Last June, I received Roxanne Langer’s (Lady Somm) business card from a neighbor. Roxanne and I started corresponding vie email with the intent of meeting up to discuss her wine business ideas. After scheduling, sniffles and holiday delays, we finally met in person in early February – after her concept for her business with her sister Tamara Carver, had been solidified. We met at their storefront located at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel. There was a lot of activity in their soon-to-be shop, with workers and deliveries happening nonstop throughout our conversation as they prepared for Lady Somm’s Grand Opening on March 21.
I was excited to meet Roxanne and Tamara and learn about their vision for the business – to make this space a place for wine education, wine tasting, special events and dinners, and a shop for wine and other cute items. Although they weren’t originally thinking of a physical location such as the Barnyard, when the opportunity was presented to them, they couldn’t turn it down. The space is super cute, with a vintage feel and a feminine touch.
Lady Somm is an ambitious undertaking in a place already dotted with wineries and wine shops. They distinguish themselves by their breadth of offerings and their depth of experience. As a Monterey wine educator myself, I offered them my help in any capacity. They invited me to their Grand Opening and subsequently invited me to one of their tastings. Thank you, ladies!
ABOUT LADY SOMM
From their website: “At the heart of Lady Somm are two sisters, Roxane Langer and Tamara Carver, whose passion for wine has blossomed into a mission to share it with the world. With backgrounds that span the globe and the wine spectrum, they invite you to join them on a journey of discovery, education, and enjoyment. Welcome to our world of wine.”
On their website, you can dive deeper into all of their wine education, tasting salon, travel and special events. I encourage you to take a peek! I am excited about their offerings – there is something for every budget. It looks like a place for regular wine events, running the spectrum from informal to fancy. It will be a fun place to hang out on the regular! I’m excited to try one of their Blind Tastings – can’t make the first one and hope they will do it again!
LADY SOMM’S GRAND OPENING
The Lady Somm Grand Opening on March 21st 2024 was quite an event! Set outdoors on a lovely afternoon, it was replete with wine tastings, catered food and chocolates, as well as acrobatic and artistic performers. The local Chambers of Commerce and press were there to assist with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony.
Artist Bekah Bull
Several of our local wineries were there, including Talbot, Wrath, Big Sur, Dawn’s Dream, and the Paso Robles-based Cordant Winery. I also got to speak with Qouignowner and baker/chocolatier Santana Rodriguez, who makes some of the most exquisite chocolates in our region.
THE WINE
Today I am following my approach to events by focusing on wineries I do not know. I am presenting to you a single wine from Cordant Winery. If I had noticed them sooner, I would have tried all their wines – this calls for a trip back down to Paso Robles! You can read more about visiting them here: “Join In Our Journey.”
ABOUT CORDANT
From their website: “Cordant wines are made without an agenda, but with close attention to detail.”
“We source grapes from a selection of the best vineyards throughout the California Central Coast from which to make our Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhone-style wines. Some are chosen with intention for vineyard designation because of their unique ability to express a specific location. Others are chosen purposefully to demonstrate what vineyards can do in combination, and for their ability to contribute to a greater good.”
2021 Cordant Indocile, Central Coast AVA, 14.5% ABV, $65 (#1282)
Winery Notes: “This year presented us with an opportunity to craft a new wine to showcase the uniqueness of the vintage. Cordant is known for producing both vineyard-designated and blended wines, such as our southern-Rhone inspired “Maniacal” GSM. So it seemed only fitting that we craft a northern-Rhone inspired blend to showcase our cooler-climate Syrah vineyards. The result is the first release of “Indocile”. Sourcing Syrah from some of our favorite vineyards, many in Monterey County, this wine is brimming with a mixture of cool and warm climate characteristics: dark fruits, herbs de Provence, lavender, and cigar to name a few. At the same time, it is also incredibly silky and sensual on the palate; we can’t get enough of it.” 93 points: Decanter. 96 points Drunken Cyclist.
My Review: Typical for a big event, I was unable to take notes at this event, so I am going from memory. This was a voluptuous, smooth, big red made in my style with lots of Syrah to make this a wine I could just keep drinking. I definitely need to get to Paso for a tasting. March 2024
Corral Wine Co. co-owner and winemaker Adrien Valenzuela had shared with us that the newly-released Pinot Noirs would be available now in the tasting room in early February. We stopped by the check them out – and to try again their new Petite Sirah. I’m honing in on my wines for my next DC class and wanted to check out my options. I’ve got their Sauvignon Blanc in my lineup – what else might I pick?
Sourcing grapes from some of the regions very best vineyards is key to their success – from the correct side of Paso (depending on the varietal) to some of my personal favorite vineyards in Monterey County and beyond to San Benito County.
THE WINES – AVAILABLE NOW!
Today I am presenting 3 Corral Wine Co.wines from this September tasting, plus a few we tasted earlier in the year. I previously wrote about my first sip of the 2020 Petite Sirah here: Monterey County Vintners & Growers Celebrate 50 Amazing Years!Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2021 Corral Wine Co. Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $68 (#1267)
Winery Notes: “Bright vibrant aromas of red fruit: strawberry, pomegranate, dark cherry, and rose petals. Rich texture, balanced acidity, and a long fruit driven finish.”
My Review: Ruby, earth and cherry on the nose. Tobacco, tart cherry on the front. Fades on back palate. Very representative of our region. February 2024
2021 Corral Wine Co. Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA , Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#1268)
Winery Notes: “Rich, full flavors of drk cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, spice, and a long finish.”
My Review: Darker in color with more purple in the ruby. Dark cherry on the nose. Big bodied and rich dark berries on the palate. Unsweetened chocolate and espresso bean on the finish, with a touch of alcohol. Now here is a wine I would like to present in a class! February 2024
2020 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $54 (#1249)
Winery Notes: “Deep aromatics of ripe red and black fruit, black pepper, and leather with hints of graphite, nutmeg, and a slightly charred oak which give way to its full body but elegant mouthfeel and flavors of dark berries and nice structured tannins on the finish.”
My Review: Rich, thick dark purple in the glass. Eucalyptus or sage on the dark berry nose, following over to the thick, rich palate. This is one delicious tasty wine. I took some home and would definitely present this wine in a class! February 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
“Come say “Hello” at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village” located at19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley. Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6 p.m.
On a lovely September day, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod decided to stop in at Corral Wine Co. to experience their beautiful portfolio of tasty wines. There, we were warmly greeted and hosted by their expert staff, LeAnne and Marissa. It was a nice, quiet afternoon to taste some new releases, as well as retaste some of our favorites.
My last post about Corral Wine Co.was here: Impressive Corral Lineup for the Monterey AWS WinedUP Friday!A few of today’s wines were also in this post – but I am providing updated notes here. My notetaking can be really detailed or really skimpy when traveling with the Wine Pod – depends if we are “working” or simply enjoying ourselves – and how many tastings we have done in a single day.
We’ve been fans of Corral since they first opened their tasting room in January 2022 and find their young winemaker Adrien Valenzuela to be one of the most exciting, promising, up and coming winemakers we have encountered. His versatility seems to have no bounds – from a flavorful, delicate Sauvignon Blanc to his creative “See What You Can Do With It” red blend.
Sourcing grapes from some of the regions very best vineyards is key to their success – from the correct side of Paso (depending on the varietal) to some of my personal favorite vineyards in Monterey County and beyond to San Benito County.
