Category: Wine Blog/Reviews

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)

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)

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

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

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!

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.”

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!

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.

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 7^th 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

THE STORY

In last week’s post, I told you about my attendance at The Perfect Pair – a Cabrillo College Culinary & Wine Showcase.  Today’s post is about the second flight of wines at the pre-event seminar:  Pinot Noirs from Soquel Vineyards.

At the food pairing portion of the event, we tasted many wines.  Some standouts for me were the 2022 Storrs Rusty Ridge Zinfandel (presented in last week’s post), the 2014 Silver Mountain Alloy, the 2021 Regan Merlot, the 2021 Wrights Station Cabernet Franc, and the 2019 Quinta Cruz Sparkling Souzão. I loved the food pairing of the sparkling red with the culinary students’ Raspberry Mocha Delight. I managed to take a bottle home with the idea to serve it to the AWS Monterey Chapter Board with my own dark chocolate-raspberry dessert. As I said last week, this annual Santa Cruz Mountain AVA and Cabrillo College Culinary event is not to be missed!

You can read last week’s post here:

THE WINERY

From their website:

“Welcome to Soquel Vineyards. Our small, family owned and operated winery is nestled on the coastal side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. We are committed to producing extraordinary wines with an emphasis on integrity and sense of place.”

Soquel Vineyards was founded by Peter and Paul Bargetto, in partnership with Jon Morgan back in 1987. They wanted to make wines focused on the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA. They began building their current winery location in 2001. Today they are considered among the most renowned wineries in the AVA.

Their website is full of history and information about each vineyard from which they source fruit. Read more about them here: Our Story.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 Soquel Vineyards 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.

As with last week’s wines most of these wines have not yet been released and these Pinot Noirs do not taste like Monterey’s famous Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots.  They displayed, in general, a richer flavor profile.

2024 Soquel Vineyards Ascona Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, $60 (#1750) 94 points – Wine Enthusiast

My Review: Translucent Ruby with a clear rim. Stemmy, warm nose. Light on the palate. Tart on the finish. April 2026

2024 Soquel Vineyards Pinot Noir, Lester Family Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, $50 (#1751) 97 Points – Wine Enthusiast

My Review: Pretty ruby with a peachy rim in the glass. Rich bright cherry, plum, raspberry on the nose. A big wine with a fruity underpinning. April 2026

2023 Soquel Pinot Noir, Coast Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.1% ABV, $50 (#1752) 94 points – Wine Enthusiast

Winery Notes: “A solid core of cherry, cranberry and raspberry on the nose of this single-vineyard expression is bolstered by a cardamon pod spice. Floral flavors range from rose to lavender on the palate, where cran-cherry and peppercorn flavors are wrapped in a solid tension.”

My Review: Ruby with a pale rim. Nose is harsher, stinky, plum. Earthy. Palate makes up for the nose. Tobacco on the finish. April 2026

2024 Soquel Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains (#1753)

My Review: Ruby with a clear rim. Faint nose of sweet tart and vinegar. Rich and tasty palate. My preferred Pinot Noir of this flight. April 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

“Our winery is open for tastings Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Come join us on the patio for a flight or a glass and enjoy panoramic views of the Soquel hillside and Monterey Bay.” Tasting fee is only $15! Located at 8063 Glen Haven Road, Soquel, CA 95073. Call them at 831-462-9045 to reserve your spot.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

THE STORY

When some of my American Wine Society Monterey Chapter Scouting Party buds invited me to join them on an outing, I said yes. Not an ordinary outing, but an extraordinary one called The Perfect Pair – a Cabrillo College Culinary & Wine Showcase.  Hosted by Prudy Foxx of Foxx Viticulture, this event showcased the students’ talent in designing dishes to match specific Santa Cruz Mountain AVA wines. And boy, are they talented! I’ll be coming back next year! The scallops over fettucine, short ribs over mashed potatoes with slivers of spiced sugar glass, and the raspberry mocha delight were 3 of my favorite dishes.

We also attended the pre-event seminar, Ocean to Summit: A Tasting Journey through the Multiple Micro-climates of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was interesting to hear about viticulture from across the bay – the terroir, the grapes, the wine. The mountainous terrain above the fog line is influenced by the frigid Monterey Bay – much like we are down in Monterey County. The soil is very different. The difficult mountainous terrain composed primarily of Franciscan Shale differs from our loamier soils. And, to my palate, that distinctive Monterey minerality was more muted in the Santa Cruz Mountain wines. Of course, the winemaker has so much to do with the end product – beyond the terroir and fruit themselves.

