Tagged: Red Blend

Tensley: The Ultimate Los Olivos Syrah Tasting: “Sideways” Part 2!

Today we are continuing our Sideways tour with Stop Number 2 – Tensley. I previously posted about a Tensley Syrah we purchased through K&L Wine Merchants which I reviewed here: https://decantingmonterey.com/santa-barbaras-tensley-get-out-of-the-way-and-let-the-vineyard-speak-for-itself/. I was very excited to stop in for a Syrah tasting and had just enough time to enjoy Tensley before my friends arrived.  Since they were white wine fans, I felt I should get this almost pure Syrah tasting out of the way! 

My experience in the tasting room was exactly what I needed – Sabrina understood my mission and didn’t try to distract me with other wines. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient.  I was able to try (and buy 😊) all the Syrahs, store the wine in my car, and get to Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café for lunch with my friends with 5 minutes to spare!

At Tensley, it is all about the Syrah, which was the whole point of my little “Sideways” jaunt to Los Olivos. They also grow and bottle Marsanne as a single varietal, which is pretty rare to find. And I got to try one Joey Tensley wine, as well, their more entry-level line of wines.

About Tensley Wines: “Established in 1998, the first release of Tensley totaled just 100 cases. In 2015, our production reached 5,000 cases and included five single-vineyard Syrahs, the most in Santa Barbara County. Though we’ve grown in size, our philosophy has never changed – source the best fruit possible and let the vineyard speak for itself…Truly a family owned and operated winery. We look forward to seeing you soon.”

Their website summarizes it in this succinct statement: “Tensley Wines is a family owned and operated winery focusing on vineyard designated Syrah within Santa Barbara County.” Check out my previous post (above) or click here to check out their website for more information.

I have 5 wines to present to you today. Winery notes come from their webpage above, where you can also purchase their wines.

2021 Tensley Laird Vineyard Marsanne, Santa Barbara County, 14% ABV, $32 (#814) 

Winery Notes: “A very rare varietal that only a few wineries produce and this is our second vintage. It was the coolest vintage in over a decade thus resulting in a fresh mineral based version of Marsanne. We did a bit higher percentage barrel fermentation to round out the middle pallet and give weight to the wine. In all I am very excited about this fun white wine. A great that will pair well with so many dishes but the one that excites me the most is raw oysters! Look for saline, minerals, quince, star fruit and a slight nuance of almonds. Hint…. The almond flavor will evolve and show more with bottle age.” 169 cases produced.

My Review: Almost an orange glow in the glass. Apple and honey on the nose and palate. Rarely bottles as a single varietal, this was crisp and appropriately acidic. August 2022   

2021 Tensley Syrah, Santa Barbara County, 14.5% ABV, $32 (#815)                

Winery Notes: “This year’s Santa Barbara county Syrah is truly representative of the Santa Barbara county appellation. This blend brings together the best that Santa Barbara County’s diverse microclimates have to offer. The grapes come from five different vineyards: Zaca Mesa, Nolan, Laird, Thompson and Tensley. These different vineyards come together to produce a wine that is velvety and structured. Look for notes of blackberry and pepper to be balanced by bright, fresh notes of raspberries and juicy plums. This wine has a solid structure and long finish. Drink this blend now or age it up to 7-10 years.” 2100 cases.

My Review: Inky in the glass. Bouquet had a familiar, slightly off-putting aroma – I call it the “Central Coast funk.” Smooth, dark berries on the palate with a kind of yeasty finish. Took one home to cellar for a bit and try again in a few years. August 2022                                                                           

2020 Tensley Syrah, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, 14.5% ABV, $38 (#816)

Winery Notes: “The sandy soils of Steriti give the wine a complex and savory nose with pepper, herbs and a touch of salinity. The well drained vineyards give the wine medium body on color and texture. Then, you take into consideration the cool climate and you have a fresh acidic finish that makes your mouth water leaving you wanting more. The acidity makes this wine one of our favorite food friendly wines. Best to drink this wine in 6-7 years from vintage, but you can enjoy it in its youth as well.” 175 cases.

My Review: You got me on the nose of this one – such a contrast to the previous wine. So much intense berry I can’t believe it is a Syrah! The berry aromas carry over to the palate, reminiscent of a berry-forward Zinfandel more than a Syrah. Took one home! August 2022

2021 Tensley Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah, Santa Barbara County, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#817)                                

Winery Notes: “Coming from one of the coolest vintage in a decade the wine has a serious freshness. With that said the extremely low yields of 1.7 ton per acre the texture is what the wine is all about. When you put your nose in the glass think of cracked pepper, black currant and raspberry with a touch of vanilla on the finish. The finish will last a long time from the high level of acid and tannin. Drink now, but probably best to wait a few years and for those who like aged wines don’t touch for 15-20 years!” 1670 cases.

My Review: Inky, deep ruby/purple in color. Some alcohol on the nose. Intense berries with bubblegum notes on the palate. This is a refined Syrah and continues to be one of my favorite Santa Barbara County Syrahs! I absolutely took one home. August 2022                                       

2019 Joey Tensley Fundamental Red, Central Coast AVA, $18 (#818) Petite Syrah, Syrah, Mourvèdre, 1.3% Viognier  

Winery Notes: “Syrah is the rock of this complex blend, bringing weight and color, but in 2019 Grenache also became a star as we added more than ever before to lift the floral notes in the nose and bring a bright, garnet hue to the color. We once again added Mourvedre to bring an earthy, savory aspect to the dance, and, of course, Viognier to keep exotic notes of honeysuckle and tropical fruits in play. This wine is both intense and light on its feet, offering freshness and lift as well as deep notes of blackberry, currants, bacon, and espresso, At its price point, it can easily out-value any wine in its category. This red blend pairs easily with any dish from fish to red meat. It can be enjoyed now or easily age over the next 8 to 9 years.” 2850 cases. 91 points – Jeb Dunnuck

My Review: Inky in the glass. A distinctive bouquet of dark fruit and Central Coast funk.  Very approachable, if not a touch sweet after tasting all those Syrahs. A great value at $18! August 2022                                         

Visiting Tensley Wines: “The Tensley Tasting Room is located in the scenic town of Los Olivos in the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country.” They are open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 2900 Grand Avenue Suite B, Los Olivos, CA 93441.  Give them a call and let them know you are coming!  (805) 688-6761

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Parsonage Showcases Its Powerful Wines to the Monterey AWS!

The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) asked if I had any ideas or connections for one of their First Friday WinedUP.  I recommended Parsonage and reached out to Summer.  After some consultation (due to the potential size of our group and the after-hours time we wanted to visit), they agreed to have us. And I think everyone is glad they did!

Parsonage’s exceptional tasting room staff, Summer and Linda, welcomed the Monterey AWS with their big smiles and expertise!

While we planned to use their outside seating, the wind had kicked up – and they accommodated us indoors instead.  It was perfect.  We got to choose between the regular tasting and the reserve tasting.  We, of course, did both since we are wine club members.  And Parsonage showcased some “extra” wines, as well – their rarely-made Chardonnay and reserve Petit Verdot.  Lucky us!

But before we get to those, I have another story.  In December 2019, I was in the Parsonage tasting room when they informed me that they were having a big sale on their large format wines, specifically a 3-litre bottle of the 2005 Carmelstone Syrah from their estate.  This is one of my all time favorite wines (please don’t tell Rocco).  Normally $500, this large bottle was on sale for $265. We had a family reunion slated for Easter of 2020 and, after many texts back and forth with my husband, we decided to buy it for that event. And then COVID happened, meaning no reunion.

The 2005 3L bottle compared to the 2006 750 ml bottle!
We opened this bottle with a Durand Corkscrew – just in case the cork was tricky – but it was in perfect condition!

I wondered how this bottle would hold up – and whether we would ever get to serve it.  With no reunion in sight, what we would do with it? Fortunately, we were able to have the reunion in Spring of 2022. We had this wine the first night and it was spectacular. We all agreed it was the best wine of the weekend.  No offense to all those other great wines we had.  And we had no problem finishing off the bottle in one night – it was a lot of people and we do love our big reds!

