Tagged: Monterey AVA

Wrath: A Pandemic Exploration of the River Road Wine Trail

A little over a year ago, we made a plan with our new neighbors to pack a picnic lunch and do some wine tasting down the River Road Wine Trail.  We finally pulled this trip off in mid-March!  We visited three wineries that day.  It was a “huge big deal” for us to venture out.  My husband has gone practically nowhere during the pandemic and the rest of us have remained quite isolated.  I organized the wine tastings and they organized a lovely picnic lunch! Perfect!

Today’s post is about our visit to Wrath down in Soledad. I’ve posted before about Wrath, as we are huge fans of their Syrahs and I have presented their Sauvignon Blanc in one of my Washington DC wine classes.  I’m presenting 7 of their wines here. I picked up a couple of their wines for future tasting, including their 2017 Ex Dolio Falanghina and their 2017 Destruction Level, Grenache-Syrah. Our wines were accompanied by some cute little steak sandwiches and wraps, olive and goat cheese spread from the Monterey Farmers Market, and yummy lemon pudding.  Winery notes come from their website:  https://www.wrathwines.com/ and my tasting notes were supported by Mr. H, Melvin Dubee and his lovely wife, Kristine (AKA our COVID Wine Pod).

2017 Wrath Chardonnay San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 13.2% ABV, $49 (#293*)

Winery Notes: “Wrath’s flagship 2017 San Saba Vineyard Chardonnay utilizes only specifically selected barrels of three clones from our estate vineyard.  During production, we allow certain lots to ferment using native yeasts while other lots are inoculated with Montrachet yeast.  This adds to the wine’s signature complexity.  These lots go through a secondary fermentation, ML or malolactic, while aging in French oak barrels, 40% of which are new oak.  Aromas of apple and apricot blend with a hint of cooking spices.  Rich flavors of peach, ripe pineapple and shortbread find balance through bright acidity and a long, delicious finish.” 158 cases produced. 92 points – Vinous.

My Review:   Golden in the glass.  Honeysuckle with a touch of pineapple on the nose.  Honeysuckle continues through the creamy palate – “a classic California Chardonnay.” March 2021

2020 Wrath Pinot Noir Saignée, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 13.1% ABV, $21 (#294*)

Having fun with our Saignée shadows!

Winery Notes: “Bright red fruit and moderate (13.1%) alcohol make this rosé the perfect summer wine. Aged for three months in neutral French oak barrels, this wine captures the essence of our award-winning San Saba Vineyard fruit in a refreshing and food-friendly saignée of 100 percent Pinot Noir. Pale strawberry and rhubarb define the nose while red berry and watermelon flavors meld with crisp acidity on the palate.” 232 cases produced.

My Review:   Light rose in color.  Strawberry and rhubarb on the nose.  Rose petal and rhubarb on the palate. “I’m so glad Americans have learned to make rosé!” “I could drink this all day!”March 2021

2017 Wrath Pommard 4/777 Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, 14.5% ABV, $35 (#295*)

Winery Notes: “Wrath’s blend of clones 777 and Pommard 4 has always showcased the dark, earthy side of our estate pinot fruit and the 2018 vintage is no exception.  The nose shows off black cherry and forest floor.  A rich, seamless intensity defines the palate with bing cherry, black raspberry and an allspice element; while the higher percentage (24%) of whole cluster fermentation leads to a long, structured finish.” 677 cases produced.  92 points – Vinous.

My Review:   Transluscent ruby in color.  The delightful cherry on the nose carries into the palate – a little bitter.  Umami finish. March 2021

2017 Wrath Pinot Noir San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, $49 (#296*)

Wrath’s San Saba Estate Vineyard in Soledad

Winery Tasting Sheet: “Earthy, rich fruit combines plum, wild berries, porcini mushrooms & spiced cola.”  91 points – Wine Spectator.

My Review:  Bright ruby in color.  Smooth on the nose.  Cherry on the palate, tempered with red currant and lingenberry.  March 2021

2017 Wrath Pinot Noir KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $49 (#297*)

Winery Notes: “KW Ranch Pinot Noir 2017 comes from the lower slopes along the eastern edge of the appellation.  Red berries and cherry join undertones of menthol and wild herbs on an expressive nose.  The palate highlights tight, focused fruit with bright acidity and mineral that merge into a long, structured finish.  Although delicious now, this wine will peak after 2024.” 321 cases produced. 92 points – Vinous.

My Review:  This wine was richer and deeper in color with dark cherry and plum flavors. March 2021

2016 Wrath Grenache Alta Loma, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $39 (298*)

Winery Notes: “This Grenache comes from the biodynamically managed Alta Loma Vineyard, just south of the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Deeply colored for the varietal, this Grenache is intense, high-toned and elegant.  The aromatics offer notes of pine forest, juniper, spice, earth and wet stone.  The palate is powerful, structured, rich and direct with a long finish that includes noticeable, well-integrated tannins.” 67 cases produced. 92 points – Vinous.

