Category: Wine Blog/Reviews

You’ve come to the right tab to read my wine blog – my stories, experiences, research and reviews on Monterey County wines. I would love for you to share your comments and experiences with these wineries or wines! Let’s keep it positive, educational and fun!! Want to get my blog straight to your email? Simply enter your email in the box in the lower right of this page – then confirm it from your email! Your email will not be used for anything else – just my reviews.

Happy Sixth Birthday, Decanting Monterey!

Plus Wine Industry Insights from the 2025 Monterey County Crop Report

coastal image of a wine glass with rocks, trees and water

THE STORY

Today marks the sixth anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! When I envisioned this website, I wanted it to reflect my passion for exposing Monterey County wines to those who might not even know our wine growing region exists.  Or for those who might only have heard of our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards and wines. 

In our personal wine journey, we began exploring Monterey wines because our family lived nearby.  We would occasionally stumble upon a stunning Cabernet Sauvignon (Durney) or an outstanding red blend (Bernardus Marinus). The light went on for me personally when we were referred by one tasting room to visit a vineyard and winery in Carmel Valley, showing us that Monterey, in addition to those elegant Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, could produce impressive, award-worthy, full-bodied reds.  That winery was Parsonage.  And we discovered Mercy and Chesebro, with exceptional wines from Arroyo Seco, expanding our horizons on great wine producing regions in Monterey County. We found Ian Brand one day, when his tasting room first opened, and began to explore his paradigm-shifting winemaking. And Rombi for making perhaps the biggest, most complex reds in the county. Today we watch closely the ever-evolving wine landscape in Monterey including the emerging Carmel Coast AVA with newer wineries such as Domaine Messier.

image of logo - a black outlined wine bottle and glass with these words in red below: Decanting Monterey A Central Coast Wine Blog

Whether you get my weekly reviews delivered to your email (sign up today – it is free!), see them on social media (Instagram, Facebook, or CELLAR TRACKER, or discover them via Google search; I hope you are enjoying reading about our Monterey wines through my lens. I value every view, like, and comment. I write this self-funded blog out of passion for our Monterey wines, and have continued to keep this space ad-free for you. I deeply appreciate each and every one of you who is reading my posts!

A BRIEF RECAP OF THE LAST 6 YEARS

Year 1: Deep in the unvaccinated period of the pandemic in July 2020, Decanting Monterey initially was focused on wines from our own collection sampled at home, with or without our neighboring friends and our daughters, who eventually became known as the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. I also established the @decantingmonterey Facebook page.

An assembly of many used wine glasses
Testing COVID Wine Tasting Procedures Back in 2020!

During Year 2, as we became fully vaccinated and boosted, we were able to get out to more local wineries at a more deliberate pace. Most of the posts were based on event-driven or winery tastings and fewer individual, cellar-driven posts. I started the @decanting_monterey Instagram feed.

During Year 3, the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter invited me to join them as a Board Advisor. I arranged 8 of their monthly events. I also presented our Monterey wines to 3 classes: in Washington DC, in Northern Virginia, and to the Carmel Rotary. I covered 2 local wine events: the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival and the Monterey Winemakers Celebration.

Image of the inside of the huge Mer Soleil brrel room with wine tasting tables and people
Sun, Wind and Wine at Mer Soleil

Year 4 was the strongest year for Decanting Monterey. I was nominated for Best Local Blog in the Monterey County Weekly’s 2023 “Best of” competition. I covered 8 local wine events, including the 30th Monterey Winemakers Celebration, the Arroyo Seco Winegrowers 40th Anniversary, the 50th Anniversary of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, the Grand Opening  of LadySomm in the Barnyard, the East End Passport, and the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival. Arranged 7 winery visits and supported 2 tasting events for the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter. I also presented 5 Monterey wines to an East Coast wine appreciation group.

During Year 5, we kept on going, covering the final Monterey Winemakers Celebration put on by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, which generously comped me VIP tickets. Decanting Monterey was named 2024/2025 Wine Blog of the Year by Corporate Live Wire and was the recipient of LuxLife Magazine‘s 2024 Hospitality Award for Best Monterey Wine Blog. It was also awarded 2025 Best Central Coast Wine Blog. During this period, I was selected as Vice Chair of the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter. I arranged 7 of their winery visits and supported 1 tasting event.

The author and her vice chair with rows of student chefs in the background
AWS Monterey Chapter Vice Chair and Me at Cabrillo College

During Year 6, I became the Chair of the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter, so my time shifted to those responsibilities while maintaining the weekly blog posts for Decanting Monterey. I organized 7 of their events, most at our local wineries and created their social media sites. I reported on one wine tasting trip to Paso Robles and attended The Perfect Pair – a Cabrillo College Culinary & Wine Showcase of Santa Cruz Mountain AVA wines.

HIGH LEVEL STATS FROM YEAR SIX

Pie chart of California Counties depicted in year 6 of Decanting Monterey
Wines Presented by California County

  • www.decantingmonterey.com surpassed the 43,000 “views” mark. If you are seeing my blog on social media or via email, please be sure to click the link and open it!
  • In its lifetime, 402 total posts and 1,780 wines.
  • 237 wines (209 for the first time) were written up on Decanting Monterey in Year 6, including 168 reds, 55 whites, 14 rosés, including 9 sparkling wines.
  • Wines from 14 California counties are represented, with over 53% from Monterey and 28% from San Luis Obispo.
bar chart of wines by Monterey AVA showing Carmel Valley and Arroyo Seco leading the rest
Wines by Monterey AVA

  • Wines from 6 of the 10 Monterey American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were covered, with the most from Carmel Valley, followed closely by Arroyo Seco and then the Santa Lucia Highlands.
  • Corral was the most represented family of wines, followed by Parsonage, Lepe Cellars, Odonata  and Chesebro.
  • There were no out-of-state or foreign wines presented.
  • Finally, we covered a Santa Cruz Mountain culinary and wine event and a trip to Paso Robles.  

