Tagged: Paso Robles AVA

Odonata: Our Final Stop on the River Road Wine Trail!

Our third and last River Road Wine Trail stop with our COVID Wine Pod in mid-March was at Odonata.  I had given Denis Hoey a heads up that we were coming, yet we had no idea what to expect.  And we were late.  Which his guy Eric pointed out to us.  Heh.  We also didn’t understand the format – we were used to seeing a tasting sheet and picking the few wines we would taste. When we were presented with the sparkling Grenache, followed by a tray of beakers, we were worried we wouldn’t get to taste the big reds we love.  We actually got to taste everything! We finally relaxed and Eric, as he had time, sat with us to give us more information on the wines and the winery.  I ask a lot of questions!

Located at the former Marilyn Remark winery spot, the outdoor setting was lovely – we sat right in the middle with couches surrounding a round table.  The tasting menu was virtual, so bring your smart phone! It would be a fabulous picnic location, so we are definitely going back.  And we will go back as our first and only stop – would be so worth it. 

We were a couple of wines in when one Wine Pod member asked another what he thought of the wine we were tasting.  The response was, “It’s our 19th wine.”  Enough said.  Wine tasting notetaking discipline went out the window.  Luckily, we had designated drivers to get us home safely. 

COVID Wine Pod happily arrives at Odonata – the final stop for the day!

About Odonata: “Odonata Wines is a small family winery owned and operated by winemaker Denis Hoey. Located on the California coast, farming vineyards around the Monterey Bay Area. Odonata produces small batches of each of their wines and focuses on local grapes that are organic and grown sustainably. Hoey works closely with local growers to ensure the highest quality wines from the vines to the glass.”  “The credo we subscribe to is blending of old world winemaking methods and attitudes with new learning and a continuous search for improvement. We always want it to be interesting and exciting when you come to the tasting room or winery.” While they own some vineyards, they also source grapes from others well known and maybe not so well known throughout the Central Coast AVA.  Odonata is the Greek word for dragonflies and damselflies. 

2018 Odonata Sparkling Grenache, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 12% ABV, $38 (#311*)

A celebratory welcome with this sparkling Grenache!

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Strawberry in color, fresh baked bread, guava, and peaches on the nose. The palate is filled with texture! It finishes with under ripe tropical fruit that brings fresh acidity to balance out this bubble.”

2019 Odonata Viognier, Marin’s Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#312*)

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Notes of creamsicle, peaches and other stone fruit provide a tropical lift to the nose. The palate is lush and creamy, and is accentuated by moderate acidity through the mid-palate.”

My Review: Pear, apricot and peach, with burnt honey, taffy and toasted marshmallow – not your typical Viognier!

2019 Odonata Sauvignon Blanc, Joullian Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#313*)

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Our first time ever making a “sauvi-b” and we couldn’t be more excited about the outcome!  This wine has it all!  Vibrant and fresh, with notes of key lime, grapefruit and melon.  The palate is filled with fresh acidity, and is balanced out by passion fruit and kiwi!”

2016 Odonata Remembrance, Circle B Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, 12% ABV, $28 (#314*) 75% Petite Sirah & 25% Grenache. “All Proceeds from this wine are being donated equally to three important causes. 1) Alzheimer’s Research 2) Cancer Research 3) Our local Women’s shelter.”

Winery Notes: “Ripe and luscious on the palate.  Pleasant texture, with a lengthy finish. This wine is an easy drinker that will pair perfect with any grilled meats, Italian fare, etc. Pretty versatile all round fun glass of wine.”

2019 Odonata Cote-Du-Denis Carbonic Carignane, Circle B Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, $28 (#315*)

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Winemaker Denis Hoey hops on the carbonic train with this elegantly labeled bottling, and it hits all the marks. Bright raspberry, hibiscus and rainy cement aromas lead into a zesty palate of plum, strawberry and more wet rock flavors.” Matt Kettmann, September 2020

My Review: Beautiful translucent red in the glass, sweet on the nose, light cherry on the palate. 

