Tagged: Wine Blog

Eberle Zinfandel: Hearty yet Elegant – with a View!

THE STORY

In March, we had a spur-of-the-moment dinner at The Beach House restaurant in Pacific Grove.  With the Local’s Menu in hand, we sprung for a bottle of wine – and Eberle caught my husband’s eye. Decades ago, when we used to get to Paso Robles for wine tasting more regularly, we visited Eberle Winery. The wines are good and they have cool wine caves to tour as part of the tasting experience. This bottle of wine was a great one to enjoy – along with the fabulous coastline view from our table!

This is the first time I’ve presented an Eberle wine to you.

ABOUT EBERLE WINERY

THE PASO ROBLES PIONEER – GARY EBERLE

There is a terrific writeup on the winery website about Gary Eberle’s journey to founding Eberly Winery, and how he and winemaker Chris Eberle (no relation!) both found their way to the Central Coast and ended up working together. I highly recommend reading the whole thing. 

Here’s a little teaser:

“Winery owner Gary Eberle grew up in Pennsylvania. Winemaker Chris Eberle, who is not related to Gary, grew up in (then) rural San Luis Obispo, California. It could be fate that they ended up working together, but Chris believes it has more to do with the love of the Central Coast and the quality of the grapes grown here…”

And a little more:

“…After tasting first and second growth Bordeaux from his professor’s cellar, (Gary) Eberle quickly took a keen interest in Cabernet Sauvignon. It was then he began envisioning the creation of an American wine that would rival Bordeaux’s. He soon found himself on his way to California where he enrolled in the Enology Doctorate Program at the University of California Davis.

“Eberle Winery was not Gary Eberle’s first wine venture when he arrived in Paso Robles, California. After finishing his coursework for a Ph.D. in Enology and Viticulture at U.C. Davis, Eberle moved to Paso Robles and began his career by co-founding the Estrella River Winery in 1973. After several successful years as the winemaker, Eberle refocused his attention and desire to produce premium, small production wine.  Moving only a few miles down the highway Eberle soon started his own prestigious label which debuted officially with the release of Eberle’s flagship wine, the 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Since then, he has earned recognition for many firsts in the wine industry including; co-founding the Paso Robles Appellation in 1983, being the first to list the Paso Robles Appellation on his label, and being the first to produce a 100% commercially produced Syrah.  Gary has also earned several awards including: The Robert Mondavi Hospitality Award, the California State Fair Lifetime Achievement Award, Wine Industry Person of the Year from the PRWCA, and (his most current award), the 2020 American Legend Wine Star Award from the Wine Enthusiast.

THE EBERLE WINEMAKER – CHRIS EBERLE

Chris graduated from Cal Poly in 2005 with a degree in agricultural business with a focus on marketing, as well as a minor in viticulture. Concurrently, he earned a diploma in enology from Washington State University. So why not put those talents to use close to home? Chris accepted a position at Eberle Winery as assistant winemaker in 2006. But by 2009 his wanderlust enticed him away from the Central Coast to look for opportunities in other winemaking regions…many of them. For fifteen vintages, Chris spent time expanding his winemaking knowledge in South Africa, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and France…

“That knowledge base would come in handy. In 2015 Gary Eberle, in his search for a new winemaker, contacted Chris in Australia and offered him the head winemaking job in Paso Robles. Chris and Tessa were back in Paso within three weeks. “From the vineyards to the caves to Gary & Marcy and the crew, it was like coming home. I always knew I’d be back,” enthused Chris.

“These days, Chris says his greatest challenge as a winemaker is the seasonal variation of the local climate. Normal rainfall one year, dry the next; heat spikes during ripening, then sudden temperature drops right before harvest. But he agrees it’s that variability that makes Paso such a unique and alluring wine growing region: the gratification is in the challenge…

THE CAVES

“One of the most unique aspects of Eberle Winery are the underground caves. In 1996, Eberle Winery unveiled 8,000 square feet of underground caves, fulfilling the need for more storage space while providing an ideal naturally cool and relatively high humidity climate for the wine barrels. The clear success of the initial caves inspired the decision to dig even further. By the end of 1999 the caves were extended, completing a grand total of 16,800 square feet of winding tunnels beneath the winery. The distance from the surface to the caves below is an average of 30 feet with 12-inch thick reinforced concrete walls which helps maintain a natural average temperature of 60 degrees year around. The caves are home to our VIP tasting cove, as well as the Wild Boar Room where winemaker dinners and private events are held.”

THE WINE – HEARTY YET ELEGANT

Today, I am presenting just one Eberle wine. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I don’t correct typos from winery websites.

2020 Eberle Zinfandel, Paso Robles AVA, 14.4% ABV, $30 (#1321)

Winery Notes: “Eberle’s Zinfandel is sourced from six different districts within the Paso Robles Appellation. The ability to source fruit from different soils and microclimates allows our winemaker to produce a Zinfandel that is well-balanced, elegant, and of the highest quality…

“Eberle’s Zinfandel has all the traditional elements of a hearty zin, but its elegant style sets it apart from any other Zinfandels. This well-structured wine has upfront tannins and juicy flavors of blackberry, strawberry, and spiced plum with a touch of cardamom, sweet tobacco, and black pepper. Pair our Zinfandel with a cauliflower-crusted pizza with prosciutto, arugula, gorgonzola, and dried figs, or a grilled Portobello mushroom stuffed with goat cheese, grilled red peppers with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts, or a delicious burger with all the fixing.”

My Review: Brown-tinged garnet in the glass. Dark plum, berries cassis, black tea and cinnamon on the nose. A lot of berry flavors on the complex palate – a touch on the sweet side, yet chewy. Cherry and intense dark fruit on the finish. We enjoyed this wine with our meal. March 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Eberle Winery is rated as one of the top 10 wineries to visit in Paso Robles.  Why?  It’ not just about their award-winning wines, but also their cave tour!

“Eberle Winery offers a variety of seated tastings partnered with a cave tour. We are excited to share our educational experience of how wine is made and the history of Eberle Winery with you!”

Click the reservation link to select your tour/tasting option and make an appointment.The winery is open dailt and is located at 3810 HWY 46 East, Paso Robles, CA 93446

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Sun Wind Wine: A Santa Lucia Highlands Extravaganza Part 2

ABOUT THE SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS SUN, WIND & WINE FESTIVAL

This is part 2 of my coverage of the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival at Mer Soleil winery. You can read part 1 here:­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Sun Wind Wine: A Santa Lucia Highlands Extravaganza Part 1.

THE WINES – THE PRESS/TRADE PASS GOT US IN EARLY! Thank you!!

Many thanks one more time to the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans for providing media passes to Decanting Monterey. We are grateful for the opportunity.

Today I am wrapping up this Santa Lucia Highlands Extravaganza by presenting some local wineries, some we have visited before. I’m skipping adding the AVA and county in these listings as they are all except one from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites. Notetaking was minimal, but I will do my best to present some of the wines, impressions and experiences we had at this event.

Let’s go!

