Tagged: San Antonio Valley AVA

East End “Members for the Day” – A Crazy Good Idea!

THE STORY

The tasting rooms in the Carmel Valley Village “East End” (the old White Oaks shopping center) decided to share “Members for the Day” – a member at one winery could taste at all the tasting rooms! With our Tasting Passport in hand, we could taste at Parsonage, Corral Wine Co., Chesebro, Windy Oaks, Austin Harlow, and I. Brand & Family! How cool was that!

ABOUT THE EAST END “MEMBERS FOR THE DAY”

Each winery sent an invitation to its members, inviting 2 members plus 2 friends to spend a Sunday afternoon visiting the 6 wineries.  Each prepared a limited menu from which attendees could pick a couple of wines to try.  Or that was the idea, anyway. From the members’ perspective, this was a great way to try wineries we had never been to, bring a friend or two, and meet new people. 

From the tasting room staff perspective, this was a bit of crowd-management chaos, in a fun way. Lots of people signed up and the fine print of only picking a couple of wines at each one was totally lost on the members. Some wineries told us verbally, others printed it on the menu, and yet another simply opened 2 wines as the only ones available that day – smart.

Members who were used to tasting the whole menu showed no restraint. 😊 At one winery, the event overlapped with their spring release, creating added confusion to who was “allowed” to try what! We could see in the eyes of the tasting room staff that some were doing the best they could with as much enthusiasm they could muster, while others looked simply shell-shocked. We members, on the other hand, had a wonderful time. At some wineries, the sales were flowing, so the idea worked for them.

In hindsight, some said that *if* they were ever to do this again, they would limit the invitation to 2 members (no extra friends), make it clearer that people could only pick 2 wines (or only serve 2). Good ideas. I would add: make this an annual event and try not to overlap your releases so there is a single menu. (I know, easier said than done and I am guilty of showing up to do both at once). 

If you attended this event, I would love for you to leave a comment today on your experience at East End “Members for the Day”!!

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 10wines I have not presented before from 5 of the East End “Members for the Day” – Austin Harlow, I. Brand & Family, Chesebro, Windy Oaks and Parsonage.  We also tasted the wines at Corral Wine Co. – you can find my previous reviews of those wines Corral Wine Co.: A Beautiful Portfolio of Tasty Wines! and Corral: Newly Released Pinot Noirs Available Now! Winery notes come from the event tasting sheet or their website. You can read more about each winery on its respective website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Mid Life Crisis Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV , $21 (#1303)

My Review: Pale gold in color and viscous in the glass. Butter on the nose. We found this Chardonnay to be pretty tasty with a buttery and light grapefruit finish. April 2024

2021 Austin Harlow Sharon’s Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $36 (#1304)

My Review: Faint peach on the nose. A nice palate with a grapefruit twist on the end. April 2024

2023 Paysan Rosé, Central Coast AVA, 12.5% ABV, $19 (#1305) 78% Mourvèdre, 11% Cinsault, 11% Grenache.

Winery Notes: “Even though it wasn’t a warm vintage, our 2023 rosé shows more warm climate character, not unlike Spanish rosés, than in past years. The long hang time and ample canopies brought full phenological ripeness for a red wine at rosé sugars and acids. The resultant flavors are more cherry and plum than underripe strawberry and watermelon but in the same refreshing composition as usual.”

My Review: Pale pink in the glass. Light in flavor. Very refreshing. I would drink this in the micro-climate! April 2024

2023 Paysan Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $24 (#1306)

Winery Notes: “I feel like this last year people finally ‘got’ the Zabala Sauvignon Blanc. It’s not a gooseberry and cat pee SB like we were taught to like from New Zealand (and which has become, in the vein of buttery Chardonnay, a parody of itself) nor the laser thin acid bomb of Sancerre. The Musqué clone it’s based on gives a distinctly melon driven presentation, underscored by river rocks and crushed seashells. It also retains less acidity than other SB clones, which is essential in Arroyo Seco because the winds and cold nights make everything acidic. Our Zabala Sauvignon Blanc is an exceedingly pleasant wine, joyful, friendly, consistent. It’s the white wine you always want in the fridge for when you need a splash.”

My Review: Pale in the glass. Melon, peach and light pineapple on the nose.  The palate is refreshing and light with a lingering finish. April 2024

2023 La Marea Verdelho, Pierce Ranch, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 11.8% ABV, $19 (#1307)

Winery Notes: “I set a goal of exploring more white wines in 2023. We picked up some pretty esoteric stuff, including two grapes off Pierce Ranch. The second will come in the summer, but the first is this delightful Verdelho. Verdelho is a Portuguese grape grown predominantly on the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores. It creates a bright, almost spicy wine redolent of citrus and orchard fruit. This is an exceedingly pleasant quaff. We only made 50 cases of this wine, so don’t pass on it or you’ll miss it!”

My Review: Very pale in color and lacking aromatics.  Light on the palate with some ginger on the finish. We thought this would pair well with food and took one home. April 2024

2023 La Marea Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $25 (#1308)

Winery Notes: “After several short vintages, it’s lovely to finally have a decent crop off Kristy’s. The 2023 vintage was characterized by a comparatively late harvest. Across the 2023s, sugars were late to accumulate and acids remained stubbornly high as phenolics developed in the moderate temperatures. High potassium levels in the juice resulted in higher than usual finished pHs with good titratable acidities (a measure of the total acid content in the wine) meaning that the 2023 whites are deeply flavored, supple and open while remaining focused. Our 2023 Albariño has been showing great with depth and complexity to spare.”

My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. Full-bodied and delicious.  Very balanced in all its flavors. We liked this one so much that we took 2 home! April 2024.

2022 Paysan Petite Sirah, Pierce Ranch, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $27 (#1309)

Winery Notes: “One way to beat the fall heat spikes of 2022 is to pick before they hit. Heat is a fact of life in the San Antonio Valley and the secret is to work with well adapted varieties. Thick skinned Petite Sirah is a lovely choice and on the fractured silicate and calcareous rock of Block One it yields a wine of surprising elegance and grace. I made the wines for Pierce Ranch for several years earlier in my career, so I know the vineyard well and this is one of their premier blocks. Fermented with 30% whole cluster and aged in neutral oak for 11 months.”

My Review: Almost purple in the glass. A nice, black and blue fruit palate with a tannic finish.  I think this will settle down into a very yummy wine. April 2024

2016 Cheseboro Grenache, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.8% ABV, $35 (#1310)

Winery Notes: “A savory and robust Grenache from the sandy, well-drained soils of Cedar Lane Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Only 80 cases produced.  Ripe rasberries and cracked pepper with a firm core of dusty tannins. Aromas of dried sage brush leads off followed by bright red berry fruit and a long caressing finish.”

My Review: Unfortunately, I did not take notes on this wine.  I recall it being quite delicious and full, made in a style I would prefer my Grenache to be. April 2024

2018 Windy Oaks Special Release – Le Chaud, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 14.8% ABV, $85 (#1311)

Winery Notes: “Using a special piece of machinery that heat treats specific rows of the vineyard in rapid motion, it decreases the number of mildew sprays and actually increases the phenolics (important flavor contributors) in the grape skins. This results in amplified aromas and black/red fruit characteristics with unusual complexity and layering.”

My Review: I was unable to taste this wine, but my partner did – and I simply wanted to include it today.

