Tagged: Monterey AWS

Law Estate Shares its Wines on the Monterey Peninsula!

THE STORY

If you can’t get down to Paso Robles for wine tasting, why not have Paso come to the Monterey Peninsula! When the co-chair of the Monterey AWS went down to Law Estate Wines last fall, the tasting room manager Tim offered to come up to Monterey to do a tasting for our group!  We felt honored and special that Tim and his charming wife Christine would share its wines on the Monterey Peninsula.

Tim shared their personal story of how they met, their previous careers as tennis coaches who fell in love with Napa (and each other) when they met at a recruiting event.  Eventually, they chucked their coaching careers and climbed their way up from the bottom in the wine business in Napa to find their way to Paso Robles and Law Estate Wines.

Tim shared 6 wines with us and sprinkled throughout his presentation a fascinating story of how Law Estate Wines came to be and some facts and figures – 880 acres planted in the Adelaida District and in Willow Creek, first planted in 2007 and first vintage in 2010, averaging 2 tons of fruit per acre, and an annual production of 6,000 cases.  Their impressive tasting room opened in 2013.  They don’t market – it is mostly through wine club memberships and word of mouth that they sell their wines.  He explained well the distinction between white label (blends) and black label (single varietal reserves) wines. And he offered us instant membership (there is a wait list) if we bought 4 bottles that day.  Sweet!

If you are interested in joining the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society, check out our website. Join the national AWS and select Monterey as your local chapter!  We do a First Friday wine tasting at a local tasting room and have several special tastings throughout the year.  We are an informal and fun group. 

My previous post about tasting at Law is here: LAW: Now That’s a Classy Release Party!

ABOUT LAW

Story of Law:

“Why are we ‘Here’? One, we have long had a passion for Rhone inspired blends. Two, Paso Robles is ‘America’s Rhone’. Those parts were easy. Our mantra was to find a vineyard site that could produce ultra-premium, limited production, Rhone and Priorat style wines that would be a true expression of the site. After two years of evaluating many potential sites (almost to exasperation), we finally found our Holy Grail. The analysis of 42 soil pits on this site revealed coveted limestone with low vigor soils. This, combined with the high elevation and steep slopes, was the unique and remarkable property that would produce the premium fruit we desired. Critical to our goal is a winery that can manifest the quality of the terrific fruit and create a world-class wine. We also believe that the Tasting Room should be an environment much like your home living room, where you can relax with friends and family while enjoying our Law Estate wines. As we continue to showcase and share the best that our estate has to offer, we will always be honored to have you joining us in the adventure.”

SHARING ITS WINES ON THE MONTEREY PENINSULA

I have 7 wines to present to you today from Law Estate Wines: 6 from our tasting and 1 from dinner afterwards. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2023 Law Estate Wines Rosé, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 13.4% ABV, $40 (#1322) 46% Grenache, 43% Mourvèdre, 7% Carignan, 4% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Bursting with aromas and flavors of lemon, blood orange, citrus blossom, wild strawberry and bright red cherry, this Rose achieves the utmost freshness and remarkability. 35% of this blend was aged in stainless steel retaining an electric purity, while 65% saw time in a mix of puncheon and barrel of neutral French oak, lending to its incredible texture and body. What is truly unique to Law’s Rose is the pick of Grenache and Mourvèdre specifically for this wine, identified early in the harvest to achieve the desired level of brilliance.”

My Review: Ballet slipper pink in color. Tart peach on the palate – a dry and great food wine, although I would sip this in the micro-climate! May 2024

2023 Law Estate Wines SOPH, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14% ABV, $87 (#1323) 44% Roussanne, 26% Marsanne, 26% Clairette Blanche, 4% Grenache Blanc   

Winery Notes for the 2022 Vintage: “The unity of this wine is linked on a tight rope of balance. Soph is pretty, yet serious; giving generously, yet remains focused. A lively tension of brilliant lemon and orange peel, balances a decadent ripeness of juicy white peach, golden apple, honeycomb, and honeysuckle;  an act, brilliantly poised in the balance of ripeness and tension. Like the dawn of a Spring morning, it breathes new life and starts a new beginning. This beautiful Rhone expression can be cellared to build complexity over the next ten years; gaining maturity, wisdom and even more personality, like the true inspiration behind the wine itself, our lovely Sophia.”