TASTING OUR LOCAL WINES AT THIS SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS EXTRAVAGANZA

INTEGRITY WINES:

“…Integrity is not just about the wine itself. It’s about everyone who helped create this wine experience. It’s complete when we add you. That’s integrity.”  You can read more about Integrity here. I did write up a single Integrity rosé in this post long ago: Integrity: “honest, real, and one of a kind” wines “made for people by people”.

2021 Integrity Riesling $26 (#1348)

Winery Notes: “The 2021 vintage of the Santa Lucia Highlands Riesling from Integrity leans slightly away from the fruit forward Rieslings of California and flirts with a more restrained style. On the nose are notes of flinty Asian pear skins, nectarines, and lemon oil. The palate has a softness to it that is a nice contrast to the acidity of the Riesling. As the wine opens with time, all the aforementioned notes become more pronounced in a way that benefits the consumer…”

My Notes: We found this wine to be light on the palate and slightly sweet.  This would be good on a warm day! May 2024

2021 Integrity Pinot Noir, $36 (#1349)

Winery Notes: “The 2021 vintage of the Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir displays the terroir of the Santa Lucia Highlands gracefully. The wine lifts with a bouquet of cinnamon oil, currants, cranberry, and sage. Structurally, the wine has fine tannins that are carried by a soft acidity and concludes with an integrated cedar and light tobacco wrapper coating. Over time the wine opens and becomes more fruit forward and starts to display dynamic notes of violets, rose petals, cardamom, and eucalyptus. The interplay of the tonality makes this wine a joy to drink…”

My Notes: A great mix of several select blocks from the vineyard.  Rich on the palate, reflective of the region. May 2024

2019 Integrity Late Harvest Riesling, $28 (#1350)

Winery Notes: “The 2019 Late Harvest Riesling is straw in color with a brilliant translucent rim. Medium-bodied and semi-sweet without feeling weighty, with aromas of candied citrus, fresh jasmine, hints of lychee and quince, with flavors of ripe apricot, orange blossom honey, essence of ginger and rosemary. This wine has balanced acidity.”

My Notes: Very sweet, as expected. May 2024

BELLE GLOS:

“Belle Glos showcases distinctive Pinot Noirs produced from California’s most noteworthy coastal wine-growing regions. While each vineyard location lies near the Pacific Ocean, the climate differences are significant, varying with the amount of fog, wind, sunlight, and soil type at each site. Each Vineyard Designate is crafted to distill the purest essence of the locale into elegant expressions of California Pinot Noir.

“Owner/winemaker, Joe Wagner chose the name Belle Glos (pronounced “BELL GLOSS”) to honor his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner. Lorna was a co-founder of Caymus Vineyards, an inspirational figure to Joseph and an avid lover of Pinot Noir.”

2021 Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir, $55 (#1351)

Winery Notes: “Rich crimson in color with fragrant aromas of blackberry, sage, cherry, and hints of rich dark chocolate. Bold and elegant on the palate with boysenberry pie, black currant jam, dark plum, and subtle notes of ground nutmeg. Balanced and structured, this wine has beautiful acidity that lingers through to a long, mouthwatering finish.”

My Notes: This is the first Belle Glos wine I have tasted.  I found this to be a good Pinot Noir from a high altitude in the Santa Lucia Highlands – very reflective of the region. I need to learn more about their wines. May 2024

TONDRÉ WINES:

“Tondré Wines began with a desire to produce the best possible wine for family and friends from fruit grown on the Alarid Family Home Ranch. Today, the Alarid family is happy and proud to share their limited production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines to even the most discriminating wine connoisseur. Their award-winning wines continue to be produced exclusively with estate fruit grown on Tondré Grapefield in the heart of the renowned Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County.

“You are invited to experience truly artisanal wines that offer vibrant, elegant colors; deeply fragrant aromas; varietal purity on the palate and a velvety, lingering finish.”

2020 Tondré Chardonnay Tondré Grapefield (#1352)

Winery Notes: “The 2020 Vintage Chardonnay turned out to be a complicated year due to the wildfires in California. Although the smoke impacted the red grapes, it posed less of an issue for the whites. The reason being, they are not fermented on the skins the way Pinot Noir and other reds are. In years like these, great care is taken at this stage to prevent any smoke impact from affecting the juice. When the grapes are loaded into the press, they are pressed several times at a low pressure to extract every last ounce; a technique used by large wineries focused on volume rather than quality. Once pressed, our 2020 Vintage Chardonnay was entirely tank-fermented to show off the natural fruitiness. The resulting wine speaks for itself. It has the usual crisp apple notes with a hint of tropical fruit and the creaminess from the champagne yeast used during fermentation. This process helps to counter-balance the refreshing natural acidity.”

My Notes: Lots of minerality from one of the coveted vineyards in SLH! May 2024

2016 Tondré Pinot Noir, Tondré Grapefield (#1353)

Winery Notes: “The 2016 Vintage Pinot Noir shows an array of red and black cherry fruit, assorted ripe berries, nutmeg, and that wonderful Santa Lucia Highlands AVA spiciness that resembles dried herbs, potpourri and earthy forest floor. The palate is soft and plush with balanced acidity and moderate tannin. The tight grained oak used in aging graces the finish with a subtle note of cinnamon.”

My Notes: This was quite late in the tasting, so my sparse notes aren’t really fair – very representative of the region. I was quite distracted in conversation with one of the owners.  May 2024

2021 Tondre Pinot Noir, Tondré Grapefield (#1354)

Winery Notes: “The 2021 vintage Pinot Noir offers a captivating display of luscious red and black cherry fruit, skillfully intermingled with a delightful blend of assorted spices that perfectly embodies the essence of Tondré Grapefield and the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The palate offers a velvety texture that exudes elegance. It’s acidity is balanced complementing the moderate tannins to perfection.”

TESTAROSSA WINERY:

“Testarossa Winery is a producer of premier California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Like all great start-ups, Testarossa Winery was started in 1993 in Rob and Diana Jensen’s Silicon Valley garage. Since then it has grown to national prominence, garnering more than 1,700 scores of 90+ points by renowned wine critics.” I have not had the chance to taste Testarossa wines since they closed their tasting room in Carmel Valley Village.

2021 Testarossa Chardonnay, Fogstone Vineyard, 14.3% ABV, $55 (#1355)

Winery Notes: “Straw hue. Nice aromas of brioche, honey, passionfruit and white peach leap out of the glass. With some time, notes of nectarine, apricot jam, and apple pie round out the nose. Upon taste, flavors of apple pie and apricot jam lead into a texture that is dense, yet decadent. This Chardonnay finishes full, intense, and with a smooth touch. Enjoy now through 2031.”

My Notes: A classic SLH, buttery Chardonnay. May 2024

2021 Testarossa Pinot Noir, Fogstone Vineyard, 14.1% ABV, $76 (#1356)

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Roasted red cherry aromas meet with dried meat and sage on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The palate’s snappy and fresh red fruits are lifted by mace and a pinch of chaparral herbs.” — Matt Kettmann

My Notes: I am not 100% sure that the display wine was the same one we tasted, as the website says the 2021 is sold out.  That said, this Pinot Noir has some heft to it – tasty. May 2024

CRŪ WINERY:

“Deeply rooted in family & friends, CRŪ Winery sources fruit from some of the finest vineyards throughout the Central Coast of California. With a focus on Burgundian and Rhone varietals such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah – which are best suited to this region, we craft wines for quality everyday drinking.” 