2018 Odonata Pinot Noir, Silacci Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $32 (#316*)

Tasting Notes: “Cherry fruit, cola, and subtle spices on the nose. Dense forest floor, and hints of wild strawberry on the palate.”

My Review: Very berry on the nose and very nice on the palate.

2017 Odonata Grenache, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $28 (#317*)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant and lively on the nose with alluring nuances of fresh flowers and berry fruits. On the palate you’re treated with pepper herbs, fresh minerality and delightful tannin. The richness and depth of this Grenache erupts with every sip, while conveying texture and balance.”

My Review: A nice red color in the glass with a touch of bitterness on the finish. 

2017 Odonata Sangiovese, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, $32 (#318*)

Winery Notes: “Cool nights and warm days make this marvelous complex wine. It starts with darker berries, met with sweet strawberry notes. finishes with a smooth rustic and smokey nose. On the palate, I make this wine to embody the true Italian varietal that Sangiovese is. Earth and spice driven, with subtle fruit drive this wine to pair wonderfully with any Italian dish!” We liked this wine!

2018 Odonata Zinfandel, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 15% ABV, $32 (#319*)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of sweet blackberry jam, strawberry puree, and loamy soil on the nose. The palate is held together by bright acid and tannins, offering flavors of violets, blueberry, and black licorice.”

My Review: I have yet to find a Monterey/San Benito County Zin I love.  This one was OK!  Worthy of a re-taste soon!

2018 Odonata Syrah, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.8% ABV, $42 (#320*)

Winery Notes: “Elegant cherry fruit, red berry, cinnamon and spices on the nose. Bountiful fruit with opulent texture smooth out the palate. Enjoy this classic S.L.H. Pinot on its own or with a wide variety of food!”

My Review: Purple in the glass, a bit smokey with cherry on the finish. 

2016 Odonata Petite Sirah, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $28 (#321*)

Winery Notes: “Opulent fruit, herbs and spices on the nose. The palate is perfectly balanced with loads of dark fruit, tannin and graphite.”

My Comment: This was our favorite so far of all the wines we tasted on this day!

2018 Odonata Dessert Zinfandel, 19.12% ABV, $25 (#322*)

Winery Notes: Sweet berry, mocha, and touch of sage. This is a very balanced expression of Dessert Wine, which allows it to be enjoyed on its own or added to any dessert you like!

My Review: It was a very good dessert wine!  I would pick up one of these if we were still doing dinner club and I needed one!

We picked up the Brunello and the Spiketail for a future review!

Visiting Odonata (from their website): This winery is very easy to drive to from many points – not far off Hwy 68!! “Nestled at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and at the beginning of the River Road wine trail lies the Odonata winery and tasting room. We hope you will stop by our tasting room and sample a selection of our current releases. We are open 7 days a week and no appointments are necessary.”

*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.    

Law Estate Rosé: The Perfect Wine for an Unexpectedly Hot Coastal Afternoon

When the COVID Wine Pod invited us to drink Rosé on their microclimate hot patio in our little coastal town, how could we say no?  They advised wearing shorts…on the Monterey Peninsula?  Yep.  What a rare treat!  And that is how this became Rosé Week for us, supplanting what I had planned for today’s post. 

Friends Melvin Dubee and his lovely wife Kristine enjoying their microclimate “hot” patio on the coast!

Our friends are huge Law Estate Wines fans – worthy of a future post showcasing more of their wines, but I have to have the opportunity to sample them first!

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

2020 Law Rosé, Paso Robles, 13.3% ABV, $35 (#274*) 68% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre, 6% Carignan

Winemaker’s Notes from the Law website: “The show has begun, once the lights rise and illuminate Rose’s rose gold shine. The stage is set by magical color and an elegant entrance of bright cherry, rose petal and wafting watermelon and strawberry. Rose’s practiced balancing act of minerality and fresh acidity lifts a gorgeous ensemble of lemon zest and peaches on the palate. This seamless performance always receives a standing ovation, making one yearn for an encore; but it’s vanishing act has truly become most impressive!”