2025 MONTEREY COUNTY CROP REPORT WINE HIGHLIGHTS

I’ve written before about the declining wine market as people focus more on their health and drink less. The recent release of the 2025 Monterey County Crop Report highlights this situation quite directly, with a staggering 25% drop in the value of wine grapes in the county in a single year. Since its height in 2015, the value of wine grapes has dropped 38%. It’s a worrisome trend for our vineyards and our wineries. Across the world, wine production is declining.  This Forbes article contains the global picture: The Wine Industry Continues To Struggle With Production And Consumption. I don’t know how much it affects our smaller, local wineries with their loyal followings, but the shift in the marketplace needs attention, with an eye to both short-term and longer-term strategies. Is this a permanent shift? Is wine becoming passé? Here are the stats from the crop report:

A listing of the top Monterey crops
Wine Grapes Have Been Steadily Decreasing over the Last Few Years
  • Grapes went down in ranking from 8th place in 2024, to 9th place in 2025 – behind strawberries, leaf and head lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, spinach, and nursery and flower.
  • Acreage of planted grapes declined from 39,600 in 2024 to 37,800 in 2025.  
  • Grape crop value decreased from $152,251,000 in 2024 to $114,603,000 in 2025.
Image from crop report showing acreage and value of fruit crops
Wine Grapes Continue to Decline in Acreage and Value

ONWARD, DECANTING MONTEREY!

While I have some posts already queued up for Year 7, let me ask my mighty readers:  Where should I visit next?  A new winery or region? A Monterey winery I may have overlooked? Please leave me a comment on this post and let me know what some of your favorite, local places are to wine taste that I should not miss in Year 7!

And, if you have not signed up for my free, weekly blog email. I judge how well I am doing by how many views, subscribers, and comments I receive. No ads and I don’t sell your data. Please help me spread the word and feel free to comment on my posts! And follow my Facebook (@DecantingMonterey) and Instagram (@decanting_monterey) sites.

Image of Larry Bell pouring wine into wine glasses
Larry Bell, Proprietor, Corral Wine Co.

I don’t want to leave today’s post without expressing my gratitude to those vintners who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have donated bottles of wine! I am grateful to Bernardus, Corral Wine Co., Lepe Cellars, Parsonage, Rombi, and Shale Canyon for their generosity this year in donated wines, steep discounts or assistance with group tastings. I am especially thankful for Sal Rombi who has repeatedly donated pre-release wines for us to taste in-depth and replacement bottles for many of the wines I have reviewed. And to my fellow board members at the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter who continue to trust me to organize their events. And, of course, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod which makes this all tons of fun!

image from their holiday party of the AWS Monterey Chapter board members in front of a wine bottle holiday "tree"
Fellow AWS Monterey Chapter Board Members in December 2025

So, here we go – onto Year 7!  I don’t think I will ever surpass Year 4, but even coasting in this world of Monterey wines has allowed me to access and promote some of the very best California has to offer. I hope you will try some wines from Monterey County and share your experiences with me!

Central Coast Sharon

© Decanting Monterey 2026

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Mark Bunter: Want to Know What’s in Your Glass?

THE STORY

Bunter Spring Winery held a members’ tasting in late May and I invited myself to attend.  We have been fans of Mark Bunter’s wines since we first discovered them many years ago.  This was a small, casual event at which everyone was made to feel like family.

Over the years we have known him he has made every type of wine, including crisp whites, fun red blends, experimental Syrahs and serious Cabernet Sauvignons. And listing every ingredient.  You need to know what you are drinking!

Mark isn’t making wine anymore, but everyone was encouraging him to get back in the game.  A selfish bunch, aren’t we! 

THE WINERY

From their website:

“Bunter Spring Winery is a small family operated winery in the Coombsville AVA in the southeast corner of Napa Valley.  We also have some production in Monterey.  Most vintages we make a few hundred cases of wine, mostly for ourselves, but also for sale to friends on our mailing list, and a few restaurants and wine shops.  Why make wine?  We just don’t care for many of the wines sold today. We make the kind of wine we want to drink: balanced, interesting, made with few or no additives, and low or no sulfite. We list all ingredients, the actual sulfite level, and the actual alcohol level on every label.  Incredibly, NO OTHER WINERY DOES THAT…”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 7 Bunter Spring wines, some of which I have written up before. As always, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the winery.  Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.

2022 Bunter Spring White Wine, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 13% ABV  $20 (#1480)

wine bottle with label for the 2022 white wine

Winemaker’s Notes: “Your basic dry white wine, like in the Southern Mediterranean. Good with fish.” 40 cases produced. 

My Review: Mark said this might be Sauvignon Blanc, but neither he nor we think so. Honey and lime on the nose. Acidic palate with a Meyer lemon finish. May 2026

2022 Bunter Spring Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Napa County (#1778)

wine bottle with label for the 2022 chardonnay

My Review:  Fresh Meyer lemon on the nose. Not like a Monterey Chardonnay at all. May 2026     

2021 Bunter Spring Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1482)

wine bottle with label for the 2021 Pinot Noir

Winemaker’s Notes: “Mostly from a famous vineyard in SLH, plus a little lower Carmel Valley fruit.  French oaky, fruity, spicy, fun.”

