When we got one of our I Brand shipments, we noted something different, a Melon de Bourgogne! What the heck is that and why is Ian making it?
About Melon de Bourgogne from wine.com: “Made famous in Muscadet, a gently rolling, Atlantic-dominated countryside on the eastern edge of the Loire, Melon de Bourgogne is actually the most planted grape variety in the Loire Valley. But the best comes from Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, a subzone of Pays Nantais. Somm Secret—The wine called Muscadet may sound suggestive of “muscat,” but Melon de Bourgogne is not related. Its name also suggests origins in Burgundy, which it has, but was continuously outlawed there, like Gamay, during the 16th and 17th centuries.”
For more information on the growing popularity on the West Coast of Melon de Bourgogne, I found this excellent article: https://daily.sevenfifty.com/why-american-winemakers-are-embracing-melon-de-bourgogne/. This article highlights that the original grapes planted in Oregon were mislabeled as Pinot Blanc and this mislabeling spread as the grapes did down into California, including in the Chalone AVA!
About the Chalone AVA from https://montereywines.org/vineyards/avas/: “The Chalone region is nestled at 1,800 feet in elevation in the central part of the Gavilan Mountain Range – set against the dramatic backdrop of Pinnacles National Monument. This region has a long history of grape growing, dating back to 1919. Here are found the oldest producing vines in Monterey County. Chalone was awarded its own AVA designation in 1982. Because of its elevation in the mountain range, Chalone is truly unique among Monterey County’s appellations.”
The Chalone AVA is located in an isolated spot in the Gavilan Mountains, along the border between Monterey and San Benito Counties.
Graff Family Vineyardis “a small family vineyard on the Chalone Bench of the Gavilan Mountains. Our family has a 50 year history of winemaking in the Chalone Appellation.” If you look at the map, it appears to be smack in the middle of the Chalone Vineyard!
2019 I Brand & Family Melon de Bourgogne, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, 11.2% ABV (#350*)
This wine boasts CA Hwy 146 on its label. 146 runs to the east of Chalone in both Monterey and San Benito Counties, leading into Pinnacles National Park.
Winemaker’s Notes: “… because Chalone is nothing like Muscadet, we weren’t at all trying to reference Melon’s home turf. We made this wine with 5 days on skins, then barrel fermented and aged on lees for seven months. Due to the terroir and the skin, it’s decidedly broader than typical Muscadets, but has a subtle brawniness that I enjoy…” (found on winebeserkers.com)
My Review: Straw color in the glass. Fresh gardenia and lemongrass on the nose. Slightly sweet with honeycrisp apple and … on the palate. A little bitter on the finish. Has a very familiar taste – yet hard to pinpoint – very Chardonnay-like, which makes sense, yet a bit like a Sauvignon Blanc, too! I enjoyed this wine! April 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.
Bunter Spring is a small producer whose wines increasingly come from the Central Coast vice its Napa roots. From Carmel Valley Road Co: “At Bunter Spring, we strive to make wines that are delicious, and unique. Balance is important. That means a pleasant and harmonious combination of alcohol/sweetness, acidity, and astringency/tannin. Aroma and flavor are obviously important. We achieve interesting and balanced wines by using grapes grown carefully, in the right place, harvested at the right time. Bunter Spring Winery is a family operated winery.” We first discovered them via their tasting room in Carmel Valley Village and have written about them a couple of times previously.
Bunter Spring 2015 Hippy Red Syrah, Napa Valley AVA, 13.35% ABV, $25 (#347*), 45 cases produced.
Winemaker’s Notes for the 2016 vintage: “100% Syrah…Made with organic grapes. Here, the ‘wild’ yeast really went feral, turning our peaceful little anti-establishment organic fermentation into something like a rampaging acid-fueled riot. We had to add a little sulfite and then filter the wine to save it from becoming something only a totally stoned commune would consider drinking. In the end, it was all groovy, if slightly far out. To honor and illustrate its nature, it got a special name and label.” The 2016 is nearly sold out and the 2017 will be released this summer! Tasting available most weekends by appointment, outside, $20, free with $50 purchase.