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 8 Corral Wine Co.wines from this September tasting, plus a few we tasted earlier in the year. Some of these wines have been presented here before. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of lemongrass, citrus, fersh herb, and guava with hints of gooseberry. Flavors of lemon, peach, and citrus finishing with a nice minerality and racing acidity.”
My Review: Straw in the grass. A slightly sweet nose of grapefruit & melon. The nose follows over to the palate with a grapefruit twist on the finish. It’s a lot, in a good way. September 2023
(Honeydew on the nose. A nice, round palate finishing with pineapple and citrus fruits. July 2023)
2021 Corral Rosé of Pinot Noir, River Road, Monterey County, 13.25% ABV, $26 (#1206)
Winery Notes: “Bright and delicate, with aromas of strawberry and orange blossom. Aged in 100% Stainless Steel for 10 months.”
My Review: Ballet slipper pink in color. Sweet Bouquet of honeysuckle. Rich in flavor – a touch sweeter than I generally prefer – but just barely. April 2023
2022 Corral Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russell Estate, Monterey County, 13.25% ABV, $28 (#1207)
Winery Notes: “Bright and delicate with hints of strawberry, cotton candy, and hibiscus. Flavors of raspberry tea and white peach linger through the finish.”
My Review: Pale pink in color. Honeysuckle on the nose. White peach and floral on the palate. Quite nice but a tad sweet for me. 100% patio wine. Great for the beach. September 2023
Winery Notes: “Rich tropical aromatics of grilled pineapple, ripe fruit, and toasted coconut with hints of sweet baking spices. Subtle flavors of oak and spice finish on the palate with a nice oily body. Long lasting finish enhances the richness of this Chardonnay.”
My Review: Light golden in the glass. Toasted coconut on the nose, almost Sauternes like. Banana on the palate. September 2023
2019 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#841)
Winery Notes: “Rich flavors of dark cherry, plum, and nutmeg. Elegant and lasting finish.”
My Review: Pale garnet in color. Caramel on the nose. Spices including nutmeg on the mid palate. A bit of tobacco on the finish. September 2023
(Inky ruby in the glass. Smells like dark fruit, almost raisiny. Very bold on the palate – big and smooth. I’m not a Pinot Noir lover, but I truly like this wine – we have some at home! September 2022)
2019 “See What You Can Do With It” Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $62 (#843)
Winery Notes: “50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah blend with notes of cranberry, pine needles, and all spice.”
My Review: It’s got a great nose – “It smells up my alley,” proclaimed a Wine Pod member. This is truly my kind of wine. The Syrah hits mid palate with white pepper notes. A touch tart on the finish like a cherry Jolly Rancher. Right now, the grape varietals are tasting somewhat separately. September 2023
(Inky in the glass. Mocha, plum, dark berries and vanilla on the nose. Palate of sharp berries and spearmint with vanilla and anise on the finish. This wine is very young for all this big fruit – recommend cellaring for a year or so – if you can resist! One of our favorite Corral wines. September 2022)
2020Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $82 (#1209)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of black cherry, currant, and cedar. Hints of violet and blackberry. Aged in 50% new French oak.”
My Review: Deep garnet in the glass. Perfume on the nose. Very deep fruit and spice on the palate. This is going to be a great wine. April 2023 and September 2023
2019 Corral Petite Sirah, Aleksander Vineyard, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $72 (#844)
Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit: blackberries, blueberries tobacco, black pepper, and toasted baking spices. Rich in flavor, full bodied with a long finish. Aged in 100% Oak barrels, 50% new oak, 25% French, 25% American oak.”
My Review: Our last wine – and skimpy notes. Magenta in the glass, barnyard on the nose. We always like this wine. September 2023
(Beautiful dark ruby in the glass. Smoke and alcohol on the nose – not a ton of fruit. Palate is smooth and rich with dark berry flavors and yummy. This is my favorite current Corral wine – we keep buying more because we keep opening it at home! September 2022)
THE TASTING ROOM
“Come say “Hello” at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village” located at19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley. Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6 p.m.
We wrapped up the late summer Decanting Monterey Wine Pod visit to Paso Robleswith a lunch tasting at Halter Ranch. What a perfect spot for great food and big reds just the way we like them. While we enjoyed a delicious lunch, our server Kennedy gave us an exceptional presentation of the wines being tasted that day.
I really appreciated the recognition as an industry person and the corresponding discount. Those not-so-small gestures help make this not-for-profit blog possible! I’d go back again for this experience in a heartbeat.
“Set along the westernmost boundaries of Paso Robles, California, surrounded by the wild, and wide-open Santa Lucia Mountain Range of the Central Coast, Halter Ranch is a 2,700-acre organic nature estate dedicated to land, art, and legendary terroir-driven wine made with the finest organic grapes. Envisioned by Swiss entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world-leading land conservationist, Hansjörg Wyss, the estate is an homage to his mother, Alice Halter, and a haven for the natural world to flourish and deliver exceptional, timeless wines.
Block 22 Syrah
You can read more about Halter Ranch and its 100% estate and organic wines here.
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 6 Halter Ranchwines. There were two tastings: the Ranch Flight and the Silver Label Flight – we chose the latter. Winery notes come from our server, the bottles, and their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2016 Halter Ranch Cuvée Alice Estate Reserve, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.9% ABV, $150 (#1200) 66% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 2% Tannat
Winery Notes: This is a GSM with the addition of Tannat. Their most expensive wine is named in honor of the owner’s mother, Alice.
My Review: Dark ruby. Warm spice on the nose. Big mouthful of smooth wine. Very tasty. We liked this wine. September 2023
2020 Halter Ranch Cuvée Alice Estate Reserve, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.7% ABV, $96 (#1201) 45% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 8% Tannat, 7% Mourvèdre
Winery Notes: “The 2020 Cuvée Alice has aromas of rose petals, blood orange, and bing cherry. The entry is soft, supple, and inviting to the palate with flavors of dragon fruit, raspberry, and mulled spices. The vibrant acid and low tannin structure makes this wine a perfect option for pairing with food, and equally a wine that will age gracefully.”
My Review: Darker, slightly purple in the glass. Alcohol followed by vegetal notes on the nose. Dark red fruits on the palate. Austere, yet fairly complex, ending with some leather, orange and smoke. Grape blend is very balanced. September 2023
2020 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Block 22 Syrah, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.8% ABV, $88 (#1202)
Winery Notes: “The 2020 Block 22 Syrah has aromas of blueberry, ripe plum, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The entry is rich and juicy, driven by flavors of elderberry, raspberry, and boysenberry preserve. The mid palate has length and acidity, balanced by soft, supple tannins that lead to a clean, food-friendly finish.”
My Review: Inky purple in color. A lot of legs in the glass. Smoked ham on the nose. Yummy big rich, dark fruit with lots of coffee and chocolate. A little orange oil and caramel on the finish. Sweet. A big wine. We took a lot of this wine home but wish we had taken more! We have enjoyed this several times since! September 2023
2019 Halter Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (#1203) 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot
Winery notes: “The 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of black cherry, red currant, cassis, and a touch of pencil lead. The palate is soft and rich, exuding flavors of raspberry, blueberry, and a hint of cocoa. Lengthy, integrated tannins lead to a seamless finish.”
My review. Garnet in color. Dark fruit and alcohol on nose. Tasty palate, a touch sweet. It’s fine. September 2023
2020 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Tannat, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $92 (#1204)
Winery Notes: “The 2020 Reserve Tannat has aromas of clove, cardamon, black tea and dark fruits. The entry is juicy and textured, driven by flavors of blackberry, black currant, and a mix of baking spices. The integrated mid palate and finish bring structure, tannin and length to an age-worthy wine for your cellar.”