My Review: “Pale golden and viscous in the glass.  Sweet apricot, honey and orange blossom on the nose.  Slightly sweet flavors on the palate.  Was served a little too cold.  As it warmed up, we could enjoy the rather complex, delicious flavors – there is a lot going on in this wine!” May 2024

2020 Law Estate Wines Beguiling, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.7% ABV, $87 (#1180) 86% Grenache, 14% Syrah

Winery Notes: “This engaging wine exemplifies its brilliant light ruby shade with a breath of garigue, red cherry, cranberry compote, and dry-roasted fennel seed. A fresh floral lift, and touches of delicate oak, give restrained hints of vanilla and caramel.  Its fleshy, lush finish shows a striking mouthfeel of rich, velvety, polished tannins. While primary fruit drives this wine, Beguiling shows the promise of tertiary complexity to come, with an ideal drinking window to capture its purity of fruit within 3 years of release.”

My Review: Garnet in color, almost purple. Fruit nose with notes of cherry and earth, touch of perfume and alcohol. Intense cassis and black currant on the palate. Heavy on the Grenache. Tobacco and ash on the finish. August 2023/May 2024

2020 Law Estate Wines Aspire, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.4% ABV, $85 (#1183) 83% Syrah, 17% Grenache

Winery Notes: “The hyper-expressive dark fruit of blackberry, blueberry and fig is cloaked in rich sage, black pepper, clove and cola.  Aspire elevates with a freshness shining through, in the dark crimson glass. French oak adds a vanilla and charred bacon component to its juicy, full-bodied structure. The bold finish cradles a sweet pipe tobacco, spice and dark chocolate that feel luxurious and reinforcing. Hedonistic is the appropriate word while sipping Aspire, and will culminate a pleasant symmetry and luxury now, and over the next 6 years.”

My Review: Dark purple in the glass. Caramel, cocoa, cinnamon and dark plum on the nose. Rich blackberry/cassis, blueberry and plum flavors on the palate. A slightly bitter finish. I liked this wine. Picked just right. August 2023/May 2024

2020 Law Estate Wines  Audacious, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.5% ABV, $85 (#1181) 41% Grenache, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Showcasing a deep cherry red and magenta core, the nose expresses delicate red fruits of currant and strawberry, assisted by structured graphite, cassis and blackberry from the generous helping of Cabernet Sauvignon.  Opulent and full textured, French oak accentuates the mouthfeel, but is never dominant. This togetherness combines the lovely floral aromatics of Grenache with the savory panache of Cabernet.  While accessible now and carrying a seamless structure and mouthfeel, patience will reward mid-term cellaring of around 4-6 years of release.”

My Review: Dark garnet, almost purple in color. Blackberry on the nose. Dark fruit wrapped in tobacco, with a little leather on the finish. This is a tasty, well-integrated blend. I liked this wine. August 2023/May 2024

2021 Law Estate Wines  Sagacious, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15% ABV, $87 (#1324) 35% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre, 31% Syrah (new release)

Winery Notes for the 2019 Vintage: “Always true to its name, Sagacious presents the embodiment of wisdom exponentially over time, showing an immaculate purity of fruit, structure, and an everlasting finish.   The 2019 Sagacious drives an array of mouth-watering black and red fruits, dried cherries, crushed violets, cedar, and dried sweet herbs.  Bright, silky, and fresh in its youth, this wine is destined for an extraordinary evolution through infinite layers of aromatics and flavors, producing unbridled umami notes in its graceful aging for many years to come.”

My Review: Dark garnet, almost purple in the glass. Nice nose of dark red and black fruits, carrying over to a brighter palate than the other wines. Young. A very tasty and balanced wine.  We liked this wine.  May 2024

2017 Law Estate Wines The Nines, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15% ABV, $115 (#1325) 100% Grenache

Winery Notes: “This wine’s stunning fragrance will put you in a trance of juicy raspberry and strawberry cascading through a maze of cobbled riverbed stones. Its outstanding focus of freshness and purity is accentuated by hints of sage, lemon thyme and fresh green herbs, creating full-bodied richness, great mid-palate weight and silky tannins. Enchanting, yet powerful, this is certainly the most incredible expression of Grenache in a vintage that highlights the signature beauty of the variety and will continue to evolve for at least 5 years or more.” 96 points – Jeb Dunnuck

My Review: Perfume on the nose with cherry and plum notes. The palte was, in one word – woah! Full bodied with some spice, blueberry and black raspberry. A little stemmy.  Soft and supple.  By far, the biggest Grenache we have ever tasted! May 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

“Our modern and welcoming tasting room sits on a hill overlooking the 100% estate grown Law Family Vineyard. All of the tastings are by appointment, which allows us to create personal relationships in a seated-style tasting with our guests. Guests will enjoy a flight-format of four wines while a host explains the wines, history, facility and winemaking practices. Tastings are one hour in length. Tasting fees are $45 per person.  Active Black Label Members receive four complimentary tastings each visit. Active White Label Members receive two complimentary tastings each visit…

“Click HERE to book your appointment with us through CellarPass. Please call (805)226-9200 to check availability for day of appointment requests.”

