Tagged: Zinfandel

Lepe Cellars: A New Face on the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Circuit!

Sometimes it is hard to keep track of tasting rooms and their locations, as they swap primarily between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley Village.  We knew Scratch had moved to the valley and decided to check out this new winery in its tiny spot in the entry way to an art gallery.  Figge, Scratch and now Lepe, which opened back in April 2021! We were impressed with the wines and look forward to going back.  Check them out if you haven’t been there yet!

About Lepe Cellars from their website: “Our goal is simple: to capture the true expression of the vines by farming in a way that respects the biodiversity within the land. We are able to achieve our sustainable and natural approach by spending our time in the vineyards where winemaking begins. From here there is a continuous flow into the cellar where low-intervention artisanal methods are used to express a sense of place surrounding the Monterey wine region.

“We source from organically farmed vineyards and hand harvest using sheers to keep the fruit intact and pristine. Our growers avoid the use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers. From there fermentation begins in small batches using native yeasts that originate from the vineyard and cellar, allowing the development for increased complexity. Aging continues in finely grained French oak barrels where the wine evolves naturally at its own pace. When the wine is ready, we begin the bottling process. Our wines are never fined nor do we use any other additives, making our wines organic, vegan and sustainable.”

About the Winemaker: “Miguel Lepe studied enology and viticulture at California Polytechnic State University – SLO. He began his career working for various well respected wineries across California’s Central Coast and South America. Passionate about his craft, Miguel’s hard work and dedication has led him on a new journey – creating Lepe Cellars to showcase the best of Monterey County wines.”  He makes his wines at the Wrath winery and his mentor was Peter Figge.

Today I am presenting 5 Lepe Cellars wines.  The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet, website and emails with the winery.

2020 Lepe Cellars Vermentino, Cedar Lane, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13% ABV, $26 (#478*) 

Winery Tasting Notes: “Layers of lemon and lime mingle with mineral tones, wet stone, and a floral bouquet. This bright and energetic Vermentino pairs well with oysters, scallops and sushi.”

My Review: Perfumey with bitter grapefruit on the palate.  Lime zest on the finish. I like a Vermentino from Cedar Lane! only 1 of 2 that I know. August 2021                                                                                                                          

2017 Lepe Cellars Chardonnay, River Ranch, Carmel Valley, 13% ABV, $32 (#479*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “Seared orange-rind and toasty bread aromas make for a slightly wild but intriguing nose. There’s a lemon-peel tang to the sip, where hints of cream, apple and pineapple converge.” 

My Review: Neutral oak was used to make this flavorful Chardonnay – lemon, pineapple and a touch of bitterness fill the palate. I like this Chardonnay! August 2021                                   

2020 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.9% ABV, $49 (#480*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “Bright and lush in style, unleashing fresh juicy cherries and raspberries with hints of hibiscus on the finish. Light to medium body spectrum achieving a fresh fruit forward profile. Pairs well with herb crusted pork tenderloin, grilled lamb, mushroom creams and dark sauces.”

My Review: Comes from a great SLH vineyard – garnet in color. I confess as not a Pinot Noir lover, I failed to capture proper tasting notes. August 2021                    

2020 Lepe Cellars Zinfandel, Wellong Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 13.7 ABV, $40  (#481*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “This single-vineyard expression from southern Monterey County begins with a floral hit on the nose before diving into cherry-compote and crushed rock aromas. It’s linear on the palate with red-plum, hibiscus and cinnamon tones, finishing with a spicy kick of white pepper.”

My Review: Spicy on the nose. This is about the best Zinfandel I have tasted from Monterey County – will for sure be one to watch.  It comes from one of the best potential spots for Zin in the area. August 2021                   

2019 Lepe Cellars Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey, 13.7% ABV, $55 (#482*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “Elegant aromas of fresh blueberry and violets with hints of dark plum, black pepper and milk chocolate on the palate tied together with soft lush tannins. Pairs well with Lamb shawarma, Indian tandoori and barbecued ribs.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  Beautifully jammy nose carrying over onto the palate.  Best Syrah we tasted on this day. I sure hope I bought some! August 2021           

You can buy Lepe Cellars wines on their website or at their tasting room on Dolores between 7th Avenue and Ocean, Carmel-by-the-Sea, daily 12-7 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. They are also sold at these locations:

  • Deer Park Wine & Spirits – Aptos, CA
  • Capitola Wine Bar – Capitola, CA
  • Star Market – Salinas, CA
  • Elroy’s Fine Foods – Monterey, CA
  • Village Wine & Tap Room – Carmel Valley, CA

*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.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Turley Duarte: A Silky Zin from Contra Costa!

