Several weeks ago, I got a text from the Vice Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society, Phil Arnold. He also happened to be one of the presidents of the Carmel by the Sea Rotary Club. It went something like this: “Would you have any desire to do a presentation to our club on Monterey County wines?” It was short notice, but I have a presentation at the ready and, after some back and forth, Phil and I scoped it to 2 wines. I was given a generous budget to work with, making it easy to find wines within the price point. My husband and I took a quick trip to Carmel Valley Village for a very targeted tasting – on a mission. We selected two wines I have not presented before, making it a bit exciting under the time crunch.
Every winery visit, wine tasting and wine class has a story. And, boy, is this a doozie.
I had not previously done a Monterey County wine class for a local group – just East Coast wine education non-profit organizations. I was concerned that I would be preaching to the choir, that audience members might question some facts and figures. I spent a lot of time on the historical timeline slide. With lots of data provided by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, I tried to pick the most noteworthy points. I would wake up in the middle of the night with a blinding insight on the relevance of some of the information and keep changing this slide.
I wanted to be ready for this presentation. To be sure I didn’t forget anything, I put a Post-it note on the inside of my front door: laptop, charger, mouse, tasting room brochures. As I left the house that morning, it was check, check, check, check, check. I was ready! I arrived at the Carmel Mission Inn and confidently strode across the parking lot – when I realized I had forgotten perhaps the most important thing – the wines! 😊 Luckily, my partner in crime was home and I gave him an excuse to get his car out of the garage and on the road. We all had a good laugh about it.
In my presentation, I highlighted the rich local winemaking history, dating back to the Spanish missionaries who first plant grapes at the San Antonio Mission in 1770. In the 1960s, commercial production really took off. One of the most interesting data points I have is that in 1995,there were only 5 tasting rooms open in Monterey County. That seems hard to believe. Today’s number is about 65! We’ve been wine tasting here for a long time, but even we can’t piece together exactly which 5 wineries they were. If you know, please share in a comment below!
When I present a class on Monterey County wines, I also like to talk about the affordability of going wine tasting here. Tasting fees tend to average about $20-$25 for a flight of 5 wines. And it is very easy to get to most of our wineries.
From the Corral Wine Co website: “Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards. 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.” This is the first time I have presented a Corral wine in a wine education class! Finally!!
About Parsonage: Bill and Mary Parsons planted the seven-acre Parsonage Village Vineyard in June 1998, with their first harvest in 2000. The vineyard is planted to 3 ½ acres of Syrah, 2 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 acre of Merlot and 1/2 acre of Petit Verdot. Starting at a meager 200 cases back in 2000, annual production today is in the 1500-2000 case range. The Parsons were the first to plant Syrah in Carmel Valley and their wines are the reason I am now a big Syrah fan. Their wines are mostly big and bold reds.
Today I am presenting just the 2 wines. As usual, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the winery website, or tasting room staff. Any errors are mine or mine alone.
Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of guava and grapefruit dominate with fresh cut hay, lemon blossom and wet stone. Racing acidity with a pleasant minerality.”
My Review: Golden and viscous in the glass. Grilled pineapple, citrus blossom and guava on the fragrant nose. Rich palate of tropical flavors, a touch of sweetness, with minerality on the finish – very nice. February 2023
Parsonage 2019 Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $48(#944)
Winery Notes: “Our specialty varietal, full of dark fruit & white pepper with a robust palate…2-week fermentation, 30 months (longer than usual due to supply chain issues) in 9 medium plus toast French oak barrels, 2 new. 2 barrels of the final blend were from “Carmelstone” and the rest, lower Syrah plantings, including 1 barrel with lots of Rocco (reserve) fruit. Pretty exquisite.”
Parsonage Estate Syrah Vines
My Review: Inky red, almost purple in color. Spice on the nose with white pepper and Concord grape notes. Super rich palate of dark fruit, delicious, jammy fruit, with some eucalyptus on the finish. February 2023
You can taste and purchase these wines at their respective tasting rooms located next to each other at 19 East Carmel Valley Rd.,Carmel Valley Village. For the latest on hours and reservations, please check their websites:
The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society wanted to do something a little special for its members: food and wine! Self-catered by their wonderful Board Member Anita, we celebrated an early Valentine’s Day at Twisted Roots, on February 3, 2023.
