Tagged: Paso Robles AVA

Niner: Beautiful Setting, Impressive Wines!

THE STORY

The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod finally took a road trip outside Monterey County and headed down to Paso Robles wine country. Today’s theme: Niner: beautiful setting, impressive wines! This is the first in a series of five posts about our wine escapades down south! I previously wrote about Niner here: Niner Wine Estates: Not “Those” ‘Niners – This is About Farming!

This was an exciting adventure for us. Decades ago, when we visited Cambria rather regularly, we explored the local wineries. At that time, they were so informal and fun. So much has changed and grown – and gone more upscale – since we were last there.  Nonetheless, we had tons of fun and appreciated the upscale settings, often able to have a delicious lunch or other food pairing with our wines. 

We did their Estate Visit reservation: wine tastings and lunch. We were presented a welcome taste of wine and walked around the beautiful gardens until our entire party arrived.  We sat outdoor and enjoyed a delicious lunch and guided tasting.  It was good, plentiful food and tasty wines. We received thorough information about the wines – thank you! The atmosphere was very welcoming and relaxing – plus our weather was warm and sunny – something deeply appreciated by us coastal dwellers! I would highly recommend this experience!

ABOUT THE PASO ROBLES AVA

“Halfway between the two main California metropolises of Los Angeles and San Francisco is Paso Robles Wine Country. Located along California’s famed Central Coast, the Paso Robles winegrape growing region’s climate is perfect for the production of award-winning premium wines. A long growing season of warm days and cool evenings gives rise to vibrantly ripened fruit with dynamic flavor profiles that translate beautifully in your glass of Paso Robles wine.”

The Place: “Paso Robles has a long history as an agricultural community, from ranches dating back to barley, almonds and now vineyards. The region’s unique and diverse climate combined with an equally distinct landscape, both challenge and inspire vineyard growers and winemakers who call this place home.”

Wineries: “Over 200 wineries make up Paso Robles wine country. Here you’ll find everything from laid-back tastings under the cover of ancient oaks to intimate wine experiences amongst barrels nestled in underground caves. Enjoying a glass on horseback or after a zip line adventure isn’t out of the ordinary here. Whether you’re looking to relax or explore, one thing is certain; you’ll leave with lifelong memories and hopefully a few bottles of Paso wine to remind you of your time here.”

You can read more here: About Paso Robles.

ABOUT NINER ESTATE WINES (from their website)

The Niner Family

“Richard Niner grew up as one of eight children raised on a farm in rural West Virginia. He spent his childhood working on the farm to provide food for his family, and eventually became one of the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from Princeton and then Harvard Business School. He then began a long and respected career building small businesses across a variety of industries, from sunglasses to machine tools.

“He eventually met Pam in New York City, while she was working as a magazine editor after graduating from Smith College in Massachusetts. The pair married and had two children, Andy & Katy.

“In the early 1990s, one of Richard’s ventures introduced him to the beauty of the Central Coast. The people here reminded him of his upbringing in West Virginia, and he saw the high potential for the area to compete with premier wine regions like Napa, which was booming at the time…

“This return to farming was a return to his West Virginia roots, and in his mind one of the ultimate crops to work with. He purchased his first vineyard in 2001 and spent the next decade building out the rest of the business and hiring a team to help run it. Our tasting room & winery opened in Spring of 2010 and remains the heart of our estate.

“Eventually, Andy took over the day-to-day management of the business and we remain family owned and operated today. In the decade since opening our tasting room doors, we have expanded the business to include a restaurant, Chef’s Garden and full roster of creative experiences for your visit.”

THE WINES

I have 8 wines to present to you today from Niner Wine Estates. Winery notes come from their website, bottles or the tasting room, unless otherwise indicated. My notes are significantly enhanced by the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2021 Niner Wine Estates Reserve Grenache Blanc, Heart Hill Vineyard, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.7% ABV, $55 (#1169)

Winery Notes: “In 2021 we harvested our Grenache Blanc at the beginning of October, a few weeks later than usual. The long, cool growing season led to perfectly balanced and vibrant fruit. We whole cluster pressed the grapes and fermented them in French oak puncheons. After fermentation, the wine was transferred to an 800-gallon foudre to age for 10 months before bottling in August of 2022. The result is a rich, evolved wine. A clean minerality is balanced by richer flavors of mandarin, honey and toasted graham cracker. Drink now through 2028.”

My Review: Cream soda in color. Pear and honey(suckle) in the nose. Sweet honey viscosity up front followed by a crisp and slightly acidic palate with a grapefruit finish. August 2023

2022 Niner Wine Estates Sauvignon Blanc, Jespersen Ranch, Edna Valley AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.2% ABV, $40 (#1170)

Winery Notes: “…The 2022 vintage has juicy acidity, ripe tropical fruit and lemongrass flavors. It’s aromatically stunning, with pineapple, mandarin and kiwi flavors balanced by grassy notes. A fantastic representation of the cool-climate vineyard site…”

My Review:  Light lemon in the glass. Tropical freshness on the nose. Delicious palate of pineapple and lemon. Good acidity. August 2023

2021 Niner Wine Estates Pinot Noir, Jespersen Ranch, Edna Valley AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.35% ABV, $50 (#1171)

Winery Notes: “Jespersen Ranch’s foggy mornings and coastal breezes create perfect growing conditions for Pinot Noir. After hand-harvesting the grapes, we fermented them in small, stainless steel, open-top tanks. About ¼ of the fermentations included a whole-cluster component, which adds a delicate tannin structure, spice and length to the wine. The 2020 vintage includes only the highest quality, free-run juice aged for 10 months in French Oak barrels. The wine is full of red fruit flavors, with a bright and juicy palate underscored by warming potpourri, spice and clay flavors.”

My Review: Light ruby in the glass. Very cherry on the nose. A raisin-y bitterness floats over the cherry Pinot Noir. I’m not a Pinot Noir fan and am doing my best here. Representative of Central Coast Pinot Noir. August 2023

2019 Niner Wine Estates Grenache, Jespersen Ranch, Edna Valley AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.6% ABV, $65 (#1172)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Grenache is sold out. We farm nine acres of Grenache at Jespersen Ranch where the extreme coastal environment produces a remarkable expression of the varietal. In 2019, a cool spring and summer gave us perfect conditions for a long, slow-growing season. We hand-harvested our Grenache in late October and fermented the grapes in open-top stainless steel tanks. The wine was basket pressed for light extraction and transferred to French Oak barrels. We kept the percentage of new oak barrels low to focus on the fresh, bright fruit flavors. The result is a lively and elegant expression of Grenache. Raspberry, strawberry and white pepper flavors are followed by juicy acidity and fine, cocoa powder-laced tannins.” Wine Enthusiast – 90 points

My Review: Bright purple in glass. Butterscotch and sweet Grenache nose. Raspberry and cranberry on the smooth palate. Lovely. August 2023

2020 Niner Wine Estates Zinfandel, Heart Hill Vineyard, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 15.4% ABV, $45 (#1173)

Winery Notes: “This wine comes from historic, head-trained Zinfandel vines that we inherited when we purchased the property adjacent to Heart Hill Vineyard in 2016. They originally came from the Ueberroth vineyard on the Westside of Paso Robles, which was one of the first vineyards in the area. We harvested the grapes on September 25th and fermented them in two stainless-steel tanks, before aging the wine in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels for 16 months. This is a lighter, elegant style of Zinfandel with notes of rhubarb and cranberry, complimented by spiced barrel notes. Drink now through 2026.”

