A year ago, we went to Odonata with the more senior part of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. We have been saying ever since that we needed to go back when it was the only tasting of the day. While we failed to get the senior partners together, we were able to go back with our daughter, a Decanting Monterey junior plank holder, in March.
We started with a challenging game of corn hole; then we got down to business. Eric hosted us once again and proceeded to march us through their wines. Meanwhile, some lovely women, who just wanted a glass of rosé, sat at a nearby table. Eric had no rosé to offer and instead gave them a proper wine education and tasting, while continuing to pour for us. He shifted his approach with us to a game we like to call “mystery wine” – guess the varietal. Our tasting took 2 hours and we left with a case of wine, including some for my upcoming Northern Virginia AWS wine class! Thank you so much for the industry recognition – it is deeply appreciated!
About Odonata: “Odonata offers an eclectic selection of wines from grapes sourced from our Estate and other local vineyards. The focus is quality and sustainability throughout the wine making process from the selection of the Vineyards, through production, to the finished product. The Vineyards are farmed organic, or SIP (sustainable in practice) Certified.
“While production is small by industry standards, the number of wines is extensive. This small lot principle enables Odonata to focus on consistent high-quality instead of high-volume.
“With our small lot production only a selection of our wines are available at any one time and these are frequently changing, so be sure to purchase them before they are gone.”
Today I am reviewing 15 wines, including 1 previously reviewed. Winery notes come from their webpage above, where you can also purchase their wines.
2018 Odonata Sparkling Riesling, Tondre Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands, 12% ABV, $38 (#661)
Winery Notes: “This fizz is floral with a subtle spiciness on the nose, pretty fruit in the mouth with tiny bubbles. This sparkler is fun as a pre-dinner delight or paired with exotic food like Thai, Sushi, etc… Bubbles are for every day, enjoy!”
My Review: Golden in the glass. Apple cider and grilled pineapple on the nose. A bit of yeastiness tamps down the sweetness of the apple. March 2022
2020 Odonata Chardonnay, Gularte Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14% ABV, $25 (#662)
Winery Notes: “Farmed with the Silacci family right down the street from the winery. This is fruit is crisp apple supported by a generous boost of new French oak. California inspired Chardonnay, with a crisp mineral core.”
My Review: Straw in the glass. Nice tropical notes on the nose. Up front oak mellowed out into a nice wine with a punch of lime flavors on the mid-palate. March 2022
2019 Odonata Pinot Noir, Silacci Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 12.6% ABV, $32 (#663)
Winery Notes: “Cherry fruit, cola, and subtle spices on the nose. Dense forrest floor, and hints of wild strawberry on the palate.”
My Review: Bright cherry red in the glass. The palate reveals the fruit with berry flavors. A bit metallic. Tannins balance the red fruit with peppery spices. March 2022
2018 Odonata Pinot Noir, Falcon Hill, Santa Cruz County, 14.1 ABV, $42 (#664)
Winery Notes: “This wine is elegant with viscous cherry, subtle spice and pleasurable texture.”
My Review: Darker cherry in the glass. While light in body, richer in flavor across the board than the previous wine. Red cinnamon notes. We preferred this wine. March 2022
2017 Odonata Black Darter, 13.5% ABV, $28 (#665) 86% Grenache, 14% Syrah
Winery Notes: “An exquisite nose of raspberries and spice that draw you into the glass. This wine was fermented with 14% whole cluster, to create complexity and better mouthfeel!”
My Review: Bright, rich ruby in the glass. We are now heading toward medium bodied reds. Very balanced on the palate with cherry flavors. We liked this wine. March 2022
2019 Odonata Cote du Denis Malbec, et, Hollister, San Benito County, 13.5% ABV, $28 (#666) 94% Malbec, 4% Viognier
Winery Notes: “Malbec co-fermented with 4% Viognier. Adds balanced tannin, and pushes floral notes!”