Monterey AWS members chat with Josh Ruiz, co-owner and winemaker, Twisted Roots.
We’ve always been fond of Twisted Roots for its signature Zinfandels and Petite Sirahs, as well as the occasional special red blend. Winery co-owners Josh and Julie Ruiz, and Matt and Whitney Pridey bring us these wines mostly from their Lodi vineyard, established in 1918. Why have a tasting room in Carmel Valley? The Ruiz’s have relocated to Carmel Valley and his wife’s family owns the vineyard in Lodi. A great marriage! And we were fortunate to have both of them and their awesome tasting room manager Shannon present for this event.
About Twisted Roots: “Twisted Roots is the work of five generations of family, dedicated to growing wine grapes following sustainable growing practices. While our family’s vineyard was established in 1918, it wasn’t until 2005 that we began producing our own wines. Our commitment to hand crafted, Sustainable & Green, small-lot wines, allows for the utmost care and attention to detail as we strive to produce premium-quality, consistently delicious wines…
“The name Twisted Roots comes from the deep and twisted roots of Lodi old vine Zinfandel found in Julie Ruiz’s childhood vineyard, where vines date back to the early 1900’s. While excavating vines one day, her beloved uncle remarked “Those roots are really twisted, that would be a great name for a winery.” This would be a day both Julie and her husband Josh would never forget. This is the day the winery was truly born.
“Both Josh and Julie have an incredible love for agriculture, community and friendship. Josh’s mission was to cultivate community around wine, a beverage that wasn’t common in his home growing up. As an entrepreneur, Josh was determined to create a winery that was tied to the original roots of Lodi Vineyards, and share those wines with his now home in the Carmel Valley.
“As luck would have it he joined forces with a few of his very special friends to create a dynamic winery and hospitality experience with a diverse selection of wines you won’t typically find in the area; Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Hard Cider to name a few. All produced in small batches carefully selected from unique sites in an effort to maintain quality and allow for attention to detail shine. We invite you to visit our charming and newly renovated tasting room, the perfect spot for enjoying the most important things in life, the people.”
When I present a class on our local wines, I like to talk about the affordability of going wine tasting there. This winery is a case in point: great wines for a $15 tasting fee!
Today we got to taste some additions to the usual big reds – a real treat. I am presenting 5 wines, plus a bonus wine I knew to ask about. As usual, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the winery website, or tasting room staff. Any errors are mine or mine alone.
NV Brut Rosé, California, 13.5% ABV, $35(#937)
Winery Notes: “We are excited to release our first Rose! A Pinot Noir based sparkling, with lots of bright red berries. Great for all of your summer events!” The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine come from Alexander Valley.
My Review Powered by Terravenos: Dusty salmon in the glass. Warm on the nose with nice tiny bubbles. We detected rose petal, rainier cherry, and apple cider with a slightly brioche quality on the nose. ENO: high acid, medium alcohol, medium minus body. Creamy mousse with a medium plus finish. Well integrated. Flavors of melon, under ripe strawberry, white peach, rainier cherry. February 2023
2021 Albariño, Terra Alta Estate, Lodi, $35(#938)
Winery Notes: “A delicious Spanish varietal, Albariño is a great every day white wine. It pairs perfectly with all of your summer time activities.”
My Review: Citrus, pineapple, mango, with acidity and tropical notes on the nose, Meyer lemon and pineapple, a nice palate with good minerality, including peach and sweet, tropical notes. Balanced.
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, 14% ABV, $40(#939)
Winery Notes: “This is not the typical “Napa Style” Cabernet. Our Cabernet is soft and subtle, with all the fruit of a Cabernet but without that harshness!”