My Review: Inky in the glass. Smooth, dark fruit on the nose. I really liked this wine. September 2023
2019 Halter Ranch Estate Reserve Ancestor, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $85 (#1205)
Winery Notes: “The 2019 Ancestor showcases aromas of red currant and dark chocolate along with subtle hints of cinnamon and clove. The entry is soft and rich with layered flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and dark cherry. The mid- palate is thick and mouth coating with balanced acid. The finish is framed by integrated tannins and delicate flavors of caramel and truffle.”
My Review: Garnet/purple in the glass. Dark fruit on the nose. Big cab flavors on the palate. Reminds us of a Rombi cab. More refined than a Malbec. Would make an excellent mystery wine. Katrina would like this wine. I think if we opened this wine at home, we would really like it. So, we took some home. September 2023
Halter Ranch has a range of experiences including lunch, tastings, and tours. You can explore your options here. It is located at 8910 Adelaida Rd, Paso Robles and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We think you, too, would enjoy a lunch tasting at Halter Ranch!
When I found out that this year’s Monterey Winemakers Celebration was happening on June 10th, I had some juggling to do. I had a wine class scheduled in DC, but was able to move it to be able to attend this event. The bonus was getting extra quality time in DC with our daughter! As soon as I straightened out my class, I got brave and asked Kim Stemler of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association if there was any way I could be comped a couple of tickets – and she immediately said yes! And I convinced the rest of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod to attend!
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. I was grateful for this opportunity. And the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association is my go-to resource for all things Monterey wine.
About the Monterey Winemakers Celebration: “Join the vintners (winemakers) & growers of Monterey County and enjoy the incredible wines and culinary abundance from one of the world’s premier wine regions in the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This iconic Monterey County wine festival, in its 30th year, will be held on Saturday, June 10, during Carmel’s Culinary Week. The event is moving back to the streets – Dolores (between Ocean and 7th) and 7th Street (between Dolores and San Carlos). Some of our favorite Chefs and food purveyors will join us to delight you with their magic.
I can’t wait to learn the date of next year’s event and get it on my calendar early!
WINERIES: I’m so pleased that the event website contained live links to all the wineries in attendance, making it easy to spot and research those wineries that are new or ones where we have never tasted wine, as well as to see which of our well-known wineries were there.
There were also quite a few delicious food options, which is important when you are sampling a lot of wine. Here’s who was there (from the event website):
I could have just hung out at Basil and Yafa all afternoon.
My Strategy: I had a strategy going in – to focus on wineries that were new or ones I had never presented in my blog, sample one wine, and dump the rest. I stuck to that approach for the most part. I also was able to have a few tastes of some of our favorites, too. 2 hours at the Main Event were plenty to talk to the new or new-to-us vintners and catch up with friends. We began at Shale Canyon and ended at Bernardus, with a nice, long stop at Corral Wine Co. in the middle. I was happy to connect with newcomers JL Wood,Pelio Estate, Tira Nanza, as well as try Rustiqué Wines, Folktale and The Riboli Family wines. I somehow missed tasting a wine at Carmel Road. I was still able to do a quick reach back in the middle to Chalone, Lepe, McIntyre, Puma Road, I Brand & Family, Joyce, and others. Maybe I will write a bit about them in the coming weeks!
Unlike the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival in May, this one was – for the most part – just our local wineries plus The Riboli Family from Paso Robles and Los Angeles, and a few big names like Robert Mondavi and J. Lohr. And a great chance to sample wines from across the county. If you love Monterey wines, this is the event for you!
I did not capture detailed tasting notes at this event, so I’ve cobbled together my reviews from memory. Today is more about showcasing these new/new to me wineries. This post focuses on JL Wood,Pelio Estate, Tira Nanza, Rustiqué Wines, Folktale and The Riboli Family. Each is worthy of a future visit and a full tasting. Any winery notes are from their websites or from the presenters at this event. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
JL WOOD WINES
We had never heard of JL Wood. They have long been producing grapes and decided to make their own wines. They only make Chardonnay from Arroyo Seco – the wines they brought to this event were all Gold or Double Gold Medal winners. Their first vintage was 2021. Their winery operations are up in Napa and they have no tasting room. You can order their wines on their website and they ship to several states for free!
I love their intro on their home page: “Visiting friends? Going to a party? Celebrating at home? Having a relationship thing? Just got home from a required work in office day? Try a glass of JL WOOD Chardonnay. At JL WOOD, Chardonnay is all we do.”
From their website: “We are proud to announce that our 2021 Premier won Double GOLD and 97 points at the just concluded Sunset International Wine Competition. Our Nouveau won GOLD and 91 points at the 2023 Sommeliers Choice Awards, an international competition in San Francisco. In the same competition, our No-Oak won a GOLD and 90 points. Premier won GOLD and 93 points and the No-Oak won GOLD and 92 points at the 2023 Winemaker Challenge. The No-Oak won GOLD and 90 pts at the 2023 Monterey International Wine Competition. The Nouveau won GOLD at the 2023 Monterey Wine Festival. Our No-Oak won SILVER at the 2023 New Orleans Food and Wine Experience International Wine Competition and was judged to be one of the top Chardonnay wines.”
About JL Wood: “JL WOOD is a family-owned winery with a laser focus on a satisfying and modern customer experience. We create modern affordable luxury wines that are true to the fruit, delivering clean and bold flavors sip after sip. We use our independence to showcase outstanding lots of wine that otherwise would have disappeared into the oblivion of a 60,000 or 160,000-gallon industrial winery tank.”
Building on a legacy
“Our family has been on the same land for over 100 years. The land has been very productive. The family has farmed grains, vegetables, livestock feed, cattle, and sheep. A UC Davis study in the late 1950s identified our district as being ideal for certain types of wine grapes, like Chardonnay, that enjoy a combination of hot summer days and cool nights.
“JL Wood led the family into the wine business. Our wine grapes were planted in the late 90s. The rootstock and clones we have were carefully selected to match our soils and climate. The result has been very efficient farming and outstanding Chardonnay wine.”
2021 JL Wood Premier Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $36 (#1028)
Winery Notes: “Fruit and citrus flavors. Smooth acidity and signature long finish. Flavors layered with a pleasing vanillin, spice, and toasted oak background notes. Fully fermented. No malolactic fermentation. No added sugar. Pairs well with a multi-course meal of fish, meat, or sophisticated dishes. Award winning: GOLD and 93 points at the Winemakers’ Challenge Competition.”
My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Nice aromas of white citrus blossoms and tropical fruit on the nose. A very tasty and balanced palate – oak is very well integrated in this wine so that it is almost imperceptible. June 2023
PELIO ESTATE WINES
We first heard of Pelio Vineyards from the labels of other wineries – then I saw they were opened a tasting room in Carmel Valley next door to Blue Fox. Pelio Estate Wines was on my must-taste list for this event, as I am hoping to arrange a future Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society event there. You can taste their wines by contacting them directly or making a reservation on their website. They are located at 25 Pilot Road in Carmel Valley and open Friday – Sunday 11:30 am – 6 pm.
About Pelio: “As sisters we have always dreamed of owning our own business. When we thought about what we wanted to do, our first thoughts went to our two loves: wine and Carmel Valley.” -Lindsey & Shelby Pelio.