Today, I am presenting 12 Parsonage wines – mostly from that July 1 event, but also a few others we served at our family reunion back in April.  Winery notes come from the Parsonage website, as usual.

I’ve presented Parsonage to you in several prior posts and won’t repeat about them here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here:  https://www.parsonagewine.com/.

2021 Parsonage Chardonnay, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 15% ABV, $36 (793)

Winery Notes: “A true outlier! No oak bombing. Never been a Chardonnay quite like this one. A white flower melange of jasmine and elderflower with tropical fruit hints of perfectly ripe kiwi, pineapple, and guava, followed by subtle lemon zest. The opulent mouthfeel suggest a presence of honey owing to the wine’s slow passage across the palate which creates a lengthy and dramatic finish.”

My Review: Full malolactic fermentation, all stainless steel. Very tropical nose with melon notes.  Rich on the palate – a touch sweet, full of ripe tropical flavors. July 2022 (No buttery, no oak)

2021 Parsonage Grenache Rosé, Arroyo Seco AVA, 15% ABV, $29 (794)

Winery Notes: “A perennial warm weather favorite. And a surprise to everyone who thinks they don’t like Rosé! Made with Grenache grapes. Owner Bill Parsons’ tasting notes: Another spectacular bouquet of candied violets, star anise, bubble gum, and your favorite perfume. Delicious mouthful of ripe strawberry, mulberry, red currant with a hint of orange zest in this off-dry marvel!”

My Review: Brownish tint to the pink juice. Tropical nose. A little sweet on the palate with a slight metallic taste on the finish. July 2022

2019 Parsonage Estate Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $42 (795)

Winery Notes: “A vibrant nose of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate and wildflowers. The gorgeous red fruit is full, round and rich on the palate with a hint of Darjeeling on the long, lovely finish.”

My Review: Ruby in color.  Jammy nose of berries and cherries. A lot of fruit on the palate and a touch tart – like a dark cherry Jolly Rancher – in a good way.  Black tea on the finish.  I like this wine. July 2022

2019 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $28 (796) 70% Merlot, 30% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Our versatile red table wine easily pairs with a variety of different foods. We think it goes especially well with pizza and spaghetti with red sauce. This vintage is full bodied. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah. Rich, ripe and voluptous. The Cyrano is one of our best sellers.”

My Review:   Pretty ruby in the glass. Yummy dark fruit on the palate and a lot of oak on the dry, slightly minty  finish. New release – perhaps young still.This was left extra time in the barrels thanks to COVID (2.5 years). Let this one sit a bit more in the bottle. July 2022

2019 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (797)

Winery Notes: “Exemplary of our house style of making wine from grapes at the pinnacle of perfect ripeness, this Pinot has brilliant notes of black cherry with dried rose petals, cola, and English breakfast tea. The rich, round, elegant palate adds raspberry and currant to the dominant black cherry compote with the tea tannins driving the vibrant finish.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass. Very lean and sophisticated, more like a Burgundy. This reserve wine was lighter than the 2 previous wines – I’d like to taste it again in a different order. July 2022

2018 Parsonage Wild Card Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $38 (533)

Winery Notes: “As wild and crazy as they come, Frank’s seven varietal blend is to winemaking what a crazy quilt is to sewing. The magical blend, in no particular order, is Syrah, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. It’s an intriguing mélange of perfumed raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, plum and cranberry on a medium palate with a lively finish.”

My Review: This review is a complete rewrite from the tasting I did in October 2021.  Rich, dark ruby in the glass.  A jammy nose. Complex tannins and layered, jammy fruit.  The 7 varietals have melded very nicely together in this vintage – this is a winner! July 2022

2018 Parsonage Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (535)

Winery Notes: “Big and rich, our flagship varietal. Pairs well with anything grilled or barbequed. The 18th iteration of our signature wine is deep, rich and savory with dark berries, mocha and umami that synergistically form the delicious Parsonage terroir. This vintage has a little something different that is thought-provoking and downright cerebral. There’s a fascinating component that asks you to take a moment and attempt to identify its nature. Then you can’t resist reflecting on just what is that mysterious essence? It’s quite compelling. If you figure it out, please let me know.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  Sophisticated nose of berries, followed by huge palate of berries, with menthol and black pepper on the finish. Grapes sourced from their estate, Cedar Lane, and Coastview vineyards. July 2022

2018 Parsonage Rocco Reserve  Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (536)

Winery Notes: “In a single word – MAGNIFICENT!  The Rocco Estate Reserve Syrah is our flagship wine, the wine that put us on the map. All of the Rocco vintages have been big, opulent, and complex world class Syrahs. The 2018 has these attributes and more. This Rocco possesses a mysterious nature that calls out for a moment of palate reflection. It’s something about the interface of perfectly ripe fruit and savory flavor. There’s all that beautiful dark fruit colliding with grilled tenderloin and exotic spices/herbs backgrounded with mocha and hints of umami. A wine for the ages, simply MAGNIFICENT!!!”

My Review: If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take one wine, this would be it. Dark, rich ruby in the glass. Cassis and dark berries on the nose.  Super huge palate of dark fruit, very smooth. Lots of oak on the finish. My all time favorite. July 2022

2017 Parsonage Rocco Reserve  Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (222)

Winery Notes: “Our flagship wine, this vintage is opulent. The ripe black, blue, and red fruit are immense in the nose and the mouth. The palate explodes in an essence of summer savory with exotic Asian spices wrapped in umami. The fullness and concentrated richness of the finish are suggestive of a high end Amarone.”

My Review: Hot buttered rum on the nose. Dark fruit and a touch of cedar as it opened up.  buttery bone marrow, leather, rosemary and figs on the palate.  Asphalt, pencil shavings and caramel on the finish. April 2022

2005 Parsonage Carmelstone Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, 3L Bottle: $500.00 (798)

One big, hefty 3L bottle!

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Very dark ruby in the glass.  Raisin and cassis on the nose.  Rich blackberry with bubblegum notes mid-palate with a touch of smoke/tobacco on the finish.  Our favorite wine of the reunion weekend. April 2022

2018 Parsonage Xandro Reserve Red Wine, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (799) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Syrah

Winery Notes: “A nose of ripe dark berries and wild flowers that creates its own unique perfume for this remarkable marriage of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested at the peak of ripeness.

All of the beautiful dark fruit of the nose is joined by mocha and a bit of umami to create glorious hedonistic delights on the palate with uncommon continuity from beginning to end.”

My Review: Such a rich, dark ruby!  Lovely nose of dark fruit and carmel.  Super dark fruit on the palate.  A la Penfolds Grange. We liked this wine and took some home. July 2022

2018 Parsonage Bixby Reserve Petit Verdot, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $90 (544)

Winery Notes: “The Bixby has always had a distinctly floral nose but the 2018 sets a new record for perfumed bouquet. We’re talking Chanel No. 5 here. And, no, we didn’t add any wildflowers to the fermenter. Honest! There’s delicious dark fruit on the nose and palate, mostly currant, black cherry, and huckleberry with a hint of mulberry. This is a very complex and age worthy wine that finishes with satisfyingly bracing tannins.”

My Review: Caramel on the nose and palate, mixed with bright fruit. Very tasty – not at all vegetal (which is how I used to think of Petit Verdot). July 2022

Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – click here for the details.  You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Taste Carmel Valley: A “Sweet Spot” for Wine Pairings!

In December 2020, we were hanging out with Sal Rombi when Gary from the Wine Trolley joined us.  He shared with us his new business concept for offering wine tastings from smaller or out of business wineries, as well as offering bakery items which he makes himself.  This became Taste Carmel Valley, also known as “The Sweet Spot” (http://www.carmelvalleysweetspot.com/).

Their sign outside boasts Boëté and Chock Rock wines.  We have been huge fans of both – long-time members at Boëté – and have missed Chock Rock since they closed their tasting room some years back. This is a great venue to taste the fabulous Boëté wines, since they closed their tasting room.

