Tagged: Wrath

Wrath: A Quiet Afternoon on the Monterey Wine Trail!

THE STORY

As the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod (minus one) departed our afternoon visit from Zabala Vineyards, deep in the heart of the Monterey Wine Trail, we pondered: head home or stop at a winery?  With the new Monterey Wine Trail signs clearly guiding us (although my GPS said otherwise), we made a bee-line for Wrath.

It was a quiet, Friday afternoon in mid-March.  Cynthia, our engaging tasting room host, was glad to see us. She gladly poured us what we wanted to taste, while pointing out the fact that Wrath and its 70-acre San Saba Vineyard are located in the Monterey AVA, while the cattle we could see out the front window were grazing in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Fun fact.  You can read more about all the Monterey County AVAs here.

My last post about Wrath was here: Wrath Releases Its 2018 Syrahs! And my very first complete post about them was in 2020 here: Wrath: Harnessing Angry Fog and Screaming Winds to Create Great Wines. I’ve written about their wines a few times – just type “Wrath” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

ABOUT WRATH – ON THE MONTEREY WINE TRAIL

From the Wrath website:

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

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

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 8 Wrath wines from this March 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 3 Clone Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $35 (#1292)

Winery Notes: “Expansive and rich, this golden-hued Chardonnay offers peach, baking spices, oak and a hint of butterscotch.” 91 points – International Wine Review

My Review: Light gold in color. This wine has a very tropical nose. The palate is full of tropical flavors, with melon predominant – classic. March 2024

2021 Wrath Falanghina, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $25 (#1293)

Winery Notes: “A fragrant bouquet of orange blossom, jasmine and lemon leads to subtle flavors of honeydew melon and lychee with a hint of seat salt spray. Very refreshing and clean.”

My Review: Honeysuckle and peaches on the nose. Tart, like underripe kiwi on the palate. This wine will wake you up. March 2024

2022 Wrath Saignée Rosé, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $23 (#1294)

Winery Notes: “The perfect aperitif wine; pink grapefruit and rhubarb flavors lead to a crisp, dry finish that is refreshing and delicious.” I swear they changed the vintage on the website as I was writing this post – these winery notes are for the 2023.

My Review: Ballet slipper pink in color. Watermelon on the nose, followed by a SweetTart finish. We like this wine and took some home! March 2024

2021 Wrath Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $55 (#1295)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of blackberries and cherry cola blend with flavors of black cherry, vanilla and an earthy element that merge into a long, structured finish with lots of dark fruit.” 95 points – Wine Enthusiast

My Review: This wine exhibited tobacco on the nose. Chewy, with a little bit of a that cloying Pinot Noir palate, followed by a tart finish. March 2024

2021 Wrath Swan/828 Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $35 (#1296)

Winery Notes: “Dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness highlight the characteristics of our growing area.” 94 points – Planet Grape

My Review: Translucent dark cherry in color. The nose was brimming with cherry notes, followed by a rich palate of dark cherry fruit. We like this wine. March 2024

2020 EX Syrah, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $12.50 (sale price) (#1297)

Winery Notes: “Full-flavored and savory, this wine has dark berries, black pepper and dried herbs all wrapped with velvet tannins.” 93 points – Planet Grape

My Review: This wine is surprisingly good for its sale price. Dark, intense berries brimming with jammy flavors. Unfortunately, that 2020 smoke on the finish detracts from its overall enjoyability. I will look to a different vintage for a future wine class, as the wine showed me its potential to be a really tasty wine. March 2024

2020 Wrath Destruction Level Red Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#1298) 63% Grenache, 37% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Inky and intense, this blend combines dark fruit with soy and earth undertones, followed by a long, lively finish.” 95pts “Cellar Selection” – Wine Enthusiast

My Review: This wine was quite dark in the glass. The palate was brimming with dark, intense, crushed berries. I liked this wine and meant to take some home. Alas. March 2024

2018 Wrath Syrah, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#856)

Winery Notes: “This wine is aromatic with aromas of black pepper, smoke, leather and cassis.  The palate has a velvet texture and the finish is powerful and succulently juicy.” 92 points – Vinous

My Review: Very dark cherry color in the glass. This wine has a big delicious palate of dark berry and cherry flavors. I liked this wine quite a bit – we have some at home. March 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

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

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

Carmel Tasting Room: “Located in Carmel Plaza, downtown Carmel at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Mission St., ground floor. Open Fri and Sat from 11-6pm.  Open Sun through Thur from 11-5 pm 831.620.1909”

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

And Now: The Final Post on the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Event!