My Review: Light garnet in the glass. Vegetal, herbaceous marjoram, vanilla and dirt on the nose. Raspberry and toffee on the palate with a dry, short finish. Pairs well with the spiced green olive. August 2023

2018 Niner Wine Estates GSM, Heart Hill Vineyard, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.45% ABV, $55 (#1174) 41% Syrah, 38% Mourvèdre, 21% Grenache

Winery Notes: “GSM stands for “Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre” and is a moniker for Rhône inspired blends made from the three grapes. We farm a small amount of each at Heart Hill Vineyard and create a cuvée with them each year. In 2018 we harvested each grape independently and fermented them in stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, we created the final blend of 41% Syrah, 38% Mourvèdre & 21% Grenache and aged the wine for 17 months in French Oak barrels. We limited the amount of new barrels, and the result is a bright and playful wine with wide, drying tannins and ripe fruit flavors.”

My Review: Rich dark ruby, almost purple in the glass. Intense berries and cotton candy on the nose with red and black fruits and a touch of caramel. Lots of fruit on the palate with a slightly tart finish. We liked this smooth and nicely balanced wine, although some of us wanted it to be “earthier and fatter.” August 2023

Winery Notes: “We farm more Cabernet Sauvignon than anything else. We hand-harvested the grapes, de-stemmed them and fermented and aged the wine in a 2,000-gallon French Oak tank. The 2020 vintage is balanced, vibrant and youthful.”

My Review:  Garnet in the glass. Vegetal and a hint of traditional Cabernet Sauvignon on the nose. The flavors were a little disjointed in this young wine – recommend cellaring and trying in a couple of years. August 2023

2020 Niner Wine Estates Super Paso, Bootjack Ranch, Geneseo District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $65 (#1176) 56% Petit Verdot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Barbera, 10% Sangiovese, 6% Malbec

2020 Niner Wine Estates Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Bootjack Ranch, Geneseo District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, % ABV, $75 (#1175) 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Winery Notes: “The name “Super Paso” is our tribute to “Super Tuscans” – blends made by Italian winemakers who scorned tradition and added non-indigenous grapes to their blends. The base of this wine is made up of Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Barbera, which we co-fermented in stainless steel and aged in a combination of oak casks, barrels and puncheons. After 14 months, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon were added to the blend. This wine is elegantly balanced and boasts notes of blackberry, violet and cocoa with a long, structured finish. Drink now through 2028.”

My Review:  Rich purple in the glass. Caramel on the nose. Rich, dark jammy fruit on the palate. Unique and tasty – our favorite wine of the day. We took some home, but probably not enough! August 2023.

THE TASTING ROOM

“We are a family-owned and estate winery located in beautiful Paso Robles. Our solar powered tasting room is open daily and we offer wine tastings and a seasonal lunch menu. We accept reservations from 10-3:30pm and our tasting room closes at 5pm.”

Reservations are highly recommended. And I do recommend enjoying their lunch, as well! Their tasting room is located at 2400 Highway 46 West in Paso Robles. You can learn more about their tasting options here.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Even More Wines from the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Event!   

THE STORY

As I mentioned in my previous post, I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.”  This is part 2 of my experience at the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting organized by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association in Carmel in early August. Check my blog for Part 1 from earlier this week and I will have one more next week!

Today’s post will include our engagement with Silvestri Vineyards, Rexford Winery, Opaque Wines, Scheid Vineyards, Scratch Wines, and Tira Nanza.    

THE WINES

SILVESTRI VINEYARDS

It’s been a while since I have tasted Silvestri wines.  I have long been a fan of their Barbera and Syrah, so it was a real treat to try these at this event.

2019 Silvestri Vineyards Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1098)

Winery Notes: “Syrah fans everywhere!  Our Syrah continues to please year after year.  Savor the aromas of blackberry and dried plum while enjoying the mouth-watering flavors, velvety texture along with medium tannins. Complement with sausage pizza, grilled veggies or grilled meat.”

My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in glass. Dark fruits enrobed with eucalyptus. Mouthfilling. Delicious. I had forgotten how delicious their Estate Syrah could be! August 2023

2019 Silvestri Vineyards Estate Barbera, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $75 (#1099)

Winery Notes: “Barbera is a red grape varietal originating from the Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. Our small block of Barbera, which is the first planting of this varietal in Carmel Valley, was added to the vineyard to honor the Silvestri family heritage. It’s position on a warm southern facing slope allows this varietal to mature and ripen to its fullest potential before harvest.  With the influence of French oak barrel fermentation and maturation our Barbera exudes a deep richness and complexity that helps balance the grape’s high acidity.

“Black cherry, dried strawberry and plum aromas blend through to like flavors and move on to full, soft tannins with sufficient acidity. A more refined yet full-flavored Barbera.”

My Review: Hammy bacon on the nose, like BBQ ribs. Dark fruit on the palate. Yummy. August 2023

2019 Silvestri Vineyards Red Ranger Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $75 (#1100)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Red Ranger is the 7th release of our signature Syrah that represents a part of the vineyard featuring the Bien Nacido clone, which is known for its richness and complexity. We use 75% new French oak and age it in the cellar for 16 months…

“Red Ranger rocks!  That consistent depth of flavor, roundness and long finish are all here.  Blackberry, black currant and a trace of fig lead to the full mouthfeel, just the right acidity and long, luscious finish. Try with a sausage stew and roasted meats, or aged hard cheeses.” 93 points, 2023 Wine Enthusiast buying guide!

My Review: Inky in glass. Rich palate of dark fruits highlighted by some woody notes. My favorite red wine of the day. August 2023

REXFORD WINERY

I do miss Rexford’s tasting room in Carmel Valley.  It sat quietly next to Parsonage, where COraal Wine Co. is today.  We’d stop in to talk to the vintner from time to time.  He makes one heck of a delicious Chardonnay and Merlot.  But today I decided to try their Zinfandel.  We just don’t seem to have the right climate for Zinfandel, yet I continue to seek one out.

2019 Rexford Zinfandel, Gillian Enz Vineyards, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 15.5% ABV, $37 (#1101)

Winery Notes: “Lime Kiln Valley is a small viticultural area located in the San Benito County south of Hollister. The area features soils of decomposed granite and limestone, with warm days and cool nights that lead to a long growing season producing balanced wines with great depth. We think that Sam’s great grandparents produced wine from grapes grown here more than a century ago so we are pleased to offer this Zinfandel. Aged in American oak and bottled without fining or filtration, the wine is full-bodied with rich berry flavors and a smooth finish. Enjoy it with barbecue, grilled meats or pasta.”