Taste Carmel Valley (aka The Sweet Shop) is a cute place.  It offers delicious family-made baked goods, unique wines, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and clothing.  First, you are welcomed by their “Golden Daschund” and then the friendly staff inside.  They let us know when Gary would be there to do a wine tasting for us and we came back.

On our big wine tasting weekend in June, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod stopped in to taste the Chock Rock Syrah. We found the tasting menu to be extensive.  The concept is to choose 5 wines for $14. The list includes Chateau Sinnet, Karlsen (Chock Rock), Carmel Hills, Rancho Carmelo, Boëté, and Mesa del Sol. These are smaller wineries which do not currently have their own tasting room or have stopped making wine.  As we pondered what to try besides the Chock Rock Syrah, Gary started pouring us wines.  About 10 wines later, we finally got the Syrah!

A bit about the wineries included in today’s post from his website and elsewhere:   https://tastecarmelvalleycalifonrnia.square.site/

Château Sinnet is no longer making wine and its Carmel Valley tasting room is closed (despite what you might find on Yelp, etc.).  The location is still there, used now as a storeroom.  Its unusual wines included a White Merlot, the Red Eyed Monkey and a Late Harvest Zinfandel.  We liked to stop in there from time to time and were fans of the Red Eyed Monkey – this red blend even had its own Facebook fan club page!

Carmelo Vineyards are adjacent to Parsonage and is where Frank Melicia resides – he is the winemaker for Parsonage, Silvestri and Carmelo, among other pursuits. 

“Karlsen Family Wines and Chock Rock Vineyard was established in 2006 by veteran winemaker, Dan Karlsen and his wife Kathleen. Chock Rock Vineyard produces wine from their estate vineyard and other unique vineyard sites in Monterey County, California. The wines of Chock Rock are absolutely handcrafted at their estate micro-winery secluded high in the Santa Lucia Mountains at the farthest reaches of the Carmel Valley. Great fruit from unique sites coupled with 30 years of winemaking experience ensure world class quality wines. Karlsen offers Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Rosé and Syrah.” There is a lot more to the story – check out Karlsen here: https://www.karlsenwines.com/ and Chock Rock here: https://www.chockrock.com/.

“Deep in the heart of Steinbeck country, nestled between the Arroyo Seco Gorge and the Ventana wilderness, lies Mesa del Sol. The historic stagecoach stop and organic winery showcases the best of Monterey County’s rugged landscape and elegant wines. Mesa del Sol produces Old Vine Zinfandel, Grenache, Syrah, and Sangiovese. We love the “Prima Rosso” blend of all four wines.”

For a lot of these wines, I will not be able to find winery notes. And, to be frank, this was our third stop for in-depth tasting, so note-taking was not so great by this point. And Gary was very entertaining. I’d like to go back in the future and do individual winery tastings here – lots to work with. OK, here we go…

2008 Château Sinnet Manatee White Merlot, $18 (#769)

Winery Notes: A Gold Medal winner from the Florida Grape Growers Association.  Named for the vintner’s beloved manatees from his Florida home. Has its own Facebook fan page.

My Review: We actually really liked this wine and would consider buying it or serving it.  It was very tasty. Not too sweet, as pleasant wine. June 2022

2020 Karlsen Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $28 (#770)

My Review: Caramel popcorn on the nose.  Light on the palate with mild apple, pear and concrete notes. June 2022

2020 Carmelo Vineyards Rose of Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $28 (#771)

My Review: Butterscotch on the nose. Smokey on the palate (this was the year of the Carmel Fire). June 2022

Karlsen Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey County, $36 (#772)

My Review: We liked this Sauvignon Blanc – crisp. Regret we didn’t get better notes on this one. June 2022

2015 Mesa del Sol Zinfandel, Arroyo Seco, $32 (#773)

2014 Review by Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “A more mineral-driven style of Zinfandel, this bottling starts with aroma of gravel and baked earth along with exotic strawberry, red plum and sandalwood. The palate offers dried red fruits, hibiscus and carnation-like flavors, framed by a rocky sandstone-flecked minerality, proving mellow and elegant.” Matt Kettmann

2019 Carmelo Vineyards Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, $44 (#774)

2018 Review by International Wine Report – 90 points: “This 2018 Pinot Noir from Carmelo Vineyards, shows a bright aromatic profile with aromas of fresh strawberries, cherry, dried spice, dark chocolate, cured meat, vanilla blossom and earthy nuances that jump from the glass. On the palate there are lovely flavors of red berries, plum, currant and sour cherry throughout. The finish is long with live acidity. This is very enjoyable today and will age for the next 5-7 years.”

My Review: Very nice bouquet and good flavors on the palate. Bright, with a little earth, brambly with a hint of raspberry. “The perfect Pinot.” June 2022

2016 Carmelo Vineyards Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#775)

2017 Review by International Wine Report – 88 points: “The 2017 Pinot Noir from Carmelo Vineyards offers aromas of dark cherries, currant, dried rose petals, dark chocolate, fig, and dried herbs. On the palate this is medium-bodied with lots of freshness and acidity that lifts the flavors of sour cherry, blood orange, strawberries, and spice box. Drink it over the next 4-6 years.”

My Review: I am not sure I would guess this was a Pinot Noir.  Could definitely pick up smoke (Soberanes Fire year). June 2022

2015 Chock Rock Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, 15.6% ABV, $25 (#776)

My Review: This was the wine we went there to taste. By then, we had had so many wines. Still delicious on the palate with alcohol notes and not as much fruit as I would have expected. I would like to go back and taste this again, as this was our favorite Chock Rock wine in the past. June 2022

2004 Château Sinnet Red Eyed Monkey, San Antonio Valley (#777) 45% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Zinfandel, 5% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah

Winery Notes: “The crispness and brightness of Bing Cherry followed by the earthy aromas of forest floor and the sweet and savory notes of sassafras and cola. This wine is the most Burgundian Pinot Noir I have ever made. It’s light color and silky tannins are testament to the extra year of aging on the sediment that I gave it. The wine finishes with the fine structure on your tongue of wet stones.”

My Review: This was presented as a “Mystery wine.” We found it to be very drinkable – smooth, dark fruit.  Many years ago, we had purchased this wine and we still really like it – more than our Wine Pod partners did. June 2022

2014 Chock Rock Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $28 (#778)

Winery Notes: “100% Estate grown, a balanced wine with texture and mouth feel.”

My Review: Something seemed off with this wine.  It smelled like a fortified wine, over the hill. Perhaps we needed a new bottle opened – we did not request one. I don’t think it was a proper representation of this wine. June 2022

2017 Château Sinnet Late Harvest Zinfandel, 16.2% ABV, $25 (#779)    

My Review: OK, this was our last wine. And it tasted like a very done late harvest Zinfandel.  These grapes were picked “as raisins.” June 2022

Taste Carmel Valley is located at 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 101, in Carmel Valley. The Sweet Spot is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.  Check with the staff or call (831) 624-1700 to inquire when wines will be poured. You can also order a variety of sandwiches and salads, even charcuterie plates!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Bunter Spring Suddenly Closes Tasting Room – Wine Pod Jumps on Chance to Taste His Wines!

I happened to see on Facebook last week that Bunter Spring was suddenly closing its tasting room and was having a 50% off sale over the weekend.  We contacted our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners to see if they wanted to go.  It is another Senate Staffer connection which had not yet had the opportunity to taste Mark Bunter’s wines.  Affirmative! 

Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners enjoy their first Bunter Spring tasting!

Mark explained that a lease issue caused him to suddenly close while he seeks another venue.  For a small producer like Bunter Spring, it is vital he have an outlet for people to taste and learn about his wines.  While we were there, he gave us the inside scoop on each wine and a full education on yeast (which went right over my head).  He let us taste many of his wines, including an array of higher end wines from Napa. We hope he finds another venue soon.

I am presenting 8 of the wines we tasted that day – some others were presented in previous posts, such as this one: https://decantingmonterey.com/bunter-spring-how-many-former-senate-staffers-does-it-take-to-find-great-wines/. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or website.There is more information on the back labels: I’ve included photos where I can. You can find more information on their website here. 