THE STORY

As I mentioned in my previous post, I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.”  The Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting, was held in Carmel in early August, offering an opportunity to talk to vintners and their representatives one-on-one! This is part 3 of my experience there. Please read Part 1 here and Part 2 here for more details. And many thanks again to the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association for the tickets!

Today’s post will cover these local wineries and some of the wines they presented that day: Lepe Cellars, Windy Oaks Estate, Wrath, McIntyre Vineyards, and Galante Vineyards. Because these are the last wineries we visited that day, our tasting notes are skimpy – we focused more on conversations with the winemakers and staff. Winery notes come from their website or conversation with the winemaker, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

THE WINERIES/WINES

LEPE CELLARS

It was so nice to finally meet Miguel Lepe! He is one of our bright, creative NextGen winemakers – and one to watch!  I’ve tasted his wines several times and was so happy to finally meet him.  I admire the fact he is willing to make the kinds of big reds I like – in our land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I previously wrote about Lepe Cellars here: Lepe Cellars: A New Face on the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Circuit! I’m also working on a Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society event at his tasting room in Carmel-By-The-Sea in the next few months!

2022 Lepe Cellars Sangiovese Rosé, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $30 (#1109)

Winery Notes: “This bright, stone fruit focused dry Rosé starts out with a burst of peach and apricot leading into hints of tangerine. Pairs well with seared salmon, lobster and tuna tartare.”

My Review: By now, our tasting notes have been reduced to a few words. This rosé exhibited a mellow nose.  The Sangiovese grapes made this a very tasty version. August 2023

2020 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $49 (#1110)

Winery Notes: “Elegant aromas of wild strawberry, savory soy and light licorice show on the nose of this pure varietal. Dark plum and cherries show on the first sip, with a bit of earthy forest floor woven with pepper, oak and tannin creating a velvety, rich texture.”

My Review: Plummy and jammy on the nose. Tobacco and dark fruits on the palate. Very nice. August 2023

WINDY OAK ESTATE

I met Kerry Winslow in the Windy Oaks Tasting Room a few years back.  Extremely knowledgeable and friendly, Kerry is a class act – and he is everywhere.  After years of reading and quoting the wine blog grapelive.com, I finally put two and two together. And he has a great presence on Instagram and LinkedIn – follow him! He had us try a few wines on this day. We were just about at the end of this event, so note taking was practically non-existent. My apologies, Kerry.  I can do better. I previously wrote up Windy Oaks here: Windy Oaks: Les Deux Grands Crus and More Pinot Noir!

2018 Windy Oaks Chardonnay, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $32(#1111)

Winery Notes: Kerry indicated that this is a particular parcel of the Escolle Vineyard farmed especially for them.

Winemaker notes from wine.com: “Brilliant crisp golden delicious apple, bosc pear, lemon and pineapple fruits unfold on the rich palate along with hints of nutmeg, clove spice, butter rum and golden figs.

“This Chardonnay is sourced exclusively from the Escolle Vineyard near the famous Garys’ Vineyard, which is set on the classic sandy loams with touches of quartz and granite. All barrel fermented and aged in French oak with bâtonnage (stirred lees), it sees malolactic secondary fermentation which adds depth and texture to this lively wine.”

My Review: This is a very delicious, oaky, buttery, and creamy Chardonnay and currently available on their website. August 2023

2021 Windy Oaks Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County (#1112)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: You all know I am not the biggest Pinot Noir fan, but I liked this one.  It had a very nice, lean palate with enough complexity to hold my interest. August 2023

2016 Windy Oaks Diane’s Block Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County (#1113)

Winery Notes from wine.com: “Grown on 5-acre block, all estate, slightly warmer site, at a lower elevation, resulting in a bit more fruit forward notes. Exciting density and ultra-smooth ripe/creamy tannins with a stylish nose of wild strawberry/rhubarb and lavender. More subtle in the nose it saves its forward nature for a medium full attack on the lush palate showing fine detail and an array of red fruit flavors, mineral tones and sweet and sour notes, finishing long and spicy. The mouth feel makes an impact with layers of raspberry, black cherry and fresh picked plum along with a hint of French oak and savory spices that add excellent contrast in this serious and structured Pinot.”

My Review: It was a real treat to be able to taste this vintage of the Diane’s Block.  However, I apologize for lack of good tasting notes.Garnet in the glass with a touch of acidity on the finish. 2023

WRATH

We became quick fans of Wrath thanks to their broad portfolio of wines, especially, for me, their Syrahs.  It was through their wines that we began to get to know some of the great vineyards of Monterey County, such as their own San Saba Vineyard, the Tondré Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and, more recently, KW Ranch, also in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Because of their different lines of wines – and if I happen upon a good sale, I can even squeeze their EX (formerly Ex Animus) wines from time to time into one of my East Coast wine classes. And when I needed a Falanghina for my part of a virtual wine class, Wrath had one. You can read about it here: Ancient Roman Winemaking Meets Modern Viticulture!

