best Pinot requires going outside SLH.” 45% whole cluster, 30% new oak.
Our Review – Powered by tèr·ra·ve·nos: Bright ruby in the glass. Robust for a Pinot Noir, with that bright Monterey cherry, raspberry, and strawberry. Toast, caramel, lavender, a touch of pepper and a hint of sous bois that points to exciting things to come for this wine. Tasty. August 2023
2021 COMMON THREAD 100% Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.0 % ABV, $40 (#1124)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Fermenting wines whole cluster, or not taking the berries off the stem, produces wines that tend to have an elegant savory and dried herb quality that just fermenting grapes on their own can’t produce. It’s in this vein that this Pinot Noir was crafted – from the organically farmed Pelio Vineyard in Carmel Valley…”
Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “This whole-cluster bottling, which supports Down’s syndrome initiatives to honor the winemaker’s son, offers dark berry jam aromas and a hint of herb on the nose. Firm tannins frame the sip, where plump red currant, lavender and violet flavors lead into a peppery finish.” — Matt Kettmann
Erin’s Review: A pretty red, featuring cherry, strawberry, currant, kirsch, and supple floral flavors. More fluid than dense, this unfolds nicely with soft, ripe tannins and a velvety finish. Despite the ample core fruit, this is a restrained, elegant Monterey Pinot. June 2023
2018 Folktale The Hound Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.7% ABV, $95 (#1032)
Winemaker’s Notes: “THE HOUND is a classic blend of Bordeaux varietals, combining 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 11% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 9% Cabernet Franc sourced 89% from Massa Estate Vineyard and 11% from Cedar Lane Vineyard. The not-so-little brother of our Reserve Bordeaux blend, this wine is complex and elegant with aromas and flavors of blueberry, mocha, floral lilac, frisée, dusty vanilla, brown sugar, creme de cassis, pencil lead, cedar wood, and hibiscus. The texture offers nice richness with round and full tannins. The Hound is a beautiful, bold wine that will benefit from aging.”
Erin’s Review: “Ripe, and well-built, with a racy core of blackberry, black currant, red plum, melted brown sugar, warm baking spice, an inlay of violet, and a touch of graphite. Grippy, generous tannins with a tug on the focused finish. (Let’s see what this tastes like in another 5 years, it’s still showing young, and probably has another 5-10 to go – comfortably. I hope the hold some of this back in their library.)”June 2023 (Central Coast Sharon previously presented this wine on Decanting Monterey here)
2020 Le Mistral Syrah, Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $60 (#1125)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Brosseau Vineyard in the Chalone AVA has a remarkable combination of limestone soils, weather patterns and organic farming that produces intense minerality, texture and richness in its wines. The Syrah was natively fermented in bins and 500L puncheons, then aged for 11 months in 17% new French oak barriques producing a wine that has rich, dark flavors and can be enjoyed for years to come.” Co-fermented with 4-8% Viognier.
My Review: Dark ruby in color. Alcohol with a touch of earth, burnt oak and bubble gum on the nose. Nice intense berries and dark plum on the palate. August 2023
The Folktale Tasting Room (Wine Garden) is located at 8940 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, CA 93923. Phone: (831) 293-7500. They are open: Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 11:30 – 7:30; Sunday: 10:00-4:00. They are closed Tuesday & Wednesday. They also have a Sunday brunch from 10-4 and have recently begun offering tours every Thursday – Monday at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm. You can get more information and make a reservation here.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.” The Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting, was held in Carmel in early August, offering an opportunity to talk to vintners and their representatives one-on-one! This is part 3 of my experience there. Please read Part 1here and Part 2here for more details. And many thanks again to the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association for the tickets!
Today’s post will cover these local wineries and some of the wines they presented that day: Lepe Cellars, Windy Oaks Estate, Wrath, McIntyre Vineyards, and Galante Vineyards. Because these are the last wineries we visited that day, our tasting notes are skimpy – we focused more on conversations with the winemakers and staff. Winery notes come from their website or conversation with the winemaker, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
It was so nice to finally meet Miguel Lepe! He is one of our bright, creative NextGen winemakers – and one to watch! I’ve tasted his wines several times and was so happy to finally meet him. I admire the fact he is willing to make the kinds of big reds I like – in our land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I previously wrote about Lepe Cellars here: Lepe Cellars: A New Face on the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Circuit! I’m also working on a Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society event at his tasting room in Carmel-By-The-Sea in the next few months!
2022 Lepe Cellars Sangiovese Rosé, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $30 (#1109)
Winery Notes: “This bright, stone fruit focused dry Rosé starts out with a burst of peach and apricot leading into hints of tangerine. Pairs well with seared salmon, lobster and tuna tartare.”