My Review:  Honey and apricot in the glass – light salmon with a clear rim. Honeysuckle and peach on the nose. Apricot on the palate. Stone fruit and stone – you can definitely tell the soil is a little rocky.  Very delicious – the best of the Rosés we tasted today. Fruitier. March 2021

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

Paso Robles Melds Ancient Vines, Surfers, Cowboys, Farmers and Vintners to Produce Great Wines!

I brought you Turley Pesenti Vineyard wines here Turley Pesenti: Another Reason to Love Paso Robles Wines back in December.  Well, we opened another one, which I wanted to share with you today!

Turley describes Paso Robles as follows: “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.”  Yep, sums it up nicely!

2015 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.7% ABV, ~$50, $38* upon release (#263**)

About Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel: “This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920’s on primarily limestone soil. Though the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, the soil plays the most important role in distinguishing this vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. The wines have a brightness, with chalk and floral aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general…With the calcaerous limestone and the occasional carignane vine interplanted with Zinfandel, the Pesenti Zin takes on a unique brightness leading to a “sweet-tart-esque” character.” 

Wine Spectator – 92 Points: “Structure meets zesty fruit in this vivid red, which has black cherry, grilled anise and white pepper flavors that take on speed toward minerally tannins. Drink now through 2026.” TF 05/2018

My Review: Very jammy, plum & berry, on the nose, carrying over to intense boysenberry on the palate, with vanilla on the finish. Overall, very berry. I did not pick up the depth of flavors described by Wine Spectator. Hold for a few more years.  (February 2021)

*The price above is what we paid via the Turley mailing list.  You can find this wine for sale on line from different wine merchants for an average price of $50.  You can also shop online from Turley’s two tasting rooms or join its mailing list here:  https://www.turleywinecellars.com/remotepurchases.  Yay, Turley tasting rooms are open for outdoor tastings! Check it out and make a reservation here.

*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.    

Bear Cave: Law Office, Tasting Room, and Dog Hangout – all in one!

Over a year ago, I became friends with Marilyn Curry and discovered we had wine in common.  Marilyn and her husband, Barry Kinman, owned Bear Cave Cellars in Paso Robles from 2004-2012.  They made my kind of wines, so I am very sad they are no longer in business.  I am glad I got to try their Syrah, but didn’t get to try the rest of their big reds.  And now they are leaving the Monterey Peninsula for Hawaii, moving from one paradise to another.  I will miss her!

About Bear Cave from California Wine Advisor: “Bear Cave Cellars is the creation of Barry Kinman and Marilyn Curry who, in their other lives, are husband and wife as well as partners in the law firm, Kinman & Curry. In a unique melding of two distinctly different businesses, the law office is also the legal tasting room of Bear Cave Cellars. Whether you want legal advice or to try our wines, call our offices. (My note: Several reviews also mentioned this was a very, very dog friendly tasting room!)

 “Barry has been making wine since 1991. While living in Sonoma county he had access to top quality fruit from winery clients of the law office, including Kunde Vineyards. In the early 1990’s getting top quality fruit in Napa and Sonoma was not as difficult as it is today. Focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, Barry had the opportunity to work with top quality fruit in what may be the greatest decade of California grape growing – the 1990’s. Barry produced excellent wines from Napa in 1994, Sonoma in 1997 and the Sierra foothills in 2000.

“Paso Robles produces ultra-ripe wine grapes, which lend themselves to the fruit-forward style of wine making. By using a cool fermentation with extended time on the skins our wines all provide a softness and full mouth feel. The winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Zinfandel.”

2006 Bear Creek Cellars Syrah, Gill Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, 15.9% ABV, $26 (#207*)

“Rich, aged, and still packs a wallop!“

My Review: Inky and dense in appearance.  Aromas of blueberry and blackberry. Rich dark fruit on the palate. At 15.9% ABV, this rich, aged Syrah still packs a wallop. Wish I could have tried their other wines. January 2021

*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.    