Today’s post will be about the Storrs Winery wines we tasted that day. I’ll be presenting the wines from the seminar and a few others over a couple of posts. While I haven’t gone wine tasting yet in the Santa Cruz Mountains, I’ve written about many of them over the years – just type “Santa Cruz Mountains” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

THE WINERY

From their website:

Handcrafted Wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains

“Stephen Storrs and Pamela Bianchini-Storrs began Storrs Winery with the harvest of 1988.  Both trained as winemakers at UC Davis, they had worked and consulted for a number of wineries prior to starting their own, including Domaine Chandon, Felton Empire Vineyards, and Almaden.  Consulting duties also included serving as the first winemakers for Scheid Vineyards of Monterey whilst in the early stages of their own emerging winery. Beginning with their very first vintage, they focused on the Santa Cruz Mountains – the cool-climate, marine-influenced appellation in their backyard.  Having worked in this terrain for years, they knew there was no better climatic match in California for the classic Burgundian varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir…” I encourage you to read the rest of their story here: Storrs Winery & Vineyards: About Us.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 Storrs 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 will say up front that these not-yet released Chardonnays didn’t taste at all like our Monterey Chardonnays.  They are much more complex with a different flavor profile.

2024 Storrs Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains (#1746)

My Review: Golden wheat in the glass. Peach, honey, lychee, butter on the nose. The flavorful citrus palate is balanced by a solid mellow grounding. Lightly oaked. So delicious – I would buy this wine. April 2026

2024 Storrs Chardonnay, Hidden Springs Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains (#1747)

My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Pineapple, honeydew and a touch of butter on the warm nose. A lighter palate with a citrusy finish. April 2026

2024 Storrs Chardonnay, Christie Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains (#1748)

My Review: Rich golden in the glass. Butterscotch, toast and perfume on the nose. A perfect palate with some oak and mellow citrus leading to a slightly bitter yet warm and toasty finish. Biggest of the 3. I like this wine. April 2026

2022 Storrs Old Vines Zinfandel, Rusty Ridge, Santa Clara, 14.2% ABV, $36 (#1749)

Winery Notes: “Big, Rich & Bold! Filled with abundant aromas of raspberry, ripe plum, a touch of spice and violets on the finish. Created from the fruit of old-vine vineyards – this wine will age gracefully for several more years.”

My Review: Peppery nose with dark cherry notes. Delicious palate. I was unable to take more detailed notes at the event. I would buy this wine. April 2026

THE TASTING ROOMS

Storrs Winery has 2 locations to taste wines – get more information and reserve your tasting here!

A dream comes true…  a beautiful, sustainable facility… Winery @ the Quarry – Corralitos

“In 2018, we opened the doors to our new winery and tasting room located in the Pleasant Valley district of historic Rancho de los Corralitos. Overlooking our organically-farmed estate vineyard – Hidden Springs – the winery is nestled into a former quarry. We invite you to sample our award-winning wines and to enjoy this serene setting.” Open for Winetasting on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  1560 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos, CA  95003

It all began with an idea… to create world-class wines from grapes grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

“In 1988, we began our winemaking operations at the historic Old Sash Mill in Santa Cruz, and opened our first tasting room in the rustic artisan complex. Open Thursday – Sunday 12 noon – 5 pm. Walk-ins welcome.” The Old Sash Mill, 303 Potrero Street, no. 35, Santa Cruz, CA  95060

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

THE STORY

We recently had a wine pick-up out in Carmel Valley, so we packed up our extremely large pup and headed out. We started our day at Corral Wine Co. The tasting menu had plenty of new things to try – plus a revisit of previous favorites – their 2024 Sauvignon Blanc and 2022 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. Today’s post will be focused on the new wines we tried.

And – newsflash – we finally joined their wine club! While Corral is one of the wineries which has generously recognized my industry status, I was not invited to their member parties. Out of respect for their wines and those elusive parties, we are now members! We had been talking about it for years, and this tasting sealed the deal. 

My last post about Corral Wine Co. was here: American Wine Society Monterey Chapter Scopes Out Corral’s Fabulous New Outdoor Space! I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

THE WINERY

From their website: “In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.