My Review: By now, our tasting notes have been reduced to a few words. This rosé exhibited a mellow nose. The Sangiovese grapes made this a very tasty version. August 2023
2020 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $49 (#1110)
Winery Notes: “Elegant aromas of wild strawberry, savory soy and light licorice show on the nose of this pure varietal. Dark plum and cherries show on the first sip, with a bit of earthy forest floor woven with pepper, oak and tannin creating a velvety, rich texture.”
My Review: Plummy and jammy on the nose. Tobacco and dark fruits on the palate. Very nice. August 2023
I met Kerry Winslow in the Windy Oaks Tasting Room a few years back. Extremely knowledgeable and friendly, Kerry is a class act – and he is everywhere. After years of reading and quoting the wine blog grapelive.com, I finally put two and two together. And he has a great presence on Instagram and LinkedIn – follow him! He had us try a few wines on this day. We were just about at the end of this event, so note taking was practically non-existent. My apologies, Kerry. I can do better. I previously wrote up Windy Oaks here: Windy Oaks: Les Deux Grands Crus and More Pinot Noir!
2018 Windy Oaks Chardonnay, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $32(#1111)
Winery Notes: Kerry indicated that this is a particular parcel of the Escolle Vineyard farmed especially for them.
Winemaker notes from wine.com: “Brilliant crisp golden delicious apple, bosc pear, lemon and pineapple fruits unfold on the rich palate along with hints of nutmeg, clove spice, butter rum and golden figs.
“This Chardonnay is sourced exclusively from the Escolle Vineyard near the famous Garys’ Vineyard, which is set on the classic sandy loams with touches of quartz and granite. All barrel fermented and aged in French oak with bâtonnage (stirred lees), it sees malolactic secondary fermentation which adds depth and texture to this lively wine.”
My Review: This is a very delicious, oaky, buttery, and creamy Chardonnay and currently available on their website. August 2023
2021 Windy Oaks Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County (#1112)
Winery Notes: N/A
My Review: You all know I am not the biggest Pinot Noir fan, but I liked this one. It had a very nice, lean palate with enough complexity to hold my interest. August 2023
2016 Windy Oaks Diane’s Block Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County (#1113)
Winery Notes from wine.com: “Grown on 5-acre block, all estate, slightly warmer site, at a lower elevation, resulting in a bit more fruit forward notes. Exciting density and ultra-smooth ripe/creamy tannins with a stylish nose of wild strawberry/rhubarb and lavender. More subtle in the nose it saves its forward nature for a medium full attack on the lush palate showing fine detail and an array of red fruit flavors, mineral tones and sweet and sour notes, finishing long and spicy. The mouth feel makes an impact with layers of raspberry, black cherry and fresh picked plum along with a hint of French oak and savory spices that add excellent contrast in this serious and structured Pinot.”
My Review: It was a real treat to be able to taste this vintage of the Diane’s Block. However, I apologize for lack of good tasting notes.Garnet in the glass with a touch of acidity on the finish. 2023
We became quick fans of Wrath thanks to their broad portfolio of wines, especially, for me, their Syrahs. It was through their wines that we began to get to know some of the great vineyards of Monterey County, such as their own San Saba Vineyard, the Tondré Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and, more recently, KW Ranch, also in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Because of their different lines of wines – and if I happen upon a good sale, I can even squeeze their EX (formerly Ex Animus) wines from time to time into one of my East Coast wine classes. And when I needed a Falanghina for my part of a virtual wine class, Wrath had one. You can read about it here: Ancient Roman Winemaking Meets Modern Viticulture!
Winery Notes: “Dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness highlight the characteristics of our growing area… This clonal blend uses all estate grown grapes. It combines dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness on the nose. The palate offers a balance of structure and acidity that compliments elegant, focused red berry and cherry cola with a hint of forest floor. Nimble and pure, it terminates with a long clean finish that is enhanced with a touch of mineral.”
My Review: This wine was interesting to me, as the smokey, earthy nose contrasted with the rich palate of fruit which followed. August 2023
2020 Wrath Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $49 (#1115)
Winery Notes: “Wines made from master-grower Steve McIntyre’s vineyard often exhibit the telltale characteristics of Santa Lucia Highlands terroir. Our 2020 McIntyre Vineyard Pinot Noir is no exception. Comprised of 100 percent 115 clone and made with 20 percent whole-cluster fermentation, it is dense and complex, with pomegranate, a touch of smoke and a mineral element. Berry flavors of cranberry and pomegranate remain persistent, blending with red currant, more mineral and bright acidity in a structured finish.” 94pts- Wine Enthusiast
“The 2020 Wrath McIntyre Pinot follows instep with previous vintages and displays classic red and black cherry flavors with a distinctive underlying minerality.”
