It was another evening warranting a Turley. In my hunt in our wine room, I found this 2020 Zinfandel from Amadeo’s Vineyard in Paso Robles. This would be the first time trying a wine from this vineyard and is the singular wine in today’s post.
But perhaps the even bigger news is my discovery that Turley recently closed its Amador County tasting room and winery. When I couldn’t find that tasting room on its website, I found the news in this Instagram post.
“Turley Wine Cellars was founded in Napa Valley by former emergency room physician Larry Turley in 1993. Under the direction of winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, Turley now makes 50 different wines from over 50 vineyards across California, primarily Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, with many vines dating back to the late 1800s. By farming organically and focusing on old vine vineyards of these varieties, Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.”
THE VINEYARD
ABOUT AMADEO’S VINEYARD (from the Turley website)
“This historic site was planted in the 1920s as the only vineyard supplying the family-owned Amadeo Martinelli winery, located adjacent to the dry-farmed vines. In true Italian tradition, the vineyard is interplanted with cherry trees, as well as a handful of Grenache vines. The slope faces north and as such Amadeo’s is the coolest climate site we work with in Paso Robles, making it the last one to come in at harvest. As a result, the wine has a sleek texture, phenomenal acidity, and impressive depth.”
THE WINE
I have just 1 wine to present to you today from Turley. Winery notes come from their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2020 Turley Zinfandel, Amadeo’s Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 15.3% ABV, $42 (#1547)
Winery Notes: “A cooler climate 1920s dry-farmed estate vineyard in Paso. Black currant, black pepper, garrigue, meat marinade, crème de mûre, and lavender. Lush yet savory, would be excellent with lamb. Drink now at 55°-60°F.”
My Review: Garnet, almost purple, in the glass. Dark berry jam notes on the nose. Rich berry jam on the palate. Some yeasty notes throughout. April 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
Want to try a Turley? Let’s head on down to Paso Robles!
Paso Robles Tasting Room: “A few miles inland of California’s storied Central Coast, Paso Robles is a pioneer’s paradise, where surfers, cowboys, vintners, farmers, and ranchers commingle amidst ancient vines, towering oak trees, and rolling hills.”
It is open daily 10 am – 4 pm. If you make it there, tell them Decanting Monterey sent you!
This past February, I met up with 2 of our departing Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society board members at the WrathTasting Room in Carmel Plaza to seek their advice before they departed the area. Today’s short post is about 2 new releases I tasted that day.
“The wrath of Juno sent Aeneas wandering the Mediterranean in Vergil’s Aeneid. For the ancient Romans, ira or wrath, was a tool of a god, an unstoppable anger driven by forces greater than man. One can argue that we see such fury in both the might of nature and the passion of art. Wrath appears in the edgy power of Robert Plant’s voice and the raw wail of Eric Clapton’s guitar. It is frozen into Jackson Pollock’s violent splatters of paint. Wrath is in the wall of maritime fog that rolls into the Salinas Valley and the relentless afternoon winds that scream through our grape trellises. Wrath wines represent a nexus of nature and an unbridled passion for winemaking. Welcome to Wrath.”
“Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from our estate vineyard and respected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Our production is small, our distribution is limited and our wines reveal attitude, passion, and an inherent respect for what a vineyard can give us.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 2 Wrathwines from this December mini-tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. You can read more about each wine on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2021 Wrath Rosé Extra Brut, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.3% ABV, $65 (#1541)
Winery Notes: “The inaugural vintage of our Brut Rosé, using sustainably grown estate fruit. Primarily produced with chardonnay and a small amount of pinot noir for color and added flavor. Bright aromas of pomegranate and watermelon lead to a flavors of Rainier cherry and rosehips with a clean, fresh finish. With less than 200 cases produced, this is a wine to enjoy knowing that you’ve discovered a rare opportunity to enjoy what few will have.”
My Review: Yeasty apple notes on the nose. Crisp and bubbly with a tart apple, yet slightly sweet pleasant finish. February 2025
Winery Notes: “Wrath’s blend of clones 777 and Pommard 4 has always showcased the dark, earthy side of our estate pinot fruit and the 2021 vintage is no exception. The nose shows off black cherry and forest floor. Whole cluster fermentation (20%) balances acidity and adds to its layered flavors, while a rich, seamless intensity defines the palate with bing cherry, black raspberry and an allspice element; all leading to a long, structured finish.”
My Review: Spice, plum and violets on the nose. Very much Monterey County Pinot Noir on the palate. Very nice and a great value for the quality. February 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
Wrathhas 2 places to taste their wines and we think they are both lovely. So handy to stop in at Carmel Plaza, but what a treat to drive out River Road to the bucolic setting of their winery – bring your lunch!
Winery Tasting Room: “Located at 35801 Foothill Road (at the junction of River Road) in Soledad, CA, 5 minutes west of Hwy 101. Open Fri-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tue-Wed-Thurs. Direct: 831.678.2992”
Carmel Tasting Room: “Located in Carmel Plaza, downtown Carmel at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Mission St., ground floor. Open Fri and Sat from 11-6pm. Open Sun through Thur from 11-5pm
Sometimes you just want a good Zin, so I was delighted to find this 2019 Carol Shelton Oakley zinfandel open in our wine room. We met Carol Shelton a long time ago in Washington DC at a Zinfandel Advocated and Producers (ZAP) event and have been fans ever since.