Law is open by appointment only, 6 days a week (closed Wednesdays) for tastings at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30, 4pm. Please consult their website for more information and updates.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Challenges Monterey AWS in a Unique Blind Tasting

THE STORY

Last summer, the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society was approached by Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards & Winery from the Umpqua Valley in Oregon.  Gloria Reustle and her husband Stephen offer a unique educational blind wine tasting experience comparing their Umpqua Valley wines to European counterparts. They also teach on the European Regions and their style of wines.

They wanted to see if we would be interested in having such an event for our AWS group.  After some back and forth, we were able to schedule this event for mid-March.

I’m all about wine education, so I’m happy to present this event in Decanting Monterey.

ABOUT UMPQUA VALLEY AVA

Having heard about Umpqua on a visit to relatives living in Oregon (it’s where their milk comes from), I was intrigued from the jump about this tasting. It is “Oregon’s oldest fine wine region.”

From the Umpqua Valley Wineries website:

“Umpqua Valley is the cradle of modern Oregon fine wine. The “100 Valleys of Umpqua” are filled with lush rolling vineyards, over 30 wineries growing 50+ varieties and a cast of diverse winemakers all exploring and crafting some of the finest wines in the Pacific Northwest. Come and taste!”

Its History

“The Umpqua Valley’s wine-growing history dates back to the 1880s when German immigrants who had worked for the Beringer Bros., the oldest continuously operating vineyard in Napa, planted the first wine grape vineyard in the Valley. Post-Prohibition, Richard Sommer established HillCrest Vineyard near Roseburg in 1961. He was the first to plant and bottle Pinot Noir in Oregon despite being told by his UC Davis cohorts that it was impossible to successfully grow wine grapes in Oregon. During the 1970s, new wineries opened, including Henry Estate Winery and Girardet.

“Today the Umpqua Valley appellation continues to evolve and now has over 30 wineries making over 40 varieties into some of America’s most distinctive wines. Everyday more winemakers discover the area, bringing with them a passion for innovation and world-class wine. The Umpqua Valley appellation became official in 1984.”

Click here for Sip Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to Oregon’s Umpqua Valley AVA.

ABOUT REUSTLE PRAYER ROCK VINEYARDS & WINERY

From their website: “Reustle (pronounced “rus’el”) Prayer Rock Vineyards is a family-owned winery in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Located 20 minutes from Roseburg, the winery features a wine cave and produces 15 grape varieties, including Grüner Veltliner, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Tempranillo.”

“Before the vineyard and winery, Stephen and Gloria Reustle owned a successful marketing company based in Philadelphia that taught them the value of providing world-class products to a loyal customer base. However, having a farming background and a love for wine, Stephen had always dreamed of owning a vineyard and winery. Selling their marketing firm, the Reustles moved to the West Coast in hopes of finding an ideal location to start their vineyard. After an extensive search, the Reustles eventually purchased property through a newspaper advertisement for ‘Potential Vineyard Land’ in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley.”

Notable Achievements

“In 2007, Stephen and Gloria began entering their wine in competitions. It wasn’t long before they started to receive medals, many of which included ‘Gold’ and ‘Double Gold.’ In 2015, however, Stephen and Gloria received their most prestigious award yet: Best Syrah of the New World at the 6 Nations Wine Competition. This prestigious wine judging showcases the top 100 wines from each nation…the United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile. Reustle not only claimed the top award for the Syrah category but also secured a tie of second place for its 2012 Syrah Winemaker’s Reserve.”

While Stephen and Gloria are very proud of all their awards, they are especially proud of this one.  Stephen told us a great story about how he was invited to Australia to receive these awards.  He declined due to his responsibilities at the winery – until the U.S. Ambassador himself called him to insist he come.  SOMMJournal also featured Reustle in this article: Rise of Oregon Syrah.

More recently, the Great Northwestern Wine Competition rated the 2021 Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards Green Lizard Grüner Veltliner 99-points and three Platinum Awards! In addition, the 43rd Annual Dan Berger’s Int’l Wine Competition named Reustle the 2023 Small Winery of the Year.

You can read more about Reustle’s history and operations here.

AND, SO, HOW WAS THE TASTING?