2021 Spring Chardonnay, Coombsville, Napa Valley, 13.34% ABV, $35 (#753)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Barrel fermented. Green apple, bread dough, pineapple. Medium body, subtle butter and oak. Dry.” 50 cases produced.

My Review:  Pale yellow with a slightly musty nose.  A tasty palate of line and pineapple, with a touch of butter on the finish. June 2022

2020 Bunter Spring Rosé of Syrah, Coombsville, Napa Valley, 12.34%, $25 (#754)

Winemaker’s Notes: “The 2020 fires in Napa were catastrophic. We picked this early, for rosé, and avoided the smoke. Dry.” 33 cases produced.

My Review:  Transluscent reddish amber in the glass. A touch of sweetness on the nose, but very tasty, a bit like a cherry cola.  It is different from most rosés. We bought this wine and have now enjoyed it at home. June 2022

2017 Spring Pinot Noir, Monterey County (#755)             

Winemaker’s Notes (verbal): The juice for this wine comes ½ from Chalone and 1/2 from the Palisades in Carmel Valley. Earthy, French Roast coffee.

My Review:  Dark ruby in color with coffee on the nose and dark fruit on the palate.  Very tasty, different. June 2022

2018 Bunter Spring Hippie Syrah, Napa 14.25% (#756)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Napa organic grapes, feral ferment. Red fruit, meaty, earthy, with a big hit of spicy American oak from new barrels. Very low (40 ppm) sulfite.” 60 cases produced.

My Review:  Very dark ruby in color.  A dark cherry nose.  Black cherry on the rich, tasty palate, with a touch of yeastiness on the finish. This is my favorite to date of the Hippie Syrahs! June 2022

2018 Spring “Pizza Wine”, Highlands Vineyard, Monterey, 14.96% ABV, $24 (#757) 65% Zinfandel, 35% Syrah

Winemaker’s Notes: “Fruit punchy jammy everyday red. It’s great with red-sauced pasta, too.” 75 cases produced.

My Review:  Very dark in color. Sweet dark fruit on the nose. Jammy dark berries and a touch of alcohol on the palate.  I like this wine and selected it for one of my wine classes. June 2022

2017 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, 13.38% ABV, $45 (#758)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Organic grapes. A very good example of the unique local Cabernet Sauvignon character.” 24 cases produced.

My Review:  What he didn’t say is these grapes come from the Massa Estate (formerly Durney/Heller), one of the most well known, local, long time producers of high end Cabernet Sauvignon in the Carmel Valley AVA. He has masterfully made this wine, which at other wineries would sell for double the price.  This was my favorite wine of the day and I wish I had bought more of it. But we didn’t want to be greedy. June 2022

2016 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, Napa Valley, 13.76% ABV, $60 (#759)

Winemaker’s Notes: “100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Expensive fruit, but worth it.  The real deal.” 24 cases produced.

My Review:  Dark, heavy ruby in the glass. Plum and dark jammy fruits on the nose and palate. Wer took some of that wine home.  June 2022

2012 Spring Red Wine, Napa Valley, 13.8% ABV, $90 (#760) 86% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot

Winemaker’s Notes: “Classic Napa style, big, tannic, structured, best with food.” 37 cases produced.

My Review:  Dark ruby in the glass.  Lively nose of violets and red fruits. A delicious palate of raspberry and cherry flavors. A bit lighter than the heavy Cabernets we had just tasted. Exceptional. June 2022

Want to buy or taste their wines?  Things are in a bit of a flux at the moment.  The best bet is to call Mark at (202) 744-1343. You can see some of the current releases here and contact Mark by phone or email to order.  Directions are here.  They ship within California and to Washington DC and Florida. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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A New Face in the I Brand Tasting Room!

Stop the presses!

I was on the road this spring quite a bit and did not make the tasting room rounds – until late in June, when we went on a tasting streak in a single long weekend!  While I was busy traveling, I sometimes sought the easy post to fulfill the weekly blog. And I have neglected some of the bigger tastings I did in the winter.  As I look back, I recall I did not post my February 2022 I Brand tasting because I had another catchup post in the works. I recently attended their first release party in a couple of years – and realized there were quite a few other wines I needed to write about first. So, I am halting the presses on my more recent flurry of tastings for this catch-up post!

I distinctly remember this tasting – when we met Will for the first time in the tasting room.  It was so nice to put a face with the new name and he warmly welcomed us. We tried to move quickly through the wines, as we were just in the neighborhood and had not planned a full tasting – we got one anyway!

I have 12 wines (zounds!) to present to you today from across all 3 labels of I Brand & Family, La Marea and Le P’tit Paysan and spanning 2016-2020. Most of these come from my February tasting, but others were from our private collection. Unless otherwise specified, winemaker’s notes come from the winery tech sheets or notes online.

While the wines speak for themselves, I’d like to include this quote from Ian’s Spring 2022 Winemaker Letter, which hit home why I remain a fan of Ian and his wines.  He talks about his “…fascination with old vineyards and more obscure varieties.” He goes on to say, “To appropriately shepherd the local winemaking industry into its best iteration, there needs to be a semi-cohesive idea of what a region is – there should be an expected balance and flavor profile shared in the wines from the region…As we are able to realize and share our ideas of our terroir, wines from the region will become more valuable, which leads to more value in our community.” You can red more about Ian and Heather Brand and their wines here: https://www.ibrandwinery.com/.

2020 I Brand & Family Pinot Gris, Eden Rift Vineyard, Cienega Valley, San Benito County, 12.2% ABV, $30 (#741)

Winemaker’s Notes: “A fresh and delicious ‘orange wine’ from mature, terraced Pinot Gris grapes on the oldest, continually producing commercial vineyard in California.”

My Review: Pale pink in the glass – balanced acidity on the palate. February 2022

2020 I Brand & Family Old Vines White, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley, San Benito County, 13% ABV, $36 (#742)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Old Vine White field blend is a blend of 3 unusual varietals. Orange Muscat, Mission and Palamino.”

My Review:  Straw in the glass and sweet muscat and honeysuckle on the nose.  The palate was not as sweet as the nose predicted, with decent tartness with a light, slightly sweet finish.  Quite refreshing – I kind of liked it! February 2022

2017 Le P’tit Paysan Jacks Hill Chardonnay, Monterey, 12.5% ABV, $22 (#743)

Winemaker’s Notes: “A pure, fresh, minerality driven, Chablis like Chardonnay blend from Jacks Hill on the Central Coast…Blended from a collection of five small vineyards at the base of “Jack’s Hill”, in Chualar, CA…planted on the distinct iron oxide granite that dominates the east side of Salinas Valley, directly east of Sleepy Hollow North. Bright, crisp and clean with orchard fruit giving way to an intense minerality.”

92 points – Wine Enthusiast: “This bottling by Ian Brand always packs bang for the buck, but he really nailed it in the 2017 vintage. Clean and delicate aromas of Asian pear, lemon rind and edgy chalk lead into a racy, crisp and tightly wound palate. Flavors of grapefruit, nectarine, blanched almond and sea salt are delicious.” *Editors’ Choice* Matt Kettmann (2/2019)

My Review: Pale yellow in color.  Honeydew melon on the nose.  Honey and gardenia on the palate, with lime notes on the finish.  April 2022.

2018 Le P’tit Paysan Jacks Hill Chardonnay, Monterey, 13% ABV, $22 (#744)

90 points – Wine Enthusiast: “Tight and brisk aromas of lemon peel and sandstone come through on the nose of this always fairly priced bottling. It’s soft on the palate in texture, but a wet stone minerality and lemon juice acidity provide tension, with dried pear and orange peel flavors showing as well.” Matt Kettmann

My Review: A touch leaner than previous vintages with a little acidity on the finish. February 2022

2019 La Marea and 2017 Besson Old Vines Grenache – Side by Side!

2019 La Marea Grenache, Central Coast, 14% ABV, $30 (#745)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Fresh, medium bodied Grenache from three rocky vineyards averaging over 50 years of age.”