Carol Shelton was one of the pioneer female winemakers in a man’s world. She spent almost 2 decades as a winemaker for others until her husband urged her to start making her own wines. You can read her full story here: THE ROAD TO ZEN. Here’s an excerpt:
“…Carol (Shelton) & Mitch Mackenzie, her husband and business partner, have sought out exceptional vineyards throughout California including Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, Fountaingrove District, Paso Robles, Lodi, Mendocino County, and the Cucamonga Valley of Southern California. Many of her vineyard sources are organically grown, dry farmed and many decades old. She develops close partnerships with each grower to ensure her wines maintain and express the unique terroir of the vineyard.”
THE WINE
Today I’m presenting 1 wine, the 2019 Carol Shelton Oakley Zinfandel. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2019 Carol Shelton Oakley Zinfandel, Contra Costa AVA, Contra Costa County, 14.4% ABV, $32 (#1540)
Winery Notes:“Beautiful nose of sage, blackberry and milk chocolate, touch of caramel and cedar from the oak, bit of dusty earth. Almost Cabernet-like in its profile, from the kiss of green herbs to nicely structured tannins. Bright acidity while still creamy, and a plush, long finish.”
My Review: Dark garnet, jammy plum, blackberry, and vanilla on the nose. Finishes with a strong cassis, vanilla with some lingering tobacco notes. Reminiscent of a Amador Zin with less of the prune and more dark fruit. February 2025
“The setting for Carol Shelton Wines may not be what wine tasters envision when planning a visit to wine country. But Zin and fine wine lovers stepping into our homey, unpretentious tasting room will find a dream come true.
“After tasting through luscious award-winning wines including; Rose, White Rhone, Red Rhone and single-vineyard designate Zinfandels, finishing with our magical Late Harvest; our locale—an industrial section of Santa Rosa—becomes immaterial.
“We are open for tastings 7 days a week from 11 – 4. Reserve tasting fee is $20 per person each tasting fee may be waived with purchase of one bottle.
“Walk-ins are welcome or give us a call (707-575-3441) to make a reservation and come on by to taste our award-winning wines.”
On a whim, we stopped by the I Brand & Family @ibrandwinery tasting room last month to discover their spring releases were available to try! Angie walked us through them all. I like to see what Ian Brand is making, as you never know what surprises might be revealed – a rare varietal or an unusual source. It is wine education in a bottle! Today’s offerings were new vintages of mostly familiar (by now) sources, some still young in the bottle – ones to cellar a bit before opening. Again, I refer to the lost vintage of 2020 reds.
Today I am presenting 6 wines we tasted in mid-February. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet, their website, or from tasting room staff. This was our last stop of the afternoon. Any errors are mine and mine alone!
2024 La Marea Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.3% ABV, $25 (#1535)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of white nectarine and honeysuckle abound. Bright acidity leads on the palate framed by a redolence of underripe pineapple and stone fruit, which persist and blend with wet river rock on the finish.”
My Review:Light in the glass. Sweet floral and bubble gum (banana) nose, with a slightly sweet palate, missing some of the acidity and minerality we’ve come to expect. Worthy of a retaste, as this is usually one of our favorite wines year over year. February 2025
Winery Notes: “Initial aromas of watermelon and cantaloupe are inescapable, transitioning to trailside strawberry with a touch of air. Melons and strawberries persist on the palate, and bright red fruits continue into the finish transforming into a pleasing strawberry-basil herbaceous salinity.”
My Review: Pretty light pink in the glass. Magnolia and wet hay on the nose. Good acidity on the bright palate. Young but good. February 2025
2021 La Marea Grenache, Central Coast AVA, 14.4% ABV, $30 (#1537)
Winery Notes: “Black Plum, currants and herbaceous notes like bay laurel abound on the nose framed by subtle hints of graphite. Tree-ripened plum leads on the palate quickly revealing more subtle red fruit characteristics, including Bing cherry and strawberry with thyme. The palate transitions into more river rock and broken stone characteristics and hint toward Tellicherry peppercorn. Violets fill the mid palate and are wrapped neatly in dusty tannins.”
My Review: Bright, translucent ruby in the glass. Tobacco on the nose. Earth and light cherry on palate. Some sediment. February 2025
2023 I Brand & Family Mourvèdre, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $45 (#1538)
Winery Notes: “Telicherry peppercorn and carraway seed lead the bouquet, evolving into spiced black plum notes. The peppery and spiced plum carries over to the palate attack and the exquisitely spicy finish for a light-to-medium-bodied and chillable red. Pronounced yet balanced tannins. Finishes with notes of California garrigue; think sagebrush, manzanita, and mugwort.”
My Review: Almost purple in color. Bing cherry on the nose. Some violet and light cherry notes with a dark finish. A lighter palate than a typical Mourvèdre. February 2025
2022 I Brand & Family Pinot Noir, Flint Vineyard, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 13.2% ABV, $36 (#1539)
Winery Notes: “The Flint Vineyard is at the base of Mount Harlan, home to Calera, and because the cold air sinks off the mountain onto the property, it buds out late and picks about a month later than Enz and a couple of weeks later than the ‘cool climate’ Santa Lucia Highlands. The Flint Vineyard bears the signature of the special mixed granitic and calcareous soils of the Cienega combined with the darker red fruits and cherry compote character of a cool climate Pinot Noir…
“Berries were tiny in 2022 and the crop was light. Fermented uninocultated on 50% whole cluster with the balance whole berries for two and a half weeks. Aged in used French oak barrels on lees for 20 months. Our 2022 Flint Pinot Noir shows the tension of the vintage quelled by a long rest in barrique.”