It’s been a long while since I’ve presented a Central Coast Turley – and this is a good one.  We got this wine when released for $32 as a Turley Mailing List Member, a bargain for the quality.

I last brought you a Contra Costa County wine – another Turley – back in January: https://decantingmonterey.com/turley-salvador-1896-now-those-are-old-vines/

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.”

2016 Turley Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, Contra Costa County, 15.6% ABV, $54 (#425*)

About Duarte Vineyard from Turley.com: “This wine is an homage to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area. The wine is comprised of fruit from the turn-of-the-century Evangehlo, Mori, and Salvador vineyards, planted between 1890 and 1960.Thanks to the sandy soils and impressive age of the vines, the wine has some of the softest, silkiest tannins we’ve ever seen in a Zinfandel.” 

Wine Advocate – 91 points: “From old vines growing in sand in Contra Costa County, the 2016 Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard offers up aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries, red fruit preserve, bay leaf and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, generous and fleshy, with rich, youthfully chewy structuring tannins and considerable concentration, depth and matter.” William Kelley 09/2018

My Review: Deep ruby, almost purple in the glass.  Huge palate bursting with blackberry and cassis with a little cocoa.  The cocoa continues into the finish, wrapping up with a touch of tobacco.  This is a fabulous Turley.  I would rate this wine 93 points. July 2021

While this vintage seems unavailable, the 2018 is available at MacArthur’s for $42. Buy and hold a little. And Robert Parker rates the 2019 (not yet released) 94 points! You can also shop online from Turley’s two tasting rooms or join its mailing list here:  https://www.turleywinecellars.com/remotepurchases.  Turley tasting rooms are open! Check it out and make a reservation here.

*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.    

Monga Zin – Venturing Outside the Central Coast to Cucamonga!

This wine blog is focused on Central Coast wines, mostly from Monterey County, with few, defined exceptions.  Today, I am presenting a wine from south of the Central Coast AVA border.  Why?  Because it has an interesting story, it was extremely delicious, I’m a Zin girl, and I have adored Carol Shelton from afar ever since we went met her at a ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) event in Washington DC a long time ago.  Plus, it’s my blog – I can make the rules and break them, too! 

About Carol Shelton (summarized from https://www.carolshelton.com/about-us/): “…Carol started at UC Davis in 1974 as an undeclared major with a penchant for language and an aptitude for science. While on a tour of Sebastiani Winery, Carol walked into the barrel room, and was moved by the scent of red wine and oak in the air…Armed with her Bachelor’s degree in Enology from Davis, she has never looked back, working her first harvest in 1978 and every harvest since then…In 1981, Carol began working for Rodney Strong and Windsor Vineyards …with Zinfandel coming up as her favorite wine time and time again…Then in 2000, at the urging of Carol’s husband Mitch, she decided to start her own winery, acting as President and Winemaker…”

“Carol & 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…Carol Shelton has won Winemaker of the Year five times, has countless gold medals for her wines and was named one of eight Pioneer Women Winemakers of Sonoma County in 2005. She continues to win awards and accolades – her 2011 Wild Thing Zinfandel was included in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2014…”

About the Cucamonga AVA: The Cucamonga Valley AVA is located about 45 miles east of Los Angeles and 15 miles west of San Bernardino.  It is part of the South Coast AVA, which extends south of Santa Barbara to the San Diego border with Mexico.  With over 80 wineries in pre-Prohibition days, it is now only a handful of wineries and vineyards, mostly producing Zinfandel and other big red varietals.  It has a Mediterranean climate, great for Zinfandel, port and sherry.  There is good information on the American Winery Guide website.

2017 Carol Shelton Monga Zin ®, Lopez Vineyard, Cucamonga Valley AVA, 14.5% ABV, $26 (#412)

About the Lopez Vineyard (from her website): “Located in the Cucamonga Valley in southern California 70 miles inland from Los Angeles, Jose Lopez Vineyard was planted in 1918 for “packing grapes” to ship to home winemakers in Chicago and the East. These old Zinfandel vines struggle in the near desert-like conditions; with rocky-sandy soil that holds very little water. After nine decades, they have only grown to about 18 inches tall, and have just a few tiny fist-sized clusters on each vine. Many of the old vineyards in this valley have fallen victim to urban sprawl. We are fortunate that Don Galleano is passionate about keeping this old vineyard alive despite its rather poor economic returns—only a half a ton per acre instead of the expected 2-4 tons per acre of younger, irrigated vineyards. Through Don’s dedicated efforts, this vineyard passed the rigid CCOF standards in 2004, and is officially organically grown.”