2021 Parsonage Wild Card, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $40 (#1312)

Winery Notes: “This iteration of the beloved Wildcard, our preposterous melange of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir, will rock your world. The nose is a fragrant and seductive melange of exotic spices, wild flowers, boysenberry, and cranberry. The palate is marked by cedar notes and blueberry with a vibrant backdrop of red and black fruit in this medium-plus mouthfeel beauty.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Well-melded flavors in this red blend – a great follow-on to the fabulous 2020 vintage, which I am presenting in my DC wine class. Red and black fruits dance on the medium-bodied palate. This wine is still young and has great potential. April 2024

THE TASTING ROOMS

The Carmel Valley Village “East End” tasting rooms are located at 19 East Carmel Valley Road.  Please check each winery’s website for their specific hours.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Monterey County Vintners & Growers Celebrate 50 Amazing Years!  

As a huge fan of Monterey County wines, I hold a special place for the resources and efforts of Kim Stemler and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. When I learned I could be there to join the Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years, I could not wait for the date!

THE STORY – The Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years

This annual meeting was held on January 31st at Rustiqué Winery out River Road. It was mostly attended by our local vintners and a handful of their supporters. After their board meeting, we mingled and sampled some of their newest wines, some not yet released.  It was a relaxed and friendly setting with a delicious lunch, followed by the meeting itself.

MINGLING

Before the meeting, I had the chance to speak with several winemakers I have gotten to know over the years.  We asked about the 2023 vintage and heard the following: gratitude for the lack of wildfires, plentiful in yield, yet some mixed results vineyard by vineyard. David Baird from Folktale indicated he is looking forward to the imminent release of his 2023 whites and rosé. I thanked Miguel Lepe of Lepe Cellars for recently hosting the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society and he invited us back any time! Sabrine Rodems was very excited to show off the new Scratch C-47 Grenache-Syrah. Adrien Valenzuela from Corral Wine Co. brought their latest Petite Sirah just being released – wow. Kirstie Dyer invited us up to Holman Ranch for a tour and tasting. Dennis Hoey of Odonata did a double-take at our last name – just one letter separates us. People do ask me if we are related. Later, I joked that we should invite him to our upcoming family reunion as a long, lost cousin!

There were a number of Associate members of the group present, to whom I was introduced as a “Monterey County wine influencer.” I prefer the term “groupie.” I’m just a passionate fan and wine educator who helps get the word out about our fabulous wineries and wines.

THE MEETING

At the meeting itself, there was great recognition of how far the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association has come over these past 50 years – from their early meetings in a bar to having this larger meeting in a winery barn! Kudos were given to Kim Stemler, the face of Monterey wines, for her hard work increasing the profile of our vineyards and wineries, while working with regulatory bodies.

Kim has worked to support the members and to find solutions to challenges like COVID and wildfires (air support first makes a difference!). She provides a single point of information to streamline communication. One marketing success from 2023 was renaming the River Road Wine Trail to the Monterey Wine Trail and soon we will see new signs put up to help guide visitors. And she helped us get our local wines onto the shelves of Whole Foods! She also talked about getting wineries to visit each other to share techniques and expertise. 

BRAINSTORMING

The next part of the meeting was to brainstorm at our tables some of the biggest positives and negatives for the region. At our table, we talked about the positive of growing recognition of Monterey County wines and the negative of increased shipping costs throughout the production supply chain, including delivery to consumers. As an example, the sharp increase in shipping costs during and after the pandemic have made it increasingly difficult for me to put together a class for my DC-based group. 

With this much growth in the past 50 years, I can’t even imagine what it will be like the next time the Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years!

THE WINES

Today I am sharing impressions of 9 of these latest wines; I didn’t take detailed notes.  Winery notes, where available, come from their websites or labels, or as otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Moonlit Harvest Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $22 (#1246) produced and bottled by Cowboys, Livermore, California

From the Back Label: “Eighteen eighty-three is the year C.H. Wente founded his winery in Northern California. This wine pays homage to his pioneering spirit and passion for quality grape growing and winemaking. The grapes for this wine were grown and harvested under our serenely moonlit estate vineyards located in Monterey, regarded as one of the best places in California to grow Chardonnay. The cool, coastal influences are ideal for delivering flavors of ripe apple, guava and mango balanced by subtle oak, vanilla and spice. Enjoy!”

My Review: Quite tasty and balanced with distinct tropical notes balanced with a little buttery oak – quite representative of a Monterey County Chardonnay. I would present this in a class.  January 2024

2022 (?) Kori Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1247)

My partner poured this, so I am assuming it is the 2022, for which I cannot yet find any notes. 

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: The tasty fruit for this wine comes from one of a top Arroyo Seco vineyard – Griva.  A nice balance of citrus flavors with a predominance of that classic Sauvignon Blanc grassiness.  January 2024

2021 Scratch C-47 Grenache/Syrah, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV (#1248) 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Big, bold flavors in this well-balanced wine. I don’t know the blend, but it clearly has enough Syrah to please my palate. Excellent. January 2024

2020 Corral Petite Syrah, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV (#1249)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Rich and dark blue and blackberry tongue-coating flavors. I know I am not supposed to have favorites but this was, for our palates, our favorite wine of the day!  January 2024

2019 Silvestri Eugenia Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $65 (#1250)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Eugenia is a unique blend of our estate reds (35% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Franc,15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot) at 25% New French Oak.  Aged 18 months in barrel… Our version of a Bordeaux blend using all five varietals with Malbec leading and Cabernet Sauvignon just behind offering bold flavors of plumb and black currant and structure.  Cabernet Frank and Merlot evenly support with balancing softness and a slight herbacousness and a minor contribution of Petit Vedot with color, tannin and spice.”

My Review: Very berry on the nose and palate, opening into a richer red. Tasty. January 2024

2021 Rustiqué Syrah, Tondré Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV (#1251)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: I was excited to try this Syrah from the esteemed Tondré Grapefield. My guess is that it is the first Syrah produced by Rustiqué.  It was quite berry on the nose, followed by a very nice palate.  I’d like to try this again.  Time for a visit to Rustiqué!  January 2024

2019 Odonata Sangiovese, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 14.2% ABV (#1252)

Winery Notes: “Strawberries, hints of cinnamon, leather and earth. The palate is round with balanced acidity and tannin. Great vintage for Machado Sangiovese, this wine is powerful and fruit forward, but will lean out into dried leaf and cool subtleties as time progresses. 10-20 year wine for sure.”

My Review: We got a lot of berry and cherry flavors with solid tannins on the finish – agree this would benefit from cellaring and I would like to taste it again!January 2024

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $80 (#1074)

Winery Notes: “The renowned Garys’ Vineyard was planted with the celebrated “Pisoni clone” by the two iconic growers of the Santa Lucia Highlands: Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni. Together they have brought worldwide attention to this fabulous appellation for the exceptional quality of its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. This year, Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni have graciously offered Bernardus a few extra tons of the superb Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir (expertly farmed by Mark Pisoni). This enabled us to ferment in 3 small fermenters, providing a new subtle complexity to the finished wine.

“Our 2021 Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes a gorgeous perfume of ripe, dark red fruits along with notes of rose pedal. The fabulous palate is very intense – powerful yet elegant – with layers of boysenberry, ripe black cherry and a hint of spice. This is without a doubt, our finest Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir to date!”