We also tasted a CRŪ Chardonnay, but I am not sure which one, so I have to skip it in today’s write it up!

2021 CRŪ Clone 777 Pinot Noir, Sarmento Vineyard, 15% ABV, $70 (#1357)

Winery Notes: “Every few vintages a special clone will stand out to our winemaking team and they will decide to bottle it on its own. Clone 777 from the Sarmento Vineyard is one of those wines. The wine starts with notes of raspberries, cherry and spicy tones of nutmeg and coriander before the full warm and rich mouthful of black cherry, cranberries, strawberry and spice that leads to its long and elegant finish with hints of cinnamon and hazelnut.” 95 points, Wine Enthusiast

My Notes: This wine was tasted very late in the event – earthy nose, classic palate. May 2024

KORi Wines:

“KORi Wines is the partnership between Santa Lucia Highlands grape/citrus grower Kirk Williams & his step-daughter Kori Violini.  Kirk planted the first vines in 1998, and in 2007, they launched the initial KORi Wines Pinot Noir from the KW Ranch Vineyard. Sabrine Rodems has been the winemaker since 2010.  In 2018, with much enthusiasm, they opened a tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea and offer a full assortment of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sparkling Blanc de Blancs, and of course, Pinot Noir.” From https://montereywines.org/wineries/kori-wines/

2022 KORi Rosé, 13% ABV, $27 (#1358)

My Notes: Good fruit flavor, lean and a touch bitter.  We had to warm this up – was served too cold. May 2024

2022 KORi Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13% ABV, $27 (#1359)

Winery Notes: “UNIQUELY ARROYO SECO…Guava. Lychee. Melon. Lemon Cream.”

My Notes: I’m a big fan of wines from the Griva Vineyard.  This wine exhibited something mellow – a bit different from the typical Arroyo Seco Sauvignon Blanc.  This is the one wine we tasted from outside the SLH designation. May 2024

2020 KORi Pinot Noir, KW Ranch Vineyard, 14.3% ABV, $49 (#1360)

Wine Enthusiast – 88 points: “From a vintage that many others skipped due to nearby wildfires, this bottling shows baked cherry and prominent oak aromas on the nose. The palate is quite extracted and thick with clone and nutmeg spices enhancing the very ripe fruits.” — Matt Kettmann

My Notes: Very late in the tasting, I got perfume on the nose. I find the fruit from KW Ranch to be some of the best for Pinot Noir and Syrah. May 2024

2019 KORi Syrah, KW Ranch, 14%, $42 (#650)

Winery Notes: “Dark fruit and white pepper.”

My Notes: Earthy. Dark ruby in the glass.  Berries on the nose. Smooth on the palate with notes of berry jam and chocolate.  February 2022/May 2024

THE TASTING ROOMS

I recommend visiting each winery’s website for more information about their tasting options!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Sun Wind Wine: A Santa Lucia Highlands Extravaganza Part 1

ABOUT THE SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS SUN, WIND & WINE FESTIVAL

If you love Monterey Pinot Noirs, you have to attend the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival at Mer Soleil winery. Held on May 18th, this Santa Lucia Highlands extravaganza of local and out-of-area wineries making wines from our premier AVA is the place to be. Once again, Decanting Monterey was privileged to receive tickets from the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans. We are so grateful for this opportunity to see and taste so many wines made with our coveted Santa Lucia Highlands grapes all in a single event.  Many thanks for your generosity.

I wrote about this event in 4 posts last year – just search “Sun Wind & Wine” on the Decanting Monterey website and they will all pop up.  This year, I plan to cover the event in 2 posts.  Todays is a little long, but keep reading!

The Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans said this about this event: “Join the preeminent producers of the Santa Lucia Highlands for an afternoon of delicious wine, gourmet delicacies from the area’s finest restaurants and food producers, an auction that benefits a local charity, live music, and more. Mer Soleil Winery generously opens its doors for the day, allowing fans of the region a peek into the beautiful property that’s not open to the public. More than 35 vintners personally pour 100+ sought-after Santa Lucia Highlands wines paired with bites by chefs from exceptional Monterey Peninsula restaurants and food purveyors.”

The number of wineries present was impressive! Here’s the list from the event website:

Belle Glos | Bernardus Winery | Bruliam Wines | Caraccioli Cellars | Cattleya Wines | Clarice Wine Company | CRU Winery | hope & grace | Integrity Wines | J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines | Joyce Wine Company | Kori Wines | Landmark Vineyards | Luli Wines | McIntyre Vineyards | Mer Soleil | Miner Family Winery | Mooney Family Vineyards | Morgan Winery | Odonata | Pessagno | Pisoni Vineyards | Puma Road Winery |  ROAR Wines | Rombauer Vineyards | Rustique Winery | Sarah’s Vineyard | Scheid Family Wines | Siduri |Talbott Vineyards | Testarossa | Three Furies Wines | Tondre Wines | Tudor Wines | Truckee River Winery | Wrath Wines

We kept to the same strategy we used last year with one modification: Enjoy the food and focus on wineries we did not know, share pours, and dump the rest.  We tried to stick to that approach, stopping for a bite to eat before we started tasting wine.  There were so many delicious food options:

Ardent Culinaire | Carmel’s Hidden Gem | Cheesecake Dreamations | Dollycakes | La Balena Carmel | Lula’s Chocolates | Luigi’s | The Pocket Carmel | Rancho Cielo Drummond Culinary Academy | Schoch Family Farmstead Cheeses | Secret Bakery | Spotted Duck Pacific Grove | Star Market | Toasted Grilled Cheese | Woody’s at the Airport | Yafa Carmel | Zio Brand Meats, and more.

The standouts for us were the lamb meatball from The Spotted Duck, the meatballs and rice from Yafa Carmel, the roast beef from Woody’s, the Monterey Jack from Schoch Dairy and Creamery, the seafood Newburg from Rancho Cielo Drummond Culinary Academy, and the sea salt caramels from Lula’s Chocolates. Yum.

If you like good food – and love Pinot Noir, this Santa Lucia Highlands extravaganza is the event for you!

THE WINES – A SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS EXTRAVAGANZA!

Today I am kicking off this series presenting quite a few wines from this event from the wineries I do not know. But, before I do that, I want to share some of the experiences we had along the way with our local wineries.  Because we were blessed with a Press/Trade pass, we got in early to taste some rare wines. Any errors are mine and mine alone.  I’m skipping adding the AVA and county in these listings as they are all from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites. Notetaking was minimal, but I will do my best to present some of the wines, impressions and experiences we had at this event. Tomorrow’s post will dive deeper into some local wineries.

Let’s go!

ROAR: A stop at ROAR allowed us to taste two of their fantastic library wines.  I noted on their website that they also make other varietals – so I definitely need to figure out how to taste them!