My Review: Rich, dark Cabernet color in the bottle. A rich, dusty bouquet. Lots of oak and berries wrapped in high alcohol upfront. It’s not very Cab-like, but it has a nice spice on the finish. It’s made more in the style of a Zinfandel, more like a fruit bomb. Soft, yet chewy, tannins with a touch of harshness on the finish.
2017 Petite Sirah, Lodi, 15.5% ABV, $40(#940)
Winery Notes: “The biggest of our red wines, with lots fruit up front, followed with some light tannins, and soft finish.”
My Review: Inky in the glass. Big, bold flavor, Fruit-forward with big, bold blackberry and raspberry flavors. Wow. A big … red wine. Well integrated and downright yummy. I took some home and half has already disappeared!
2018 Old Vine Zinfandel, the 1918, Lodi, 14% ABV, $40(#941)
Winery Notes: “If you’ve ever wanted to know what wine from 100 year old vines tastes like, you’re in luck!! Planted in “1918”, these are the vines that started it all for the Twisted Roots Family. After 3 generations of family farmers, we are now able to bring you this special wine!”
My Review: Dark, dark ruby in color, sweet dark berries on the palate, caramel and vanilla on the nose Very nice .
Winery Notes: This is a special blend named after Julie’s beloved Uncle Ross, available to wine club members only. 85% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
My Review: Raisins, with lots of cherry and dark fruit. Very big, with prune flavors.
Taste Twisted Roots Wines: “Wine is an experience meant to be shared with others. Stop by our beautiful, newly renovated tasting room and let’s share it together.” Located at 12 Del Fino Pl, Carmel Valley, CA 93924. Open 12-5pm, Thursday-Sunday. Reserve online or at 831- 594-8282. You can also buy their wines on their website!
My friend and I were attending an event in Carmel Valley and decided to go early to check out a winery. We parked near our event and saw the Blue Fox tasting room. I had been wanting to go there for quite some time, so we dropped in.
Dallas Wright greeted us in the spacious and attractive tasting room. He was very friendly and walked my friend and me through the wines. Perfect.
Dallas Wright, Blue Fox Tasting Room Manager
The tasting room is quite large, a great event venue. We posed doing an event there for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society and have subsequently booked a group tasting there!
About Blue Fox Cellars from their label: “As a small producer based in Medocino County, California, we are dedicated to producing high quality wines tailored to the discerning consumer. Working closely with experienced growers to source only the highest quality of hand selected lots allows us to offer wines of refined distinction. We combine time-tested Old World styles of winemaking with modern technology which are rewarded in an impeccably balanced wine with varietally correct profiles resulting in elegance to be appreciated at any occasion.”
“…Winemaker/owner, Edward Lovaas, whose heritage is Norwegian, named the brand, which he started in 2012 after many years of winemaking consulting, figured he couldn’t put red wine in a green bottle. Especially since the label sports a perky blue watercolor rendition of a slightly bemused blue fox. So, blue bottles you will find at the newly opened tasting room in Carmel Valley Village, in the former location of Talbott…” All their wines are aged in French oak.
Today I am presenting 6 Blue Fox Cellars wines from Mendocino. As usual, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the winery website, or discussions with tasting room staff. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2017 Blue Fox Cellars Chenin Blanc, Mendocino County, 13.5% ABV, $25 (#931)
Winery Notes: “Crisp mineral acidity frame notes of lemon verbena, nectarine, and Asian pear.” No malolactic fermentation, neutral oak, champagne, yeast, two years on lees.
My Review: Straw in the glass, peach and white citrus blossom, honeysuckle, and lychee on the nose. The palate is full bodied with peach, citrus and yeasty notes. February 2023
2021 Blue Fox Cellars Vermentino, Mendocino County, 13.3% ABV, $29(#932)
Winery Notes: “Flavors of Shin Li pear, white peach, and crushed stone with a rich mouthfeel.” This wine underwent a quick fermentation.
My review: Pale in the glass. Sweet grapefruit on the nose. A tart citrus palate with a lime finish. A bit acidic and not quite balanced. February 2023.
