Tagged: Syrah

Santa Barbara’s Tensley: “get out of the way and let the vineyard speak for itself”

I encouraged our mostly East Coast wine class in February to pick a Central Coast wine to share (virtually, of course).  I kept it broad – might be hard for them to find a Monterey County wine, so anywhere from the San Francisco Bay and Livermore all the way down to Santa Barbara County. I had been eyeing this Tensley Syrah (link from wine.com) in Wine Spectator and was thrilled to learn my husband had ordered some from K&L Wine Merchant – as though he were reading my mind!  The variety of wines presented was fascinating, spanning Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties! 

This map depicts the counties/AVAs of the wines presented in this class (plus Santa Cruz). Map credited to https://www.wineandvinesearch.com/united_states/california/central_coast.php

Here is a vintage ordered list of everyone’s wines– each one had a story, perhaps for future blogs:

  • 2019 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, 15% ABV, $40 from K&L
  • 2018 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant Cuvée Oumuamua, Monterey County, $19 at K&L (WE 93 + Top 100)
  • 2017 Robert Hall Cavern Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 15.0% ABV, $40 Costco
  • 2016 Donati Family Vineyard Claret, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 13.8% ABV, $17 at Pearson’s (DC) ( I previously presented this wine in my Paicines AVA class for the Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar, Fall 2019)
  • 2016 Gainey Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills AVA, 13.6% ABV, $22
  • 2015 Fess Parker Epiphany Grenache Blanc, Santa Ynez AVA, 14.1% ABV, 4 cans for $25 at Rodman’s (DC)

About Santa Barbara wines from the wine.com link above: “With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.

“Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.”

About Tensley also from wine.com:

“In 1998 Joey Tensley launched Tensley Wines with one hundred cases and one single goal – to start a well-priced, Syrah-driven brand that let the unique vineyards of Santa Barbara County speak for themselves…The wine press began taking notice of Tensley in 2001. That year Matt Kramer of the Wine Spectator named two of Tensley’s 2001 Syrah’s to his list of the Top Ten Wines in the World and Robert Parker scored all the ‘01’s in the high 90’s, calling them “serious, hand-crafted efforts.”

“In 2008 Food and Wine Magazine named the 2006 Colson Canyon Syrah “Top Syrah in America Over $20.” Two years later, Robert Parker gave the 2008 Anniversary Series Colson Canyon Syrah 99 points, and The Wine Spectator named the 2008 Colson Canyon Syrah #17 of its Top 100 Wines in the World. The 2007 Colson Canyon Syrah was ranked #22 the year before…

“While Tensley and its reputation have continued to grow, Joey has stayed true to the philosophy he had from day one – make quality wine that is well priced and always, “get out of the way and let the vineyard speak for itself.”

2019 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, 15% ABV, $40 (#253*)

Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 96 points; drink now or hold through 2039!

“The 2019 Tensley Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah is elegant, showing perfumed notes of violets on the nose but it also packs a punch with its smoked meat notes, deep purple fruits and notes of graphite and pepper. The light touch of new oak balances the chocolate of the wine with notes of vanilla. This wine is rich and approachable now. It can also age beautifully over the next 12 years.”

My Review: Deep rich red color.  Bright cherry bubblegum and plum on the nose.  Super rich, tongue-coating palate, with round, deep berry flavors after it opened up.  A bit of perfume on the palate. February 2021

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

Cambria Estate Winery: “Drawn to the grit and beauty of winemaking…”

Today marks a blog milestone:  I am posting the last wine from 2020! Now we can really put 2020 in the rearview mirror – and my wine tracking and number sequencing just got a heck of a lot easier.  More importantly, it is my first wine from Santa Maria Valley AVA!  Traveling south – virtually, anyway! Someday…

About Santa Maria Valley AVA from Santa Barbara Vintners: “The often foggy and windswept Santa Maria Valley is the northern most appellation in Santa Barbara County. The region’s first officially approved American Viticultural Area (AVA) enjoys extremely complex soil conditions and diverse microclimates. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are two varieties which especially benefit from the ocean’s influence and are this AVA’s flagship wines…Other great varieties such as Syrah and Pinot Blanc grow amazingly, too.”