My Review: I tend to like the Pinot Noir wines that come from the McIntyre Vineyard and this one is no exception. This one was quite rich in the palate and delicious. August 2023
About two years ago, we happened to be in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel and popped into McIntyre. It was a very quiet afternoon, so we got to taste a wide variety of Pinot Noirs. That is when McIntyre Vineyards Pinot Noirs got my attention – I tasted some I actually liked! You can read about that experience here: Impressive Pinot Noirs from Steve McIntyre Bring SLH to Life! Now I seek them out at events like these to validate my first impression! At the trade event this past August, we got to meet Kristen McIntyre and talk a bit about the wines. Again, apologies. As our penultimate stop, our notes are skimpy.
2019 McIntyre Family Wines Winemaker Series Don Van Staaveren Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $50 (#1116)
Winery Notes: “The idea for the Winemaker Series was born out of impatience and age-related urgency! If I’m lucky I’ll get to participate in another 20 to 30 vintages as our vineyards and wines evolve. Collaborating with a diverse set of winemakers and viticulturists provides exciting opportunities to experiment and accelerate our pace of discovery. Each Winemaker brings their own style and experience, just as a great chef or a musician, to the process of producing a life enhancing experience best shared with others” – Steve McIntyre
“Smells of bright, candied cherry fruit. The remarkably pure and crystalline cherry flavours have an aromatic sweetness to them that charms, while excellent acidity keeps the saliva flowing. Boisterous and bright with barely perceptible tannins. This expression of cherry will bring a smile to most drinkers.” (Alder Yarrow) Wine Enthusiast: 94 points
My Review: I tend to like the Pinot Noir fruit and winemaking style from McIntyre. This one was quite delicious. Classic and elegant. I now have a better appreciation for the Winemaker Series of their wines and will stop by to taste some more. August 2023
Winery Notes: “Our 2018 Kimberly Vineyard is the epitome of Goldilocks-climate Merlot. It marries the lavish, ripe fruit of a warm site with the elegance and structure of a cool locale. As in previous years, the dominant character traits include blackberry, anise, cassis and dried currants. Below that is a bed of juicy black fruit and supple, silky tannins. While it drinks well now, this Merlot will continue to evolve and improve over the next decade.” (Steve McIntyre)
My Review: Sadly, I have zero tasting notes for this wine and will have to revisit it in their Crossroads Tasting Room in Carmel!
While I have presented Galante wines on my website before (check out Galante: Now This Cowboy Makes Big Reds!, this was my first occasion to meet Jack Galante. The Galante family has a long legacy in the region, with his grandfather James Frank Devendorf founding Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Highlands Inn! You can read more about the Galante history on their website.
A few years back, Galante sold its vineyards and winery to Tira Nanza (see above) and today it sources grapes from a variety of vineyards “from Paso Robles to Napa,” with most of their grapes coming from the Carmel Valley AVA, according to their website. According to Jack, they are still managing some vineyards.
Galante was the very last table we stopped at during this event – and my lack of tasting notes reflect that. I haven’t been to their tasting room in a couple of years, so I will try to get back out there soon!
2021 Galante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Blackjack Pasture, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $80 (#1118)
Winery Notes: N/A – pre-release
My Review: My only note was that this was one heck of a serious cab. I definitely need to retaste this wine when it is released! August 2023
2021 Galante Vineyards Legacy Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $85 (#1119) 54% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Notes: “This ongoing series celebrates Jack’s great-grandfather’s – James Frank Devendorf – vision, who founded the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Aged in new French Oak for 15 months, this Bordeaux-style wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, featuring blackberries, violets and cocoa on the nose. Dried cherry and strawberry middle notes lead to a long, lingering finish of spice and tobacco. Cellar-worthy for many decades, but enjoyable right now as well.”
My Review: The only notes I took said that this wine exhibited some rather intense fruit – also worthy of a retaste soon! August 2023
As I mentioned in my previous post, I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.” This is part 2 of my experience at the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting organized by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association in Carmel in early August. Check my blog for Part 1 from earlier this week and I will have one more next week!
It’s been a while since I have tasted Silvestri wines. I have long been a fan of their Barbera and Syrah, so it was a real treat to try these at this event.