“In the year 2000, we purchased a piece of land where we made great memories of family picnics, learning to ride bikes and playing hide-and-go-seek in fields. Most importantly, it was the place as kids, where we let our minds run free and learned how to dream big. This piece of land was the catalyst of many firsts for us as sisters. It is where we first learned how to ride a bike, first learned how to drive a car and now it is the foundation of our first business endeavor together. We are the proud owners of this beautiful land and fabulous vineyard. As in the blending of fine wines, we took our grapes, added family, friends, winemakers, and here we are today with PELIO ESTATE VINEYARDS.”
Winemaking Description: “The 2020 Pelio Rose is produced in the whole-cluster to press method. Specific sections of the vineyard were hand harvested to produce a wine that highlights crisp acidity with balanced bright fruit characteristics. Clusters were loaded into the press and pressed to a minimal 120gallons/ton before overnight settling and fermentation. Juice was only in contact with the skins for the 45-minute press cycle giving this wine it’s delicate color. A cool ferment was carried out to dryness over two weeks before racking and maturation in stainless steel.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “A beautiful pale pink in the glass, this rose gives aromas of fresh strawberry and guava, with bright tropical esters of banana. The palate shows grapefruit and mixed citrus over crisp acidity. The texture is silky for a light rose and matches the flavors well.”
My Notes: Very pink in color, this rose is exactly what one is looking for on a warm, sunny day. Very balanced, crisp. Recommend this wine. June 2023
Tira Nanza is a true, local newcomer. We first heard of them on the event website and were eager to seek them out. They are located in Cachagua on the former Galante ranch and have already invited Decanting Monterey to visit!
About Tira Nanza: “From its sumptuous taste to scenic vineyard views, wine evokes feelings of luxury, sophistication, and indulgence. Like most consumers, this view of wine was all that we initially knew. It wasn’t until we dove head first into the industry and experienced the entirety of the winemaking process that we truly fell in love with it.
“Our goal is to offer a more authentic way to interact with and enjoy wine. Our wine experiences are process-driven, fostering deep connections, rather than overly product-driven, formulaic walkthroughs that only create surface level connections. It’s our hope that this will give our guests newfound excitement and deeper insight into the world of wine.”
“In order to make great wine you must have great fruit. Every decision we make is centered around growing the best fruit we possibly can. Where the soils allow, we dry-farm our vineyards to foster plants that are self-sufficient and not dependent on a weekly shot of water. Dry-farming forces the vines to send their roots deeper to find water and results in fruit that is more concentrated and more connected to its terroir.
“We rely on natural solutions to get the most out of our vineyards. We count on our healthy population of owls and hawks for pest control, and we use cows to clean between the rows and to improve our soil health. We use only organic and biodynamic sprays to keep our fruit healthy and untainted. Our approach requires an intimate relationship with our vineyards garnered by walking them daily. Every vine at Tira Nanza is hand-pruned and hand-harvested by the same hands that make the wines.”
Winery Notes: “Our inaugural vintage of Cab is finally here! Harvested from the oldest vines on our ranch, this dry farmed fruit exceeded all of our expectations for our first vintage. Blended with 20% Merlot and aged entirely in French Oak (75% neutral/25% new) this wine combines rich red fruit flavors with an inviting freshness seldom seen in California Cabernet.”
My Review: Impressive first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Lively in color – a vibrant garnet. Cherry notes on the nose and palate. This was quite good and drinkable now – will improve with age. June 2023
RUSTIQUÉ
We have seen Rustiqué located next to Odonata and have tasted wines from the Silacci Vinayard, but this was the first time interacting with Rustiqué directly. Their tasting room is open Friday – Sunday 11 am to 5 pm at 1010 River Road, Salinas. They also do some nice special events there.
About Rustiqué: “Rustiqué is a family owned and operated estate winery established in 2006. Made with the grapes from Silacci Vineyards, we are dedicated to learning from the land and evolving alongside it to make high quality pinot noir and chardonnay. Our tasting room is located in Monterey County in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range.”
Winery Notes: “This Chardonnay highlights the cold climate growing region of Monterey County, with aromas and flavors of golden pear, peach, melon and floral accents. It’s full bodied and accentuated palate leaves you with a beautiful structured oak toast and well rounded mineral driven finish.”
My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. If you like an oaky Chardonnay, this is the one for you. I still need to visit their tasting room.June 2023
FOLKTALE
We haven’t been to Folktale since they first opened, mostly because we prefer a traditional wine tasting setup. They have blossomed into a beautiful wine and food venue which we have not yet experienced. Moreover, they have just opened a tasting venue at Now that they have been making wine for a while, it was time to taste their wines! Plus they just opened a tasting bar at Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse in Carmel-by-the-Sea. I was very pleased to be invited to the winery for a tasting, which I will do soon with my friend Erin of tèr·ra·ve·nos! While I tasted their big, Bordeaux-style red blend, I was also intrigued by their cloudy orange wine. Keeping to my 1-wine rule, I was unable to taste both!
About Folktale: “In 2015, a band of artists, craftspeople, and lovers of life brought their wandering imaginations and lofty aspirations to a magical piece of land in Carmel, California. Out in the sunny valley, we cultivated grapevines and gardens to craft beautiful wines and experiences to delight the senses. We named this place Folktale Winery & Vineyards.
“Folktale was inspired by the idea that in every great bottle of wine, there is a story. It is filled with uniqueness of place, a year of sun and rain, and the art and craft of winemaking. The story is about our people, our guests, and our passion. This is a love story, and the best love stories never end.”
2018 Folktale The Hound, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.7% ABV, $95 (#1032)
Winery 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.”
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 11% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc, which is primarily from the Massa Estate, shows boisterous aromas of boysenberry, crumpled flowers and acai on the nose. Massive tannins and strong acidity rise up on the sip, so give the dark fruits time to emerge from behind that veil. Drink 2023–2032.” — Matt Kettmann
My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Smooth dark berry fruit on the palate. Grippy tannins on the finish. Overall, quite likeable (with that great pedigree of using Massa Estate grapes, what’s not to like?), but the dry finish leads me to think it needs a few more years of cellaring. Would pair well with a steak. My friend Erin of tèr·ra·ve·nos and I were invited to visit and will plan to do so soon. June 2023
THE RIBOLI FAMILY
I had not heard of the Riboli Family by name, but I had certainly heard of some of its brands: Maddalena, San Simeon, among others. I was only able to taste one wine here (my choice, not theirs) and I went for one of their reserve red blends from San Simeon.
“4 GENERATIONS OF WINEMAKING EXCELLENCE SINCE 1917
“A family legacy built on hard work, family values, and a love for the land.
“Here at Riboli Family Wines, we pride ourselves in maintaining our core family values while also employing innovative techniques that will keep our legacy alive for generations to come. Each Riboli family member maintains a steadfast commitment to honoring not only our premiere craftsmanship of wines, but also our dedication to environmental sustainability and to the people that make up our family business.”
DISTINCTIVE SOILS: “The superb structure and elegant profiles found in our wines are the direct result of our estate vineyards’ unique blends of calcareous limestone, sandstone, and loam soils.”
HILLSIDE VINEYARDS: “Our estate vineyards are all situated on hillsides as we believe these aspects provide the best grape-growing conditions. The slopes provide great drainage, protection from frost, and optimal ripening conditions for our vines.”
CURATED CLONAL SELECTION: “Our vineyards feature over 15 varieties of grapes and over 50 clones carefully curated to match each vineyard’s terroir.”