About the Monga Zin ®: “We christened the Monga Zin ® as we stumbled while saying its appellation too many times, probably after having too much of this HUMONGOUS mouthful of fruit and rich milk chocolate.”

Winemaker Notes: “Deep black cherry fruit, dried cranberry, orange zest, berry patch in the sun! Dusty vanilla-caramel oak, graham crackers, and cocoa.   Fragrant Moroccan-Asian spices—Chinese 5-spice mélange…

“Mouthfeel is creamy yet tangy bright cherry, firm-sturdy tannins and a long, lush finish. Super concentrated.  Quite drinkable now and will age a good 15-20 years.  Very mouthfilling!”

100% Zinfandel, 14 months aged in 25% new American oak barrels 75% older French/American oak barrels, Released February 2019.

My Review: Deep ruby, almost purple in the glass. Fragrant nose of berry jam on toast. Super dry and a bit tart on the palate with rich flavors of dark berry jam, cassis, with a lingering caramel finish. This is a big, complex red. I feel I could be very happy drizzling this on some ice cream. This was a big hit at my house and disappeared quickly.  June 2021

You can buy Carol Shelton wines on her webpage and visit them in Santa Rosa.  For more information, check out this link:  https://www.carolshelton.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.    

Odonata: Our Final Stop on the River Road Wine Trail!

Our third and last River Road Wine Trail stop with our COVID Wine Pod in mid-March was at Odonata.  I had given Denis Hoey a heads up that we were coming, yet we had no idea what to expect.  And we were late.  Which his guy Eric pointed out to us.  Heh.  We also didn’t understand the format – we were used to seeing a tasting sheet and picking the few wines we would taste. When we were presented with the sparkling Grenache, followed by a tray of beakers, we were worried we wouldn’t get to taste the big reds we love.  We actually got to taste everything! We finally relaxed and Eric, as he had time, sat with us to give us more information on the wines and the winery.  I ask a lot of questions!

Located at the former Marilyn Remark winery spot, the outdoor setting was lovely – we sat right in the middle with couches surrounding a round table.  The tasting menu was virtual, so bring your smart phone! It would be a fabulous picnic location, so we are definitely going back.  And we will go back as our first and only stop – would be so worth it. 

We were a couple of wines in when one Wine Pod member asked another what he thought of the wine we were tasting.  The response was, “It’s our 19th wine.”  Enough said.  Wine tasting notetaking discipline went out the window.  Luckily, we had designated drivers to get us home safely. 

COVID Wine Pod happily arrives at Odonata – the final stop for the day!

About Odonata: “Odonata Wines is a small family winery owned and operated by winemaker Denis Hoey. Located on the California coast, farming vineyards around the Monterey Bay Area. Odonata produces small batches of each of their wines and focuses on local grapes that are organic and grown sustainably. Hoey works closely with local growers to ensure the highest quality wines from the vines to the glass.”  “The credo we subscribe to is blending of old world winemaking methods and attitudes with new learning and a continuous search for improvement. We always want it to be interesting and exciting when you come to the tasting room or winery.” While they own some vineyards, they also source grapes from others well known and maybe not so well known throughout the Central Coast AVA.  Odonata is the Greek word for dragonflies and damselflies. 

2018 Odonata Sparkling Grenache, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 12% ABV, $38 (#311*)

A celebratory welcome with this sparkling Grenache!

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Strawberry in color, fresh baked bread, guava, and peaches on the nose. The palate is filled with texture! It finishes with under ripe tropical fruit that brings fresh acidity to balance out this bubble.”

2019 Odonata Viognier, Marin’s Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#312*)

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Notes of creamsicle, peaches and other stone fruit provide a tropical lift to the nose. The palate is lush and creamy, and is accentuated by moderate acidity through the mid-palate.”

My Review: Pear, apricot and peach, with burnt honey, taffy and toasted marshmallow – not your typical Viognier!

2019 Odonata Sauvignon Blanc, Joullian Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#313*)

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Our first time ever making a “sauvi-b” and we couldn’t be more excited about the outcome!  This wine has it all!  Vibrant and fresh, with notes of key lime, grapefruit and melon.  The palate is filled with fresh acidity, and is balanced out by passion fruit and kiwi!”