My Review: We did not decant this wine (as recommended) and probably should have, as it took a day or two to reveal its full flavors. A bit of sulphur on the nose with a very smooth, juicy palate. Medium bodied, rich with cherry and berry flavors.
Tasting available most weekends by appointment, outside, $20, free with $50 purchase and can be arranged by calling Mar at (202) 744-1343. To buy their wines, check out their current releases and contact Mark by phone or email to order. Directions are here. They ship within California and to Washington DC and Florida.
*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.
Special occasions call for special wines – and we’ve had a few relatives visiting – time to open some Parsonage reserves! Why not drink the good stuff?
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/.
We received this as a library wine in a recent allocation. This vintage pre-dates the “Tanner” designation. Our experience has taught us that these library wines are ready to drink.
grapelive– 93 points: “Cabernet did really well here in 2005 and I think it is showing much more character as well, I think the grape is star here and it seems to be so correct that I have a hard time finding any flaws! Pure classic fruits and depth make this vintage remarkable and especially noteworthy. Mixed black and red berry, plum, currants, cassis and chewy tannins scream Cabernet and don’t let up. The complex underbrush, herb and tobacco notes are very subtle and the hints of licorice, vanilla and cranberry are lovely.”
We shared the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with our visiting niece and nephew-in-law one chilly April night.
My Review: Dark in the glass with rich, smooth flavors of cassis and plum. This wine is drinking well, with the dark flavors reflecting its age. Two thumbs up! April 2021
**Monterey County Weekly: “Hedonistic – that’s how winemaker Bill Parsons describes his 2015 Parsonage “Rocco” Syrah. Not that the wine is self-indulgent, although it does seem hell-bent in pursuit of a good time, spilling bushels of ripe blackberries and blueberries from the glass. The revelry begins with a swirl. Fresh aromas spring from the glass, tromping over the grumbles of pepper and licorice. The party continues unabated on the palate, as dense dark berries mingle with a flirtatious impression of fresh plum. What develops on the fringes – raspy pepper, dry clove, bittersweet chocolate and toasted tobacco – are too faint at first to slow things down. It’s only on the finish that the wine’s demeanor changes, developing a more stolid, earthy character and a richer berry compote aspect that stills some of its liveliness.”
My Review: Almost opaque in color. Big dark fruit – blackberry and currant on the nose. Super rich, smooth dark fruit blackberry, plum and a touch of cassis and cedar on the palate. Sweet-tart on the finish. It looks like it smells like it tastes. Love this wine, as did our visiting family. April 2021
Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – click herefor the details. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at 19 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.
For the last couple of months, this blog has been on a roll. With the pandemic winding down and wineries opening up, it only took a handful of wine outings to feed the blog with some hefty articles. I hope you’ve enjoyed them. If you missed them, take a look on back! With our daughter in town, we’ll be slowing this back down to its usual old pace for a bit – until we get out again and create new stories to tell. Meanwhile, I’ve had some wines in the wings waiting to be presented, so let’s go!
Twisted Roots Tasting Room at 12 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village is OPEN!
Back in January, I introduced you to Twisted Roots as one of several out-of-area wineries which have opened tasting rooms in Carmel Valley Village. You can review that post here: https://decantingmonterey.com/twisted-roots-showcasing-lodi-right-here-in-carmel-valley/. I include them in this blog, as they are part of our local wine tasting fabric. You can read more about the history and current team at Twisted Roots on their website. While mostly known for their big reds, they are also now making a couple of whites and sparkling wines – I look forward to trying those!
2013 Twisted Roots Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi AVA, 14.3% ABV, (#342*)
From the label: “Aromas of warm brambleberry, black tea and clove grace the palate with dark, luscious fruit-firm tannins. With a finish featuring bright cherry notes, this is a fine wine to pair with most foods and it’s even enjoyable with cheesecake. A portion of the profits from every bottle sold will be donated to the ALS Association to fight Lou Gehrig’s disease.” The 2015 vintage sells for $33, a very nice price.
