Tagged: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA

Introducing Our East Coast Friends to Corral’s High Quality Wines!

THE STORY

When six couples from our East Coast life joined us here on the Monterey Peninsula, it wasn’t hard to come up with wineries we wanted them to experience. Corral Wine Co. @corralwineco was an easy choice to make. This was the perfect opportunity to expose them to Adrien Valenzuela’s fine winemaking.  In addition, there were 4 new releases to try, which are the centerpiece of today’s post!

Many thanks to owner Larry Bell for his surprise appearance to host our group and share stories about the winery and the wines. (Our friends proclaimed “There’s a cowboy in there!” as we walked into the tasting room.) His humility and honesty about their experiences, successes and challenges to date are refreshing. As their slogan says: they’re not fancy, but they make good wine. And a very special shout out to Marissa for pouring for us and amplifying the wine descriptions along the way – she is the consummate professional! Our friends commented for days about the high quality of the Corral Wine Co. wines.

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: A Rare Chance to Attend a Corral Release Party!  I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar. A couple of updated reviews from that previous posting:

My Chardonnay-loving friend declared the 2022 Corral Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay as the best of the day.  My updated review: “Yellow-gold in the glass. Butter and caramel balanced by a touch of lime on the nose. Quite flavorful and classic. A nice tang on the palate and acidity on the finish saves it from being too buttery from the malolactic fermentation. November 2024 and March 2025”

And, finally, the 2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon has come into its own on this third (for me) tasting: “Purple in the glass. Raspberry and plum on the nose, reminiscent of a balsamic vinegar, savory and slightly sweet at the same time. Juicy, balanced palate, like a rich raspberry jam on toasted sourdough. A blue, tannic crunchiness of Concord grape skin, finishing with intensely dark plum and mint.  Very complex and delicious. March 2025”

THE WINERY

From their website: “In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.

“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 Corral Wine Co. new releases from this reunion experience. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. My notes are amplified by the East Coast Chapter of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, $36 (#1531)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of strawberry, peach ring, and red fruit. Leading way into flavors of watermelon, passion fruit, and orange citrus with hints of white peach and mandarin.” Getting the color right remains a challenge – from their previous vintage of a bright deep color to this year’s pale version.

My Review: Very pale and viscous in the glass. Floral nose, followed by a crisp palate highlighted by pink grapefruit tartness. I would drink this in the micro-climate. March 2025

2023 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1532)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of stone fruits, citrus, wet stone, and hints of gooseberry. On the palate lemon, citrus, peach while finishing with its nice racing acidity and minerality.”

My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Grilled pineapple on the nose. Very tasty crisp palate with gooseberry and pineapple flavors. Perhaps the tastiest Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc currently on the market. February and March 2025

2022 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#1533)

Winery Notes: “Rich, full flavors of drk cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, spice, and a long finish.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Violet and light cherry on the pleasant nose. Rich cherry jam countered by leather on the hot palate, with lingering menthol on the finish. A richer flavor than most SLH Pinot Noirs, slightly sweet on the front with a little lingering menthol on the finish. Consistently one of our favorite SLH Pinot Noirs. February and March 2025

2021 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1534)

Winery Notes: “Dark and rich in color with aromas of dark fruit, and ripe red fruits leading way into hints of sage, nutmeg, spices, and leather. With flavors of blackberries, sweet baking spices finishing with nice velvety tannins and a long flavorful finish.”

My Review: Rich, thick, dark purple in color. Crushed black currant with eucalyptus and sage notes on the nose. Huge, rich palate of dark fruit, finishing with lingering intense black currant and saddle leather. This is one delicious wine. We took some home! February/March 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

VISIT US

*Please note that Corral is moving very shortly (if not already) next door in the stand-alone white house formerly occupied by Albatross Ridge!*

“We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA”

Open Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6-ish p.m.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Wrath: When the Power Goes Out, Let’s Go Wine Tasting!

THE STORY

Remember our Monterey Peninsula power outage in mid-December? Yeah, that one was not easy to forget. We decided to head to Carmel-By-The-Sea for holiday shopping and ended up at the Wrath Tasting Room in Carmel Plaza to see if there were any new Syrahs being poured.  We tasted 4 new (to us) wines and took some home! There we were hosted once again by Cynthia, whom we had last seen in their Soledad tasting room. 

My last post about Wrath was here: Wrath: A Quiet Afternoon on the Monterey Wine Trail! I’ve written about their wines a few times – just type “Wrath” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

ABOUT WRATH

From the Wrath website:

“The wrath of Juno sent Aeneas wandering the Mediterranean in Vergil’s Aeneid. For the ancient Romans, ira or wrath, was a tool of a god, an unstoppable anger driven by forces greater than man. One can argue that we see such fury in both the might of nature and the passion of art. Wrath appears in the edgy power of Robert Plant’s voice and the raw wail of Eric Clapton’s guitar. It is frozen into Jackson Pollock’s violent splatters of paint. Wrath is in the wall of maritime fog that rolls into the Salinas Valley and the relentless afternoon winds that scream through our grape trellises. Wrath wines represent a nexus of nature and an unbridled passion for winemaking. Welcome to Wrath.”

“Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from our estate vineyard and respected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Our production is small, our distribution is limited and our wines reveal attitude, passion, and an inherent respect for what a vineyard can give us.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 Wrath wines from this December mini-tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. You can read more about each wine on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Wrath Pinot Noir, Cortada Alta, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $55 (#1511)

Winery Notes: “Wrath’s newest Single Vineyard Pinot Noir offering; Cortada Alta offers a leaner, more European style of Pinot, that showcases structure with youthful tannins that give way to subtle flavors of red and black cherry, a touch of dried herb and a bright juiciness that keeps the wine beautifully balanced.”

“Cortada Alta is the highest planted vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.  Because of the challenges in dealing with thin, rocky soils and nearly constant exposure to strong cold winds that hit the clusters throughout the year, Swiss/German clones Mariafeld and Wadenswil were selected for this site.  These two clones grow and ripen nicely in their environment and offer a sophisticated, interesting selection not usually found in our growing area.  This bottling is a leaner, more European style of Pinot; it showcases structure with youthful tannins that give way to subtle flavors of red and black cherry, a touch of dried herb and a bright juiciness that keeps the wine beautifully balanced.”

My Review: Stems, plum and barnyard on the nose. The underlying fruit is cloaked in flavors of orange and dark cherry with a tannic finish. There is some underlying fruit hidden inside. December 2024

2021 Wrath Destruction Level, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $39 (#1512)

Winery Notes: “Concentrated and intense, this blend is upfront with mulled dark fruit, soy and earthy undertones. The palate is generous and seamless with mulberry, cola and a long lively finish.”