2016 Odonata Remembrance, Circle B Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, 12% ABV, $28 (#314*) 75% Petite Sirah & 25% Grenache. “All Proceeds from this wine are being donated equally to three important causes. 1) Alzheimer’s Research 2) Cancer Research 3) Our local Women’s shelter.”

Winery Notes: “Ripe and luscious on the palate.  Pleasant texture, with a lengthy finish. This wine is an easy drinker that will pair perfect with any grilled meats, Italian fare, etc. Pretty versatile all round fun glass of wine.”

2019 Odonata Cote-Du-Denis Carbonic Carignane, Circle B Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, $28 (#315*)

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Winemaker Denis Hoey hops on the carbonic train with this elegantly labeled bottling, and it hits all the marks. Bright raspberry, hibiscus and rainy cement aromas lead into a zesty palate of plum, strawberry and more wet rock flavors.” Matt Kettmann, September 2020

My Review: Beautiful translucent red in the glass, sweet on the nose, light cherry on the palate. 

2018 Odonata Pinot Noir, Silacci Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $32 (#316*)

Tasting Notes: “Cherry fruit, cola, and subtle spices on the nose. Dense forest floor, and hints of wild strawberry on the palate.”

My Review: Very berry on the nose and very nice on the palate.

2017 Odonata Grenache, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $28 (#317*)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant and lively on the nose with alluring nuances of fresh flowers and berry fruits. On the palate you’re treated with pepper herbs, fresh minerality and delightful tannin. The richness and depth of this Grenache erupts with every sip, while conveying texture and balance.”

My Review: A nice red color in the glass with a touch of bitterness on the finish. 

2017 Odonata Sangiovese, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, $32 (#318*)

Winery Notes: “Cool nights and warm days make this marvelous complex wine. It starts with darker berries, met with sweet strawberry notes. finishes with a smooth rustic and smokey nose. On the palate, I make this wine to embody the true Italian varietal that Sangiovese is. Earth and spice driven, with subtle fruit drive this wine to pair wonderfully with any Italian dish!” We liked this wine!

2018 Odonata Zinfandel, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 15% ABV, $32 (#319*)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of sweet blackberry jam, strawberry puree, and loamy soil on the nose. The palate is held together by bright acid and tannins, offering flavors of violets, blueberry, and black licorice.”

My Review: I have yet to find a Monterey/San Benito County Zin I love.  This one was OK!  Worthy of a re-taste soon!

2018 Odonata Syrah, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.8% ABV, $42 (#320*)

Winery Notes: “Elegant cherry fruit, red berry, cinnamon and spices on the nose. Bountiful fruit with opulent texture smooth out the palate. Enjoy this classic S.L.H. Pinot on its own or with a wide variety of food!”

My Review: Purple in the glass, a bit smokey with cherry on the finish. 

2016 Odonata Petite Sirah, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $28 (#321*)

Winery Notes: “Opulent fruit, herbs and spices on the nose. The palate is perfectly balanced with loads of dark fruit, tannin and graphite.”

My Comment: This was our favorite so far of all the wines we tasted on this day!

2018 Odonata Dessert Zinfandel, 19.12% ABV, $25 (#322*)

Winery Notes: Sweet berry, mocha, and touch of sage. This is a very balanced expression of Dessert Wine, which allows it to be enjoyed on its own or added to any dessert you like!

My Review: It was a very good dessert wine!  I would pick up one of these if we were still doing dinner club and I needed one!

We picked up the Brunello and the Spiketail for a future review!

Visiting Odonata (from their website): This winery is very easy to drive to from many points – not far off Hwy 68!! “Nestled at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and at the beginning of the River Road wine trail lies the Odonata winery and tasting room. We hope you will stop by our tasting room and sample a selection of our current releases. We are open 7 days a week and no appointments are necessary.”

*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.    

Boneshaker: Hahn delivers a “ROBUST, FULL-THROTTLE OLD VINE ZINFANDEL”

A recent wine class theme was Lodi.  I had just received my first shipment of Carol Shelton wines, including a 2018 Lodi Zinfandel!  Bingo!  But then I was looking at the wine selections at Grove Market right here in PG and found this Boneshaker Zinfandel.  As I did my research, I quickly learned this label is part of the Hahn Family of wines! A Lodi wine from a Monterey winemaker! I decided to open this one for our class.

Hahn’s Tasting Room on the River Road Wine Trail

From Hahn’s Boneshaker Trade Page:  “Older vines, make bolder Zinfandels.  Bruella Vineyard and Fathom Ranch are owned by Jason and Kimberly Eells, whose multi-generational family has sold grapes to Hahn Family Wines for over 20 years.  These vineyards produce exceptional grapes with a character only found in California, yirlding Zinfandel as rich and spicy as their history.”