My Review:  Beautiful ruby color.  Nose smells like Southern Rhône – cherry, lavender and sage.  Very smooth on the palate with an acidic sharpness on the finish. March 2021

2017 Wrath Syrah KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#299*)

Winery Notes: “In keeping with our focus on sustainability, grapes are hand harvested and brought to our winery (only six miles down the road) for hand sorting.  All our single vineyard Syrahs use the small whole cluster fermentation and oak regimen.  This helps highlight the individual personality of each vineyard.  The 2017 KW Ranch Syrah is wildly aromatic with flashes of black pepper, smoked meat, blackberries, leather and cassis.  The palate is thick, powerful and succulently juicy.  Even though the tannins are bold, the wine is still nimble, elegant and approachable.” 109 cases produced. 93 points – Vinous.

My Review:  Purple in color.  Berry jam and a touch of leather on the nose.  Softer than the 2016.  Smokey and peppery with allspice on the palate.  A hint of menthol on the back palate. Very nice, smooth palate.  This would go well with some of those farmers market lamb chops! March 2021

You can buy these wines directly from Wrath via their website or tasting rooms. 

Regarding Tastings: Both the winery tasting room in Soledad and the Carmel Plaza tasting room are open for outdoor and limited indoor tastings!  Check out this link for more details: https://www.wrathwines.com/Visit.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

La Marea: Spanish-Inspired Wines “rooted in the sea, the soil and the sea air”

When my Spring Club Release became available for pickup, I contacted the I Brand tasting room to find a day I could stop by for a quiet, isolated outdoor tasting to taste their new releases. In addition to tasting those wines in early March, we have opened several other Ian Brand wines at home in 2021.  I’ll be presenting all of them in 3 separate posts by label:  La Marea, Le P’tit Paysan, and I. Brand & Family. Today’s post is about three La Marea wines, Ian Brand’s label for his Spanish-inspired wines.

More About La Marea from the Winery:  “La Marea, (Spanish for “The Tide”), made by Ian Brand of Le P’tit Paysan, is a tiny winery focused on single vineyard Spanish varietals “rooted in the sea, the soil and the sea air”. Brand believes Monterey and San Benito to be some of the most ideally suited climates in California for Spanish varietals like Albariño, Grenache (Garnacha) and Mourvedre (Monastrell). The proximity to the cool ocean waters Monterey Bay provides an optimal climate for Albarino while the warmer San Antonio and San Benito Valleys closely resemble the Spanish regions where these grapes thrive. This region, once the site of a shallow ocean bed millions of years ago, is one of the few spots in California with a high percentage of limestone found in the soil which gives the wines a high naturally acidity. As with his P’tit Paysan wines, Brand works with fruit harvested at lower Brix, ferments using a combination of native and cultured yeast, and favors neutral oak.”

2020 La Marea Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 11.9% ABV, $24 (#269*)

“The Kristy Vineyard grows on the western bench over the Salinas River on the broken sediment of ancient sea beds where it is exposed to the consistent cooling winds off the Monterey Bay. Kristy is a special because Albariño in the vineyard reaches full phenological ripeness at low potential alcohol and bright natural acidity later in the season. Usually picked between 20-22 Brix with a sub 3 PH and nearly 9 g/L TA. Whole cluster pressed and cold fermented to preserve aromatics and freshness. Secondary fermentation is arrested.” La Marea

Winery Tasting Notes: “tropical fruit, lemon zest, subtle spice, lively acidity”

My Review: Pale yellow in color, fragrant Gardenia, grapefruit and lemon curd on the nose.  Vibrant acidity on the flavorful palate of sweet grapefruit, with a lingering lemony finish. March 2021

2016 La Marea Grenache Spur Ranch, San Benito County, 13% ABV, $20? (#270*)

“Spur Ranch Vineyard is part of an 11,000 acre ranch located at a 1000 foot elevation with a fifteen degree south facing slope on the south side of Chalone peak. The soils are high-calcareous content clay over the same mica shist substrate that dominates the Chalone appellation. Fermented whole berry with a small percentage of whole cluster with both native and selected yeast strains. Aged in 100% neutral barrels for 11 months. 135 cs produced.” La Marea

Winery Tasting Notes: “Beautiful and bright representation. Profile firmly representative of its unique micro-climate terroir. Cooler region, allows peak levels of ripeness, while also obtaining low alcohol levels. Freshness, purity of fruit and an elegant, silky style. Endless layers of red fruits fill the nose. On the palate, acid leads, allowing bright red fruits, strawberries, cherries and raspberries to pop with a beam of minerality. Green anise and fennel appear, while the red fruits maintain palate saturation.” 124 cases produced.

