THE STORY
Deep in the planning for the 2026 calendar of events, the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter’s Scouting Party visited Corral Wine Co. The goal was to check out its fabulous outdoor space for an upcoming summer event. What we got was a fabulous, private tasting which even accommodated our mascot-by-default, Mushu. We enjoyed it so much that we followed up with Larry Bell and are all set for our summer 2026 outdoor event! Thanks, Larry and Marissa!
My last post about Corral Wine Co. was here: Introducing Our East Coast Friends to Corral’s High Quality Wines! I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.
THE WINERY
From their website: “In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.
“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 5 Corral Wine Co.wines for the first time and a revisit of their 2021 Petite Sirah.Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. My notes are amplified by the AWS Monterey Chapter Scouting Party. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ notes.
2024 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $32 (#1693)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of stone fruits, citrus, wet stone, and hints of gooseberry. On the palate lemon, citrus, peach while finishing with its nice racing acidity and minerality.”
My Review: Extremely pale in the glass. Acidic and minerality on the nose. Creamy peach and melon with pineapple notes on the light palate. November 2025
2023 Corral Chardonnay, Highlands Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $56 (#1694)
Winery Notes: “Rich tropical fruit aromatics of grilled pineapple, and crème brulee with hints of lifted sweet toasted spice and roasted nuts and toasted marshmallow. Flavors of citrus and myer lemon, sweet baking spices, and lemon custard.”
My Review: Golden in the glass. Caramel on the balanced nose. Delicious palate of crushed pineapple. November 2025
2022 Corral Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $68 (#1695)
Winery Notes: “On the nose dark cherry, cassis and forest floor. On the palate dark berry, hints of leather and sweet baking spicecs. Rich bold mouthfeel with layers of soft tannins lingering through the finish with subtle sweetnees.”
My Review: Cloudy in the glass. Cherry, red currant really smooth with a spicy finish. While a lighter styled, it is quite tasty. November 2025
2022 Corral Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $56 (#1696)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of darker fruit, ripe cherry and a freshness made up of sandalwood and a slight earthiness, sweet spice, and a warm richness. With a nice rich and lush mouthfeel and a long lasting finish.”
My Review: True to varietal. Spicy, peppery with riper richer grapes. I prefer this one. November 2025
2023 Corral Zinfandel, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, $56 (#1697)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of blueberries and plum with a slight herbal aroma and hints of lavender leading way into red licorice and allspice with intense flavors of boysenberry, black cherry leading the way for cocoa powder and a nice mineral finish being enhanced by the limestone rich soil.”
My Review: Blueberry, cherry and spice on the nose. A spicy, tongue-coating palate. Really delicious. Medium tannins and a bit acidic. While not as big as other California Zinfandels, this is the best representation of a San Benito Zinfandel I have tasted so far. It would go well with your turkey and cranberries or a leftover turkey sandwich! November 2025
2021 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1534)
Winery Notes: “Rich in color with aromas of dark fruit and ripe red fruits lead way to hints of sage, nutmeg and leather. Flavors of blackberries, baking spices, velvety tannins on the finish.”
My Review: Rich, thick, dark purple in color. Crushed black currant with eucalyptus and sage notes on the nose. Huge, rich palate of dark fruit, finishing with lingering intense black currant and saddle leather. This is one delicious wine. We took some home! February/March 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
“We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite A, Carmel Valley, CA”
Open Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6-ish p.m.
© Decanting Monterey 2026
*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon
Recent Comments