My Review: Sweet fruit on the nose. Cherry and chocolate. Very smooth and drinkable. This wine makes me appreciate what Pinot Noir can be. We took some home. February 2025.
2022 I Brand & Family Syrah, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $48 (#1539)
Winery Notes: “Earthy, meaty notes of peppered beef jerky. Graphite and clay transition into a savory mix of fire-roasted tomato confit and guajillo chili, which evolve into dark fruit reminiscent of a spiced blueberry compote ending with cumin and cardamom on the finish.”
My Review: This was our last wine of the day, so the notes are a little skimpy and don’t do service to the wine – will need to try this one again. Cherry flavors on a lean palate. A tad acidic. February 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
The I Brand & Family Tasting Room, located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 5 pm. Reservations are recommended – more information here.
When six couples from our East Coast life joined us here on the Monterey Peninsula, it wasn’t hard to come up with wineries we wanted them to experience. Corral Wine Co. @corralwineco was an easy choice to make. This was the perfect opportunity to expose them to Adrien Valenzuela’s fine winemaking. In addition, there were 4 new releases to try, which are the centerpiece of today’s post!
Many thanks to owner Larry Bell for his surprise appearance to host our group and share stories about the winery and the wines. (Our friends proclaimed “There’s a cowboy in there!” as we walked into the tasting room.) His humility and honesty about their experiences, successes and challenges to date are refreshing. As their slogan says: they’re not fancy, but they make good wine. And a very special shout out to Marissa for pouring for us and amplifying the wine descriptions along the way – she is the consummate professional! Our friends commented for days about the high quality of the Corral Wine Co. wines.
My Chardonnay-loving friend declared the 2022 Corral Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay as the best of the day. My updated review: “Yellow-gold in the glass. Butter and caramel balanced by a touch of lime on the nose. Quite flavorful and classic. A nice tang on the palate and acidity on the finish saves it from being too buttery from the malolactic fermentation. November 2024 and March 2025”
And, finally, the 2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon has come into its own on this third (for me) tasting: “Purple in the glass. Raspberry and plum on the nose, reminiscent of a balsamic vinegar, savory and slightly sweet at the same time. Juicy, balanced palate, like a rich raspberry jam on toasted sourdough. A blue, tannic crunchiness of Concord grape skin, finishing with intensely dark plum and mint. Very complex and delicious. March 2025”
THE WINERY
From their website: “In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.
“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 4 Corral Wine Co.new releases from this reunion experience. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. My notes are amplified by the East Coast Chapter of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2023 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, $36 (#1531)
Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of strawberry, peach ring, and red fruit. Leading way into flavors of watermelon, passion fruit, and orange citrus with hints of white peach and mandarin.” Getting the color right remains a challenge – from their previous vintage of a bright deep color to this year’s pale version.
My Review: Very pale and viscous in the glass. Floral nose, followed by a crisp palate highlighted by pink grapefruit tartness. I would drink this in the micro-climate. March 2025
2023 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1532)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of stone fruits, citrus, wet stone, and hints of gooseberry. On the palate lemon, citrus, peach while finishing with its nice racing acidity and minerality.”
My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Grilled pineapple on the nose. Very tasty crisp palate with gooseberry and pineapple flavors. Perhaps the tastiest Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc currently on the market. February and March 2025
2022 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#1533)
Winery Notes: “Rich, full flavors of drk cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, spice, and a long finish.”
My Review: Garnet in color. Violet and light cherry on the pleasant nose. Rich cherry jam countered by leather on the hot palate, with lingering menthol on the finish. A richer flavor than most SLH Pinot Noirs, slightly sweet on the front with a little lingering menthol on the finish. Consistently one of our favorite SLH Pinot Noirs. February and March 2025
2021 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1534)
Winery Notes: “Dark and rich in color with aromas of dark fruit, and ripe red fruits leading way into hints of sage, nutmeg, spices, and leather. With flavors of blackberries, sweet baking spices finishing with nice velvety tannins and a long flavorful finish.”
My Review: Rich, thick, dark purple in color. Crushed black currant with eucalyptus and sage notes on the nose. Huge, rich palate of dark fruit, finishing with lingering intense black currant and saddle leather. This is one delicious wine. We took some home! February/March 2025
One of the first places I went when my Dry January ended was to see Sal Rombi @rombiwine in his Carmel Valley tasting room. He said he had something for me. Yes, folks, February 1 and I was there! He told me he was going to be releasing his 2018 Petite Sirah this spring and he wanted me to try it. I gladly took it home. Impatient as we are, on February 2, we double decanted it (the best way to enjoy a Rombi wine!) and enjoyed it with our Sunday night dinner.
As my avid readers know, I fund this blog out of pocket. The industry recognition for waived tasting fees and discounts on wines is greatly appreciated; and the occasional gifting of a bottle of wine (or more), even more so. It doesn’t happen often, so I am so grateful when it does.