My Review: Translucent light cherry in color. Light cherry on the nose, a slight bit of vinegar. Very light on the palate, refreshing, almost as light as a rosé! After opening up, flavors became a little more complex. January 2021

2018 La Marea Grenache, Central Coast, 13.6% ABV, $30* (#271*)

The grapes for this “Central Coast” wine were sourced from San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties.

Winery Tasting Notes:  A traditional Spanish Grenache – “red plums, damp earth, baking spice, subtle complexity”

My Review: Bright, transluscent cherry.  Sweet raspberry on the nose, very smooth red currant on the palate, lingering light licorice flavors. March 2021

I Brand’s tasting room in Carmel Valley Village is open for tastings – reservations recommended.  https://www.ibrandwinery.com/visit

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Scheid: Finding the Yin Yang of Monterey Wines!

I introduced Scheid Vineyards to you back in September here: https://decantingmonterey.com/scheid-vineyards-innovative-twist-on-an-austrian-classic/.   When I picked up that Grüner Veltliner, I looked for what else I wanted to try and picked up a couple of big reds. 

Today’s post gets really fun, as we are venturing to the southern most tip of Monterey County’s 9 AVAs – through the Monterey AVA on down to San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs! 

When driving down Highway 101, you will see that Scheid’s vineyards stretch along almost the entire Salinas Valley down to the San Luis Obispo County line! (Map courtesy of Scheid Vineyards)

On its website ( https://www.scheidvineyards.com/), Scheid describes the San Lucas appellation as having “sunny days tempered by cooling ocean breezes. Here, the days are warmer and longer, yet cool down quite dramatically when the sun goes down. Fruit-forward and softly-textured wines are the hallmark of this region, known for producing an outstanding array of varietals.”  And they describe the Hames Valley as having “long, warm days that make this an ideal area for sun-loving reds. This region produces balanced, full-bodied wines of intensity, such as Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Malbec.”

2017 Scheid 50/50, Monterey AVA, 14.8% ABV, $30 (#247*) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Syrah.

The “yin yang” of the 50/50 melded into a delicious wine!

About the 50/50: Scheid describes the 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah as “yin yang” – “complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole as part of a dynamic system” – combining the “rich, polished and powerful” Cabernet Sauvignon with the “supple, fruit-forward and a little sassy” Syrah. They describe the 2017 50/50 as possessing “the structure and dark fruit flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon and the softness and jammy fruit of Syrah, combining to present a delicious example of elegance and power in one glass. Aromas of blackberry preserves and plum accented with notes of sage and smoky spices will convince you that soul mates really do exist.”  The 50/50 comes from their Mesa del Rio Vineyard in the Monterey AVA, plus their San Lucas and Hames Valley vineyards.  This unfiltered wine was aged 16 months in American, Hungarian and French small oak barrels for secondary fermentation and aging. 480 cases produced.

My Review:  Blackberry and plum on the nose, smooth round palate of dark berries, lingering flavors. Euphoric. One of the best Central Coast wines we have tasted recently. Super yum. Highly recommend. December 2020                         

2016 Scheid Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kurt’s Vineyard, San Lucas AVA, 14.8% ABV (#248*)                                 

The 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kurt’s Vineyard from Scheid’s webpage.

About the 2016 Kurt’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from their website: “Kurt Gollnick our COO, chose a 10 acre plot to plant his favorite variety, a micro site that is capable of growing world class Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is dark and concentrated with aromas of blackberries, boysenberries and elderberries with notes of chocolate, hazelnuts, toasty oak and a hint of violet. The palate delivers rich, juicy black fruit flavors followed by soft, integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.” Aged 20 months in oak barrels. Unfiltered. 

My Review:  Garnet in color with a jammy blackberry nose with caramel notes.  Juicy palate of yummy blackberry and cherry, with licorice and mint on the finish.  I really liked this wine. January 2021

You can order Scheid wines directly from their webpage.  Their tasting rooms are open daily for outdoor tasting.  You can make a reservation and get more info here:  Visit Scheid.

Scheid’s tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea!

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Holiday Shopping Leads to Discovery of Wrath New Releases!

Wrath San Saba Vineyard, 2019

Back in November, with the holidays rapidly approaching, I ventured out to Carmel Plaza.  Can’t go there without stopping at Wrath! As a huge fan of their San Saba Syrah, I was thrilled to learn the 2017 had just been released.  On a previous trip, I had done a side-by-side tasting of the 2016 San Saba and the 2016 Syrah KW Ranch.  With both the 2017 San Saba in hand and the 2016 KW Ranch in my cellar, time to drink some Wrath!