My Review: So pretty in the glass with vibrant red and purple colors (cranberry and plum). Plum and currant ( grape Bubblelicious) on the nose. Juicy and smooth on the palate. My favorite wine of the day. March 2022
2017 Odonata Grenache, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $28 (#317)
Winery Notes: “Vibrant and lively on the nose with alluring nuances of fresh flowers and berry fruits. On the palate you’re treated with pepper herbs, fresh minerality and delightful tannin. The richness and depth of this Grenache erupts with every sip, while conveying texture and balance.”
My Review: Cherry and berry flavors wrapped in cinnamon, cardamom, and allspice flavors. March 2022
2018 Odonata Sangiovese, 14.2% ABV (#667)
Winery Notes: “Strawberries, hints of cinnamon, leather and earth. The palate is round with balanced acidity and tannin.”
My Review: Deeper red in the glass. Very berry with spice and coffee on the nose. Dry on the palate with cranberry, cherry, some tartness. Lean. This was Cassandra’s favorite wine. Of course – she loves a good Chianti! March 2022
2019 Odonata Syrah, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 13.4%, $32 (#668)
Winery Notes: “Cool climate Syrah! Spicy, dense, chewy tannins with black fruit dominate the mouth feel, while the finish lingers with you softly and gently, urging further exploration.”
My Review: Rich, dark ruby in the glass. Warm dark berries on the nose. Rich berries, mocha, and spice on the finish with a touch of earth. Right up my alley. Selected for one of my classes. March 2022
2019 Odonata Syrah, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV (#669)
My Review: Rich, dark ruby in the glass. Some sweetness on the nose with berry and spice notes. Smooth berries on the palate. I liked this one, too. March 2022
2019 Odonata Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.4% ABV, $49 (#670)
Winery Notes: “Dark and inky in color! The nose is filled with perfumed fruit, spicy blackberry, cassis, and cedar. This wine is rich, fun and vibrant on the palate. Flavors of wild cranberry, licorice, black fruit and finishes with a fresh mouthfeel. With a little more aging the youthful fruit will drop out and bring forward a polished tannic structure. Enjoy now with a 30 minute decant or age it for the next 10 years!”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Lean Cabernet notes on the nose and some cinnamon on the palate. March 2022
2017 Odonata Petite Sirah, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley, 14% ABV, $28 (#671)
Winery Notes: “Opulent fruit, herbs and spices on the nose. The palate is perfectly balanced with loads of dark fruit, tannin and graphite.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Some mocha on the nose. A big, rich, smooth palate with a dry finish. March 2022
2018 Odonata Barrel Select, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, (#672) Syrah, Grenache
My Review: Rich red ruby in color. Berry on the nose. Very spicy with tangerine notes on the palate. March 2022
2016 Odonata Cabernet Sauvignon, Montebello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains (#673) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
My Review: Rich red ruby with some purple in color. Fresh and some vegetal notes. March 2022
Odonata Late Harvest Zinfandel, Wellong Vineyard, San Antonio Valley, 19% ABV, $25 (#674)
Winery Notes: “Punched down gently throughout the cold soak, fermentation, and maceration totaling 7 days. Pressed to a stainless tank where we added 20 gallons of high-proof alcohol to stop the fermentation and leave this wine with 8% sugar. Finished wine: 19.12% alc., aged in 33% New French Oak
“Sweet berry, mocha, and touch of sage. This is a very balanced expression of Dessert Wine, which allows it to be enjoyed on its own or added to any dessert you like!”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Sweet raspberry and blackberry flavors with some chocolate. Not cloying, just a delicious dessert wine. Would go great with vanilla bean ice cream. March 2022
Visit the Odonata Tasting Room: “Nestled at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and at the beginning of the River Road wine trail lies the Odonata winery and tasting room. We hope you will stop by our tasting room and sample a selection of our current releases. We are open 7 days a week and no appointments are necessary.” Open Daily 11 am – 5 pm. Located at 645 River Road, Salinas CA, 93908.
*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
in color, sweet peach on the nose, a balance of sweet and tart mid palate, with a refreshing finish. September 2020
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