Grazie mille, Sal!
As I looked through my files, I realized we had tried this wine in August 2024 – but without the luxury of double decanting and at the end of a Decanting Monterey Wine Pod evening of tasting – not the best way, for sure. So today, I am happy to present both tastings together here in one place.
“Since 2006, hands-on winemaking that reflects a unique sense of place”
“Wine is a gift from nature, and every bottle produced at Rombi Wines tells a story of the land, the geography, the climate, and the hands-on philosophy of one man. Salvatore Rombi takes winemaking personally, obsessing over every detail — from harvest to barrel aging — to produce a unique range of elegant yet bold and complex red wines from the Carmel Valley Appellation. Rombi’s small vineyard and intimate tasting room provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable wine journey. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a strict allegiance to sustainable farming practices, Rombi creates award-winning, limited-production vintages. As an ode to terroir — the rock and soil, but also the land and legacy, culture and commitment, time and tradition — the wines from Rombi are always bottled poetry.”
THE WINE
Today I’m presenting 1 wine, the 2018 Rombi Petite Sirah expected to be released soon, and my two sets of tasting notes, as explained above.
2018 Rombi Petite Sirah, Napa Valley AVA, 14.6% ABV, $75 (#1128) (pre-release)
My New Review: This wine was gifted to me. Big jammy nose, including plum, violet, blackberry, licorice and Chinese five spice. A huge palate of jammy blue and black fruits, wrapped in Chinese five spice with a licorice and cassis finish. Definitely has the Napa pedigree. February 2025
My Previous Review: This was the evening’s bonus wine, so it was not decanted. Always a mistake. Rombi wines must be decanted. Late in the evening, our notes were not as extensive: Very dark purple in color. Dried fig, cigarettes and a touch of barnyard on the nose. Super rich, big palate. This wine comes off a little hot, yet is an extremely tasty wine. Next time I get my hands on one of these, we are decanting it! August 2024
“At Rombi Wines, our unique tasting room provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Salvatore Rombi is most often on hand to guide you through the winemaking process and your tasting experience. Step off the beaten path and discover Rombi, where every bottle tells a story.
“Rombi Wines Tasting Room is at 1 Center St., in the charming Carmel Valley Village. We are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m., although appointments can be made for weekday visits.”
Today’s story seems simple on the surface: a Parsonage wine pickup and more 2021 releases to taste. We enjoy our wine pickups – a chance to chat up the staff, hear what’s new, taste new releases, retry some favorites, and hand select our final allocation. But the deeper story reflects what I am tasting and hearing at our local wineries: the impact of the missing vintage.
The 2020 wildfires ravaged much of Monterey County’s vineyards – both the Salinas Valley and Carmel Valleys were hit hard, meaning most vintners had to completely scrap their red wines. And, since many of our wineries are quite small, this means the 2021 and 2022 red wines are being released sooner than expected. It’s something to consider when you taste these wines that probably need more time in the bottle. I’m not referring to any of the wines in today’s post. But it is something to keep in mind.
Today I’m bringing you just 2 new releases from Parsonage’s 2021 vintage. Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Some of these are so new that tasting notes aren’t even yet available! Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2021 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $32 (#1522)
Winery Notes: “The Cyrano, a blend of Merlot and Syrah, is one of our best sellers. Quite the dazzling bouquet of black, blue, and red fruit (in that order) wrapped in allspice and vanilla. Remarkably complex and delicious palate of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, currant, and exotic spices. The mouthfeel is elegantly structured with perfect acid-tannin balance. What a beautiful finish!”
My Review: Pretty garnet in the glass. Orange, violet, dark red plums, cranberry, red cherry, with a hint of bubblegum on the nose. Medium palate of bright cherries balanced with dried cherries, with the Syrah giving it a spicy finish. February 2025
2021 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#1523)
Winery Notes:“SCRUMPTIOUS!! What a crazy word to describe Pinot Noir. I also could have said yummy or delicious. But those descriptors are so inadequate. This Hawk is a true outlier, reminiscent of the epic 2012 version, for those who remember that vintage. The 2021 is barely recognizable as Pinot Noir. The bouquet hints at Pinot with its cherry and floral essences. But there’s a mysterious opulence to this Hawk that is mystifying and compellingly addictive. In a word, scrumptious!”
My Review: Mint and cherry on the nose. Light cherry and spice on the palate. An improvement over most Central Coast Pinot Noir wines – no metallic taste! A tasty wine. February 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
“Hooray! We are open for both indoor and outdoor wine tasting daily.”
19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village
Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm, Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm.
Tasting Room Photo Provided Courtesy of Parsonage!
“Reservations can be made here or by phone. Please call us at 831-659-7322 for same day reservations.”
(Seeing this on Instagram? Click the link in my profile to read the whole story)
THE STORY
In today’s post, I’m taking a brief hiatus from Central Coast wines to talk a little bit about my personal Dry January journey, the fine Bordeaux wines I left it for, and a Mollydooker Australian stunner.