2020 Wrath Swan/828 Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $39 (#1114)

Winery Notes: “Dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness highlight the characteristics of our growing area… This clonal blend uses all estate grown grapes.  It combines dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness on the nose.  The palate offers a balance of structure and acidity that compliments elegant, focused red berry and cherry cola with a hint of forest floor.  Nimble and pure, it terminates with a long clean finish that is enhanced with a touch of mineral.”

My Review: This wine was interesting to me, as the smokey, earthy nose contrasted with the rich palate of fruit which followed. August 2023

2020 Wrath Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $49 (#1115)

Winery Notes: “Wines made from master-grower Steve McIntyre’s vineyard often exhibit the telltale characteristics of Santa Lucia Highlands terroir.  Our 2020 McIntyre Vineyard Pinot Noir is no exception.  Comprised of 100 percent 115 clone and made with 20 percent whole-cluster fermentation, it is dense and complex, with pomegranate, a touch of smoke and a mineral element.  Berry flavors of cranberry and pomegranate remain persistent, blending with red currant, more mineral and bright acidity in a structured finish.” 94pts- Wine Enthusiast

“The 2020 Wrath McIntyre Pinot follows instep with previous vintages and displays classic red and black cherry flavors with a distinctive underlying minerality.”

My Review: I tend to like the Pinot Noir wines that come from the McIntyre Vineyard and this one is no exception. This one was quite rich in the palate and delicious. August 2023

MCINTYRE VINEYARD

About two years ago, we happened to be in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel and popped into McIntyre. It was a very quiet afternoon, so we got to taste a wide variety of Pinot Noirs.  That is when McIntyre Vineyards Pinot Noirs got my attention – I tasted some I actually liked!  You can read about that experience here: Impressive Pinot Noirs from Steve McIntyre Bring SLH to Life! Now I seek them out at events like these to validate my first impression! At the trade event this past August, we got to meet Kristen McIntyre and talk a bit about the wines.  Again, apologies.  As our penultimate stop, our notes are skimpy.

2019 McIntyre Family Wines Winemaker Series Don Van Staaveren Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $50 (#1116)

Winery Notes: “The idea for the Winemaker Series was born out of impatience and age-related urgency! If I’m lucky I’ll get to participate in another 20 to 30 vintages as our vineyards and wines evolve. Collaborating with a diverse set of winemakers and viticulturists provides exciting opportunities to experiment and accelerate our pace of discovery. Each Winemaker brings their own style and experience, just as a great chef or a musician, to the process of producing a life enhancing experience best shared with others” – Steve McIntyre

“Smells of bright, candied cherry fruit. The remarkably pure and crystalline cherry flavours have an aromatic sweetness to them that charms, while excellent acidity keeps the saliva flowing. Boisterous and bright with barely perceptible tannins. This expression of cherry will bring a smile to most drinkers.” (Alder Yarrow) Wine Enthusiast: 94 points

My Review: I tend to like the Pinot Noir fruit and winemaking style from McIntyre.  This one was quite delicious. Classic and elegant. I now have a better appreciation for the Winemaker Series of their wines and will stop by to taste some more. August 2023

2018 McIntyre Merlot, Kimberly Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $30 (#1117)

Winery Notes: “Our 2018 Kimberly Vineyard is the epitome of Goldilocks-climate Merlot. It marries the lavish, ripe fruit of a warm site with the elegance and structure of a cool locale. As in previous years, the dominant character traits include blackberry, anise, cassis and dried currants. Below that is a bed of juicy black fruit and supple, silky tannins. While it drinks well now, this Merlot will continue to evolve and improve over the next decade.” (Steve McIntyre)

My Review: Sadly, I have zero tasting notes for this wine and will have to revisit it in their Crossroads Tasting Room in Carmel!

GALANTE VINEYARDS

While I have presented Galante wines on my website before (check out Galante: Now This Cowboy Makes Big Reds!, this was my first occasion to meet Jack Galante. The Galante family has a long legacy in the region, with his grandfather James Frank Devendorf founding Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Highlands Inn!  You can read more about the Galante history on their website.

A few years back, Galante sold its vineyards and winery to Tira Nanza (see above) and today it sources grapes from a variety of vineyards “from Paso Robles to Napa,” with most of their grapes coming from the Carmel Valley AVA, according to their website. According to Jack, they are still managing some vineyards.

Galante was the very last table we stopped at during this event – and my lack of tasting notes reflect that.  I haven’t been to their tasting room in a couple of years, so I will try to get back out there soon!