My Review: Garnet in color. While our region is not known for its Zinfandel, this Rexford wine is not bad for a lighter Zinfandel. August 2023

OPAQUE WINES

At the 30th Annual Monterey Winemaker’s Celebration, which I wrote about here, I talked about the Riboli Family wines and San Simeon’s Stormwatch. At this event, I chose the Opaque line of wines.

2019 Opaque Darkness  Red Blend, El Pomar District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.9% ABV, $30 (#1102)

Winery Notes: “The word “opaque” means “impenetrable to light” and refers to the dark, inky, impenetrable color of the Riboli family’s proprietary blend. Opaque Darkness brings together the impressive quality of our estate grown Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah grapes. After aging in French and American barrels for 15 months, our hand-crafted artisan blend reveals ripe flavors of raspberry and blackberry with notes of spice and vanilla. Enjoy the darkness!”

My Review: Inky in color. Dark fruit berries not overdone. Very balanced. Really quite delicious. A superb value. August 2023

SCHEID VINEYARDS

At the Scheid table, we were introduced to a couple of family wine lines I had not heard of before. These two wines were lots of fun and perhaps the polar opposites, showing the range of what Monterey County can produce. 

Sunny with a Chance of Flowers: “Sunny is made for mindful wine lovers – who, like us, believe less can be more. Zero sugar, fewer calories and less alcohol, yet still positively delicious! It’s everything you want in a wine and more –certified sustainable, vegan and gluten-free.”

VDR – Very Dark Red: “Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. Effortlessly bold, it captivates the senses with an inherent confidence that draws you in. Slightly mysterious, yet unexpectedly approachable, this robust red blend reveals new layers of depth and personality with each lingering sip.”

Sunny Positively Bubby Rosé, Monterey County, 9% ABV, $20 (#1103)

Winery Notes: “Everything is better with bubbles! Our Sunny Bubbly delights with flavors of fresh strawberry and watermelon wrapped in a package of lovely, fine bubbles and a crisp, refreshing finish. We are all born to sparkle…Aromas of fresh strawberry and watermelon. Lovely, fine bubbles. A crisp, refreshing finish.” 91 points – Wine Enthusiast and Best Buy

My Review: Pale pink. Cantaloupe flavors. Very bubbly and light. Zero sugar. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. August 2023

2020 VDR (Very Dark Red) Proprietary Red Blend, Hames Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $25 (#1104)

Winery Notes: “Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. VDR is a non-traditional proprietary red blend headlined by a rare combination of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot – two grape varietals known for their extraordinarily deep violet hues, concentrated flavors and full-bodied profiles. Big and bold, VDR not only turns heads, it turns the curious into evangelists with its layered complexity, lush mouthfeel, supple tannins and smooth, lingering finish.” https://www.cheersandco.com/

My Review: Inky in the glass. Dark fruit and caramel on the nose. A rich, jammy palate of dark fruit. Very tasty – a great value. August 2023

SCRATCH WINES

I think anyone who has met Sabrine Rodems would agree that she is a formidable talent in the Monterey winemaking world. She makes wine for Kori, Scratch, and Wrath, all in the same building at Wrath Wines.  Her talent, creativity and stamina are equally impressive. I fell in love with Wrath’s San Saba Syrah many years ago and knew, when I tried the Wrath Ex Dolio Falanghina, that she was one to think outside the box and dare to be different. 

I’ve had Scratch wines a few times and finally visited her cute, trendy and spacious tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. I was delighted to chat with Sabrine a bit on this day and taste some more of her wines.

2022 Scratch Rosé of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV (#1105)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Bright pink in the glass. Fuji apple and great flavors on the palate – bright and delicious. August 2023

2021 Scratch C47 Marsanne/Roussanne White Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $59 (#1106)

Winery Notes: “These two Northern Rhone varietals grown in Carmel Valley from the Paloma Creek Vineyard are traditionally blended together. The slightly crisp nature of Marsanne with white nectarine, quince & lemon balance out the creamy Roussanne with fig, peach, pear and a little nuttiness.”

My Review: Melon on the nose. Creamy from the fruit with an attractive sweetness at the finish. August 2023

2019 Scratch C47 Red Blend, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 14.5% ABV, $95 (#1107) Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Winery Notes: “Classic Bordeaux blend from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc from the steep slopes of Janaca Vineyard. Merlot harvested from the high elevation of the Zayante Vineyard. Black berries, blueberries with hints of juniper & spices all come together in this blend, creating a sophisticated and age worthy bottle to enjoy now or in the future.”

My Review: An attractive dark garnet in color. Lots of berry flavors, yet retains a lean nature. August 2023

TIRA NANZA

We had met Greg Hill at the Monterey Winemakers’ Celebration back in June, so it was great to see him here and try another of his wines.  We are big fans of our newest and youngest wineries and believe Tira Nanza shows great promise. I previously reviewed his Cabernet Sauvignon here.

2022 Tira Nanza Malbec Rosé, Central Coast AVA, 13.5% ABV, $30 (#1108)

Winery Notes: “Back by popular demand, our 2022 Malbec Rosé may differ from its predecessor in color but it shares the same vibrant fruit and complexity that made the ‘21 so special. Lighter in color and more tropical in flavor, with notes of strawberry, cantaloupe and mango, this Rosé can be enjoyed in any setting. Fermented and aged in Stainless Steel”

My Review: We detected floral notes on the nose and palate, with anise on the finish. It was served very cold. August 2023

THE TASTING ROOMS

Most of these wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea or in Carmel Valley – please check their websites for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Turley Pesenti Vineyard: A Big, Tasty Petite Syrah with Brambly Juice and a Chalky Finish

It’s been a while since I have posted about a Turley Wine Cellars  wine.  While Turley still makes up a good percentage of my wine room, only a handful are from the Central Coast.  I posted sometime back about how I became a Turley girl, but let me refresh the story for you today.

I first fell in love with Turley when its Old Vines Zinfandel started showing up on DC restaurant menus for about $100/bottle.  It was something delicious and elusive, to be enjoyed for a special occasion like Valentines Day, a birthday, or an anniversary. And you couldn’t just get on their mailing list at the time – you had to wait. So, it was a Huge Big Deal when I made it onto their list. We’ve been buying their wines ever since.

Way back when, when we used to get down to the Paso Robles AVA for wine tasting, we “discovered” Pesenti winery as having some fabulous reds for reasonable prices.  When my favorite Zin producer Larry Turley took them over in 2000, it gave us some acknowledgement that we were not the only ones who thought Pesenti Vineyard produced great fruit!