2019 Blue Fox Cellars Rosé of Grenache, Mendocino County, 13.5% ABV, $25 (#933)
Winery Notes: “Robust with exceptional mouthfeel. Peach and strawberry prevail.” A traditional, dry Provençal rosé with earth, oak, and complex flavors.
My Review: Pale salmon in the glass. Sweet nose with strawberry and cantaloupe notes. Balanced, flavorful palate of watermelon, strawberry, and a little licorice with a lime twist on the finish. February 2023.
2012 Blue Fox Cellars Grenache, Mendocino County, 13.3% ABV, $45 (#934)
Winery Notes: “Fruit forward notes of wild strawberry and blueberry with a finish of white pepper.” 3 years in the barrel 30% neutral oak 20%, new 80% old so figure it out what that means.
My Review: Delicious palate of red fruits. Sweetness of strawberry and raspberry on the tongue, balanced by the oak. Yummy. February 2023.
2014 Blue Fox Cellars Syrah, Mendocino County, 15.2% ABV, $47 (#935)
Winery Notes: “Flavors of plum, ripe raspberry, earth, spice and an elegant tannin structure.” 7 years in barrels sur lees.
My Review: Dark ruby in color. A spicy nose, predominantly, nutmeg, mouth, filling, rich, dark fruits. A big, well-aged wine, with dark cooked fruit, bordering on a port. I took one of these home. February 2023.
2014 Blue Fox Zinfandel, Mendocino County, 15.9% ABV, $49 (#936)
Winery Notes: “Fruity deep red berries finishing with spicy pepper and a soft tannin structure.” 30° temperature swing. 7 years in the barrel.
My Review: Translucent dark ruby. Sweet spice, black pepper, and dark fruit with vanilla – a smooth palate. A touch of rosemary on the finish. February 2023.
The Blue Fox Tasting Roomis located at 25 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley: “Experience the hospitality of Blue Fox Cellars in beautiful Carmel Valley. Enjoy sweeping views of the mountains above from our outdoor tasting patio during a fun and educational tasting experience. Your tasting will be conducted by our knowledgeable tasting associates or our winemaker. Or sit and have lunch and a bottle of wine in our expansive courtyard, enjoy a game of Bocce Ball, or just time with friends and family. We look forward to seeing you!” Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-5pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-6pm. You can also buy their wines on their website!
I thought I had the January tasting for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society all arranged – until it wasn’t. With very short notice, I tried to find another place in Cannery Row and, after a few panicked emails and phone calls, got connected with Jasmine Hernandez, the general manager at A Taste of Monterey. We were expecting 25 people and she agreed to host us – with the condition we purchase wines by the glass instead of their usual flights. After a little back and forth, we agreed! Crisis averted!
We were quite pleasantly surprised that a good part of the tasting room had been set aside for us – like a private event! Jasmine herself served us. And some people even ordered food. The options for wines by the glass were plentiful and everyone enjoyed the space. We got there as daylight was waning – definitely need to go back on a summer evening for the amazing bayfront views. Jasmine has invited us back for a regular tasting sometime – we will take her up on that!
A Taste of Monterey is a great place to start if you don’t know much about our local wines. It calls itself “”The Official” Regional Wine Visitors’ Center.” They have a huge wine shop in the front, plenty of tasting flights to choose from, and food pairings to accompany your tasting. You will find wines from our established wineries, such as Pierce Ranch, Scheid, and Silvestri; as well as newcomers to the region including Kori Wines and Cru, all of which have their own local tasting rooms. In addition, you will find some micro producers who don’t have tasting rooms of their own.
My strategy was to try wines I couldn’t get in another tasting room. The wines I chose, as I understand it, are made by the owner of A Taste of Monterey, sourcing grapes from local vineyards. As usual, winery notes come from their websites, the tasting sheet or discussions with tasting room staff. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Winemaker’s Notes: “The Petite Sirah backbone leads the way with rich dark fruit characteristics including black cherry and black plum. The Cabernet Sauvignon contributes with interesting hints of clove spice. This medium-bodied red blend is then rounded out with a touch of Syrah. 65% Petite Sirah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Syrah.”
