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.
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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