“In antiquity, the wrath of a victorious army often left cities burnt to the ground.  Thousands of years later, these events show up as dark carbon-filled strata, or destruction levels, in the archaeological record.  The subtle smoky quality that permeates Wrath Destruction Level Rhone Blend is an ode to the smoke-filled smell of victory that greeted the victorious armies of the ancient world.  This red Rhone blend is composed of Syrah and Grenache from colder sites in Monterey County.  Inky and intense, this blend is upfront with mulled dark fruit, soy and earthy undertones. The palate is generous and seamless with mulberry, cola and a long lively finish.”

My Review: Nose finishes with bright raspberry. Grenache dominates on the palate. December 2024

2021 Wrath EX  Syrah, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $25 (#1513)

Winery Notes: “Full-flavored and savory, this wine has dark berries, black pepper and dried herbs all wrapped with velvet tannins.”

“This wine captures the savory side of our estate-grown, cool-climate syrah clusters. Black peppercorn, rosemary, cola and blueberry aromas show on the nose, while the palate has more of the same along with cracked pepper, ripe olallieberry and dried meaty flavors.  This bottling is a slightly younger, less oaky version of its bigger brother, San Saba Vineyard Syrah.” 90 points – Wine Enthusiast

My Review: Sulfur and smoke on the nose. Smooth palate – would be a good food wine. A decent entry-level Syrah which I would serve for a party or present in a class. December 2024

2019 Wrath Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#1514)

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Pleasantly funky aromas of toasted nori and iodine mix with cracked pepper and dense berry plum paste on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The cool-climate cracked pepper flavor is very powerful on the palate, spicing up what mulberry, plum and roasted fig flavors, with charred meat lingering deep into the finish.” Matt Kettmann April 2022

My Review: Dark in the glass. Big bouquet of spice with a touch of barnyard cloaking dark fruit notes. Rich feel on the palate. The dark fruit core is wrapped in cedar and spice. December 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Wrath has 2 places to taste their wines and we think they are both lovely.  So handy to stop in at Carmel Plaza, but what a treat to drive out River Road to the bucolic setting of their winery – bring your lunch!

Winery Tasting Room: “Located at 35801 Foothill Road (at the junction of River Road) in Soledad, CA, 5 minutes west of Hwy 101.   Open Fri-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tue-Wed-Thurs.    Direct: 831.678.2992” 

Carmel Tasting Room: “Located in Carmel Plaza, downtown Carmel at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Mission St., ground floor. Open Fri and Sat from 11-6pm.  Open Sun through Thur from 11-5pm”

© Decanting Monterey 2025

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Another Chink in the Legacy of Monterey Wines

(Seeing this on Instagram? Click the link in my profile to read the whole story)

THE STORY

I was eating my lunch at the kitchen table, reading the Carmel Pine Cone, as I typically do.  I opened the January 10th edition to the real estate section and found this ad on page 42:

It’s an ad for a Bernardus Vineyard consisting of “32-acres of vines comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Petite Syrah and Merlot.The wines produced from the vineyard are consistently awarded 90+ scores for their quality and structure that will age.”

I just about fell out of my chair and immediately called out to my husband. This sounded like Bernardus’ Marinus Vineyard – from which their founder Ben Pon fulfilled his dream to make a Bordeaux-style wine right here in Carmel Valley (in Monterey County). I was devastated to read this news, as the Marinus and Marinus Signature blends made from these grapes, are my favorite Bernardus wines.  We have been long-time members of their Marinus club and have enjoyed their Marinus dinners over the past few years – my favorite event of the year.

At the most recent such dinner in 2024, which I wrote about in this post 2024 Bernardus Marinus Dinner – Nothing Short of Spectacular!, we heard for the first time the full, colorful history of the founding of this vineyard and the beginnings of the winery. It is quite a moving story. Knowing this news now and looking back on that dinner, I can see why the telling of those stories was so emotional for the winery staff as well. This must have been a difficult decision to make.

The Bernardus Marinus wines are quality, age-worthy wines.  I fear this marks the end of an era, but perhaps it is simply an expression of the trends in consumption and maybe even climate.  After all, even though we might feel like these wineries are providing us a service and we may be way too attached to wines from certain vineyards, winemaking at the end of the day is a business and wineries must follow the trends and the fruit to achieve their bottom lines.

THE SIGNS WERE THERE

We knew something was up when tons of the 2017 Marinus showed up at Costco for a fraction of their retail price (we bought as much as we could).  In addition, at the Marinus dinner, there was talk about no longer making a separate Marinus Bordeaux-style blend and just making the higher end Signature.  Now I understand why. Bernardus will still make a high-quality reserve Bordeaux-style blend, just not from that vineyard. But from where?  What fruit will match the quality and historical significance of their own estate vineyard?

And, while Bernardus was a key, early player in the Carmel Valley AVA, it is widely known for its “Monterey County” wines available nation-wide and its reputation has been soaring with its high-quality vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands. I have written about all their wines many times. You can find those posts by typing “Bernardus” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.  Those varietals are what Monterey County is more broadly known for.

Bernardus’ Vineyard-designate Trio of Pinot Noirs

I want to say up front in this post that I’m telling you this story off the top of my head – any errors are mine and mine alone – and do let me know if corrections need to be made. 

THINGS THEY BE A-CHANGING

We’ve seen so much change in our Monterey wineries and vineyards.  Often it is because the original owners have aged out or passed away and their heirs don’t want to continue to produce wine.  It’s sad. Because many of these vintners were the founders of winemaking in this region. We have seen Talbott and Hahn labels and winemaking taken over by Gallo Wines.  We saw Galante, which still produces wines, sell its vineyards and winery to newcomer Tira Nanza, who shows great promise.  We saw Joullian close and be put up for sale. The Massa Estate is also for sale – the Durney legacy vineyards of some of the most prized Cabernet Sauvignon fruit in Carmel Valley/Cachagua. Pierce Ranch Vineyards down in San Antonio Valley AVA closed its tasting room in 2023 and decided to focus on selling its fruit. And the Boekenoogen family recently chose to stop wine production, with Santa Lucia Highlands locals McIntyre Vineyards taking over its tasting room and inventory. And Manzoni has kept their vineyard, while selling its tasting room and winemaking to younger players. So much change. Most recently, and last I heard, we’ve seen a merger of newer players Seabold Cellars into San Benito’s Eden Rift.