My Review: This wine has aged a bit since my last review.  A brown-ness in the color. Cherry, plum and leather on the nose. Dark cherry, leather on the caramel-y palate. Still a bit heftier than your typical SLH Pinot Noir. May 2026

2018 Hippie Syrah, Napa County, 14.12% ABV, $30 (#1483)

wine bottle with label for the 2018 Hippie Syrah with a peace sin and orange background

Winemaker’s Notes: “Here, the ‘wild’ yeast behaved themselves during a peaceful anti-establishment fermentation. We added a little sulfite to the one third that underwent two weeks of carbonic maceration.   For a “Hippie” wine, it’s pretty square, with spicy American oak character and Napa depth of flavor, but it does have a little dank streak  any Deadhead could love. Ingredients: Organic grapes, water, sulfite. Not filtered, not fined.  At bottling: total sulfite 37 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (dry).

My Review: Purple in the glass Dark fruit, and a little smoke on the nose. The palate is still delicious. Continues to be one of our favorites of Mark’s wines! May 2026

2017 Bunter “Natur” Syrah, Coombsville AVA, Napa County, 12.86% ABV, $30 (#1483)

wine bottle with label for the 2017 Bunter 'nature' Syrah with a black shield featuring a leaping buck

Winemaker’s Notes: “50% carbonic maceration. Subtle, delicious, complex, with superb balance and a structure that complements many foods, and never overwhelms the palate. Definitely different from Cab, but familiar enough that any red wine lover could embrace it.  Ingredients: Organic grapes, water, sulfite. Not fined, not filtered.  At bottling: total SO2 39 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (bone dry).

My Review: Caramel on the nose, followed by an acidic palate. We’ve tasted this wine several times over the years and find it interesting as it matures in the bottle.  May 2026

2017 Bunter Spring “Supernatural” Syrah, Coombsville AVA, Napa County, 13.45% ABV, $30 (#1780) Organic, No Added Sulfites

wine bottle with label for the 2019 "Supernatural" Syrah

Winemaker’s Notes: “This wine meets all criteria to be labeled “Organic”.  Nothing was added to it.  It has a distinctive earthiness and toasted nut overtone, accentuated by a bourbon-like aroma and ripe red fruit flavors. The most “natural” of all our wines. Not filtered, not fined.  At bottling: total sulfite 4 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (totally dry).

My Review: Lots of berry fruit with a touch of blue cheese or soap on the nose. The fruit carries over to the palate with a sour finish. I’d like to try this one again with food. May 2026

2014 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County (#1780)

wine bottle with label for the 2014 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon featuring a red tulip

My Review: Delicious.  Mark knows how to make great wines. Sadly, this was not available for purchase! May 2026

You can sometimes find a pop-up tasting with Mark Bunter and Margaret Spring in the back room of the Big Sur Vineyards tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. Check out the Bunter Spring Winery Facebook Page and the Bunter Spring Winery Instagram page for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

A Much Overdo Tasting at Windy Oaks!

THE STORY

The Windy Oaks tasting room in Carmel Valley is a great space for a party.  Combine that with their impressive Pinot Noirs from the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA – and you have a great event in the making. I’ve been talking to Angie, the tasting room manager, for sometime about hosting the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter. When I stopped there in June, I decided to do a quick tasting.  

Image of tasting room manager pouring wine into a glass

Yikes – It’s been 4 years since I have presented a post on Windy Oaks wines. The last one was here: Windy Oaks: Les Deux Grands Crus and More Pinot Noir!

THE WINERY

“Windy Oaks: Fine Wines With A Sense Of Place

“Windy Oaks Estate’s premium wines are grown in unique terroirs in Monterey and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Winemakers Jim and Judy Schultze have been offering fine wines with a sense of place since 1999.” You can read more about them here.

THE WINES

Today, I am presenting 5 Windy Oaks wines. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I don’t correct typos from winery websites. Today’s wines come from both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. They have updated their tasting menu since I was there in June.

2020 Windy Oaks Sparkling Albariño, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $49 (#1773)

label of a vintage woman in a swing for the Albarino

Winery Notes: “Sourced from the Arroyo Seco AVA in Monterey County, the Methode Champenoise is utilized for a crisp and lively sparkling wine gauranteed to liven up any occasion!”

albarino bottle and glass with a pour of the wine

My Review: Light gold in the glass. Hint of apple on the nose. Tiny bubbles on the crisp, acidic palate with brioche on the finish. June 2026

2023 Windy Oaks Old Vine Viognier, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, $35 (#1774)

bottle label image for the Old Vines viognier

Winery Notes: “This dry, elegant and mineral-toned Viognier is beautifully textured and richly flavored with full body with apricot lemon honeysuckle and butter cream with hints of chalky stones and vanilla.”

My Review: Yellow/light gold and viscous in the glass. Heavy nose of grilled peach and toast. Rich palate of oak, peach, and Meyer lemon. There is a lot going on in this glass. Intriguing. Viognier is hard to find in Monterey County. This one was unexpected. June 2026

2022 Windy Oaks Henry’s Block Pinot Noir, Schultze Family Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.6% ABV, $64 (#1775)

Elegant front label for the Henry's Block Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “Henry’s Block is among the original plantings at Windy Oaks in the late 90’s. Named after one of our founders father: Henry. Single Acre, French/Swiss clone of Pinot Noir, Wadenswil 2A.”