This event was fabulous! It was so professional and personable at the same time. I’d say it is one of the best wine education events I have ever attended. Stephen and Gloria Reustle are great people who engaged, educated, and shared with us so much information about all of the wines and the regions they come from. They have their presentation down to a science with wonderful graphics and pictures with side-by-sides of the Umpqua vs. Europe wines, all enhanced by their engaging stories. Stephen included all the facts and figures I like to collect and Gloria engaged with each of us individually. And they offered us amazing discounts on their wines. I would highly recommend this presentation for your wine group.

THE WINES

I have nine wines to present to you today. The first wine was a “pre” wine and not part of the side-by-side comparison. Winery notes come from their websites, slides or handouts, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

Now, for the reviews!

2022 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Hefeabzug Estate Selection Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.1% ABV, $36 (#1273)

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “An earthy note that mixes loam and wet gravel transitions to aromas of chilled Cosmic Crisp apple slices and saline. The wine’s tangy blood orange flavor is joined by traces of lemon verbena and jasmine green tea. Lighter-bodied, with mildly tangy acidity.” — Michael Alberty

My Review: Pale in the glass. A nice nose of honeysuckle and crisp fruits. Pear and apple on the palate with a tart finish. A lingering green bell pepper. March 2024

2022 Alzinger Federspiel Grüner Veltliner, Durnstein, Wachau DAC, Austria, 12% ABV, $33 (#1274)

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “Graceful with a mineral crunch adding to the notes of apple and lime, all backed by a firm backbone of acidity. This is a rather delicate example, with nice floral highlights and a sea-salt note, which would all match beautifully with smoked fish.” — Aleks Zecevic

My Review:  Light in the glass. Very lean on the nose with delicate white flowers and peppery notes. Almost a rust smell in the glass. Crisp on the palate with yeasty notes. I preferred this wine in the blind tasting.  March 2024

2022 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Green Lizard Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.1% ABV, $38 (#1275)

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “This is typically one of the better American examples of Grüner Veltliner, and the 2022 vintage is no exception. The Green Lizard’s pear, mandarin orange and earthy daylily aromas combine to create an amaro-like sensation. Flavors include more mandarin oranges, green tea and a burst of white pepper.” — Michael Alberty

My Review:  Extremely pale in color. Pear and honeysuckle on the nose. Light on the palate, a bit sweet almost cloying with a light finish. March 2024

2021 Domaine Morey-Coffinet 1er Cru “Morgeot” Burgundy, Chassange-Montrachet, Côte-d’Or, France, 13% ABV, $99 (#1276)

Jasper Morris – 92 points from wine.com: “From Francemont, close to the border with Santenay. A little more depth of colour and nearly as delicious a nose as the Clos St-Jean. This is still a fine rather than a muscular Morgeot, on the raspberry side. On the palate the Morgeot character does assert itself with muscular tannins. Needs longer than Clos St-Jean, and while it will never be as elegant there is good potential here. Drink from 2026-2032.”

My Review:  Ruby in the glass. Earth and barnyard on the nose. Lean and hot on the palate with an earthy finish. Bitter. March 2024

2021 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Winemaker’s Reserve Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.7% ABV, $48 (#1277)

Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “A fruit-filled aromatic set features ripe blueberries, smoked blackberries and a trace of tangerine. Tart red raspberries and boysenberries are joined by flavors of orange peel, basil and saline. Grippy tannins and a mildly leathery texture provide a nice framework for all of the fruit”. — Michael Alberty

My Review:  Brown-tinged ruby in color.  I guessed by color alone that this was the Burgundy – but the palate said otherwise! Smells like California Pinot – cherry on the nose. Tasty palate with enough fruit to be interesting to me. I preferred this wine. March 2024

2021 Dumien Serrette Cornas Patou, Appellation Cornas Protégée, Cru des Côtes du Rhone, France, 13% ABV, $48 (#1278)

Winemaker’s Notes from wine.com: “’Patou’ is the name of the small vineyard parcel located to the south of the village of Cornas. This pure Syrah wine showcases the true soul of Cornas: deeply colored, robustly structured, endlessly satisfying. Black and purple fruits mix with silky tannins and hints of licorice and soy.” 93 points – Jeb Dunnuck

My Review:  Dark garnet/purple in the glass. On the nose, it reminds me of a Paso Robles or Napa wine – very grapey. Dry, with lean dark fruit on the palate. March 2024

2021 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Winemaker’s Reserve Syrah, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.9% ABV, $48 (#1279)

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “This reserve wine’s blueberry and lavender aromas are almost eclipsed by a savory scent of steak sizzling on an outdoor grill. A sturdy wall of tannins supports copious amounts of tart marionberry and raspberry flavors. The additional pork fat and pepper flavors are mouthwatering. Pair with cassoulet or burgers.” — Michael Alberty