My Review: Translucent ruby with a garnet ring in the glass. Dark fruits of cherry and cedar notes on the nose. Dark fruit flavors of cherry and plum with a bit of mushroom and earth mid-palate. Almost slightly sweet on the finish. Yep, this is a Lodi wine alright! March 2021
You can buy Twisted Roots wines on their website and at the tasting room. Check out their webpage to hear more about their wine tasting options – inside and outside on their patios. Nice!
*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 had a milestone birthday over the weekend and chose to celebrate with a private Boëté wine experience at Saunders Vineyard. We have been members at Boëté since long before we moved back to California – they make big reds in the style I like and, IMHO, deliver the best single-varietal Cabernet Franc and one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in the region. Our tasting was very special – we were greeted by Jana Saunders, along with Oreo and Cabi, their dogs. The winery was in full operation. Not only did we get to taste their current releases, but also sampled the not-yet-released 2018 Reserve Cabernet Franc and the 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon! We were privileged to get an education by John Saunders on some of the Library wines we have in our wine room, influencing our decision to open the 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for my birthday dinner!
A beautiful start to our afternoon!
This delicious food platter accompanied our private tasting!
Over the past few months at home, we have opened several Boëté wines, including an older vintage of the Cheval Rouge red blend, and both the 2015 and 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignons (vs. the reserves).
A rare photo of the 3 of us celebrating my birthday at Boëté! This is our half of the COVID Wine Pod!
The Cheval Rouge is a red blend comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
My Review: Ruby/purple in the glass. Blackberry and plum on the nose. Medium-to-full bodied, with flavorful dark berries on the palate, with a slightly chalky finish. Very nice. March 2021
This was the first vintage of the Cabernet Franc that took me to the moon – I have been a huge fan ever since!
My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Black plum and blackberry on the nose and palate. Still tastes young and not quite resolved. Super smooth. Went very well with our lamb dinner. April 2021
Boëté 2018 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA (#336*)
Oreo made sure we were tasting wine properly: Pet the dog, sip the wine, pet the dog…!
My Review: Cherry on the nose. Very smooth on the palate and quite young. Will be glad to retaste this upon release! April 2021
My Review: Garnet in color. Fresh crushed berries and chocolate on the nose. Vibrant dark fruit on the palate on the palate with lingering cherry and vanilla flavors. February 2021
Wine Enthusiast rated the 2017 vintage 91 points: Quite dark in the glass, this bottling from a vineyard near Carmel Valley Village offers blackberry jam and leather on the nose. The palate is thick with firm tannins, delivering dark berry, dark cocoa and violet flavors. MATT KETTMANN, August 2020
My Review: Dark ruby/purple in the glass – nice legs. Delicious blackberry jam with a hint of vanilla on the nose. Mouthfilling dark berry jamminess on the palate – very smooth and drinkable at this young age. Highly recommended. Might have to buy more of this! March 2021
My Review: Now this was a delicious wine – perhaps one of the best Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon wines we have ever tasted! Dark ruby in the glass with notes of menthol and nicotiana, maybe a little anise, on the nose. Dark raspberry and plum on the smooth palate. A little chewy and savory in a good way. Would not guess this was a Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon! May 2021
Boëté 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, not released (#340*)
Winery was busy while we were there!
My Review: Deep, rich nose. Dark fruit and complex tannins, a bit tart. This wine is so very young. April 2021
You can read more about the winery and purchase their wines here https://www.boetewinery.com/. You can also taste their wines by reservation. For more information, please call 831-625-5040 or email boetewinery@comcast.net.
*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.