My Review: Translucent ruby in the glass. Light cherry notes on the slightly sweet nose. I picked up alcohol on the nose, as well. Nice palate. June 2026

2022 Windy Oaks Clone 943 Pinot Noir, Escolle Vineyard, Rodeo Queen Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA,     Monterey County, $54 (#1776)

label from the front of the 2022 Pinot Noir bottle - lady in swing

Winery Notes: “Dark ruby and aromatic the Rodeo Queen Clone 943 has an array of  red fruits, spice, floral notes and subtle toasty French oak.”

My Review:   A really pretty ruby in the glass. Macerated fruit with cherry and earthy notes. Rich dark fruit on the yummy palate, with a bit of smoke on the finish. June 2026

2021 Windy Oaks Night Owl Red, Monterey County, $25 (#1777)

Label image of the 2022 Night Owl Red depicting the silhouette of an owl sitting on a branch with a golden moon in the background

Winery Notes: “A classic Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, that is delightfully playful, dark garnet/red hued and full of flavor with a medium weight body and easy textures captures Monterey County’s Mediterranean warmth and marine influenced cool/crisp detail.”

My Review: Garnet in the glass. Dark fruit and a little brown sugar on the nose. Grenache dominates the palate. A good food wine. June 2026

THE TASTING ROOMS

You can visit Windy Oaks at the winery in Corralitos, Carmel-By-The-Sea, and Carmel Valley Village.  Check here for the details here: Visit Us.  Please call 831-724-9562 for reservations and other pertinent info.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Domaine Messier: Where Terrestrial Meets Celestial!

Image of the interior of the tasting room with celestial artwork on the walls and the bar set like a fancy restaurant.

THE STORY

My good friend and American Wine Society Monterey Chapter partner and I stopped in at Domaine Messier for my first taste of their elegant wines.We walked into a celestial showcase – so pretty, with artwork of 18th century astronomer Charles Messier’s findings. You immediately know there is something special about this place.

The wines simply floored me. Their chardonnay and pinot noir wines are exquisite.  And Gladys, our server, was engaging and knowledgeable, adding to our experience. She generated excitement about our chapter’s upcoming trip to their vineyard.

This is my first presentation of Domaine Messier wines in Decanting Monterey.

THE WINERY

About Domaine Messier from their website:

“Domaine Messier was born from Luc Messier, whose passion for farming came from his grandfather, Joseph, who was a farmer; and Julie Fette, whose love for California took the project to Carmel. Together, they acquired the property in 2018 with nothing on it but a vision for the future. The Domaine Messier vineyard is entirely off-grid and operates on solar power and well water. 20.5 acres of Pinot noir and Chardonnay vines were planted. Additionally, 500 olive trees now grow on the property in Ascolana, Aglandau, Picholine, Itrana, and Bouteillan varieties. Olive oil production will begin in 2026.”

Domaine Messier is one of a handful of wineries that fall into the proposed Carmel Coast AVA – you can read more about that in this Wine Enthusiast article: Is the Carmel Coast California’s Next Pinot Noir Star?

THE WINES

I have 5 Domaine Messier wines to present to you today.  Winery notes come from their website or tasting sheet unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Domaine Messier Brut Sparkling Wine 12.5% ABV, Monterey County, $88 (#1768)

label of the 2022 Brut wine

Winery Notes: “A pale yellow hue in the glass with a persistent bead. This sparkling treads the ever elusive line of complexity and freshness. Subtle fruit aromas of meyer lemon and red apple are accented by a touch of fresh baked brioche. On the palate, this wine is focused with notes of citrus emphasized by bright crisp acidity. The mousse is fine and supple but persistent throughout. This wine drinks well upon release but will continue to evolve in complexity upon cellaring.”

My Review: Golden with a slightly tan pigment in the glass. Brioche, peach, and a touch of Meyer lemon on the nose. Fine bubbles and crisp apple on the palate. June 2026

2023 Domaine Messier Rosé, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $38 (#1769)

label of the 2023 rose

Winery Notes: “The Domaine Messier 2023 Rosé de Pinot Noir gives a bouquet of ripe, wild strawberry and tropical fruits. The palate shows finesse and precision with ripe red fruits and crisp acidity.”

My Review:  Light copper in color and slightly viscous in the glass. Peach nectar and floral scents on the nose. The sweet is wrapped in the tart on the palate with melon notes on the finish. June 2026

2023 Domaine Messier Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $58 (#1770)

label of the 2023 Chardonnay

Winery Notes: “The 2023 Domaine Messier Chardonnay gives aromas of fresh citrus with an underlying note of passion fruit and guava. The bouquet is well accented by a touch of vanilla and clove from French oak barrels. The palate matches the nose with flavors of lemon and fresh apricot. This wine carries the signature structure and acidity unique to its coastal terroir.”

My Review:  Golden with a touch of wheat in the glass. Buttery nose. Huge palate jammed with lemon, orange and grilled pineapple. A slight grassiness on the hefty palate. Complexity and elegance in this well constructed wine. I took one home. June 2026

2022 Domaine Messier Cuvée du Nouveau Monde Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $88 (#1771)

label of the 2022 Pinot Noir cuvee du nouveau monde

Winery Notes: “The 2022 Cuvée du Nouveau Monde shows brightly in the glass and gives fresh raspberry and spice aromas complimented by gentle notes of new oak. On the palate, this wine carries bright red fruit and quenching acidity with gentle tannins that give length and poise.”