My Review: Inky in the glass. Alcohol and dark fruit on the nose. Jammy dark fruit palate. This was a tasty wine. Would pair well with spaghetti or pizza. January 2023
2018 Mission Trail Friar’s Reserve Meritage, Carmel Valley, $45 (#930)
Winemaker’s Notes: “73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot. Brilliant, very dark cherry garnet
color with a ruby rim. It is perfumed with deep spicy black cherry, cassis, anise, white truffle and cedar nose. Rich cherry, black currant and blackberry fruit is complemented with nuances of spicy anise, dark coffee and cocoa that finish with refreshing acidity and ample round, fine tannins.”
My Review: Blackberry and plum on the nose. Rich dark palate of black fruit and cedar. Delicious. January 2023
You can visit A Taste of Monterey at 700 Cannery Row, Ste. KK, Monterey, CA – 93940. They are open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-7pm. You can also buy the wines they carry on their website!
Decanting Monterey is a non-profit wine education effort to promote our Monterey wineries through social media and classes. If you would like to donate to the cause, please click the PayPal button below or visit the Decanting Monterey Make a Donationpage for more information. All monies received will be used to defray the expenses of operating this website and offset travel expenses for Central Coast wine education classes.
In our early days in Monterey back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, we occasionally tried Bargetto wines down on Cannery Row. Way back then, we remember their sweeter wines – mead and dessert-style wines – not really our thing. As we were seeking an emergency location for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society, I popped into Bargetto to see what they are offering these many decades later.
I asked – what was the big change that took the winery from those sweeter wines (which they still do make) to these higher-end, higher quality, medal winning wines? The short answer: When Lawrence Bargetto passed away in 1993, they hired an outside winemaker, who transformed their winemaking techniques. In addition, the Regan Vineyard has become one whose grapes are sought after by other local vintners for their wines. And my bottom line is: Get down to Cannery Row and give Bargetto a try!
With three different tasting menus, there is something for everyone here. Whites, reds, meads and ports. I was able to mix them up by doing a reserve tasting ($25) with one of their high-end La Vita vintages swapped for their delicious, every day Syrah. Yeah, I’m a little crazy.
About Bargetto: “The Bargetto winemaking heritage began with brothers Phillip and John Bargetto who from Castelnuovo Don Bosco, a small town in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. They brought with them years of winegrowing experience when they established BARGETTO WINERY on the banks of Soquel Creek in California…The original Bargetto family winery was located in San Francisco from 1910-1917. The name of this winery was South Montebello Vineyard and Wine Company. With Prohibition on the horizon the winery was closed and the brothers moved to Soquel in 1917…The third generation of Bargettos now direct the operation of the winery. BARGETTO WINERY represents the oldest continuous-operation winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Their pioneering spirit continued with the establishment of Bargetto Regan Estate Vineyards, near Corralitos, California in 1992. Here, cool-climate varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Grigio are carefully nurtured to produce BARGETTO WINERY’s estate wines. In keeping with the family heritage, the winery also incorporates northern Italian varietals from its Estate Vineyard into its flagship LA VITA wine.”
As always, winery notes come from their website, the tasting sheet, or conversations with tasting room staff. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Winemaker’s Notes: “A blend of both clones grown at our estate vineyard, this reserve blend is the very best of Regan Chardonnay. The Mount Eden Clone expresses minerality and vibrant acidity, while the Clone 4 brings rich, ripe fruit. Pleasant aromas of butterscotch and lemon zest dominate the nose, with notes of green apple and stone fruits underneath. Luxurious and well-integrated French oak elevates the wine beautifully.”
My Review: Rose gold in the glass. Cinnamon perfume on the nose. White Peach, white nectarine on the palate and a touch of buttery oak on the finish. January 2023
2020 Bargetto Mount Eden Clone Pinot Noir, Regan Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.7% ABV, $60(#925)
Winemaker’s Notes: “This unfined, unfiltered 2020 Mount Eden clone Pinot Noir is fruit forward yet complex, with a delectable richness on the palate. Ripe red and black fruit aromas are complemented beautifully by elegant French oak. Intense flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and boysenberry dominate the palate. This is a rich and full-bodied Pinot Noir, as is typical of the famed Mount Eden clone. Tannins are elegant and smooth, giving it a wonderfully plush mouthfeel.”