Today I am presenting a single Turley Petite Syrah from the Pesenti Vineyard. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2018 Turley Petite Syrah Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.1% ABV, $38/$65* (#975)

About Pesenti Vineyard Petite Syrah: “This estate-owned and certified organic vineyard was planted by the Turley team using cuttings from the Hayne vineyard. Head-trained, dry-farmed and planted in limestone, the wines are dark, smooth, dense and classic Petite Syrah.  As the vines age the wines are increasingly expressive of the Pesenti Vineyard with minerality, savory spices and high tone pepper.”

Winemaker Notes (captured previously from their website): “Dark purple fruits, black pepper, bitter chocolate, and a touch of wild game—reminiscent of a modern northern Rhône wine. Silky, well-resolved tannins and thoroughly well-rounded, the Pesenti Petite Syrah has come into its own. Ready to drink now at cellar temperature (about 55-65ºF) and will continue to over-deliver for many years to come thanks to the copious antioxidants.” 93-95 points Vinous, 92 points Wine Advocate.

My Review: Inky purple in the glass. Brambleberry, blueberry, and alcohol on the nose. Rich palate of juicy, dark, berries, including blackberry, black, raspberry, and blueberries. Very grapey. All the fruit flavors are wrapped in alcohol, with grippy tannins and a licorice and chalky finish. After opening up, it smooths out, reinforcing my opinion that this wine needed to be decanted and has a long life ahead. April 2023

*$38 is what we paid via their mailing list. Current retail price is $65.

Visit a Turley Tasting Room:

Amador County: “Nestled in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, our Amador county tasting room in Plymouth is the home of the Gold Rush and the nation’s oldest vineyards.” Open by appointment for tastings: Thursday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm, Monday 11 am – 4 pm.

Paso Robles: “A few miles inland of California’s storied Central Coast, Paso Robles is a pioneer’s paradise, where surfers, cowboys, vintners, farmers, and ranchers commingle amidst ancient vines, towering oak trees, and rolling hills.” Open by appointment for tastings: Thursday – Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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It’s a “Justin” Time “L’Aventure”!

We are so greatly fortunate that our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners like big Paso Robles wines.  As such, they share with us from time to time some incredible reds. Today I am presenting 3 reds we have tasted with them over the past few months. Two are from Justin and the third is from L’Aventure.  This was the first L’Aventure wine I have experienced.  I have expressed to my life partner that, now that we are (sadly) dog-free, it is time to get down to Paso to taste wines when we have a pickup from one of our beloved wineries.

The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod men in deep discussion!

About Justin Winery: “…We planted our first vineyard back in 1981 with a mission to make world-class Bordeaux-style blends. Since then, we’ve expanded both our knowledge of viticulture in this unique region as well as our acreage…Rich in fossilized limestone from eons of marine deposits, JUSTIN’s soil is ideally suited to creating big, Bordeaux-style reds. The limestone “stresses” the vines, producing grapes that fully express their varietal character…Paso Robles’ distinctive microclimate offers the widest day-night temperature swings of any grape-growing region in California. The hot days allow the grapes to develop intense flavor, while the cool nights create great structure and balance.” I have written about Justin before – just type Justin in the search bar. 

About L’Aventure: “Stephan Asseo, owner and winemaker at L’Aventure Winery, began making wine in 1982, following his education at L’Ecole Oenologique de Macon, Burgundy, France. In that same year, Stephan established Domaine de Courteillac in Bordeaux. He and his family later purchased Chateau Fleur Cardinal and Chateau Robin in the Cotes de Castillion, Bordeaux. Over the next 15 years, Stephan developed into an artisan winemaker of fastidious craftsmanship and gained a reputation as a maverick vigneron. However, his true desire was to be more innovative than AOC law would allow. In 1996, this led him, his wife, Beatrice and his three children, including his daughter Chloé on a quest for a great terroir, where he could pursue his ideal as a winemaker. After searching for over a year among the world’s great wine fields, ranging from South Africa to Lebanon, Argentina to Napa, they found Paso Robles. Stephan and Beatrice immediately “fell in love” with the unique terroir of west side Paso Robles. The rolling topography of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, the deep calcareous soils, and the maritime influences of the renowned Templeton Gap all combine to produce a world class wine country, with the potential to craft some of the world’s greatest blends. It is here, in Paso Robles, that Stephan and his family began their adventure, “L’Aventure” in 1998.

“The spirit of L’Aventure is most evident in Stephan’s “Paso Blends”, such as Optimus and Estate Cuvée. Both wines are Syrah/ Cabernet Sauvignon/ Petit Verdot blends. In these wines, as well as in our Rhône blend Côte à Côte, the blending of premium varietals increases the authenticity, complexity, and balance of the wines. In this adventurous spirit, we find the future of Paso Robles wines… great, balanced red blends.”

2016 Justin Isosceles Red Blend, Paso Robles AVA, 14.5% ABV, $76 (#945)  85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot

Winery Notes from wine.com: “Dark ruby/purple core, lighter in color toward the rim. Moderate plus viscosity with slow forming, slightly stained tears. Highly aromatic with ripe black cherry and cassis fruit, vanilla and cinnamon spice with cedar, graphite, dried autumn leaf and licorice notes over an attractive toasted oak background.  Dry, full-bodied with ripe, complex black fruit of cherry and blackcurrants layered with baking spice on the entry. The mid palate has continuing ripe fruit with savory dried leaf elements, cedar, anise, camphor and a bit of cocoa surrounded with firm, chewy tannins and sweet spice notes that add complexity as the palate evolves. Sustained fruit, spice, and savory elements mix through a very long, complex and fresh finish with lingering tannins. The 2016 ISOSCELES is full-bodied, complex and balanced and pairs well with rich, full-flavored dishes. If you can, try cellaring some of your 2016 ISOSCELES to better experience the added complexity and finesse that only time can bring to this exceptional wine.

“Try the 2016 ISOSCELES right now with rich, full-flavored dishes like braised beef short ribs over polenta as easily as it does with a classic New York steak simply seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled over an open fire.”

Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “Soft aromas of black cherry and smoked meat gain complexity thanks to hints of olive, tar and thyme in this Cabernet Sauvignon, which includes 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot. It boasts chiseled but firm tannins and a blackberry jam flavor that entices on the palate, while thyme, cracked pepper and soy tones ride out the close.” Matt Kettmann, 9/2020

My Review: Inky in the glass. Super jammy nose of raspberry and blackberry. Extra jammy palate of juicy berry fruits. Soft for a Cabernet. January 2023

2017 Justin Right Angle Red Wine, Paso Robles AVA, 16.1% ABV, $28 (#946)   76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 6% Petite Sirah, 4% Petit Verdot

K&L Wine Merchants Notes: “Justin’s classic Bordeaux-style blends may get the lion’s share of attention at this benchmark Paso Robles estate, but the winery also takes on the enjoyable challenge of turning out unconventional blends. The Right Angle is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine with a dash each of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. Rich nose of dark berries and cassis Yummy, yummy, yummy. An in-your-face wine. March 2023

2016 L’Aventure OPTIMUS Red Blend, Paso Robles AVA, 15.4% ABV, $58 (#947) 50% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot

Winery Notes: “The 2016 has balance, silkiness and length. The wine is big, super intense, rich and flavorful but at the same time is super delicate, pure and vibrant!” 95point – Jeb Dunnuck.