My Review: We somehow ended up with a bottle of this wine at our table.  Pinot Noir is not my wheelhouse, but this big, complex Bernardus Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of the finest I have tried.  A pretty, bright red ruby color. Cherry and raspberry nose, followed by continued red fruit flavors on the complex palate. It went exceptionally well with our meal. January 2024

2021 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV (#1253)

Winery Notes: N/A.

My Review: Tobacco on the nose. Dark plum and berry flavors on the palate. Pretty delicious. This was a great wine with which to finish the program.

THE TASTING ROOMS

With the exception of Moonlit Harvest, these wines can be tasted in our local Monterey County tasting rooms, spanning the 3 regions of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley Village, and the Monterey Wine Trail.  You can find more information on their websites or at the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association website.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Lepe Cellars Hosts a Jingle-Mingle!

THE STORY

Last August, I had the chance to meet Miguel Lepe of Lepe Cellars and his assistant Thyra Roth at the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association Trade and Media Tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There, I asked him if he would be interested in hosting the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society for one of their First Friday events – and he said yes! We finally held that event in early December and it became our chapter’s holiday party at his tasting room inside the Winfield Art Gallery. He was a gracious host, educating our group on his wines and sharing about his winemaking journey.

I previously presented Lepe Cellars Wines in 2 posts: And Now: The Final Post on the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Event!and Lepe Cellars: A New Face on the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Circuit!

ABOUT LEPE CELLARS (from their website)

About the winemaker

“Miguel Lepe studied enology and viticulture at California Polytechnic State University – SLO. He began his career working for various well respected wineries across California’s Central Coast and South America. Passionate about his craft, Miguel’s hard work and dedication has led him on a new journey – creating Lepe Cellars to showcase the best of Monterey County wines.”

Our Mission

“We take great pride in blending the best of Old World and New World techniques, enabling the wine to develop naturally over time and allowing the journey to be kept as pure as possible, highlighting the regions true terroir.”

THE WINES

I have 7 Lepe Cellars wines to present to you today representing 5 distinct AVAs within Monterey County!  You can read more about Monterey’s AVAs here. Winery notes come from their website unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2021 Lepe Cellars Chardonnay, River Ranch Vineyards, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $38 (#1234)

Winery Notes: “Citrus and white flower aromas lead into a bright profile with green apples, lemon, and honeysuckle with a touch of minerality on the palate.”

My Review: Pineapple and butter notes on the nose. Crisp and flavorful on the palate with a slightly acidic finish. I took one home. December 2023

2022 Lepe Cellars Sangiovese Rose, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $30 (#1109)

Winery Notes: “This bright, stone fruit focused dry Rosé starts out with a burst of peach and apricot leading into hints of tangerine. Pairs well with seared salmon, lobster and tuna tartare.”

My Review:  A light, pretty pink hue in the glass. Caramel and fruit notes on the nose. Really delicious palate of peach – great balance of sweet and dry. I’d enjoy this in the microclimate. December 2023

2022 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV       , $40 (#1236)

Winery Notes: (Description of the 2021 vintage) “Fresh and soft in style, unleashing notes of cherries and raspberries on the palate with hints of hibiscus and rose petals on the nose.”

My Review Powered by Terravenos:  Cherry on the nose. Smooth, young. In a year, it will be glorious. Perfumed with cherry, berry and savory notes – very good with the white cheddar. December 2023

2021 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $55 (#1237)

Winery Notes: “Bright and lush in style, unleashing fresh juicy cherries and raspberries with hints of hibiscus on the finish. Light to medium body spectrum achieving a fresh fruit forward profile.”

My Review: This Pinot Noir comes from one of my favorite vineyards for Pinot in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This was a much richer, darker wine with more tobacco and tannin on the palate and finish – a very different wine from the first Pinot Noir. December 2023.

2021 Lepe Cellars Zinfandel, Wellong Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $42 (#1238)

Winery Notes: “This single-vineyard expression from southern Monterey County begins with a floral hit on the nose before diving into cherry-compote and crushed rock aromas. There is red-plum on the palate with hibiscus and cinnamon tones, finishing with a spicy kick of white pepper.”

My Review:  Smokey caramel on the nose. Rich dark berries, a little sweet on the palate. This is one of the best examples of Zinfandel in Monterey County. December 2023

2021 Lepe Cellars Syrah, Zabala Vineyards, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $55 (#1239)

Winery Notes: “Intriguing aromas of fresh blueberry and violets with hints of dark plum, black pepper and milk chocolate on the palate tied together with soft lush tannins.”

My Review:  Very dark in the glass. A warm nose with black berries. Rich palate of dark fruit. Tastes more high alcohol than it is. I’d like to put this up against a Halter Ranch. I’m always on the hunt for a Syrah made from Zabala Vineyards fruit. I like this wine and took one home. December 2023

2020 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $49 (#1110)

Winery Notes: “Elegant aromas of wild strawberry, savory soy and light licorice show on the nose of this pure varietal. Dark plum and cherries show on the first sip, with a bit of earthy forest floor woven with pepper, oak and tannin creating a velvety, rich texture.”

My Review:  I’ve had this wine before and described it like this: “Plummy and jammy on the nose. Tobacco and dark fruits on the palate. Very nice.” But today, my palate said it was smokey, baby.  This is a 2020 wine, after all. I’ll need to try it again. December 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

The Lepe Cellars tasting room is open daily from 12-7 p.m. inside the Winfield Art Gallery on Doloresbetween Ocean & 7th, Carmel-By-The-Sea.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Pierce Ranch Closes Tasting Room Amidst Final Buying Frenzy

THE STORY

When we heard the shocking news that Pierce Ranch Vineyards was closing their tasting room, we immediately made a plan to stop by for one last taste and to pick up our shipment. Things were chaotic on that day, as many members were doing the same thing.  Supply was low and, as we tasted wines and identified what we wanted to buy, the bottles were being bought up by others.  To me, it was a kind of a sad way to experience those wines perhaps for the last time.

We understand that Pierce Ranch Vineyards is going to focus on their vineyards and selling their grapes vs. making wine themselves. There is still wine in the barrels, so I expect some new vintages to appear, probably to be sold on their website.

ABOUT PIERCE RANCH VINEYARDS

“Small-batch, low intervention, estate-grown wines from lower Monterey County’s San Antonio Valley AVA”

“The story behind Pierce Ranch Vineyards is a love story of wine shared amongst friends and our beloved community. It starts in the iconic vineyards of southern Monterey County’s San Antonio Valley appellation in the year 2000. There is a depth to the terrain that exposes the remarkable quality of the region. A small, family-owned affair, we bring a sentimental spirit to viniculture, to honoring the land, and to cultivating and harvesting the grapes in the late summer and fall. The romanticism of crush and the sweeping vineyards flows into our cozy tasting room. What began as a cottage house built in 1915 has become a space where our community meets in the magical garden and rustic indoor setting to taste the ambrosial wine with a unique focus on Portuguese and Spanish varieties. It’s a love story that never ends, poetry in a bottle that starts with respect of the land and the community by never using herbicides and only using native yeasts with minimal intervention. It is a dedication to the vines and attention to the grapes so they continue to thrive with the years.”

THE WINES

I have 7 wines to present to you today.  Because of the chaos in the tasting room, my notes are skimpier than usual. Winery notes come from their website or their bottle labels, unless otherwise noted.