My Review:  A muddy ruby, richer in color than othis other Grenaches – almost purple.  Good cherry fruits on the palate. February 2022

2017 I Brand & Family Besson Vineyard Old Vines Grenache, Santa Clara County, $42 (#746)

94 points – Wine Enthusiast: “Sage-oil, tea-leaf and geranium notes meet with dried strawberry and rose petal on the spicy, earthy nose of this bottling. The palate is a mix of dried flowers and rocky minerality, with flavors of gravel, dried currant and more tea leaf making for a fascinating sip of century- old vines.” Matt Kettmann

My Review: Light, translucent ruby in color, but richer, more tannic flavors.February 2022

2016 I Brand & Family Besson Vineyard Old Vines Grenache, Santa Clara County, 14% ABV, $42 (#747)

Winemaker’s Notes: “A delightful and balanced expression of the Piedmontese white from the calcium laced gravels of the Vista Verde Vineyard in San Benito County.”

My Review: Dark, translucent ruby in color. Dark berries and smooth tannins on the palate.  IMHO, one of his best Grenache wines. March 2022

2018 I Brand & Family Grenache/Syrah, Chalone AVA, 13.8% ABV, $42 (#748) 72% Grenache, 28% Syrah

My Review: Ruby in the glass.  Mandarin orange and cherry notes on the nose.  Palate had more heft, complexity than usual.  Hands down one of our favorite of his Grenache-Syrah blends.  May 2022

2019 I Brand & Family Bates Ranch Cabernet Franc, Santa Cruz Mountains, 12.2% ABV, $42 (#749)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Bates Ranch Vineyard is a secret gem of the trinity of Bordeaux varietal sites nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Cabernet Franc fruit is from a small block planted atop rich red Franciscan volcanic influenced rocks in 1978. A classic example of Cabernet Franc…Medium to Full-bodied. Lush, dark red berries, with purple lavender and hidden dried herb components, envelope the nose. On the palate, bright acidity, plays against tannic structure. Followed by a burst of dark red fruits, balsamic reduction, and the expected herbal, bay leaf, oregano, dried basil, with touches of a peppery edge on the finish.” 109 cases produced.

My Review: Lean, a bit austere with musty flavors. February 2022 February 2022

2019 I Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc, Paicines, San Benito County, 12.4% ABV, $30 (#750)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Reminiscent of old world wine making Bayly Ranch is an etherial expression of Cabernet Franc. Notes of bright berries and mild spices…”

My Review:  Richer, rounder, chewier that the Bates, with cherry and dark berry flavors. Black pepper on the finish. I prefer this wine; my partner prefers the Bates. February 2022

2019 I Brand & Family Fellom Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, 14.6% ABV, $75 (#751)

Winemaker’s Notes: “First planted in the 40s and abutting the classic Ridge Santa Cruz Mountain property, Fellom Ranch produces among the most sought after grapes in California…Deep dark purple. Aromas of black current, cherries, clove spice, toasted oak, and cocoa. On the palate, lush & ripe, bramble fruit, enters med-full bodied, supple tannin and acid tension structure. Lovely wine, with pleasure to fill the palate, today, and years to come.”

My Review:  Ruby, purple in the glass. Some chocolate notes on the nose with smooth, rich berries on the palate.  I will do my best to hold this for an appropriate drinking time frame. February 2022

2018 Le P’tit Paysan P’tit Pape Red Rhone Blend, $22 (752)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Our classic Grenache based blend. Old world balance with a California patina. A favorite.”

93 points – Wine Enthusiast: “This blend of 52% Grenache, 36% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre speaks so strongly to the terroir of the Central Coast as it is loaded from nose to finish with dewy sagebrush, crisp freshness and peppery spice. It begins with aromas of raspberry, pomegranate and herb, then settles comfortably into a firmly textured palate of oregano, pepper, sandalwood and more red fruit.” Matt Kettmann

My Review:  We tasted this wine out of order. Lovely, light, lean yet good. Always a favorite. February 2022

The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 6 pm.  Reservations are recommended – more information here.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Decanting Monterey Heads East to Spread the Word!

Last week, I went back to DC to visit with family and friends – and to present Monterey County wines to one of the long-established wine groups there.  As a member of this self-run, informal group, I’ve been able to present Monterey wines to them over the years. I’ll be back in the fall presenting 8-10 of our fine wines to one of the Northern Virginia AWS chapters.  

The format for these classes is straightforward: 5 wines, plus bread and cheeses – all within a budget at varying levels.  The challenge is to find exceptional wines at affordable prices that demonstrate the diversity of the region and the prowess of our winemakers. The group seemed very pleased with the Monterey wines I shared with them – I am invited back!

This is the group that got me interested in wine education and certification, eventually leading to this blog. This is all done on a volunteer basis, but has given me a way to deepen my relationships with our local wineries.  In return, I often get to enjoy industry discounts and, on rare occasions, the wineries donate wines for me to sample/review or, even better, wines to present in my classes! These classes are operated on very small budgets – every little bit helps!

For this event, the wineries rolled out the red carpet.  Bernardus donated both cases of their wine to the cause (one was donated in 2020 for a class canceled due to the pandemic), Chesebro gave me a great discount and free shipping, and Bunter Spring gave me their distributor’s rate.  I cannot thank them enough.  

I usually start out explaining where Monterey County is on the Central Coast (not everyone knows – can you believe it?!?); our winemaking history; our unique, cool climate due to its proximity to the deep, frigid waters of the Monterey Bay; plus the diversity in terrain and soils – from the “engine room” of the Salinas River and valley to the rugged mountains of Cachagua and “Greenfield potatoes” of Arroyo Seco. 

And we have frank conversations about the devastating impact of the wildfires on the vineyards, the wineries – the livelihoods and homes of our vintners – it is not just a crop statistic (wine grapes were ranked #5 in 2017 and #12 crop in 2020 – a 44% drop in crop value, according to the Monterey County crop report). It is rewarding to share that we are the largest grower of Chardonnay grapes in the US and Pinot Noir in California – most people do not know these fun facts!

Finally, I like to encourage them to come for a visit! With 65 tasting rooms in the county today, there are lots of options, whether you want to do the River Road Wine Trail, stroll in Carmel-By-The-Sea, drive out to Carmel Valley Village – or even taste in downtown Monterey and Cannery Row!  And our tastings are very affordable, averaging $20-25 vs. what one might pay farther north.  

Of course, the very best part of doing these classes is catching up with my wine friends, seeing my daughter and her friends enjoying these wines, and visiting our old neighborhood. Miss them all.

Here is the lineup of wines I presented last week – most have been reviewed here before. Winery notes coe from their tasting sheets, websites, or conversations with tasting room staff and winemakers:

2021 Chesebro Albariño, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $24 (#734)

Winery Notes: The climate here is quite Mediterranean, like Galicia. All stainless steel – they chill the musk down – longer fermentation, stabilized and bottled cold. Their take on a traditional Spanish white variety.  Lots of stone fruit and citrus with a touch of minerality on the nose. Apricot blossom and kumquat. Balanced, with bright acidity.

My Review: I had only tasted this wine once before when it was first released.  Boy, what a stellar wine to start the evening.  It was knock-your-socks-off flavorful!  It demonstrated how enjoyable a well-made Albariño can be, balanced by the minerality in the soil. Straw in color. Lovely tropical and citrus aromas on the nose. Stone fruit balanced by bright acidity. Tasted in March/June 2022

2020 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 12.6% ABV, $28 (#566) 95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon

Winery Notes:   Grapes come from a block specially planted for Bernardus in the Griva Vineyard with the celebrated “Musqué” clone. Hand-picked various ripeness in order to have a broad palette of flavors and acidity for the final blend. Fermentation: cool temperature in stainless steel tanks. Aged for several months in large, neutral 30-year-old French oak tanks. Tasting notes:  Aromas of lime zest accented by grassy notes. The palate is soft and long, exhibiting crisp fruit flavors with notes of lime and grapefruit. A beautiful balance of rich texture and a gently crisp, refreshing acidity. 10,550 + cases produced.