When Sal Rombi gave me the opportunity to preview some future releases, I jumped in my car and drove to his tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. Sal had a box of wine for me to take home – I am a lucky girl! I fund this blog out of my own pocket, so I deeply appreciate the occasional donation of wine for the purpose of the blog – and I will always tell you when that happens. We tasted most of these with the COVID Wine Pod and tasted/retasted some with the Bailey-Houy clan! I’ve presented Rombi Wines to you several times before – just type “Rombi” in the search bar!
Rombi’s Generous Support to Decanting Monterey!
Rombi’s fruit from his Carmel Valley Vineyard is so flavorful, creating wines with up-front intense flavors. His wines are very big and complex – resist the temptation to open them too soon! And we highly recommend decanting to get the full fruit flavors. (I’ve said this before…) In today’s post I will review five wines –most not yet released!
2018 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $65 (327*)
The 2018 Merlot is not yet released – but highly recommended!!
This was his 12th year of production.
My Review: Beautiful dark ruby, raspberry swirling in color. Intense berry on the nose. Very good. Well balanced. I’ll put this away for years to come! March 2021
2018 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (328*)
Sal Rombi considers his 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon on par with his 2015, my favorite vintage!
My Review: We decanted this wine just before drinking. It needed much more time to breathe. It is a very young wine – almost a crime to even open it for this tasting! Dark ruby in the glass. Dark berry and pencil lead on the nose. Rich dark berries on the palate – black cherry, blackberry, chocolate and a very dry finish – the tannins are still very present in this wine – a big finish. I get hints of that berry fruit so distinctive from Carmel Valley Vineyard, woven into this big, structured wine. Needs more time. Resist the temptation to open early! We all agreed this might be his best Cabernet Sauvignon yet. April 2021
2017 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (329*)
This 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has been released and is currently available from Rombi Wines!
My Review: Garnet in color. Intense berry, cassis and caramel and vanilla on the nose. A classic Cabernet nose. Intense flavors on the palate. Graphite, lean “St. Estèphe-like.” “Like biting into a poached pear.” That’s pretty good. Tongue-coating. Highly recommend picking some of this up now! March 2021
2018 Rombi Petit Verdot, Napa Valley, 14.4% ABV, $75 (330*)
This exceptional 2018 Petit Verdot can be purchased in Rombi’s tasting room now!
My Review: Inky purple. Great blackberry nose. So smooth. Blackberry blueberry with a touch of menthol tobacco mid- palate. Licorice dry long finish. It did taste a bit like we were drinking it “while sitting in a freshly mowed field.” Best Petit Verdot I’ve ever had! March 2021
2017 Rombi Petite Sirah, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.6% ABV, $75 (331*)
The 2017 Petite Sirah won’t be released for a couple of years!
The fruit for this wine comes from Galante Vineyards in Cachagua, thusly relocating Rombi’s sourcing from Napa to Carmel Valley!
My Review: We decanted and tried this wine twice. On the first try, the COVID Wine Pod declared it not ready for consumption and we didn’t drink it. On the second try, with a different audience, we got the following: Berry and alcohol on the nose. A bit sour on the palate at first, later smoothing out into big berry fruit flavors as it opened up further in the glass. Went well with our celebratory meal. Even Sal says it is way too soon to sample this wine – it won’t even be released for a couple of years! March & April 2021
You can learn more about and purchase his wines online at Rombi Wines. You can also contact Kathy and Sal at kathy@rombiwines.com or sal@rombiwines.com for more information about buying wine. The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Come on out and spend some time with Sal.
Sal Rombi, outside his tasting room in Carmel Valley Village, March 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.
Warm weather and sunshine were predicted for the Monterey Peninsula – that called for another patio tasting with the COVID Wine Pod. While the sun didn’t really shine, some impressive wines were shared. Our friends brought a Law red wine from Paso Robles, known as “America’s Rhône!” I last brought you Law Estate Wines here: https://decantingmonterey.com/law-estate-rose-the-perfect-wine-for-an-unexpectedly-hot-coastal-afternoon/.
Always a treat to gather with our neighbors, now best friends, who have such similar tastes in exceptional wine!