2018 Pierce Ranch Grenache, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, $30 (#1217)

Winery Notes: From the label: “Our 2018 Grenache, the first varietal bottling for us in quite a while, was grown in the granite and shale soils of an upper section of our Western Addition Vineyard. A delicious and nuanced take on the variety, it was fermented in a single small lot using only native yeasts and was then aged in primarily neutral oak for fourteen months. Only 90 cases were produced.”

“Varietal bottling with its characteristic medium-bodied red fruit and focused earthiness.”

My Review: Cranberry in the glass. Red plum on the nose. Smooth, slightly sweet, light cherry palate. November 2023

NV Pierce Ranch Tourbillon, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, $18 (#1218) Grenache, Graciano, etc.

Winery Notes: “Late in the summer in the San Antonio Valley, about midway through the grape harvest, it’s not uncommon to see pale grey dust devils gather themselves and then quickly tower up over the fields and pastureland like slender pillars of cloud. Something like the local geniuses of the region, they serve as the namesake, once or twice linguistically removed, for our Tourbillon.

“While the latest release is an entirely different blend from its predecessor, it maintains a similar stylistic approach, being a well-rounded, easygoing wine that’s well suited for most foods or enjoyed alone. Medium-bodied, and with notes of black cherry coulis and florality on the nose and palate, it presents a surprisingly savory finish with hints of dried herbs, earthy woodsmoke and a touch of dusty minerality.”

My Review:  Translucent garnet in color. Light palate with an acidic, tannic finish. November 2023

2017 Pierce Ranch Maçon, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, $30 (#656) Petit Verdot, Graciano, Tempranillo

Winery Notes: “Something of an Ibérique Supérieur, our new Maçon brings together Tempranillo, Graciano and Petit Verdot to form a slightly idiosyncratic blend of Spanish and French varieties. Combining a hint of Iberian aromatics with the earthy, mineral palate reminiscent of a Bordeaux, this is a wine that approaches Old World character while also indulging a touch of experimentation. A floral nose balances itself against a darker midpalate and a solid tannic structure, as notes of violets and dried herbs give way to an underlying earthiness and a savory, vaguely smoky finish.”

My Review: Ruby in color. A touch of barnyard on the nose and the palate. November 2023

2019 Pierce Ranch Mal/Zin, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, $30 (#658) 26% Malbec, 48%  Zinfandel, 26% Alicante Bouschet

Winery Notes: I took these notes from the label, but I couldn’t read the whole thing. “Our Mal/Zin is a somewhat idiosyncratic blend of Malbec, Zinfandel, and Alicante Bouschet. It offers up a mix of sumptuous black fruit and …, leavened by a touch of Old World earth and ….  Grown in various blocks in our Y Ranch and Panhandle Vineyards, it was fermented in several small lots with only native yeasts, and then was aged in a combined … of new and neutral oak. Only 175 cases were produced.

My Review: Plum and blackberry on the nose. Medium palate of delicious blackberries. Tasty. November 2023

2017 Pierce Ranch Petit Verdot, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, $32 (#1219)

Winery Notes: “With its high elevation, rocky soils, and wide variation in diurnal temperature, the recently declared San Antonio Valley appellation is an area that is proving to be well suited to a number of Bordeaux varieties. Grown in our Western Addition Vineyard in a mix of decomposed granite, broken shale, and sand, the 2016 Petit Verdot is a robust yet nuanced wine with a rich, savory palate and moderate tannins. Produced on a limited scale, it was fermented in small lots and aged in French oak for 18 months. Notes of blackberry, cassis, and black cherry meet with hints of wood spice, and thyme along with a mineral, earthy undercurrent.”

My Review:  Ruby in color. Dark berries and plum on the nose. Vegetal notes wrapped in fruit on the palate. November 2023

2019 Pierce Ranch Graciano, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, $32 (#1220)

Winery Notes: “Traditionally used as a blending grape in the Tempranillo-based wines of the Rioja, Graciano has been one of our most cherished varieties, grown in the clay and calcareous rock of our Home Ranch Vineyard. The 2019 vintage is a slightly richer presentation of the variety, but nicely balanced on the palate with a decent weight and texture along with a lengthy finish. A nose full of red and black cherry, and blackberry, with a hint of candied fruit and fresh, herbal notes, is followed by a complex palate of blackberry, dried fruit, candied orange peel, thyme, and a characteristic minerality on the finish, with notes of shale and bramble, and the very subtle hints of vanilla and baking spice.”

My Review: The one, little sip we had was quite good. November 2023

2018 Pierce Ranch Olonde, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, $32 (#1221)

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

My Review:  Garnet. Slightly earthy/ash yet pleasant nose, with a tasty palate. November 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

The Pierce Ranch tasting room closed in November, but you can buy their wines on their website here.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!


Comanche Cellars: A Story About a Man, His Horse, and Good Wine!

THE STORY

I have been curious about Comanche Cellars for years, with their interesting name and trendy, downtown Monterey tasting room. I first had the chance to try one of their wines when a neighbor and I stopped into A Taste of Monterey last March. I previously brought you the 2020 Comanche Cellars Tempranillo here: Spur of the Moment Wine Experience at A Taste of Monterey. My slightly updated tasting notes say, “Almost garnet in color. Blueberry and chocolate on the nose. Spicy mouthful of berries and dark cherry. Lively palate. Updated October 2023.”

We needed a place for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) to hold its October First Friday WinedUP event and Comanche Cellars was gracious enough to host us.  My husband and I stopped by in late September to do a little pre-taste and make sure they were ready for us. SOme of my notes are from that tasting and the rest are from the AWS event.

The Comanche Tasting Room, located at ​412 Alvarado Street, was such a fun venue for our AWS Chapter.  Our group likes to explore different wineries and this setting was spacious enough and decorated in such a cute way, leaning into the “Dog & Pony” theme. And they allowed us to go “off menu” and try some of their bigger reds.  We were very happy for our experience and many of us went hope with bottles of their wines.

We were so fortunate that vintner/owner Michael Simons came to meet our group and shared that he had struggled to come up with a name for the winery.  His kids were the ones who came up with Comanche, the name of his beloved childhood horse.  In addition to Michael, we’d like to thank in particular Christina who helped us secure the date, and Gabriel and Bree who helped us go “off-menu” and were so knowledgeable about the wines.  We didn’t get to try their cheese and charcuterie boards, so will have to go back another time. Michael said the winery had a great time getting to know our group and might have had even more fun than we had!

ABOUT COMANCHE CELLARS (from their website)

“My name is Michael Simons, and what started as a love affair with wine has turned into a passion for producing small lots of very handcrafted wines from neighboring vineyards.  Our tiny (1,800 cases) winery is named after Comanche, my horse when I was ten years old. He was an important part of a young life, and I use his name as a loving tribute to this old friend. These days, I ride a bicycle, and since this love affair with wine turned into a full-blown obsession, finding time for riding anything can be tough. But I still think of Comanche often, and am proud that his name and shoes are on every bottle of my wine. Maybe those horseshoes will bring you some good luck!

“Comanche Cellars is on California’s Monterey Peninsula, where we take advantage of the incredible wealth of vineyards that can be found in almost every direction. All throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA’s, there are winegrowers and winemakers producing incredibly beautiful wines that, we think, can and will rival the best the world has to offer. We’re happy to be in the sweet spot right now, as Wine Enthusiast recently named Monterey as one of the Top 5 winegrowing regions worldwide!

