The Decanting Monterey Wine Pod, having picked up the wrong wines, had to make an emergency trip to the valley. Switch made, we decided to do a little tasting before heading home. At Big Sur Vineyards’ tasting room, we could taste their wines, as well as Idle Hour’s wines. It was a no brainer. Today’s post is about Big Sur Vineyards.
We have tasted their wines over the years, with owner Lenora Carey present almost every time we dropped in. I was in the tasting room shortly after the Soberanes fire, which destroyed her home and vineyards. Yet, there she was in the tasting room. I recall talking to Lenora about her COVID plans to use test tubes for the wine tastes, an approach that continues to be popular to this day. We enjoyed the approach, allowing us to taste the wines at our own pace. She wasn’t in the tasting room when we arrived; she had a graduation event for her son. But, never fear, she showed up about halfway through our visit, personable and engaged, as always. Her fortitude is impressive.
Ondine was helping out that day for both of our tastings. Thinking back to earlier vintages, I was surprised that almost all of the wines were from Arroyo Seco (one of my preferred sources in Monterey County). Ondine reminded me that, because the Big Sur Vineyards were damaged in the Soberanes fire, Lenora is sourcing grapes from elsewhere in Monterey County.
About Big Sur Vineyards: “Big Sur Vineyards is an award-winning winery with several San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition medals. Our first vintage was 2013 and we picked Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah from neighboring vineyards, and called this wine Big Sur Red. It embodies all the things we love and value about Big Sur. This wine is bold, with big flavors and a touch of mystery.
“Big Sur Vineyards is a family wine business evolving with each vintage. We invite you to come try our wines at our Carmel Valley tasting room in the sun-drenched Carmel Valley village, just 15 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea. Enjoy our wines while taking in the view of the Santa Lucia mountain range from our sunny patio.”
I am presenting the 6 wines we tasted that day. The winery notes come from their website. Check out their bottle labels, depicting local scenes such as the Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. Gotta love it.
2019 Big Sur Vineyards Grenache Blanc, Arroyo Seco, 13.8% ABV, $38 (#761)
Winery Notes: “The single varietal limited release 100% Grenache Blanc was aged in neutral French oak to allow rich details while preserving fruit purity and freshness. Exceptional energy and brightness lead the way with a lingering sensation of richness. The nose is captivating with orange blossoms, mineral tones and sea foam leading to a medium bodied palate of tangerine, peach, sour apple and tropical fruits that feel racy and vibrant in the mouth along with steely precision and a tangy dry crispness.”
My Review: Light in color. Ripe pear on the nose. Crisp, light and a touch sweet on the palate with cream soda, apricot, melon and pear flavors. A touch of sweet lemon curd on the finish. I really liked this wine. June 2022
2019 Big Sur Vineyards Big Sur White, Arroyo Seco, 12.5% ABV, $36 (#762)
Winery Notes: “This year’s Big Sur White – a Rhone blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier – is youthfully fresh with a delicious, vivacious personality which shows delicate floral notes, crushed rocks and saltiness with a mix of citrus and stone fruits. It’s tangy on the palate that fills out with a touch of barrel aged richness. Enjoy this wine with Lebanese 7 spice lamb, broiled lobster, garlic chicken, medium-hard nutty cheeses such as emmenthaler, comté and gruyére. This wine love spicy foods! The result is a bright, but smooth white wine with tangerine, lime blossoms, almond oil, light herbs, melon flesh and a hint of butterscotch.”
My Review: Viscous in the glass. Pear on the nose, with a complex palate of crushed rocks, citrus, and a hint of apricot. Marine salt on the finish. Not sweet. June 2022
2018 Big Sur Vineyards Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, 13.8% ABV, $36 (#763)
Winery Notes: “One of our best sellers and one of our signature wines, our Chardonnay is a classic Monterey style with a hint of tropical fruit and a light creamy mouthfeel. On the palate it shows apple, pear, white peach and lemon. This vintage has a nice array of ripe flavors and fresh acidity which makes it perfect with the local catch of the day as well as poultry dishes and Brie chesses. This clear and lightly golden Chardonnay gets fuller and more complex with air in the glass, and adds a hint of hazelnut, clove and citrus notes.”
My Review: Viscous body. A touch of barnyard on the nose. The palate is balanced, flavorful with rich flavors of citrus and oak. A very pleasant wine. June 2022
2018 Big Sur Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir, Tondré Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#764)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 vintage or our Pinot Noir Reserve, hand-crafted by winemaker Mark Bunter is made from grapes sourced at the Tondré Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This central California location is considered by many to be one of the preeminent producers of Pinot Noir in California.
“Our Pinot is bursting with aromas and flavors; ripe raspberry, cherry, crushed green leaves, dried orange peel with a hint of caramel and pomegranate. On the palate you discover the earthy attributes of the Pommard clone with its silky texture of black cherry, strong sweet tea with lemon and cassis. The wine is rich and elegant leaving you with a lasting impression of spice and fruit on the finish. Pair with duck breast with juniper berry sauce, grilled chicken and mushrooms and assorted creamy and semi soft cheeses.” 60 cases produced.
My Review: Garnet in the glass. Black tea on the palate. This is a tasty wine. June 2022
2018 Big Sur Vineyards Grenache Noir, Arroyo Seco, 14.2% ABV, $38 (#765)
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Grenache Noir usually makes up the dominant percentage in our signature Big Sur Red Rhone Style blend, and we are thrilled with the profound delicacy and soulful character it shows. The wine has an unbearable lightness of being with a head turning burst of fresh strawberries, rose petals and faint spiciness that is sublime. It drinks as graceful as a Pinot Noir and has wonderful sense of elegance gaining pomegranate, wild plum and fresh picked briar laced raspberry as well as subtle mineral tones, earth, faint pepper, fennel and sage. This lighter style Grenache Noir shows a fresh detail, clarity and purity of form in a balanced medium bodied wine that delivers on its potential and promise from its seductive nose to its lingering tangy finish.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Spicy pepper and plum on the nose. Cherry and smoke on the palate, reminiscent of a cherry Jolly Rancher on the finish. June 2022
2018 Big Sur Vineyards Syrah, Arroyo Seco, 13.8% ABV, $38 (#766)
Winery Notes: “Syrah is a big-bodied, dry red wine that tends to shine its brightest on the opening palate. Not only is Syrah flavor-packed, but it’s also one of the darkest colored inky wines you can find. Our 2018 Syrah has aromas of cherry, lavender, black pepper, and cassis wrapped in warm overtones of vanilla. The palate reveals red and black bramble fruit—currants, blackberries, raspberries. Tight grained tannins give way to a long, lingering finish of black pepper and a savory gaminess. Pairs beautifully with dry-rubbed brisket or well seasoned pork, any pizza with meat on it, grilled veggies and garlic mashed potatoes.”
My Review: A pretty, rich ruby in the glass. Menthol and dark fruit on the nose. Vanilla, plum and berries on the palate, not quite matching the powerful nose. June 2022
Want to buy or taste their wines? We were able to walk in for a tasting – but check out their website above to taste or buy their wines. Their tasting room is at 1 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley, with both indoor and outdoor tasting options:
“The Redwood Bar: Serving 6 tastes daily from Rosé to White to luscious Reds. You can also sip on a glass of your favorite and learn what makes Big Sur Vineyards so unique from our owner Lenora or our friendly staff!
“The panorama patio: No fog here! Come enjoy the sunshine in Carmel Valley while looking across at the Santa Lucia range. Share a bottle with friends and take in some rays! Sip a glass and stay a while!”
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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