MY DRY JANUARY
Due to a planned and much welcomed surgery, I had to give up alcohol for most of January. Post-surgery, I was prescribed a lot of acetaminophen (aka Tylenol). Acetaminophen and alcohol do not mix – unless you are very aware of your dosages and quantities of both. As I learned through a lot of reading (and I am no doctor), they both make demands of the same functions of your liver and too much of both, especially sustained high dosages of both, can be fatal. I read the bottle: taking over 4,000 mg and drinking more than 3 glasses of alcohol per day is not ok. And I wasn’t doing either.
Before the surgery, I dabbled with some non-alcoholic wines. I tried a red – a hard no. I have a bubbly nonalcoholic rose to try sometime in the future. Have any of my readers tried a non-alcoholic wine they found to be acceptable? Please leave me a comment! I’m open to trying some more.
I honored Dry January for 3 weeks. I really didn’t mind it, since my body needed to recover from the invasive surgery. I could hear wine being opened and enjoyed in my house. Instead, I allowed myself the baked treats and chocolates received from neighbors and friends. And I began a new habit of drinking water all evening instead of wine. I would have made it to January 30 but, when our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners offered to bring a happy hour to us, that sounded like a good reason to cut it a little short.
To better determine what would be safe for me, I researched the acetaminophen/alcohol/liver issue many ways. As my dose became smaller and smaller – and not daily, I wanted the clearance of my doc to be able to have a glass of wine. I asked my surgeon and my primary care doc. They both pretty much said that my dosage was small enough to enjoy a glass or two. Yay!
But don’t think I am just saying goodbye to Dry January and not looking back. I do believe new habits have been formed. I like my evening water as a healthy habit. And I look forward to saving wine consumption for more special occasions, such as the events driving the wines I’m posting about today.
THE BORDEAUX
I broke my dry January with 2 fine Bordeaux during the happy hour provided by our Decanting Monterey Wine Pod partners:
2016 Château Giscours, Grand Cru Classé, Margaux, France, 13% ABV, $80
Wine Enthusiast – 96 points: “This nearly 200-acre estate lies in the south of the Margaux appellation. The wine is another great success in a series of superb years. It is rich but the structure and finely textured fruit give it style and longevity. Drink the wine from 2026.” May 2019
2010 Château Léoville-Poyferré, 2nd Cru Classe de Medoc, Saint-Julien, 14% ABV, $175
Wine Enthusiast – 98 points: “A wine of architectural strength and classical proportions, this has straight lines that mark the packed, concentrated fruits, which are sustained by its tannins. This is certainly the best wine that Léoville-Poyferré has produced, sumptuous while so finely structured.” *Cellar Selection* (RV) February 2013
A “DOWN-UNDER” WINE CLASS
My virtual wine class with old DC friends selected a January theme of Australian wines but no 100% Shiraz wines. I found it quite difficult to find Australian wines – my grocery store had a couple of whites, and Costco had one Shiraz and maybe a couple of whites. Total Wine had their Australian wines spread throughout their store, organized by varietal, not country. I finally found today’s red blend in the Syrah section!
2022 Molly Dooker Two Left Feet, South Australia, 16% ABV, $30 (#70% Shiraz, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
Winery Notes: “WHAT IS TWO LEFT FEET? Two Left Feet is what can happen when you dance after a glass or two of Mollydooker…The 2022 Two Left Feet wine stands out for its lively balance. The Shiraz grape adds depth, while Merlot and Cabernet contribute fragrance and lifted notes. On the palate you’ll notice the dominant plum and mocha notes with a touch of toasty oak. The red fruit flavors feel silky due to the soft tannins. The taste journey continues with hints of licorice and blackberry jam, creating a joyful experience that celebrates the blend’s diverse elements.”
My Review: Medium purple in the glass. Rich, yummy dark berries with a touch of eucalyptus on the nose. A full palate of brambly dark berry fruit, wrapped in caramel notes, with a touch of cassis on the finish. A little harsh upon first opening, but, once this wine opened up, I liked it very much. January 2025
Remember our Monterey Peninsula power outage in mid-December? Yeah, that one was not easy to forget. We decided to head to Carmel-By-The-Sea for holiday shopping and ended up at the Wrath Tasting Room in Carmel Plaza to see if there were any new Syrahs being poured. We tasted 4 new (to us) wines and took some home! There we were hosted once again by Cynthia, whom we had last seen in their Soledad tasting room.
“The wrath of Juno sent Aeneas wandering the Mediterranean in Vergil’s Aeneid. For the ancient Romans, ira or wrath, was a tool of a god, an unstoppable anger driven by forces greater than man. One can argue that we see such fury in both the might of nature and the passion of art. Wrath appears in the edgy power of Robert Plant’s voice and the raw wail of Eric Clapton’s guitar. It is frozen into Jackson Pollock’s violent splatters of paint. Wrath is in the wall of maritime fog that rolls into the Salinas Valley and the relentless afternoon winds that scream through our grape trellises. Wrath wines represent a nexus of nature and an unbridled passion for winemaking. Welcome to Wrath.”
“Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from our estate vineyard and respected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Our production is small, our distribution is limited and our wines reveal attitude, passion, and an inherent respect for what a vineyard can give us.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 4 Wrathwines from this December mini-tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. You can read more about each wine on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2021 Wrath Pinot Noir, Cortada Alta, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $55 (#1511)
Winery Notes: “Wrath’s newest Single Vineyard Pinot Noir offering; Cortada Alta offers a leaner, more European style of Pinot, that showcases structure with youthful tannins that give way to subtle flavors of red and black cherry, a touch of dried herb and a bright juiciness that keeps the wine beautifully balanced.”
