Cassandra recently visited her friend’s godparents in East Bay. The godfather was from Monterey and served them a delicious Ranch 32 Cabernet Sauvignon. When I needed an American “Claret” – a blend of Bordeaux varietals made in the U.S., I found out that Ranch 32 makes a Meritage! I did some digging and discovered that “Meritage” is one way of referring to such a blend. I don’t see the “Meritage” nomenclature very often any more – it was quite the thing for a while.
This map from Ranch 32’s website shows the location of their estate vineyards.
About Ranch 32: “This is the place where we first planted vines in 1972 when winegrowing was in its infancy in Monterey County. The specialness of the region was understood, but it would take a few decades for the vineyards to reach their full potential. Ranch 32 is about highlighting the natural characteristics of the terroir and conveying the taste of place. Each vintage, we produce small lots of wines from our sustainably farmed estate vineyards that represent the best of the appellation. From the renowned Arroyo Seco AVA, we craft our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Further south from the San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs, we bring you our Cabernet Sauvignon.” “100% Powered by Wind”
About San Lucas AVA from their website: “Originally land that served as an open range for cattle grazing in the 1800s, the San Lucas appellation is located on the southwestern edge of the Salinas Valley and is comprised of sweeping alluvial fans and terraces.” You can read more here: https://www.ranch32wines.com/place/san-lucas
About Hames Valley AVA from their website: “Located at the southernmost tip of Monterey County, the Hames Valley appellation has its own unique climate. It sits at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountains, with rolling hills dotted by ancient oak trees.” More here: https://www.ranch32wines.com/place/hames-valley
BevMo Review – 85 points: “Aromas of blackberries and dark plums with overtones of mocha and dark chocolate; well-integrated tannins lead to a long, layered finish.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass with a lovely, rich bouquet of dark fruits: plum, berry, oak and a touch of cherry. The palate was balanced, quite drinkable and fresh, with a touch of tangerine on the finish. This wine is young. It opened up into nice, round flavors over time. I bought this at BevMo for $29.95 and got a second bottle for 5 cents – will hold onto that one and see what happens! June 2021
Buying Ranch 32 Wines: You can buy Ranch 32 wines at BevMo.
*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.
Friday before Memorial Day…let’s head out to the valley in search of warmth and wine! Parsonage is always one of our favorite places to taste wines – with plenty of the big reds, just the way we like them. Summer gave us a sunny seat, giving us a little break from our coastal chill.
Want sun? Want shade? It can all be arranged! Photo courtesy Parsonage.
I’ve presented Parsonage to you in several prior posts and won’t repeat about them here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here: https://www.parsonagewine.com/. Winery notes below are from their website, unless otherwise indicated.
Our latest haul from Parsonage – So happy to have these in my collection!
2019 Parsonage Grenache Rosé, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $29 (#385*)
Winery Notes: A perennial warm weather favorite. And a surprise to everyone who thinks they don’t like Rosé! Made with Grenache grapes. Refreshing and dry.
Owner Bill Parsons’ tasting notes: “What a nose!! If you spend some time with the nose of this lovely and sensual wine, you could discover notes of red roses, lavender, strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, watermelon, peach and citrus zest. The bouquet comes alive on the palate with strawberry and watermelon. The finish is rich, full and lively.”
My Review: Apple cider on the nose. Rich and flavorful on the palate. I’d love to drink this wine on a “hot” day at our neighbors’ micro-climate patio! May 2021
Winery Notes: “This easy drinker pairs nicely with cheese & crackers. We joke that we should re-name it the “universal donor” even though that isn’t the perfect analogy. But you get the gist of it – this wine seems to be universally loved, no matter what your favorite varietal is…Fully dry. Medium-bodied but rich.”
Owner Bill Parsons’ tasting notes: “A bright mixed bouquet of floral notes accented by raspberry, pomegranate, blueberry, and black cherry mark the nose of this traditional blend. The palate is full, but not as massive as previous vintages. All of the fruit of the nose resonates in the mouth with a hint of umami. This iteration of our Grenache Syrah is marvelously complex and elegant.”
My Review: Bright ruby in the glass. Very round on the palate and delicious. May 2021
2017 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $26 (#387*) 70% Merlot, 30% Syrah
Winery Notes: “Our versatile red table wine easily pairs with a variety of different foods. We think it goes especially well with pizza and spaghetti with red sauce. This vintage is full bodied. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah. Rich, ripe and voluptous. The Cyrano is one of our best sellers.”