  • 2011 ROAR Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir (#1326): A rich and intense wine. We preferred this one.
  • 2009 ROAR Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir (#1327): Earth and perfume on the nose. Tasty palate.

McIntyre Vineyards: Since we just wrote up McIntyre, we got a quick taste of 2 special wines:

  • 2020 Winemaker Series Pinot Noir – Sabrine Rodems (#1328): Rich and delicious, with a dark cherry finish.
  • 2019 McIntyre Pinot Noir (#1329):  Earthier, representative of SLH.

Pisoni Vineyards: I finally got to meet the legendary Gary Pisoni and his son and tasted 3 of their wines:

  • 2023 Lucy Rose of Pinot Noir (#1330)
  • 2021 Lucia by Pisoni Chardonnay, Soberanes Vineyard (#1331)
  • 2022 Lucia by Pisoni Pinot Noir, Gary’s Vineyard (#1332): In my opinion, best Pinot Noir of the day!

And I will add here a stop at Cattelya from Rohnert Park, which I wrote about last year so I could taste their latest Syrahs:

  • 2021 Cattelya The Initiation Syrah (#1333): Fruitier.
  • 2022 Cattelya The Reward Syrah (#1334): Leaner, more elegant. Best Syrah of the day!

We also briefly stopped at 2 more local wineries: Morgan, which was pouring a couple of its Double L Vineyard Pinot Noirs, and Scheid, which had a Chardonnay and a library Pinot Noir for us to taste.  I failed to get any notes at either!

THE NEW-TO-US WINES AT THIS SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS EXTRAVAGANZA

Now I will move into the wineries we did not know – our focus of this tasting.

MORET-BREALYNN WINES

“A boutique winery in Sonoma County with a focus on Pinot Noir and supporting animal shelters.”

2023 Moret-Brealynn Rose of Pinot Noir, 13.1% ABV, $28 (#1335):

Winemaker’s Notes: “Hooray, this wine is back in stock! Very similar to the 2022 I made from two fabulous vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands but offers a little more acidity and lift because I took juice that was five days on the skins instead of seven like I did in 2022. I source juice that has zero skin contact, then 48 hours later I take juice off the skins and stems, and make the blend complete with juice that was on the skins for five days. Fermented and aged in neutral French oak barrels, this wine has delicious flavors of watermelon and strawberry which a great acidity that just keeps you wanting more. Less cases produced than 2022 so don’t dawdle on getting this wine into your fridge. I can’t wait to see what you pair with this wine.”

My Notes: A vibrant color in the glass. Perhaps the most delicious rose we tried at this event! May 2024

CLARICE WINE COMPANY

“Clarice Wine Company is a new and truly unique type of winery, combining aspects of an online wine community, a wine education website, and a limited-enrollment wine club.” Hm…so this is something different and worth heading to their website to learn more about them!

2021 Clarice Pinot Noir (#1336): 

Winery Notes for the 2019: “The Santa Lucia Highlands is a Pinot Noir made from barrels sourced from Rosella’s Vineyard and Garys’ Vineyard. This purposeful blend is usually less new oak so more fruit flavors can shine through and should continue to evolve for a decade.”

My notes: Vibrant Ruby.  This is not your typical SLH Pinot Noir – in a good way. May 2024

2019 Clarice Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard (the VIP pour) (#1337):

Winery Notes: “Fruit for this wine comes from two acres at Rosella’s Vineyard, two different sections and two different clones – Pommard and Pisoni. A beautifully balanced profile, this wine can be enjoyed any time over the coming decade.”

My Notes: Dark ruby in color.  Rich on the palate.  Delicious.  One of today’s best. May 2024

TRUCKEE RIVER WINERY

“Established in 1989. Truckee River Winery is California’s highest and coldest winery. It all started in the garage of two Truckee locals. For 9 years, this ski lover and his wife, both UC Davis graduates, made great wine for their friends and family in the Truckee/Tahoe community before deciding to expand. They moved the winery into a two story barn on the river where they could make 1000 cases with the help of their daughter and friends. In 2009, they opened a tasting room on Brockway Road and expanded production to 2,500 cases annually. They specialize in single vineyard varietals and are known through out the area as producing high quality vintages year after year.”

2020 Truckee River Winery Barrel Aged Chardonnay, Tondré Grapefield , 13.8% ABV, $38 (#1338)

Winery Notes: “Produced in a more traditional french fashion, this oaked Chardonnay balances ML fermentation with oak aging to create a crisp and smooth white wine with aromas of honeydew, light toast and creme fraiche. On the palate, our Chardonnay displays a harmonious blend of asian pair, orange blossom and hints of starfruit, finishing with a hint of pie crust.”

My Notes: A nice Chardonnay with a lot of minerality. May 2024

2018 Truckee River Winery Best Man Pinot Noir, Tondré Grapefield, 15.8% ABV, $77 (#1339)

Winery Notes: “Medium ruby and deep purple hue with full aromas of cassis and sweet spice with a hint of fresh earth. The palate is rich, nearly full-bodied, with ripe black fruit, subtle spice and vanilla. Toasted oak, leather, and dark cherry is sustained on the midpalate. The finish is complex with balanced acidity and mouth-filling tannins that balance the generous fruit intensity of this wine nicely.”

My Notes: A big mouthful of deliciousness with a slightly bitter finish. May 2024

2014 Truckee River Winery Pinot Noir, Tondré Grapefield, 14.7% ABV (#1340)

My notes: One could detect the age in the color of this wine. Representative of the region.

2010 Truckee River Winery Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, 15.4% ABV (#1341)

My Notes: Very delicious – rich in flavor. I preferred this one. Love these library wines!

CHATEAU MARGENE/MOONEY FAMILY

“Chateau Margene, now in its 26th year, began with the fulfillment of a dream by Michael & Margene Mooney to plant a vineyard, build a winery and establish their home in the Paso Robles area in 1997.  The family took up residence on the property in the Summer of 1998 (where they still live today) and planted the estate vineyard in the Fall of 1998… The Mooney Family label was started in 2004 with purchased grapes from growers in the Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH) and Sta. Rita Hills AVA’s.  The varietal focus for Mooney Family wines is Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from the SLH & SRH AVA’s.”

2023 Mooney Family Steel Chardonnay, $58 (#1342)

Winery Notes: “Exceptional blend – fruit driven with crisp minerality and natural acidity makes this a Spring/Summer wine to enjoy with friends and family.  100% Santa Lucia Highlands fruit off the esteemed Boekenoogen Vineyard.”

My Notes: Lean with lots of minerality. May 2024

2021 Mooney Family Pinot Noir, Boekenoogen Vineyard, $90 (#1343)

Winery Notes: “Pommard 4 and Dijon 115 clones aged in Francois Feres barrels for 23 months.  Intensely dark for a 100% Pinot Noir.  Rich & robust with aromatics of black/red cherry,  cola and warm baking spices.  A layered wine with fleshy fruits and chewy tannins.  Be amazed by this its smooth, pleasing mouthfeel and finish.”