My Review: This wine is really dark purple. The bright, “Sweetart” jammy fruit on the nose is balanced by spice and earth. Mouthfilling fruit. I personally had a hard time picking between these 2 Syrahs and in the end picked this one. Our group preferred this wine, as well.March 2024

2020 Cuentaviñas Alomado Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, 14% ABV, $80 (#1280)

Winery Notes from wine.com: “Alomado refers to the rolling hills or “lomas” that mark the landscape of the Sonsierra Riojana, considered by many to the finest terroir in Rioja for cultivating Tempranillo due to the Atlantic weather, high altitude, and limestone rich soils. Alomado is Eduardo and Carlota’s most Atlantic and accessible interpretation of a field blend planted on the Ábalos side of San Vicente de la Sonsierra.”

My Review:  Pretty garnet in the glass. Redder than the other Tempranillo. Mouth-filling, delicious palate with loads of fruit – dark berries dominate. I could drink it every day. Fruitier than the other wine – the group voted for this wine as its favorite. March 2024

2021 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Winemaker’s Reserve Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.90%     ABV, $48 (#1281)

Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition: “Black cherry, floral. Toffee and molasses. Maple and smokey.”

My Review:  Looks leaner in the glass, a dark garnet. Earthier and more alcohol and tannins. This is a big wine – still quite oaky and tannic – it needs more time. These wines were a tough call for me to determine which was my favorite. I assumed this was the Spanish wine and I voted for this wine! March 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

The Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards & Winery Tasting Room is located at 612 Oak Hill Rd., Roseburg, OR 97471 and is open Mon. – Sat. 10AM – 5PM.

“Immerse yourself in the charm of our vineyards and winery. There are multiple ways to experience Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards… checkout upcoming events, schedule tastings, or book a stay on our property. Explore our Estate page and dig deeper into our history and discover what makes this place special. Immerse yourself in the winery grounds where you’ll catch glimpses of Alpacas, Goats and Scottish Highland Cows grazing in our meadows. Traverse our network of hiking trails concluding with panoramic views at the famous Prayer Rock, or enjoy a glass of wine at the dockhouses…where every sip will tell a story.”  You can read more about their tasting options here: Reservations.

I would highly recommend visiting Reustle if you are in the Umpqua Valley!

© Decanting Monterey 2024

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A Warm Thanksgiving Thanks to You!

I wanted to take a moment on this crisp and sunny coastal Thanksgiving weekend to give a warm Thanksgiving thanks to you!

To Our Monterey Wineries and Winemakers: I write this blog from my heart for you. You work hard to create delicious, impressive wines from our unique earth and climate, sometimes challenging. I am so hopeful for our very promising 2023 vintage. I thank you in return for the consideration you give me in terms of industry discounts and even sometimes donated wine for my nonprofit classes.

To My Readers: I write this blog to you – to help share our Monterey and Central Coast wines that sometimes don’t get seen outside of our local area. We’ve got good stuff here and I want you to know about it. Wine tasting here is so much fun – good wine, friendly staff, low key and affordable. I love it when you will go to the actual website and leave me a comment or two. I hope to see more of that. And thank you so much for nominating Decanting Monterey as Best Local Blog. While I didn’t win, I am so grateful for your efforts to get this website seen and heard.

To Our Local Wine Organizations: The Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans, and the Arroyo Seco Winegrowers Association I rely on you for information about our local wines and thank you for your generosity in access to your events. And the American Wine Society – Monterey Chapter, which welcomed me with open arms and has allowed me to advise them on our local wineries for their many events. If you aren’t a member, you can join today by joining the AWS and adding on our Monterey Chapter. We’d love to see you at our events.

To the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod: My husband and our friends, including our daughters who were trapped on the Monterey Peninsula with us during the pandemic. They were with me when this all started as a Facebook pandemic pastime and watched it grow into a real website and blog. I rely on the Wine Pod for tasting notes and opinions so you don’t always get just mine. Oh, and fun. We have had a number of fun adventures together exploring wineries and tasting wines.

To My Donors: I am so grateful to the people who have donated to Decanting Monterey. This is a self-funded wine blog with real operating expenses. I am proud that my handful of donors have come from our local wine industry, our local wine organizations, and from my readers. Thank you for your support.

WHAT WINES DID YOU SERVE FOR THANKSGIVING?

Now, to the most important question of the day: What local wines did you serve on Thanksgiving? We took a magnum of 2015 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, my favorite vintage of his Cabs. I previously wrote about it here.