My Review: Tropical nose with pineapple and lime notes and a hint of smoke.  Sophisticated palate reflects the winemaking approach described above.  Tropical and lime zest flavors.  Clean and refreshing. And look at the new labels, reflecting a refreshed brand for Bernardus!

2018 Bunter Spring “Garagitage,” Highlands Vineyard, Monterey AVA , 14.64% ABV, $24 (#526)  76% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Notes: Upon release: “These grapes come from a small vineyard in the hills above Arroyo Seco just north of Carmel Valley Road. They were harvested, very ripe, on Sep 30, 2018. Upon release, in spring 2021, as I write, this wine is a rough and tumble California fruit bomb, with tons of grapey flavor, plenty of alcohol, and no manners.  Maybe, someday, it will grow up.  Meantime, have fun!” Spring 2022: “Ripe black fruit, tannic, full bodied. Aged 15 months in once used French oak barrels.” 76 cases produced. 

My Review:  This wine continues to be one of our favorites from Bunter Spring. Dark ruby in the glass. Perfume on the nose, followed by a yummy palate of red and black fruits. Very smooth and drinkable. A terrific bargain. This was a perfect choice as a transition into our bigger reds. 

2014 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage, CM Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, $35 (#619)

Winery Notes: “Grown on our estate in the Upper Carmel Valley’s rocky mountain soils at 1500’ elevation, this Rhone style blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre is powerful and rich with aromas of cassis, dark forest berries, scorched earth and spice.  Blockbuster with a long lingering finish.” 80 cases produced

My Review: Rich ruby in the glass. Pleasant nose of fresh berries. Palate of berry jam, eucalyptus and chocolate with red currant and anise flavors on the finish. Super delicious.

2014 Bernardus Marinus Estate Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $75 (#290)52% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec 

Winery Notes: Use traditional Bordeaux vinification methods.  Each block of Marinus is farmed separately and picked at its perfect ripeness.  hand sorted and de-stemmed before being fermented in small individual fermenters.  Each one is punched down or pumped over twice daily throughout the lengthy fermentation period.  After a gentle pressing, the wines are transferred to small French oak barrels for malo-lactic fermentation and ageing for 18 months, when the final blend is created. 1375 case-equivalents produced. 

Winery Tasting Notes: Aromas exude beautifully ripened red fruits accented by subtle spice notes. Mouthfeel is very soft and full expressing delicious flavors of ripe cherry and plum. The finish is well structured with soft tannins. 

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Candied lilac and boysenberry-juice aromas make for a very fresh, floral and fruity entry to the nose of this blend of all five Bordeaux red varieties. The purple-flower flavors show on the sip too, mixed with acai, and the structure is still tightly woven six years into aging. 92 points, Editors’ Choice.” Matt Kettmann

My Review: This wine was a huge hit with the wine class and a great way to end the class:  Complex and rich. Beautiful dense, dark ruby in the glass. Intense fruit on the nose. Smooth palate full of dark berry fruits, a bit chalky yet fresh. Drinking so well with lots of future for cellaring. I could just keep drinking this wine.

Monterey AWS “Wines Up” at Puma Road’s Portola Tasting Room!

The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) is a young organization started only a couple of years ago.  Through a friend of a friend, I was put in touch with its Chair, Jacqueline Van Nes, back before I started writing wine blogs.  It’s a friendly and relatively small group.  I haven’t been able to attend many of their events.  When I do, I have really enjoyed the people, the wines, and the wine education.

Once a month, they head out on a First Friday “WinedUp” wine tasting – I joined them earlier this month at Puma Road’s Portola Tasting Room in Monterey.  What a fun and relaxing event!  I confess I convinced the tasting room manager to go off menu a bit for me so I could review all these wines for you!

Today I am presenting 9 Puma Road wines.  The winery notes come from their website here. My last tasting of Puma Road wines was published here: https://decantingmonterey.com/puma-road-next-stop-on-the-river-road-wine-trail/.

2020 Puma Road Sauvignon Blanc, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13.5% ABV, $20 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon (#685*)

Winery Notes: “Our 2020 Sauvignon Blanc is bright and delightful. Inviting, with earthy notes and aromas of citrus, apricot, peach, and mineral; on the palate, it offers flavors of citrus, peach, and minerality, with bright acidity and pineapple on the finish. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.”

My Review: Viscous straw in color.  White peach on the nose.  Mild melon, white peach and honeysuckle on the palate.

2019 Puma Road Rose of Grenache, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 14% ABV, $22 (#686*)

Winery Notes: “Our maiden vintage of 2019 dry Rosé of Grenache is a peachy pink, and invites with aromas of apricot, strawberry, honey, and minerality. The palate delights with flavors of apricot and strawberry, with minerality and a rich feel. Serve chilled.”

My Review: Pale pink in the glass.  A touch of grapefruit on the nose and palate with a hint of bubblegum on the finish.  Very tasty.

2015 Puma Road Cabernet Franc, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, $37 (#687*)

Winery Notes: “The 2015 Cabernet Franc has a nose of dark fruit, leather, and clove. The mouth begins with the flavor of dark cherry, followed by a hint of licorice, with bright acidity throughout, and a rich finish.”

My Review: Raspberry and berry on the nose.  Not the huge fruit bomb I remember from the past.

2015 Puma Road Merlot, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 15.7% ABV, $37 (#688*)

Winery Notes: “Our 2015 Merlot offers aromas of leather, spices, coffee, and dark fruit. The palate experiences flavors of dark cherry, spices, and leather, with a rich, velvety feel.”

My Review: Garnet in color.  Spice box on the nose.  Spice and dark berries on the palate with a little tobacco on the finish. I liked this wine.

2015 Puma Road Malbec, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 14.44% ABV, $37 (#689*)

Winery Notes: “Our 2015 Malbec has bold aromas of spice, leather, dark cherry, and tobacco. The palate experiences a rich feel, with flavors of raspberry, cherry, and spice, and a smooth, lasting finish.”

My Review: Nate’s favorite.  Dark ruby, inky in the glass.  Spearmint on the nose.  Very big on the palate – I agree with Nate!

2015 Puma Road Petit Verdot, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13.87% ABV, $37 (#690*)

Winery Notes: “Relish in this deep, bold red and truly taste the essence of Paicines. The nose of our Petit Verdot displays aromas of dark cherry, leather, and spice. The mouth has a rich feel and bright acidity, with flavors of cherry, spice, leather, and clove. Pairs well with grilled steak and bone-in pork chops.”

My Review: Ruby in color. Very berry on the nose.  Rich berry yet lean on the palate with a touch of licorice on the finish.

2015 Puma Road Tannat, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 14.15% ABV, $40 (#691*)

Winery Notes: “Only around 300 acres of Tannat are grown in California. Traditionally, Tannat is used as a blending grape, to add body and deep color to other varietals. Puma Road Tannat stands on its own. Our 2015 Tannat has a nose of deep, dark fruit; warm, rich spice; caramel; and black pepper. On the palate, experience a rich feel, with flavors of dark cherry and spice – think clove – and a velvety caramel finish, with just the right amount of tannin.”

My Review: Ruby in color.  Dark berry/cherry on the nose.  Cedar, dark cherry, blackberry and raspberry on the palate with vanilla on the finish.

2015 Puma Road Cache, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13.44% ABV, $37 (#692*)

Winery Notes: “The 2015 Cache is an approachable blend. It is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc. This Puma Road customer favorite entices with aromas of dark chocolate, licorice, dark fruit, and spice. On the palate, it offers a rich mouth feel, with flavors of dark fruit, black cherry, and blueberry, with nice acidity. This wine pairs extraordinarily well with char-grilled meats, like a juicy ribeye steak, or a ground chuck burger. It will also be beautiful with duck, lamb, or brisket.”

My Review: Ruby in color.  Dark fruit on the palate.  Smooth and fairly lean on the palate. 