Monterey County AVA Map from the Monterey Vintners & Growers Association

Maintaining a quality vineyard is a hard job, with the threats of fire and drought around the corner.  In some of our conversations with vineyard owners, they have no interest in bottling their own juice, as it means lots of road time to market their product.  Our Monterey County grapes are much sought after by wineries outside of Monterey County.  Having the Santa Lucia Highlands designation on a bottle means something.  Carmel Valley is less widely known, but remains my favorite AVA within Monterey (oops, I’m not supposed to have favorites).

Carmel Valley AVA Map from the Monterey Vintners & Growers Association

And then there is the overall downturn in wine consumption and climate change, affecting wineries across the globe.  Some vineyards are ripping out grapes or have left their fruit to rot on the vines.  We are at a critical juncture. As one local vintner put it, it’s the “ebb and flow” of the business.

NOW WHAT?

My first reaction about the sale of the Bernardus Marinus Vineyard was pure incredulity.  I kind of took it personally. I did communicate with the winery and I know what a tough decision this was for them. I know they will do their best to continue to produce a high-quality Bourdeaux-style blend to keep their consumers like me happy. I personally hope they can find the fruit from the Carmel Valley AVA, but I might be asking for too much.

Then I started to have crazy thoughts – like how we could pull together a consortium of wine aficionados/investors and vineyard/winemaking experts to purchase this prize property.  It’s fun to think about, but that’s a long stretch. It would be WORK. And I’ve already got a good gig – I’m retired. And as my good friend and Decanting Monterey Wine Pod member says, “The best way to make a small fortune (in winemaking) is to start with a large fortune.”  Nope, I checked…I don’t have one.

So, all I am left with is hope.  Hope that someone who cares about those quality grapevines will buy the vineyard and help preserve Ben Pon’s legacy of making a quality Bordeaux-style blend from Carmel Valley. 

That’s my think piece for today. I’ve gotten over myself. Not a single wine review in today’s post. See, anything is possible.

Heather Rammel and Jim McCabe of Bernardus Wine

Let’s all raise a toast to the Marinus Vineyard and Ben Pon’s legacy!

© Decanting Monterey 2025

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Monterey AWS Chapter Wine Group Celebrates the Holidays at LadySomm!

THE STORY

The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society was seeking a place to celebrate the holidays – and I thought of LadySomm at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel. They have interesting offerings in a great space. Fortunately, the date we were seeking just happened to be open on their calendar. They offered us some fun wine education aspects and a beautiful spread of cheeses and fruits paired with some delicious bread, making for a lovely evening. Roxanne and Tamara were great hostesses for our group that evening. Thank you, ladies! And we were very happy to meet some brand new members of our local wine group!

ABOUT LADYSOMM

From their website: “At the heart of Lady Somm are two sisters, Roxane Langer and Tamara Carver, whose passion for wine has blossomed into a mission to share it with the world. With backgrounds that span the globe and the wine spectrum, they invite you to join them on a journey of discovery, education, and enjoyment. Welcome to our world of wine.”

On their website, you can dive deeper into all of their wine education, tasting salon, travel and special events. I encourage you to take a peek! I am excited about their offerings – there is something for every budget.  They host regular wine tasting and education events, running the spectrum from informal to fancy.  It’s a fun place to explore!

THE EVENT

Our holiday celebration at LadySomm was a fun event.  How lovely to enter their space, all decorated for the holidays with the beautiful charcuterie boards on display plus the 3 wine education stations: 

  • “Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles – Taste three different sparklers that evoke the holiday spirit: Are you a prosecco fan or a method Champenoise fan, OR do you even know which you prefer? Taste three of our favorites to confirm your preference.”

This was eye opening. The prosecco from Italy upon first taste was delicious, blowing my preconceived idea that all prosecco’s are sweet. Others thought it was a tad sweet, which I discovered to be true upon a revisit. Alas. The cava from Spain was extremely bubbly, crisp, and dry – the bubbles obfuscated the flavors for me, which is one of my pet peeves in overly bubbly wines. I probably didn’t give it a fair shake and will try another one again. The Champagne (obviously from France) had the finest bubbles, the most sophisticated of the three.  I do enjoy a good Champagne! Those would have been fun to blind taste to see if we could guess which was which.

  • “Beef or Fowl for your holiday table – which wine region has you covered? Taste a “perfect for your roast turkey” white wine, a big red for your prime rib and a wine that pairs well with both all from one European wine region.”

Here, we learned how different wines pair with turkey and beef. We tasted a Domaine de Cala, Coteaux Varois en Provence rosé with the turkey – an appropriate pairing.

Then we tried the 2021 Wrath Pinot Noir, Boekenoogen Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.3 % ABV, $49 (#1484) (92 points – Wine Enthusiast) with both the turkey and the beef, showing its versatility in food pairing. This wine was fuller-bodied than the typical SLH Pinot Noir, possessing enough structure and tannins to please our palates and stand up to the beef.

Finally we tried a Tribe & Arrow Diamond Dão Proprietary Red Blend (50% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot), Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley with the beef.  I didn’t see the vintage, but this is a limited production bottling by Olette Wines with individually numbered bottles. Another great pairing!

  • “Know What Your Nose Knows – Learning the Language of Wine: Learn to smell and identify common scents in three different wine varietals.”

Here they had on display a 2022 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1088); a Val de Meigas Albariño from Spain; and a MAX Carménère Reserva from Chile. For this exercise, they put wine glasses upside down over Le Nez du Vin wine odor bottles.  Oh, is that what you are supposed to do with them – who knew? Another fun excursion for a future wine event!

First we focused on the aroma chart or what one might smell by swirling one of the white wines in the glass. Then we could pick up each glass and try to discern the odor in each glass to the chart.  I guessed all of these correctly.  The green apple wasn’t so distinctive, but wet hay was the most memorable for me. Then we had a set of cards to use to identify the odor samples typical for a Carménère. I got green pepper off the bat, and found garlic a bit harder to discern. OK, I don’t consider myself to have a very good nose or palate for detecting the multitude of aromas and flavors in a wine, but I aced them all!

VISITING LADYSOMM

LadySomm is located at 3728 The Barnyard, G-23 on the upper level in Carmel. They are open 2-7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays. Check out their website for upcoming events throughout this holiday period and beyond! 

JOIN THE MONTEREY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY!

December is the perfect month to join the American Wine Society and select Monterey, CA as your local chapter! Please join today so you can participate in our 2025 local wine education activities!