MAKE A COMMENT TODAY!

I encourage you to make a comment on today’s post sharing the local wines that you enjoyed on Thanksgiving or over the weekend! I raise a toast to all of you in gratitude.

Central Coast Sharon

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!


Monumental Third Year, Decanting Monterey!

Today marks the third anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! And what a year it has been! With 291 wines presented and reaching over 10,000 views, we have a lot to celebrate. Please read to the end for today’s small ask.

OUR HISTORY

Deep in the unvaccinated period of the pandemic in July 2020, Decanting Monterey was founded on wines from our own collection sampled at home, with or without our neighboring friends and our daughters, who quickly became known as the COVID Wine Pod. It was 2 posts per week and, mostly, one wine at a time. Back then, some wineries had just reopened with their COVID procedures and we still weren’t venturing out much. I also established the @decantingmonterey Facebook page.

During Year 2, as we became fully vaccinated and boosted – and double boosted, we were able to get out to more local wineries at a more deliberate pace. And the COVID Wine Pod was renamed the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod! I also moved to a single post per week and presented a single wine class to my old DC wine group. Most of the posts were based on event-driven or winery tastings and fewer individual, cellar-driven posts.  And I started the @decanting_monterey Instagram feed.

During Year 3, I began to get recognition as an entity with some stature behind it:

OUR STATS

I have some high-level stats to share with you about Year Three of Decanting Monterey!

  • www.decantingmonterey.com hit the 10,000 “views” mark! This statistic is very important to me.  If you are seeing my blog on social media or via email, please be sure to click the link and open it!
  • 291 wines were presented on Decanting Monterey for the first time.
  • 207 red wines were presented, as well as 62 whites, 20 rosés, and a couple of oranges – including 6 sparkling and 2 fortified wines.

  • Over 39 distinct varietals were presented with Pinot Noir topping the list thanks to the SLH festival I attended, followed closeky by Red Blends, and Syrah – no surprise if you know me!
  • 8 Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society events and 2 private tastings conducted at home were presented.
  • Wines from 12 California counties are represented, with 181 from Monterey, 30 from Santa Barbara, 20 from San Benito, 15 from Santa Cruz, 11 from San Luis Obispo, 9 from San Benito – and more! Plus 12 wines from Italy!

  • Wines from 6 of the 9 Monterey American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were covered, capturing 39 varietals!

  • I Brand was the most represented family of wines, followed by Parsonage. I attribute that to the steady and wonderful release events offered by I Brand & Family wines. Parsonage was one of the first local wineries to put Monterey wines squarely on our consumption radar way back when. Their wines match my palate perfectly – what else can I say?

While I have some posts already queued up for Year 3, let me ask my mighty readers:  Where should I visit next?  Please leave me a comment on this post and let me know what some of your favorite, local places are to wine taste that I should not miss in Year 3! I have a list of not-yet-covered wine tasting rooms and other wine venues to check out – happy to add to it.  I don’t know what I don’t know. 

SUBSCRIBE

And, if you have not signed up for my free, weekly blog email, I encourage you to do so – the subscription button is on the right-hand side of each page of the Decanting Monterey website. I judge how well I am doing by how many views, subscribers, and comments I receive.  Please help me spread the word and please feel free to comment on my posts! And follow my Facebook (@decantingmonterey) and Instagram (@decanting_monterey) sites.

OUR SUPPORTERS

I am grateful to Chesebro, Bernardus, Bunter Spring, Idle Hour, Pierce Ranch and Rombi for their generosity this year in donated wines or discounts. Grateful to Kim Stemler and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association for their support – what a great resource! And to Erin O’Reilly of tèr·ra·ve·nos for her partnership and advice as we navigate this world of wine.  I remain grateful to those vintners who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have comped me bottles of wine! And, of course, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod!

DONATE

Now, to my ask:

As my avid readers know, Decanting Monterey is a self-funded labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines.  The only “compensation” I receive is free tastings (most places), discounted purchases, an occasional comped bottle, and, most importantly, the appreciation of our vintners. While I do this, I protect your data from being sold or used by anyone other than for my own website statistics.  Here is my Privacy Policy.

As I come up on my 3-year renewal of my website, I am asking my readers to consider making a small donation to keep this effort going. I donate my time, energy, knowledge, and to date personally have funded this website and my wine education travel expenses. 