“Saddle up, come along for the ride, and see for yourself what all the buzz is about. Just give us a call or drop us an email.”

THE WINES

I have 10 wines to present to you today from Comanche Cellars. Winery notes come from their website, bottles or the tasting room, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Comanche Cellars Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc (Pet Nat), Dorcich Family Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 11.5% ABV, $30 (#1156)

There is a story about this wine.  It was supposed to be a still Sauvignon Blanc, but the sugar and the yeast got out of control and secondary fermentation occurred. It is a happy outcome and a very fun wine.  They took their Sauvignon Blanc bottle and slapped a Pet Nat (Pétillant Natural) sticker on it! This is new on their tasting menu! I hope you get to try it!

Winery Notes: “N/A.”

My Review: Pale sparkly in the glass. White peach and honeydew on the nose. Crisp on the palate finishing with subtle notes of grapefruit and a touch of yeast on the finish. September 2023

2022 Comanche Cellars French Oak Chardonnay, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $30 (#1157)

Winery Notes: David let us taste this barrel sample in the middle of active winemaking operations. My garbled notes say he considers this wine to have good complexity and an intrigue that he just loves. 

My Review:  Touch of oak. Butter and vanilla on the nose. Like caramel popcorn. Vanilla and butter carry over to the palate. Lots of oak. It’s a big Chardonnay with lime twist on the finish. September 2023

2021 Comanche Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir, Gimelli Vineyard, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 14.85% ABV, $30 (#1158)

Winery Notes: “This beautifully-hued rosé will quickly impress you with the aromas of candied apple leading to flavors of maraschino cherry and passionfruit. The crisp, pleasing acidity makes you want to savor each and every sip while it transports you to a French sidewalk café in the summertime.”

My Review: Very pink, intensely almost orange. Watermelon and maraschino cherry on the nose. Light palate of strawberry, like a Pinot Noir – with a fruitier twist. Not exactly fruit forward to us. I preferred this rosé to the 2022 vintage. September 2023.

2022 Comanche Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir, Gimelli Vineyard, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 13.4% ABV, (#1159)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Rich pink in the glass – dustier pink than the other one. Spice on the nose. Tart and spicey on the palate. Like Asian spice – perhaps jalapeños on melon – in a good way. September 2023.

2020 Comanche Cellars Dog & Pony La Niña, Central Coast, 12.9% ABV  (#1160) 65% Tempranillo, 35% Grenache

Winery Notes: “This intriguing duet of Tempranillo and Grenache brings flavors of spiced fruit compote

wrapped in a tapestry of soft tannins and juicy acidity to create a beautifully balanced, easy to enjoy wine.”

My Review: Dark purple. Deep plum and blackberry on the nose. Smoke front palate. Nice smooth palate with a smooth, tannic finish.  During our pre-tasting, this was my favorite wine. September 2023.

2021 Comanche Cellars Sagrantino, Calleri Vineyard, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 11.7% ABV (#1161)

I had never heard of Sagrantino until this day – then saw it in an Umbrian Montefalco Rosse just a few days later – lots to learn about it! The tasting room told us that 3,000 acres of Sagrantino grapes are planted locally!

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Translucent garnet in glass. Vegetal notes with candied cherry and nutmeg on the nose. Asparagus. The nose to me is reminscent of the vegetal I get from Petit Verdot. Mouth-filling, candied cherry fruits and sour cherry finish. Wow! This is such an interesting wine. September 2023

2020 Comanche Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Tres Pinos Creek, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 12.4% ABV (#1162)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review:  Dark in the glass. Dark fruit, almost stewed prune, on the nose. Light on the palate. The nose over promises the palate. September 2023

2018 Comanche Cellars Merlot, Medeiros Family Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 14.3% ABV, $34 (#1165)

Winery Notes: “Delicious rich berry cola on both the nose and palate layered with smooth blackberry jam. These beautiful flavors are complemented by notes of leather, cedar and licorice.”

My Review:  Plum and blueberry on the nose. Add some cranberry to those and you have a nice wine! Some anise on the finish. October 2023

NV Comanche Cellars Dog & Pony Tre Zingari, Central Coast AVA, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#1166) 40% Barbera, 40% Merlot, 20% Carignane

Winery Notes: “This Old World bellezza tells the tale of three timeless gypsies; the cinnamon red

cherry pie and rose petals of Italy’s Barbera, the dark blueberry-cherry-sage of France’s Merlot and the clove tinged onion jam of Spain’s Carignane. Let fly the Romani wanderlust, if for only a short while.”

My Review Powered by tèr·ra·ve·nos: These are Erin’s notes: “Deep ruby with pronounced aromatics.  Jammy black fruit, dark cherry and plum, with some orange peel.  This wine has an earthy quality with black licorice and a little rose petal.  Alcohol and grippy tannins on the palate, with a delightful finish of violet and black fruit.  Good depth.”  My favorite wine of the day. October 2023

2019 Comanche Cellars Petite Sirah, Pierce Ranch Vineyard, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $38        (#1167)

Winery Notes: “Petite Sirah has deep rich flavors and velvety tannins. New to our portfolio, this

single varietal wine is big, bold and full bodied with aromas of dark fruit, vanilla and bayleaf. It truly is a unique grape, just don’t confuse it with Syrah!”

My Review Powered by tèr·ra·ve·nos:  Inky purple in color.  Rich, crunchy black and blue fruits, with violet and licorice laced with alcohol on the lovely nose. Add all those flavors and a touch of prune on the palate.  A good steak wine. I took one home for an upcoming class. October 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

“Join us in downtown Monterey for tasting flights, wines by the glass and our famous cheese & charcuterie boards!”

The Comanche Cellars tasting room is located at 412 Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey. ​831-747-2244.  Their hours (according to their website) are Tues-Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri 3-9 pm, Sat 1-9 pm, and ​Sun 1-6 pm. It is a popular venue and no reservations are required!

They also have fun and/or educational events such as vertical tastings and Wednesday night bingo! Check their home page for more information!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!


Monumental Third Year, Decanting Monterey!

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

OUR HISTORY

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

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

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

OUR STATS

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUBSCRIBE

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

OUR SUPPORTERS

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

DONATE

Now, to my ask:

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

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

Here is what it takes to make Decanting Monterey run:

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

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

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

Central Coast Sharon

Spur of the Moment Wine Experience at A Taste of Monterey

Out for a long walk with an out-of-town neighbor, we decided to stop into briefly at A Taste of Monterey, where my neighbor is a member. I’ve written previously about A Taste of Monterey here: https://decantingmonterey.com/a-taste-of-monterey-the-official-regional-wine-visitors-center/.

As I said in that post, A Taste of Monterey is a great place to start if you don’t know much about our local wines.  It calls itself ““The Official” Regional Wine Visitors’ Center.” They have an extensive wine shop in the front, plenty of tasting flights to choose from, and food pairings to accompany your tasting.  You will find wines from our established wineries, such as Pierce Ranch, Scheid, and Silvestri; as well as Kori Wines and Cru, all of which have their own local tasting rooms. In addition, you will find some micro producers who don’t have tasting rooms of their own. Plus they have huge picture windows with bayfront views – perfect for sighting otters or watching a sunset.