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Living Room with Friends: A Bunter Spring Pop-Up

THE STORY

Bunter Spring Winery held a pop-up tasting about a month ago.  I had not been in his pop-up space since he took it over and it felt like we were walking into someone’s living/dining room with friends.  Surrounded by Mark Bunter and Margaret Spring’s close friends and their dogs, this felt more like a small party in someone’s home. Mark shared some novel wines, demonstrating his winemaking prowess, and some fabulous sale prices, to boot!

THE WINERY

From the Bunter Spring website:

“Bunter Spring Winery is a small family operated winery in the Coombsville AVA in the southeast corner of Napa Valley.  We also have some production in Monterey.  Most vintages we make a few hundred cases of wine, mostly for ourselves, but also for sale to friends on our mailing list, and a few restaurants and wine shops.  Why make wine?  We just don’t care for many of the wines sold today. We make the kind of wine we want to drink: balanced, interesting, made with few or no additives, and low or no sulfite. We list all ingredients, the actual sulfite level, and the actual alcohol level on every label.  Incredibly, NO OTHER WINERY DOES THAT.”

VINEYARD Update

In his recent email, Mark informed us that the vineyard had been torn out and is replaced by a field of flowers:

“When Dad decided it was time to retire, I realized the winery would not be going forward.  Vineyards require a lot of upkeep.  An abandoned vineyard becomes an unsightly weedy jungle or desert, depending on rainfall.  It breeds fungi which hurt your neighbors vines.  So…”

THE WINES

We really enjoyed this Bunter Spring tasting event, as we were able to taste two wines made very differently from the same (somewhat suspicious) grape. It’s like an on-the-spot lesson in winemaking. Also, Mark dares to break from the expected in terms of what (as an example) a Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir is expected to taste like by making one with enough juice from Carmel Valley to completely change its taste profile.

As always, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the winery.  Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.

2022 Bunter Spring White Wine, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 13% ABV  $20 (#1480)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Your basic dry white wine, like in the Southern Mediterranean. Good with fish.” 40 cases produced. 

My Review: Mark said this might be Sauvignon Blanc, but neither he nor we think so.  More like a lighter white without any distinctive flavors.  It is a pleasant wine – nice and dry, worthy of serving at a party. November 2024

2022 Bunter Spring Macerated White, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 13% ABV, $20 (#1481)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Same grapes as above, fermented on their skins for extra aromatic punch and exciting texture.” 20 cases produced. 

My Review:  Slightly orange, golden in color with nice legs. Perfume on the nose and palate, followed by a mélange of bold flavors. Quite delicious and interesting. I would serve this to guests. November 2024

2021 Bunter Spring Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1482)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Mostly from a famous vineyard in SLH, plus a little lower Carmel Valley fruit.  French oaky, fruity, spicy, fun.” 50 cases produced.

My Review: This was a surprise to me.  This mostly SLH (Santa Lucia Highlands) fruit does not taste like the typical SLH Pinot.  A richer, smoother, fruitier Pinot Noir, with caramel on the finish.  We took some home. November 2024

2017 Bunter “Natur” Syrah, Coombsville AVA, Napa County, 12.86% ABV, $30 (#1483)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Subtle, complex, fresh herbs, berries, floral, meaty, earthy. Superb balance, not BIG SYRAH. That’s OK with me- I like it.” Organic grapes. 50 cases produced.

My Review: This wine was another pleasant surprise. We had for sure tasted a previous vintage – the 2014, I believe.  This one has settled down in the bottle and is ready to drink. We took some home. November 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

You can sometimes find a pop-up tasting by Mark Bunter in the back room of the Big Sur Vineyards tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. Check out the Bunter Spring Winery Facebook Page and the Bunter Spring Winery Instagram page for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

A Rare Chance to Attend a Corral Release Party!

THE STORY

One of our Decanting Monterey wine partners recently invited me to attend a Corral Wine Co. release party.  I was quite excited about the invitation, as we consider their wines as some of the finest in the area.  For me it was a rare chance to visit their beautiful Bell Ranch estate, chat up the owners and staff, and mingle with the members.  We had a long conversation co-owner and winemaker Adrien Valenzuela who gave us the details about the new red blend, called “Tres Amigos” and the newly released Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rick and Adrien

We were greeted with a pour of their 2022 Monterey County Chardonnay, followed by their 2022 Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH) Chardonnay – a stark contrast between the two.  The SLH white was paired with potato chips – very good together! I’d say the Monterey Chardonnay would make a great every day white, while I would save the SLH one for a special occasion – like Thanksgiving!

The “Tres Amigos” is a tasty blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah.  I found it very approachable, drinkable now, and right up my alley.  It was paired with Lula’s chocolates.  Yum.  When I try to compare it to the 2019 “See What You Can Do” Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend, I find them completely different.  The 2019 was a much more structured wine, while the Tres Amigos is one I want to serve now.

We also sampled the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, which Adrien says he left in the barrel longer than usual.  It was paired with delicious brisket. The flavors in that wine certainly reflect the extra aging. I would cellar that wine for a while.

Finally, we got a barrel sample of their 2023 Zinfandel from the Enz Vineyard in San Benito County.  It is aging in once-used French barrels. I have to say it is already a big, delicious beauty, one I will look forward to once it is released. I was too blown away to capture notes, but we all said this could be the finest local Zinfandel yet!

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: Corral: Newly Released Pinot Noirs Available Now! I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

THE WINERY

From their website:

“Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards.

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

“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 Corral Wine Co. wines from this November release party. Winery notes come from their website or provided at the release party. My notes are amplified by my Wine Pod partner. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2022 Corral Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $38 (#1469)

Winery Notes: “Barrel fermented with 20% New French Oak and allowed to go through complete malolactic fermentation. This Chardonnay will appeal to a wide variety of palates. Composed of precision, minerality, and freshness but also bringing some structure, body, and concentration. Aromas of toasted oak, crème brûlée, baking spices, and roasted nuts with flavors of lemon custard, pineapple, and butterscotch.”

My Review: Yellow with a little green tinge in color. Meyer lemon with grassy notes. Not super buttery, which is a plus in our view! November 2024

2022 Corral Chardonnay, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $52 (#1470)

Winery Notes: “Elegant and focused Chardonnay barrel fermented with 33% New French Oak allowed to go completey through malolactic fermentation which brings richness and an oily, silky mouthfeel with a medium to full body. Displaying aromas of tropical fruit, lemon, sweet baking spices, and hints of vanilla and clove. Rich flavors of Meyer lemon, pineapple, and stone fruit that lead way into a long lasting juicy finish because of its bright acidity.”