“Cortada Alta is the highest planted vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Because of the challenges in dealing with thin, rocky soils and nearly constant exposure to strong cold winds that hit the clusters throughout the year, Swiss/German clones Mariafeld and Wadenswil were selected for this site. These two clones grow and ripen nicely in their environment and offer a sophisticated, interesting selection not usually found in our growing area. This bottling is a leaner, more European style of Pinot; it showcases structure with youthful tannins that give way to subtle flavors of red and black cherry, a touch of dried herb and a bright juiciness that keeps the wine beautifully balanced.”
My Review: Stems, plum and barnyard on the nose. The underlying fruit is cloaked in flavors of orange and dark cherry with a tannic finish. There is some underlying fruit hidden inside. December 2024
Winery Notes: “Concentrated and intense, this blend is upfront with mulled dark fruit, soy and earthy undertones. The palate is generous and seamless with mulberry, cola and a long lively finish.”
“In antiquity, the wrath of a victorious army often left cities burnt to the ground. Thousands of years later, these events show up as dark carbon-filled strata, or destruction levels, in the archaeological record. The subtle smoky quality that permeates Wrath Destruction Level Rhone Blend is an ode to the smoke-filled smell of victory that greeted the victorious armies of the ancient world. This red Rhone blend is composed of Syrah and Grenache from colder sites in Monterey County. Inky and intense, this blend is upfront with mulled dark fruit, soy and earthy undertones. The palate is generous and seamless with mulberry, cola and a long lively finish.”
My Review: Nose finishes with bright raspberry. Grenache dominates on the palate. December 2024
2021 Wrath EX Syrah, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $25 (#1513)
Winery Notes: “Full-flavored and savory, this wine has dark berries, black pepper and dried herbs all wrapped with velvet tannins.”
“This wine captures the savory side of our estate-grown, cool-climate syrah clusters. Black peppercorn, rosemary, cola and blueberry aromas show on the nose, while the palate has more of the same along with cracked pepper, ripe olallieberry and dried meaty flavors. This bottling is a slightly younger, less oaky version of its bigger brother, San Saba Vineyard Syrah.” 90 points – Wine Enthusiast
My Review: Sulfur and smoke on the nose. Smooth palate – would be a good food wine. A decent entry-level Syrah which I would serve for a party or present in a class. December 2024
2019 Wrath Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#1514)
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Pleasantly funky aromas of toasted nori and iodine mix with cracked pepper and dense berry plum paste on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The cool-climate cracked pepper flavor is very powerful on the palate, spicing up what mulberry, plum and roasted fig flavors, with charred meat lingering deep into the finish.” Matt Kettmann April 2022
My Review: Dark in the glass. Big bouquet of spice with a touch of barnyard cloaking dark fruit notes. Rich feel on the palate. The dark fruit core is wrapped in cedar and spice. December 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
Wrathhas 2 places to taste their wines and we think they are both lovely. So handy to stop in at Carmel Plaza, but what a treat to drive out River Road to the bucolic setting of their winery – bring your lunch!
Winery Tasting Room: “Located at 35801 Foothill Road (at the junction of River Road) in Soledad, CA, 5 minutes west of Hwy 101. Open Fri-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tue-Wed-Thurs. Direct: 831.678.2992”
Carmel Tasting Room: “Located in Carmel Plaza, downtown Carmel at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Mission St., ground floor. Open Fri and Sat from 11-6pm. Open Sun through Thur from 11-5pm”
This is the second of a two-part series highlighting my recommendations of standout wineries and wines based on our November visit to Amador County. Today’s post focuses on Turley Wine Cellars, Andis Wines, Deaver Vineyards, and PleinAir Vineyards. I have been a Turley member forever – yet had not visited their Amador winery. Andis showed us that the region is much more than Zinfandel and Barbera. Deaver is one of the oldest vineyards and original wineries boasting exceptional Zinfandels and more. And PleinAir not only focused on Rhône varietals but also had a Central Coast connection!
We started our second day, touring the historic gold mining town of Jackson, shopping at The Biggest Little Kitchen Store (awesome!) and hunting down the original courthouse building (art deco!) before heading to the wineries. We again were able to drop in on the wineries without reservations – because it was mid-November. Reservations would otherwise be highly recommended!
Today I am bringing you 9 wines from our second day of tasting in Amador County. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a matter of practice, I do not correct any typo’s from winery websites. Let’s go!!
About Turley: “Turley Wine Cellars was founded in Napa Valley by former emergency room physician Larry Turley in 1993. Under the direction of winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, Turley now makes 50 different wines from over 50 vineyards across California, primarily Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, with many vines dating back to the late 1800s. By farming organically and focusing on old vine vineyards of these varieties, Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.”
As a longtime member of Turley, I’ve written about their wines many times, including a visit to their Paso Robles Tasting Room in 2023. Just type “Turley” into the search bar on the Decanting Monterey website. The “Whitney Tennessee” was tasted at the Amador Tasting Room. The “Dusi” came from our home collection and was served with our Thanksgiving turkey! Everyone else drank a nice Burgundy. I prefer a Turley!