About San Simeon Reserve Wines: “Ancient seas receded and revealed a unique bed of limestone on which world-class wines now grows. From our best blocks on steep hillsides with perfect aspect and drainage, creating our signature flavors and aromas.”
Winery notes: “The skies darken, the winds howl, and the waves pound the rugged shore…Stormwatch! Located near the coastal town of San Simeon, our family’s ESTATE vineyards are located within the El Pomar district of the renowned Paso Robles appellation. Steep hillsides and rocky soils produce the intense flavors and aromas of this Bordeaux-style blend. Our artisan wine is hand-crafted in small lots and aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of 18 months. Dark, rich, and mouth-filling. Ripe flavors of blackberry and raspberry with touches of spice and vanilla. Enjoy the thrill of Stormwatch!”
My Review: Very dark in the glass, this brooding wine is packed with dark fruit flavors and was one of the best reds we tasted at this event. This is my kind of wine and perhaps my favorite wine of the day. I need to get down to Paso to taste more San Simeon wines! June 2023
A short recap of the Festival (repeated from the previous event posts): The Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans said this about this event: “Sun, Wind & Wine. The Santa Lucia Highlands is a small but mighty winegrowing appellation in Monterey County that cultivates California’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With generations of family farming, innovation and sustainability as our legacy, our growers and vineyards have earned their place among the state’s most prestigious names for appellation and single-vineyard cool-climate varieties.” The number of wineries present was staggering! We had a strategy going in – to focus on wineries we did not know, to share pours, and to dump the rest.
I did not capture detailed tasting notes at this event; rather, I’ll talk about some of the wineries we met. As a reminder: Pinot Noir is not my wheelhouse, so I can only go by impressions. That said, I would attend this event again for the experience – and take a lot more pictures!
In this post, I am presenting 3 Central Coast wineries which are not in Monterey County. (For local, Monterey wineries, see the previous 2 posts above). Today, this means Sarah’s Vineyard, Three Furies and Tudor Wines. Any winery notes are from their websites or from the pourers at this event, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
One more post is coming about this event! Next week will be out of area wineries making wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.
SARAH’S VINEYARD
We have tasted wines from Sarah’s Vineyard grapes made by some of our local vintners, but this was the first time we were able to taste their wines directly. Unfortunately, I did not capture tasting notes. The winery is located in Gilroy, a short drive from the Monterey Peninsula! The vineyards for their estate wines come from the Mt. Madonna District – we will need to go up and taste those wines and tell you more in a future post!
Marilyn “Sarah” Otteman purchased 10 acres in south Santa Clara County’s Hecker Pass area in 1977. She began the vineyard with an initial planting of seven acres of Chardonnay. The winery itself was founded 1978.
“Marilyn was a creative, free spirit, with a love for the land (she had an actual teepee on the property) and an innate sense of style. Both her and the early wines’ character caught the public and media’s fancy – the ornate Sarah’s Vineyard label quickly developed a loyal following and a reputation for top-flight Chardonnays.
“The small, rustic tasting room soon became a “must stop” for early Central Coast wine excursions. Today, Sarah’s legacy can still be seen in the attention to detail and warm hospitality on display daily around the winery.
Tim Slater, Proprietor & Mad Scientist…
“Tim Slater took the helm at Sarah’s Vineyard when he purchased the vineyards and winery in 2001. Tim in his former life has been a DJ, a musician, and a successful “micro-machining” engineer with many patents to his name. He brought a scientific approach to replanting and modernizing S.V., finely balanced by an artist’s sensibility and a traditionalist’s love of the land.
“Tim is a very hands-on proprietor. He is both grower and winemaker, constantly experimenting in the vineyard and in the cellar. Tim is often to be found in the tasting room, sharing his latest discoveries with guests.
“By channeling both his inner “mad scientist” and his artistic side, the S.V. estate and wines have flourished. Tim’s philosophy is a fairly simple one: bottle by bottle, vintage by vintage, to capture the “music of the vineyard” – to grow and produce some of California’s finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.”
About Tondré Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands:
“Tondré Alarid established a vineyard on his family’s historic ranch in Monterey’s Santa Lucia Highlands. In the hands of his son Joe Alarid, the estate has become one of the S.L.H.’s best known properties. The Highlands’ sparse mountainside soils and windy Monterey Bay-influenced climate produce some of the country’s best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The combination of a perfect site and meticulous farming makes for truly great wines.”
Winery Notes: “The ’21 Tondré Grapefield Chardonnay displays enticing aromas and flavors of white flowers, citrus, and pastry crust. Time in the glass offers up golden apple, pear, and lemon curd flavors and a long finish of spice, vanilla, and peach. The balance of bright acidity and a hint of creaminess from the primarily neutral French oak barrels make this wine a great match for Tim’s recipe for Shrimp Tacos with Mexican Street Corn.” French oak, 25% new, 11 months. 194 cases produced.
Winery Notes: “The ’19 Sarah’s Vineyard Tondré Grapefield Pinot Noir has a vast red fruit and floral presence with dark cherry, raspberry, and crushed rose petal notes in the glass. On the palate, the bright fruit is complemented by baking spice, pepper, and a hint of vanilla with smooth, silky tannins. This delightful Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with Tim’s wine club recipe for Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts.” 461 cases produced.
Winery Notes: “The ’21 Sarah’s Vineyard Tondré Grapefield Pinot Noir has cellared beautifully and has delicate dark red fruit and spice with a lovely floral bouquet of violet notes in the glass. On the palate, the rich raspberry and plum fruits are complemented by baking spice, white pepper, and a hint of vanilla with smooth, silky tannins. This delightful Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken and mushrooms over wild rice.” French oak, 35% new, 11 months. 275 cases produced.
Visiting Sara’s Vineyard: “We are open daily for curbside pickups of wine orders /wine club releases and have patio reservations available daily – reservations are strongly encouraged.” Check their website for details and reservations.
THREE FURIES
Another out-if area, Central Coast winery new to us! They make wines from several regions, each named after one of the Three Furies: Constant Vengeance from Sta. Rita Hills AVA, The Angry One from Santa Lucia Highlands, and The Jealous – not yet released.
About Three Furies: “Three Furies Wines are a manifestation of Winemaker Martin Mackenzie’s insatiable curiosity and quest for truth, power, and beauty in wine.
“Martin, a New Zealand native, crafted wines for world-renowned Stonyridge Vineyard on remote Waiheke Island, New Zealand for ten years before moving to California wine country.
“In California since 2009 as consulting, flying, and head winemaker, Martin has produced wines with top scores, earning high critical praise for his craft.
“Three Furies Wines are Martin’s expression of respect for the power of nature.”
“Three Furies Wines explore the mysteries of the noblest of grape varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay through limited-edition, single-vineyard releases.
“These wines represent contemplative studies of place, from vineyards sought for their character, where grapes struggle to grow from dry, cracked earth, and where vines are buffeted by screeching maritime gales.
“From this harrowed fruit, we make seductive, delicious wines.
“Our collection currently includes Constant Vengeance from Sta. Rita Hills AVA and The Angry One from Santa Lucia Highlands.
“The Jealous is the third Fury in our collection, not yet released.
“These wines are available to our mailing list only as well as a few carefully hand selected on-premise placements.
“Our current placements include: The French Laundry, Torc, Sante and The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, K. Laz Wine Collection.”