My Notes: Dill on the nose with flavors representative of SLH. May 2024

2022 Mooney Family Pinot Noir, Tondré Grapefield (#1344)

My Notes: Classic – richer and slightly sweeter than the previous one. I preferred this one.

SIDURI

“Our winemaking goal is to produce Pinot Noir that best captures the distinct flavor and character of a given vineyard site and region. To that end, we focus on Pinot Noir, and source only from vineyards that provide us with exceptional fruit. Siduri, named for the Babylonian goddess of wine, is the result of our founders’ mutual love of Pinot Noir, and their dream that they could make great wines of their own.” You can read more here.

2021 Siduri Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, $75 (#1345)

Winery Notes: “…The 2021 Garys’ opens with floral notes and sage with lingering dark fruit. The palate has laser-like focus upon the first sip then gradually expands with flavors of seared tomato, crushed gravel, and roasted cranberry. With brilliant acidity and expressive tannins, the finish is beautifully knit and persistent. This would benefit from decanting and will be one that can be kept in the cellar for some years to come.”

My Notes: Elegant and smooth with some tobacco on the finish. May 2024

2021 Siduri Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard, 14.5% ABV, $70 (#1346)

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Intense aromas of dark cherry, raspberry and vibrant cinnamon pop on the nose of this bottling. The palate combines floral flavors of elderflower and violet with a black plum core, pushing deeply into the finish.” — Matt Kettmann

My Notes: I think I am becoming a Rosella’s Vineyard girl – I liked this wine.

2021 Siduri Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, 14.4% ABV , $70 (#1347)

Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “Cleanly presented aromas of smashed boysenberry and black plum are lifted by cinnamon and mace on the nose of this bottling. Those spice elements hold firm through the sip, where Red Hot candy enlivens the rich red-fruit core.” — Matt Kettmann

My Notes: By this point, our palates were weary. We detected no nose and this wine seemed lighter than the others.

THE TASTING ROOMS

Please refer to individual winery websites for their tasting room locations and hours!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Zabala Vineyards: The Quest of One Vineyard Groupie!

THE STORY

Many years ago, we stopped into the Mercy tasting room at the entrance of Carmel Valley Village. It was the winery which first introduced us to the Zabala and Griva vineyards, from which they produced exceptional whites and reds. Their tasting room portrayed photos of the rocky soils of Zabala Vineyards.  I quickly became obsessed with Zabala.  If I see it listed on a wine label, I know right away the wine has the potential to be fantastic.

In 2019, while our daughter was visiting from the east coast, I asked my family to jump in the car with me so I could see the rocky vineyards chock full of “Greenfield potatoes,” as the smooth river rocks are fondly called. I think they thought I was a little crazy. I was presenting Mercy wines in my east coast wine class and felt I needed to see the vineyards for myself. I had become a Zabala Vineyards groupie, especially for Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah wines made from their grapes.

Since Mercy closed, I have been on a hunt for any winery who makes a single varietal Syrah from Zabala Vineyards.  I have yet to find one rivaling Mercy’s bounty, but I keep looking.

A year or so later, our friend who makes up part of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod informed us me that Luis Zabala was in his biking group. He promised to introduced us…but time went on.

Fast forward to the August 2023 Arroyo Seco Winegrowers’ 40th Anniversary celebration, which I covered in two posts: Let’s Have a Big Party to Celebrate Arroyo Seco Winegrowers!and The Big Party Continues for Arroyo Seco Winegrowers! While I was there to cover the event in Decanting Monterey, the entire time I was looking for, asking about, and trying to meet Luis Zabala.  A shameless groupie indeed! I got someone to point him out, texted my friend a picture to be sure, and introduced myself to him.  I explained our mutual friend connection, and Luis kindly offered to have us down to the vineyard for a tour. We finally made it there in March – with our friend!

Thank you, Luis, for hosting us, humoring us, and being patient with us while we asked you all our questions.  Spending that time in your vineyard with you was a very special day for Decanting Monterey – and me personally.

ABOUT ZABALA VINEYARDS – WHAT DID I LEARN

I came armed with a list of questions and Luis patiently – and with subtle humor – answered them all.  Who knew he was a comedian! I am going to intersperse what I learned with the official history and other information on their website, which I would encourage you to read in full – so much richness of Californian history in this property and family. The text in quotes comes directly from their website:

Originally of Spanish Basque heritage, his family came up to what is now the Central Coast of California in the 1840’s and 50’s from Valparaiso, Chile.

“In earlier days, our forefathers defended the states’ historic missions of what would become California, and in return were granted various tracts of land in the Monterey and Santa Barbara counties. While the specifics of those plots have evolved over the last two centuries, our family has retained over 2,500 acres of this land between the coastal counties today.”

Luis showed us a map of his property and the vineyards.  While most of the area was farmland, the big swath where the vineyards are today was “marginal land” – not suitable for farming. 

“Our ancestors have been farming the land for over a century. However, it was not until the early 1970’s that J. Luis Zabala was approached by investors from the community to plant the Zabala holdings with wine grapes. The site proved to be ideal for growing Chardonnay, as the demand for quality Californian wines quickly expanded.”

So, how did Luis get involved? Intending to work in a different field, he got his MBA in finance and worked in technology up in Seattle – until the situation at the vineyard dictated that he needed to return. He’s now been in the business for 30 years. And his daughter, Leslie, has joined him in the business.

“Since the seventies, the vineyard has continued to expand. In the 1980’s, Luis Zabala Sr. passed ownership of the land to his five children, who continue his legacy by growing premium wine grapes in the family name. Zabala Vineyards now holds over one thousand acres of Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir in one of California’s most unique viticultural regions, and contributes to the highest premium vineyard-designate wine bottlings from the Central Coast.”

Luis added the following beyond their current webpage:

“The success of Zabala Vineyards really is a Team effort. Namely, Jason Melvin providing the wisdom of his years of experience as Vineyard Manager, my wife Joni Zabala, as the guiding light and sounding board behind the success of the vineyard, and Leslie Zabala, representing the next generation who is vitally interested in carrying on the family legacy.”

I love that!

One of our first questions was how many acres was his vineyard.  He quipped, “It’s only one, but it is really narrow.” Funny guy. Then he answered us seriously. Today he has about 800 acres planted, growing a number of varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Graciano, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, and Syrah. I hope I got them all! As we approached Zabala Vineyardsfrom the north, we noticed acres and acres of uprooted vines. My first question was about those vines. The vines are about 30 years old, so they have begun the process to rip out (and I hope replant) those older vines.

The fruit from his vines makes incredible wine. I asked him what makes his fruit so special?  He had a very simple response: “It is the struggle.” The vines must struggle through the rocky soil to get to the water and nutrients while enduring the frigid, windy nights.  As Mercy’s website used to say, the Arroyo Seco AVA is “windblown, numbingly cold, fog laden, semi-arid, rock strewn, austerely beautiful.”

I love to present Zabala Sauvignon Blanc wines in my classes from various producers, such as Corral Wine Co. and I Brand’s Paysan label. The wines are floral and tropical with a nice minerality on the finish. I am presenting the 2022 vintage from Corral in my upcoming wine class.