I last brought you Wrath back in September, with reviews of the 2015 & 2016 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, along with the 2017 EX Sauvignon Blanc here:  https://decantingmonterey.com/wrath-harnessing-angry-fog-and-screaming-winds-to-create-great-wines/.

2016 Wrath Syrah KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.7% ABV, $39 (#232*)

From Wrath about the 2016 Syrah KW Ranch:

“KW Ranch is located in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands, southeast of McIntyre Vineyard and just northwest of Gary’s Vineyard. Planted to both Pinot Noir and Syrah in 2000 by Kirk Williams, the site features a well-exposed, gently-rolling hillside with gravely loam soils. Wines from KW Ranch tend to be intense and highly aromatic.”

“…Our 2016 KW Ranch Syrah is wildly aromatic with flashes of black pepper, smoked meat, blackberries, leather and cassis.  The palate is thick, powerful and succulently juicy.  Even though the tannnis are bold, the wine is still nimble, elegant and approachable.” 100% Syrah. 100% French oak, 30% new. 158 cases produced.

Critical Acclaim: 93 points Jeb Dunnuck;91-94pts Connoisseur’s Guide

My Review:  Deep ruby in color, white pepper, dark berry on the nose. Explosion of fruit blueberry, blackberry and cherry with a solid dose of pepper on the palate. A little licorice, medicinal, vegetal on the finish. Over time, a little tobacco on the finish. November 2020 

2017 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#233*)

From Wrath about the 2017 Syrah San Saba Vineyard:

“Our Estate San Saba Vineyard is set in a sheltered nook just below the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The estate consists of 72 acres of which 67.75 are planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Falanghina. This is a cool site with little rainfall and one of the longest growing seasons in the world. Our soils, Arroyo Gravelly Loam and Hanford Gravely Sandy Loam, provide a low-vigor, well-draining, disease- and pest-free medium for our vines. They also impart a subtle mineral quality to our wines…”

“Powerful and elegant, aromatics include blackberry, leather and peppercorns; the palate is rich and concentrated with graphite, cassis, and a hint of smoke.”  10 months in French oak, 20% new.  313 cases produced.

Critical Acclaim:  91 Wine Spectator, 93 Vinous

My Review: Dark purple in the glass, blueberry and a touch of barnyard/sulphur on the nose, intense blueberry and blacked berry on the palate – jammy and good. Vanilla on the finish. I do slightly prefer the 2016 vintage to this 2017. November 2020

You can buy these wines at A Taste of Monterey or directly from Wrath. 

Regarding Tastings: “As of Monday, Jan 25th, both Wrath tasting rooms are now allowed to open for limited outside seatings and tastings. New hours for Wrath’s winery tasting room are Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tues-Wed-Thur.  The winery patio is large so we can accommodate multiple visitor groups and still maintain 10′ plus spacings for safety.  Our Carmel tasting room is open every day from 11-5pm.” https://www.wrathwines.com/Visit

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Ian Brand: Discovering “…great vineyards at the edge of sensible farming”

We were out in the valley one afternoon checking out the tasting rooms and saw something new had moved into the old White Oaks Shopping Center, now primarily a “wine tasting row.”  In my memory, this fellow inside was playing guitar, but maybe he was just playing a record.  He stopped to pour us wine.  We learned he was the “I” of I. Brand – Ian Brand.  We were attracted to his wines, range of varietals and vineyards, his affordable prices, and humorous labels, akin to those at Bonny Doon.  And it is no wonder, as that is where he got his introduction to the wine business – doing an entry-level job at Bonny Doon. 

I. Brand’s Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village

Winemaker Ian Brand has come a long way since those early days in the wine business.  He and his wife Heather now produce over 10,000 cases annually in a warehouse in Salinas under three wine labels: Le P’tit Paysan (French Inspired Wines), La Marea (Spanish Inspired Wines) and I. Brand & Family (California Inspired Wines).  Wine Spectator published this illuminating 2015 Winemaking on the Edge article about Ian Brand, his wines and his family.  And, most significantly, Ian was named the San Francisco Chronicle 2018 Winemaker of the Year.

From I. Brand & Family:  “We did not set out to make these wines. We discovered great vineyards at the edge of sensible farming and decided to bring them to light. The farther we looked, the more we found – remote, challenging vineyards, with hard depleted soils, and intense sunlight tempered only by the coastal breeze. Vineyards capable of producing only the most idiosyncratic wines. Our goal as winemakers is to lightly polish the roughest edges and leave the idiosyncrasy intact. It is here in the back country, filled with individual character, where Le P’tit Paysan comes to life.”