2022 Turley Whitney Tennessee Zinfandel, Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma County (#1501)
Winery Notes: “This small, estate-owned, pre-Prohibition vineyard in Sonoma County was purchased by the winery in 2009, and we’ve since converted all to organic farming. Planted on loam and various gravel soils, the Whitney Tennessee vineyard—named for one of Larry’s four daughters—is a mixed planting as well, with small amounts of Petite Syrah and Carignane vines sprinkled throughout.
“Organically farmed pre-Prohibition vines planted head-trained and dry-farmed in the loam & gravel of Sonoma County. Garrigue, red and dark fruits, herbs de Provence and dried flowers. Some savory sweetness with a spiced finish on makes this heady wine easy to enjoy.”
My Review: Warm jam on the nose. SweetTart on the palate. Quite a contrast. Give this one a couple of years in the bottle – it will be terrific. November 2024
2020 Turley Zinfandel, Dusi Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $43 (#1502)
Winery Notes: “The Dusi vineyard was planted by Dante Dusi in 1945 and it is farmed by his family to this day. The vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, planted in soil that is mostly alluvial with some very large rocks. Like our other vineyards in the area, Dusi is on the west side of Paso Robles, in the cool Templeton Gap sub-AVA.
“The darker, more hedonistic cousin to the Pesenti Zinfandel, with plenty of fruits that run the full gamut from berry to stone and everything in between. Supple, juicy, and mouthwatering on the palate with a mineral zip. Drink now.”
My Review: Earth and crushed strawberries on the nose. Sweet palate of dark berry wine and cassis. This is a Sharon kind of wine. November 2024
We noticed the sleek and modern Andis Tasting Room right off the main Shenandoah Road and decided to stop in. We caught them in the middle of a member pickup party with light food pairings with the tastings. It was a walking tour of the winery, with different stations in different parts, including local small businesses showing their wares. All in all, a fun experience. Here we tried both Bordeaux and Rhône varietals. For a moment, based on the wines alone, I felt like I was back in Monterey!
About Andis Wines: “…As an avid wine enthusiast and Napa frequenter, to discover such a secretive wine region inspired founder, Janis Akuna. It gave her a vision to share a different kind of experience with other wine enthusiasts. But even more than that, it was the rural wine region of Amador County that struck her the most; reminiscent of the early days of Napa she so dearly missed.
“In 2009, Janis and her husband, Andy Friedlander, found their own stretch of land to replant portions of the vineyard originally planted in the 1970s, while seeking out the highest quality vineyards to buy additional fruit. Working closely with Sage Architecture and Sunseri Construction, they built a state of the art winemaking facility with two tenets; design a sustainable winery to produce world class wines that is attractive, but different from all others…” I encourage you to click the “About” link above for much more to their story.
2021 Painted Fields Curse of Knowledge, Sierra Foothills AVA, Amador County, 14.5% ABV, $33 (#1503) 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot
Winery Notes: “Curse of Knowledge is our Cabernet Sauvignon made in the Bordeaux style by carefully blending Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a hint of Petit Verdot. We aim to showcase a new dimension of flawlessly balanced, well-structured, and quality wine that will shift people’s views of the Sierra Foothills. You’ll be captivated by the intense ruby color and the sensational bouquet of dried violet, black cherry, fresh herbs, and cocoa powder. The velvety tannins create a generous and round, balanced mid-palate, with a lingering finish of dark berries and black licorice. Enjoy it now to taste the brightness of our fruits, or age it in your cellar for the next decade.”
My Notes: There was a lot going on in the room where these big reds were tasted, so my notes are lacking. The curse is people only think of Zinfandel and Barbera when they think of Amador. I was impressed enough to take one of these wines home. November 2024
2021 Andis Petite Sirah, Sierra Foothills AVA, Amador County, 14.5% ABV, $40 (#1504)
Winery Notes: “Andis Petite Sirah, sourced from the best vineyards across the Sierra Foothills, is a true expression of a robust, full-bodied, and firmly tannic wine with deep dark color, giving it a rustic appeal. Expect aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and black pepper, along with notes of vanilla from oak aging.
It offers an extraordinary concentration that will serve it well as it ages.”
My Review: Purple in the glass and chocolate on the palate. Yum. I took one home. November 2024
Deaver is one of the original, old-school wineries in the region. They have been around since the 1850’s. They have 350 acres planted to mostly Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, with some Alicante Bouchet. Their basic tasting menu is free! We, of course, opted for their Zinfandel tasting for a whopping $10! Here we tried several fantastic Zinfandels and ended up buying a case of wine!
About Deaver Vineyards: “In 1848 young John James Davis began his journey across the plains to California from Ripley County, Indiana. In the midst of his journey, he stopped in Iowa to learn the cooper trade before continuing his journey to California. By 1852, John James had completed his journey and settled in Placerville. The first few years that John James (known as JJ) was in California were marked by mining and the promise of gold and cooperage. In 1854, JJ planted his first vines, Mission grapes. By 1869 he had his own cooper shop, own vineyards, produced limited quantities of wine – marking some of the first documentation of Davis grapes in the area. According to family stories, by 1870 JJ had 117 acres; 6 acres of his original Mission grapes still remain in production in the Deaver family today. Following the advice of his good friend Uhlinger, he began to plant Zinfandel….”