2019 Silvestri Vineyards Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1098)
Winery Notes: “Syrah fans everywhere! Our Syrah continues to please year after year. Savor the aromas of blackberry and dried plum while enjoying the mouth-watering flavors, velvety texture along with medium tannins. Complement with sausage pizza, grilled veggies or grilled meat.”
My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in glass. Dark fruits enrobed with eucalyptus. Mouthfilling. Delicious. I had forgotten how delicious their Estate Syrah could be! August 2023
2019 Silvestri Vineyards Estate Barbera, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $75 (#1099)
Winery Notes: “Barbera is a red grape varietal originating from the Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. Our small block of Barbera, which is the first planting of this varietal in Carmel Valley, was added to the vineyard to honor the Silvestri family heritage. It’s position on a warm southern facing slope allows this varietal to mature and ripen to its fullest potential before harvest. With the influence of French oak barrel fermentation and maturation our Barbera exudes a deep richness and complexity that helps balance the grape’s high acidity.
“Black cherry, dried strawberry and plum aromas blend through to like flavors and move on to full, soft tannins with sufficient acidity. A more refined yet full-flavored Barbera.”
My Review: Hammy bacon on the nose, like BBQ ribs. Dark fruit on the palate. Yummy. August 2023
2019 Silvestri Vineyards Red Ranger Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $75 (#1100)
Winery Notes: “The 2019 Red Ranger is the 7th release of our signature Syrah that represents a part of the vineyard featuring the Bien Nacido clone, which is known for its richness and complexity. We use 75% new French oak and age it in the cellar for 16 months…
“Red Ranger rocks! That consistent depth of flavor, roundness and long finish are all here. Blackberry, black currant and a trace of fig lead to the full mouthfeel, just the right acidity and long, luscious finish. Try with a sausage stew and roasted meats, or aged hard cheeses.” 93 points, 2023 Wine Enthusiast buying guide!
My Review: Inky in glass. Rich palate of dark fruits highlighted by some woody notes. My favorite red wine of the day. August 2023
I do miss Rexford’s tasting room in Carmel Valley. It sat quietly next to Parsonage, where COraal Wine Co. is today. We’d stop in to talk to the vintner from time to time. He makes one heck of a delicious Chardonnay and Merlot. But today I decided to try their Zinfandel. We just don’t seem to have the right climate for Zinfandel, yet I continue to seek one out.
2019 Rexford Zinfandel, Gillian Enz Vineyards, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 15.5% ABV, $37 (#1101)
Winery Notes: “Lime Kiln Valley is a small viticultural area located in the San Benito County south of Hollister. The area features soils of decomposed granite and limestone, with warm days and cool nights that lead to a long growing season producing balanced wines with great depth. We think that Sam’s great grandparents produced wine from grapes grown here more than a century ago so we are pleased to offer this Zinfandel. Aged in American oak and bottled without fining or filtration, the wine is full-bodied with rich berry flavors and a smooth finish. Enjoy it with barbecue, grilled meats or pasta.”
My Review: Garnet in color. While our region is not known for its Zinfandel, this Rexford wine is not bad for a lighter Zinfandel. August 2023
2019 Opaque Darkness Red Blend, El Pomar District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.9% ABV, $30 (#1102)
Winery Notes: “The word “opaque” means “impenetrable to light” and refers to the dark, inky, impenetrable color of the Riboli family’s proprietary blend. Opaque Darkness brings together the impressive quality of our estate grown Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah grapes. After aging in French and American barrels for 15 months, our hand-crafted artisan blend reveals ripe flavors of raspberry and blackberry with notes of spice and vanilla. Enjoy the darkness!”
My Review: Inky in color. Dark fruit berries not overdone. Very balanced. Really quite delicious. A superb value. August 2023
At the Scheid table, we were introduced to a couple of family wine lines I had not heard of before. These two wines were lots of fun and perhaps the polar opposites, showing the range of what Monterey County can produce.
Sunny with a Chance of Flowers: “Sunny is made for mindful wine lovers – who, like us, believe less can be more. Zero sugar, fewer calories and less alcohol, yet still positively delicious! It’s everything you want in a wine and more –certified sustainable, vegan and gluten-free.”
VDR – Very Dark Red: “Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. Effortlessly bold, it captivates the senses with an inherent confidence that draws you in. Slightly mysterious, yet unexpectedly approachable, this robust red blend reveals new layers of depth and personality with each lingering sip.”