My Review: Cloudy medium ruby in color. Cherry cranberry on the nose. Smoky and tart on the palate. January 2023
Winemaker’s Notes: “Dark fruit flavors are met with a notes of spice, sweet and smoky oak, black licorice, and potpourri. This wine is full-bodied with firmly structured tannins. 20 months in 40% new French and American oak barrels. Gold/93pts – Beverage Testing Institute, 92pts – Wine Enthusiast.”
My Review: Rich ruby in the glass. Intense dark berry on the nose like a really good Cab should smell. Mouth filling palate with berry and mint on the finish. January 2023
2019 Bargetto Syrah, Nelson Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 14% ABV, $25(#927)
Winemaker’s Notes: “This 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah from Nelson Vineyard is beautifully purple and inky in color. It opens with aromas of black pepper, black licorice, and floral potpourri. More subtle aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and baking spice follow as the wine opens up. On the palate dark fruit and peppery spice flavors are married nicely with sweet and toasty oak.”
My Review: Deep dark ruby. Very dark berry fruit on the nose. Intense. Rich and smooth – I like this wine. A great bargain. Would pair well with barbecue or charcuterie. January 2023
2018 Bargetto La Vita Refosco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Regan Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.5% ABV, $60(#928)
Winemaker’s Notes: “A blend of three Northern Italian varietals, the 2018 La Vita has Refosco leading the way, followed by Dolcetto and Nebbiolo. Notes of black plum and cranberry are met with black pepper, licorice, and savory spice. 32 months of barrel aging have allowed this wine’s firm tannins to soften up beautifully. 98pts/Double Gold/Best of Region – CA State Fair.”
My Review: Nice dark ruby. Cherry on the nose. Complex, dry, lean. Might need to open up. Will age nicely. The best wine of the day. January 2023
You can purchase Bargetto wines here: https://bargetto.com/ or visit them at their tasting room (open daily!) at 700-G Cannery Row, Monterey, or their historic winery and tasting room in Soquel. Click here for more details!
Decanting Monterey is a non-profit wine education effort to promote our Monterey wineries through social media and classes. If you would like to donate to the cause, please click the PayPal button below or visit the Decanting Monterey Make a Donationpage for more information. All monies received will be used to defray the expenses of operating this website and offset travel expenses for Central Coast wine education classes.
Last June, the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society hosted its first AWS National Tasting Project by collectively tasting and rating Sicilian wines. This was one of the first AWS activities we had attended in person and were excited to learn something new. We were seated at the table next to Erin O’Reilly, a budding local winemaker. Her friends and she were chatting about obscure wine facts and figures related to our wines. After getting to know each other there, we started a little wine education co-conspiracy – planning nerdy outings to wineries to explore some specific aspect of wine making and assisting each other with social media, wine reviews, etc. (She is my mentor for social media, my new donation button, and affiliate links, which I’m experimenting with today.)
While wine is not (yet!) her day job, she is “…a garagista crafting very drinkable wines for close friends and family going on nine harvests with fruit sourced from the Central Coast’s bounty…” She even won a Silver Medal in a recent home winemakers’ competition for the first wine I am presenting today! She sets modest but challenging, singular-focused, annual goals for herself, including such things as finding a yeast that she likes, improving color extraction (too cold in her coastal garage to get the fermentation hot enough to get the color out of the grapes), and reaching the level of 3-barrel production.
I visited Erin a few weeks ago to see her garage operation. She showed me her hand crank crusher and her tanks, how she adds oak spirals to get the oakiness a barrel would provide, etc. We even experimented with an antique “veritable ebulliometre” to determine the alcohol level in her wine. While it didn’t seem to work that day, it was fun to play with fire and boil a little wine to determine its steady boiling temperature. We’ll try again.