Tablas Creek: “Bringing the Rhône to Paso Robles”

A mystery wine was opened during our chilly December happy hour with our COVID wine tribe, warmed by the flames of their fire pit.  We guessed New World, but couldn’t hone in on the varietal (not one we normally taste).  It was revealed to be a Tannat, for which I have a fondness.  I mean, it is a palindrome, after all – perhaps the only wine that is one. 

We were first exposed to Tablas Creek wines at the MacArthur Beverages annual Red Barrel Tasting charity event in Washington, DC.  When we couldn’t get to California to go wine tasting, MacArthur’s brought the wineries to us.  Tablas Creek was one of the few Central Coast wines we could buy in its shop back then. 

About Tablas Creek from its website: “Tablas Creek is a pioneer of California’s Rhone movement.  Founded in 1989, it is the culmination of a friendship between two of the international wine community’s leading families dating back to 1967:  the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Haas family of Vineyard Brands.  After a four-year search, the partners chose Paso Robles, California, for its many similarities to the southern Rhone, and began the lengthy process of importing vine cuttings, building a grapevine nursery, and creating an estate vineyard from scratch.”  Their blends include the flagship Esprit de Tablas red and Esprit de Tablas Blanc (modeled on the Chateau de Beaucastel red and white), the Cotes de Tablas red and Cotes de Tablas Blanc (a Californian take on Rhône classics), and Patelin de Tablas red and Patelin de Tablas Blanc (a “neighborhood” wine made from 8-12 of Paso Robles’ top Rhône-style vineyards).

2017 Tablas Creek Tannat, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, 14.5% ABV, $40 (#204*)

It was hard for us to guess the varietal of this “mystery wine!”

About the 2017 Tannat: “The Tablas Creek Vineyard 2017 Tannat is Tablas Creek’s sixteenth bottling of this traditional varietal from South-West France, known principally in the Pyrenees foothills appellation of Madiran, but originally native to the Basque region. Tannat typically has intense fruit, spice, and tannins that produce wines capable of long aging.”

My Review: Leathery on the nose, New World on the palate, juicy and strong.  We liked this wine. December 2020

You can buy this wine from the winery at the link above. 

*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.    

What Central Coast Wines Did You Enjoy over the Holidays?

I hope you enjoyed your holidays and tried some new wines or revisited familiar favorites. I would love to hear from you: Which Central Coast wines did you open over the holidays and how were they? Please comment below!

Our traditional dinner table had far fewer place settings than usual. We also experienced new ways to celebrate – socially distant around a beautiful, warm fire on a chilly Monterey Bay night.

We enjoyed wines from around the world – France, Italy, Washington, Napa, Carmel Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains and Paso Robles.

Here are the Central Coast wines we tasted over the holidays (reviews to come!):

In addition to some of our favorite big reds from Carmel Valley, we branched out and tried some new brands from Paso Robles and the Santa Cruz Mountains!

  • 2011 Bernardus Marinus, Carmel Valley, with our Christmas dinner
  • 2018 Samuel Louis Smith Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
  • 2007 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley on New Year’s Eve
  • 2006 Bear Cave Cellars Reserve Syrah, Paso Robles, also on New Year’s Eve

And, once again, which Central Coast wines did you open over the holidays – what did you think of them? I look forward to hearing from you!

Happy New Year!

Irie (i’-ree): “1. To have no worries. 2. Feeling Great. 3. My Australian shepherd.” (from the back label)

Back in 2019, on our “research” wine trip down the Salinas Valley’s River Road, we had a bit of a hard time finding the Smith Family tasting room at the Paraiso Estate Vineyard.  With a fence and dirt roads ahead of us, we made a U-turn and found one of the most beautiful tasting room settings, with a breathtaking view of the Salinas Valley.  Our first wine tasting of the day, we marched through the usual varietals – and then noticed cases of Zinfandel stacked behind us – with an awesome price.  Made by the family’s son, Justin Murphy, this affordable Zinfandel could meet my wine class’ budget – so we took a case home for about $17/bottle! 

The Smith Family has one of the most beautiful views, overlooking the Salinas Valley.