“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 5 Corral Wine Co. wines. 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.

2024 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $36 (#1741)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of strawberry, raspberry tea, honeydew melon, and white peach with hints of ed fruit. The aromas lead way into flavors of watermelon, passion fruit, and citrus with hint of white peach and mandarin on the palate.”

My Review: Pale peach in the glass. Mellow nose, with melon, citrus, and rose petal notes. Slightly tart on the palate with a slightly citrusy finish. March 2026

2023 Corral Chardonnay, Monterey County, $44 (#1742)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of grilled pineapple, lemon custard with hints of apple and pear. Subtle notes of baking spices, toasted vanilla, and roasted nuts. On the palate, Meyer lemon, green apple, and white peach. Hints of honey and vanilla with a creamy texture enhanced by a nice long oily finish.”

My Review: Golden in the glass with toast and caramel on the nose. Heavy toast on the palate, slightly bitter finish. March 2026

2022 Corral Pinot Noir Canyon Springs, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $64 (#1743)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of dark fruit, dried fig, and earthiness complimented by cedar with hints of sweet baking spices and hazelnut. The use of French oak barrels integrate soft tannins on its long finish.”

My Review: Such different fruit and terroir after just tasting the SLH Pinot Noir. Caramel on the nose. A leaner palate and slightly vegetal with a tannic finish. March 2026

2022 Corral Tres Amigos Red Blend, Central Coast, 14.2% ABV, $56 (#1744) 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petite Sirah

Winery Notes: “With aromas of Strawberry, plum, baking spices, black pepper, and sage finishing with a dark toast. This wines soft, fine grained tannins bring the structure and toasty aromatics and flavor.”

My Review: Rose petals, orange and cranberry on the nose. Rich palate of crushed fruit with a nice mouth feel and a slightly bitter finish. I guessed it had some grenache in the mix. A tasty blend. March 2026.

2022 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles AVA, $87 (#1745)

Winery Notes: “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: Purple in the glass. Clove on the nose. Rich palate with eucalyptus notes. I like this wine. March 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

THE STORY

I’m always on the lookout for winery announcements that they are releasing a new vintage of one of my favorite wines.  When Chesebro announced the release of the 2018 La Montagne Sauvage, I headed to the tasting room with my neighbor and friend, Sue. We were able to taste both the 2017 and the 2018 vintages. Caught up in the moment by its youthfulness, I later realized I didn’t capture any tasting notes

The La Montagne Sauvage has been one of my favorite Rhone blends made with grapes from the CM Ranch right here in Carmel Valley.  The fact that one can get this wine for $35 is one of the reasons I respect Chesebro.  Quality wines representative of our terroir at affordable prices.  Stop in and tell them Decanting Monterey sent you. 

THE WINES

Today, I am showcasing just one Chesebro wine.  I last presented their wines to you in December 2025 here: Chesebro Releases Its 2017 Classics! 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.

2018 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $35 (#1734)

Winery Notes: “Our proprietary Rhone belnd of Syrah (80%), Grenache (15%) and Mourvedre (5%) modeled after the legendary wines of the Southern Rhone Valley in France. Grown at 1800′ elevation, this is our flagship wine and our most popular blend from a small 2.5 acre vineyard in the mountains of Carmel Valley. Rich and broading with aromas of dark blackberries, chaparral, sage and all-spice. An ageworthy and deeply profound example of what these Rhone varietals can do on the granite soils of Upper Carmel Valley. ONLY 80 Cases Produced”

94 points – Wine Enthusiast: “This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre coalesces with power and grace. Dense aromas of boysenberry and graphite lead from the nose into a thick palate awash in creamy tannins. Flavors of roasted espresso, chocolate, blackberry and peppercorn are peaking now, so find this bottle and drink up.” — Matt Kettmann

My Review: Dark garnet in color. Get past the alcohol to the dark, intense plum, black berry, dark cherry and some cola aromas. Cola and dark cherry on the palate.  This is going to grow into a lovely wine.  Give it some time. April 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

“Come Raise a Glass with Us! We are located at 19D East Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.”