My Review: Yellow-gold in the glass. Butter deliciousness on the nose. Quite flavorful and classic. The acidity on the finish saves it from being too buttery. Elegant and balanced. November 2024

2021 Corral “Tres Amigos” Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, 14.2% ABV, $64 (#1471) 66% Syrah Highlands Ranch SLH, 20% Petite Sirah, 14% Cabernet

Winery Notes: “Deep purple hued wine showing off its inky color and intensity. With a nice array of aromatics: blackberries, crushed blueberries, black pepper, bay leaf, cedar, and dried herbs; matching its big flavor profile of black fruits, all spice, elegant velvety tannins, and its fresh acidity bringing it a nice long finish.”

My Review: Plum, a little chocolate and deliciousness on the palate. Smooth, with plenty of fruit and so easy on the tannins. Classy label! I want to serve this wine now. I took two home. November 2024

2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Armory Vineyard, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo, 14.5% ABV, $87 (#1472)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of dark red cherry, blueberry cobbler, dark chocolate, roasted notes, vanilla, and new leather with hints of tobacco and black pepper. A juicy palate with lots of flavor made up of maraschino cherry, anise, and blackberry; finishing with nice elegant but firm tannins.”

My Review: Purple in color. Black pepper and raisin on the nose, almost a ruby port-like quality (but in a good way). Lots of white pepper and earth on the huge dark fruit palate. Cherry on the finish. That’s a big wine and definitely expresses the Paso Robles terroir. This wine needs to be cellared at least 5 years. We wondered what it would have tasted like had it been decanted. November 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

VISIT US

“We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA”

Open Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6-ish p.m.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

An Unexpected Tasting of New Bernardus Pinot Noirs!

THE STORY

We stopped by Bernardus Winery in late October with an out of town visitor.  My goal was to re-taste the 2018 Signature Marinus to update a recent post. And we lucked into a number of new releases, including its trio of 2022 Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs, which it is selling as a package deal! We tasted these  wines without knowing their order – I guessed the Rosella’s right!

My last post about Bernardus was here: Bernardus Hosts Monterey AWS for the Very First Time!

ABOUT THE 90+ SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIRS

“Explore our single vineyard Pinot Noirs from Gary Francioni’s vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.  Each designated vineyard is expressive of its unique terroir.” $168 for the bundle (normally $240). 

  • 2022 Sierra Mar Pinot Noir- 95 points Wine Enthusiast
  • 2022 Soberanes Pinot Noir- 95 points Wine Enthusiast
  • 2022 Rosella’s Pinot Noir- 92 points Wine Enthusiast

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 5 Bernardus wines from this late October tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $28 (#1459)

Winery Notes: “Our 2023 Griva bottling has tropical fruit aromas accented by grapefruit and white peach.   The palate exhibits hints of minerality with rich, lush tropical fruit flavors. With notes of guava, citrus peel, and stone fruit, this intense Sauvignon Blanc finishes with refreshing acidity.” 92 points- Wine Enthusiast.

My Review: Pale in the glass. Pineapple, grapefruit, perfume and honeydew on the nose. Bitter grapefruit zest up front, followed by Meyer lemon and grilled pineapple. October 2024

2023 Bernardus Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France, 12.5% ABV (#1460)

Winery Notes: (Just released – no notes available as of yet!)

My Review: Ballet slipper pink. Honeydew on the nose. Flavorful palate of marshmallow, melon, watermelon and citrus. Lingering flavors in the palate. October 2024

2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV (#1461)

Winery Notes: “Santa Lucia Highlands’ two most renowned growers, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, have joined forces on an exciting vineyard located next to the celebrated Garys’ Vineyard in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is called Soberanes Vineyard. We at Bernardus are honored to be among the few wineries to receive both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this fabulous vineyard! We have chosen two Pinot clones: the celebrated Pisoni clone and Dijon clone 667.

“Our 2022 Soberanes Pinot exhibits aromas of ripe blackberry and cola. Typical of this special vineyard, the palate is full and intense with flavors of ripe, dark red fruits. The finish is long, rich and silky.”

My Review: Cherry and earth on the nose. Lighter palate of very SLH flavors but without sour cherries. Pomegranate, cranberry bright red fruit and soft spices. October 2024

2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $70 (#1462)

Winery Notes: “Sierra Mar is a superb vineyard planted by the renowned grower Gary Franscioni on a dramatic hilltop location at the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands. We at Bernardus are honored to be among the few to receive both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from this SLH super star…

“Our 2022 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir exhibits seductive scents of ripe red cherries and raspberries accented with hints of spice. The palate shows bright fruit flavors of cranberry, plum and baking spice notes on a long flavorful finish.”

My Review: More purple in the glass. Darker, sweeter fruit in the nose. A much bigger palate of warm, dark plum and brown sugar with an acidic punch. October 2024

2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard,  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV (#1463)

Winery Notes: “The Santa Lucia Highlands are known as one of the premier Pinot Noir appellations of the world. One reason for this lofty reputation is Rosella’s Vineyard, one of the finest Pinot and Chardonnay vineyards in California. Gary Franscioni planted his home ranch, named for his lovely wife, in the heart of the Highlands. His home vineyard is planted with a selection of the best available Pinot Noir clones and farmed with unparalleled passion and attention to detail. We at Bernardus are fortunate to have access to three small blocks: 2 planted with Dijon clone 777, and a third with the celebrated Pisoni clone.

“Our 2022 Rosella’s Pinot displays beautiful aromas of ripe plums and boysenberry. The palate is very rich and full-bodied, with ripe black cherry flavors accented by subtle baking spices ending with soft tannins and a long, silky finish.”

My Review: Even a richer wine. Warm nose and big rich dark palate with a leathery, tannic finish. I like this wine the best of the 3. I have become a huge Rosella’s fan. October 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Welcome to the Bernardus Tasting Room – The first tasting room in Carmel Valley!

“In June 1994, pioneer Ben Pon opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley, establishing a legacy that endures to this day. While in the region enjoy a scenic journey along the 17-mile drive from Pebble Beach to our Tasting Room, where you can savor some of the highest quality wines in the region. Visit us!”

Location: 5 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley. Open Sunday and Monday – 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 11:00am to 4:00pm; Friday and Saturday- 11:00am to 5:00pm.

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Bernardus Hosts Monterey AWS for the Very First Time!

THE STORY

Since we emerged from the pandemic, I’ve been trying to get Bernardus Winery to host the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society. After two years of asking, Bernardus said yes and hosted our October First Friday WinedUP event! And I have to say that the expertise of Heather Rammel and Ivy, the quality of the wines presented, and allowing us to use their entire tasting room space made for an exceptional evening.  It was one of the best attended and most social of our outings to date!  We hope to be invited back!