About Muirwood: “WINES CRAFTED WITH CARE FROM MONTEREY COUNTY’S RENOWNED ARROYO SECO VINEYARDS”

“The Zaninovich family has deep farming roots, spanning nearly a century. In the early 1970s, we were captivated by the raw beauty and exceptional potential of the undiscovered Arroyo Seco wine region in Monterey County. Today this area has emerged as one of California’s most celebrated wine-growing regions, and among the most breathtaking.

“We are inspired by the legacy of John Muir, who sought to preserve the wilderness for future generations. With four generations of California farming in harmony with nature, we have great respect for this land we call home. Like John Muir, we take a long-term perspective. We believe in nurturing the land so that it may bear fruit for generations to come.

“The Arroyo Seco is located southeast of the Monterey Bay in the valley adjacent to the Arroyo Seco Creek, we’re lucky to enjoy a unique combination of growing conditions and soils which create grapes with character and flavor. We get a richness and quality of grapes that you don’t find anywhere else.”

About Pareto Estate Wines: “The Pareto Principle, also called the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. This is true in the world of wine, where 80% of wine is consumed by 20% of the people. With Pareto’s Estate, we raise our glasses to those of us that take up the slack of others. Cheers to the 20%!

“The vineyards of Pareto’s Estate are located in Monterey County on California’s central coast. This area is known for having the longest growing season in California, lasting on average about two weeks longer than other regions.  We thank the early morning fogs and gusty afternoon winds for this fortunate phenomenon – it wreaks havoc on women’s hairdos but the grapes love it.

“We also pay homage to the awesome influence of the Monterey Bay, for without its plummeting depth of over 10,000 feet, the fog, chilly air and reliable breezes wouldn’t exist.  And without them, Monterey doesn’t win the prize for longest hang time.  And without longest hang time, the impeccable fruit that bursts with vibrant aromas and complex flavors would be….let’s not even go there.

“A few other facts you should know.  At Pareto’s Estate, our wines are 100% estate grown.  Estate grown means that the grapes are grown on our vineyards and are crushed each vintage at our winery.  Nobody else gets to touch them.  Nobody.  Yes, we’re control freaks.  Another tidbit is that our winery is a thing of beauty.  Built in 2005, it is state-of-the-art and absolutely gorgeous if you’re into that sort of thing, which we are.  One last factoid – our vineyards are 100% sustainably certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.  We love our vines and take care of them…”

About Comanche Cellars: “My name is Michael Simons, and what started as a love affair with wine has turned into a passion for producing small lots of very handcrafted wines from neighboring vineyards.  Our tiny (1,800 cases) winery is named after Comanche, my horse when I was ten years old. He was an important part of a young life, and I use his name as a loving tribute to this old friend. These days, I ride a bicycle, and since this love affair with wine turned into a full-blown obsession, finding time for riding anything can be tough. But I still think of Comanche often, and am proud that his name and shoes are on every bottle of my wine. Maybe those horseshoes will bring you some good luck!

“Comanche Cellars is on California’s Monterey Peninsula, where we take advantage of the incredible wealth of vineyards that can be found in almost every direction. All throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA’s, there are winegrowers and winemakers producing incredibly beautiful wines that, we think, can and will rival the best the world has to offer. We’re happy to be in the sweet spot right now, as Wine Enthusiast recently named Monterey as one of the Top 5 winegrowing regions worldwide!

“Saddle up, come along for the ride, and see for yourself what all the buzz is about. Just give us a call or drop us an email.”

Today I am presenting the 3 wines we tasted in March. We each selected a different flight – I chose the Rockin’ Reds Flight. The winery has since moved on with a different set of 3 reds for this flight. Winery notes come from the winery, unless otherwise stated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. 

2019 Muirwood Merlot, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.5% ABV, $15 (#988)

Winery Notes: Winemaking: French & American oak aging, careful barrel selection & blending process. Vineyards/Fruit: Wiley Ranch “Twin Oaks” Block:  Elegant, balanced; Wiley Ranch “Vaquero” Block:  Ripe, rich. Flavor Profile: Dark plum and ripe berries, soft & smooth finish. Food Pairings: Pizza Margherita, Classic Meatloaf.

Wine Enthusiast – 88 points: Dark cherry and cedar aromas make for a familiar start to this bottling. Hearty dark fruits show on the palate as well, with splash of wood oil and a fairly fierce acidity. Matt Kettmann, October 2021

My Review: Almost purple in the glass. Plum on the dusty, mellow, pleasant nose. Perfume and grapes notes. Juicy palate of blackberry, blueberry. So smooth. Best of today’s wines. March 2023

2018 Pareto Estate Wines Eighty20 Cabernet Sauvignon, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $17 (#989)

Winery Notes: “NOSE blackberries, blueberries, plum, with notes of vanilla and mocha. PALATE medium-bodied, soft tannins, rich lingering fruit finish. VARIETAL Cabernet Sauvignon. WINE Cabernet Sauvignon from the southern Monterey region, just north of Paso Robles, benefits from long, warm days and cool nights as well as modest rainfall. The result is big, bright, fruit-driven wine with rich tannins and a long finish.”

My Review:  Dark ruby. Barnyard on the nose, with rose petal and light cherry notes. Palate of smooth fruits. Hints of barnyard, yet quite tasty. It opened up over the course of the tasting. March 2023

2020 Comanche Tempranillo, Pierce Ranch Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, $34 (#989)

Winery Notes: This special Spanish grape creates a wine that is bold and spicy. Aged in 50% new American oak barrels, it brings aromas of dark cherry, smoked meats and a long satisfying finish.

My Review: Almost garnet/ruby in color. Tart cranberry and raspberry on the nose. Spicy mouthful of berries and dark cherry. Lively palate. I enjoyed this wine. March 2023

You can visit  A Taste of Monterey at 700 Cannery Row, Ste. KK, Monterey, CA – 93940. They are open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-7pm. You can also buy the wines they carry on their website! Comanche’s tasting room is located at 412 Alvarado Street, Monterey, and is open Tues-Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri 3-9 pm, Sat 1-9 pm, ​Sun 1-6 pm.

​

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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tèr·ra·ve·nos – Wine Experimentation and Production at Home!

Last June, the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society hosted its first AWS National Tasting Project by collectively tasting and rating Sicilian wines. This was one of the first AWS activities we had attended in person and were excited to learn something new. We were seated at the table next to Erin O’Reilly, a budding local winemaker. Her friends and she were chatting about obscure wine facts and figures related to our wines. After getting to know each other there, we started a little wine education co-conspiracy – planning nerdy outings to wineries to explore some specific aspect of wine making and assisting each other with social media, wine reviews, etc. (She is my mentor for social media, my new donation button, and affiliate links, which I’m experimenting with today.)

Erin and me at a Monterey AWS event at Scratch

Erin O’Reilly is serious about wine. Adapted from her wine education website tèr·ra·ve·nos: Erin has completed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) program levels 1-3, and just earned her WSET Wine Diploma. In addition, she holds the Spanish Wine Scholar certification, along with the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential through the Society of Wine Educators. She has completed the Wine Studies and Wine Marketing Program through Santa Rosa Junior College. And, like me, she is a member of the lively Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society.  As Erin says, if you’re local, join us!