(Image purchased from the Santa Barbara Vintners’ webpage)

About Cambria Estate Winery: “For 30 years, the Jackson family has sustainably farmed and passionately tended our remarkable Santa Maria estate. Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson’s daughters, Katie Jackson and Julia Jackson, grew up among these vines. Drawn to the grit and beauty of winemaking, Katie and Julia continue the family business. Together with Barbara Banke’s keen knowledge of the industry and incredible business sense, Katie’s passion for sustainability and the land, and Julia’s creative backbone and dedication to empowering communities, the women of Cambria shape who we are today.” They primarily produce fine Pinot Noirs and a range of whites, with the Syrah being the single exception. 

2015 Cambria Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley AVA, 13.9% ABV, $30** (#251*)

Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “The 2015 Tepusquet Syrah has a deep purple color with concentrated raspberry, black berry flavors and aromas of cured meat and mocha. The wine is medium bodied with balanced tannins that contribute to a round smooth texture. A long finish is accompanied by nice acidity with nuances of dark berry fruit. This wine is a classic cool climate Syrah with good structure and true varietal characters. Pair with baby back ribs with Tepusquet Syrah BBQ Sauce.”

**We found this wine on the K&L Wine Merchants’ web page (SKU #1483394) for $15 (now out of stock).  Nicely rated at 94 points by Vinous, with adjectives including “powerful,” “dense,” and “inky.”  You can read the full review here.  The 2017 vintage is the current release, listed for $32 on Cambria’s website here.

My Review:  Purplish-red in color. Vanilla and dark berry/cherry on the nose. Juicy in flavor with deep berry flavors with a touch of mint. December 2020                         

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

Scheid: Finding the Yin Yang of Monterey Wines!

I introduced Scheid Vineyards to you back in September here: https://decantingmonterey.com/scheid-vineyards-innovative-twist-on-an-austrian-classic/.   When I picked up that Grüner Veltliner, I looked for what else I wanted to try and picked up a couple of big reds. 

Today’s post gets really fun, as we are venturing to the southern most tip of Monterey County’s 9 AVAs – through the Monterey AVA on down to San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs! 

When driving down Highway 101, you will see that Scheid’s vineyards stretch along almost the entire Salinas Valley down to the San Luis Obispo County line! (Map courtesy of Scheid Vineyards)

On its website ( https://www.scheidvineyards.com/), Scheid describes the San Lucas appellation as having “sunny days tempered by cooling ocean breezes. Here, the days are warmer and longer, yet cool down quite dramatically when the sun goes down. Fruit-forward and softly-textured wines are the hallmark of this region, known for producing an outstanding array of varietals.”  And they describe the Hames Valley as having “long, warm days that make this an ideal area for sun-loving reds. This region produces balanced, full-bodied wines of intensity, such as Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Malbec.”

2017 Scheid 50/50, Monterey AVA, 14.8% ABV, $30 (#247*) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Syrah.

The “yin yang” of the 50/50 melded into a delicious wine!

About the 50/50: Scheid describes the 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah as “yin yang” – “complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole as part of a dynamic system” – combining the “rich, polished and powerful” Cabernet Sauvignon with the “supple, fruit-forward and a little sassy” Syrah. They describe the 2017 50/50 as possessing “the structure and dark fruit flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon and the softness and jammy fruit of Syrah, combining to present a delicious example of elegance and power in one glass. Aromas of blackberry preserves and plum accented with notes of sage and smoky spices will convince you that soul mates really do exist.”  The 50/50 comes from their Mesa del Rio Vineyard in the Monterey AVA, plus their San Lucas and Hames Valley vineyards.  This unfiltered wine was aged 16 months in American, Hungarian and French small oak barrels for secondary fermentation and aging. 480 cases produced.

My Review:  Blackberry and plum on the nose, smooth round palate of dark berries, lingering flavors. Euphoric. One of the best Central Coast wines we have tasted recently. Super yum. Highly recommend. December 2020                         

2016 Scheid Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kurt’s Vineyard, San Lucas AVA, 14.8% ABV (#248*)                                 

The 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kurt’s Vineyard from Scheid’s webpage.

About the 2016 Kurt’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from their website: “Kurt Gollnick our COO, chose a 10 acre plot to plant his favorite variety, a micro site that is capable of growing world class Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is dark and concentrated with aromas of blackberries, boysenberries and elderberries with notes of chocolate, hazelnuts, toasty oak and a hint of violet. The palate delivers rich, juicy black fruit flavors followed by soft, integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.” Aged 20 months in oak barrels. Unfiltered. 