 “La Marea, made by Ian Brand of Le P’tit Paysan, is a tiny winery focused on single vineyard Spanish varietals “rooted in the sea, the soil and the sea air”. Brand believes Monterey and San Benito to be some of the most ideally suited climates in California for Spanish varietals like Albariño, Grenache (Garnacha) and Mourvedre (Monastrell). The proximity to the cool ocean waters Monterey Bay provides an optimal climate for Albarino while the warmer San Antonio and San Benito Valleys closely resemble the Spanish regions where these grapes thrive. This region, once the site of a shallow ocean bed millions of years ago, is one of the few spots in California with a high percentage of limestone found in the soil which gives the wines a high naturally acidity. As with his P’tit Paysan wines, Brand works with fruit harvested at lower Brix, ferments using a combination of native and cultured yeast, and favors neutral oak.” (Couer Wine Company)

Another Fun I. Brand Release Party with Exceptional Catering and Great Music, 2018

You can see the influence from his time at Bonny Doon in not only his labels, but also his style of wines – they tend to be flavorful, while lower in alcohol, more in a European style.  And, back in the day when we could gather, his release parties were a fun time: wine, food and live music.  That’s where I was introduced to the music of ¿Qiensave? Quiensave Music.

Today’s post is about his wines we have been drinking since March from the Monterey AVA, specifically. Other regions and labels to follow.

2017 Le P’tit Paysan Chardonnay Jacks Hill Vineyard, Monterey County, 12.5 % ABV, $22, (#139*)

When I was asked to present a Monterey County wine class to the Northern Virginia American Wine Society, I looked far and wide for what I thought would be the best representation of our region while also available for purchase in Washington DC.  I ran out to the tasting room to try the Jacks Hill, declared it a winner, and came home triumphant.  When I shared my great find with my husband, he replied, “Well, of course it’s a great wine – we tasted it at their release party and have it in our wine room.”  :-/ 

The 2017 Jacks Hill Chardonnay comes from Chualar, east of the Salinas. Whole-cluster fermentation, racked in neutral oak barrels, one new French oak barrel and a stainless-steel tank, aged for 5 months. 40% undergoes malolactic fermentation to round out the acids, creating a balanced expression of Chardonnay. 

Jacks Hill was my pick for a Monterey County Wine for my 2019 AWS class.

Wine Enthusiast Review : “This bottling by Ian Brand always packs bang for the buck, but he really nailed it in the 2017 vintage. Clean and delicate aromas of Asian pear, lemon rind and edgy chalk lead into a racy, crisp and tightly wound palate. Flavors of grapefruit, nectarine, blanched almond and sea salt are delicious.”92 points, Matt Kettmann, February 2019

My Review: Pale gold in color, refreshingly floral, creamy peach, and pineapple nose.  Full-bodied in flavor with pineapple, citrus and the slight bitterness of lime zest.  A slightly tart wine with none of that over-oaked, buttery or cloying characteristics we often see in a California Chardonnay.  Refreshing and delicious.  August 2020

2019 La Marea Albariño Kristy Vineyard, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $24 (#103*)

The 2019 La Marea Albariño has been our wine of choice on these warm, coastal days.

The Corkery Review: “Tasting Notes:  Juicy, Lemon Citrus, Pineapple, Mineral.  This fresh and aromatic Albarino benefits from the cool winds off Monterey Bay and the soils of an ancient sea bed. The wine has beautiful texture and minerality and pairs well with fresh shellfish and grilled fish as well as spicy cuisines, including Indian and Thai.” Wine Enthusiast has rated previous vintages from 90-91 points. 

My Review: We drank this wine on a hot summer day after a Sancerre.  Crisp and clean.  The minerality showed up as a little bitterness “like a Sicilian green olive” and complemented our Mediterranean appetizers.  Perfect for the occasion. July 2020

2019 La Marea Albariño Alternate Cut, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $30 (#114*)

I needed an Albariño for a wine class in August and pulled this one out of our wine room.  We were familiar with the regular 2019 La Marea Albariño Kristy Vineyard in July, so what the heck is the Alternate Cut?? 

There is not a lot of information out there about the 2019 La Marea Albariño Kristy Vineyard Alternate Cut.  The label says this:  “We pulled aside 70 cases of one of the components of our Kristy Albarino to showcase a different side of what the vineyard and variety can do.  Destemmed and left on the skins two days, and fermented with a ‘pied de cuvee’ yeast harvested in the vine rows, this is a broader, funkier ‘alternate cut.’“

The 2019 La Marea Alternate Cut: a funkier, bolder Albariño.