Here is the tèr·ra·ve·nos (earth + wine) philosophy:
“Wine Infused Living: You’ve heard of the term ‘balance’ in both the vineyard and in wine, but here is a concept that benefits from further introspection. Balance transposes itself onto our own lives – personal, professional, and spiritual. Winegrowers and producers fundamentally understand the dichotomy of transience and timelessness in their craft. Nature’s cycles mirror our own chapters over a lifetime.
“I, like generations before, find myself drawn to the vineyards, wrapped in the reassuring magic of fermentation, and comforted by the rhythms of winegrowing and winemaking through seasonal cycles that have endured for over eight millennia.
“And so Terravenos was born as a space to share a wine-infused life. Join me on this journey of equal parts personal learning, sensory exploration, and treatise to humankind’s greatest travel companion – the humble grape.”
Her wine education blog Trellis is chock full of “…DIY wine education and wine-infused living…” information. I learned about discerning and describing tannin in a wine there! You can sign up for her blog and follow her on Instagram: @terravenos and on Facebook: Erin O. Terravenos.
My review is a little different today. It was a “mystery wine” – she did not tell us in advance the grapes – we could discern some of it anyway. And we tasted it over several days with a couple of viewpoints to ensure we had given it an in-depth tasting with the benefit of a little aeration. And I have an untrained palate and am challenged to reflect the nuances of aromas and flavors, so you are witnessing the process here. And I have added a second wine – a sherry – which we tasted at her house.
Winery notes come from Erin directly. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2021 Terravenos Plentitude Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, (#922) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Winemaker’s Notes: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon – sourced from San Antonio Valley, 34% Petit Verdot and 19% Merlot – both from Almaden Valley. In this wine, she used a mix of yeasts to get the flavor profile she likes. Color extraction was a bit weak (see notes above), yet this wine won a Silver Medal in a recent home winemakers’ competition!
My Review: Dark purple in color.
Day 1:
Upon opening: A clean smell, yeast (a musty cocoa powder), green veggies like celery and bell pepper and spice – cinnamon and clove, and black pepper – like arugula. Blackberry and red plum round out the vegetal/spicy notes, bringing primarily black fruits in the mix. My spouse adds stewed fruit.
Poured into a new glass. Spice and berries on the nose. Tasty, yet slightly sweet, palate of stewed fruits – cherry, some berries and plum, with a touch of menthol. A little acidic and tannic, with a dry finish. We think we pick up some Petit Verdot on the finish. Very drinkable!
Day 2: Let’s skip day 2. It wasn’t showing great on this day – maybe something I ate – we let it be.
Day 3: Better – if not the best – tasting day! Lots of dark cherry and berries on the lean palate wrapping with tart cherry wrapped in mocha notes. Menthol and mint mid palate and some banana on the front. Licorice notes on the finish. To me, it tasted a little more Merlot tonight. December 2022
2019 Terravenos Orange Sherry (#923)
Winemaker’s Notes: Made from Malaga grapes and orange peel.
My Review: Sweet clove, orange oil and white blossoms on the nose. Full-bodied, balanced palate of mild orange. Not too sweet – just right. Very nice!
If this article has you curious about making your own wines at home, here’s an easy starter kit! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. https://amzn.to/3DELjMz
Keep an eye out for Erin’s wines, as she continues to refine her techniques, expand her production, and win more awards!
Decanting Monterey is a non-profit wine education effort to promote our Monterey wineries through social media and classes. If you would like to donate to the cause, please click the PayPal button below or visit the Decanting Monterey Make a Donationpage for more information. All monies received will be used to defray the expenses of operating this website and offset travel expenses for Central Coast wine education classes.
Last week, I posted about a rainy day Idle Hour tasting. In addition to Idle Hour, Mark Bunter of Bunter Spring Winery (finally) showed up with his wines and Lenora Carey of Big Sur Vineyards also poured some of hers – including a limited release Pinot Noir made by…Mark Bunter! We had arrived early for Idle Hour and were just about ready to leave when these wineries showed up, so I only have 3 wines to present today. In addition, we re-tasted Bunter’s 2018 Hippie Syrah – it was meaty and delicious, as I previously reported here: Interesting Showing of Central Coast Wines at the Dome Reunion!