My Review: This is an exciting blend – bright and energetic. Summer says: Good vintage, aged in neutral oak barrels, best seller year over year. May 2021
2015 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $26 (#388*) 70% Merlot, 30% Syrah
Winery Notes: (We had this wine in our collection and opened it to compare to the 2017 we had tasted at the winery. The two vintages seemed shockingly similar. In fact, the winery’s tasting notes are identical to the 2017!)
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Nose of dark berries and cherry. Rich palate of dark fruits overplayed with cherry – excited, dancing on the tongue. May 2021
2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, 15% ABV, $48 (#389*)
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon photo courtesy Parsonage.
Winery Notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon field blend is joined with a mix of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It’s a full-throttle bombastic beauty, typical of younger vines. The nose is all about very dark fruit marked by brambleberry compote. Plum and cassis join with the brambleberry on a muscular palate that finishes with some major league tannins.” The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a private vineyard in Cachagua (Carmel Valley) and the Cabernet Franc comes from Paicines AVA!
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Cherry on the nose. Rich cherry and berry on the palate. Quite good! May 2021
Photo of the 2017 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir
Winery Notes from the tasting sheet: Full bodied with full fruit expression and sensuous texture.
My Review: Translucent ruby in color. Raspberry on the nose. Super juicy bright berry flavors and luscious. Supple tannins. Very nice Pinot Noir – even I like this one! The Hawk can stand up to a Burgundian red! May 2021
Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – click herefor the details. You can obtain their wines directly from the wineryhere or at their tasting roomlocated at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.
*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.
This is Post Two about Seabold wines, today’s post focused on BOLD Wine Co. For more about Seabold, please see the 6/14 post. When I did my tasting at Seabold, I was told they came up with the name the night before the bottle labels needed to be printed. They thought of the Monterey Bay and the ocean breezes and their desire to be bold in the creation of their wines. Literally Sea Bold. BOLD Wine Co is the label for wines Chris Miller, the proprietor and winemaker, gets to play and experiment with. From their website:
BOLD Wine Co is the label for wines the winemaker gets to play and experiment with. From their website:
“We believe that everyone should have access to delicious and balanced wines that speak to their place of origin. Every year we work with new vineyards and varieties for Seabold Cellars; those first few vintages, the new wines that we find promising are released under the BOLD Wine Co label. We produce exciting, affordable, sustainably-grown wines from the Monterey Peninsula.”
Winery Notes: “Drs. Serena Friedman and Michael “Farmer Mickey” Drucker built up this 400-acre ranch from scratch with their bare hands. Incredibly hard workers and tireless proponents of the Paso Robles region, they grow mostly Bordeaux and Rhône varieties…Red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper, dried lavender, red currant.” 120 cases produced
My Review: Vibrant salmon in the glass – a lot of time on the skins. Very sweet nose – almost bright cherry, followed by full-bodied strawberry cream on the palate. Like a strawberry shortcake! I would love this in a bubbly version! May 2021
Winery Notes: “Balestra is located just north of the Santa Lucia Highlands on a well-drained alluvial bed of coarse loam and clay, which combined with its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, delays ripening while retaining low pH levels. Olson is one of our favorite vineyards in Monterey County, 4 miles off the Pacific Ocean, with bracing acidity. Unfortunately, while the Pinot Noir quality is outstanding, yields are typically just about 1 ton per acre…Crushed raspberry, balsamic strawberry, rhubarb, white mushroom.” Whole cluster pressed, native yeast fermentation. 412 cases produced
My Review: Bright cherry in the glass. Slightly sweet cherry on the nose – classic Pinot Noir. Cherry Jolly Rancher on the palate. Agree with the hibiscus tea! May 2021
2019 BOLD Wine Co Carignan, Redwood Valley, 13.6% ABV, $25 (#380*) 82 cases produced
Vineyard Notes: “REDWOOD VALLEY At a higher elevation and cooler temperature than much of surrounding Mendocino County, Redwood Valley has warm days and intensely cold nights, leading to a long ripening season that often lasts into November. The winemaking tradition here goes back to the mid-1800s, with small plots of original plantings from that era…VINCENZO VINEYARD First planted in 1918, Vincenzo is owned and cared for by the grandchildren of the original farmer. Organic and dry-farmed since its planting, the old-vine head-trained vines here are remarkably healthy and yield intensely flavored wines.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Campfire, blueberry skins, black raspberry, star anise, violets, and charred meat.”