Here is what it takes to make Decanting Monterey run:

  • $13/month for website expenses
  • $20/year for domain registration
  • $40/year for CellarTracker
  • $42/month for Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association membership (an aspiration!)
  • $50/year for codeguard
  • $1200-2400/year in travel expenses (airfare, car rental only)

While this blog is open and free, donations to this not-for-profit effort are always welcome in any amount!  You can donate here: Donate to Decanting Monterey. All donations go toward the operation of this website and to offset travel expenses for out of area wine classes.  Even the smallest amount would be greatly appreciated.

So, here we go – Year 4!  This should be an even better one! Thanks for your support to me on this crazy journey.

Central Coast Sharon

Valentine’s Celebration at Twisted Roots!

The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society wanted to do something a little special for its members:  food and wine!  Self-catered by their wonderful Board Member Anita, we celebrated an early Valentine’s Day at Twisted Roots, on February 3, 2023.

Monterey AWS members chat with Josh Ruiz, co-owner and winemaker, Twisted Roots.

We’ve always been fond of Twisted Roots for its signature Zinfandels and Petite Sirahs, as well as the occasional special red blend.  Winery co-owners Josh and Julie Ruiz, and Matt and Whitney Pridey bring us these wines mostly from their Lodi vineyard, established in 1918.  Why have a tasting room in Carmel Valley?  The Ruiz’s have relocated to Carmel Valley and his wife’s family owns the vineyard in Lodi.  A great marriage! And we were fortunate to have both of them and their awesome tasting room manager Shannon present for this event.

About Twisted Roots: “Twisted Roots is the work of five generations of family, dedicated to growing wine grapes following sustainable growing practices. While our family’s vineyard was established in 1918, it wasn’t until 2005 that we began producing our own wines. Our commitment to hand crafted, Sustainable & Green, small-lot wines, allows for the utmost care and attention to detail as we strive to produce premium-quality, consistently delicious wines…

“The name Twisted Roots comes from the deep and twisted roots of Lodi old vine Zinfandel found in Julie Ruiz’s childhood vineyard, where vines date back to the early 1900’s.  While excavating vines one day, her beloved uncle remarked “Those roots are really twisted, that would be a great name for a winery.”  This would be a day both Julie and her husband Josh would never forget.  This is the day the winery was truly born.

“Both Josh and Julie have an incredible love for agriculture, community and friendship.  Josh’s mission was to cultivate community around wine, a beverage that wasn’t common in his home growing up.  As an entrepreneur, Josh was determined to create a winery that was tied to the original roots of Lodi Vineyards, and share those wines with his now home in the Carmel Valley. 

“As luck would have it he joined forces with a few of his very special friends to create a dynamic winery and hospitality experience with a diverse selection of wines you won’t typically find in the area; Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Hard Cider to name a few.  All produced in small batches carefully selected from unique sites in an effort to maintain quality and allow for attention to detail shine.  We invite you to visit our charming and newly renovated tasting room, the perfect spot for enjoying the most important things in life, the people.”

When I present a class on our local wines, I like to talk about the affordability of going wine tasting there.  This winery is a case in point:  great wines for a $15 tasting fee!

Today we got to taste some additions to the usual big reds – a real treat.  I am presenting 5 wines, plus a bonus wine I knew to ask about.  As usual, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the winery website, or tasting room staff. Any errors are mine or mine alone.

NV Brut Rosé, California, 13.5% ABV, $35 (#937)

Winery Notes: “We are excited to release our first Rose! A Pinot Noir based sparkling, with lots of bright red berries. Great for all of your summer events!” The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine come from Alexander Valley.

My Review Powered by Terravenos: Dusty salmon in the glass. Warm on the nose with nice tiny bubbles. We detected rose petal, rainier cherry, and apple cider with a slightly brioche quality on the nose. ENO: high acid, medium alcohol, medium minus body. Creamy mousse with a medium plus finish. Well integrated. Flavors of melon, under ripe strawberry, white peach, rainier cherry. February 2023

2021 Albariño, Terra Alta Estate, Lodi, $35 (#938)

Winery Notes: “A delicious Spanish varietal, Albariño is a great every day white wine. It pairs perfectly with all of your summer time activities.”

My Review: Citrus, pineapple, mango, with acidity and tropical notes on the nose, Meyer lemon and pineapple, a nice palate with good minerality, including peach and sweet, tropical notes. Balanced.

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, 14% ABV, $40 (#939)

Winery Notes: “This is not the typical “Napa Style” Cabernet. Our Cabernet is soft and subtle, with all the fruit of a Cabernet but without that harshness!”

My Review: Rich, dark Cabernet color in the bottle. A rich, dusty bouquet. Lots of oak and berries wrapped in high alcohol upfront. It’s not very Cab-like, but it has a nice spice on the finish. It’s made more in the style of a Zinfandel, more like a fruit bomb. Soft, yet chewy, tannins with a touch of harshness on the finish.