Sunny Positively Bubby Rosé, Monterey County, 9% ABV, $20 (#1103)
Winery Notes: “Everything is better with bubbles! Our Sunny Bubbly delights with flavors of fresh strawberry and watermelon wrapped in a package of lovely, fine bubbles and a crisp, refreshing finish. We are all born to sparkle…Aromas of fresh strawberry and watermelon. Lovely, fine bubbles. A crisp, refreshing finish.” 91 points – Wine Enthusiast and Best Buy
My Review: Pale pink. Cantaloupe flavors. Very bubbly and light. Zero sugar. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. August 2023
2020 VDR (Very Dark Red) Proprietary Red Blend, Hames Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $25 (#1104)
Winery Notes: “Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. VDR is a non-traditional proprietary red blend headlined by a rare combination of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot – two grape varietals known for their extraordinarily deep violet hues, concentrated flavors and full-bodied profiles. Big and bold, VDR not only turns heads, it turns the curious into evangelists with its layered complexity, lush mouthfeel, supple tannins and smooth, lingering finish.” https://www.cheersandco.com/
My Review: Inky in the glass. Dark fruit and caramel on the nose. A rich, jammy palate of dark fruit. Very tasty – a great value. August 2023
I think anyone who has met Sabrine Rodems would agree that she is a formidable talent in the Monterey winemaking world. She makes wine for Kori, Scratch, and Wrath, all in the same building at Wrath Wines. Her talent, creativity and stamina are equally impressive. I fell in love with Wrath’s San Saba Syrah many years ago and knew, when I tried the Wrath Ex Dolio Falanghina, that she was one to think outside the box and dare to be different.
I’ve had Scratch wines a few times and finally visited her cute, trendy and spacious tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. I was delighted to chat with Sabrine a bit on this day and taste some more of her wines.
2022 Scratch Rosé of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV (#1105)
Winery Notes: N/A
My Review: Bright pink in the glass. Fuji apple and great flavors on the palate – bright and delicious. August 2023
2021 Scratch C47 Marsanne/Roussanne White Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $59 (#1106)
Winery Notes: “These two Northern Rhone varietals grown in Carmel Valley from the Paloma Creek Vineyard are traditionally blended together. The slightly crisp nature of Marsanne with white nectarine, quince & lemon balance out the creamy Roussanne with fig, peach, pear and a little nuttiness.”
My Review: Melon on the nose. Creamy from the fruit with an attractive sweetness at the finish. August 2023
2019 Scratch C47 Red Blend, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 14.5% ABV, $95 (#1107) Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Winery Notes: “Classic Bordeaux blend from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc from the steep slopes of Janaca Vineyard. Merlot harvested from the high elevation of the Zayante Vineyard. Black berries, blueberries with hints of juniper & spices all come together in this blend, creating a sophisticated and age worthy bottle to enjoy now or in the future.”
My Review: An attractive dark garnet in color. Lots of berry flavors, yet retains a lean nature. August 2023
We had met Greg Hill at the Monterey Winemakers’ Celebration back in June, so it was great to see him here and try another of his wines. We are big fans of our newest and youngest wineries and believe Tira Nanza shows great promise. I previously reviewed his Cabernet Sauvignon here.
Winery Notes: “Back by popular demand, our 2022 Malbec Rosé may differ from its predecessor in color but it shares the same vibrant fruit and complexity that made the ‘21 so special. Lighter in color and more tropical in flavor, with notes of strawberry, cantaloupe and mango, this Rosé can be enjoyed in any setting. Fermented and aged in Stainless Steel”
My Review: We detected floral notes on the nose and palate, with anise on the finish. It was served very cold. August 2023
THE TASTING ROOMS
Most of these wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea or in Carmel Valley – please check their websites for more information.
I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.” The Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting, was held in Carmel in early August, offering an opportunity to talk to vintners and their representatives one-on-one! This event was organized by Kim Stemler, Executive Director, and Tina Huynh, Membership & Program Coordinator, of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. I am grateful to have been able to participate for the first time in this event. I also thank I Brand & Family for validating this by sending me a personal invitation.
The event was held at 7th and Steak in Carmel-By-The-Sea on what started out as a drizzly morning. We paid no attention to the drizzle and immediately headed to the back patio to start tasting wines alphabetically. 28 wineries were scheduled to pour several wines each, which meant there was a lot to do in our limited time. My partner and I have a strategy: we prioritize wineries at which we have not tasted, we choose 2 wines at each winery table, we share the taste, and dump the rest.
We really valued the opportunity to talk directly to the winemakers, CEOs, vineyard managers, tasting room managers and others at this special event. Each winery was a unique experience. Although we didn’t get to every table, I nonetheless have a lot of wines to present from this event. I struggle with how to do that and not get grossly behind in my posts. I’m expecting 3 posts to cover this single event. So, I am continuing my twice weekly post until I get caught up.