My Review: Beautiful ruby – a tad purple. Berry/cherry on the nose – like a Pinot Noir! Smooth on the palate brimming with delicious berry flavors. Just when I was thinking I was done exploring Carignan, I found this Carignan, which I liked a lot! May 2021
You can buy BOLD Wine online or at the Seabold Tasting Room, 3 Pilot Road in Carmel Valley Village. They are open Thursday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m. and by appointment (831-288-2730).
*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.
Now that things are opening up, it is time to go exploring – discover some newer wineries I haven’t tried before. On a chilly Memorial Day Sunday on the coast, I went for warmth and wine, finding both in Carmel Valley Village.
Back when I first started Decanting Monterey, I had driven out to the valley to take pictures and noted a new tasting room. I had never heard of Seabold and put it on my list to come back and try. One pandemic later, it was time! Seabold’s location makes it a visible stop for wine connoisseurs and tourists alike. I received first class treatment from Katianna. She brought me the wines individually so I could learn about each one. The quotes below come from the Seabold web page or from their tasting sheet.
About Seabold: “Seabold Cellars was established in the Monterey Bay region because we believe that cool-climate organic and sustainable vineyards produce balanced wines that showcase their origin more than their winemaking. During the year, more time is spent in vineyards than the winery. Our winemaking is as hands-off as possible, respecting traditional techniques and practices without being beholden to them. We produce non-interventionist, site-specific Burgundy and Rhône varieties, as seen through a California lens.” They source their grapes from throughout the Central Coast – from Prunedale to Paso Robles and make their wines in nearby Marina!
“Seabold Cellars focuses on vineyards in the Monterey Bay area. This region has immense potential owing to geographic, geological, and climatic factors. Less than 100 yards offshore, the Blue Grand Canyon – at 60 miles long and 2 miles deep – is one of the world’s largest and deepest marine trenches. Its 300 cubic miles of frigid waters fuel the cold Salinas wind that moderates temperatures throughout all of Monterey County. As the wind funnels through the Gabilan and Santa Lucia Ranges, it creates a Thermal Rainbow – a large scale temperature gradation drawn through the length of the Salinas Valley.”
I will be presenting Seabold’s wines in 2 separate posts: Seabold Cellars and BOLD Wine Co. Seabold Cellars wines are single vineyard and BOLD are wines Chris Miller, the proprietor and winemaker, gets to experiment and have fun with. Today’s post is about Seabold Cellars’ wines!
Winery notes: “Established in the 1970s, this was the personal home and vineyard for legendary pioneer Dick Graff during his winemaking tenure at Chalone…Blanched almond, dried lemon peel, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano. A broad, rich, glycerol mouthfeel with surprisingly fresh acidity.”
WINE ENTHUSIAST – 93 points, Editor’s Choice: “It’s always a joy to taste the old vines of Chalone, and this bottling captures their unique qualities, starting with aromas of apple syrup, hazelnut and toasted pecan. The palate offers almond, Meyer lemon and a creamy oak flavor that lingers on the tongue for a long time—all very unique elements.” MATT KETTMANN https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/seabold-cellars-2018-rodnick-farm-old-vines-pinot-blanc-chalone/
My Review: Golden in the glass. A little musty parmesan and bitter citrus rind on the nose. Round, bold flavors on the palate with lemon/citrus peel. Very flavorful, powerful on the palate, with a lingering finish. I would have guessed a higher % ABV for the flavor. This was my favorite, most notable, of the wines I tasted today. May 2021
Vineyard notes: “Steve McIntyre – one of the most knowledgeable and experienced winegrowers in California – farms this plot of land. Increasingly we find ourselves impressed with the quality of aromatic white varieties from Arroyo Seco, and this site has shown immense promise very early on for us…”
My Review: Straw in the glass with a faint nose of tropical fruits. Delicious tropical fruits carrying through the palate. Smooth, refreshing and light – perfect for a hot, sunny day in Carmel Valley! May 2021
Seabold’s tasting room proudly displays the rocks that distinguish our Central Coast vineyards.