2015 Puma Road Predator, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13.8% ABV, $40 (#693*)

Winery Notes: “The Predator is a blend of the five Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (12%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Petit Verdot (3%), and Malbec (2%). The result is an exceptionally smooth, yet nuanced Bordeaux-style wine. Our 2015 The Predator displays notes of spice, leather, dark fruit, and dark roast coffee. The palate has a rich, velvety feel, with layered flavors of dark fruit, cherry, and spice, with toasted oak and vanilla on its smooth, lasting finish. This wine can be put up for as long as you’d like, or enjoyed now. Decanting is recommended.”

My Review: Inky in the glass.  Dusty on the nose.  Complex dark berries and a touch of acidity and bubblegum on the finish.

Visiting Puma Road (from their website) (as of May 2022 – check for updates: “RESERVATIONS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED – AMPLE OUTDOOR SEATING Parties larger than six, reservations required.”

Soledad: 32720 River Road. Current Spring 2022 Hours: Thurs-Mon – 12:00pm-5:00pm. 831-675-3548   info@pumaroad.com

Monterey: Portola Plaza, 281 Alvarado Street. Current Spring 2022 Hours: Sun-Thurs – 2:00pm-8:00pm, Fri & Sat – 2:00pm-9:00pm 831-747-1911    portola@pumaroad.com

Ordering and Picking Up Wine (as of May 2022): “At this time, we are offering amazing flat rate UPS Ground shipping prices — $10 for up to 11 bottles, $15 for 12-23 bottles, $30 for 24-35 bottles, and $45 for 36 or more bottles — as well as complimentary local delivery for orders of $40 or more to many parts of Monterey County. Please call 831-675-3548 or email info@pumaroad.com for more information.

“You may also place an order to be picked up at either location – please choose your location at check-out – during our amended hours of operation: River Road Soledad Tasting Room – Thurs-Mon 12-5pm, Portola Plaza Tasting Room – Thurs-Sun 1-6pm. For your convenience and safety, we are also offering curbside pick up. Instructions will be included in the receipt that is emailed to you upon completion of purchase.”

*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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Monterey County Vintners and Growers Know How to Celebrate Monterey Winemakers!

I tell you, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod is on it!  While we were completing a wine tour of Portugal and Spain, the home team was on alert for Central Coast wine activities.  We got a text the day we were flying home about the 29th Annual Monterey Winemaker’s Celebration. Were we planning to attend? The answer was yes! We last attended this event in 2018 and thought it was good but crowded. My assessment of this year’s event is that it was terrific!

This event, sponsored by the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association, was advertised as an opportunity to “Enjoy the incredible wines and culinary abundance from one of the world’s premier wine regions in the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.” It was incredibly well organized (way to go, Kim Stemler!).  Located in Devendorf Park instead of the streets of Carmel-By-The-Sea, this event seemed a bit more private, out of the hustle and bustle of the village.  The entry was very efficient.  Daunted by a huge entry line, we were instantly relieved to see tickets were being checked and wristbands allocated before the gates even opened.  With the food moved to the exterior streets, attendees could move easily among the winery booths and step out for food.

The wineries were mostly familiar to me, with a few exceptions.  Most I have been to and are captured somewhere in Decanting Monterey.  That was a good thing, as we could pick and choose which one or two wines we wanted to taste at each. And some of the winemakers were there – either in force or for part of the event, including Sabrine Rodems, Keith and Tim Prader of Shale Canyon, Ian Brand, Kori Violini and the Rexford family. It meant so much to the attendees to be able to connect with these winemakers directly. And I was so happy to see Rexford there – I have missed their tasting room in the village and hope to get up to their winery soon.

We also enjoyed talking to The Wine Experience and mixing our own red blends (mine was rather vegetal – too much Cabernet Franc!).  We will definitely need to pay a visit and do this the proper way next time – taste each wine, then blend, silly Sharon. 

Our only regret is that we did not purchase the VIP ticket for this event, as we are reserve wine kind of people. That said, we tasted both familiar and new-to-us wines.  I’ll highlight a few memorable ones here.  I made the decision up front not to try to capture tasting notes, but to be in the moment, enjoying the event. And I can’t wait for next year’s event!

2015 Pessagno Tre Red Wine Blend, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard,  Paicines AVA, 14.12%, $42 (675*) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 20% Petite Sirah

About Pessagno: “Pessagno Winery fulfills a twenty-year dream to produce limited quantities of exclusive luxury wines from prestigious single vineyards throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties. The winery is known for creating wines of distinct character and elegance. It is widely recognized as one of California’s finest wine sources.”

Winery Notes: “The 2015 Tre offers bold aromas of dark fruits, spice, oak, and tobacco. The palate is treated to a rich feel, deep dark fruit flavors, oak and tobacco, with a velvety caramel finish.”

My Notes: I was really surprised by this beautiful blend. It was perhaps the wine most aligned to my palate that we tasted that day – big, smooth, bold.  It was among the first and last wines we visited during the tasting. I will need to visit Pessagno for a complete tasting soon. Check out their website for upcoming events at the winery – and at the vineyard in Paicines, an AVA in San Benito County of which I am very fond!

2017 Chalone Vineyard Estate Grown Syrah, Chalone AVA, $54 (676*)

About Chalone Vineyard: “Monterey’s first winery, Chalone Vineyard is nestled amongst the Pinnacle mountains in Monterey.  High atop the Gavilan plateau, the ocean breezes sweep across the remarkable terroir of the Chalone vineyard with its volcanic limestone soils that give our wines their distinctive flavor.”

Winery Notes: “Bold and complex – just as you’d want a Syrah to be. Leather, cinnamon, tobacco leaf and dark fruits offer layers of intrigue for the senses.”

My Notes: I do love my Central Coast Syrahs and this was no exception! Smooth with the dark berry and earthiness you’d expect from a Syrah.  About time we get over to Chalone to do a wine tasting, as well!

2021 Bernardus Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rose, $30 (677*) Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, & Cinsault

Winery Notes: “Bernardus has been producing a small bottling of Rosé from our local vineyards for many years.  Now we are thrilled to announce the release of our first Rosé from the Provence region of France! To that end, we have partnered with a prestigious French winery: La Coste.  Bernardus is very proud to present a wine based on multi-national tasting trials:  Bernardus French Rosé!

“Flavors are full and rich, redolent with light red fruits on a long smooth finish.  An exceptional Rosé we know everyone will enjoy!”

My Notes: We wished the Provence Rosé member of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod had been with us to taste this delicious new French rose from Bernardus. I think it will be a hit!  Pretty pale pink in the glass.  Perfume on the nose.  Light on the palate with a touch of sweetness on the finish.

2018 Pierce Ranch Olonde, San Antonio Valley, $32 (678*)  39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 59% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec

Winery Notes: Bordeaux style blend composed of Cab. Sauv., Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

My Notes: We were all impressed by this wine, one that we did not get to taste during our March visit to their tasting room.  They informed me they have some other new releases coming out in the next few weeks, so another visit soon??

2018 Silvestri Estate Barbera, Carmel Valley, $65 (679*)           

Winery Notes: “Now on sale! $60 a bottle (normally $65) for a limited time only. 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” 462 cases.

My Notes: This was a terrific Barbera with delicious berry, raspberry flavors.

2018 Silvestri Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley, $48 (680*)   

Winery Notes: “Moving to a warmer section of the vineyard is our Syrah. After harvest our Syrah is de-stemmed and placed into ¾ open top fermenters.  Here, whole berry fermentation takes place to maximize the extraction of flavor and color. The juice is then racked to French oak barrels.  Malolactic fermentation is initiated and will take place for about a month. We then rack the wine after 6 months, and age for another 12-18 months before bottling.

“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.” 123 cases

My Notes: This is my kind of Syrah – big, smooth, juicy with delicious dark berry and plum flavors, without the earthiness that, for me, can be a distraction. 