My Review: Very dark ruby in the glass. Crushed fresh dark berries and cedar on the nose, carrying over to the palate. If there is a hint of earthiness, it is quickly taken over by the deliciousness. I took one home. June 2026

2022 Domaine Messier Cuvée Sagittaire Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $88 (#1772)

Winery Notes: “The 2022 Cuvée Sagittaire shows a dense purple red in the glass alluding to its notable structure and intensity. On the nose this wine gives spicy blue and black fruit aromas with an intriguing underlying earthiness. On the palate this wine is notably structured and textured with substantial, firm tannins surrounded by flavors of crushed blackberry and raspberry. The weight and structure of this wine suggest it will age very well over years to come.”

My Review:  Beautiful ruby, almost garnet in the glass. Mellow nose of dark fruit. An earthier palate made in more of a Burgundian style. June 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

“Our tasting room in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a tasting flight of our coastal terroir Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a bespoke and welcoming setting. Dolores St between Ocean & 7th Avenues, inside Winfield Gallery Hours: Daily, 12pm to 6pm”

Sign for the Winfield Gallery and the Domaine Messier tasting room outside their location

© Decanting Monterey 2026

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Our First Wine Pickup at Corral Wine Co!

THE STORY

We popped into Corral Wine Co. for our first wine pickup thinking it would be a quick stop on our way to 2 other winery parties. No such thing! Owner Larry Bell insisted that we go out to their lovely new patio and I’m glad he did!  It is always great to be able to taste a wine before you buy, but we also got to taste the newly released 2023 Reserve KW Ranch Pinot Noir. And wow is it a beaut! Winemaker Adrien Valenzuela has taken Pinot Noir to a new level with this wine! We took all of these wines home.

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: Corral Wine Co. Wows Members with its Magnums! 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 just 3 Corral Wine Co. wines. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ notes.

2025 Corral Rose of Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $36 (#1764)

Bottle image of the 2024 Corral Rose of Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “Aromas of white peach, fresh strawberries, and hints of watermelon lead into flavors of crushed red berries, sea salt, and hibiscus. The palate concludes with notes of wild rose and a crisp, dry finish.”

My Review: Pale peach in the glass. Peach and melon on the nose. Refreshing palate May 2026

2025 Corral “Pancho’s Chard” Chardonnay, River Ranch, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $44 (#1765)

image of bottle label 2025 "Pancho's Chard" Chardonnay

Winery Notes: “The nose opens with aromas of Meyer lemon and orange blossom, leading into citrus notes with hints of slate and wet stone. The palate features flavors of lime and citrus, supported by a fresh, racing acidity and a long, juicy finish.”

My Review: Hazy pale yellow in the glass. Buttery citrus nose. Some heft on the tasty palate. May 2026

2023 Corral Reserve 777 / POM 4 / 667 Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $72 (#1766)

picture of the bottle label for the 2023 KW Ranch Reserve Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “This wine features aromas of blackberries and dark cherry, with an undertone of earthiness and baking spices. On the palate, flavors of black cherry and plum fruit lead into a finish characterized by sweet baking spices.”

My Review: Beautiful ruby, slightly orange in the glass. Cherry dominates the nose with a touch of alcohol. Smooth and rich on the palate with delicious red fruits. Very unctuous for a Pinot. Loved this wine. May 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

VISIT US

“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

Corral Wine Co. Wows Members with its Magnums!

lineup of 5 magnum bottles

THE STORY

In April, Corral Wine Co. hosted its members for a magnum party.  With a beautiful display of delicious foods provided by Carmel Valley Creamery, it was a fabulous event. We sampled and savored 5 of Corral’s wines in magnum format.  Very cool.  My takeaway was that wine bottled in magnums has the chance to develop differently than in a 750 ml bottle. We even took one home! Yowza! Congrats to the Corral team for their excellent wines and a terrific event.

Photo of food display

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: Oops – We Joined Another Wine Club: Corral Wine Co.! I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

Owner Larry Bell pouring from a magnum bottle into empty wine glasses

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. The first 4, I have reviewed before but I am providing updated reviews today. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ notes.

Tasting card listing the 5

2022 Corral Estate Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $68/$180 (#1695)

Image of the 2022 Estate Pinot Noir. Bell Ranch magnum

Winery Notes: “Rich concentrated aromas of red fruits such as dark cherry, and strawberry with hints of cranberry, savory spices, and fine toasted oak. Slight aromas of cassis, leading way into sweet baking spices. Full of flavor this wine has a nice balance to it with aromas and flavors of cherry, clove, and baking spices with a nice long finish.”

My Review: Pretty in the glass – “vintage red”. Saddle leather on the nose. Nice palate of cherry and leather. I have to say tasting this wine on this day was an eye-opener, perhaps our favorite of the 3 pinot noirs we tasted that day. April 2026

2022 Corral Pinot Noir,  KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA,  Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58/$160 (#1533)

Image of the 2022 KW Ranch Pinot Noir magnum

Winery Notes: “Nice rich aromas of dark cherry, casis, and forest floor and earthiness leading into ripe dark berries and a hint of leather and sweet baking spices to finish. Its refined richness and bold elegance lead way into a rich mouthfeel and layers of soft tannin and subtle sweetness for a nice long finish.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Violet and mellow cherry on the pleasant nose. Rich cherry jam countered by leather on the complex palate, finishing with subtle tannins. A richer flavor than most SLH Pinot Noirs, slightly sweet on the front with a little lingering menthol on the finish. Consistently one of our favorite SLH Pinot Noirs. February and March 2025 + April 2026

2022 Corral Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $64/$160 (#1696)

image of the 2022 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir magnum

Winery Notes: “Classic SLH Pinot Noir with 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: Dark ruby in the glass. Delicious plum and spice on the rich, slightly earthy nose, followed by dark fruit and caramel on the palate. I like this one. March and April 2026

2022 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Armory Vineyard, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $87/$218 (#1745)

image of the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon magnum

Winery Notes: “Dry farmed since day 1 allowing a nice rich dark fruit driven wine with intense color and concentrated aromas of bing cherry, plum, and spices with hints of peppercorn, cedar, wilder herbs, leather, and a dusty finish. With rich flavors of plum, blueberry cobbler, dark chocolate, violets, and hints of tobacco leaf.”