My Review:  Garnet in color with a jammy blackberry nose with caramel notes.  Juicy palate of yummy blackberry and cherry, with licorice and mint on the finish.  I really liked this wine. January 2021

You can order Scheid wines directly from their webpage.  Their tasting rooms are open daily for outdoor tasting.  You can make a reservation and get more info here:  Visit Scheid.

Scheid’s tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea!

*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.    

Holiday Shopping Leads to Discovery of Wrath New Releases!

Wrath San Saba Vineyard, 2019

Back in November, with the holidays rapidly approaching, I ventured out to Carmel Plaza.  Can’t go there without stopping at Wrath! As a huge fan of their San Saba Syrah, I was thrilled to learn the 2017 had just been released.  On a previous trip, I had done a side-by-side tasting of the 2016 San Saba and the 2016 Syrah KW Ranch.  With both the 2017 San Saba in hand and the 2016 KW Ranch in my cellar, time to drink some Wrath!

I last brought you Wrath back in September, with reviews of the 2015 & 2016 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, along with the 2017 EX Sauvignon Blanc here:  https://decantingmonterey.com/wrath-harnessing-angry-fog-and-screaming-winds-to-create-great-wines/.

2016 Wrath Syrah KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.7% ABV, $39 (#232*)

From Wrath about the 2016 Syrah KW Ranch:

“KW Ranch is located in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands, southeast of McIntyre Vineyard and just northwest of Gary’s Vineyard. Planted to both Pinot Noir and Syrah in 2000 by Kirk Williams, the site features a well-exposed, gently-rolling hillside with gravely loam soils. Wines from KW Ranch tend to be intense and highly aromatic.”

“…Our 2016 KW Ranch Syrah is wildly aromatic with flashes of black pepper, smoked meat, blackberries, leather and cassis.  The palate is thick, powerful and succulently juicy.  Even though the tannnis are bold, the wine is still nimble, elegant and approachable.” 100% Syrah. 100% French oak, 30% new. 158 cases produced.

Critical Acclaim: 93 points Jeb Dunnuck;91-94pts Connoisseur’s Guide

My Review:  Deep ruby in color, white pepper, dark berry on the nose. Explosion of fruit blueberry, blackberry and cherry with a solid dose of pepper on the palate. A little licorice, medicinal, vegetal on the finish. Over time, a little tobacco on the finish. November 2020 

2017 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#233*)

From Wrath about the 2017 Syrah San Saba Vineyard:

“Our Estate San Saba Vineyard is set in a sheltered nook just below the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The estate consists of 72 acres of which 67.75 are planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Falanghina. This is a cool site with little rainfall and one of the longest growing seasons in the world. Our soils, Arroyo Gravelly Loam and Hanford Gravely Sandy Loam, provide a low-vigor, well-draining, disease- and pest-free medium for our vines. They also impart a subtle mineral quality to our wines…”

“Powerful and elegant, aromatics include blackberry, leather and peppercorns; the palate is rich and concentrated with graphite, cassis, and a hint of smoke.”  10 months in French oak, 20% new.  313 cases produced.

Critical Acclaim:  91 Wine Spectator, 93 Vinous

My Review: Dark purple in the glass, blueberry and a touch of barnyard/sulphur on the nose, intense blueberry and blacked berry on the palate – jammy and good. Vanilla on the finish. I do slightly prefer the 2016 vintage to this 2017. November 2020

You can buy these wines at A Taste of Monterey or directly from Wrath. 

Regarding Tastings: “As of Monday, Jan 25th, both Wrath tasting rooms are now allowed to open for limited outside seatings and tastings. New hours for Wrath’s winery tasting room are Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tues-Wed-Thur.  The winery patio is large so we can accommodate multiple visitor groups and still maintain 10′ plus spacings for safety.  Our Carmel tasting room is open every day from 11-5pm.” https://www.wrathwines.com/Visit

*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.    

Samuel Louis Smith: “Unmanipulated Elegance” in Limited Production Wines**

I first became aware of Samuel Louis Smith wines when he started getting some pretty fine reviews from Vinous and Wine Enthusiast – consistently in the mid-90’s!  Like many of his contemporaries, he owns no vineyards himself but sources his grapes from regions and vineyards that allow him to “explore some other compelling, under-the-radar terroirs where my varietals shine” with a focus on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. K&L Wine Merchants did an interview with Samuel Louis Smith back in 2019 that provides the whole history of how Sam got into the wine business.  https://onthetrail.klwines.com/on-the-trail-blog/2019/5/24/keep-an-eye-on-this-guy-winemaker-samuel-louis-smith . 