THE WINES
I have 12 wines to present to you today these local wineries:Caraccioli Cellars, Corral Wine Co., Folktale Winery, Holman Ranch, J Lohr, and Lucy Wines. Winery notes come from their websites or conversations with the representatives at this event. It was eye opening for me to see the wholesale prices for the wines. While I am usually extended an industry discount, I am grateful for the occasional offer of the wholesale price for my wine education events. That allows me to present higher quality local wines in nonprofit, budget-limited classes. Any errors in this post are mine and mine alone. I encourage you to check their websites regarding tasting opportunities!
Caraccioli Cellars is one of the best places to taste sparkling wines in Monterey County, with their Brut Rosé being one of my top choices for a special celebration. We were excited to learn about their Private Property label – a second label to bring a more affordable option to highlighting our region while still leveraging grapes from the family’s highly acclaimed Escolle Vineyard.
My Review: Very pale pink in color. Not too yeasty on the nose. Very crisp and tart with a lot of fruit flavors. Fine bubbles dissipated quickly. August 2023
2017 Caraccioli Cellars Brut Cuvee, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $60 (#1087)
Winery Notes: “Produced as a mixed cépage of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%), this wine is aged on the lees four years. Bright and fresh with layers of depth and structure, the Brut Cuvée is our flagship wine.” 93 Points Wine Enthusiast
My Review: A little barnyard on the nose. Fine bubbles on the crisp and slightly tart palate. Classic. I would like to present this one in a class. August 2023
It was great to see winemaker Adrien Valenzuela at this event and taste some brand new vintages! I like to present Corral wines in my classes because I believe Adren is one of the best up-and-coming winemakers in our region. While his whites are very tasty, what he can do with red varietals and blends is impressive. I say, “Watch this space!!”
2022 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1088)
My Review: Honeydew on the nose. A nice, round palate finishing with pineapple and citrus fruits. August 2023
2022 Corral “Pancho’s Chard” Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, Monterey County (#1089)
My Review: Nice, crisp palate. Smooth, well-melded fruit. Tasty. August 2023
As of this event, I had not yet been to Folktale for a formal tasting, but was scheduled for a winery tour with winemaker David Baird the very next day! (Post coming soon!!)
Folktale Brut Sparkling Wine, Monterey County, 11.8% ABV, $40 (#1090)
Winery Notes: “Light and refreshing, we made our Brut to enjoy on its own or paired with, well, just about anything. This sparkling wine opens with notes of green apple, banana, and tropical kiwi, developing into flavors of peach and tart strawberry on the palate. Enjoy chilled and often.”
My Review: A sweet nose. Tiny bubbles on the light, pleasant palate. August 2023
2022 Common Thread Three Strands Red Wine Blend, Central Coast AVA, 12.8% ABV, $40 (#1091) 57% Pinot Noir, 28% Pinot Gris, 15% Pinot Meunier
Winery Notes: Description of the 2021: “A blend of 2 red and 1 white grape varieties, this natural wine exudes character. Juicy with bright red fruits and exotic spice, the wine has bright acidity and fine whole-cluster tannin. Pairs wonderfully with vegetarian dishes or as a refreshing aperitif wine.” This is David’s own label.
My Review: Slightly cherry nose. A little tart. Very balanced with some cinnamon on the finish. Would be good with food! August 2023
For us, it was a real treat to meet Kirstie Dyer, the CEO of Holman Ranch at this event. I really owe Holman Ranch a visit (they make a Syrah now, after all!) and would love to see the ranch itself.
Winery Notes: “The 2019 Reserve Jarman Sparkling Brut Rosé begins with a bright citrus nose of grapefruit and lemon, carried by balanced marine salinity. Notes of raspberry and strawberry introduce a warm palate, enhanced by a hint of freshly risen dough, showing great precision. A well-integrated, restrained dosage is complemented by a persistent méthode champenoise mousse.” 87% Pinot Noir, 13% Chardonnay
My Review: Barely pink – very light in glass. We liked the flavors and the bubbles in this sparkling rosé. August 2023
2022 Holman Ranch Estate Susan’s Saignée Rosé of Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $37 (#1093)
Winery Notes: “The 2022 Susan’s Saignée Rosé shows a light salmon hue in the glass. This wine has aromas of bright strawberry and watermelon, accompanied by more tropical characteristics. The palate gives passion fruit, lemon peel and orange blossom, adding complexity. This wine is clean and lively with balanced acidity.” Made from 667 and 777 clones.
