In December 2020, we were hanging out with Sal Rombi when Gary from the Wine Trolley joined us. He shared with us his new business concept for offering wine tastings from smaller or out of business wineries, as well as offering bakery items which he makes himself. This became Taste Carmel Valley, also known as “The Sweet Spot” (http://www.carmelvalleysweetspot.com/).
Their sign outside boasts Boëté and Chock Rock wines. We have been huge fans of both – long-time members at Boëté – and have missed Chock Rock since they closed their tasting room some years back. This is a great venue to taste the fabulous Boëté wines, since they closed their tasting room.
Taste Carmel Valley (aka The Sweet Shop) is a cute place. It offers delicious family-made baked goods, unique wines, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and clothing. First, you are welcomed by their “Golden Daschund” and then the friendly staff inside. They let us know when Gary would be there to do a wine tasting for us and we came back.
On our big wine tasting weekend in June, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod stopped in to taste the Chock Rock Syrah. We found the tasting menu to be extensive. The concept is to choose 5 wines for $14. The list includes Chateau Sinnet, Karlsen (Chock Rock), Carmel Hills, Rancho Carmelo, Boëté, and Mesa del Sol. These are smaller wineries which do not currently have their own tasting room or have stopped making wine. As we pondered what to try besides the Chock Rock Syrah, Gary started pouring us wines. About 10 wines later, we finally got the Syrah!
A bit about the wineries included in today’s post from his website and elsewhere: https://tastecarmelvalleycalifonrnia.square.site/
Château Sinnet is no longer making wine and its Carmel Valley tasting room is closed (despite what you might find on Yelp, etc.). The location is still there, used now as a storeroom. Its unusual wines included a White Merlot, the Red Eyed Monkey and a Late Harvest Zinfandel. We liked to stop in there from time to time and were fans of the Red Eyed Monkey – this red blend even had its own Facebook fan club page!
Carmelo Vineyards are adjacent to Parsonage and is where Frank Melicia resides – he is the winemaker for Parsonage, Silvestri and Carmelo, among other pursuits.
“Karlsen Family Wines and Chock Rock Vineyard was established in 2006 by veteran winemaker, Dan Karlsen and his wife Kathleen. Chock Rock Vineyard produces wine from their estate vineyard and other unique vineyard sites in Monterey County, California. The wines of Chock Rock are absolutely handcrafted at their estate micro-winery secluded high in the Santa Lucia Mountains at the farthest reaches of the Carmel Valley. Great fruit from unique sites coupled with 30 years of winemaking experience ensure world class quality wines. Karlsen offers Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Rosé and Syrah.” There is a lot more to the story – check out Karlsen here: https://www.karlsenwines.com/ and Chock Rock here: https://www.chockrock.com/.
“Deep in the heart of Steinbeck country, nestled between the Arroyo Seco Gorge and the Ventana wilderness, lies Mesa del Sol. The historic stagecoach stop and organic winery showcases the best of Monterey County’s rugged landscape and elegant wines. Mesa del Sol produces Old Vine Zinfandel, Grenache, Syrah, and Sangiovese. We love the “Prima Rosso” blend of all four wines.”
For a lot of these wines, I will not be able to find winery notes. And, to be frank, this was our third stop for in-depth tasting, so note-taking was not so great by this point. And Gary was very entertaining. I’d like to go back in the future and do individual winery tastings here – lots to work with. OK, here we go…
2008 Château Sinnet Manatee White Merlot, $18 (#769)
Winery Notes: A Gold Medal winner from the Florida Grape Growers Association. Named for the vintner’s beloved manatees from his Florida home. Has its own Facebook fan page.
My Review: We actually really liked this wine and would consider buying it or serving it. It was very tasty. Not too sweet, as pleasant wine. June 2022
2020 Karlsen Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $28 (#770)
My Review: Caramel popcorn on the nose. Light on the palate with mild apple, pear and concrete notes. June 2022
2020 Carmelo Vineyards Rose of Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $28 (#771)
My Review: Butterscotch on the nose. Smokey on the palate (this was the year of the Carmel Fire). June 2022
Karlsen Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey County, $36 (#772)
My Review: We liked this Sauvignon Blanc – crisp. Regret we didn’t get better notes on this one. June 2022
2015 Mesa del Sol Zinfandel, Arroyo Seco, $32 (#773)
2014 Review by Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “A more mineral-driven style of Zinfandel, this bottling starts with aroma of gravel and baked earth along with exotic strawberry, red plum and sandalwood. The palate offers dried red fruits, hibiscus and carnation-like flavors, framed by a rocky sandstone-flecked minerality, proving mellow and elegant.” Matt Kettmann
2019 Carmelo Vineyards Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, $44 (#774)
2018 Review by International Wine Report – 90 points: “This 2018 Pinot Noir from Carmelo Vineyards, shows a bright aromatic profile with aromas of fresh strawberries, cherry, dried spice, dark chocolate, cured meat, vanilla blossom and earthy nuances that jump from the glass. On the palate there are lovely flavors of red berries, plum, currant and sour cherry throughout. The finish is long with live acidity. This is very enjoyable today and will age for the next 5-7 years.”
My Review: Very nice bouquet and good flavors on the palate. Bright, with a little earth, brambly with a hint of raspberry. “The perfect Pinot.” June 2022
2016 Carmelo Vineyards Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#775)
2017 Review by International Wine Report – 88 points: “The 2017 Pinot Noir from Carmelo Vineyards offers aromas of dark cherries, currant, dried rose petals, dark chocolate, fig, and dried herbs. On the palate this is medium-bodied with lots of freshness and acidity that lifts the flavors of sour cherry, blood orange, strawberries, and spice box. Drink it over the next 4-6 years.”
My Review: I am not sure I would guess this was a Pinot Noir. Could definitely pick up smoke (Soberanes Fire year). June 2022
2015 Chock Rock Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, 15.6% ABV, $25 (#776)
My Review: This was the wine we went there to taste. By then, we had had so many wines. Still delicious on the palate with alcohol notes and not as much fruit as I would have expected. I would like to go back and taste this again, as this was our favorite Chock Rock wine in the past. June 2022
2004 Château Sinnet Red Eyed Monkey, San Antonio Valley (#777) 45% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Zinfandel, 5% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah
Winery Notes: “The crispness and brightness of Bing Cherry followed by the earthy aromas of forest floor and the sweet and savory notes of sassafras and cola. This wine is the most Burgundian Pinot Noir I have ever made. It’s light color and silky tannins are testament to the extra year of aging on the sediment that I gave it. The wine finishes with the fine structure on your tongue of wet stones.”
My Review: This was presented as a “Mystery wine.” We found it to be very drinkable – smooth, dark fruit. Many years ago, we had purchased this wine and we still really like it – more than our Wine Pod partners did. June 2022
2014 Chock Rock Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $28 (#778)
Winery Notes: “100% Estate grown, a balanced wine with texture and mouth feel.”
My Review: Something seemed off with this wine. It smelled like a fortified wine, over the hill. Perhaps we needed a new bottle opened – we did not request one. I don’t think it was a proper representation of this wine. June 2022
2017 Château Sinnet Late Harvest Zinfandel, 16.2% ABV, $25 (#779)
My Review: OK, this was our last wine. And it tasted like a very done late harvest Zinfandel. These grapes were picked “as raisins.” June 2022
Taste Carmel Valley is located at 9 Del Fino Place, Suite 101, in Carmel Valley. The Sweet Spot is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Check with the staff or call (831) 624-1700 to inquire when wines will be poured. You can also order a variety of sandwiches and salads, even charcuterie plates!
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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