My Review: Beautiful purple in the glass. Clove, dark plum, blackberry, blueberry and a touch of menthol on the nose. Smooth, rich, dark palate with eucalyptus notes on the finish. I enjoyed this wine. March and April 2026

2022 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $140 (#1754)

Image of the 2022 Petite Sirah magnum

My Review: Dark garnet in the glass.  Cassis on the nose. Intense palate of intense concentrated dark fruit. I couldn’t help myself and took one home. April 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

Image of 2 wine glasses filled with red wines set on a wooden table

VISIT US

“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

The Sisters: A New Red Blend from Parsonage (and more)!

Photo of winery staff in the tasting room
Tasting Room Manager Summer and Winemaker Frank

THE STORY

We made a quick trip to Parsonage in May to pick up our wine and taste some new releases. There we discovered a new red blend: The Sisters. According to winemaker Frank, Bill Parsons’ three daughters, The Sisters, observed that the grandkids all have wines named after them, but there was nothing named for the sisters.  Hence, this fabulous, new red blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Genius.

In June, I arranged for 26 members of the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter to do a tasting at Parsonage. Winemaker Frank and Tasting Room Manager Summer were our enthusiastic hosts, keeping the wines flowing.  Frank talked about Parsonage being a family-run winery, mentioning each person in the large family photo on the wall. He also described how the wines were made, including the Big Reveal on how he makes the Wildcard:  he claims there is zero blending mastery in this kitchen sink blend, just whatever is leftover!  Some vintages, I might think that is true…

Image of winemaker pointing at the bottle of Wildcard.
Frank describing how he makes Wildcard!

By the way, the 2022 Wildcard was drinking quite well that night finally melding together. I took some home, along with more of The Sisters!

My last post about Parsonage was here:

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you just 2 new releases we tasted in May. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2024 Parsonage Rosé of Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $28 (#1762)

image of bottle of 2024 Parsonage Rose of Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “…The lovely nose is a flowery perfume with hints of guava and mulberry. The delicious palate mysteriously and elusively exudes those exotic flavors with an elegantly balanced mouthfeel…”

My Review: Ballet slipper pink in the glass. Slightly sweet nose of melon and lees following over to the palate. May 2026

2023 Parsonage The Sisters Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1763)

image of the bottle labelof the 2023 Parsonage The Sisters Red Wine.

Winery Notes: “…The aroma presents in layers of dark berries, plums, menthol, herbs, and earthiness. The rich and vibrant palate takes me back to my first taste of boysenberries at Knott’s Berry farms circa 1955. The mouthfeel is perfect with its chalky tannins and a noteworthy viscosity right down the middle…”

My Review: Pretty garnet in the glass. Dark plum and blackberry on the big fruit nose. Soft on the palate with a little tannin on the finish. Easy drinking. This is a pretty tasty combo. We keep buying more! May 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

Visit Parsonage in their Carmel Valley Tasting Room located at19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village!

They are open every day: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Make a reservation on line or call 831-659-7322.

They are members of the AWS Welcome Here program – show your membership card for a discount! Check them out on Instagram here: @parsonagewinery.

Picture of the Parsonage tasting room exterior with an AWS banner in the left bottom corder

© Decanting Monterey 2026

**FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

A Whole New Lineup at Lepe Cellars!

Lepe logo with flowers and bottle line up from inside tasting room

THE STORY

We stopped in at Lepe Cellars on a whim and found practically a whole new lineup! How fortuitous! If you have not been to their new location in Carmel Valley, head on out Plus, they recently joined the American Wine Society’s Welcome Here Program. If you are an AWS member show them your card and they will automatically give you a discount.  Sweet!  Not a member? Join us and take advantage of discounts at all the wineries that have joined the program!  You can find more information on our local chapter’s website here: American Wine Society Monterey Chapter.

I last presented Lepe Cellars here: AWS Monterey Celebrates an Early Valentines Day at Lepe Cellars’ New Location!

THE WINES

I have 5 Lepe Cellars wines to present to you today.  Winery notes come from their website or tasting sheet unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. All of these wines are from Monterey County.

2025 Lepe Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyards, Arroyo Seco AVA, 12% ABV, $38 (#1757)

Winery Notes: “The nose is vibrant, with aromas of pineapple and fresh lime zest. On the palate, this wine bursts with flavors of lychee and grapefruit, complemented by a subtle hint of sweet bell pepper.”

My Review: Pale in the glass. Grapefruit on the nose. Mouthful of light pineapple. April 2026

2025 Lepe Cellars Sangiovese Rosé, San Antonio Valley AVA, 12% ABV, $38 (#1758)

picture of the 2025 Sangiovese Rose bottle and label

Winery Notes: “The nose is bright and refreshing, showcasing a beautiful bouquet of floral aromas. A hint of wet stone provides an intriguing mineral quality. On the palate, the wine delivers a delightful range of flavors, led by juicy pomegranate, which brings a lush character. The vibrant red cherry follows, offering a burst of fruity brightness. Currant notes emerge, adding depth that enhances the fruit complexity.”