2021 Galante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Blackjack Pasture, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $80 (#1118)

Winery Notes: N/A – pre-release

My Review: My only note was that this was one heck of a serious cab.  I definitely need to retaste this wine when it is released! August 2023

2021 Galante Vineyards Legacy Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $85 (#1119) 54% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Notes: “This ongoing series celebrates Jack’s great-grandfather’s – James Frank Devendorf – vision, who founded the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Aged in new French Oak for 15 months, this Bordeaux-style wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, featuring blackberries, violets and cocoa on the nose. Dried cherry and strawberry middle notes lead to a long, lingering finish of spice and tobacco. Cellar-worthy for many decades, but enjoyable right now as well.”

My Review: The only notes I took said that this wine exhibited some rather intense fruit – also worthy of a retaste soon! August 2023

THE TASTING ROOMS

All of these wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel, Carmel Valley, or out River Road – please check their websites for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Wrath Releases Its 2018 Syrahs!

Wrath’s San Saba Vineyard

We check in often at Wrath’s tasting room in Carmel Plaza to see if there is a new Syrah or a new Pinot Noir special clone wine to taste.  On a pleasant August afternoon, we finally got lucky!

I’ve experienced their EX line before – years ago I caught their Sauvignon Blanc on sale and used it in one of my wine classes.  Now they are also making a more affordable Syrah as well! Oh, make me happy!  For years, their San Saba Syrah has been a go-to favorite.  Now they also make a Syrah from KW Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  So hard to choose!!

About 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.”

About Today’s Vineyards: I encourage you to visit this vineyard link to read more about their own vineyard and the other vineyards they use. Today I’ve included a snippet on San Saba and on KW Ranch.

San Saba: “Our Estate San Saba Vineyard is sheltered in a nook just below the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, roughly 25 miles southeast of the town of Monterey. Our climate is heavily influenced by the morning fog and afternoon winds from the nearby Pacific Ocean. This is a cool site with little rainfall and one of the longest growing seasons in the world. Our unusual climate allows us to produce ripe, concentrated wines of exceptional balance…”

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

Winery notes come from their website here. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2019 Wrath EX Syrah, Monterey AVA, 14.4% ABV, $27 (#853)

Winery Notes: “This wine shows 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.  It is a slightly younger, less oaky version of its bigger brother, San Saba Vineyard Syrah.” 10 months in French oak, 20% new. 208 cases produced.

My Review:   Beautiful dark ruby in the glass. Dark berries and spice on the nose. Smooth dark fruit on the palate.  The finish has notes of cooked fruit, as though the grapes were left to hang a bit too long. This new release is very drinkable now.  It’s a fine everyday wine. August 2022

2018 Wrath Destruction Level, Monterey AVA,  13.1% ABV, $39 (#854) 50% Syrah, 50% Grenache

Winery Notes: “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.” 10 months in French oak, 40% new. 160 cases produced. 93 points – Vinous.

My Review: Some spice on the nose with light berry flavors. I’ve enjoyed this wine over the vintages and this is no exception. We first tasted this vintage last May, when our daughter and her friend picked up a bottle after doing a tasting in Carmel. August 2022

2018 Wrath San Saba Vineyard Syrah, Monterey AVA,   14.5% ABV, $39 (#855)

Winery Notes: “While the impenetrable color would suggest a wine of epic power, this Syrah is surprisingly elegant and graceful. The aromatics include blackberry, leather, graphite and peppercorns. The palate is rich, concentrated and structured thanks to the firm natural acidity and seamless tannins. As with its predecessors, the 2018 San Saba Syrah is a reflection of the minerally soils, strong afternoon winds and cool ambient temperatures of our estate vineyard.”  285 cases produced.  93 points – Vinous.

My Review:   Dark ruby in the glass. Strong coffee or olive on the nose. Palate is tasty with lots of jammy fruit. We took some home to see how it shows up over time. August 2022

2018 Wrath KW Vineyard Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.6% ABV, $49 (#856)

Winery Notes: “In keeping with our focus on sustainability, grapes are hand harvested and brought to our winery (only six miles down the road) for hand sorting.  All our single vineyard Syrahs use the small whole cluster fermentation and oak regimen.  This helps highlight the individual personality of each vineyard.  The 2018 KW Ranch Syrah is wildly aromatic with flashes of black pepper, smoked meat, blackberries, leather and cassis.  The palate is thick, powerful and succulently juicy.  Even though the tannins are bold, the wine is still nimble, elegant and approachable.” 131 cases produced.92 points – Vinous.