2018 Boneshaker Old Vine Zinfandel, Mokelumne River AVA, Lodi, 15% ABV, $20 (#265*)  

I was surprised to learn Boneshaker is a Hahn Family label!

About the Boneshaker from Hahn :   “The quintessential Lodi Zin, Boneshaker is unapologetically big and attractively approachable. The wine’s rich, intense profile comes from gnarled, 50+ year old vines that produce fewer clusters and small berries with highly concentrated flavor and character that offer intense dark fruits, vanilla and spice in the glass.”

Winemaker’s Notes (same link above):  “A vibrant ruby red in color in the glass, this 2018 Zinfandel opens with aromas of cherry, toasted oak, a hint of leather and spice notes. On the palate, perfectly ripe red berry fruit flavors are accompanied by a seamless structure, gentle lingering spice flavors, and toasty finish.” 18,000 cases produced.

My Review:  Inky ruby in the glass.  A perfumey dark cherry on the nose with dark berries, plum and spice on the palate.  Let this one open up to experience its full richness.  March 2021

I purchased this for $19.50 at Grove Market.  You can find it on the web for less quite easily at places including Total Wine – but I didn’t have to pay shipping!

Hahn Tasting Rooms are located a their estate in the Santa Lucia Highlands, as well as in Carmel Plaza.  They are open by reservation only – you can find more information here. 

*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.    

Paso Robles Melds Ancient Vines, Surfers, Cowboys, Farmers and Vintners to Produce Great Wines!

I brought you Turley Pesenti Vineyard wines here Turley Pesenti: Another Reason to Love Paso Robles Wines back in December.  Well, we opened another one, which I wanted to share with you today!

Turley describes Paso Robles as follows: “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.”  Yep, sums it up nicely!

2015 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.7% ABV, ~$50, $38* upon release (#263**)

About Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel: “This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920’s on primarily limestone soil. Though the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, the soil plays the most important role in distinguishing this vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. The wines have a brightness, with chalk and floral aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general…With the calcaerous limestone and the occasional carignane vine interplanted with Zinfandel, the Pesenti Zin takes on a unique brightness leading to a “sweet-tart-esque” character.” 

Wine Spectator – 92 Points: “Structure meets zesty fruit in this vivid red, which has black cherry, grilled anise and white pepper flavors that take on speed toward minerally tannins. Drink now through 2026.” TF 05/2018

My Review: Very jammy, plum & berry, on the nose, carrying over to intense boysenberry on the palate, with vanilla on the finish. Overall, very berry. I did not pick up the depth of flavors described by Wine Spectator. Hold for a few more years.  (February 2021)

*The price above is what we paid via the Turley mailing list.  You can find this wine for sale on line from different wine merchants for an average price of $50.  You can also shop online from Turley’s two tasting rooms or join its mailing list here:  https://www.turleywinecellars.com/remotepurchases.  Yay, Turley tasting rooms are open for outdoor tastings! Check it out and make a reservation here.

*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.    

Turley Salvador: 1896 – Now Those are Old Vines!

I don’t get to write much about Turley in this blog, as most of their wines fall outside the “Central Coast” theme.  I presented some Turley Pesenti Vineyard wines from Paso Robles back in December (https://decantingmonterey.com/turley-pesenti-a-whole-other-reason-to-love-paso-robles-wines/ ).  During Christmas week, we opened a Turley Zinfandel from Contra Costa County – stretching the limits of the Central Coast AVA! 

I don’t know that much about the Contra Costa County AVA but I found this description on Wine Searcher here: “Contra Costa County is an AVA directly east of San Francisco Bay in California’s Central Coast AVA. Once a prolific wine-growing region, the county is home to some century-old plantings of Zinfandel, Mourvedre and Carignan that produce rustic, earthy and leathery styles of red wine.

“The county sits on the edge of the San Francisco and Suisun bays at the entrance to where the Sacramento Delta begins to weave its way inland towards Lodi. Livermore Valley is directly south of Contra Costa County, and the city of San Francisco across the bay gives the county its name – contra costa meaning ‘opposite shore’ in Spanish…

“The quality soils of Contra Costa County are the defining feature of its terroir. Gnarled old vines were planted 100 years ago on deep, sandy soils that have restricted yields, particularly as the vines have aged. Deep and free-draining, the sand offers little resistance to wandering root systems, and the lack of water in the ground means that the vines produce small, concentrated berries with thick skins. This in turn leads to concentrated wines with firm tannins and excellent structure.”