My Review: Inky in color. Dusty jam and leather on the nose – like a really big red wine. Dark berry jam of ripe fruit, rich and sweet (in a good way).  Cedar, mint and tarragon notes on the finish. January 2023

Experience the Exceptional at Justin Vineyards: “JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery is more than a beautiful place to drink exceptional wine. It’s a unique viticultural microclimate. It’s a MICHELIN-starred restaurant. It’s world-class accommodations. It’s tasting rooms at the vineyard and in downtown Paso Robles, and more.”

Visit L’Aventure: “Take in views of our vineyard from our fully covered patio as you taste through the flagship wines of our latest release from Winemaker, Stephan Asseo. Tastings are conducted by appointment only, allowing us to create personal relationships with our guests as your Estate Educator guides you through a flight of four wines.”  Other options available.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Law Beyond Category: A Powerful Spanish Blend

Law Estate Wines: Beyond Category

Last October, we had our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners over for dinner and they brought the 2015 Law Beyond Category red blend.  It was a seriously big blend of Spanish varietals and abundantly food friendly.  It paired well with the rigatoni we served.

 I have presented Law Estate Wines a few times before: https://decantingmonterey.com/law-estate-rose-the-perfect-wine-for-an-unexpectedly-hot-coastal-afternoon/, https://decantingmonterey.com/laws-intrepid-a-brilliant-representation-of-the-adelaida-districts-terroir/, and https://decantingmonterey.com/law-aspire-an-entrancing-red-blend-from-americas-rhone/. So I am going to just dive right into this wine.

As usual, winery notes come from the winery’s website and errors are mine and mine alone.

2015 Law Beyond Category, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, 15.6% ABV, $60 34% Tempranillo, 27% Carignane, 25% Mourvedre, 14% Grenache

Winery Notes: “The ever-evolving Beyond Category has now taken a more focused approach behind its lead varietal, Tempranillo. Inspired by the rich and silky Rioja wines of Spain, this Spanish blend is texturally incredible and highlights rural feelings of leather, sweet tobacco, sage and lavender. The cascade of freshness and brilliant fruit, garnered by the estate’s limestone soil, sweeps the palate with compliments of caramel and spice from the 42% new French oak used during aging.” 93 points by Vinous; 92 points by Jeb Dunnuck.

My Review:  Inky in the glass. Intense nose of berries and thick on the palate. Super rich and fruity. This is my kind of wine – I wouldn’t mind having more. Sadly, the Beyond Category is sold out for all released vintages!! October 2022

You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room.  Check it out here. Tastings are by reservation only.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Let’s Give Paso Robles Some Blog Time!

This is another short blog post about a few wines from Paso Robles which we tasted this Spring.  The Vino Robles was from a Spring trip to DC – another great find at Cairo Wine & Liquor (aka The DC Wine Guy) in Dupont Circle, Washington DC. The two Justin wines were from our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners’ private collection. After the May 7th Monterey Winemakers’ Celebration – we went back to our friends’ house where they opened the Justification. Why we felt the need to open more wine after that event remains a mystery to this day. Alas, no notes were taken, but a good time was had. The Tempranillo was also consumed at their house in May, when we ended up being invited for an impromptu dinner. Really, I was just trying to deliver lemons.

About Vina Robles: “We are growers and makers of expressive, approachable estate wines from Paso Robles, California. “

“Vina Robles is the result of a unique personal trajectory, one that led founder Hans Nef from a rural village outside Zurich, Switzerland to the rugged terrain of California’s Central Coast.

“As a child in Switzerland, Nef learned to appreciate his rural surroundings and the blessings of agriculture. It was this special appreciation that lead him to expand his interests into agricultural land in the southern United States in the early 1990s. At the same time, he leveraged his passion for fine wine into his own wine import business, furthering his appreciation for California wines.

“Each time Nef traveled to the U.S., his desire to grow his own wine became more intense. He discovered Paso Robles in the mid-1990s and quickly became enamored with the emergent wine country. Here, where the Pacific coastline unfolds into rugged ranchlands and cowboy ambiance, a new generation of California winemakers was turning Paso Robles into one of the world’s most dynamic winegrowing regions.

“Nef was inspired to embark on his own idea for a Paso Robles winery, one that would honor his European roots while embracing the unique growing region in order to pursue his dream of producing world-class wines.

“In 1996 Nef selected longtime friend and business associate Hans – R. Michel, a Swiss expatriate, as managing partner. A year later, the duo planted the first of what would later become six vineyards in Paso Robles, and soon thereafter Vina Robles was born. Winemaker Kevin Willenborg joined the team in 2012.”

About Justin: “Our Philosophy At JUSTIN, we combine traditional Old World methods—like hand-harvesting and small-barrel aging in French oak—with New World technology. For example, the “Air Knife”, an ingenious New World process invented by our winemakers, boosts grape quality and efficiency. Once the grapes are harvested, our winemakers—some of the best in the business—gather to sort, select, age, taste, blend, and decide what goes into every bottle.

“Our Vineyards We planted our first vineyard back in 1981 with a mission to make world-class Bordeaux-style blends. Since then, we’ve expanded both our knowledge of viticulture in this unique region as well as our acreage.

“Our Soil Rich in fossilized limestone from eons of marine deposits, JUSTIN’s soil is ideally suited to creating big, Bordeaux-style reds. The limestone “stresses” the vines, producing grapes that fully express their varietal character…

“Meet Our Winemaker After creating award-winning wine in Napa Valley for 13 vintages, JUSTIN Winemaker Scott Shirley took on the challenge of an entirely new appellation: Paso Robles. He combines a scientific background with an artistic approach, and greets each harvest like a painter facing a blank canvas with endless possibilities.”

Today, I am presenting just 3 Paso Robles wines. Winery notes come from their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2019 Vina Robles Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, Central Coast, 14.5% ABV, $29 (#847)

Winery Notes: “Petite Sirah is a classic variety grown in California for more than a century, and is well

suited to the limiting soils found in our estate vineyards in Paso Robles. The fruit for our 2019 Petite Sirah was handpicked in the early morning and sorted to ensure quality and uniformity of ripeness. The clusters were further sorted at our new state of the art winery, gently destemmed, optically berry sorted and crushed into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks where pumpovers took place regularly to extract color and tannins from the skins. After pressing, the wine was racked into barrels to complete

malolactic fermentation and aging. While the majority of this vintage was aged in French oak barrels, a portion went into American and Hungarian oak barrels to add complexity. Upon extensive blending trials after eight months of aging, the final lots were selected and blended for overall synergies – structure and minerality from Creston Valley, along with silkiness and expressive fruit from Jardine. The blend was then aged for an additional 12 months in barrels to fully integrate before bottling. The result is a wine displaying complexity, structure, richness and balance.