From the SLS website, used with Sam’s permission

About the winery: “Samuel Louis Smith functions as a micro-négociant based in Salinas, California. Organic viticulture, mountainous sites, and minimal intervention in the cellar are tenets of the brand. SLS presents a compelling cross-section of the Central Coast, focusing on Sta. Rita Hills chardonnay, Monterey pinot noir, and Santa Cruz Mountains cool-climate syrah. The wines are made in a neoclassical style where light handling, wild fermentations, and stem inclusion in the reds create wines of place and purity, aroma and structure.

“In the future, the core of SLS will be made with dirty fingernails and estate grown grapes. For now, Sam is dedicated to sourcing fruit from the most distinctive honestly- and sustainably-farmed vineyards. He is also head winemaker at the historic Morgan Winery, a pioneer of organic viticulture and traditional winemaking in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.” 

About Sam (from link above): “Sam studied Economics, French, and Spanish at UC Santa Barbara. A nagging desire for wine knowledge and proximity to good surf led Sam to Bordeaux- the perfect place to spend a semester abroad. Coinciding with the iconic vintage of 2009, it opened his eyes to the world of haute cuisine and fine wine. Though somewhat reticent and cold, Sam’s Bordelaise host family ate and drank quite well; their pairing of confit de canard with ’89 Margaux on a cold Sunday afternoon in November still serves as an epiphanous moment for him.

“Wine and everything it embodies are still the most cerebral and inspiring experience for Sam. Making pinot noir in the Willamette Valley and cool-climate syrah in the Northern Rhône, and cutting his teeth as assistant winemaker for Margerum Wine Company gave him the opportunities to find where his palate and California’s cool, mountainous Central Coast terroir converge.” 

About the 2018 Vintage: “The vintage commenced with precipitation much below average, though reservoirs remained full through the season after a very wet 2017. January and February were warm, resulting in premature budbreak in select parcels, increasing worries of frost as nighttime temperatures dipped below freezing on February 23rd and 24th. Luckily, no harm was done, and the following months saw temperatures at, and often below, seasonal averages. 2018 was a classically cool growing season on the Central Coast- an epic year for SLS’s cool climate varietals.”

2018 Samuel Louis Smith Syrah Sandstone Terrace, Santa Cruz Mountains, 12.9% AVA, $34 (#215*)

An elegant label for an elegant wine!

About the 2018 Syrah from the Samuel Louis Smith website: “A 50/50 blend of two personalities of syrah: the extremely cool-climate and coastal Gali vineyard, and the warmer, high elevation Zayante vineyard. These components come together to exude the spicy, floral, and feminine side of syrah.

“Gali is located in the Corralitos sub-district of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. At the low elevation of 400 feet and approximately six miles from the ocean, this is one of the coolest sites in our lineup. Soils are clay loam weathered from sandstone and shale, formed on ancient submarine terraces. Though not fully organic, no herbicides are used and watering is quite minimal.

Photos of the Gali (l) and Zayante (r) Vineyards, used with permission from Sam!

“Zayante sits at 1,200 feet on the ocean side of the central Santa Cruz Montains, and was planted in 1988 by Greg Nolton. Own-rooted, dry-farmed, and certified organic, this is a true mountain site. Soils are Lompico clay loam- material that was weathered from sandstone, shale, conglomerate, and granodiorite.”

I asked Sam about the low alcohol in this wine, asking if it was the influence of his time in France to make a more elegant, food wine. He responded that his time in France “…bolstered my affinity for elegant wines that go well with food, and that are not fatiguing. I love wines that are poised, with moderate alcohol, and great acid and structure. Most of the vineyards I work with are organic or in conversion, and have lower yields, which means better flavor development at lower brix, permitting early harvesting for low alcohol and good flavor concentration…”

Winemaker’s Notes: “Deep magenta and medium bodied. Aromas of red and purple fruits, rose petal, and dried basil give way to savory flavors of black fruits, cured meat, and black pepper. Elegant tannins and bright acidity add persistence and length.”

Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: Fresh and snappy aromas of boysenberry sorbet and rose petals are also Pinot Noir-like on the nose of this Syrah. The palate is extremely floral, like sipping from a punch of rose petal and violet, with a backdrop of black raspberry and white pepper. Drink now–2038. https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/samuel-louis-smith-2018-sandstone-terrace-syrah-santa-cruz-mountains/

My Review: Very deep color, vanilla blackberries and spice on the nose. Smooth on the palate with blueberry and cedar flavors, a bit acidic, with a touch of spice and tobacco on the finish. This wine possesses a certain elegance and would be great with a meal.  A very pleasant Syrah.  December 2020

You can purchase Samuel Louis Smith wines on his webpage here:  http://www.samuellouiswines.com/wine/

*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.    

**https://www.goldmedalwineclub.com/winery/samuel-louis-smith

Idle Hour: Bringing Clarksburg and Oakhurst to Carmel Valley!

I’m going slightly off brand, but with a purpose.  With the boom of tasting rooms in Carmel Valley Village came a couple of what appeared to be interlopers – wineries not based in Carmel Valley or even Monterey County.  Yet, they are also part of our winery/tasting room fabric.  We are quite fond of them and are including them here.  Idle Hour is one of them.  This post is long, but includes all their wines we have tasted since March 2020.  For most, I don’t find professional reviews, so you are stuck with mine.

Idle Hour is Relocating its Carmel Valley location to Big Sur Vineyard’s tasting room at 1 Delfino Place!

We learned of Idle Hour Winery when they opened a tasting room in Carmel Valley. Idle Hour is Oakhurst’s (near Yosemite) first winery, making handcrafted wines (idlehourwinery.com). All of their wines are fermented using native yeasts, those which come from the vineyards with the fruit, also known as resident yeasts, making their wines “truly indicative of the vineyards they come from.” These are award-winning wines for affordable prices.

Owners Deb Payne & Anna Marie dos Remedios are always gracious hosts, whether at one of their tasting rooms in Oakhurst or Carmel Valley.  You will often find winemaker Anna Marie pouring wines and inviting you to come up to Yosemite to stay at their inn.  I love Idle Hour’s bottle labels – fine art by Tim Cantor (www.timcantor.com). 

The Madera Tribute reported that Idle Hour Winery in Oakhurst received best of class for its Blanc de Blanc, a double gold for its 2015 Tempranillo and silver for its 2016 Petit Verdot in the January 10 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The Clarksburg AVA, best known for Bogle Vineyards & Winery, is the home to the Heringer Estates, a prime source of Idle Hour’s grapes.

Most of their wines come from the Clarksburg AVA, which spans three counties in California’s Sacramento Valley, including nearly 65,000 acres near the town of Clarksburg (more than Napa and Monterey County!). Think Bogle. The growing region has dense clay and loam soils. Fog and cool breezes from San Francisco Bay keep the Clarksburg area cooler than nearby Sacramento.

Idle Hour Blanc de Blanc, Lodi AVA, 11.2% ABV, $?? (#59*)

The Idle Hour Blanc de Blanc is a nonvintage méthode champenoise sparkling wine made of 100% Chardonnay from the Clement Hills Vineyard, Lodi.  This wine won Double Gold and was rated 93 points, as well as named Best Sparkling Wine at the North of the Gate Wine Competition, April 2019.  With only 44 cases produced, it has sold out. 

My Review: Crisp, clean and a bit peachy.  Refreshing.

2019 Idle Hour Sauvignon Blanc, Sierra Foothills, 13.8% ABV, $28 (#113*)

My Review: Appearing medium gold and slightly effervescent in the glass, we detected a slight stinkiness on the nose, like a touch of sulfur, which rapidly dissipated.  The bouquet was lightly floral and pineapple.  This was a nice wine, with a little sweetness, creamy in the mouth with pineapple flavors and bright acidity.  We enjoyed it – perfect for the occasion – and would buy it again! 

2016 Idle Hour Petit Verdot, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg CA, 13.8% ABV, $30 (#3*)

My Review: Petit Verdot is a blending grape typically found in Bordeaux blends, but makes a nice red wine on its own. This is an enjoyable bold red, a bit tight, and we did not get the fruitiness expected from the varietal. I am not the biggest Petit Verdot fan, but my friends just love this wine. Maybe hold for a bit. March 2020

2017 Idle Hour Cabernet Franc, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg CA, 13.6% ABV, $30 (#22*)

My Review: My daughter called this wine “spicy and good.”  In addition to spice, I picked up cherry and raspberry on the palate with a little oak and green pepper.  It is one of my favorites, but I would hold this wine a bit.