I wanted to ensure we tasted the best of Bernardus with vineyard-designated wines and finishing with a Marinus.  I asked for their best Chardonnay, personally selected the Garys’ Vineyard and the Rosella Vineyard Pinot Noirs and requested we finish with a Marinus Bordeaux-style red blend.  Heather selected the Sierra Mar Vineyard Chardonnay (which we tasted in the barrel over a year ago) and surprised us with a Signature Marinus as a final wine – that was a bonus!  They also surprised us with a significant discount in purchasing the wines we tasted that night.  Lovely.

My last big post about Bernardus was here: Bernardus Delights Its Members with an Over-the-Top Marinus Dinner!

ABOUT BERNARDUS WINES:

“Our founder, Ben Pon, viewed wine as an art—an art form that rises above the ordinary. This philosophy continues to inspire Bernardus wines today, reflected in our meticulous attention to detail, unwavering commitment to quality, and the pursuit of crafting exceptional wines.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 7 Bernardus wines, including a few from another tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Some of my reviews are amplified by my good friend Erin from terravenos. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $55 (#1068)

Winery Notes: “The 2022 Sierra Mar Chardonnay exhibits elegant aromas highlighted by a leesy complexity with toasted oak notes. The pallet shows intense white peach with hints of tropical fruits and warm baking spices. This well-balanced wine lingers on the pallet and shows the richness and intensity of fruit grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands.” 94 points- The Wine Independent; 90 points- Wine Enthusiast.

My Review: Golden and viscous in the glass. Grilled pineapple, Meyer lemon, golden apple and a hint of brioche and white flower on the nose. Palate explodes with rich flavors, sweetened by honeydew, balanced by the acidity of pineapple on the finish. Vibrant and flavorful, balanced oak. October 2024

2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $55 (#1067)

Winery Notes: “Our 2022 Rosella’s Chardonnay exhibits beautiful fruit forward aromas highlighted by rich toasted oak and caramel notes.  The palate is intense, exhibiting ripe peach accented by tropical fruits. This wine is wonderfully balanced, it shows the richness and intensity of fruit grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands, while also having a nice long crisp finish to bring all the flavors into focus.” 94 points-  The Wine Independent; 91 points- Wine Enthusiast.

My Review: Golden in color. Caramel and hint of citrus on the nose. Big flavors on the palate with a caramel finish. May 2024

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $70 (#1445)

Winery Notes: “Shows kirsch and linzer torte notes that hold sway, with a licorice wrapping and a dose of sweet spices on the briar-tinged finish.  Drink now through 2026. 443 cases made.” 91 Points- Wine Spectator; 94 points- The Wine Independent.

My Review: Ruby in color. Baking spices like cinnamon clove, dusted with chili pepper and light cherry on the nose. Quite representative of an SLH Pinot Noir on the palate. May 2024

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Ingrid’s Vineyard, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $80 (#1446)

Winery Notes: “Our 2021 Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes spicy, dark red fruit aromas. The wine is very intense and beautifully focused. Flavors exhibit essences of black cherry, ripe berries and subtle toasty oak notes. Our 2021 Ingrid’s Pinot Noir is very structured, allowing for several years of ageing or it can be enjoyed in its youth for its bright fruit expression.” 91 Points- Wine Enthusiast

My Review: Dark ruby in color. A fruity nose and a much fruitier palate than the Soberanes. Bright red fruits mid palate. Smooth tannins on the finish. I could drink this wine. May 2024

2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $80 (#1066)

Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “Creamy caramel and black cherry aromas make for an immediately appealing nose on this bottling, while layers of lilac and candied rose add loveliness. That plushness carries into the palate, where it’s balanced by an invitingly dank herbal edge. — Matt Kettmann.”

My Review: Dried leathery fruit, countered by bright red fruits (Bing cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and pomegranate) on the nose and palate. Palate enhanced by Chinese Five spice. Super tart, bright and vibrant. October 2024

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard; Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $80 (#1075)

Winery Notes: “This has a nice rich feel, with crushed raspberry and boysenberry preserves underscored by hints of mulling spices and red tea.  The finish is carried by understated juicy energy as the fruit plays out.  Drink now through 2025. 446 cases made.” 91 Points- Wine Spectator; 95 points- The Wine Independent.

My Review: Darker ruby in the glass. A darker, jammier nose than the Garys’. Cocoa and jam on the smooth palate with a spicy finish. This is overall a heavier wine of darker, jammier fruit flavor compared to the bright and tart Garys’. I have become a fan of Rosella Vineyard’s Pinot Noir fruit. October 2024

2018 Bernardus Signature Marinus Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#1447)

Winery Notes: “The 2018 vintage is a stunning wine, exemplifying the superb potential of this unique vineyard. The gorgeous aromas exhibit dark red stone fruits with notes of violets and spice. The flavors are deep and very intense, with cedar, black cherry, cranberry, and boysenberry fruit essences on a long, velvety finish.”

My Review: Cinnamon and earth on the nose. A brighter fruit palate with tons of oak – young. A lovely, velvety wine brimming with flavors.

THE BERNARDUS TASTING ROOM

Welcome to the Bernardus Tasting Room – The first tasting room in Carmel Valley!

“In June 1994, pioneer Ben Pon opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley, establishing a legacy that endures to this day. While in the region enjoy a scenic journey along the 17-mile drive from Pebble Beach to our Tasting Room, where you can savor some of the highest quality wines in the region. Visit us!”

5 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley. Open Sunday and Monday – 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 11:00am to 4:00pm; Friday and Saturday- 11:00am to 5:00pm.

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Manzoni Estate Vineyards: New Owners with a Vision!

THE STORY

Struggling to come up with a new idea for the monthly Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society First Friday WinedUP event, I pored over our master spreadsheet of tasting rooms and past events. It was time for our event to take place in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Manzoni Estate Vineyards jumped out at me: our group had never been there and they have a spacious tasting room.  I gave them a call and learned that, not only would they be interested in hosting us, but they have new owners! So, we beat feet over there to meet the new owner and hear his vision for the winery.

My last big post about Manzoni Estate Vineyards  was here: Manzoni Vineyards: In the “Heart of the Highlands”. When I called the tasting room, they remembered that I had visited them in 2021 to write up their wines for this post.

ABOUT MANZONI ESTATE VINEYARDS – NEW OWNERS WITH A VISION

Dan Troyan and his partner Doree Speidel are the brand new owners of Manzoni Estate Vineyards. When we met with Dan in September, they had only owned the winery for about two weeks! Both Dan and Doree are from the Bay Area and Monterey County.  As young 30-somethings, they had been living outside of Seattle and had dreamed of owning a winery.  As they started to look, this opportunity jumped out at them and they took the leap – why not now?