I am forever seeking a Syrah made from Zabala grapes that can match the flavor of the Mercy wine. Luis showed me a shelf of bottles of Zabala Vineyard Syrah and suggested I check out I Brand, Corral Wine Co., Lepe Cellars, Morgan, and Field Recordings (in Paso Robles). Of those, I know that Lepe Cellars and Field Recordings bottle Zabala Syrah as a single varietal.

We toured his property to see the Syrah vines up close, including some new vines just being planted. We got a good look at the large, smooth “Greenfield potatoes.” He also provided a lesson about irrigation and the use of bilateral cordon and unilateral cordon with cane grape trellising to achieve a “balanced vineyard.”  Made sense, but he knew we had no idea what he was talking about. 

We asked Luis what he thought of the 2023 vintage.  He finished harvest in mid-November and was happy with the ripening, despite there not being a hot day all summer.  We asked how much fruit he produced and he pulled our legs responding that “one ton gets a good price.” He harvests several thousands of tons of grapes, either by machine or by hand, depending on the customer’s request.  And the wineries decide when their fruit gets picked.

I had asked him earlier in the day if he ever intended to produce his own wines for sale to the public.  His response was that it is a different business model, with a heavy focus on sales and lots of time on the road. He is content running the operations of this large vineyard. We wrapped up our tour visiting the small trailer that contains his “winery” with his little label “machine” and a few barrels. Charming. Definitely not a set-up for large production!

As we ended our tour, he generously handed us bottles of his own Syrah which he makes for family and friends. Thank you, Luis, for sharing your time, your world, your expertise, your vines, your humor and your wine with us. It was a perfect afternoon which we will not forget.

THE WINE

2019 Zabala Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1320)

My Review: Hint of tar, opening up into full-on blackberry jam and pipe tobacco. The medium-bodied palate was dominated by blackberry fruit, with a distinct cherry on the finish.  Opened up to present as a rich, full-bodied wine on day 2, with a tannic finish.The fruit is quite delicious on this wine. April 2024

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Lady Somm’s Grand Opening: A Spectacle Not To Be Missed!

THE STORY

Last June, I received Roxanne Langer’s (Lady Somm) business card from a neighbor. Roxanne and I started corresponding vie email with the intent of meeting up to discuss her wine business ideas. After scheduling, sniffles and holiday delays, we finally met in person in early February – after her concept for her business with her sister Tamara Carver, had been solidified. We met at their storefront located at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel. There was a lot of activity in their soon-to-be shop, with workers and deliveries happening nonstop throughout our conversation as they prepared for Lady Somm’s Grand Opening on March 21. 

I was excited to meet Roxanne and Tamara and learn about their vision for the business – to make this space a place for wine education, wine tasting, special events and dinners, and a shop for wine and other cute items. Although they weren’t originally thinking of a physical location such as the Barnyard, when the opportunity was presented to them, they couldn’t turn it down. The space is super cute, with a vintage feel and a feminine touch. 

Lady Somm is an ambitious undertaking in a place already dotted with wineries and wine shops. They distinguish themselves by their breadth of offerings and their depth of experience. As a Monterey wine educator myself, I offered them my help in any capacity. They invited me to their Grand Opening and subsequently invited me to one of their tastings. Thank you, ladies!

ABOUT LADY SOMM

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.  It looks like a place for regular wine events, running the spectrum from informal to fancy.  It will be a fun place to hang out on the regular! I’m excited to try one of their Blind Tastings – can’t make the first one and hope they will do it again!

LADY SOMM’S GRAND OPENING

The Lady Somm Grand Opening on March 21st 2024 was quite an event!  Set outdoors on a lovely afternoon, it was replete with wine tastings, catered food and chocolates, as well as acrobatic and artistic performers. The local Chambers of Commerce and press were there to assist with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. 

Artist Bekah Bull

Several of our local wineries were there, including Talbot, Wrath, Big Sur, Dawn’s Dream, and the Paso Robles-based Cordant Winery. I also got to speak with Qouign owner and baker/chocolatier Santana Rodriguez, who makes some of the most exquisite chocolates in our region. 

THE WINE

Today I am following my approach to events by focusing on wineries I do not know. I am presenting to you a single wine from Cordant Winery.  If I had noticed them sooner, I would have tried all their wines – this calls for a trip back down to Paso Robles! You can read more about visiting them here: “Join In Our Journey.”

ABOUT CORDANT

From their website: “Cordant wines are made without an agenda, but with close attention to detail.”

“We source grapes from a selection of the best vineyards throughout the California Central Coast from which to make our Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhone-style wines. Some are chosen with intention for vineyard designation because of their unique ability to express a specific location. Others are chosen purposefully to demonstrate what vineyards can do in combination, and for their ability to contribute to a greater good.”

2021 Cordant Indocile, Central Coast AVA, 14.5% ABV, $65 (#1282)

Winery Notes: “This year presented us with an opportunity to craft a new wine to showcase the uniqueness of the vintage. Cordant is known for producing both vineyard-designated and blended wines, such as our southern-Rhone inspired “Maniacal” GSM.  So it seemed only fitting that we craft a northern-Rhone inspired blend to showcase our cooler-climate Syrah vineyards. The result is the first release of “Indocile”. Sourcing Syrah from some of our favorite vineyards, many in Monterey County, this wine is brimming with a mixture of cool and warm climate characteristics: dark fruits, herbs de Provence, lavender, and cigar to name a few. At the same time, it is also incredibly silky and sensual on the palate; we can’t get enough of it.” 93 points: Decanter. 96 points Drunken Cyclist.

My Review: Typical for a big event, I was unable to take notes at this event, so I am going from memory.  This was a voluptuous, smooth, big red made in my style with lots of Syrah to make this a wine I could just keep drinking. I definitely need to get to Paso for a tasting.  March 2024

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

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Parsonage: Who Says Monterey Doesn’t Make Great Cabs?

THE STORY

We really enjoy our big red wines from Parsonage.  During February, we tried 3 of them: the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, the newly-released 2018 Tanner Reserve, and a recent library acquisition: the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – before it was named Tanner! Who says Monterey doesn’t make great cabs?

We recently dined with friends at Maligne restaurant in Seaside, CA. We decided to bring a special wine for corkage there and thought the 2005 Parsonage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon would be the perfect one – it did not disappoint!

I’ve presented Parsonage wines to you many times.  Just type Parsonage in the search bar of any page on the Decanting Monterey website. And while you’re there, sign up to get my blog delivered to your email every Thursday!

THE WINES – Who Says Monterey Doesn’t Make Great Cabs?

Today, I am presenting five Parsonage wines. Winery notes come from their website, tasting sheets, or release notes, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. I previously presented the 2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon way back in 2020 and this is the first time I have presented the rest.

2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $48 (#218)

Winery Notes (upon release): “This Cabernet Sauvignon field blend is joined with a mix of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It’s a full-throttle bombastic beauty, typical of younger vines. The nose is all about very dark fruit marked by brambleberry compote. Plum and cassis join with the brambleberry on a muscular palate that finishes with some major league tannins.”