2017 Idle Hour Tannat, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg AVA, 14.1% ABV, $40 (#126*)

My Review:  Garnet and inky in color.  Grass and SweeTart on the nose.  A little vegetal, yet intense flavors of SweeTart, tart cherry and plum on the palate.  Black currant, orange peel and licorice notes on the finish.   100% Tannat – sold out.  August 2020

2015 Idle Hour Tempranillo Winemaker’s Reserve, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg CA, 14.6% ABV, $32 (174*)

My Review: Deep ruby in color.  Cherry and raspberry on the nose, upon opening, with dusty notes appearing over time.  At first it was bright cherry and cranberry on the palate, but opened up into deeper, lush flavors.  I highly recommend this wine. November 2020

2012 Idle Hour Syrah Owlbox, Love Ranch Vineyard, Madera County, 14.4% ABV, $28 (210*)

Winemaker’s Notes: “Ripe plums surprisingly alive after aging almost 6 years sur lie. Medicinal aromas in this menthol finish. This 94% Syrah co-fermented with 4% Viognier, in a Coté Rotie style, giving a bright acidity and smooth mouthfeel.” (from their website)

My Review: Garnet in color.  Old World smell.  Deep aromas, followed by an initial SweeTart flavor with a dry finish.  As the wine opened up, deep, dark cherry flavors emerged. I’m personally not a big fan of the Coté Rotie style. December 2020

2016 Idle Hour Petite Sirah, Heringer Estate, Clarksburg AVA, 14.5% ABV, $30 (189*)

Fresnolandia Review: “Idle Hour’s 2016 Petite Sirah is bittersweet; it begins on the tongue with a thick, sweet tart dark berry, transitions to a peppy berry, and ends with a tongue drying dark chocolate/licorice. To the nose, it is of a sweet, soy aroma; and if such a thing exists, also vibes of a dark berry vinegar.” Ronan Tetsu, 09/2020 https://www.fresnolandia.com/idle-hour-petite-sirah/

My Review: Dark purple in color, rich dark plum and blackberry. Smooth cherry some bitterness on the palate, dry and licorice finish. Super delicious. I want more of this wine. December 2020

2016 Idle Hour Vin Rouge, Heringer Estate, Clarksburg AVA, 14.2% ABV, $30 (211*) 40% Petit Verdot, 34% Tempranillo, 26% Petite Sirah

My Review: Dark in color, with a fresh and bright nose. A bit tart yet sweet on the palate like a juicy mix of wines. This is one of those blends that, upon opening, I am not sure what it wants to be. As it opens up, it melds together to a lovely red. 

You can purchase their wines from the Idle Hour website here. This wine can be purchased directly from the winery here. For other inquiries and status of tasting rooms, contact them here:  wine@idlehourwinery.com, Tel: 559-760-9090.  Check for specials, as well as the opportunity to buy gift certificates for future wine purchases and stays at their Queen’s Inn near Yosemite National Park’s southern entrance.  Check them out at www.idlehourwinery.com. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Central Coast Wines Did You Enjoy over the Holidays?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy New Year!

DeRose: Dry-Farmed Vineyards in the Cienega Valley

DeRose was our third stop on my girlfriend outing to Hollister in August 2019, when we were hosted by Alphonse DeRose, winemaker!  Our tasting was inside the actual winery where we got to talk to actual winemakers!

Both DeRose and Eden Rift (Pietra Santa on this map) straddle the San Andreas Fault.

The Cienega Valley AVA (established 1982) is located in western San Benito County, California, United States. It is part of the larger Central Coast AVA. “The valley was once a major source of wine grapes for Almaden Vineyards before it was acquired by Constellation Brands in 1987. Approximately 1,100 feet (340 m) above sea level, the valley floor is divided by the San Andreas fault. Soil on the east side of the fault is predominantly granite and sandstone, whereas soils on the west side of the fault are predominantly granite and limestone.”  http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Cienega-Valley.html

About DeRose www.DeRosewine.com :  “DeRose Vineyards was established on land with wine history dating back to the 1850s when Theophile Vaché produced the estate’s first vintages. The winery changed hands many times over the years and was eventually purchased by the DeRose, Cedolini and Miller families in 1988. Before long, Winemaker Pat DeRose rescued several acres of abandoned vines from the clenches of tall weeds and thistles, including two acres planted before 1900 that were grafted to Syrah in 1994.” You will also see links to their current wines and their imported wines on this page. 