Dan and Doree will be keeping many aspects of the winery the same.  While the vineyards will stay in the Manzoni family’s hands, they are retaining access to the vineyards’ grapes, as well as the same winemaker and winemaking process. Being new owners with a vision, going forward, they plan to source all their grapes from Monterey County. This includes their Cuvée Louie, their Bordeaux-style blend which is currently made from grapes in the Paicines AVA, San Benito County. As an unabashed Monterey wine fan, I like that idea! They will also be making incremental updates to their tasting room décor.  All in good time, my friend.

More about Manzoni Estate Vineyards from their website:

“Fine winemaking is both an art and a passion, but also requires an understanding of the science of alchemy. The Manzoni family relies on the idea of terroir. This is the time-honored method of combining soil, slope, sun exposure, with a nod to the gods of weather that let the grape varieties show their unique characteristics.

“They have chosen to grow grapes on California’s cool coastal mountains, ridges, and hillsides and benchlands. Here, they strive to give you the richest, most intense flavors with a unique and memorable character.”

THE WINES – MANZONI ESTATE VINEYARDS

Today I am presenting 7 Manzoni Estate Vineyards wines. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Manzoni Estate Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $30 (#1438)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of grapefruit. The palate is rich with bright tropical fruit flavors with notes of lime and grapefruit zest. Perfectly balanced with a gentle crisp refreshing acidity.”

My Review: Pale golden and viscous in glass. Light tropical flavors on the palate. September 2024

2020 Manzoni Estate Vineyards North Highlands’ Cuvée Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $38 (#1439)

Winery Notes: “The 2020 Manzoni Chardonnay is a vibrant example of the Santa Lucia Highlands in an exceptional vintage. Aromas of dense tropical fruits leap out of the glass wrapped in subtle brioche that hints towards uncommon richness and weight. In the palette, this wine is unusually nimble while maintaining the intensity and mouth-feel promised by its exotic aromatics. Flavors of mango, mandarin orange and guava are led by hard spices and vanilla into a long finish. Crisp acidity allows this wine to flow over the tongue with focus and clarity that completes the experience.”

My Review: Light golden pineapple and peach on the nose. Bright big flavors of pineapple and some butter, followed by an acidic punch. This is one big Chardonnay! September 2024

2020 Manzoni Rosé of Pinot Noir, Family Estate Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13.9% ABV, $30 (#1440)

Winery Notes: “As this wine sits in the glass, you notice the rich hues and colors are pleasing to the eye and give hints to the aromas and flavors to come. This wine is a deep Garnet with a beautiful clarity. In the nose, rich strawberry and cream notes with hints of rose petal rise out of the glass with startling focus and intensity. On the palate, intense ripe red berry fruit is matched with and creamy, unctuous mouth-feel and balanced acidity to provide a seamless flavor profile. While certainly on the more opulent side of Rose styles, this wine is marvelously clean and nuanced in its rendering of a Rose of Pinot Noir and is a classic example of what this style has to offer the discerning wine drinker.”

My Review: Dusty light orange in the glass. Bright orange candy and strawberry on the nose. Good balance of sweet and tart on the palate. Drink now. September 2024.

2020 Manzoni Pinot Noir, Family Estate Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $45 (#1441)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of dark cherries, blackberry and smoky, spicy oak rise out of the glass. Cassis and hard spices are supported by concentrated red and black berries. In the mouth, this wine has a velvety richness and fine, ripe tannins that support the dense, ripe and concentrated fruit. Red plums and berry compote are followed by firm acidity that keeps the wine fresh and balanced. The wine finishes with hard spices and fine vanilla flavors with hints of toasty oak. A great combination of New World ripeness and old word structure. Ripe tannins support a core of rich fruit in this opulent and larger framed wine. All the flavors hang together in great balance for this intensely flavored and well-heeled Pinot Noir.”

My Review: A pretty, dark ruby color. Dusty dark cherry on the nose. Spicy and good acidity on the palate. This would be good with BBQ. This wine has more depth and character than the classic SLH Pinot Noir. September 2024

2020 Manzoni Syrah, Family Estate Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $44 (#1442)

Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit and berry aromas mingled with hints of smoky oak and vanilla. The palate follows with intense flavors of ripe red fruits, hard spices and a core of silky tannin. The finish is exceptionally long with balanced acidity bringing the combinations of fruit, spice and vanilla to a clean and satisfying resolution.”

My Review: These grapes come from a lower elevation in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Warm, fruity spice on the nose. Dark fruits and cherry on the palate. Very pleasant. One of the best SLH Syrah wines we have tried. September 2024

2021 Manzoni Zinfandel, Mainini Vineyard, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $39 (#1443)

Winery Notes: “The Manzoni Zinfandel shows classic aromas of pure blackberry and blueberry essence supported by elegant vanilla and subtle smokiness. The color is deep, rich and dark with jewel toned hues brought on by the crisp acidity and ripe grape skins. This wine is ripe and rich, but in no way pruny or raisiny like so many other renderings.  The aromatics carry through to the palette with flavors of red plums, ripe black berries and hints of hard spices that are wrapped by a core of soft, elegant tannins and bright, clean acidity. This cool climate offering of Zinfandel is a classic rendition of a varietally correct wine that allows the purity of the fruit to shine through.  While many versions of Zinfandel tend towards over-ripe characters, this wine is an elegant and powerful bottling that is not only a great flavor experience, but also a wonderful translation of terroir into the bottle.  This wine drinking very well at release but a further one to three years will bring out further subtly in the fruit and increase the aged aromatics.”

My Review: Pale garnet in color. Nice Zinfandel flavors on the palate – perhaps the best we have tasted from Monterey County! Baking spices and vanilla on the finish. My searches did not reveal where this vineyard is located.  Any readers know where it is? September 2024

2019 Manzoni Cuvée Louie Bordeaux Blend, Pedregal Vineyard, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 14.5% ABV, $53 (#1444)

Winery Notes: “The Cuvee Louie is the inaugural wine to celebrate the patriarch of the Manzoni Clan: Louie Manzoni. Aromas of dark berry and fruit lift lazily out of the glass followed by hard spices and well-heeled vanilla and hints of oak. They are intense and rich with real visceral weight to the experience. Rarely are the Bordeaux varietals so giving in the nose. The palate is no less joy with flavors of blueberry, darkest cherry and bright plum combining with lively acidity to provide for an intensely focused mouth-full of flavor. The complexities brought on by the combining of all five Bordeaux varietals, the cinq cepage, has both a mesmerizing and invigorating effect. Enjoy with the richest of steaks, a fine roasted joint of lamb and all of your favorite soft cheeses and roasted nuts.”