My Review:  Inky, almost purple in the glass. Slight nose of dark berries.  Rich mouthful of intense berries and spearmint. Very smooth – our favorite wine of the day! August 2022

You can buy these wines directly from Wrath via their website or tasting rooms. 

Visit Wrath! 

One of the very special ways to taste Wrath wines is at its Winery Tasting Room, way down River Road.  It is an experience! And you can bring your picnic lunch, which is a smart idea, since there aren’t any cafes out there.  “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”  

The easier way (and still very special with indoor and outdoor seating) is at its 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   831.620.1909”

Both the winery tasting room in Soledad and the Carmel Plaza tasting room are open for outdoor and limited indoor tastings!  Check out this link for more details: https://www.wrathwines.com/Visit.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Fine Monterey Wine in a Can? YES!

I stopped at Wrath’s Carmel wine tasting room early last fall to pick up some Syrah and I noticed these cans on the shelf.  I learned they contained Wrath’s AL Sauvignon Blanc.  I have presented their delicious Sauvignon Blanc in a past class, so I knew this would be a quality wine.  I tried to convince my virtual wine class that we should do a tasting of canned wines, but the idea was never accepted.  So I had to back into a topic that would allow me to present this wine:  let’s do Sauvignon Blanc! For $5.99, you gotta try it, right?

2018 Wrath AL Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey AVA, 12.9% ABV, $6 for 375 ml (#402*)

(The current release is the 2019; all info on their website is linked to that vintage vs. the 2018.)

About the AL Sauvignon Blanc from wrath.com: “AL Sauvignon Blanc is the newest addition to Wrath.  We’ve got nothing against corks or bottles but ​sometimes, a can just gets the job done.  Whether hiking, boating, or by the pool… whenever cans of beer ​go into a cooler, a can of wine should be there too.  Enjoying the convenience of canned wine shouldn’t ​have to mean sacrificing quality.  Grapes used for AL are sourced from our estate San Saba Vineyard and are ​treated with the same care and respect as our bottled wines.  So go play, relax, enjoy and recycle!”

“Estate grown grapes are hand picked and hand sorted before fermenting in steel vats; then rested on the lees for 3 to 4 months while flavors knit together.  Filtering and canning takes place at the winery.  Only BPA-free cans are used. The new wine is allowed to rest for six months before release.  Our cans have an internal liner and the air pocket created by this design helps keep the wine chilled longer if being used outside and enjoyed directly from the can.”

My Review: Pale yellow/straw in the glass.  Fragrant pineapple and lemongrass on the nose.  Palate burtsing with tropical fruits.  This is a delicious wine which I would love to drink at a picnic or on the beach at sunset (if permitted!).  The can did a nice job of keeping the wine chilled. June 2021

You can buy Wrath wines directly from their website or tasting rooms. 

Regarding Tastings: Both the winery tasting room in Soledad and the Carmel Plaza tasting room are open for tastings!  Check out this link for more details: https://www.wrathwines.com/Visit.

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

Ancient Roman Winemaking Meets Modern Viticulture!

Wine class this week was Italian varietals produced in the US.  I decided to open the 2017 Wrath Ex Dolio Falanghina I picked up during a wine tasting in March.  I became obsessed with Wrath Falanghina when I read this article about Sabrine Rodems’ own label, Scratch, in Edible Monterey Sabrine Rodems On Exhibit Scratch Coming to Carmel. 

“Owner Michael Thomas has kept Rodems plenty busy with his many often unconventional winemaking ideas, and has given her the latitude to chase different styles, like unoaked Pinot and fiercely oaked Sauvignon Blanc. When they ripped out a block of underperforming Muscat (I’m still crying over that), Michael, an archeologist, decided to plant Falanghina, an ancient Roman grape that was vinified in amphora. So, Rodems acquired a modern day replica of the ancient clay vessel from Italy (called a dolio) and tried her hand at Falanghina in clay. Truly an interesting, textural wine with just a hint of licking a clay pot.”

You gotta try it, right?

2017 Wrath Ex Dolio Falanghina, Monterey AVA, 13.2% ABV, $29 (#352*)

Winery Notes from wrath.com: “The 2017 Ex Dolio Falanghina comes from the two rows of this ancient Campanian grape planted on our estate vineyard. It is fermented on the skins in the dolium (the modern version of an ancient clay fermenting vessel) until dry.  Then racked off and placed back into the dolium for 6 months of aging.  It is left naturally unfiltered and unfined before bottling.  The resulting wine possess very bright, racy acidity that is beautifully balanced with lush fruit flavors and a pronounced bouquet of ripe apricot…Our Ex Dolio Falanghina is a wine with one foot planted in ancient Roman winemaking traditions (fermented and aged in a dolio, not filtered or fined) and one foot in modern methods (modern viticulture and winemaking control measurements to ensure stability). For those who are unsure about drinking a naturally unfiltered wine, we suggest standing the bottle upright in a cooler or refrigerator for a day or two, just as one would handle a vintage Port. Most of the particulate matter will settle at the bottom of the bottle, although there is no issue with consuming it along with the wine.” 72 cases produced. 