2017 Turley Zinfandel Salvador Vineyard, Contra Costa County, 15.9% ABV, $38** (#224*)

Photo of the Salvador Vineyard, courtesy of Turley Wine Cellars

About Turley Zinfandel Salvador Vineyard from www.turleywinecellars.com: “Salvador Vineyard in Contra Costa County is a paragon of old vine Zinfandel. These organically farmed vines were planted on their own roots in 1896. The roots are free to roam deeply as the soil is solid sand for 40 feet down. The wine is stunning: suave, complex and powerfully elegant.”

Winemaker Notes: “The Salvador feels like truly old-school California, reminiscent of what wine might’ve tasted like when it was first made from these vines well over 120 years ago! Aromas of dark berries, peach skin, sandalwood & leather make this one of the most intriguing iterations of Salvador to date. The palate is intensely concentrated, co-mingled with an energizing acidity. These ancient, ungrafted vines in sandy soils make for some of the suavest tannins and most elongated finishes around.”

Wine Spectator Review  – 89 points: “Briary and loaded with zesty pepper, smoky plum and eucalyptus flavors that build speed toward mildly rustic tannins. Drink now through 2023. 545 cases made.” TF, 2018

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate highly rates other vintages giving the 2014 and 2017 94 points and the 2016, 95 points.

My Review of the 2015: Vanilla and spice on the nose, berry and cedar on the palate. Spice on the finish. Could be that sandalwood and eucalyptus! December 2020

**I bought this through their mailing list at the prices above.  Found this wine at Napa Cabs for $65.  Take a look at Turley’s special packs open to everyone – very good opportunity to get some Turley in your wine cellar. They will ship wine and do tasting room pickups (Paso Robles and Amador). https://www.turleywinecellars.com/shop/?view=products&slug=PTRRemotePurchases.    No tastings available right now.

*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.    

Twisted Roots: Showcasing Lodi Right Here in Carmel Valley!

We were pleasantly surprised when Twisted Roots launched a tasting room in Carmel Valley (I love Zinfandel and Petite Sirah – and Lodi big reds)! But we wondered why. Took us a while to learn that there was a local connection: Josh Ruiz, partner and winemaker, is originally from Salinas! Twisted Roots opening their tasting room at 12 Del Fino Place gives us yet another reason to come to Carmel Valley to taste wine. In addition to Monterey County wines, you can find wines from Santa Cruz, Clarksburg, Lodi and even Napa (both Rombi and Bunter Spring feature wines with grapes from Napa) in Carmel Valley Village!  We like to check in at Twisted Roots when we can catch them open to check out the latest releases, including what special wines/blends they may have. 

This is the second article about non-Central Coast wineries with tasting rooms in Carmel Valley.

The Twisted Roots tasting room at 12 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village

From the Twisted Roots webpage: Twisted Roots Vineyard includes vines (Zinfandel) planted in 1918, but the small lot winery didn’t start making its own wines until 2005 by producing its flagship Petite Sirah.  In 2009, they expanded to produce wines based on the other grapes in the vineyard, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Old Vine Zinfandel (1918) along with yearly “Limited Release” wines. 

There is a great article about vintner Josh Ruiz from Eve’s Wine 101 and another great article from LodiWine.com here if you want to read more about why Lodi makes such great Petite Sirah. 

2016 Twisted Roots 1918 Old Vines Zinfandel, Lodi AVA, 14.7% ABV, $40 (#32*)

According to its website, the 2016 Twisted Roots “1918” Old Vines Zinfandel is made from “the grapes that started it all for Twisted Roots… Originally planted on the “Dairy” Vineyard in 1918! Three generations of our family have cared for these vines, and they are still producing to this day. This wine presents itself as big and fruity on the nose, but on the pallet (sic) it has gentle fruit and smooth tannins. We aged this wine in 100% neutral French oak barrels to showcase the depth of flavor these old vines produce.”  

My Review: Very dark purple in color, the nose and palate match on this wine:  dark fruit, currant and licorice with a touch of alcohol.  An almost port-like finish.  April 2020

2015 Twisted Roots Petite Sirah, Lodi AVA, 15.8% ABV, $30 (#128*)

Reviews: From the above Lodi Wine article: “This is a dryer, slimmed down version of the varietal, which suits a Petite Sirah lover looking for the black color and blue fruit, but underlined by more of an edgy, angular tannin than the big, rounded, overtly fruit driven styles more typical of California iterations. Slightly caramelized, toasted vanillin oak helps drive the point home in this zesty, toothsome yet moderately sized (as Petite Sirahs go) wine.” The current release is the 2016 and sounds more up my alley: “…intense berry flavors up front, followed by a smooth, subtle finish.” It sells for $33 and you can for sure buy it through the winery’s website.