About Irie Wines summarized from the Gold Medal Wine Club (an excellent writeup of Justin Murphy and Irie Wines): Justin is the grandson of the Smith Family founders, who were among the pioneers who planted grapevines in the Santa Lucia Highlands and, along with the Hahn family, helped that AVA earn its designation.   He took a job at Courtside Cellars which sparked his true calling as a winemaker.  He moved to Sextant wines and, in 2006, began producing his own wines. He knew he had to make a distinctive Zinfandel to separate himself from the rest of the Paso Robles pack.   He produced 3 wines:  Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Rose. I believe he is no longer producing wines under the Irie label and is focusing on his winemaking role at Paraiso/Smith Family vineyard.

2012 Irie Zinfandel, Paso Robles AVA, 15.1% ABV, $25 (#201*)

The 2012 Irie Zinfandel was a great find!

About the 2012 Irie Zinfandel: “Irie is the label chosen by winemaker-in-training Justin Murphy, grandson of the vineyard’s founders. He makes his 2012 Zinfandel from grapes grown on the west side of Paso Robles, about an hour south of Soledad. There’s also a Petite Syrah, but 2013’s bottling has sold out, and what’s in the pipeline is not available for tasting.

“We’ve tasted a lot of Zin from Paso Robles. But something happens to these grapes on their short ride north, and the Irie Zin is like no other. This wine is also a definite reflection of its terroir—gently sloping western coastal hills, surrounded by grazing pastures with dry native grasses, very hot in the daytime, with a vigorous arid afternoon wind. Aged for 16 months in 25 percent new French Oak, this Zin just been released and is a very limited production of 335 cases.”

My Review: Very dark red, yet a bit transluscent.  Blackberry and pepper on the nose.  Raspberry, blackberry and cassis on the palate with white pepper and a little leather on the finish.  Pairs nicely with both spicy and sweet foods. August 2020

*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.    

Daou: Taking Paso Robles Wines to a New Level!

A friend of mine put me in touch with the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society.  How wonderful to meet (virtually) like-minded wine aficionados!  In August, they hosted a virtual wine tasting of Daou wines.  It was a great event, presented by Daniel Daou himself and showcasing three of their wines. 

Three terrific DAOU wines presented by Daniel Daou!

About Daniel Daou: “Daniel’s winemaking vision had one very singular focus-creating the highest possible quality Cabernet and Bordeaux wines. This mission had a critical ingredient-the Calcareous Clay soils of Bordeaux. For Daniel, there is no greater truth than the fact that great wine is made in the vineyard. His extreme focus on every detail-from the proper soil, to his proprietary planting structure that creates “total vine balance” his exacting, almost extreme, winegrowing philosophy allows for the grapes to arrive to the winery in the perfect condition to create wines that continue to rival the best in the world…Daniel was one of the first to bring Cabernet clones to Paso Robles that deliver the highest possible quality-clones from the iconic regions of the world such as Bordeaux and Napa.”

2019 DAOU Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, 13.7% ABV, $50 (#197*)

A high-end Sauvignon Blanc made in a unique process.

Winemaker Notes: “The 2019 DAOU Estate Sauvignon Blanc exemplifies how this classic Bordeaux variety excels on DAOU Mountain. The chalky soils of DAOU Mountain give this wine loads of minerality on the palate while concentrated aromas of stone fruits, guava, kiwi and citrus blossom travel through the glass to enrich your nose. A touch of Sémillon works in harmony with the Sauvignon Blanc, adding complexity and dimension. Full-bodied yet balanced, this wine provides for a complete experience with an impressively long finish.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Review – 92 Points: “The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc contains 19% Sémillon and was aged seven months in 50% new French oak. The nose opens with poached pears scents accented by beeswax, lychee, grapefruit and flowers. The medium-bodied palate has a great balance of bright fruit character and phenolic texture, and it finishes with good freshness and length.” Erin Brooks, October 2020