While the sun did not come out as promised, the fire table took the edge off as the temperature dropped.
About Law Winemaking: “Being a gravity-fed winery allows us to stay true to our winemaking principle. We utilize concrete fermenters due to their pinpoint temperature regulating abilities as well as their small, yet signifcant, amount of gas exchange from the concrete’s natural porosity. Wines are drained and pressed before they go into a mixture of 100% French oak of which 30%-75% may be new depending on the blend. Once in barrel, the wine remains on its lees for an aging of 22-24 months before it is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Our wines then remain in bottle for an additional year and a half before they are released.”
Jeb Dunnuck – 95 Points from Law Estate Wines: “Entrancing with its ever-evolving layers of dark berry notes, cinnamon and black pepper, this perennial varietal expression of our site possesses significant balance of weight, tannin, and velvety texture from front to back. Upon each sip, new and exciting characteristics unveil the complexities of this noteworthy wine long after the glass is set down. It has undoubtedly earned its title as one of the longest-lasting and beautiful finishes of the vintage!”
My Review: Yummy black fruit, tobacco and graphite on the nose. Deep jammy cherry and berry fruit. Balanced with minerality. Super smooth and yummy. Clove on the finish. This is pretty fantastic now and will get better with time. April 2021
You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room. Check it out here. Tastings are by reservation only.
*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 encouraged our wine class in April to pick any red blend they haven’t tried before from the U.S. – another broad theme, easy to find. Every time I go to Costco, the Smith & Hook Proprietary Red beckons me. It gets favorable ratings year over year in the 90-92 point range. I wondered if it could be any good, really, for a mass-produced, $16 wine. This is another Hahn wine!
About Smith & Hook from wine.com: “The Smith Ranch was a horse ranch for generations, while to the south, the Hooks raised cattle. We discovered these ranches in a search for the ideal place to grow Cabernet Sauvignon. The climate along the western slopes of the Santa Lucias was perfect, and the ranch had a beautiful view of the Salinas Valley. So in 1974, we purchased the two ranches and established the Smith & Hook Winery on the old Smith Ranch. We made our first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1979 and quickly developed a reputation for excellence. Hahn Estates represents a continuation of the Smith & Hook tradition of excellence in winemaking. The Hahns own over 1,400 acres of vineyards in Monterey County. Grapes from the different vineyards vary in character and style. With such versatility, we can create supple, accessible wines. In German, “Hahn” means “rooster,” and for this reason, a rooster embellishes the Hahn Estates label.”
2017 Smith & Hook Proprietary Red, Central Coast AVA, 14.8% ABV, $16 (#324*)48% Merlot, 37% Petit Syrah, 9% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, <2% Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel
From Hahn Wines: Aromas of ripe blackberry and black cherry, balanced with notes of cocoa bean, vanilla and nuanced toasted oak. The refined yet plush palate with flavors of bramble berries, dark fruit, and dried cherry with silky layers of tannins and a hint of slate on the finish.
Wine Enthusiast Review – 91 points: “This blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon is a satisfying sipper for a fair price. Aromas of black cherry, dark cocoa, leather and charred beef lead into a creamy palate of espresso and roasted meat, bolstered by a cranberry sauce flavor and chalky tannins. Editors’ Choice.” Matt Kettmann, 3/2021
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Dark cherry and mint on the nose. Black fruit overlayed with some red berry tartness on the palate. Black cherry, cocoa and a hint of clove on the finish. This was a tasty wine which disappeared quickly. I’d buy this again – quite a bargain! April 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.
Our third and last River Road Wine Trail stop with our COVID Wine Pod in mid-March was at Odonata. I had given Denis Hoey a heads up that we were coming, yet we had no idea what to expect. And we were late. Which his guy Eric pointed out to us. Heh. We also didn’t understand the format – we were used to seeing a tasting sheet and picking the few wines we would taste. When we were presented with the sparkling Grenache, followed by a tray of beakers, we were worried we wouldn’t get to taste the big reds we love. We actually got to taste everything! We finally relaxed and Eric, as he had time, sat with us to give us more information on the wines and the winery. I ask a lot of questions!