“Tasting Notes: Color: Opaque garnet Aroma: Boysenberry and vanilla with hints of fine tobacco and white pepper Taste: Full-bodied with juicy dark fruits, vanilla and a lively yet creamy finish.”

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Dense aromas of elderberry and tar meet with wet wood and fresh mushrooms on the dynamic nose of this bottling. The lavish tannins are silky while structural on the palate, framing tarry flavors of baked fruit and smoked kelp.” Matt Kettmann, April 2022

My Review:  Inky in the glass. upon opening, oak and vegetal notes on the nose.  Extremely rich and smooth dark blueberries and blackberries on the palate with an oaky finish. I liked this wine. April 2022

2015 Justin Justification Red Blend, Paso Robles AVA, 15% ABV, $60 (#848) 52% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot

Winery Notes from wine.com: “Twenty-five years ago, Justin realized that the elegance, structure, and superb flavors of the winery’s Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes justified a wine that showcased those qualities. Thus was born JUSTIFICATION, a blend inspired by the celebrated “Right Bank” wines of France. Vibrant ruby in color with complex notes of ripe fruit, anise, and vanilla, JUSTIFICATION is delightful now and will age beautifully in your cellar.”

Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “Soft red-cherry aromas meet with dark spice on the nose of this 52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Merlot blend. Framed by firm, sticky tannins, the medium-bodied palate shows flavors of red currant, cedar and oak.” Matt Kettmann November 2018

My Review: No notes.

2016 Justin Reserve Tempranillo, Paso Robles AVA, 15.5% ABV, $40 (#849)

Winery Notes from the Bottle: “The Tempranillo grape, a classic Spanish varietal, flourishes in the hot, dry climate of Paso Robles. Offering generous aromas of spicy fruit and toasted oak, along with deep flavors of ripe cherry and black currant, our Reserve Tempranillo pairs beautifully with a wide range of cuisines.”

Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “There’s a compelling density of aromas in the way of blackberry, dark cocoa and savory charred meat on the nose of this bottling. The palate is deep and ripe yet balanced by a dry structure, offering flavors of black cherry, black currant, cocoa and espresso bean.”  Matt Kettmann December 2019

My Review: Ruby in color. Rich and delicious. Having recently returned from a Tempranillo tour of Spain, we super appreciated this wine. May 2022

Tasting Vina Robles Wines:  Open Daily | 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome. “We offer wines from both our Estate Series and Limited Estate Collection. These selections showcase the diversity of varieties we grow in our estate vineyards while highlighting winemaker Kevin Willenborg’s distinct talents and passions.” You can make a reservation here.

Tasting Justin Wines: “JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery is more than a beautiful place to drink exceptional wine. It’s a unique viticultural microclimate. It’s a Michelin-recommended restaurant. It’s world-class accommodations. It’s tasting rooms at the vineyard and in downtown Paso Robles, and more.” They have a variety of wine tasting experiences at their estate at 11680 Chimney Rock Road Paso Robles, CA, where they are open 11-5 daily. 

You can also taste their wines at JUSTIN Downtown. “Conveniently located on Downtown City Park, experience JUSTIN’s world-class tasting bar and cozy dining room. Relax and enjoy a wide selection of JUSTIN wines by the glass or by the bottle, accompanied by our chef’s small bites or full menu.” 811 12th St, Paso Robles, Sunday – Thursday 12:00pm – 6:00pm; Friday – Saturday 11:00am – 9:00pm.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Impressive Corral Lineup for the Monterey AWS WinedUP Friday!

 Back in May, I received a call from Phil Arnold, the Vice Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society. He expressed I could be helpful to their WinedUP Friday wine tasting events because I know so much about our local wineries. The first one I organized was at Parsonage, which I wrote about here: .  The next one was at Corral, which I negotiated for 1 September, the Friday of Labor Day Weekend! I previously wrote about Corral here: https://decantingmonterey.com/come-say-hello-at-corral-wines-new-tasting-room/.

From the Corral Wine Co website: “Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards. In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast. We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”

Happy Birthday, Jessica!

Corral Wine Tasting Room, which only opened in January 2022, has a very cool and relaxing vibe. Jessica Gatton, their awesome tasting room manager, and I were expecting quite a crowd and I wanted the members to be able to taste all the wines.  We weren’t really sure how it would go, as people arrived at different times, so no one was on the same wine at the same time.  And it was Jessica’s birthday – she had plans immediately after the event. On the verge of chaos, Corral reinforcements arrived, including their co-owners Skip and Dani Wilcox and co-owner/winemaker, Adrien Valenzuela.  The Corral staff all chipped in to pour the wines and the AWS group was very happy. The wine was greatly enjoyed and many purchases wrapped up the evening. Thank you, Jessica, Adrien, Skip, and Dani, for all your hard work, making this an exceptional event! 

As soon as Jacqueline Van Nes, Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the AWS, realized we had the winemaker in the house, she inquired if he would speak to us. Adrien readily agreed! We were thrilled that he was willing to address our group – an unplanned and very welcomed action. 

Corral Winemaker Adrien Valenzuela with Monterey AWS Chapter Chair Jacqueline Van Nes

Adrien shared with us his wine background and training.  A local from Salinas, he said he had left the area and had not planned to come back. He is written up as one of four up-and-coming winemakers in this September 5, 2019 Monterey Weekly article: Four young Monterey County winemakers talk about launching new labels in a time of uncertainty. Here is a quote from the article: “The career paths taken by Monterey County’s winemakers are not always predictable. Adrien Valenzuela studied biology and expected a career in nursing to follow – that is, until he did an internship at Estancia. He is now a winemaker for Constellation Brands in Gonzales, which owns almost 30 different labels, including Estancia and Robert Mondavi.” And now with Corral Wine Co.

He also shared the Corral story and trajectory. Their first vintage was in 2018, with a mere 500 cases, with fruit sourced from Monterey, Paso Robles, and Gilroy.  This past year, that number reached 1400 cases and now they are expecting 2600!  Nice!  While some of what they produce comes from Bell Ranch in the Carmel Valley, they have been fortunate to obtain fruit from some notable Monterey County vineyards (Zabala in Arroyo Seco, KW Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and Massa in Carmel Valley). And they are expanding their acquisition of fruit from specific areas of Paso Robles, as well as from the Enz Vineyard in San Benito County. 

Phil Arnold got up to say a few words about the Monterey Chapter of AWS, a young chapter that started in January 2020, right before the pandemic. It is a great group of people interested in learning more about wine.  In addition to the first Friday WinedUP events, they host an annual BBQ, wine judging and other events. If you are interested, you can join them by becoming a member of the national AWS here:  https://americanwinesociety.org/.  The AWS is “America’s largest community of wine explorers”! Then you can join the Monterey Chapter. Membership is quite affordable and they are a non-pretentious and friendly social group. 