2018 Three Furies Wines The Angry One Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $85 (#1011)
Winery Notes: ““Pure, clean aromatics exhibit bright and floral red fruit notes. Violets, red cherry, pomegranate and raspberry mingle with fresh-bread and mineral notes. Red velvet cake comes to mind. Intense in color with a vibrant crimson hue.” ~ Martin Mackenzie, Winemaker From the time spent in barrel she has been lavished upon resulting in firm tannins offering structure while maintaining racy acidity keeping her fresh and clean. An instant favorite of those who encounter her, she contrasts sharply with the more reticent and brooding older sibling, Constant Vengeance, who demands patience and a certain period of getting to know.” This was the first vintage of this wine.
2019 Three Furies The Angry One Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $85 (#1012)
“Bright hue of crimson-rose red with a good depth of color. Pretty notes of cranberry, blueberries and cherry dominate the generous aromas. Hints of violets, sage, licorice and cedar lurk beneath, hinting at things to come. Initially fresh, bright and firm of structure, the wine soon opens up to reveal pools of glycerol laden fruit, very much reflecting the aromas. Framed with firm but fine tannins the flavors remain through the long-lasting finish. With the acid and structure to age for ten years, The Angry One nevertheless leaves the impression of volume and generosity of fruit on the palate, making it enjoyable upon release as well as for cellaring.” ~ Martin Mackenzie, Winemaker
TUDOR WINES
We’d also never heard of Tudor Wines from Paso Robles. They brought three library wines for us to taste! Impressive! Please note that the Wine Enthusiast reviews are at or near time of release and may not reflect the current taste of these now-library wines!
About Tudor Wines: “Every year our grandfather Tudor used to make wine for his friends and family. It’s a family tradition we continue to this day on the Central Coast of California.
“We believe that in an increasing mechanized world, there are still a few handmade products that stand out. Fine wine is one of them. We select fruit from family owned vineyards and transform it into wine using traditional techniques. These include small fermentations mixed by hand and aging in French barrels. The resulting wine has a purity of natural expression that cannot be duplicated on a larger scale.”
“On the island of Hvar in Croatia, the Tudor family has grown grapes and lavender for hundreds of years in a small village called Velo Grablje. The island of Hvar is the longest Adriatic island. It has plenty of lavender fields, olive groves, and vineyards. Hvar is, no doubt, an exceptional island, both in summer and winter. Due to its mild winter climate and rich subtropical vegetation, it has also been called the Croatian Madeira. An average of 2724 hours of sunshine per year makes Hvar one of the sunniest places in Croatia.
“The Tudors began growing grapes in California early in the 1900’s and continue to operate one of the largest table grape vineyards in the country.
“This tradition of growing grapes continued when Christians’ grandfathers moved to California and planted table grape vineyards in the 1920’s. These are Dan Tudor and Sons and Vincent B. Zaninovich farms located in Delano, California. Christian worked at Dan Tudor and Sons during the summer picking seasons throughout high school and college 1988-1998.”
Wine Enthusiast – 85 points: “Has a heavy, jellied taste that detracts from elegance. Hard to tell why, for the fruit certainly got ripe in cherries, cola and raspberries, and acidity is fine. Drink now.”
My Notes: Barnyard and earth. May 2023
2006 Tudor Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $40 (price at release) (#1014)
Wine Enthusiast – 87 points: “A very nice Pinot Noir. Rich and ripe in jammy, pie-filling black cherry, currant and cola flavors, with complex notes of dusty spices and smoky oak, it’s dry and full-bodied, and ready to drink over the next few years.”
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “This is a really beautiful Pinot Noir. It’s rich in flavor, but also strong in structure, with good acidity and firm, dry tannins framing a silky texture. The flavors suggest raspberries, cherries and vanilla cream, accented with smoky sweet oak. Drink now.”
Wine Enthusiast: “A very good Pinot Noir. Shows just what you want in a fine coastal bottling, with a smooth, silky texture, crisp acidity, and fine, delicate but powerful flavors. In this case, the wine shows cool-climate notes of raspberries, cherries and red currants, with umami, salty smoked meat and oak-inspired vanilla toast complexities. Drink now–2013.” S.H. (12/15/2010)
My Notes: Best of the bunch – very smooth. May 2023
Taste Tudor Wines: “The Tudor downtown Paso Robles tasting lounge, in the historic Acorn Building, is steps from City Park and every art, dining, shopping and entertainment experience you can wish for in a wine destination. Treasure a glass of highly-rated, Grand Cru level Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Experience unique tasting flights of current releases and rare vintage library wines. Or, enjoy a few sweets and espresso.” Open Thursday-Monday noon – 6 p.m.
When I reduced my posts to once a week and started hitting the tasting rooms, I didn’t realize how far behind I might get! I’ve decided to present some of these single wines tasted from August to November over the next few weeks to close out 2021. Today I am presenting 7 of them from outside Monterey County, in the order of tasting date. Next week I’ll have a collection of Monterey County wines/wineries to close out 2021. Starting in January, I’ll be back to winery tastings with the occasional one-off wines.
PLease share this blog with your family and friends – the more the merrier! If you have not yet subscribed to my weekly blog, you can enter your email at the very bottom right of this page – then confirm it from your email. I promise no selling of your address, just my weekly post delivered straight to you. And I encourage your comments – maybe you know a winery I should check out. Also, feel free to share back what local wines you are enjoying!
2015 Donati The Immigrant, Paicines, San Benito County, 14.5% ABV, $35 (#555*)
From the Donati Family Vineyard Website: “Albino Donati immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1907. Just like many others who came to America, he arrived with a commitment to create a better life for his family. His hard work, determination, and perserverance have created footsteps for our family to follow for generations. The creation of “The Immigrant” is in honor of his legacy.”
Wine Enthusiast – 89 points: This bottling is very shy on the nose, offering tight boysenberry and wet gravel aromas with patience. The palate is a bit flat as well, but eventually delivers flavors of baked cherry and baking spice, held together by tense tannins. MATT KETTMANN 12/2018
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Mellow berries on the nose. Very smooth on the palate, nice berries, cedar and mint. This is one of those super smooth reds I could just keep drinking. I would have given it a much higher score – in the 92-point range. August 2021
2019 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant, Central Coast, 13.5% ABV, $16 (#556*)
Wine class chose the varietal Cinsault, intending a foreign wine. I found this Bonny Doon wine at Whole Foods in Washington DC. My notes say I paid $23 for it, but it is generally available for less than that!
Winemaker’s Notes from the bottle: “In 1954 the mayor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape was quite perturbed and apprehensive that UFOs are flying cigars might do damage to their vineyards. So right thinking man all, they passed a legal ordinance prohibiting such landings. The ordinance has worked well, as there have been no such landings since the adoption of this far sighted legislation. The stellar composition of our cigar Volant call flying cigar” contains 56% Grenache 30% since so 13% Sarah and 1% petite Sirah.”
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points & Best Buy: A delicate color in the glass, this blend of 56% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 13% Syrah and 1% Petite Sirah pops with bright raspberry, crushed rock, turned earth and lilac aromas on the nose. The palate is tense with rocky edges and yet zesty with pomegranate and strawberry flavors. MATT KETTMANN
My Review: Ruby, somewhat translucent in the glass. A little sulfur on the nose upon opening. Cherry and leather on the palate. Nice on a hot DC evening. August 2021
2017 DeRose Dry Farmed Zinfandel, Cedolini Vineyard, Cienega Valley, San Benito County, 15.1% ABV, $45 (#557*)
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Berry jam and crab (shellfish) on the nose. Berry pie on the palate – it’s a berry-o-rama in the mouth, chalky, slightly sweet, slightly ripe or cooked, with a peppery finish. September 2021
A DC friend (Scott Gudes) brought this wine from his very first wine tasting in Paso Robles! We had it with our dinner at Poppy Hall – very nice.