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “Winemaker Sabrine Rodems and proprietor/archaeologist Michael Thomas emulate Roman winemaking, with this skin-contact bottling that’s aged in a ceramic vessel. Golden yellow in the glass, the wine offers apple juice and butterscotch on the nose, with a hint of citrus. The palate shows dried citrus and bitter orange. It’s funky but enjoyable.”  Matt Kettmann, 8/2020 https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/wrath-2017-ex-dolio-falanghina-monterey/

Is this a White? Rosé? Orange?

My Review:  This is a golden, almost orange wine! There was a lot of sediment/crystallization in the bottle – I had to filter it into my glass.  Light, sweet apricot and gardenia on the nose.  Apricot/apple juice on the palate with some bold acidity and citrus notes. A very interesting and bit strange wine (maybe it is the touch of clay?)! May 2021

You can buy Wrath wines directly from their website or tasting rooms. 

Wrath Tasting Room in Soledad!

Regarding Tastings: Both the winery tasting room in Soledad and the Carmel Plaza tasting room are open for outdoor and limited indoor tastings!  Check out this link for more details: https://www.wrathwines.com/Visit

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

Wrath: A Pandemic Exploration of the River Road Wine Trail

A little over a year ago, we made a plan with our new neighbors to pack a picnic lunch and do some wine tasting down the River Road Wine Trail.  We finally pulled this trip off in mid-March!  We visited three wineries that day.  It was a “huge big deal” for us to venture out.  My husband has gone practically nowhere during the pandemic and the rest of us have remained quite isolated.  I organized the wine tastings and they organized a lovely picnic lunch! Perfect!

Today’s post is about our visit to Wrath down in Soledad. I’ve posted before about Wrath, as we are huge fans of their Syrahs and I have presented their Sauvignon Blanc in one of my Washington DC wine classes.  I’m presenting 7 of their wines here. I picked up a couple of their wines for future tasting, including their 2017 Ex Dolio Falanghina and their 2017 Destruction Level, Grenache-Syrah. Our wines were accompanied by some cute little steak sandwiches and wraps, olive and goat cheese spread from the Monterey Farmers Market, and yummy lemon pudding.  Winery notes come from their website:  https://www.wrathwines.com/ and my tasting notes were supported by Mr. H, Melvin Dubee and his lovely wife, Kristine (AKA our COVID Wine Pod).

2017 Wrath Chardonnay San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 13.2% ABV, $49 (#293*)

Winery Notes: “Wrath’s flagship 2017 San Saba Vineyard Chardonnay utilizes only specifically selected barrels of three clones from our estate vineyard.  During production, we allow certain lots to ferment using native yeasts while other lots are inoculated with Montrachet yeast.  This adds to the wine’s signature complexity.  These lots go through a secondary fermentation, ML or malolactic, while aging in French oak barrels, 40% of which are new oak.  Aromas of apple and apricot blend with a hint of cooking spices.  Rich flavors of peach, ripe pineapple and shortbread find balance through bright acidity and a long, delicious finish.” 158 cases produced. 92 points – Vinous.

My Review:   Golden in the glass.  Honeysuckle with a touch of pineapple on the nose.  Honeysuckle continues through the creamy palate – “a classic California Chardonnay.” March 2021

2020 Wrath Pinot Noir Saignée, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 13.1% ABV, $21 (#294*)

Having fun with our Saignée shadows!

Winery Notes: “Bright red fruit and moderate (13.1%) alcohol make this rosé the perfect summer wine. Aged for three months in neutral French oak barrels, this wine captures the essence of our award-winning San Saba Vineyard fruit in a refreshing and food-friendly saignée of 100 percent Pinot Noir. Pale strawberry and rhubarb define the nose while red berry and watermelon flavors meld with crisp acidity on the palate.” 232 cases produced.

My Review:   Light rose in color.  Strawberry and rhubarb on the nose.  Rose petal and rhubarb on the palate. “I’m so glad Americans have learned to make rosé!” “I could drink this all day!”March 2021

2017 Wrath Pommard 4/777 Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, 14.5% ABV, $35 (#295*)

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 2018 vintage is no exception.  The nose shows off black cherry and forest floor.  A rich, seamless intensity defines the palate with bing cherry, black raspberry and an allspice element; while the higher percentage (24%) of whole cluster fermentation leads to a long, structured finish.” 677 cases produced.  92 points – Vinous.