Today, I am presenting 8 Corral wines from the AWS tasting event, 2 of which have been presented here before, with expanded tasting notes. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. You can read more details about some of these wines on their webpage here. 

2019 Corral Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, $28 (#604)

Winery Notes: “Bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit, such as guava and grapefruit dominate along with some fresh cut hay, lemon blossom, wet stone and racing acidity.”

My Review:  Very light, pretty in the glass. Grapefruit, guava and grilled pineapple on the nose. Yummy palate of lychee, mango, papaya, sweet grapefruit and hay, with some minerality on the finish. Love Zabala VIneyard and find this to be a very attractive and sophisticated wine.  I’d like to feature this wine in a future class! March/September 2022

2020 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, $26 (#605)

Winery Notes: “Bright and fresh aromas of strawberry and orange blossom, with nice, bright acidity.”

My Review: Dusty rose (“ballet slipper pink”) in color.  Sweet bouquet of white peach, with a light palate of white peach and honey and a touch of smoke on the finish.  This is a 2020 rose (fire year), afterall. A classic pool wine. Only red wine they made from 2020. March/September 2022

2021 Corral “Pancho’s Chard” Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.1% ABV, $36 (#839)

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Winery Notes: “Crisp & refreshing acidity, with aromas of citrus and honeysuckle.”

My Review:   Light in color, with the scent of “Melon de Bourgogne” and lemon on the nose. A bit of a wine spritzer look and taste in the glass. Fairly lemony palate – “like a lemon bar! This is such a new release that they don’t even have the labels yet! September 2022

2019 Corral Pinot Noir,  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $52 (#840)

Winery Notes: “Composed of two different clones from two vineyards in the heart of The Santa Lucia Highlands, this Pinot Noir shows off a lighter body, bright, red fruit and earthiness.” From the Highlands Ranch & KW Ranch Vineyards.

My Review: Transparent dark ruby in the glass.  Perfume on the nose.  Palate laden with alcohol.  This wine seems young and not ready for release – might need to open up more or settle down. September 2022

2019 Corral KW Ranch Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $58 (#841)

Winery Notes: “Rich flavors of cherry, plum, and nutmeg. Elegant and lasting finish.”

My Review: 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! As with the 2018, I would not have guessed this was a Pinot Noir if I were doing a blind tasting.  This is one of my favorite wines from today’s tasting. We thought we had this wine at home, but it was the previous vintage, so I will have to rectify that! September 2022

2019 Corral Enz Vineyard Old Vines Zinfandel, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 14.8% ABV, $48 (#842)

Winery Notes:  “Light-medium body, old vine Zinfandel. Red fruit and spices.”

My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in the glass.  Nose of dark fruits, pepper and violets.  Very jammy, mocha (cocoa powder), with some licorice on the finish. I’m a long-time Zinfandel fan and took one home! On a previous visit, Larry Bell played mystery wine with this wine with me – while I suspected Zinfandel, I didn’t think he was making one.  And he did – and it is good! September2022

2019 Corral “See What You Can Do” Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $62 (#843)

Winery Notes: “50/50 Cabernet & Syrah blend with notes of cranberry, pine needles, and all spice.” 50% Cabernet from Massa Estate, Cachagua (Carmel Valley AVA); 50% Syrah from Zabala Vineyard (Arroyo Seco AVA) 75 cases produced.

My Review:  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 from some of the best vineyards in our area. Recommend cellaring for a year or more – if you can resist!  One of our favorite Corral wines. September 2022

22019 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 14.5% ABV, $52 (#844)

Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit: blackberries, blueberries tobacco, black pepper, and toasted baking spices. Rich in flavor, full bodied with a long finish.”

My Review:  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

We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA!  Hours are Sunday, Monday and Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm; Friday and Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00ish pm; and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. They have two tastings:  The Cellar Rats (referring to Larry and Skip) ($20 for 4 wines) and The Maker (referring to their winemaker, Adrien) ($25 for 6 wines). 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Law’s Intrepid: “A brilliant representation” of the Adelaida District’s Terroir!

In January, our COVID Wine Pod partners invited us over to celebrate their daughter receiving a final job offer in Washington DC.  After appropriately celebrating with Champagne, a mystery wine appeared. 

First, we did a proper toast with real Champagne. Then, we played Mystery Wine.

One of our favorite games to play in the pandemic has been Guess the Mystery Wine. This wine had already been decanted, no label in sight. We guessed New World. It was very familiar on the nose, but we couldn’t place it.  It didn’t taste like a Cabernet Sauvignon – more like a Zinfandel, Syrah, or Petite Sirah.  My guess was Petite Sirah. Our host’s better half guessed Syrah – bingo, she was right!  A Law Estate Syrah from Paso Robles!

I have presented Law Estate Wines here twice last April.  https://decantingmonterey.com/law-estate-rose-the-perfect-wine-for-an-unexpectedly-hot-coastal-afternoon/ and https://decantingmonterey.com/law-aspire-an-entrancing-red-blend-from-americas-rhone/.

About Law Vineyards : “We are committed to making exceptional wines through sustainable and organic farming practices with minimal inputs. Located above Peachy Canyon Road on the west side of Paso Robles, the vineyard is one of the highest in the area at 1,600 to 1,900 feet. It is planted in high density, small-lot blocks. The extreme slopes, limestone soils, and multiple aspects create the distinct canvas and palette from which we work.”

2017 Law Intrepid Syrah, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, 16% ABV, $99 (#611*)

About the 2017 Intrepid from the winery: “The Intrepid’s dense purple juice presents an alluring nose of brown sugar, fleshy, dark fruits, black pepper, violets and baked blueberry pie. It maintains a sense of finesse, through the balance of course tannins, juicy acidity and mid palate weight. Despite all the decadence it offers, it never seems over the top; a humble extrovert if you will. It stays flawlessly balanced, has a lively, ample texture, and delivers a moreish finish. Not just for the Northern Rhône crowd, it’s a brilliant representation of this terroir that will keep for years.” Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 98 points!

93 Points – Wine Enthusiast: “Those seeking wines of tremendous power and unctuous oak will enjoy this booming bottling, which was aged in 71% new barrels and begins with aromas of milk chocolate, cassis, maple butter and purple flowers. It’s thick and lush on the palate, where caramelized black-fruit, creamy cappuccino and bold baking-spice flavors go big.” Matt Kettmann, 5/2021

My Review:  Very dark and dense ruby in the glass.  Black fruit, cardamom and vanilla on the nose.  Intense dark fruit and cassis on the finish, with a touch of menthol and a lot of vanilla on the end, representing its high alcohol content. Still a bit more like a Petite Sirah to me! We enjoyed this wine. January 2022 

You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room.  Check it out here. Tastings are daily except Wednesdays from 10-4, by reservation only.