From the label: “David Bailey planted this vineyard on the old family property on Peachey Canyon Road. This is a head pruned, dry farmed vineyard. This wine is 100% Zinfandel – old time Paso baby! Yeahh! It is all you might expect and then just a wee bit more.”
My Review: Purple in the glass. Jammy and spicy on the nose. Juicy and smooth on the palate. Opened up nicely to dark berries with an even darker, intense fruit finish.October 2021
2015 Trinitas Old Vines Petite Sirah, Contra Costa County, 16.2% ABV, $36 (#559*)
I love a good Petite Sirah and found this for $18 at Costco!
From the Trinitas Website: “This is by no means elegant, its rather a massive hulking bruiser of a wine! In fact, this might be the most decadently textured dry red wine we’ve ever made. Which doesn’t surprise us. 2015 was not only the third year of the drought, but also the vines we source from in Contra Costa County are mainly planted in sandy soils, so they are well drained and receive much more heat. Trust us, this all shows in the wine! This deep, dark-purple elixir has skyrocketing aromas of baked blueberries, blackberries, and toasted vanilla. With just one sip, its heavenly texture completely saturates the palate with baked berry cobbler and vanilla bean flavors that are lifted by dusty tannins as it trails off into a very persistent finish. This is so opulent, juicy, and scrumptious, that it’s nearly impossible to resist. Which is probably why Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93 points and Editor’s Choice!”
My Review: Inky in the glass with aromas of smooth dark berries. Very dark blueberry and blackberry fruit on the palate with cassis and black currant on the finish. Very smooth. Great value for the flavor – I would buy this again!October 2021
2017 Turley Zinfandel, Duarte Vineyard, Contra Costa County, 15.3% ABV, $33 (#560*)
From the Turley website: “This wine is an homage to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area. The wine is comprised of fruit from the turn-of-the-century Evangehlo, Mori, and Salvador vineyards, planted between 1890 and 1960.Thanks to the sandy soils and impressive age of the vines, the wine has some of the softest, silkiest tannins we’ve ever seen in a Zinfandel.”
My Review: Very dark ruby in color. Smoke and plum on the nose. Jammy brambleberry with spice on the palate. A spicy finish with a touch of tobacco. If you stumble on a Turley Duarte, pick it up – I usually recommend decanting Turley wines. October 2021
2015 The Ojai Vineyard Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley,13.5% ABV, $45 (#561*)
The Ojai Vineyard Tasting Notes: “Aromas come on with many of the usual suspects from Bien Nacido—cured meat, purple flowers, rock dust—but also a concentrated fruity exuberance that tilts toward liqueur. It drinks with that same balance, coming on with an lavish blanket of dark fruits before gaining pitch and lengthening into a smoky savory beauty, closing out late with those cool-climate notes of herby tapenade, wood smoke and peppery meat crust. The forward feel will have many drink this sooner than later, but for peak rapture age this for several years, at least.” 97 points- Jeb Dunnuck!!
My Review: Berry blast on the nose, followed by some menthol and leather. Super delicious on the palate. Spice on the finish. We followed the Vineyard Aging Recommendations, opening this one before the 2012 Syrah, which is still not ready! We served this with Thanksgiving leftovers. I loved this wine – probably one of the best Syrahs I have recently consumed.
*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.
A September virtual wine class theme was a “white from anywhere in the U.S.” While some of my good friends had already presented this Carol Shelton wine in the “Monterey South” wine class in August, I reserved the right to taste it myself. I had the great fortune to share this with my COVID Wine Pod members over Labor Day Weekend. As Rhône wine lovers, they truly appreciated this white blend from Paso Robles.
I have 2 more Carol Shelton wines to include today: the 2015 and 2017 Peaceland Vineyard Zinfandels from Sonoma County. During my August stay in DC, I spent time with my former neighbors, who served the 2015 vintage with dinner and we received the 2017 in our Spring 2021 shipment, which we opened after I got back from DC. Aren’t I lucky!
As we weigh the pros and cons of various wineries we belong to, my husband recently stated, “I hope you didn’t cancel your Carol Shelton membership – her wine is some of the best we are getting.” I don’t think there is a higher compliment.
From the Club Newsletter: “This is the “best yet” vintage of Carol’s all-time favorite wine; it is a “red-drinker’s white,” a complex alternative to the more one-dimensional white varietal wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. *Coquille is pronounced “ko-keel” and it is French for scallop, like the scalloped shells on the Shelton family coat of arms, and now on our sexy new label!
“Best White Rhone, Platinum Medal, 94 pts at BOTH the San Diego Int’l Wine Challenge and the Monterey Int’l Wine competition, plus 91 pts from BOTH Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast!” 1362 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Exotic nose of spicy pears and white peaches, almond paste/marzipan,
a touch of honeysuckle perfume. Multi-dimensional (many layers), a hard-to-describe range of aromatics, intriguing, almost mysterious! In the mouth it is crisply dry yet creamy and round and full-bodied, with nice almond paste on crisp-yet-juicy pear fruit.”
My Friend’s Review: Yellow in color. More minerality on the palate than fruit and a touch acidic on the palate. Really brings the Paso/Central Coast terroir. Complex – but not robust. August 2021
My Review: Lemony in the glass. Honey and grass/hay on the nose. Minerally and lean, in a good way. The sweetness of the Viognier shines through in this blend. My French Rhône lovers liked this wine. September 2021
2015 Carol Shelton Zinfandel Peaceland Vineyard, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma County, 14.8% ABV, $36 (#550*)
About the Peaceland Vineyard: “On a mountaintop in the Mayacamas Range, Peaceland Vineyard sits quietly on 200 acres, with less than 40 acres planted to vines. On the eastern side of the Mayacamas, the vineyard has a cooling influence that allows for a longer growing season than its Napa Valley neighbors. Its higher elevation puts it above the fog but below the frost line, making it the ideal spot to grow grapes. While they grow a variety of vinifera at Peaceland Vineyards, Carol selects the Zinfandel and a tiny bit of Petite Sirah to make a single vineyard designate wine from this amazing vineyard.”
Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “From a vineyard planted to three clones of the variety, then blended with 12% Petite Sirah, this sees 18 months in oak, a mix of new American and neutral French. It works in its bramble of wild berry and banana, the body softly layered, rich and sumptuously lush.” Virginie Boone, 09/2018
My Review: Inky, ruby in the glass. Dark berry and mocha-ish on the nose, with some barnyard notes. Very dark berry, raspberry and plum on the palate. “Grapey!” August 2021
2017 Carol Shelton Zinfandel Peaceland Vineyard, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma County, 14.8% ABV, $36 (#551*)88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah
From the Club Newsletter: “The name of the Peaceland Vineyard cones from the translation of its owners’ German last name – Friedland. Three separate clones of Zinfandel each bring different flavor profiles, spiced up by a dollop of “Pet.” The unique “tall-head” trained vines were planted in a wild fantasia of settings – steep hillsides, amidst groves of bay and live-oak, most with stunning vistas of the city of Santa Rosa far below. It was this woodsy setting that brought about the near-demise in the Tubbs Fire of 2017, when the vineyard was partially destroyed – we thought that this 2017 would be its very LAST vintage release, but we are uber-excited to announce that it has come back from the fires and we will have a 2019 vintage and more!