Located at the former Marilyn Remark winery spot, the outdoor setting was lovely – we sat right in the middle with couches surrounding a round table. The tasting menu was virtual, so bring your smart phone! It would be a fabulous picnic location, so we are definitely going back. And we will go back as our first and only stop – would be so worth it.
We were a couple of wines in when one Wine Pod member asked another what he thought of the wine we were tasting. The response was, “It’s our 19th wine.” Enough said. Wine tasting notetaking discipline went out the window. Luckily, we had designated drivers to get us home safely.
COVID Wine Pod happily arrives at Odonata – the final stop for the day!
About Odonata: “Odonata Wines is a small family winery owned and operated by winemaker Denis Hoey. Located on the California coast, farming vineyards around the Monterey Bay Area. Odonata produces small batches of each of their wines and focuses on local grapes that are organic and grown sustainably. Hoey works closely with local growers to ensure the highest quality wines from the vines to the glass.” “The credo we subscribe to is blending of old world winemaking methods and attitudes with new learning and a continuous search for improvement. We always want it to be interesting and exciting when you come to the tasting room or winery.” While they own some vineyards, they also source grapes from others well known and maybe not so well known throughout the Central Coast AVA. Odonata is the Greek word for dragonflies and damselflies.
A celebratory welcome with this sparkling Grenache!
Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Strawberry in color, fresh baked bread, guava, and peaches on the nose. The palate is filled with texture! It finishes with under ripe tropical fruit that brings fresh acidity to balance out this bubble.”
2019 Odonata Viognier, Marin’s Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#312*)
Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Notes of creamsicle, peaches and other stone fruit provide a tropical lift to the nose. The palate is lush and creamy, and is accentuated by moderate acidity through the mid-palate.”
My Review: Pear, apricot and peach, with burnt honey, taffy and toasted marshmallow – not your typical Viognier!
Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Our first time ever making a “sauvi-b” and we couldn’t be more excited about the outcome! This wine has it all! Vibrant and fresh, with notes of key lime, grapefruit and melon. The palate is filled with fresh acidity, and is balanced out by passion fruit and kiwi!”
2016 Odonata Remembrance, Circle B Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, 12% ABV, $28 (#314*) 75% Petite Sirah & 25% Grenache. “All Proceeds from this wine are being donated equally to three important causes. 1) Alzheimer’s Research 2) Cancer Research 3) Our local Women’s shelter.”
Winery Notes: “Ripe and luscious on the palate. Pleasant texture, with a lengthy finish. This wine is an easy drinker that will pair perfect with any grilled meats, Italian fare, etc. Pretty versatile all round fun glass of wine.”
2019 Odonata Cote-Du-Denis Carbonic Carignane, Circle B Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, $28 (#315*)
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Winemaker Denis Hoey hops on the carbonic train with this elegantly labeled bottling, and it hits all the marks. Bright raspberry, hibiscus and rainy cement aromas lead into a zesty palate of plum, strawberry and more wet rock flavors.” Matt Kettmann, September 2020
My Review: Beautiful translucent red in the glass, sweet on the nose, light cherry on the palate.
Winery Notes: “Vibrant and lively on the nose with alluring nuances of fresh flowers and berry fruits. On the palate you’re treated with pepper herbs, fresh minerality and delightful tannin. The richness and depth of this Grenache erupts with every sip, while conveying texture and balance.”
My Review: A nice red color in the glass with a touch of bitterness on the finish.
2017 Odonata Sangiovese, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, $32 (#318*)
Winery Notes: “Cool nights and warm days make this marvelous complex wine. It starts with darker berries, met with sweet strawberry notes. finishes with a smooth rustic and smokey nose. On the palate, I make this wine to embody the true Italian varietal that Sangiovese is. Earth and spice driven, with subtle fruit drive this wine to pair wonderfully with any Italian dish!” We liked this wine!