2017 Petite Sirah, Lodi, 15.5% ABV, $40 (#940)

Winery Notes: “The biggest of our red wines, with lots fruit up front, followed with some light tannins, and soft finish.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. Big, bold flavor, Fruit-forward with big, bold blackberry and raspberry flavors. Wow. A big … red wine.  Well integrated and downright yummy.  I took some home and half has already disappeared! 

2018 Old Vine Zinfandel, the 1918, Lodi, 14% ABV, $40 (#941)

Winery Notes: “If you’ve ever wanted to know what wine from 100 year old vines tastes like, you’re in luck!! Planted in “1918”, these are the vines that started it all for the Twisted Roots Family. After 3 generations of family farmers, we are now able to bring you this special wine!”

My Review: Dark, dark ruby in color, sweet dark berries on the palate, caramel and vanilla on the nose  Very nice .

2020 Ross’s Cherry Road Red, Lodi, 14% ABV, $60 (#942)

Winery Notes: This is a special blend named after Julie’s beloved Uncle Ross, available to wine club members only. 85% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 

My Review: Raisins, with lots of cherry and dark fruit. Very big, with prune flavors.

Taste Twisted Roots Wines: “Wine is an experience meant to be shared with others. Stop by our beautiful, newly renovated tasting room and let’s share it together.” Located at 12 Del Fino Pl, Carmel Valley, CA 93924. Open 12-5pm, Thursday-Sunday. Reserve online or at 831- 594-8282. You can also buy their wines on their website!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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A Taste of Monterey: “The Official” Regional Wine Visitors’ Center”

I thought I had the January tasting for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society all arranged – until it wasn’t.  With very short notice, I tried to find another place in Cannery Row and, after a few panicked emails and phone calls, got connected with Jasmine Hernandez, the general manager at A Taste of Monterey.  We were expecting 25 people and she agreed to host us – with the condition we purchase wines by the glass instead of their usual flights. After a little back and forth, we agreed! Crisis averted!

We were quite pleasantly surprised that a good part of the tasting room had been set aside for us – like a private event!  Jasmine herself served us.  And some people even ordered food.  The options for wines by the glass were plentiful and everyone enjoyed the space.  We got there as daylight was waning – definitely need to go back on a summer evening for the amazing bayfront views. Jasmine has invited us back for a regular tasting sometime – we will take her up on that!

A Taste of Monterey is a great place to start if you don’t know much about our local wines.  It calls itself “”The Official” Regional Wine Visitors’ Center.” They have a huge wine shop in the front, plenty of tasting flights to choose from, and food pairings to accompany your tasting.  You will find wines from our established wineries, such as Pierce Ranch, Scheid, and Silvestri; as well as newcomers to the region including Kori Wines and Cru, all of which have their own local tasting rooms. In addition, you will find some micro producers who don’t have tasting rooms of their own.

My strategy was to try wines I couldn’t get in another tasting room.  The wines I chose, as I understand it, are made by the owner of A Taste of Monterey, sourcing grapes from local vineyards. As usual, winery notes come from their websites, the tasting sheet or discussions with tasting room staff.  Any errors are mine and mine alone.

NV Pot Belly Charlotte’s Red, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $22 (#929)

Winemaker’s Notes: “The Petite Sirah backbone leads the way with rich dark fruit characteristics including black cherry and black plum.  The Cabernet Sauvignon contributes with interesting hints of clove spice.  This medium-bodied red blend is then rounded out with a touch of Syrah. 65% Petite Sirah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Syrah.” 

My Review:  Inky in the glass. Alcohol and dark fruit on the nose. Jammy dark fruit palate. This was a tasty wine. Would pair well with spaghetti or pizza. January 2023

2018 Mission Trail Friar’s Reserve Meritage, Carmel Valley, $45 (#930)

Winemaker’s Notes: “73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot. Brilliant, very dark cherry garnet

color with a ruby rim. It is perfumed with deep spicy black cherry, cassis, anise, white truffle and cedar nose. Rich cherry, black currant and blackberry fruit is complemented with nuances of spicy anise, dark coffee and cocoa that finish with refreshing acidity and ample round, fine tannins.” 

My Review:  Blackberry and plum on the nose. Rich dark palate of black fruit and cedar. Delicious. January 2023

You can visit  A Taste of Monterey at 700 Cannery Row, Ste. KK, Monterey, CA – 93940. They are open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-7pm. You can also buy the wines they carry on their website!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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