My Review: Pale pink in glass with a slightly sweet nose. Yeasty, lean palate. Metallic taste. Not a patio wine. August 2023
I enjoy seeing J Lohr at these events, even though I put them in a different category from our smaller, local vintners. It was terrific to meet Kristen Barnhisel, their winemaker for white wine located in Greenfield. The wines they presented today allowed us to try some different things. Would be nice if there were a tasting room in the county, but I guess I’ll just have to get down to Paso Robles more!
2021 J Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $25 (#1094)
Winery Notes: “The 2021 Arroyo Vista Chardonnay exhibits intriguing aromas of paperwhites, Meyer lemon, ripe apple, pear, and crème brulée. The rich palate texture is balanced by layered flavors of pear, lemon cream, baking spices, and minerality, with a long, sweet oak finish.” 94 Points, Best of Class, Gold at the 2023 Los Angeles International Wine Competition
My Review: A bright, pale yellow in the glass. Butter and pineapple on the nose, carrying over to the palate. Tasty. I liked it. August 2023
Winery Notes: “Crafted in the style of Beaujolais wines. This light-bodied red wine from Monterey is perfect when served chilled and can pair with a wide variety of foods…Served slightly chilled, displays inviting fresh raspberry, cranberry, and pomegranate aromas, with a bit of black pepper and hibiscus. Flavors of brambly, bright red berry with a touch of spice, mid-palate acidity lead to a juicy, mouthwatering finish.”
My Review: So very purple in color. Cranberry, hibiscus, and plum on the nose. A surprisingly lean palate, yet quite tasty. Not a typical varietal we find bottled in these parts. August 2023
I had never head of Lucy before, so I am including a bit of extra information about them – I was stuck by their affordability for the quality – and their charity-driven purpose.
About Lucy: “Welcome to Lucy, made by the Pisoni family. Elegant, approachable, meaningful, and fun. The Lucy philosophy is to craft beautiful wines that are classically made for pure and vibrant expressions. The wines also represent important aspects of our region’s history and community…
“The wines we take great care in crafting under our Lucy label are standouts for us in their ability to combine glamor with versatility. Because they pair well with a wide range of dishes, they’ll shine in any setting. We’re particularly proud to be able to match these three wines to a trio of outstanding causes: funds to support breast cancer research, ocean conservancy, and the Big Sur Fire Department.”
2022 Lucy Wines Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $24 (#1096)
Winery Notes: “If the Lucy Rose of Pinot Noir offers any preview into the quality of the coming wines for a given vintage, rest assured that 2022 will certainly be a vintage to remember. Sporting shades of melon, salmon, and coral that are classic for a Lucy Rosé, this beautiful offering packs unyielding aromatic intensity as it chills and condensates on the sides of the glass. Delicate at first with notes of fresh strawberry and subtle, mineral driven undertones, this wine begins to offer complexities seldom seen in rose as it warms slightly. Plush notes of peach blossom and watermelon waft into the air, as the first sips offer citrus driven flavors of tangerine and orange peel, backed by tart raspberry and rose petal. Brief but impactful aging in 100% neutral French oak barrels offers an added layer of texture that pairs seamlessly with fresh, prickly acidity.”
My Review: Pale salmon in color. Musty goodness on the nose, perhaps the best smelling rose of the day. Followed by big rose flavors, making it the tastiest rose of the day. August 2023
2022 Lucy Wines Pico Blanco White Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, $26 (#1097)
Winery Notes: “Our blend of pinot gris and pinot blanc is named Pico Blanco to commemorate a mountain peak in Monterey County known for its beauty and its high-grade limestone mineral deposits. With Pico Blanco, we pay homage to Monterey County’s earliest grape growing traditions–traditions in which pinot gris, an early-planted cool climate grape in the region–played a central role. Crafting this wine is a way for us to locate ourselves in historical time and place and to respect the traditions of grape growing in Monterey County.
“As always, purity and complexity continue to be our focus. The pinot gris and pinot blanc grapes to be blended into Pico Blanco are hand-sorted and carefully pressed to moderate the extraction and flavor derived from their skins. We use entirely neutral barrels for fermentation to sustain the purity of the fruit and to augment its texture. We also depend exclusively upon native yeast. Doing so is another way we maintain the traditional winemaking practices we prize. At the same time, this practice allows us to coax complex flavors from the fruit. We bottle Pico Blanco without any fining.”
My Review: A delightful, floral nose. Round flavors on the palate. Lingering finish. August 2023.
THE TASTING ROOMS
Most of these wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea or in Carmel Valley – I encourage you to get out there and try them for yourselves! please check their websites for more information.