While wine is not (yet!) her day job, she is “…a garagista crafting very drinkable wines for close friends and family going on nine harvests with fruit sourced from the Central Coast’s bounty…” She even won a Silver Medal in a recent home winemakers’ competition for the first wine I am presenting today! She sets modest but challenging, singular-focused, annual goals for herself, including such things as finding a yeast that she likes, improving color extraction (too cold in her coastal garage to get the fermentation hot enough to get the color out of the grapes), and reaching the level of 3-barrel production.

I visited Erin a few weeks ago to see her garage operation.  She showed me her hand crank crusher and her tanks, how she adds oak spirals to get the oakiness a barrel would provide, etc.  We even experimented with an antique “veritable ebulliometre” to determine the alcohol level in her wine.  While it didn’t seem to work that day, it was fun to play with fire and boil a little wine to determine its steady boiling temperature. We’ll try again.

Here is the tèr·ra·ve·nos (earth + wine) philosophy: 

“Wine Infused Living: You’ve heard of the term ‘balance’ in both the vineyard and in wine, but here is a concept that benefits from further introspection. Balance transposes itself onto our own lives – personal, professional, and spiritual. Winegrowers and producers fundamentally understand the dichotomy of transience and timelessness in their craft. Nature’s cycles mirror our own chapters over a lifetime.

“I, like generations before, find myself drawn to the vineyards, wrapped in the reassuring magic of fermentation, and comforted by the rhythms of winegrowing and winemaking through seasonal cycles that have endured for over eight millennia.

“And so Terravenos was born as a space to share a wine-infused life. Join me on this journey of equal parts personal learning, sensory exploration, and treatise to humankind’s greatest travel companion – the humble grape.”

Her wine education blog Trellis is chock full of “…DIY wine education and wine-infused living…” information.  I learned about discerning and describing tannin in a wine there! You can sign up for her blog and follow her on Instagram: @terravenos and on Facebook: Erin O. Terravenos.

My review is a little different today.  It was a “mystery wine” – she did not tell us in advance the grapes – we could discern some of it anyway.  And we tasted it over several days with a couple of viewpoints to ensure we had given it an in-depth tasting with the benefit of a little aeration. And I have an untrained palate and am challenged to reflect the nuances of aromas and flavors, so you are witnessing the process here. And I have added a second wine – a sherry – which we tasted at her house.

Winery notes come from Erin directly. Any errors are mine and mine alone. 

2021 Terravenos Plentitude Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, (#922) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Winemaker’s Notes: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon – sourced from San Antonio Valley, 34% Petit Verdot and 19% Merlot – both from Almaden Valley. In this wine, she used a mix of yeasts to get the flavor profile she likes. Color extraction was a bit weak (see notes above), yet this wine won a Silver Medal in a recent home winemakers’ competition!

My Review: Dark purple in color.

Day 1:

  • Upon opening: A clean smell, yeast (a musty cocoa powder), green veggies like celery and bell pepper and spice – cinnamon and clove, and black pepper – like arugula. Blackberry and red plum round out the vegetal/spicy notes, bringing primarily black fruits in the mix. My spouse adds stewed fruit.
  • Poured into a new glass. Spice and berries on the nose. Tasty, yet slightly sweet, palate of stewed fruits – cherry, some berries and plum, with a touch of menthol. A little acidic and tannic, with a dry finish. We think we pick up some Petit Verdot on the finish. Very drinkable!

Day 2: Let’s skip day 2. It wasn’t showing great on this day – maybe something I ate – we let it be.

Day 3: Better – if not the best – tasting day! Lots of dark cherry and berries on the lean palate wrapping with tart cherry wrapped in mocha notes. Menthol and mint mid palate and some banana on the front. Licorice notes on the finish. To me, it tasted a little more Merlot tonight. December 2022

2019 Terravenos Orange Sherry (#923)

Winemaker’s Notes: Made from Malaga grapes and orange peel.

My Review: Sweet clove, orange oil and white blossoms on the nose. Full-bodied, balanced palate of mild orange.  Not too sweet – just right. Very nice!

If this article has you curious about making your own wines at home, here’s an easy starter kit! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. https://amzn.to/3DELjMz

Keep an eye out for Erin’s wines, as she continues to refine her techniques, expand her production, and win more awards! 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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How Many Monterey AVAs Can I Cover in One Class??

In 2019, I was asked by the Northern Virginia John Marshall Chapter of the American Wine Society to present a class on Monterey wines.  I was informed it would be “more educational” than the short presentation I do for another Washington DC group and it would require a PowerPoint presentation.  Seriously? For something I do as a hobby/volunteer?  I decided to do it – and it was very well received. I leaned heavily on information from the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association website – thank you, Kim Stemler! The AWS chapter invited me back this year – and I was finally able to do the class in October.

This time, preparing the materials was much easier – I already had a basic presentation, which I updated with the latest Monterey County agricultural report and some climatic info, including the 2020 fire season.  My goal this time was to cover as many of Monterey County’s AVAs as I could. I managed to include: Arroyo Seco, Carmel Valley, Monterey, San Antonio Valley, San Bernabe, and Santa Lucia Highlands.  Not bad!

For the most part, my stories were very local and wines selected were based on personal relationships I have developed with vintners and tasting room staff. I also needed to live within the event’s budget, so I leaned on industry discounts and donated wines in order to present some others at their full price. For that, I am grateful especially to Bunter Spring, Chesebro, Idle Hour and Pierce Ranch. Thanks to their generosity, I was able to throw in a couple of “extra” wines to the tasting. And I was excited to be able to discuss some wineries for the first time. I’m also indebted to the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association for providing me with some large maps and the latest tasting room brochure – always a hit!

The event went well, with great appreciation by the attendees.  Some of the wines I presented were teaching points, such as how a sparkling wine producer makes a Chardonnay or making rose from a smoke taint year.   A few attendees said a couple of the wines didn’t taste like the varietal on the label. This was the case with the Pinot Noir and the Merlot.  While I agree with the Pinot Noir statement (and that’s why this non-Pinot lover liked this wine), perhaps the commenters were thinking of a French Merlot vs. a California Merlot. I am not sure. The bottom line is that they enjoyed and appreciated most of the wines. 

Today I am presenting 10 wines from Monterey County.  Many of them have been presented before, but I thought you might find it interesting to see what I put together.  Winery notes come from their website or the tasting room, unless otherwise noted. I encourage you to feel free to comment or “like” this post – engagement is always welcomed!

2017 Tassajara Road Viognier, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.4% ABV, $18 (#871)

About This Wine: A Chesebro Wines project, named after their winery’s location. Intended as a same quality, more affordable label.

Winery Notes:  Destemmed, crushed, immediately pressed. Stainless steel for 12 months. Intense tropical and citrus aromas are backed up by a smooth mouthfeel; and long crisp finish.

My Review:  The Virginia crowd, well familiar with Virginia Viogniers really enjoyed this wine. Gardenia on the nose.  Some apple and lime twist on the palate, with a touch of orange blossom and honeysuckle on the finish. February 2022

2019 Diora La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay, San Bernabe AVA, Monterey, 14.5% ABV, $20 (Wine #652*)

Winemaker’s Notes: “This Diora La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay is a beautiful, golden hue, with aromas of toasted oak mingle with light spice notes of cinnamon. The delicate flavors of vanilla bean give way to a lovely, soft and light buttery layer. This reminds one of a rich, yet delicate crème brûlée with a soft, round mouthfeel that will pair beautifully with lobster or sautéed scallops. The light acidity and long finish of this wine will also be a great accompaniment to a variety of dishes.” This wine comes mostly from its San Bernabe estate vineyard, where it gets its tropical notes.  The rest comes from its Santa Lucia Highlands vineyard, providing more of the citrusy balance. 