2018 Odonata Zinfandel, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 15% ABV, $32 (#319*)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of sweet blackberry jam, strawberry puree, and loamy soil on the nose. The palate is held together by bright acid and tannins, offering flavors of violets, blueberry, and black licorice.”
My Review: I have yet to find a Monterey/San Benito County Zin I love. This one was OK! Worthy of a re-taste soon!
Winery Notes: “Elegant cherry fruit, red berry, cinnamon and spices on the nose. Bountiful fruit with opulent texture smooth out the palate. Enjoy this classic S.L.H. Pinot on its own or with a wide variety of food!”
My Review: Purple in the glass, a bit smokey with cherry on the finish.
2016OdonataPetite Sirah, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $28 (#321*)
Winery Notes: “Opulent fruit, herbs and spices on the nose. The palate is perfectly balanced with loads of dark fruit, tannin and graphite.”
My Comment: This was our favorite so far of all the wines we tasted on this day!
Winery Notes: Sweet berry, mocha, and touch of sage. This is a very balanced expression of Dessert Wine, which allows it to be enjoyed on its own or added to any dessert you like!
My Review: It was a very good dessert wine! I would pick up one of these if we were still doing dinner club and I needed one!
We picked up the Brunello and the Spiketail for a future review!
Visiting Odonata (from their website): This winery is very easy to drive to from many points – not far off Hwy 68!! “Nestled at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and at the beginning of the River Road wine trail lies the Odonata winery and tasting room. We hope you will stop by our tasting room and sample a selection of our current releases. We are open 7 days a week and no appointments are necessary.”
*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.
Our second River Road Wine Trail stop with our COVID Wine Pod in mid-March was at Puma Road. Normally a rockin’ place with a bar/party atmosphere, the tastings were on the patio, but it kept some of that feel. Being mindful of social distancing, we chose a table on the opposite side of the patio from the only other party. By then, the cooling ocean breezes from the Monterey Bay had already started to swoop down the Salinas Valley. We didn’t let that stop us!
The tasting room (left) was a fun hangout in pre-COVID days – now it looks a bit more utilitarian!
I last presented Puma Road back in November here: https://decantingmonterey.com/puma-road-paicines-done-big/. We were big fans of its 2013s, so were excited to try the new releases, as well as bubblies! Our Wine Pod mates know a bit about Champagne, after all. I am presenting (albeit briefly) 8 wines sampled that day by someone in our party! The more we taste, the less specific our notes become. Discipline flies out the window! Therefore, I commit to retasting some of these wines at Puma Road’s Monterey tasting room sometime soon! You can check out their wines here: https://pumaroad.com/ – their sales can be amazing, making them a favorite for my wine classes.
2013 Puma Road Blanc de Blanc, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13% ABV, $20 (#301*)
Our Champagne lovers tasted all of these…
From the Tasting Sheet: Nose: Citrus, nectarine and raspberry. Mouth: Lemon, lime and nectarine with an orange zest finish. This is their first vintage of bubblies.
My Review: Earth on the nose, almost funky like a truffle mushroom. Quite effervescent. Did not meet our Champagne lover’s expectations, nor did the rest of the bubblies. OK, it was their first year…
Puma Road’s White, Rose and Pinot Noir tasting menu from our mid-March trip.
2018 Puma Road Rosé, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13% ABV, $18 ($10 on sale!) (#302*) 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, $20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, 2.5% each Malbec & Petit Verdot
From their Website: “Our 2018 Bordeaux-style dry Rosé is a sunset pink, and invites with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of cherry. The palate delights with juicy flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry — bright acidity throughout, a rich mouthfeel and long finish, with a touch of orange peel just at the end…”
My Review: We found this wine to be light, dry, with some metallic notes. Perfect for a warm Spring day.
2014 Puma Road Malbec Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 14.38% ABV, $35 (#303*)
From their Website: “Our 2014 Malbec has bold aromas of spice, leather, and dark cherries. The palate experiences richness, with flavors of cherry, spice, and leather, and a smooth tobacco finish.”