Vineyard Notes: “The Olsons have been the owners and caretakers since 1882, and have always farmed the entire property organically. The vineyard, dramatically towering above Highway 101, is composed of weathered sandstone with some clay atop iron pan subsoils. One of the coldest vineyards in all of California, it is only 5 unobstructed miles from the Monterey Bay’s icy waters.”
Tasting Sheet Notes: “Cured lemon peels, sea spray, clover honey, tart nectarines, fresh apricot, “crunchy” acid profile, fresh heavy cream.” Fermented in stainless steel and aged in neutral oak.
My Review: Bouquet of earth and grass. Bright acidity on the palate – brimming with citrus flavors of lemon lime. I learned they like to make their wines on the acidic side – this one is a bit too acidic for me! May 2021
Vineyard Notes: “Pelio is located in a wind-beaten, high-elevation, undulating series of hills 8 miles from the coast. The vineyard sits mid-slope, facing the Pacific Ocean, with an average elevation of 1000’. The temperature rarely rises above the 70s, with very cold diurnal shifts…” Located off the Laureles grade, they only grow Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Fresh pomegranate, cranberry, pluot, green tea, grey salt, black raspberry, rose, lavender, white mushroom, roasted thyme, nutmeg.”
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass. Lovely bouquet of berry jam and black tea. Round, jammy fruit with notes of cranberry layered with blackberry and tea. I liked this wine. May 2021
The Seabold tasting room is prominently located at the beginning of Pilot Road in Carmel Valley Village
You can buy Seabold wines online or at their tasting room, 3 Pilot Road in Carmel Valley Village. They are open Thursday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m. and by appointment (831-288-2730).
*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.
Wine pickup = another opportunity to taste Bernardus wines! This time I convinced my better half to come with me. We always enjoy comparing the various vintages of Marinus Bordeaux-style blends. I love how the 2014 vintage is tasting – that is the wine I have a case of in DC, while we wait for in-person classes to resume. On this late May day, we did their regular tasting menu first, including a single varietal Merlot from the Marinus Vineyard! I believe this is a first for Bernardus. As explained to me by Philip, founder Ben Pon resisted such a bottling until this vintage. This is very exciting news and another sign that Merlot is back! I won’t repeat wines I have reviewed before and winery notes contained here are from the Bernardus website.
2019 Bernardus Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.4 ABV, $50 (#369*)
Winery Notes: “Our 2019 Soberanes Chard exhibits aromas of baked apple and crème fresh. The palate exhibits its hallmark richness and intensity showing ripe white fruit flavors accented by subtle buttery oak notes, which linger beautifully on its soft, full finish.” Wente clone of Chardonnay. 100% French oak, 43% new. 331 cases produced.
My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Buttery citrus on the nose, very buttery, well rounded and a touch of caramel on the palate with citrus peel notes on the finish. Classic oaky, buttery Chardonnay. At 14.4% alcohol, it is a big, flavorful wine. May 2021
2018 Bernardus Pinot Noir Garys’ VIneyard Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.2% ABV, $80 (#370*)
Winery Notes: “The aromas of our 2018 Garys’ Pinot show beautifully complex notes of ripe red fruits, spice and mineral notes – so typical of this outstanding vineyard. The palate is full and intense, with flavors mirroring the aromas extending throughout its gentle finish.” 338 6-packs produced.
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Concentrated yet expertly ripe aromas of boysenberry, black cherry and purple flowers are wrapped in toasty oak on the nose of this bottling. Full-throated flavors of red cherry and red plum are enhanced by crushed oregano, white pepper and sage on the palate, where oak rises on the finish.” Matt Kettmann 12/2020
My Review: Translucent ruby in color. Garys’ Vineyard has the reputation for producing exceptional fruit – this is a top of the line Pinot Noir – definitely worth trying if you get to the tasting room! May 2021
2019 Bernardus Merlot, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $50 (#371)
Winery Notes: “In the glass you will see a wine of deep crimson red. The aromas show bright dark red fruit scents with subtle spice notes. The palate is very rich and soft, with flavors of dried cherries and cranberries, accented with hints of chocolate. The delicious flavors linger beautifully on the long, powerful finish. A superb Merlot!” 788 cases produced.