My Review: Luscious and beautiful intense, dark garnet in the glass. Tobacco, intense dark fruit on the nose. A palate of black fruits with a chalky and bitter tannic finish. It’s a big wine. Needs to open up. February 2024

2018 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $95 (#1269)

Winery Notes: “Round and opulent with fully ripened tannins leading to a smooth finish.”

My Review: Garnet in the glass. (Or as Bill Parsons said, “One of the deepest mauves I’ve ever seen.”) A lot of fresh fruit and caramel on the nose. Good balance of tasty fruit and structure. This wine has a long way to go. As my partner said, “The tannins are very assertive.” Hold this wine. February 2024

2005 Parsonage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $135 (#1269)

grapelive.com Review: “Every vintage just gets better here, and 2005 looks set to take the throne as the Parsonage king wine. Nothing in this area even comes close to this wine, it is a freak of nature and I can only compare it to Napa and Pauillac in its style and richness, then again it just might even be better! Bill Parsons finds it hard to take in, but he is a man living the dream, as his wines rank as world class or even world-beaters! The 05 Reserve Cab is utterly fantastic with blackberry jam, cassis, currants and plum fruit bursting at the seams, it is almost more impressive for the depth and balance that is has! Everything is in its place and the wine is so focused and defined it can’t help but be a classic.” 98 Points, grapelive

My Review: Very dark in the glass. Dirt, oak and black fruit notes on the nose. Delicious and well-structured palate, finishing with blackberry, plum and dark cherry flavors. Can respect the age of this very well made and elegant wine. It is aging nicely and can still be enjoyed for years to come. If you’ve got one, why not enjoy it now? February 2024

2020 Parsonage The Aussie Red Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $44 (#1270)

Winery Notes: “Our popular, magical blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. We like to pair it with rack of lamb or duck. This is a big red wine. 50% Cab and 50% Syrah.

“The 2020 Aussie posits a massive bouquet in a spectrum of rich black fruit, fennel, and mineral notes. The robust palate exhibits blackberry, currant and an explosion of savory, earthy, grilled meat on its full throttle finish.”

My Review: Cherry notes, followed by a big palate of dark fruit. My style of wine. The first 2 times I tried it, I detected a hint of smoke on the finish.  However, I did not notice that at all on my last tasting.  March 2024

2021 Parsonage Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $48 (#1271)

Winery Notes: “A fragrant nose of rose petal, bing cherry, cola, and Darjeeling tea. Theses flavor essences are joined on the medium-density palate by strawberry and red raspberry on the elegantly tart finish. Pairs excellently with Gruyere and crackers.”

My Review: We tasted this wine and considered it representative of the region. It’s a good Pinot. I’m not a Pinot Noir fan and I didn’t take specific notes. My apologies. February 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Parsonage is open for tastings every day – click here for the details and to make a reservation.  Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at 19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

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Austin Hope Troublemaker: “still stirring things up”

THE STORY

Today’s post is just a simple story, but I uncovered greatness behind it. I found today’s wine at an airport hotel restaurant/bar. I was asking if another wine was a blend and the staff pointed me to this Austin Hope Troublemaker: “still stirring things up.”

ABOUT AUSTIN HOPE

Austin Hope is part of the Hope Family Wines, named 2022 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.

“Austin Hope is the mark of our family’s multigenerational legacy in Paso Robles, reserved for the finest expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon and  estate Rhône varieties. These are the definitive wines from Wine Enthusiast’s 2022 American Winery of the Year.

““The goal is simple: to make wines that express everything Paso Robles has to offer, with its pastoral beauty, perfect soils, maritime climate and limitless possibility.” Austin Hope

“Winemaker Austin Hope created his namesake label in 2000, just five years after taking the helm of the family business. Austin Hope wines were initially dedicated to Rhône varieties grown at the Hope family’s estate vineyard.

“Then, in 2017, after years of exploration and only when he felt he could create something truly exceptional, Austin released his first Cabernet Sauvignon—which became an immediate standard-bearer of Paso Robles.

“Today, Austin Hope wines are synonymous with Austin’s personal quest to elevate Paso Robles on the world stage.

ABOUT TROUBLEMAKER: Still Stirring Things Up

“In Austin Hope’s younger days he was something of a troublemaker. And on those days when his schoolwork or attitude didn’t quite live up to the family’s expectations, he was sent to the vineyards for a hard day’s work meant to teach him a lesson. Little did the Hope’s know that this childhood punishment would be the beginning of a life-long passion and career. It was in those days spent in the vineyards, the Paso Robles sun beating down and his hands in the dirt, that Austin found inspiration for his life’s journey.

“Troublemaker is inspired by those early days of pushing boundaries and finding your path. Still stirring things up, we here at Troublemaker are all about challenging the status quo and embracing the journey of life. The way we see it, rules restrict our ability to create and innovate. Besides, pushing the boundaries is fun.”

Sub AVAs: Central Coast (Paso Robles – Creston/El Pomar/Estrella, Arroyo Grande Valley, Monterey)

Varietals: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah

THE WINE

Today, I am presenting just this one wine. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

Austin Hope Troublemaker Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, $20 (#1255)

Winey Notes: “Troublemaker Blend 16 has an opaque purple color. The nose is bursting with jammy boysenberry and blackberry, along with a fresh hint of raspberry. These fruit aromas carry through to the palate and are accentuated by underlying tones of peppercorns, dried tobacco and roasted coffee. Velvety tannins and balancing acidity bring out the vibrant fruit character of this complex blend.”

“Comprised of varietals that flourish in Paso Robles’ distinct growing region, Troublemaker consists of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Zinfandel. Syrah is the backbone of the wine, setting the stage for a fruit-forward style and a full body. Petite Sirah contributes to the deep ruby color. Sweet and bright red fruit flavors of Grenache blend with the rustic and lively flavors of the Mourvèdre, while Zinfandel adds its signature zing to round out the blend.”

My Review: Dark in the glass with earth, plum and black fruits.  Dark and brooding on the palate, with tobacco, plum, cassis and coffee. It’s a big, complex, heavy wine that comes at a great value. I’d like to try this again when I know it is a fresh pour. January 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

“The Austin Hope & Treana Tasting Cellar offers seated tastings with a casual, fun approach to award winning, world class wines. The spacious, unique tasting areas are a blend of eclectic décor, lounges and outdoor cabanas overlooking the estate vines. We look forward to sharing our wines, our passion and creating an exceptional experience for you. Reservations are strongly encouraged as we sell out frequently.”

Located at 1585 Live Oak Road in Paso Robles.  Open 10-5 daily.  You can get more information and make a reservation here.

For additional information please call 805-238-4112 or email cheers@hfwines.com

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Aleksander: From Slovenia to the NBA to Paso Robles!

THE STORY

In early February, The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod went out to dinner at Bistro Moulin, where I had not dined since it changed owners.  Seeking a big, bold red that would satisfy our palates, we found this Aleksander wine. We learned it represented a journey from Slovenia to the NBA to Paso Robles!

ABOUT ALEKSANDER WINE

“An exquisitely balanced Bordeaux blend, Aleksander is fruit of an enduring passion and family commitment to establishing an authentic legacy.