My Review:   Transluscent ruby in color.  The delightful cherry on the nose carries into the palate – a little bitter.  Umami finish. March 2021

2017 Wrath Pinot Noir San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, $49 (#296*)

Wrath’s San Saba Estate Vineyard in Soledad

Winery Tasting Sheet: “Earthy, rich fruit combines plum, wild berries, porcini mushrooms & spiced cola.”  91 points – Wine Spectator.

My Review:  Bright ruby in color.  Smooth on the nose.  Cherry on the palate, tempered with red currant and lingenberry.  March 2021

2017 Wrath Pinot Noir KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $49 (#297*)

Winery Notes: “KW Ranch Pinot Noir 2017 comes from the lower slopes along the eastern edge of the appellation.  Red berries and cherry join undertones of menthol and wild herbs on an expressive nose.  The palate highlights tight, focused fruit with bright acidity and mineral that merge into a long, structured finish.  Although delicious now, this wine will peak after 2024.” 321 cases produced. 92 points – Vinous.

My Review:  This wine was richer and deeper in color with dark cherry and plum flavors. March 2021

2016 Wrath Grenache Alta Loma, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $39 (298*)

Winery Notes: “This Grenache comes from the biodynamically managed Alta Loma Vineyard, just south of the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Deeply colored for the varietal, this Grenache is intense, high-toned and elegant.  The aromatics offer notes of pine forest, juniper, spice, earth and wet stone.  The palate is powerful, structured, rich and direct with a long finish that includes noticeable, well-integrated tannins.” 67 cases produced. 92 points – Vinous.

My Review:  Beautiful ruby color.  Nose smells like Southern Rhône – cherry, lavender and sage.  Very smooth on the palate with an acidic sharpness on the finish. March 2021

2017 Wrath Syrah KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#299*)

Winery Notes: “In keeping with our focus on sustainability, grapes are hand harvested and brought to our winery (only six miles down the road) for hand sorting.  All our single vineyard Syrahs use the small whole cluster fermentation and oak regimen.  This helps highlight the individual personality of each vineyard.  The 2017 KW Ranch Syrah is wildly aromatic with flashes of black pepper, smoked meat, blackberries, leather and cassis.  The palate is thick, powerful and succulently juicy.  Even though the tannins are bold, the wine is still nimble, elegant and approachable.” 109 cases produced. 93 points – Vinous.

My Review:  Purple in color.  Berry jam and a touch of leather on the nose.  Softer than the 2016.  Smokey and peppery with allspice on the palate.  A hint of menthol on the back palate. Very nice, smooth palate.  This would go well with some of those farmers market lamb chops! March 2021

You can buy these wines directly from Wrath via their website or tasting rooms. 

Regarding Tastings: Both the winery tasting room in Soledad and the Carmel Plaza tasting room are open for outdoor and limited indoor tastings!  Check out this link for more details: https://www.wrathwines.com/Visit.

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

Holiday Shopping Leads to Discovery of Wrath New Releases!

Wrath San Saba Vineyard, 2019

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

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

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

From Wrath about the 2016 Syrah KW Ranch:

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

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

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

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

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

From Wrath about the 2017 Syrah San Saba Vineyard:

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

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

Critical Acclaim:  91 Wine Spectator, 93 Vinous

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

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

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

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

Wrath: Harnessing Angry Fog and Screaming Winds to Create Great Wines

I recently had a marvelous isolation birthday.  Beautiful walks, swimming, mahjongg on the patio, all followed by appetizers and a gourmet meal prepared by my favorite chef in my own home.  A wine was decanted – to my delight it was the 2015 Wrath Syrah.   Yum.  A few days later was Cinco de Mayo and we had a little party planned – takeout from Mando’s, our local Mexican joint, and margaritas!  Right before dinner, the UPS man arrived with our order of the 2016 Wrath Syrah and, for science, we had to taste it – but after our party.

We are venturing out of Arroyo Seco AVA and to the north to the Monterey AVA – the heart of the Salinas Valley.  According to the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, the Monterey AVA was established 1984. Thanks to the local climate, it enjoys one of the longest growing seasons in the world, with a wide range of microclimates influenced by the Monterey Bay. The afternoon winds cool down the vineyards and the maritime fog keeps the temperatures from falling too low.  Over 50% of the grapes grown are Chardonnay. 

This area has been suffering the fires and smoke from the ongoing River Fire and I expect we will hear reporting soon from the damage.