Wine Enthusiast Review of the 2018 Alternate Cut:  “This experimental twist by Ian Brand shows only slight differences from his original bottling, yet they’re intriguingly fresh accents. Aromas of peach blossom, honeydew rinds and wax lead into a laser-sharp, high-toned palate that focuses on lime and the slightest touch of nectarine on the finish.” 92 points.  Matt Kettmann 12/2019 

My Review: Golden and slightly pink in color. A floral and peachy nose, followed by a full-flavored palate echoing the nose, perhaps slightly sweeter on the palate than a typical Albariño.  The finish is big, yeasty and slightly tart and bitter in a complementary way – slightly lime rind. August 2020

I Brand is open for outside porch tastings by reservation only – email them at HELLO@IBRANDWINERY.COM.  You can order their wines from the winery or via numerous shops online. As of September 7, 2020: The 2017 Chardonnay is available at Pearson’s Wine and Spirits  in DC and at  K&L Wine Merchants in CA for $20.  The 2019 La Marea Albariño Kristy Vineyard is available from the winery and several shops around the US, including K&L Wine Merchants in CA for $20 and the Princeton Corkscrew for $22.  The 2019 La Marea Albariño Alternate Cut is available from the winery and a few shops in the US, including Union Square Wines in NYC for $28, case price $25 per bottle.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.

© Decanting Monterey 2020

Scratch: Edgy, Exciting, Artsy Wines

My early September wine class wanted to do a bubbly.  I did a quick search on line for a Monterey sparkling wine.  As soon as I saw Scratch on the list, I had to have it – I wanted to present this wine!  I ran over to their tasting room in Carmel-By-The-Sea and picked up a bottle.   I have been curious about Scratch, a woman-owned winery by Sabrine Rodems, the winemaker for Wrath since 2006, another favorite.  What’s not to like? 

The Scratch Tasting Room is mid-block on Dolores Between 7th and Ocean.

According to the Scratch Website, “Scratch is a project of Winemaker Sabrine Rodems producing small-lot Riesling, Grenache, Pinot Noir and Cabernet from Monterey, Arroyo Seco, Santa Lucia Highlands and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA’s.”  Sabrine Rodems says: “What I love most about Monterey, the Arroyo Seco, Santa Lucia Highland and the Santa Cruz Mountains is that I have four geologically different sites at my fingertips.  Getting to work with bench Pinot Noir and river bed Riesling and Grenach, and Coastal Cabernet makes my work exciting and the wine exciting as well.  Winemaking is the best of both worlds the amalgamation of science and art.”

I wanted to learn more about Sabrine Rodems and quickly saw there are many articles about this locally reknown winemaker.  One of my favorites is this one in Edible Monterey Sabrine Rodems On Exhibit Scratch Coming to Carmel in which she talks about experimenting with Falanghina in clay in the ancient Roman method for Wrath.  She also states her favorite wine growing region is Monterey, due to its long growing season (no pressure!) and coastal climate.  And explains why she likes the name Scratch (no one else had it, edgy, and hard to pin down). 

Edgy Photos in the Scratch Tasting Room.

2018 Scratch Blanc de Blanc Sparkling, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 12.2% ABV, $45 (#136*):

The 2018 Scratch Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut is a crisp and delicious bubbly.

From the Scratch Website : “The excitment has been killing us!!!  Our new baby, Sparkling Blanc de Blanc made from Chardonnay off of San Saba Vineyards, which is the home vineyard of Wrath Wines.  High acid Clone 17 Chardonnay in an Extra Brut style.  Crisp citrus, flowers and a hint of guava with a clean finish and amazing bubbles!” 100% Chardonnay, Methode Champenoise, Extra Brut

Wine Enthusiast Review of the 2017 Vintage: “This wine features a label design by artist Eddie Colla. It shows strong aromas of pear, pineapple and tropical fruit on the nose. The palate displays flavors of lime, lemongrass and green apple, enveloped in an aggressive mousse.”  91 points.  Matt Kettmann, April 2019

My Review:  Pale golden in color, we detected pear notes on the nose, clean and crisp pear on the palate, finishing with lemongrass and lime.   I like a good Brut bubbly, so Extra Brut made it even more special. My fellow classmates did ask, “What does an aggressive mousse taste like?”  I’ll have to ask Matt.  September 2020

Check out their current releases on their website.  Also, you can visit their outdoor tasting room 7 days a week at in the middle of the block of Dolores between Ocean and 7th in Carmel-By-The-Sea – now that is bold!

Scratch has a very cute, well designed outdoor tasting area for guests to safely taste their wines. Photo of tasters published with their permission.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.

© Decanting Monterey 2020

Wrath: Harnessing Angry Fog and Screaming Winds to Create Great Wines

I recently had a marvelous isolation birthday.  Beautiful walks, swimming, mahjongg on the patio, all followed by appetizers and a gourmet meal prepared by my favorite chef in my own home.  A wine was decanted – to my delight it was the 2015 Wrath Syrah.   Yum.  A few days later was Cinco de Mayo and we had a little party planned – takeout from Mando’s, our local Mexican joint, and margaritas!  Right before dinner, the UPS man arrived with our order of the 2016 Wrath Syrah and, for science, we had to taste it – but after our party.