“We are now open for tasting on Friday through Sunday from noon until 5 PM and by apointment on other days. Due to our limited capacity please make an appointment on all days so that we may better serve you. Appointments can either be set up through this page…or by contacting Alex directly at Alex@chesebrowines.com or 831-238-2618. Due to our remote location, appointments are not available for the winery itself….” @chesebrowinestastingroom

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

THE STORY

I love it when an out-of-area winery comes to the Monterey Peninsula and that was the case when Lopai Cellars from Paso Robles recently showcased their wines to the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter. Paul Lopez and his wife Michelle brought their exquisite lineup for us to taste in lovely Pacific Grove. At this event, we tasted 6 of their wines, complemented by appetizers provided by our members.

This is my first post all about Lopai Cellars wines.

THE WINERY

Their story begins with Paul and his son Brian’s ancestors who settled in the San Luis Obispo area in the 1860’s, farming the land before there was the plethora of vineyards we see today. Fast forward to modern times. Paul brings a wealth of winemaking experience, having worked over the past 10 years with some of the most esteemed labels in Paso Robles. Now he’s channeling that expertise into his own craft at Lopai Cellars, nestled on the picturesque west side of the Willow Creek District in the Paso Robles AVA, just a short 10.5 miles from the stunning coastline. They purchased their vineyard in 2019 and produced their first wines in 2023.

I encourage you to read more about the winery here: https://lopaicellars.com/story/.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 6 Lopai Cellars wines. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Lopai Cellars Rose, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, 13.5% ABV, $35 (#1735) 100% Grenache

My Review: Rosy peach, apricot in color. Watermelon, peach, Meyer lemon on the nose. Light palate. April 2026

2023 Lopai Cellars Albariño, Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo County, 12.5% ABV, $50 (#1736)

Winery Notes: “Nose- honeysuckle, vanilla, peach, pear. Palate – Nectarine, tangerine zest, lychee, Nilla wafer, granite. crisp and clean.”

My Review: Light golden in color. Some viscosity in the glass. Grilled pineapple. Lots of minerality on the palate with bright acidity and a touch of grilled pineapple. A very rich palate. April 2026

2021 Lopai Cellars Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, 13.8% ABV, $80 (#1737)

Winery Notes: “Nose – cherry cola, slight eucalyptus, dried petals, cranberry, mixed berry pie Palate – Tart cherry, cocoa, raspberry, tomato leaf, hint of basil, woodiness, chalky tannins, structured, red berries, complex.”

My Review: Beautiful dark garnet with a purple rim. Plum, juicy blackberry and blueberry on the nose. Rich, smooth palate with some cherry cola notes. Very tasty. April 2026

2021 Lopai Cellars Estate Syrah, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, 14.9% ABV, $80 (#1738)

Winery Notes: “Nose – cassis, cracked peppercorns, violet, ripe blackberries Palate – Tart under ripe raspberries, savory notes of peppered duck breast, and a touch of fennel seed.”

My Review: A dark beauty in the glass with a dark purple rim. Alcohol on the nose is compensated by a lovely texture on the palate. Deep fruit comes off a bit over extracted. This was the group’s favorite wine of the event! April 2026

2021 Lopai Cellars Estate Petite Sirah, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, 13.2% ABV, $80 (#1739)

Winery Notes: “Nose – sage, allspice, blueberry, clove Palate – Cranberry sauce, chocolate covered coffee bean, roasted herbs, sweet tobacco, luxardo cherry, lavender. Smooth, round, supple finish.”

My Review: Inky in the glass – so dark, not a rim to be seen! There is a smokey darkness of black fruit on the nose. Smooth palate of dark blackberry and blueberry. Some tannins on the finish. We liked this wine and it sold out quickly! April 2026

2021 Lopai Cellars Nocturnes, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, 14.1% ABV, $80 (#1740) 58% Petit Verdot/38% Petite Sirah/4% Syrah Blend

Winery Notes: “Nose – floral, blueberry, mint, and spice Palate – Concentrated dark fruit is layered with savory spice and floral.”

My Review: Darkest possible purple in the glass. Pretty legs decorate the glass. Intense palate of juicy dark fruit. Nothing over extracted here just delicious. This wine gets a “wow” from me! I took some home. April 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

Find where Lopai landed.

“Our tasting room is located at 1380 Live Oak Road in Paso Robles, where we share the space with The Royal Nonesuch Farm – another small producer we respect, and a good sign of what you’ll find when you arrive.”

HOURS: Wednesday–Saturday: 10:30 am – 4:00 pm.  Visit their website to make a reservation!

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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