“90 Pts Wine Spectator, 2 Gold Medals on brand new release.” 459 cases produced
Carol’s Tasting Notes: “Deep spicy jammy black raspberry, rich chocolatey oak, layers of loveliness! Juicy razzberry jam in mouth, bright acidity and good structure for aging. This baby packs everything that Zin should be and much more!”
My Review: Very dark, inky in the glass. Jam and a hint of smoke on the nose. I don’t have any more notes from this wine and there was none left for a retaste the next day! Carol’s newsletter indicates its aging potential is 10-20 years – clearly, we drank this one too soon! September 2021
You can buy Carol Shelton wines on her webpage and visit them in Santa Rosa. For more information, check out this link: https://www.carolshelton.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.
When my DC virtual wine class picked the theme of “Monterey-South,” even I wasn’t sure what that meant. They further clarified “Monterey County or south of Monterey.” Perfect! Right up my alley! We hunted through our wine room and found a Pierce Ranch Graciano. I’ve presented Pierce Ranch a couple of times here – you can simply search “Pierce Ranch” to find them. The wines selected by my friends came from Monterey County and Paso Robles.
I tried to capture notes from my friends’ presentations for inclusion to show the breadth of wines randomly chosen. One member lamented that he couldn’t really find in Washington DC any of the Rhone Ranger wines. I told him he would have to come visit here and find them at the wineries!
While this was a unique way to share these Central Coast wines, I didn’t get to taste any except the Graciano. Therefore, you might see them pop up again later in this blog!
2019 Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $28
My friends presented this Chuck Wagner wine, now made by his son, Charlie.
Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “A lively flaxen gold, this wine features a harmonious nose that previews the playful balance to come on the palate. Scents of brown spice, toasted almonds, custard and light oak mingle with Meyer lemon zest, honeysuckle and a hint of apricot. Entry is round, as the wine’s fruit and natural acidity build on each other, with echoes of brown spice, citrus and apricot enveloped in a creamy texture. A vibrant finish of lemon/lime showcases the distinctly bright acidity produced from the Monterey coast, leaving an enticing freshness that prepares the palate for another sip.” Wine.com – 91 points.
My Friend’s Review: Viscous in the glass. Nice, not overly oaky. The oak is there and adds depth to the taste without being detracting. Pear and apple on the nose, peach and a little caramel. Nicely balanced with good acidity. Can’t say the flavor profile is bold but harmonious. August 2021
2017 Chamisal Vineyards Chardonnay, Monterey County, 15.3% ABV, $24
While the Chamisal Vineyard and winery is located in Edna Valley, the fruit for this wine comes from Monterey County!
Winemaker’s Notes from wines.com : “Toasted oak and crème brûlée. Fruit driven with lemon cream, Fuji apple, ripe pineapple, and baked pears. Rich and creamy with lingering acidity, broad texture and finishing clean.”
The Wine Advocate – 91 points: “The 2017 Chardonnay Monterey County opens with notes of gunflint and toast over baked apples, yellow pears, popcorn and a tropical tinge. The palate is medium-bodied and rounded with an über spicy, fresh fruit profile lifted by mouthwatering acidity, and it finishes long and toasty. This has an appealing yin-yang of savory and bright citrus character.” Erin Brooks, 6/2020
About the 2019 Coquille Blanc: “Exotic nose of spicy pears and white peaches, almond paste/marzipan, a touch of honeysuckle perfume. Multi-dimensional (many layers), a hard-to-describe range of aromatics, intriguing, almost mysterious! In the mouth it is crisply dry yet creamy and round and full-bodied, with nice almond paste on crisp-yet-juicy pear fruit.”
My Friend’s Review: Yellow in color. More minerality on the palate than fruit and a touch acidic on the palate. Really brings the Paso/Central Coast terroir. Complex – but not robust.
2016 Bernardus Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $75/$22 WTSO
About the 2016 Soberanes Pinot Noir: “Santa Lucia Highlands’ two most renowned growers, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, have joined forces on an exciting vineyard located just south of the celebrated Garys’ Vineyard in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is called Soberanes Vineyard. We at Bernardus are honored to be among the few wineries to receive both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this exciting vineyard. We have chosen two Pinot clones: the celebrated Pisoni clone and Dijon clone 667. The 2016 Soberanes displays a beautiful ruby robe and vibrant red fruit aromas. The palate exhibits crisp flavors of ripe red cherry and raspberry with a long finish, promising an excellent future ahead.”
Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “Elegantly earthy on the nose, this bottling starts with aromas of pomegranate, rose petals and dried herbs. The palate is quite tart with flavors of sour Montmorency cherry, and the savory dusting of herbs and baked earth balances the sip.” Matt Kettmann, 12/2018
My Friend’s Review: As Cameron Hughes might say, a “Cabernet lovers Pinot Noir” with big bold flavors and a dark garnet hue. An exceptional Pinot Noir, comparing well to a 2012 Lucienne we all tasted in person together in June. He got the wine for $22 in a complex WTSO BOGO sale.
2017 Pierce Ranch Graciano, San Antonio AVA, 14.8% ABV, $30 (#432*)
My friends wanted to know what a Graciano tasted like – I could think of no direct comparison. I looked up the grape and found this information: I found this Vinodiversity article: “A naming mess: The original variety is Spanish and is named Graciano in its homeland the Northern Spanish Ebro Valley and Navarra. It is grown in the Jerez region of southern Spain under the name Tintilla de Rota. Graciano is used in France under the name Morrastel. But the Spanish use the variety called Mourvedre (or Mataro in Australia) under the name Morrastel. To add to the confusion the Portuguese variety Tinta Miuda is now known to be to be the same variety. Not to be outdone the Californians grow Graciano under the name Xeres.”
And, if that wasn’t confusing enough, here’s a Matt Kettmann article about mislabeled Graciano vines akin to the Melon de Bourgogne story I recently shared. What a mess. And it doesn’t taste like Mourvèdre at all!
About the 2017 Pierce Graciano: “Perched in a highland valley at the southern tip of Monterey County, our vineyards, with their wide variation in diurnal temperature and rocky soils, provide an excellent setting for the classic grape varieties of Spain and Portugal. A standout among these is certainly Graciano, a native of Spain’s famed Rioja region. Estate-grown in the calcareous rock and shale-rich loam of our Home Ranch Vineyard, the 2017 vintage is a medium-bodied wine with dark, rounded fruit and a solid tannic structure. A limited-run bottling, it was fermented in small lots and aged in French oak for 15 months. Blackberry and black cherry combine with hints of shale and thyme.”
My Review: Garnet in the glass. Pomegranate and cranberry on the nose. Cherry and licorice on the palate with tobacco and vanilla notes. We enjoyed this wine for several days. August 2021
2018 J. Lohr Pure Paso Proprietary Red, Paso Robles, 14.5% ABV, $25 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Petite Sirah, 2% Syrah, 2% Malbec
Winemaker’s Notes: “Savory varietal notes of Cabernet Sauvignon are layered with the dark fruit and spice character of Petite Sirah. The bouquet of cocoa powder, caramel, and anise works in harmony with the black cherry fruit signature of this wine. Bright and focused on the palate with a firm and appetizing finish.” 93 points – Wine Enthusiast Editors’ Choice.
*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.
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