My Review: Dense, dark ruby like the 2014 Marinus. Cherry notes on the nose. Smooth on the palate – slightly vegetal on the finish. This is a very young wine. Drinkable now, but recommend cellaring. May 2021
According to their website, you can place your wine order on line and pick it up at the winery or have it shipped to you. The tasting room is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 11:00, 1:00 or 3:00 by reservation only for outdoor seating for 4 or fewer people. Please email tastingroom@bernardus.com or call 831-298-8021.Checkhere for more information.
*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.
As a wine consumer, I appreciate a vintner who delivers very good wine at a great price. Years ago, we found these qualities in Mark Chesebro’s wines, which he continues to this day. I especially enjoy the more unique whites like Albarino and Vermentino. Today’s post, however, is about his reds, following last week’s post about his whites!
While we stuck to the usual tasting menu on this day, we noticed a Merlot on their wine price list! It is the 2017 La Grava Merlot/Grenache blend. They have made this before, but I was very happy to see it there. We are seeing more and more Merlots being produced on the Central Coast – it is about time! I haven’t tasted it yet – and will save mine for a future blog post!
2017 Merlot/Grenache – “La Grava”
I’ve presented Chesebro reds at several of my wine classes back east, including the La Montagne Sauvage and the Las Arenas – they are a big hit! And I’ve written about Chesebro several times – just search “Chesebro” and you will find them all!
Winery Notes: “Brilliant ruby red. Medium bodied with aromas of rose petals, raspberry and dried orange peel, followed by subtle earthy notes. The silky mouthfeel features soft tannins and a smooth cleansing acidity, which reinforces the berry characteristic along with hints of minerality in the finish.” 100 cases produced.
My Review: Pale ruby in the glass. Light cherry notes on the nose. A very light Pinot Noir with a bubblegum finish. May 2021
Chesebro 2016 Las Arenas, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $27 (#366*)
Winery Notes: “Our Southern Rhone Style (Chateauneuf du Pape) style blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah. Aromas of cranberries and blackberries over a background of coffee and a hint of white pepper. Smooth and velvety with a long finish. Enjoyable now with a long life ahead.” 233 cases produced.
My Review: Pretty ruby in the glass. Full berry flavors balanced by the acidity of cranberry notes. White pepper on the finish. I presented the 2015 vintage to the Northern Virginia AWS – it was a big hit! May 2021
Chesebro 2013 La Montagne Sauvage, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $25 (#367*)
Winery Notes: “Grown on Carmel Valley’s rocky mountain soils, this Rhone style blend of 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre is powerful and rich with aromas of dark forest berries, scorched earth and spice. Blockbuster!” 180 cases produced.
My favorite Chesebro red blend year after year!
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass, delicious dark fruit on the palate – perhaps my favorite Chesebro wine. I couldn’t leave without picking up a few! May 2021
Buying Chesebro Wines: You can buy Chesebro wines via their website (www.chesebrowines.com) or in their tasting room at Updated information on its tasting room hours and reservation link is here. They are open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM by reservation. Chesebro has curbside pickup and has always been great about shipping wines to the East Coast for me.
*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.
We were so happy to learn that the Chesebro tasting room in Carmel Valley Village had reopened and stopped by on a quiet Friday before a 3-day weekend. I admire the wineries that put their own staff’s safety and winemaking first and discouraged gatherings during the height of the pandemic to help stop the spread of the virus. But I sure am glad they are open now! It was great to see tasting room manager Alex Lallos after well over a year. He has been helpful to me over the years with my wine classes and is one of several winery subscribers to Decanting Monterey!
We tasted a lot of wines that day across three tasting rooms – and there was a lot of catching up to do – so not all of my own notes are very detailed. Fortunately, I do have the winery’s tasting sheet to help me along! Most wine descriptions come from the tasting sheet – except the Grenache Rose! I will be splitting our tasting into 2 posts – the whites today and the reds, next week!
Current Tasting Sheet at Chesebro, May 2021
I’ve written about Chesebro several times – just search “Chesebro” and you will find them all!
Chesebro 2019 Grenache Rosé, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.2% ABV, $19 (#360*)
Winery Notes: “This Provençal style 100% Grenache Rosé is beautifully light pink in color. Aromas of fresh picked strawberry, grapefruit skin and raspberry essence. Perfect for a warm afternoon. Classic!”