My Review:  Pale pink in the glass. Tart and sweet play with each other on the palate. April 2026

2024 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $45 (#1759)

Winery Notes: “The nose is captivating with a blend of warm baking spices, creating a cozy and inviting bouquet. Sweet vanilla notes add a rich layer of complexity, harmonizing beautifully with spice. On the palate, the wine reveals flavors of red cherry, bursting with balanced acidity.”

My Review:  A little sweet on the savory palate. April 2026

2024 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.7% ABV, $55 (#1760)

Winery Notes: “The nose opens with a warm embrace of baking spices, including hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, which add depth and a touch of complexity. Underneath, a bouquet of ripe red cherry and fragrant raspberry emerges, bringing a bright and inviting quality to the wine. Subtle undertones of plum offer a rounded richness, enhancing the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine showcases vibrant flavors of red cherry, which brings a juicy and luscious natural sweetness. Notes of ripe plum unfold, adding warmth and a velvety texture that lingers on the tongue.”

My Review: Plum on the nose with a peppery finish. April 2026

2024 Lepe Cellars Cabernet Franc, Tre Gatti Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $55 (#1761)

picture of the bottle and label 2024 Cabernet Franc

Winery Notes: “This wine opens with inviting aromas of dark fruit, including black cherry and ripe blackberry, accented by a hint of crushed stone. On the palate, it reveals layers of raspberry and red plum, leading into a lingering savory finish with notes of black pepper and dried herbs.”

My Review:  Cherry on the nose. Cherry, blackberry and pepper on the finish. Really tasty. April 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

The Lepe Cellars tasting room is located at 19 E Carmel Valley Rd. Carmel Valley, CA and is open during these hours: Friday – Sunday 12pm – 5pm, Monday – Thursday by appointment only.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

2019 Qupé Syrah from Bien Nacido Hillside Estate!

THE STORY

After our American Wine Society Monterey Chapter events, we sometimes go to dinner to continue the party. In January, we had a delicious meal at Anton & Michel where I ordered today’s wine to share with our table. Everyone loved it and my table mates paid for it! It doesn’t get any better than that!

THE WINERY

Cool since 1982…

“Qupe was founded in 1982, along Foxen Canyon Road, in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Amazingly enough this was right next door to where Andrew Murray Vineyards was founded less than a decade later. Qupe’s founder, Bob Lindquist, is a giant in the world of wine, where he is a pioneer in every sense of the word. Qupe’s founding in 1982, paved the way for our own founding in 1990. Bob loved Syrah before anyone else. He quickly grew Qupe into a worldwide phenom of a Rhone focused wine brand that also crafted delicate and delicious Chardonnay. Bob piorneered hillside sites, from cool climate appellations, with sandy, calcareous and rocky soils. Andrew Murray Vineyards grew up in the shadow of this legendary and historic brand.

“By way of tenacity and some good fortune, Andrew was able to purchase the Qupe brand and all assets (including an amazing array of library wines) in October of 2024. Andrew and his family and his very capable winegrowing team have brought the brand home, to where it started on Foxen Canyon Road, when it was just a couple of barrels and glint in Bob’s eyes. All of us at Andrew Murray Vineyards are extremely excited about the future. We look forward to righting the ship and bringing Qupe back to its former glory by focusing on the brand’s core values of sustainabilty, quality, and affordability. The current array of wines are absolutely delcious. We invite you to seek them out in your home markets and stores and restaurant wine lists. The wines are rich and nuanced and thoughtfully crafted. If you are a fan of Andrew Murray Vineyards, then we are confident that you will also enjoy the entire range of Qupe wine.

THE WINES

Today, I am showcasing just one Qupé wine.  This is the first Qupé wine I have presented in Decanting Monterey. Winery notes come from the label, their tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted.  Any errors are mine and mine alone; however, as a general rule, I do not correct any typos from the winery’s website.

2019 Qupé Syrah, Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, ~$50 (#1756)

Pure Winely Notes: “Enticing aromas of star anise, forest floor, and black licorice together with perfumed violets and dark ripe raspberry. Flavors of juicy blackberry and sweet cinnamon and nutmeg evolve to subtle roasted coffee with a sweet vanilla finish.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. As dark as a Petite Sirah. Intense dark crushed mixed berries in the nose -someone should make an incense out of this wine. Smooth palate with dark berries and some smokey/earthy notes on the finish. Our whole table liked this wine. January 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

From their website:

“To visit Andrew Murray Vineyards is to experience a narrative of history, legacy and ardent passion. Your visit will be an intimate glimpse into the beauty and bounty of the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country. Delve into the terroir. Soak in the natural surroundings. Explore some of the finest and most exclusive Rhone driven varietals California has to offer.

“We aspire to make your visit as beautiful as our wines and invite you to join our journey. Experience a destination rich with heritage, a space to celebrate shared connections and the essence of sensorial exploration. We highly recommend reservations for all guests with priority going to our Club Members. We appreciate that you may find yourself at our Estate without a reservation, we host walk-ins on a first fome first served policy, as space allows. Welcome to Andrew Murray Vineyards.”