My Review: Rich dark garnet in the glass. Really pretty. Dark crushed berries. Smooth on the palate. Very tasty. We took one home.  Next year, this wine will be made with Monterey County fruit. September 2024

THE MANZONI CELLARS TASTING ROOM

Located in Hampton Court on 7th Ave between San Carlos and Dolores in Carmel-by-the-Sea. In addition to a spacious interior plus a separate wine club members’ room, they also have a lovely courtyard available.

#4 Hampton Court on 7th Ave, between San Carlos & Dolores St. Open daily 12pm – 6pm. (831) 620-6541

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

A Sweet, Little Local Monterey Catch Up Post!

THE STORY – Monterey Catch Up

Time for a short, Monterey Catch Up Post of wines we have enjoyed at home!

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you a little Monterey catchup post on 4 wines, 2 new ones and 2 revisits!  The Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir we found in our fridge and enjoyed on one of those rare, warm June coastal days. I picked up the Galante Vineyards Merlot at a tasting there long ago – but did not get to sample it until this past winter (amazing what we find hidden in our wine room!). We picked up the Pierce Ranch Vineyards Claret as they were closing their Cannery Row tasting room (they are open at their winery – see below!).  Finally, we enjoy re-tasting Carmel Valley wines from the 2016 Soberanes Fire year to see how they are holding up. The Parsonage Tanner Reserve is one which, through creative winemaking, I still don’t detect even a hint of the smoke – it is drinking beautifully. 

Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $24 (#1431)

Winery Notes: “If the Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir offers any preview into the quality of the coming wines for a given vintage, rest assured that 2022 will certainly be a vintage to remember. Sporting shades of melon, salmon, and coral that are classic for a Lucy Rosé, this beautiful offering packs unyielding aromatic intensity as it chills and condensates on the sides of the glass.  Delicate at first with notes of fresh strawberry and subtle, mineral driven undertones, this wine begins to offer complexities seldom seen in rosé as it opens up in the glass. Plush notes of peach blossom and watermelon waft into the air, as the first sips offer citrus-driven flavors of tangerine and orange peel, backed by tart raspberry and rose petal. Brief but impactful aging in 100% neutral French oak barrels offer an added layer of texture that pairs seamlessly with fresh acidity.”

“The Pisoni Family has always been committed to making exceptional wines, and Lucy allows them to combine this passion with philanthropy. The Pisoni family donates one dollar of each bottle sold to Breast Cancer Research. Since inception, over $200,000 has been raised for this cause.”

My 2024 Review: Pale salmon in the glass. Peach and apricot with strawberry notes on the nose. Kind of tart on the palate like underripe strawberries and raspberries. Refreshing. Complexity is revealed as wine warms in the glass. More than a pool wine. June 2024

2018 Galante Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $100   (#1432)

Winery Notes “This Wine Gang favorite is EXTREMELY limited – only 50 cases produced – and as you all know, it always sells out quickly.  Lush, ripe strawberry and toasted vanilla flavors abound in this classic Merlot.

My Review: Dark garnet in the glass – like a juicy, dark cherry. Dark fruit and a touch of vanilla on the nose. Sweet tart on the palate with an undercurrent of dark berries and plum. Cherry on the finish. March 2024

2016 Pierce Ranch Vineyards Claret, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $28 (#142)

Winery Notes: “…Benefiting from the region’s high elevation, rocky soils, and wide variation in diurnal temperature, the 2016 vintage is a nuanced, well-balanced wine with an elegant texture, restrained fruit, and a solid tannic structure. Produced on a very limited scale, its components were fermented in small lots and aged in French oak for 18 months. Flavors and aromas of red cherry, black currant, and plum combine with hints of cedar and tobacco leaf.”

My 2024 Review: Cranberry, blackberry, plum and musky herbal on the nose. White pepper, black raspberry and currant with grapefruit notes on the finish. December 2023

My 2020 Review: Raspberry and blackberry on the nose.  Raspberry, tart cherry and plum on the palate, with a smooth, licorice finish.  This is a very tasty, everyday Claret. May 2020

2016 Parsonage Estate Reserve Tanner Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $80

Winery Notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon is a burly beast of a wine and the fastest selling vintage we’ve ever made. When folks try it, they buy it. The nose is full of dark fruit with hints of barrel toast. The palate is full of blackberry, black cherry, and tobacco leaf.  Nicely integrated tannins and a long finish. We aren’t fancy and like to pair it with a burger.” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

My 2024 Review: Medium purple in color. Crushed blackberry and cherry and brewed coffee, with a hint of sulfur, on the nose. Melange of berries and spearmint on the plate with a dry, wooden finish with lingering licorice notes. Blind tasting this wine, you wouldn’t know it was from the year of the Soberanes Fire.

My 2020 Review: Glass-coating rich, this wine had a little sulphur and green olive on the nose, followed by umami flavors of pepperoni dipped in a good marinade.  Very robust and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon.  Little to no detection of smoke taint, despite the 2016 vintage. June 2020

THE TASTING ROOMS – A Monterey Catch Up:

Lucy Wines doesn’t appear to have a tasting room.

Galante Vineyards: Come visit our Wine Tasting Room and Western Emporium in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea. Located off Dolores between Ocean and Seventh Ave., Galante Vineyards is proud to be Carmel’s first “Wine Tasting Room”. We cordially invite you and your guests to stop by to say “howdy” and to taste our renowned estate wines.

“Our tasting room is located in Carmel-by-the-Sea off Dolores between Ocean Street and Seventh Ave. We are currently open DAILY for outdoor tastings: Monday-Thursday 12:30-6:30pm, Friday & Saturday  12:00-7:30pm, Sunday 12:00-6:30pm”

Pierce Ranch Vineyards : “We are now hosting regular tasting hours at the winery in Lockwood every Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00 pm…The official winery address is 53527 Bradley-Lockwood Road, Bradley, CA 93426. (We know. Apparently whether or not we’re actually in Lockwood is a matter of interpretation. It might be a quantum thing.) If you need directions or if you have questions, feel free to contact us at tastingroom@piercevineyards.com. We’ll see/observe you there.”

Parsonage: “Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Room: Hooray! We are open for both indoor and outdoor wine tasting daily. Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. Reservations can be made here or by phone. Please call us at 831-659-7322 for same day reservations.”

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