We are venturing out of Arroyo Seco AVA and to the north to the Monterey AVA – the heart of the Salinas Valley.  According to the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, the Monterey AVA was established 1984. Thanks to the local climate, it enjoys one of the longest growing seasons in the world, with a wide range of microclimates influenced by the Monterey Bay. The afternoon winds cool down the vineyards and the maritime fog keeps the temperatures from falling too low.  Over 50% of the grapes grown are Chardonnay. 

This area has been suffering the fires and smoke from the ongoing River Fire and I expect we will hear reporting soon from the damage.

The Vineyards of the Monterey AVA from the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association Webpage

We got to know Wrath years ago, as one of their tasting rooms is centrally located in the Carmel Shopping Plaza right off Ocean Avenue in quaint Carmel-By-The-Sea.  It was always a fun place to drop in to taste some great wines.  In the Spring of 2019, we took a family road trip down the River Road Wine Trail through the Salinas Valley to their winery and main tasting room in Soledad – it was the highlight of our trip.  The plan was to go back there in March 2020 with our new friends and have a picnic there.  Sigh…someday.  While their Syrah has always been one of my favorites, they make great Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, and I featured their delicious 2017 EX Sauvignon Blanc in my Fall 2019 Northern Virginia AWS class.

About Wrath Wines from their website:  “Wrath is in the wall of maritime fog that rolls into the Salinas Valley and the relentless afternoon winds that scream through our grape trellises. Wrath wines represent a nexus of nature and an unbridled passion for winemaking.”  This description refers to the harsh conditions created by the cold waters of the Monterey Bay and the afternoon winds that come screaming even down my street and fog (like the heavy bank which rolled in last evening), reminding me daily that those winds and fog serve a purpose – to help us make great wine.

San Saba Vineyard Photo from our March 2019 Visit

A bit about the San Saba Vineyard from Wrath: “Our Estate San Saba Vineyard is set in a sheltered nook just below the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The estate consists of 72 acres of which 67.75 are planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Falanghina. This is a cool site with little rainfall and one of the longest growing seasons in the world. Our soils, Arroyo Gravelly Loam and Hanford Gravely Sandy Loam, provide a low-vigor, well-draining, disease- and pest-free medium for our vines. They also impart a subtle mineral quality to our wines…”

2017 Wrath EX Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey AVA, 13% ABV $20

This Sauvignon Blanc represented Monterey white wines very well for my Northern Virginia AWS class. Product photo from Wrath website.

About the EX Label: “Wrath is proud to announce the release of EX wines, our updated label that replaces the Ex Anima series. With a name meaning “out of” in Latin, EX speaks to our focus on expressing the personality and characteristics of our Certified Sustainable (SIP) estate vineyard. We harvest grapes at two different ripeness levels and then blend lots together to create a wine that encapsulates the best qualities of each lot. fermentation and aging take place in stainless tanks.”

The 2017 EX Sauvignon Blanc is bright and vibrant with pronounced guava and gooseberries.  1023 cases produced.

Wine Enthusiast Review: ” Freshly cut lawn, wet cement, sour lime rinds, and kelp combine for a very unique and compelling nose on this bottling. The nose extends to the palate, where white pepper and crushed white-rock flavors make for a memorable sip.” 90 pts, Matt Kettmann, November 2018 

​2015 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.7% ABV, $39 (#38*)

The 2015 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard is a big, chewy wine, rated 90 points.

Review by Lisa Perrotti-Brown of The Wine Advocate: “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Syrah San Saba Vineyard has a beguiling seaweed, dried Provence herbs and green tea nose over a core of black and red cherries, mulberries and garrigue. Full-bodied and firmly structured with chewy tannins, it has loads of earthy appeal and a long pepper and herbs-laced finish.”  90 points

My Review: This is one of our favorite Monterey wines and this vintage was excellent.  The color was incredibly dense and the flavors match the look. IMHO, this wine deserves a higher rating!

2016 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.7% ABV, $39 (#41*)

The 2016 Wrath Syrah from the San Saba Vineyard received a well-deserved 95 point rating!

From Wrath Wines regarding the Wrath 2016 Syrah: “Grapes are hand harvested and hand sorted. Clonal lots are kept separate during fermentation. All our single vineyard syrahs use a similar whole cluster fermentation (20%) and oak regimen. This helps highlight the individual personality of each vineyard. After on-site bottling, the wine rests for another 12 months of bottle aging before release.”  100% French oak, 45% new.  298 cases were produced.

Wrath says this about the 2016 Syrah San Saba Vineyard:  “Powerful and elegant, aromatics include blackberry, leather and peppercorns; the palate is rich and concentrated with graphite, cassis, and a hint of smoke.” Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 95 points! I would have to agree!!