My Review: Another wine we did not taste, but our companions liked. A little light with nice flavors including floral notes.
2014 Puma Road Cabernet Franc Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 14.02% ABV, $35 (#304*)
From their Website: “The 2014 Cabernet Franc has a nose of dark fruit, leather, and clove. The mouth begins with the flavor of dark cherry, followed by a hint of licorice, with bright acidity throughout, and a rich finish.”
My Review: Beautiful ruby in the glass with aromas of baked spice bread and vanilla. Plum on the palate and a little tight and acidic. Preferred the nose to the palate. I will definitely be tasting this one again, as I loved, loved, loved the 2013.
I love Puma Road’s Big Reds, described on the back of their mid-March tasting sheet!
From their Website: “The 2014 Cache is an approachable blend…This Puma Road customer favorite entices with aromas of chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, spice, and tobacco. On the palate, it offers a rich mouth feel, with flavors of dark fruit, cherry, and cedar, with nice acidity. This wine pairs extraordinarily well with char-grilled meats, like a juicy ribeye steak, or a ground chuck burger. It will also be beautiful with duck, lamb, or brisket.”
My Review: Cassis on the nose, almost port-like. Very nice dark fruit – smooth black plum. I would have liked to taste this wine a year or two ago. Will definitely re-taste this wine soon. We opened the 2013 last week and it was as lovely as we remembered.
2014 Puma Road The Predator, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 14.36% ABV, $45 (#306*)
From their Website: “The Predator is a blend of the five Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot. The result is an exceptionally smooth, yet nuanced Bordeaux-style wine. Our 2014 The Predator displays notes of dark fruit and coffee, with, leather, tobacco, and spice. The palate has a rich, velvety feel, with layered flavors of dark fruit, cherry, and dark chocolate, with toasted oak on its smooth, lasting finish. This wine can be put up for as long as you’d like, or enjoyed now. Decanting is recommended.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Dark fruit, port-like on the nose, brighter fruit flavors on the palate. As with the Cache, we would have liked to taste this one a year or two ago and will need to try it again.
2015 Puma Road TKO, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13.79% ABV $45 (#307*) 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Petite Sirah.
I bought this based on the review by our COVID Wine Pod – Can’t wait to open it!
From their Tasting Sheet: Nose: Spice, pepper, dark cherry, leather. Mouth: Smooth, rich, full-bodied, dark fruit, vanilla, caramel.
My Review: Ruby red with deep plum and a bit of tannin on the nose. Very smooth and dry on the palate with soft tannins. The fruit shines through with white and green pepper notes.
2015 Puma Road Petite Sirah, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard, Paicines AVA, 13.75 ABV, $45 (#308*)
From their Tasting Sheet: Nose: Spice, pepper, black cherry, oak, coffee bean. Mouth: Smooth, rich feel, abundant dark fruit, cherry
My Review: Ruby red with deep plum and a bit of tannin on the nose. Very smooth and dry on the palate with soft tannins. The fruit shines through with white and green pepper notes.
Visiting Puma Road (from their website): “To reserve your tasting experience please call or email now.
River Road Winery & Tasting Room – 831-675-3548 or info@pumaroad.com Thursday-Monday – 12-5pm | Tuesday & Wednesday – closed
Monterey Portola Plaza Tasting Room – 831-747-1911 or portola@pumaroad.com Thursday-Sunday – 1-6pm | Monday-Wednesday – closed.”
You can order their wines from their website: “Please note: for your convenience, we will continue offering complimentary local delivery to most of Monterey County for orders of $40 or more. Delivery days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And, for those of you outside our delivery area, we are offering amazing flat rate UPS Ground shipping prices—$10 for up to 12 bottles, $15 for 13-24 bottles, $20 for 25-36 bottles, and $25 for 37 or more bottles. Call 831-675-3548 or click here click here to place your order today!”
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