“…In 1968 Sutter Home purchased several tons of Zinfandel grapes from Ken Deaver and made a wine that caught the eye of many wine enthusiasts. This marked the beginning of selling grapes to commercial wineries.
“In 1986, Ken Deaver bottled his first Zinfandel with the trademark Deaver label. Following this bottling, Ken began his dream of opening a Tasting Room where guests would be able to taste the fruits of his labor. On January 18, 1989 Ken Deaver passed away due to a heart attack. Though Ken was gone, his dream continued to persevere and the tasting room opened in 1990…” You can read their whole history here.
2019 Deaver Henry’s House Zinfandel, Amador County, 15.4% ABV, $35 (#1505)
Winery Notes: “A tasting room favorite! Medium-bodied with a deep rich palate of spice and dark berries with a silky smooth finish…This solid and well-stated Zin is full with manageable tannins and ample fruit working to buffer its minor finishing heat. It is built to last but is still very nice with braises and stews.”
My Review: All of their Zins were quite impressive but notetaking was minimal. This wine was dark in the glass and elicited a “wow” from me. November 2024
2019 Deaver Signature Zinfandel, Amador County, 15% ABV, $35 (#1506)
Winery Notes: “Ample, well-extracted, fully ripe, blackberry fruit is teamed with a savory streak of dried herbs in both the aromas and flavors of this substantial and somewhat sinewy young Zin, and, while most definitely a hearty wine, just as all of the Deaver bottlings, it is solidly structured and built for age. It is a bit ragged at the finish just now, but its fruit persists and does not get pushed aside by excessive tannin or heat, and a little more time, say three or four years, will see it round into fine drinking shape as a partner to rich and well-seasoned fare.”
My Review: Made from the top 4-5 barrels another “wow” wine – this one is very rich. I just hope we can resist opening it for the recommended timeframe. November 2024
2019 Deaver Vineyards Circa 1860’s Old Vine Zinfandel, Amador County, 15.1% ABV, $55 (#1507)
I don’t have winery notes for this wine – perhaps it is a club-only selection. I presented it to my virtual wine group in December.
My Notes: Medium purple in color. Rich plum and blackberry on the nose with saddle leather, cinnamon and a hint of bubblegum. Full palate of ripe plum and dark berries and black cherry in an elegant composure, followed by tart berries and a lot of cassis. This is not bombastic, but a true reflection of its old vines’ heritage. December 2024
We had never heard of PleinAir Vineyards – but it was highly recommended by one of the wineries hosting the Rest hotel’s daily wine tastings. We drove over to Fiddletown and stumbled upon a French farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and quite the crowd in their tasting room. I, of course, presented my Decanting Monterey business card, which led to a whole conversation with owners Tom and Sarah Malone. As you can read on their website, they previously lived in Pebble Beach and, before that, Pacific Grove – in a house on our own street! Such a small world.
About PleinAir Vineyards: “We are a creative couple who honed our style renovating homes over our 40 year history together and we bring our own skill set to any project we undertake. While I focus on the overall design and creative direction, Tom specializes in all aspects of construction, development and is equally skilled in handling almost any DIY task required. While nearing completion on our last project in Pebble Beach, we turned our sites toward the Sierra Foothills and Amador’s wine valley. We bought 21.5 acres with a tiny home in dire need of renovation which had room to plant vineyards and build a winery and tasting venue. We thought it was the perfect opportunity to expand our knack for creating casual environments with touches of European charm into a business influenced by the romance of rolling vineyards and quaint wine tasting venues. PleinAir is truly a reflection of all the things we love – we call it “casual rustic elegance” and we look forward to sharing our wines and our venue with you!”
“Our estate vineyards are located in the Fiddletown AVA (American Viticultural Area) in Amador County, CA. The region was first settled in 1849 during the California gold rush and is known for its old growth Zinfandel and other Rhone varietals. The property sits between 1850 and 1950 feet elevation on 21.5 acres of rolling slopes. The soils are well drained sandy loams and decomposed granite. We currently have Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedre, Petite Sirah and Viognier planted.” Yep, no Zinfandel or Barbera planted here!
Winery Notes: “Dark ruby in color, our 2023 Oblique captures the personality of our Estate Grenache- effusive red plum, grenadine, and cranberries. The decidedly opulent and voluminous palate remains elegant and lively. Completely dry of sugar, the mid palate boasts a round and supple feel, derived from our vineyard focused approach. No fining or filtration!”
My Notes: I have only had a rose saignée previously, not a red wine. This may have been the best Grenache I have ever tasted due to the unique winemaking method – a nice, dry wine with excellent flavor. November 2024
2021 PleinAir Syrah, Fiddletown AVA, Amador County, $44 (#1509)
Winery Notes: “From our estate marked by its sandy loam and decomposed granite soils nested with gently rolling slopes, our Syrah boasts aromas of boysenberry, graphite and smoked charcuterie with a rich and dense palate that reinforces briar berries and black spice” GOLD MEDAL 2024 FOOTHILL WINE FEST
My Notes: This wine was a keeper – big, dark fruit. It was the last wine of the day. Sorry I don’t have better notes. November 2024
THE TASTING ROOMS
Due to the length of today’s post, please check each winery’s website for details on how to taste their wines.
A beautiful Amador sunset leaving PleinAir Vineyards!
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