My Review: A rich, deep ruby red in color, with a strong berry nose. There is still quite a bit of tannin and acidity in this wine, with a tobacco finish. August 2020 

Twisted Roots has a beautiful, spacious outdoor setting and a private room for wine tasting in better times.

Twisted Roots currently is offering free shipping. Check out Twisted Roots Vineyard on Facebook for their current specials.  Check out their webpage to hear more about their wine tasting options – whenever we are able to reopen.  “For more information or to make a reservation, call (831) 594-8282 or email info@twistedrootsvineyard.com.”

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

Irie (i’-ree): “1. To have no worries. 2. Feeling Great. 3. My Australian shepherd.” (from the back label)

Back in 2019, on our “research” wine trip down the Salinas Valley’s River Road, we had a bit of a hard time finding the Smith Family tasting room at the Paraiso Estate Vineyard.  With a fence and dirt roads ahead of us, we made a U-turn and found one of the most beautiful tasting room settings, with a breathtaking view of the Salinas Valley.  Our first wine tasting of the day, we marched through the usual varietals – and then noticed cases of Zinfandel stacked behind us – with an awesome price.  Made by the family’s son, Justin Murphy, this affordable Zinfandel could meet my wine class’ budget – so we took a case home for about $17/bottle! 

The Smith Family has one of the most beautiful views, overlooking the Salinas Valley.

About Irie Wines summarized from the Gold Medal Wine Club (an excellent writeup of Justin Murphy and Irie Wines): Justin is the grandson of the Smith Family founders, who were among the pioneers who planted grapevines in the Santa Lucia Highlands and, along with the Hahn family, helped that AVA earn its designation.   He took a job at Courtside Cellars which sparked his true calling as a winemaker.  He moved to Sextant wines and, in 2006, began producing his own wines. He knew he had to make a distinctive Zinfandel to separate himself from the rest of the Paso Robles pack.   He produced 3 wines:  Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Rose. I believe he is no longer producing wines under the Irie label and is focusing on his winemaking role at Paraiso/Smith Family vineyard.

2012 Irie Zinfandel, Paso Robles AVA, 15.1% ABV, $25 (#201*)

The 2012 Irie Zinfandel was a great find!

About the 2012 Irie Zinfandel: “Irie is the label chosen by winemaker-in-training Justin Murphy, grandson of the vineyard’s founders. He makes his 2012 Zinfandel from grapes grown on the west side of Paso Robles, about an hour south of Soledad. There’s also a Petite Syrah, but 2013’s bottling has sold out, and what’s in the pipeline is not available for tasting.

“We’ve tasted a lot of Zin from Paso Robles. But something happens to these grapes on their short ride north, and the Irie Zin is like no other. This wine is also a definite reflection of its terroir—gently sloping western coastal hills, surrounded by grazing pastures with dry native grasses, very hot in the daytime, with a vigorous arid afternoon wind. Aged for 16 months in 25 percent new French Oak, this Zin just been released and is a very limited production of 335 cases.”

My Review: Very dark red, yet a bit transluscent.  Blackberry and pepper on the nose.  Raspberry, blackberry and cassis on the palate with white pepper and a little leather on the finish.  Pairs nicely with both spicy and sweet foods. August 2020

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

Turley Pesenti: Another Reason to Love Paso Robles Wines

Way back when, when we used to get down to the Paso Robles AVA for wine tasting, we “discovered” Pesenti as having some fabulous reds for reasonable prices.  When my favorite Zin producer Larry Turley took them over in 2000, it gave us some acknowledgement that we were not the only ones who thought Pesenti Vineyards produced great fruit! I am presenting two Zinfandels and one Petite Sirah in this post. 

I confess I am a Turley girl – 1/5 of my wines cellar is Turley…

2016 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.% ABV, $38* (#190**)

We thoroughly enjoyed this 2016 Pesenti Zin!

About Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel: “This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920’s on primarily limestone soil. Though the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, the soil plays the most important role in distinguishing this vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. The wines have a brightness, with chalk and floral aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general…With the calcaerous limestone and the occasional carignane vine interplanted with Zinfandel, the Pesenti Zin takes on a unique brightness leading to a “sweet-tart-esque” character.” 

Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “Yields were down once again in Paso Robles, though luckily in 2016 we started to see the slightest bit of relief, rain-wise. As a result, the Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel is deeply concentrated yet refreshing. The tart red fruits on the initial nose are present as always, followed by Pesenti’s signature bright acidity and smooth tannin. The wine has a refined yet approachable palate presence, complemented by plenty of lift from the calcareous Pesenti soils, carrying through to a long invigorating finish.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate  – 93 Points: “From a site Turley owns in Paso Robles, the 2016 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard exhibits a boisterous, fruit-driven bouquet of ripe raspberries, cherries and kirsch. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, ample and generous, with tangy acids and fine structuring tannins largely concealed in a sweet core of fruit, tangy acids, light structuring tannins asserting themselves on the back end. It’s one of the most charming and immediate of this year’s single-vineyard bottlings.”

My Review: We drank this post-debate and finished the whole bottle without any difficulty. Deep garnet in the glass,  blackberry and white pepper on the nose. Spicy blackberry, dark cherry and currant on the palate. A complex mix of jammy goodness with a touch of leather on the finish. There is really good fruit throughout in this wine. As it opened up, that fruit became rounder and deeper. This was a great vintage of this wine. (September 2020)

2017 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.8% ABV, $38* (#98**)

We want to try this one again – perhaps decanted.

Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “Vibrant and always distinctive, the Pesenti Zinfandel makes its spring lineup debut! Fragrant red fruits, black raspberry, chalk dust, piquant spices and wild flowers all flourish on the nose. Lush yet linear on the palate, with fresh, lively acidity and profound depth. Intensely pleasurable now, and will age well.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate   – 93 points: “The Pesenti vineyard was planted in the 1920s on limestone soils. Deep ruby in color, the 2017 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard gives savory notes of charcuterie over dried brambly fruits and crushed black cherries with hints of dried soil. Medium to full-bodied, it offers savory-laced fruits in the mouth with soft, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long with pretty dried flowers notes. 2,400 cases produced.”

My Review: SweeTart on the nose with raspberry and bright fruits.  This high-alcohol wine seemd a bit volatile on the palate with a bit of harshness and leather on the finish.  This wine might need a bit more time in the bottle or more aeration upon opening. July 2020

2017 Turley Petite Syrah Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 14.8% ABV, $38* (#191**)

Wine Advocate rated this wine 98 points!

About Pesenti Vineyard Petite Syrah: “This estate-owned and certified organic vineyard was planted by the Turley team using cuttings from the Hayne vineyard. Head-trained, dry-farmed and planted in limestone, the wines are dark, smooth, dense and classic Petite Syrah.  As the vines age the wines are increasingly expressive of the Pesenti Vineyard with minerality, savory spices and high tone pepper.”

Winemaker Notes from wine.com: “If, like us, you are fans of the wines of the Northern Rhone Valley—Cornas in particular—then you’ll love the 2017 Pesenti Petite Syrah as much as we do! Lightly smoked, ripe dark fruits with fresh cracked pepper on the nose. The palate is surprisingly graceful despite its powerful heft, thanks to the excellent acidity in the soils. Dense, inky, and loaded with spice, the Pesenti Petite is a bold, deeply flavorful, and satisfying wine. We recommend giving it some time in the bottle and decanting well ahead of mealtime to best experience this powerful Petite.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate  – 98 points: “The 2017 Petite Syrah Pesenti Vineyard was bottled three weeks before I tasted it but is nonetheless showing beautifully. It has a very deep purple-black, opaque color and nose of crème de cassis, black cherry liqueur, cracked black pepper, bacon fat, savory green and black olive, violet, lilac, perfumed earth and tons of blue fruit jam notes. Full-bodied, rich and savory, it features wonderful black and blue fruit layers with tons of floral and savory perfume, very firm, chewy tannins, great freshness and a very long, savory finish.”

My Review: Rich, dark ruby in color.  Blackberry and blueberry with a little brown sugar and rosemary on the nose.  Full palate of dark, jammy fruit and black pepper with a slight bitterness on the finish. Truly a favorite. August 2020

*The price above is what we paid via their mailing list.  They are offering some specials to anyone on their Remote Purchases website with the following notes:   “At this time, we are allowing for both shipping and appointment-based pick-up orders in our Paso Robles tasting room. Please review our Shipping & Pick-up Information in advance of your order.  Note: if you are shipping outside of CA, we strongly recommend a minimum 6 bottle order, to maximize shipping efficiency, cost and safety (we can only include ice packs in 6 bottle and higher shippers).”

*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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