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

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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“Come Say Hello” at Corral Wine’s New Tasting Room!

We were seeking parking in Carmel Valley and saw a spot just outside Sal Rombi’s tasting room.  We knew he was closed, but he was there – and invited us in.  While we were there, Larry Bell came in to pass a flyer about Corral Wine’s new tasting room opening.  He started to tell us about his wines – but he didn’t need to say too much – he had me at Sauvignon Blanc from Zabala Vineyard, one of my absolutely favorite combinations. We decided to change our plans for the afternoon to visit Corral Wines!

Larry Bell
Sam

As a 5th generation local, Larry Bell told us a bit of his personal story, growing up in Salinas, his family ranch – Bell Ranch – with both cattle and vineyards, and a long career in tradeshows. He shared colorful stories about his grandfather. On the cool side, he was a pilot who made some daring flights including under the Bixby Bridge (did I hear that right?).  On the tragic side, as a dairyman in his 30’s, his grandfather was making deliveries at the Toro Café and was attacked by banditos, leading to his premature death – a shocking story, reminding us that it really wasn’t that long ago that this area really was the wild, wild west. I’m sure there are many more stories yet to be heard!

If you get the chance, please stop by soon to try their terrific wines and welcome them to the neighborhood! Tell them I sent you! Their stylish and comfortable tasting room is located right between Parsonage and Chesebro at 19 East Carmel Valley Road in the old White Oaks shopping center.

About Corral Wine Co.: “Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards. In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.

We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.” Overall production is about 1500 cases. 

They have two tasting:  The Cellar Rats (referring to Larry and Skip) and The Maker, referring to their winemaker, Adrian. 

Today, I am presenting 7 Corral wines. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or their website.

2019 Corral Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, $28 (#604*)

Winery Notes: “Bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit, such as guava and grapefruit dominate along with some fresh cut hay, lemon blossom, wet stone and racing acidity.”

My Review:  Pale in the glass with a frgrant nose.  Delicious palate of soft pineapple and white peach.  Super good. January 2022

2020 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, $26 (#605*)

Winery Notes: “Bright and fresh aromas of strawberry and orange blossom, with nice, bright acidity.”

My Review: Pale salmon in the glass. Vey nice and balanced with a full-flavored kick.  We liked this rose! January 2022

2018 Corral Zabala Vineyard Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, $34 (#606*)

Winery Notes: “Rich tropical aromatics such as grilled pineapple, ripe fruit, and toasted coconut with hints of vanilla.   With a slight oaky characteristic enhancing the richness of the wine.”

My Review:   Honey on the nose.  Rich on the palate.  The oak in this wine is very subtle. January 2022

2018 Corral Pinot Noir,  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $48 (#607*)

Winery Notes: Red fruit:  cherry, raspberry, and strawberry.  Savory with hints of smoked meat, leather, and mineral.” From Pavo Real (Spanish Springs) and KW Ranch. 

My Review: Typical Pinot Noir on the nose, yet a richer palate than most local Pinot Noirs. January 2022

2018 Corral Estate Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, $42 (#608*)

Winery Notes: “Bright vibrant aromas of strawberry, dark cherry, and rose petals. Rich texture, balanced acidity, and a long fruit driven finish.”

My Review: Slightly lighter ruby in the glass with expected Monterey County Pinot Noir flavors.  Compares favorably to the SLH! January 2022

2018 Corral KW Ranch Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, $55 (#609*)

Winery Notes:  “Full of flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, and spice.  Deep, rich fruit, with a long finish.”

My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Plum and dark cherry on the palate – big and rich.  If I were playing Mystery wine, I’m not sure I would guess it was a Pinot Noir. We liked it quite a bit! January 2022

2018 Corral Petite Sirah , Paso Robles AVA, $52 (#610*)

Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit, black raspberries, tobacco, dark chocolate, cocoa, and toasted spices.  Rich, powerful, with a long finish.”

My Review:  Dark ruby/purple in the glass. Aromas and flavors of dark plum, blueberry and blackberry.  Smooth, rich and delicious. One of my favorites! January 2022

Come say hello at our newly opened Tasting Room at 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA!  Hours are Sunday, Monday and Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00ish pm; and closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

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

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Niner Wine Estates: Not “Those” ‘Niners – This is About Farming!

My virtual wine class selected the theme of Paso Robles.  Lucky me, I had picked up this Niner “kitchen sink” wine perhaps at Costco, perhaps at Safeway, sometime back.  Perfect for the occasion. I didn’t know anything about Richard Niner or his wines, so this was a chance to explore and learn!

My classmates presented these Paso Robles wines:

  • 2018 DAOU Pessimist Red Blend, 15.2% ABV, $22 (purchase price was $11), rated 92 points
  • 2015 Pasoport Wine Company Per Caso RHN Blend, 14.3% ABV, $44 ($11 on WTSO)
  • 2012 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.1% ABV, $20 (purchased for $15)

About Niner Wine Estates: “We currently farm a total of 240 acres across three different vineyards in Paso Robles and Edna Valley, and make all our wine in our LEED Certified Winery at Heart Hill Vineyard.  We are known for our estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as our flagship blend Fog Catcher; however, we grow a wide range of varietals and specialize in small lot bottlings that we allocate primarily to our Wine Club Members.  

“After growing up on a farm in West Virginia, Richard Niner spent his career building small businesses across a wide variety of industries.  One of his business ventures brought him to Paso Robles in the early 1990s and he was immediately drawn to the potential of both the land and the people who lived here.  After a long search, Richard and Pam purchased their first vineyard, Bootjack Ranch, in 2001 and spent the next decade building a tasting room and winery, finding and planting two additional vineyards, and assembling the current team. In 2013 they retired and their son Andy took over the day-to-day management of the business.”

2017 Niner Wine Estates Bootjack Red, Paso Robles, 13.5% ABV, $24 (#552*) 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 13% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Carménère, 4% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, 3% Zinfandel

Winemaker Notes from Wine.com: “The goal for the Bootjack Red was to treat each varietal separately using techniques that preserve the best characteristics of each. As a foundation, Cabernet Sauvignon was added for structure, Malbec for a juicy component, Cabernet Franc for fine tannin and length, and Merlot for subtle fruit and finesse. All other varietals in the blend are accent pieces, each adding spice and different fruit characteristics. The barrels selected along with the amount of time spent in barrel brought all of the individual pieces together in a cohesive way.”

My Review: Dark ruby, almost purple in the glass.  Caramel and blackberry on the nose.  Bold up front with smooth blackberry and blueberries on the palate. Intense dark fruit and a touch of ash on the dry, slightly tannic finish.  Balanced, mellow and very drinkable. September 2021                                                                                                                               

You can buy Niner wines online or at their tasting room in Paso Robles by reservation only.  My Wine Pod partners have been there and say it is fabulous – including a restaurant on site – sounds like a great outing!

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

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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