My Review: Very pale pink/salmon in the glass. Light and refreshing in a similar style to the 2018, which our French Rosé wine pod members loved. By the way, this wine is getting in short supply according to their webpage. May 2021
Chesebro 2019 Vermentino, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $23 (#361*)
Winery Notes: “Vermentino is a variety most often associated with Sardinia. Corsica and Liguria. It has appealing aromas of pines and citrus and a smooth palate balanced by mouthwatering acidity. It is late ripening in this cool site allowing the development of complex and elegant flavors. Refreshing and vibrant.” 98 cases produced.
My Review: Perfume on the nose, a touch of lime on the palate and a smooth finish. Classic. Chesebro was the first California Vermentino we had ever tasted and probably my favorite Chesebro white. May 2021
Chesebro 2017 Grenache Blanc, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $25 (#362*)
Winery Notes: “Brilliant light almost translucent gold in color with a kaleidoscope of aromas including white peach, grapefruit, citrus blossom and tangerine. A subtle hint of vanilla and butterscotch really round out the nose. On the palate, citrus and stone fruits. Round yet refreshing through the finish.” 100 cases produced.
My Review: Sweet aromatics, white peach and citrus on the palate, slightly metallic, and a lingering finish. May 2021
Winery Notes: “Pale yellow gold in color. Fabulous aromatics with white flowers, lemon verbena and ever so subtle vanilla bean. The palate is fresh and vibrant, almost Chablis-like in its cut and precision. Each sip has amazing energy and tension balanced by the inherent richness of the clean Chardonnay fruit.” 80 cases produced.
My Review: I said pork rib BBQ on the nose. Alex suggested “gun flint.” Well, ok, fine. Intense flavors on the palate. May 2021
Buying Chesebro Wines: You can buy Chesebro wines via their website (www.chesebrowines.com) or in their tasting room at Updated information on its tasting room hours and reservation link is here. They are open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM by reservation. Chesebro has curbside pickup and has always been great about shipping wines to the East Coast for me.
Chesebro price list as of May 2021
*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.
I remember tasting today’s wine at one of I Brand & Family release parties back in the good old (pre-COVID) days. I insisted we pick up a couple. I first experienced and learned to appreciate Mourvèdre bottled as a single varietal decades ago at Cline Cellars, which was usually our first stop as we entered Sonoma Valley for our wine tasting trips in the ‘80s.
About Mourvèdre: “If you love Cabernet Sauvignon then Mourvedre is your bag. Mourvedre (aka Monastrell) is a full-bodied and rustic wine that originated in Spain. Rumor has it that the seafaring Phoenicians brought it over as early as 500 B.C. Seemingly obscure, Mourvedre quite often is used as a blending grape in popular wines such as Châteauneuf du Pape. It’s one of the major grapes of the Rhône, along with Grenache and Syrah.” Characteristics: Blueberry, Blackberry, Plum, Black Pepper, Violet, Rose, Smoke, Gravel, Meat https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/mourvedre-wine/
About the Lime Kiln Valley AVA: “Home only to Enz Vineyards, Limekiln Valley rests inside the Cienega Valley AVA. Limekiln’s soil is sandy, gravelly loam over dolomite and limestone. The summertime average high temperature is 90°F, with a diurnal variation of up to 50°F.” https://winegeeks.com/appellations/162
Enz Vineyards are tucked away below Calera (somewhat-dated map used with permission of geologycafe.com)
About Enz Vineyard: “Enz Vineyard is home to some of the oldest vines in California, dating back to 1887 when they were planted by original homesteaders and were discovered by the Enz family in 1967. Today, these vines are dry farmed and the picturesque vineyard location is tucked away in the valley in a sheltered basin, surrounded by mountains and blocking it from the rest of civilization.” https://www.winc.com/blog/enz-vineyard
2017 I Brand & Family Old Vines Mourvèdre, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, 13% ABV (#357*)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Organic. 100% Mourvedre. The Mourvedre block at Enz is just under 8 acres and was planted in the 1920s. It’s a dry-farmed 8 acre block consisting mostly of Mourvedre but also Pais, Carignan, Muscat, Alicante Bouschet on 10 x 10 spacing. Vineyard is at southern base of Mt. Harlan on a 5% incline on north facing slope. Soils are granitic sand with significant limestone and dolomite deposits. The Mourvedre is an isolated genetic line from what’s commonly available in California- the budwood was sourced from original planting in Lime Kiln Valley and brought over from an immigrant from Southern France. Spontaneous fermentation with 50% whole-cluster with stems, other 50% whole berry. Aged on the lees in barrel and puncheon (20% new). 11 months total spent in barrel. Unfined, unfiltered. Bottled and aged 9 months in bottle before release. 125 cs produced.” (found on https://www.vintryfinewines.com/i-brand-family-enz-vineyard-mouvedre-2015.html)
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Raspberry cherry cola on the nose and a spicy dark raspberry on the palate. So different from most of our big reds and very delicious. May 2021
We reassembled the fully vaccinated (yay!) COVID Wine Pod for a patio tasting last week and, for the first time, we were able to move inside when the weather turned chilly and windy. Mr. H pulled out this 2011 Tanner Cabernet Sauvignon to see how it would stand up to the 2011 Napa Cab we had just tasted. Watch out, Napa – let’s hear it for Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignons!