In July, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod experienced the best winery tour ever at Bernardus! Last November, at the Marinus dinner, Jim McCabe, assistant winemaker at Bernardus, invited us to come up to the winery in Cachagua for a tour. We finally made it there in July! And I would say the fun wine education aspects of the tour were what made it so special.
Winery notes for this post come from conversations with the winemaker unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about Bernardus on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Also, with all the wine events and special tastings we have done, I will be posting twice weekly for a bit to get caught up! My, we have been busy!!
Jim McCabe met us outside where he explained what happens to the grapes from the moment they arrive at the facility. He indicated that harvest is looking 2-3 weeks late this year due to the winter and spring rains. Veraison is a little late, but every really hot, sunny day we get speeds it up. Chemistry and appearance will tell them when to harvest the grapes.
In response to our questions about white grapes, they expect 2-3 tons per acre. They gently press the white grapes to avoid any off flavors. They shoot for 150-170 gallons of juice per ton.
We grabbed our glasses as we moved inside.
THE WINES
We started out tasting some Monterey Chardonnay at the filtration stage, followed by a Pinot Noir at the cold fermentation stage. We then went deep into the barrel room to do more wine education. We examined how different barrel ages affect the wine, how different yeasts influence the flavor profile, and how to recognize and resolve reduction! What fun!
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County (#1065)
We tasted this sample at the filtration stage.
My Review: Light golden. Nice delicious tropical nose. Pineapple and butter. Rich and sweet on the palate with a bright finish, some bitter notes yet nice. July 2023
2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Gary’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1066)
This sample was at the cold fermentation stage.
My Notes: Garnet. Cold. Plum and perfume. Tasty palate. Smooth. July 2023
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1067)
We compared 2 samples from different aged barrels.
My Notes:
New oak barrels: Buttery, tropical nose with some sulfur dioxide. Rich and viscous on palate with pineapple flavors on the finish. Wow. Big. Delicious. July 2023
3-year-old oak barrels: Faint tropical notes on nose and more sophisticated palate. Leaner yet tasty with more subtle flavors and more acidity. July 2023
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highland AVA, Monterey County (#1068)
We compared 2 samples made with different yeasts – and then a combined sample! Wow – we made some wine!!
Winery Notes: Every 2 weeks, they top off the barrels and perform battonage. They expect to bottle 19 barrels of Sierra Mar Chardonnay.
My Notes:
D47 yeast: More acidic on the nose. Citrus notes. Mouthfilling, completely different flavor profile. Explodes on front end. Crushed pineapple a hidden bitterness on the finish. More acidic overall to me.
Montrachet yeast: Totally different. Pale in glass. Butter and mild pineapple on nose. More vanilla and tartness on the palate. Rounder flavors.
Blended samples: Crushed pineapple on the nose. Balanced palate. Burnt caramel on the finish. Very nice.
2022 Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County (#1069)
Winery Notes: A little Hungarian oak. Intended for Marinus red blend.
My Notes: Intense dark ruby in color. Tart jam on nose. Juicy on the palate.
2022 Bernardus Merlot, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County (#1070)
Jim had just talked to us about reduction a few moments before we tasted this wine. One of our members identified it right away, so we got to see first hand how to mitigate reduction.
Barrel sample: Rubbery notes. Reduction is starting! Bright and dark raspberry on the palate. Dark and bitter on finish.
Post-copper treatment: Immediately changed flavor: lots of jammy, berry fruit and no reductive flavors. Tasted amazing.
Other fun facts (any of which I could have captured wrong):
They have a small, full-time staff of 8 people, plus contract support for busy times.
In their winemaking, they use French oak barrels for a period of 3 years.
They have some huge, 2000-gallon oak tanks which they can use for Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, taking the place of stainless tanks.
Grapes from Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards that don’t make the vineyard designate bottlings can then become part of their Santa Lucia Highlands program.
They are elevating their Marinus vineyard. Doing more hand work and replacing some of the old vines.
The label: They are dropping the “B” label and going to a cleaned-up version (see the one on the right below) of the old one for brand recognition.
They also switched cork sources to improve the reliability of their corks. Their “Monterey” line has screw tops.
He showed us a brand new barrel and even let us sniff inside!
They produce 45,000-61,000 cases in an average harvest year.
And, finally, examine your spit after drinking Cabernet Sauvignon – it might surprise you. (But none of us can remember why…)
Tasting Bernardus Wines: Their tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every day! Reservations are not required. You can see more information and book a tasting here or email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call them at 831-298-8021.
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