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Excellently presented aromas of butter, nectarine, warm almond and white flower are delicate but expressive on the nose of this bottling. An immediate acidity races through the palate, lifting the toasty and buttery elements while pairing smartly against the ripe citrus and white flower elements.” Matt Kettmann, December 2021

My Review: This was a big hit with the AWS class. I picked this wine based on Wine Enthusiast’s listing of this wine in its Top 100 Chardonnays – Top Under $25. Viscous and golden in the glass.  Tropical nose with melon and a touch of smoke. Grilled peach and pineapple on the palate with toasted caramel on the finish. This was a very interesting, atypical Chardonnay (in my opinion) which everyone enjoyed.  April 2022

2018 Caraccioli Cellars Chardonnay, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 13.9% ABV, $35 (#578*)

Winery Notes: “Pale straw, light golden hue. Lemon meringue, honey dew melon along with tropical pineapple, kiwi, lychee and guava. A flirty balance of fruit, delicate white jasmine flower and salty sea. Creamy mouthfeel coupled with structural integrated fruit throughout the sip. Fruit notes reminiscent of green apple, pear, pineapple, candied peach and nectarine. Soft florals balanced with a brined mid palate acidity, mouthwatering finish that showcases the bright fruit.” 94 points, Wine Enthusiast.

My Review: I chose this wine, as the Escolle VIneyard, owned by Caraccioli, is a source of grapes for some of the region’s best Chardonnays. This particular vintage presented a bit tart/acidic for the class – a good example of how a sparkling wine producer might make a Chardonnay. Pale in the glass.  Touch of soft pineapple, a little butter and woodiness on the nose “like the Lone Cypress” or a cut shrub.  Clean, nice, some minerality.  December 2021

2020 Chesebro Gamay Rosé, Arroyo Seco AVA, $19 (#872)

About This Wine: First time they have used Gamay for their rosé instead of Grenache (a wildfire by-product!). Harvested at low alcohol solely for making rosé. Grapes pressed like a white. Juice comes out this color.  Stainless steel.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Beautiful light pink in color. Aromatics of rose petals and citrus combined with a light body and crisp acidity – perfect for pairing with food or just sipping on a hot day.”

My Review:  This wine was great as a teaching point of what to do with grapes affected by the fires of 2020. It is unlike the typical Pinot Noir-based rosés from the region.  Pale pink in the glass. Tart grape bubblegum wrapped in sweetness. March 2022

2019 Idle Hour Clone 667 Pinot Noir, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 14.2% ABV, $40 (Wine #727)

Winemaker’s 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.” Spent 1.5 years on the sediment. Donated to this class (many thanks, Anna Marie dos Remedios!!)

My Review: The AWS audience said this did not taste like Pinot Noir to them, which is probably why I like this wine.  My notes: Dark ruby, almost purple in the glass. Earth, plum and spice on the nose. So not like a typical, cherry California Pinot Noir. Richer on the palate with dark fruit flavors. April 2022

2017 Pierce Ranch Vineyards Maçon, San Antonio Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $32 (#656) 53% Petit Verdot, 30% Tempranillo, 17% Graciano 

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Something of an Ibérique Supérieur, our new Maçon brings together Tempranillo, Graciano and Petit Verdot to form a slightly idiosyncratic blend of Spanish and French varieties. Combining a hint of Iberian aromatics with the earthy, mineral palate reminiscent of a Bordeaux, this is a wine that approaches Old World character while also indulging a touch of experimentation. A floral nose balances itself against a darker midpalate and a solid tannic structure, as notes of violets and dried herbs give way to an underlying earthiness and a savory, vaguely smoky finish.” Donated to this class (many thanks, Pierce Ranch!).

My Review:  The AWS group liked this little wine. This is an intriguing combination of French and Spanish grapes. Dark ruby in color with cedar, mocha and rose petals on the nose. Full bodied, with mocha, cherry, berry and black tea flavors on the palate. Our favorite wine on this tasting day in March 2022

2018 Spring Red Wine “Garagitage”, Highlands Vineyard, Monterey County, 14.64% ABV, $24  76% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker’s Original Notes: “These grapes came 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, ss 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!” 15 months in once used French oak barrels.  76 cases produced.

Winemaker’s Updated Notes: “Big ripe fruity red wine, lotsa alcohol, plenty tannin, enough oak.  Screams “CALIFORNIA!” Gotta love it. Why pay more?”

My Review:  The AWS class thought this wine was fabulous, with some asking what it would be like in 5 years (I invited them to my house to see!). This was my favorite wine from a winery tasting in the Fall 2021 and continues to be a household favorite:  Very dark ruby in the glass. Perfume on the nose, followed by a yummy palate of dark fruit.  We keep drinking this wine – what an incredible wine for a bargain price! October 2021

2018 Boëté Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley, 14% ABV, $50 (#568)

During one of our visits to the winery over the last couple of years, we got to taste this wine – the first time I know of that they bottled a Merlot as a single varietal – it usually is blended in their popular Cheval Rouge.  They weren’t sure they were going to continue to bottle it alone – we encourage them to do so, *if* supply permits! You can find all their available wines here:  https://www.boetewinery.com/

Winery Notes: “Ruby red in color, aroma notes of dark berries jump out on the nose of this classic medium body Merlot, with black cherries, plum & a hint of cocoa spice on the palate.”

My Review: A couple of people in the AWS class stated this did not taste like a Merlot to them, yet everyone enjoyed it. Purple in the glass. Rich and juicy in the mouth with some solid dark fruits, blackberry and black currant.  Balanced and very smooth on the finish.  This wine is a big hit at my house. October 2021

2018 Spring “Pizza Wine”, Highlands Vineyard, Monterey, 14.96% ABV, $24 (#745) 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:  This was a big hit with the AWS class – and with me – I took all the leftovers home! Very dark in color. Sweet dark fruit on the nose. Jammy dark berries and a touch of alcohol on the palate.  I would like to present it to another class some day. June 2022

2014 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage, CM Ranch Vineyard, Carmel Valley, $35 (#618*)

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.

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. My very favorite of all the Chesebro wines. January 2022

Where can you taste these wines?  I wrap up my classes by encouraging attendees to come taste our wines for themselves and walk them through the tasting room maps in the latest brochure which I received from Kim Stemler (again, many thanks!). If you want to find these specific wineries, check out their websites for the latest information.  Here’s where I found these wines, some of which may no longer be available:

Carmel-by-the-Sea: Caraccioli Cellars Tasting Room on Dolores between Ocean and 7th.  Diora does not have a local spot to taste, but wine was purchased at Carmel Belle.

Carmel Valley: Boëté (reservation required – by appointment only), Bunter Spring (tasting room closed, but contact the winemaker to taste his wines, Chesebro (including Tassajara Road), Idle Hour (inside the Big Sur Vineyards tasting room).

Monterey:  Pierce Ranch Vineyards in the Cannery Road area of Monterey.

© 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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