2015 DeRose Syrah Dryfarmed Old Vines, Cienega Valley AVA, 15.5% ABV, $37 (#73*)

The 2015 DeRose Syrah is a huge wine worthy of decanting – full of great berry flavors.

About DeRose Syrah https://derosewine.com/fact_sheets/CV_Syrah_FS.pdf:

“The ancient Syrah vines are dry-farmed in deep sandy-loam soils on terraced hillsides…On average, they produce less than one ton per acre, and with only two planted acres, we produce about 100 cases per year, making the DeRose Syrah one of our most exclusive wines. Our Syrah underwent fermentation using native yeasts, meaning only the naturally occurring yeasts found in the winery actually fermented this wine. In addition, the Syrah underwent malolactic fermentation without using a culture. The wine is stored 100% in French oak barrels, without any pumping used to transfer our wines. The wine is then bottled un-fined and un-filtered to preserve all its flavors and mouth feel.”  

“This big, bold Syrah is full of blueberry fruit, smoked bacon and a touch of toasted oak. Robust ripe tannins make this wine suitable for heavier dishes like grilled meats, game, strong cheeses and salamis. Our Syrah has more structure and tannins than many other Syrahs on the market due to the cool climate of the Cienega Valley. This makes this wine suitable for aging an additional 5-6 years. We recommend decanting this wine prior to consumption.”

My Review: We ended up double decanting this wine – overall flavor and smell was originally a bit off for me.  Dense purple in color. Upon opening, oak, alcohol and sulphur on the nose (sulphur dissipated with time). Huge blueberry, blackberry on the palate, with cherry, dark fruits and smokiness on the finish – a very big wine.”

You can buy their wines from their webpage above!

Chesebro Coferments Syrah and Viognier to Create La Mariposa!

I introduced you to Chesebro wines here:  https://decantingmonterey.com/chesebro-artisan-wines-lovingly-farmed-and-made-by-hand/.  When I saw they had a Syrah and other wines on sale last month, I snapped  up a few to try.  I was not familiar with the La Mariposa Syrah and knew nothing about Côte-Rôtie wines.  Time for a little research!

About Côte-Rôtie Wines (from Wikipedia*):

“Côte-Rôtie is a French wine Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) in the northern Rhône wine region of France. The vineyards are located just south of Vienne in the communes of Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-et-Semons.[1] The vineyards are unique because of the steep slopes facing the river and their stone walls. Côte-Rôtie can be rendered in English as “the roasted slope” and refers to the long hours of sunlight that these steep slopes receive.[2]

“The wines are red, made with Syrah grapes and up to 20% Viognier, a white grape used for its aroma. According to appellation rules, Syrah and Viognier must be fermented at the same time, a process known as cofermentation. Because of this combination, Côte-Rôtie wine typically exhibits an almost paradoxical pairing of meat aromas (including bacon) and floral aromas. [2]”

Chesebro 2014 La Mariposa, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 12.4% ABV, $30 ($22.50 sale price) (#163**)

Chesebro La Mariposa: A Côte-Rôtie- inspired wine.

Winemaker’s Notes: “This cofermented blend of Syrah (95%) and Viognier (5%) is inspired by the dense but vibrant wines of Cote Rotie in the northern Rhone Valley. The tannic structure of the cool climate Syrah is focused by the Viognier which also elevates the aromatics. Profound aromatics, deep color and a long finish. Not for the faint at heart but still elegant. Only 79 cases produced.”  grapelive rated this wine 91 points.

My Review: Beautiful dense ruby red in color.  Robust dark fruit on the nose.  Big palate, more like an Old World Côtes du Rhône, meaty and tobacco. Surprisingly low alcohol, yet slightly port-like.  The cofermenttion with the Viogner differentiates it from most Monterey County Syrahs.  September 2020

Chesebro’s Tasting room in Carmel Valley Village is now open by appointment!

Buying Chesebro Wines: This wine, normally $30,  is currently on sale for $22.50 at the Winemaker’s Notes link above in very limited quantities.  Updated information on its tasting room hours and reservation link is here.  They are open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM by reservation. Chesebro has curbside pickup and has always been great about shipping wines to the East Coast for me. 

*Primary sources used by Wikipedia for this excerpt:  1. Inter Rhône: Côte-Rôtie Retrieved 19 January 2010 2. E. McCarthy & M. Ewing-Mulligan “French Wine for Dummies” pg 127-128 Wiley Publishing 2001 ISBN 0-7645-5354-2

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

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