Located at 5249 Foxen Canyon Road Los Olivos CA 93441 and open 11-5 daily.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Shale Canyon: A Vibrant Event with Voluptuous Reds

I had a milestone birthday earlier this month – and no better place to spend it than with my American Wine Society Monterey Chapter friends at Shale Canyon. We were greeted by the energetic staff who gave us a fabulous overview of the winery and its owner, Keith Prader. And we tasted six of their big reds. The layout of the tasting room was perfect for our group and the vibe was vibrant – we had a fabulous time.  We missed you, Keith!

2 people standing next to the AWS Monterey banner outside the Shale Canyon tasting room

In addition to purchasing some of the wines we tasted, I took home some of the 2018 Shale Canyon Petite Sirah from the Paicines AVA, San Benito County. So delicious. For $35 that wine is a bargain! Winery Notes: “The nose on this is fruit, dark fruit, and lots of it. Blueberries, plums, blackberry, black tea and chocolate on the palate. Medium to firm tannins. 100% Petite Sirah.”

Central Coast Sharon standing next to the list of wines being poured that day

The last time our group visited their tasting room was in 2023 – you can read about it here: Monterey AWS “Squeezes in” a Tasting at Shale Canyon! Funny, we had the same number of people this time and we didn’t feel crowded at all!

One of our board members smiling, holding a glass of wine with one of our members in the background

THE WINERY

About Shale Canyon from their website:

“Shale Canyon Wines started vinting small lots of hand crafted varietals in 2008…Currently Shale Canyon Wines is comprised of Keith Prader, the winemaker, and Tim Prader tasting room and vineyard manager.

“Current production is about 1000+ cases per year with our main focus on producing wines that have outstanding nose, mouth feel and finish.  For the Estate wines we   are currently growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre.  We source fruit from larger, well established vineyards whose farming practices are exemplary in the industry and whose fruit is second to none.  The varietals include Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay and Petite Sirah.  We enjoy making classic and unique blends as well .  Our Consortium is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  The Striation is 75% Zinfandel and 25% Mourvèdre, a wonderful floral wine.  And Amalgamation, a very interesting blend of Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah. Quality is our main goal.  Quantity is always secondary. We hope you try and enjoy our wines!”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 6 Shale Canyon wines. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ notes. I was given a “pass” on taking notes that evening due to my big celebration.  I’ve included some from past tastings where I have them.

Lineup of the wines we tasted that evening - several bottles of the six wines we tasted

2015 Shale Canyon Mourvèdre, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $30 (#499)

Label image of the 2015 Mourvedre

Winery Notes: “A bouquet of dark berry, violet and earthy aromas of black pepper, thyme and a hint of citrus. Bright fruit characteristics, with fresh strawberry, raspberry and subtle cherry. Smooth tannins with hints of cedar and a drawn-out finish with late fruit.”

My Review: Dark ruby in glass. Very dark fruit but lean on the palate. September 2021              

2019 Shale Canyon Cabernet Franc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $45 (#1543)

Label image of the 2019 Cabernet Franc

Winery Notes: “Our award-winning varietal starts with aromas of dark fruit, slight oak and a touch of floral. Distinguished flavors of dark cherry, blueberry and cassis envelop the middle. The finish of leather, vanilla and medium firm tannins complete the experience of our flagship wine.”

My Review: One of the group’s favorites from this tasting. Year over year, a consistent favorite of mine. Rust in color. Cranberry, leather, deep plum, eucalyptus and cassis on the nose. Juicy palate of blackberry, cherry, a touch of prune and anise on the finish. Medium to full bodied. February 2025

2015 Shale Canyon Malbec, Pedregal Vineyard, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 14.7% ABV, $32 (#1754)

Label image of the 2015 Malbec

Winery Notes: “This gorgeous Malbec is loaded with flavors of blackberry, plum and a hint of chocolate. This wine has a very inky purple hue with silky tannins on the finish.”

My Review: Prune on the nose. Rich, dark palate of slightly overripe fruit with licorice notes on the finish. December 2025

2016 Shale Canyon Consortium, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.8% ABV, $50 (#951)

Label image of the 2016 consortium

Winery Notes: “A classic blend of Bordeaux varietals. There is a distinctive cherry note on the nose. It is a very elegant, yet a complex wine with black berry, dark cherry and raspberry on the palate. It has a long finish with wisps of cedar, vanilla and silky tannins. Estate blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot.”

My Review: Beautiful ruby color.  Smooth, dark berries and mild baking spice on the nose. March 2023

2015 Shale Canyon Tempranillo , Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $30 (#503)

Label image of the 2015 Tempranillo

Winery Notes: “Subtle berry & cherry bouquet. Flavors of black cherry, plum and cranberry grace the middle. A touch of spice and leather with firm structured tannins on the finish.”

My Review: This was one of my personal favorites from this tasting.  It has matured and mellowed into a delicious wine.  Here’s what I said 5 years ago: Spicy on the nose. Delicious fruit yet lean (tannic) on the finish. Pretty amazing. September 2021

2019 Shale Canyon Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $35 (#1755)

Label image of the 2019 Syrah

Winery Notes: “A complex, fruit forward, wine that is ruby-purple in hue. It has aromas of dark berry jam with flavors of blueberry and blackberry, along with medium plus tannins.”

THE TASTING ROOM

“Please visit us and try our wines. We are in the Paseo San Carlos Courtyard Westside San Carlos Between Ocean and 7th Carmel-by-the-Sea” Open Sun – Thurs: 1 – 5; Fri, Sat: 1 – 7 (831) 250-7603 reservations@shalecanyonwines.com

© Decanting Monterey 2026

*FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

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