My Review:  We found the 2016 Syrah to be similar to the 2015 in taste – very dense red with blueberry and blackberry on the nose.  Delicious smooth palate of alcohol-laced, dancing bright and dark fruits – berries and plums, lingering finish.  I highly recommend this wine if you are a Syrah fan. 

Wrath offers free ground shipping on case purchases of its wine, which you can purchase from its website. 

The San Francisco Chronicle published a list of the Top 10 Things to do in Monterey and Wrath’s tasting room is included in that list.  For more information on tasting Wrath wines, click here.  According to Wrath’s website, as of September 5th: “Inside tastings may be banned for now but at the winery tasting room, we have a large outdoor patio that is perfect for safe spacing and sampling our wines while enjoying the views. We are 5 minutes west of Hwy 101 and 20 minutes south of Salinas, off River Road.  In Carmel, we have moved our tasting room outside onto the center courtyard of Carmel Plaza (Ocean & Mission).  We don’t have a large amount of seating but we do have a nice fire pit to stay cozy on those foggy days that Carmel is so famous for.” 

Please give them a call to confirm, especially during these times of COVID and the River Fire – 831-620-1909.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.

© Decanting Monterey 2020

Scheid Vineyards: Innovative Twist on an Austrian Classic

When my DC wine class suggested we do a Grüner Veltliner a few weeks ago, my reaction was “A what?”  It was explained to me that it is an Austrian varietal.  I replied, “I’ll never find an Austrian wine here.”  One of my friends suggested that this grape is probably grown in California.  Lo and behold!  100 acres are planted right here in Monterey County!  I learned Scheid is one of the growers and a quick check of their web page confirmed a current release!  I placed my order over the phone and picked up the order at their Carmel-By-The-Sea tasting room. 

The Beautiful Scheid Tasting Room in Carmel-By-The-Sea

We’ve been acquainted with Scheid wines for some time.  You can’t drive down 101 through the Salinas Valley without seeing acre after acre of Scheid grapes – all the way down to the San Luis Obispo border (at least that’s what it seems!). In fact, according to their website, they own “12 estate vineyards located along a 70-mile stretch of the Salinas Valley.”

Condensed from Scheid Vineyards:  Al Scheid was a pioneer in the Monterey wine industry, planting vineyards back in 1972.  With investment partners and known as the Monterey Farming Corporation, they sold 100% of their grapes.  In the early 1990s, they decided to replant and produce wines under their own label. 

Scheid 2018 Grüner Veltliner, Monterey AVA, 14.5% ABV, $24 (Outbreak Wine #130)                      

From Scheid Vineyards “Grüner Veltliner accounts for approximately one-third of all the wine grapes grown in Austria, and is widely planted in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well, but just under 100 acres are estimated to be planted in California. We planted our first Grüner vines in 2010 because, truthfully, our winemaking team wanted it. See, they’re wine geeks. And wine geeks love Grüner because it has a wonderful spicy minerality combined with pop rock acidity, it’s über aromatic, and it’s a great wine to pair with food. So their wish was granted (they are a hard team to say ‘no’ to) and 2018 marks our sixth vintage of this delicious varietal…” 

Satisfying the curiosity of Scheid’s wine geeks results in a Monterey-style Grüner Veltliner.

The winemaking: “The handpicked grapes were whole cluster pressed and the juice was then lightly pressed. The juice was then cold settled to remove the excess pulp, which prevents the yeast from being stressed and allows for a clean fermentation. The juice was slowly fermented entirely in stainless steel at a very cold temperature to enhance the fruit esters and preserve the varietal aromatics. It was aged in 100% stainless steel for 3 months. The result is a refreshing, fruit-packed wine with a medium-bodied finish bursting with citrus and lively acidity.” 139 cases.

The label says: “The cool climate of our Riverview Vineyard allows for slow ripening and preserves the intense fruit flavors and loads of bright citrus with tropical fruit and honey notes that lead into a clean, crisp finish.” 88 points, Vinous

My Review:  The Scheid version of this varietal is reminiscent to me of a Viognier.  Magnolia on the nose, honey and lemony/grapefruit on the palate, with a slight lime zest finish.  This wine is both sweet and tart.  The 14.5% alcohol means this is a bigger, sweeter version of a Grüner Veltliner than you would ever find in Austria.  August 2020

You can order Scheid wines directly from their webpage.  Their tasting rooms have been open daily for outdoor tasting.  Please be sure to call them to confirm.   You can make a reservation and get more info here:  Visit Scheid

© Decanting Monterey 2020

SIGN UP HERE TO GET Decanting Monterey DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL!!

Don't miss a single exciting post about our Central Coast/Monterey wines! Enter your email address below for a free subscription to Decanting Monterey. Be sure to open the confirmation email and validate your subscription! See you soon!!

Verified by MonsterInsights