The Vineyards of the Monterey AVA from the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association Webpage

We got to know Wrath years ago, as one of their tasting rooms is centrally located in the Carmel Shopping Plaza right off Ocean Avenue in quaint Carmel-By-The-Sea.  It was always a fun place to drop in to taste some great wines.  In the Spring of 2019, we took a family road trip down the River Road Wine Trail through the Salinas Valley to their winery and main tasting room in Soledad – it was the highlight of our trip.  The plan was to go back there in March 2020 with our new friends and have a picnic there.  Sigh…someday.  While their Syrah has always been one of my favorites, they make great Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, and I featured their delicious 2017 EX Sauvignon Blanc in my Fall 2019 Northern Virginia AWS class.

About Wrath Wines from their website:  “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.”  This description refers to the harsh conditions created by the cold waters of the Monterey Bay and the afternoon winds that come screaming even down my street and fog (like the heavy bank which rolled in last evening), reminding me daily that those winds and fog serve a purpose – to help us make great wine.

San Saba Vineyard Photo from our March 2019 Visit

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

2017 Wrath EX Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey AVA, 13% ABV $20

This Sauvignon Blanc represented Monterey white wines very well for my Northern Virginia AWS class. Product photo from Wrath website.

About the EX Label: “Wrath is proud to announce the release of EX wines, our updated label that replaces the Ex Anima series. With a name meaning “out of” in Latin, EX speaks to our focus on expressing the personality and characteristics of our Certified Sustainable (SIP) estate vineyard. We harvest grapes at two different ripeness levels and then blend lots together to create a wine that encapsulates the best qualities of each lot. fermentation and aging take place in stainless tanks.”

The 2017 EX Sauvignon Blanc is bright and vibrant with pronounced guava and gooseberries.  1023 cases produced.

Wine Enthusiast Review: ” Freshly cut lawn, wet cement, sour lime rinds, and kelp combine for a very unique and compelling nose on this bottling. The nose extends to the palate, where white pepper and crushed white-rock flavors make for a memorable sip.” 90 pts, Matt Kettmann, November 2018 

​2015 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.7% ABV, $39 (#38*)

The 2015 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard is a big, chewy wine, rated 90 points.

Review by Lisa Perrotti-Brown of The Wine Advocate: “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Syrah San Saba Vineyard has a beguiling seaweed, dried Provence herbs and green tea nose over a core of black and red cherries, mulberries and garrigue. Full-bodied and firmly structured with chewy tannins, it has loads of earthy appeal and a long pepper and herbs-laced finish.”  90 points

My Review: This is one of our favorite Monterey wines and this vintage was excellent.  The color was incredibly dense and the flavors match the look. IMHO, this wine deserves a higher rating!

2016 Wrath Syrah San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.7% ABV, $39 (#41*)

The 2016 Wrath Syrah from the San Saba Vineyard received a well-deserved 95 point rating!

From Wrath Wines regarding the Wrath 2016 Syrah: “Grapes are hand harvested and hand sorted. Clonal lots are kept separate during fermentation. All our single vineyard syrahs use a similar whole cluster fermentation (20%) and oak regimen. This helps highlight the individual personality of each vineyard. After on-site bottling, the wine rests for another 12 months of bottle aging before release.”  100% French oak, 45% new.  298 cases were produced.

Wrath says this about the 2016 Syrah San Saba Vineyard:  “Powerful and elegant, aromatics include blackberry, leather and peppercorns; the palate is rich and concentrated with graphite, cassis, and a hint of smoke.” Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 95 points! I would have to agree!!

My Review:  We found the 2016 Syrah to be similar to the 2015 in taste – very dense red with blueberry and blackberry on the nose.  Delicious smooth palate of alcohol-laced, dancing bright and dark fruits – berries and plums, lingering finish.  I highly recommend this wine if you are a Syrah fan. 

Wrath offers free ground shipping on case purchases of its wine, which you can purchase from its website. 

The San Francisco Chronicle published a list of the Top 10 Things to do in Monterey and Wrath’s tasting room is included in that list.  For more information on tasting Wrath wines, click here.  According to Wrath’s website, as of September 5th: “Inside tastings may be banned for now but at the winery tasting room, we have a large outdoor patio that is perfect for safe spacing and sampling our wines while enjoying the views. We are 5 minutes west of Hwy 101 and 20 minutes south of Salinas, off River Road.  In Carmel, we have moved our tasting room outside onto the center courtyard of Carmel Plaza (Ocean & Mission).  We don’t have a large amount of seating but we do have a nice fire pit to stay cozy on those foggy days that Carmel is so famous for.” 

Please give them a call to confirm, especially during these times of COVID and the River Fire – 831-620-1909.

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

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