“The overused expression “It is the journey, not the destination” dances on the edge of banality. Yet, there is truth to the old saying, as often happens to be the case with clichés. We are interested in the unfolding of events, the delightfully serendipitous occurrences, and chance encounters that occur along the way because they give meaning to our destinations. Aleksander embodies our European roots, but it also incarnates the places and cultures that continue to shape our journey. Our destination is ever-shifting; it moves with us and with those who join our Aleksander family along the way…”

THE JOURNEY: From Slovenia to the NBA to Paso Robles!

“Our journey began in Slovenia, a small country renowned for its distinct ability to produce quality wines of all kinds. Our co-founders, Goran and his eldest son Sasha, started to nurture a profound interest in wine during the early years of Sasha’s professional basketball career in Italy. Exploring the northern Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, they developed a deep appreciation for the wines of Livio Felluga. Quickly, the father and son began to envision themselves owning a family winery that would reflect their respective palates and inherent familial epicureanism. After he was selected in the 2004 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Sasha and the family – joined also by his mother Sena, his brother Al, and his sister, Nina – settled in California. They quickly embarked on a quest for the perfect piece of land, which would take them one step closer to bringing their vision to fruition.

“Having accomplished the goal of founding what is now S&G Estate in Paso Robles in 2010, the whole family joined efforts to create a memorable, Merlot-dominant red, reminiscent of Old-World wines, but made on California soil. After obtaining his business degree from the University of Redlands in 2016, and a subsequent successful season as head coach of a professional basketball team in Japan, Al decided to dedicate himself fully to Aleksander as Chief Operating Officer. Since the genesis of the family brand, Sena and Goran have resided on the estate, running every aspect of the business, from production to logistics, as well as curating exclusive private wine tasting experiences. While pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), their daughter Nina remained deeply involved in the family business.”

THE WINE

Today, I am presenting just this one Aleksander wine. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2018 Aleksander Red Wine, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 13.0% ABV, $93 (#1254) 63% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot

Winery Notes: “The 2018 Aleksander will one day be regarded as one of the best wines from the Aleksander Family. The growing conditions in 2018 were nothing short of perfect. The vintage conditions with the winemsking of our very own Goran Bjekovic, give this wine characteristics rarely found in red wines…” (I found this note through an internet search, but could only see this preview…)

My Review: Rich, crushed berries on the nose. A thick and dry palate of dark fruit, with dark plum notes on the finish.  This was a very tasty wine which quickly disappeared.  February 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

I am intrigued enough to make a special trip down to Paso Robles to learn more about their wines.

“We offer private wine tastings by appointment only. To reserve a tasting, please contact us at logistics@aleksanderwine.com.” You can read more about their tasting options here. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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The Bold Parsonage 2005 Cuvee Rocco: A “Happy Mis-Opening!”

THE STORY

Have you ever gone to your cellar to select a specific vintage of a favorite wine but ended up with a “happy mis-opening!”? That happened to us on Christmas Day. We thought we were drinking the 2015 Parsonage Rocco Reserve Syrah when I noticed that familiar “Cuvee Rocco” on the label – it was the library 2005 vintage! Ack! And that is what we call a “happy mis-opening!” While not what was intended, no one was sorry we got to taste that wine!

I was thrilled to present the 2003 Parsonage Cuvee Rocco to you on New Years Day as a very special library wine. You can read about it here: The Parsonage 2003 Cuvee Rocco: A Wine to Behold! So, it was not in my plan to enjoy or present another one so soon.  But here it is…

THE WINE: A “Happy Mis-Opening!”

Today, I am presenting just this one Parsonage library. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. I have previously presented the 2005 Parsonage Carmelstone Syrah, but not this Cuvee Rocco.  You can see my post with the 2005 Carmelstone here: Parsonage Showcases Its Powerful Wines to the Monterey AWS! I gave it this review: “Very dark ruby in the glass. Raisin and cassis on the nose. Rich blackberry with bubblegum notes mid-palate with a touch of smoke/tobacco on the finish. Our favorite wine of the reunion weekend. April 2022”

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

2005 Parsonage Cuvee Rocco Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $135 (#1240)

grapelive.com Review: “(Barrel sample, component selection) This special barrel selection takes the darkest and most intense Syrah and it shows an added intensity and thickness throughout. Jet black and powerful now with ripe tannins, I might be going out on a limb here, but this maybe the greatest expression of Sarah from Carmel Valley ever produced! The fruit is all about the dark side, with blackberry, blueberry and savory black currants leading the way, but this wine still retains tangy acidity that keeps it all flowing nicely. It is already dense and chewy even though it still will fill out even more, giving me reason to call it a blockbuster! 97 Points (provided by Parsonage Winery)

My Review: OK, our dinner guests went a little crazy helping me with this one: Bold, dark and brooding. The intense, dark fruit flavors explode in the mouth, yet so smooth. This wine has a bold swagger reminiscent of a ranch, “like John Wayne.” “It reminds me of an Opus One – with a touch of Rutherford dust.” Yeah, this was a good one.  We think our family appreciated our “happy mis-opening!” December 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

Parsonage is open for tastings every day – click here for the details and to make a reservation.  Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Odonata 2018 Spiketail: Ramping Up for the Holidays!

THE STORY

We opened a 2018 Odonata Spiketail in mid-December as we were ramping up for the holidays.  Today’s short and sweet post includes reviews from two vintages of the same wine!

We last visited Odonata in March 2022 and captured our experience here: Odonata Plays “Mystery Wine” with Decanting Monterey!

ABOUT ODONATA from their website:

You can read about winemaker Denis Hoey in my recent post Odonata: The Truth About Durif.

THE WINE

I have 2 wines to present to you today from Odonata. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2017 Odonata Spiketail, 14.25% ABV, (#875) 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache

I previously wrote up the 2017 vintage here: A Plentiful Supply of Central Coast Wines Right at Home.

Winery Notes: “Offering copious aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, raspberry, strawberries, licorice and roasted herbs. Bright acidity, beautiful density, and full-bodied opulence.” 120 cases produced.

My Review: Rich, dark ruby in the glass. Dark berry jam on the nose. Low key palate of jammy berry flavors – this is one delicious wine. June 202

2018 Odonata Spiketail, 14.2%, $65 (#1239) 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache

My Review: We bought this on a whim without tasting it. Purple in color. Plum, orange rind, chalk, bubblegum and hot cocoa on the nose. Orange rind and chocolate on the dense jam of the chalky palate. Licorice and smoke on the finish. After it opened up, cinnamon was predominant on the finish. One of the most interesting wines I have enjoyed this year. August 2023

THE TASTING ROOM

VISIT ODONATA WINERY

“Nestled at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and at the beginning of the River Road wine trail lies the Odonata Winery and Tasting Room. We hope you will stop by to sample a selection of our current releases!

Located at 645 River Road, Salinas, CA 93908 (tel: 831-566-5147)

Open 7 days a week (except major holidays) from 11 am to 5 pm. Open for Happy Hour on Fridays & Saturdays from 5-7 pm. No appointments are necessary for groups of 8 or fewer.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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