I’ve presented Parsonage to you in several prior posts and won’t repeat about them here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here: https://www.parsonagewine.com/.
The 2011 Tanner stood up well to a Napa 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon!
We had this wine in our collection and opened it to compare a high-end Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a high-end Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. We decanted it immediately prior to consumption. 2011 is not known for being a great growing season in California, so we really lucked out with both of these wines.
My Review: Very dense and dark in the glass with a super intense bouquet. The quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon flavors on the palate and a slight bitterness on the finish. We all thought this was super impressive. Well done! May 2021
Photo Courtesy of Parsonage!
Open daily for outdoor tastings – plus indoor tastings on the weekends!
Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – clickherefor the details. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.
*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.
Wine class this week was Italian varietals produced in the US. I decided to open the 2017 Wrath Ex Dolio Falanghina I picked up during a wine tasting in March. I became obsessed with Wrath Falanghina when I read this article about Sabrine Rodems’ own label, Scratch, in Edible MontereySabrine Rodems On Exhibit Scratch Coming to Carmel.
“Owner Michael Thomas has kept Rodems plenty busy with his many often unconventional winemaking ideas, and has given her the latitude to chase different styles, like unoaked Pinot and fiercely oaked Sauvignon Blanc. When they ripped out a block of underperforming Muscat (I’m still crying over that), Michael, an archeologist, decided to plant Falanghina, an ancient Roman grape that was vinified in amphora. So, Rodems acquired a modern day replica of the ancient clay vessel from Italy (called a dolio) and tried her hand at Falanghina in clay. Truly an interesting, textural wine with just a hint of licking a clay pot.”
Winery Notes from wrath.com: “The 2017 Ex Dolio Falanghina comes from the two rows of this ancient Campanian grape planted on our estate vineyard. It is fermented on the skins in the dolium (the modern version of an ancient clay fermenting vessel) until dry. Then racked off and placed back into the dolium for 6 months of aging. It is left naturally unfiltered and unfined before bottling. The resulting wine possess very bright, racy acidity that is beautifully balanced with lush fruit flavors and a pronounced bouquet of ripe apricot…Our Ex Dolio Falanghina is a wine with one foot planted in ancient Roman winemaking traditions (fermented and aged in a dolio, not filtered or fined) and one foot in modern methods (modern viticulture and winemaking control measurements to ensure stability). For those who are unsure about drinking a naturally unfiltered wine, we suggest standing the bottle upright in a cooler or refrigerator for a day or two, just as one would handle a vintage Port. Most of the particulate matter will settle at the bottom of the bottle, although there is no issue with consuming it along with the wine.” 72 cases produced.
Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “Winemaker Sabrine Rodems and proprietor/archaeologist Michael Thomas emulate Roman winemaking, with this skin-contact bottling that’s aged in a ceramic vessel. Golden yellow in the glass, the wine offers apple juice and butterscotch on the nose, with a hint of citrus. The palate shows dried citrus and bitter orange. It’s funky but enjoyable.” Matt Kettmann, 8/2020 https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/wrath-2017-ex-dolio-falanghina-monterey/
Is this a White? Rosé? Orange?
My Review: This is a golden, almost orange wine! There was a lot of sediment/crystallization in the bottle – I had to filter it into my glass. Light, sweet apricot and gardenia on the nose. Apricot/apple juice on the palate with some bold acidity and citrus notes. A very interesting and bit strange wine (maybe it is the touch of clay?)! May 2021
You can buy Wrath wines directly from their website or tasting rooms.
Wrath Tasting Room in Soledad!
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.
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