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*)
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*)
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.
Recent Comments