2019 Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 14.5% ABV, $15 (681*)

Winery Notes: “We craft this richly textured Cabernet Sauvignon with California grapes picked at the peak of ripeness in our coastal vineyards. Adding a twist to traditional barrel-aging, select lots of the blend are aged in a mix of new and used bourbon barrels. The new barrels give the wine its deep undertones of toasted oak. The used barrels—selected from a renowned Kentucky distillery—exude notes of vanilla and dried herbs, hinting at the fine bourbon that once graced these casks. The result is a bold, flavorful wine, unlike any other Cabernet.

“Layered and complex, our Bourbon Barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon leaps from the glass with aromas of blackberry cobbler, graham cracker, brown sugar, milk chocolate, coffee and smoke. A palate of blueberry pie, praline, sweet vanilla custard, caramel and mocha is framed by soft, chewy tannins and a hint of toasted oak on the lingering finish.”

My Notes: This was kind of fun – they brought both the Bourbon Barrel-aged and Rye Barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignons for a compare and contrast.  I say Bourbon Barrel hands down! As an affordable, everyday Cabernet Sauvignon, this is kind of a fun one.

2020 Scratch  Brut Rose, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, $49 (682*)        

Winery Notes: “The touch of 828 Clone Pinot Noir to the Clone 96 Chardonnay base synergistically add a juiciness to the mid-palate that makes you want to take another sip!  Clone 96 Chardonnay has a round honey-dew melon mouth feel and with the addition of pinot makes you think you are biting into a fresh Fuji apple.  This sparkling wine is make using the classic Methode Champenoise, fermented in the bottle.”

My Notes: Wow!  Winemaker Sabrine Rodems was here!  It was so great to meet her in person.  We have enjoyed her wines from Wrath, Scratch, and Kori Wines!  And I love a great sparkling rose!  Another place to wine taste soon, as all I have tried are her sparkling wines.  

2019 Shale Canyon ZSM, Arroyo Seco AVA, $55   (683*) 48% Zinfandel, 32% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre

Winery Notes: “The 2019 ZSM is a blend of Estate Zinfandel – 48%, Arroyo Seco Syrah – 32% and Estate Mourvèdre – 20%.  On the nose you will get bright berry fruit with a touch of violet on the bouquet.  The middle is full of dark fruit, predominately blueberry, followed by raspberry and huckleberry.  On the finish you will get a touch of smokiness from the newer oak barrels, firm tannins and a touch of vanilla.  This full bodied wine is still young only having been bottled in the first week of July 2021, but it is drinking exceptionally well already.”

My Notes: This is a brand-new release which will soon be on their website and available in their tasting room!  It was our pleasure to taste this big red – another wine right up my alley.

2019 Folktale Le Mistral Joseph’s Blend, Monterey County, $50 (#684)                                   

About Folktale Winery:  “In 2015, a band of artists, craftspeople, and lovers of life brought their wandering imaginations and lofty aspirations to a magical piece of land in Carmel, California. Out in the sunny valley, we cultivated grapevines and gardens to craft beautiful wines and experiences to delight the senses. We named this place Folktale Winery & Vineyards.

“Folktale was inspired by the idea that in every great bottle of wine, there is a story. It is filled with uniqueness of place, a year of sun and rain, and the art and craft of winemaking. The story is about our people, our guests, and our passion. This is a love story, and the best love stories never end.”

Winery Notes: “Grapes for this vintage of Joseph’s Blend were hand-harvested from 5 different vineyards in our region.  Each lot fermented in small batches and was gently pressed and racked to French oak barrels to age.  After 6 months, all lots were tasted and a final blend was created.  The wine spent another year in barrel before being bottled in Aug, 2021.  In this year’s blend, Grenache came from Ventana and Mission Ranch Vineyards (Arroyo Seco AVA), Syrah from Cedar Lane Vineyard (Arroyo Seco AVA) and Tondre Grapefield (Santa Lucia Highlands AVA), and Mourvedre from Sandy Lane Vineyard (Contra Costa County).”

My Notes: OK, it was a little strange that Folktale was the only winery out in the food area.  I wished I had found them earlier and had had the capacity to give their wines a thorough tasting.  I am looking forward to seeing where their wines are going. This GSM was a fine wine, worthy of a retaste.  I admit I have shied away from Folktale as it is more of a food with wine pairings place, but maybe that isn’t a bad thing to try.  The Le Mistral tasting looks great to me.

*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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Parsonage Part 2: Virginia Wine Experts Seek Decanting Monterey’s Advice!

I usually don’t do back-to-back tastings at the same winery, but I had to make an exception.  Doug Beakes, the Chair of the John Marshall Chapter (Northern Virginia) of the American Wine Society (AWS) was in town to bike with friends and wanted to know where they should taste wines. 

(Some history here: Back in the Fall of 2019, I presented Monterey wines to their AWS chapter at Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run, VA.  Doug previously had seen me present our local wines at the Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar.  It was a fun venue – right among the winery’s barrels.  He says I’m invited back; maybe I’ll do it again next fall!)

Back to my story: I always ask people what kind of wines they like so I can recommend the right spots – do they like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (what Monterey is widely known for) – or are they looking for something else?  His answer was BIG REDS – and they only wanted to go to one spot. I decided to take them to Parsonage, even though I had just been there the week before. 

Doug was accompanied by Mike Wassenberg,  his AWS chapter Vice-Chair, and their biking buddy/wine drinking/nice guy friend Mark Svedlund from Sebastopol. We were unexpectedly joined by Bill Parsons, who just happened to be in the tasting room when we dropped by.  It was a warm afternoon in Carmel Valley Village and my companions were a bit wilted from their bike ride. Nice guy Mark fetched cheese and bread and Bill provided colorful narrative to the wines.

Bill Parsons holding court with our Virginia visitors. Alex Lallos from Chesebro Wines joined us at the end.

Today, I am presenting 5 Parsonage wines – 3 from our tasting that day  and 2 library wines from our personal collection which were tasted separately. Last week’s post included combined tasting notes for 3 wines we tasted with this group and our barrel tasting buddies – the 2018 Estate Syrah, the 2018 Rocco and the 2017 Xandro.  We tasted 5 other wines which I have previously presented here – they are not included! Winery notes come from their website and tasting sheet.

I’ve written about Parsonage to in many prior posts and won’t repeat “about them” here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here:  https://www.parsonagewine.com/.                           

2018 Parsonage Estate Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $48 (#541*)

Winery Notes: “The nose promises richness with its ripe bing cherries and that rare, fully vine-ripe raspberry that you’d get at a farmer’s market. The bouquet carries a mysterious spice akin to baking spices with a trace of black tea. The red fruit shows up in a big way on the palate – very rich and dense on the long, full, and delicious finish.”

My Review: Beautiful deep ruby in color. Cherry on the nose.  Chewy palate with a touch of acidity.  Darker, richer than a typical Monterey Pinot Noir – we liked it.  October 2021

2014 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $26 (#542*) Merlot, Syrah blend

My Review: From our cellar: Stunning bouquet.  Very big, jammy cherry-berry nose.  Rich, dark berries on the palate and anise on the finish.  Still drinking well. October 2021

2001 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $125 (#543*)

My Review: From our cellar: Dark ruby in the glass. Rich dark berries in the nose with prune notes (at first, sulfur, which died down to a slight cooked prunes smell.) Big mouthfeel and bursting with blackberry with cola and tobacco flavors. Still something on the finish – like cooked fruit and tobacco. This wine could go another 5 years or so. October 2021

2018 Parsonage Bixby Reserve, Carmel Valley, 15%, $80 (#544*) Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

My Review: Wow! Dusty on the nose. Pretty, intense dark fruit – berry and cherry on the palate and milk chocolate on the finish. I become a bigger fan of this wine each year! October 2021

2008 Parsonage “Snosrap” Cyrano Bordelaise Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#545)

My Review: This Bordeaux blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This was the last wine we tasted, so my notes are very weak.  I think Bill said “hoisin sauce.”  This wine was rather tasty and I took a bottle home! We are looking forward to tasting it again soon. October 2021

Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – click here for the details.  You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. 

*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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