My Review: Pale in color (leaning toward green) with pear on the nose.  Pear and bitter grapefruit on the palate with a tart finish.  This is a pretty complex Sauvignon Blanc, a product of a unique process which Daniel Daou described in some detail to the group.  It is not your every day Sauvignon Blanc.  August 2020

2018 DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles AVA, 14.22 ABV, $60 (#198*)

A terrific example of a fine, high quality Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemaker Notes: “The 2018 DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a shining example of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. This wine’s magnificent nose is quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon, offering scents of dark chocolate, licorice, blackberries and cured meats with a touch of cedar. The palate delivers an explosion of fresh, dark berry fruits. Flavors of blackberry, juicy black cherry, cassis and cocoa are underscored by lovely accents of blueberry and raspberry.  A silky palate is nicely integrated with hints of toasty oak, graphite, mineral and forest floor. Ripe fruits and exotic spices linger on a generous, full-bodied finish that promises excellent age-worthiness.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Review – 91-93 Points:  “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. It is still in barrel and will age about 18 months in 50% new French oak. The nose opens with tar, cassis and gentle blue fruit touches with notes of dried herbs, milk chocolate and coffee beans. The medium to full-bodied palate is lushly fruited but very fresh, with lifted herbal character, bright freshness and a firm but very finely grained structure, finishing long.” Erin Brooks, October 2020

My Review: Garnet in color, almost purple. Dark jammy fruit on the nose.  Very smooth and juicy, balanced and pleasant. August 2020

2017 DAOU Bodyguard, Paso Robles AVA, 14.7% ABV, $40 (#199*)

Winemaker Notes (previously captured from their website): “The 2017 DAOU Bodyguard is a sleek yet powerful blend of Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah, displaying both opulence and structure. The 2017 vintage presents fragrant fruit aromas of blackberry, raspberry, currant and crème de cassis. Notes of cocoa, coffee, dark chocolate, licorice and sweet cherry pipe tobacco are rounded out with whispers of truffle, toffee, mocha and menthol.  A juicy, fleshy palate offers bright, generous flavors of cherry, cranberry, strawberry and blueberry tinged with black raspberry and tamarind—all supported by underlying accents of dusty leather, pencil shavings, cigar box and crushed herbs. An elegantly styled and beautifully structured finish reverberates with focused energy, vibrant berry fruit and ripe, polished tannins.”

Wine Enthusiast Review – 92 Points: “In yet another stylishly packaged and powerful blend from the Daou brothers, this bottling combines hearty coffee, kirsch and pumice aromas with toasty vanilla and caramel on the nose. The tannic structure is soft and polished yet firm enough to uphold black-cherry, toffee and caramel flavors, which are bolstered by a black-rock minerality that lingers in the background.” Matt Kettmann, March 2020

My Review: Inky purple in color, bold flavors on the palate – really opened up into a delicious, big wine in the style I like. This is a great combination of 60% Petite Verdot and 40% Petite Sirah.  August 2020

You can buy DAOU wines from their website or from retailers primarily in California and New York, with a few retailers in Michigan and Florida.    They have special holiday items and packages here. DAOU is open for wine tasting with food pairings – learn more and reserve your spot here.

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

© Decanting Monterey 2020

Turley Pesenti: Another Reason to Love Paso Robles Wines

Way back when, when we used to get down to the Paso Robles AVA for wine tasting, we “discovered” Pesenti 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 Vineyards produced great fruit! I am presenting two Zinfandels and one Petite Sirah in this post. 

I confess I am a Turley girl – 1/5 of my wines cellar is Turley…

2016 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.% ABV, $38* (#190**)

We thoroughly enjoyed this 2016 Pesenti Zin!

About Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel: “This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920’s on primarily limestone soil. Though the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, the soil plays the most important role in distinguishing this vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. The wines have a brightness, with chalk and floral aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general…With the calcaerous limestone and the occasional carignane vine interplanted with Zinfandel, the Pesenti Zin takes on a unique brightness leading to a “sweet-tart-esque” character.” 

Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “Yields were down once again in Paso Robles, though luckily in 2016 we started to see the slightest bit of relief, rain-wise. As a result, the Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel is deeply concentrated yet refreshing. The tart red fruits on the initial nose are present as always, followed by Pesenti’s signature bright acidity and smooth tannin. The wine has a refined yet approachable palate presence, complemented by plenty of lift from the calcareous Pesenti soils, carrying through to a long invigorating finish.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate  – 93 Points: “From a site Turley owns in Paso Robles, the 2016 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard exhibits a boisterous, fruit-driven bouquet of ripe raspberries, cherries and kirsch. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, ample and generous, with tangy acids and fine structuring tannins largely concealed in a sweet core of fruit, tangy acids, light structuring tannins asserting themselves on the back end. It’s one of the most charming and immediate of this year’s single-vineyard bottlings.”

My Review: We drank this post-debate and finished the whole bottle without any difficulty. Deep garnet in the glass,  blackberry and white pepper on the nose. Spicy blackberry, dark cherry and currant on the palate. A complex mix of jammy goodness with a touch of leather on the finish. There is really good fruit throughout in this wine. As it opened up, that fruit became rounder and deeper. This was a great vintage of this wine. (September 2020)

2017 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.8% ABV, $38* (#98**)

We want to try this one again – perhaps decanted.

Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “Vibrant and always distinctive, the Pesenti Zinfandel makes its spring lineup debut! Fragrant red fruits, black raspberry, chalk dust, piquant spices and wild flowers all flourish on the nose. Lush yet linear on the palate, with fresh, lively acidity and profound depth. Intensely pleasurable now, and will age well.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate   – 93 points: “The Pesenti vineyard was planted in the 1920s on limestone soils. Deep ruby in color, the 2017 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard gives savory notes of charcuterie over dried brambly fruits and crushed black cherries with hints of dried soil. Medium to full-bodied, it offers savory-laced fruits in the mouth with soft, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long with pretty dried flowers notes. 2,400 cases produced.”

My Review: SweeTart on the nose with raspberry and bright fruits.  This high-alcohol wine seemd a bit volatile on the palate with a bit of harshness and leather on the finish.  This wine might need a bit more time in the bottle or more aeration upon opening. July 2020

2017 Turley Petite Syrah Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 14.8% ABV, $38* (#191**)

Wine Advocate rated this wine 98 points!

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 from wine.com: “If, like us, you are fans of the wines of the Northern Rhone Valley—Cornas in particular—then you’ll love the 2017 Pesenti Petite Syrah as much as we do! Lightly smoked, ripe dark fruits with fresh cracked pepper on the nose. The palate is surprisingly graceful despite its powerful heft, thanks to the excellent acidity in the soils. Dense, inky, and loaded with spice, the Pesenti Petite is a bold, deeply flavorful, and satisfying wine. We recommend giving it some time in the bottle and decanting well ahead of mealtime to best experience this powerful Petite.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate  – 98 points: “The 2017 Petite Syrah Pesenti Vineyard was bottled three weeks before I tasted it but is nonetheless showing beautifully. It has a very deep purple-black, opaque color and nose of crème de cassis, black cherry liqueur, cracked black pepper, bacon fat, savory green and black olive, violet, lilac, perfumed earth and tons of blue fruit jam notes. Full-bodied, rich and savory, it features wonderful black and blue fruit layers with tons of floral and savory perfume, very firm, chewy tannins, great freshness and a very long, savory finish.”

My Review: Rich, dark ruby in color.  Blackberry and blueberry with a little brown sugar and rosemary on the nose.  Full palate of dark, jammy fruit and black pepper with a slight bitterness on the finish. Truly a favorite. August 2020

*The price above is what we paid via their mailing list.  They are offering some specials to anyone on their Remote Purchases website with the following notes:   “At this time, we are allowing for both shipping and appointment-based pick-up orders in our Paso Robles tasting room. Please review our Shipping & Pick-up Information in advance of your order.  Note: if you are shipping outside of CA, we strongly recommend a minimum 6 bottle order, to maximize shipping efficiency, cost and safety (we can only include ice packs in 6 bottle and higher shippers).”

*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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