Some of my notes are amplified by budding winemaker Erin and Jacqueline, the President of our Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society. As always, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the winery. Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.
Mark raises the point in his writeup of the Palisades Vineyard Pinot Noir below that not all vineyards in Carmel Valley are in the Carmel Valley AVA – but now there is a brand new Carmel Coastal AVA which you can read about in Matt Kettmann’s article here: Is the Carmel Coast California’s Next Pinot Noir Star?I hope this new AVA addresses his issue!!
2019 Spring Pinot Noir Palisades Vineyard Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 12.84% ABV, $30. (#919)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Owner John Stafsnes spares no amount of trouble or expense on his vineyard. In one of the many examples of AVA nonsense, Palisades, smack dab in the center of Carmel Valley, isn’t in the Carmel Valley AVA, although vineyards many miles away, and over the ridge, in tributary Cachagua valley, are. So legally it’s not Carmel Valley wine, it’s Monterey wine. Whatever. It is subtle but complex, a wine to savor and consider at length with good food. Low alcohol with medium body, spicy, leafy, earthy aromas, tart red cherry and red currant flavors finishing with lingering cinnamon-like tannins. Can you taste the $1300 French barrel? Hope so! Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast, sulfite. Not fined, reverse osmosis filtered. At bottling: total SO2 69 ppm, residual sugar 0.3 g/L (dry).” 50 cases produced.
My Review: We had already tasted plenty of wine, so our notes on this one are a bit skimpy. This is a lighter style, food wine with plenty of expected cherry notes for a Monterey Pinot Noir. December 2022
2021 Spring Saignée Rosé, (Pre-release) (#920)
This wine is pre-release and not yet posted to their website. Made from 50-year-old vines and spent 4 hours on the skins. About 20 cases produced. If you want to read more about saignée, I found this Decanter Magazine article, “What does ‘saignée’ mean in rosé wine?”
My Review: Pale salmon in the glass, more floral, like a rosé from Provence with some tart notes on the palate. Would be a great patio wine on a warm afternoon. December 2022
2021 Big Sur Vineyards Limited Release Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, 13.8% ABV,$42 (#921) 50/50 Pommard Clone/667 Clone
Winemaker’s Notes: “Our 2021 Pinot Noir Reserve, handcrafted by winemaker Mark Bunter is light, bright and a classic Monterey County Pinot noir. Mark blended two Dijon clones; Pommard with its vevety style and soft tannins, and 667 with aromas of dark fruit and black tea. The result is a beautifully fresh, vividly ruby wine in the glass and layers of raspberry, plum, dark cherry and a hint of “Christmas spices.” It is rich and elegant on the palate while at the same time bursting with aromas and flavors, leaving you with a lasting impression of a well-crafted wine.”
My Review assisted by Erin & Jacqueline: Cherry deliciousness on the palate. This is going to be a great wine – balanced. I’m not a big Pinot fan, but I liked this wine. December 2022
You can check their respective websites for how to purchase their wines. Thanks to the cooperation of Idle Hour, Bunter Spring and Big Sur Vineyards, you can sometimes find a pop-up tasting by Mark Bunter in the Idle Hour tasting space inside 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 is a non-profit wine education effort to promote our Monterey wineries through social media and classes. If you would like to donate to the cause, please click the PayPal button below or visit the Decanting Monterey Make a Donationpage for more information. All monies received will be used to defray the expenses of operating this website and offset travel expenses for Central Coast wine education classes.
In December, I received a text from Anna Marie dos Remedios that she would be in town, pouring wines in her Idle Hour tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. We hadn’t seen Anna Marie and her partner Mindy since our trip to Portugal and Spain last Spring. We put it on our calendar and invited our friend, Erin O from Terravenos. We thought it would be great to introduce budding winemaker Erin to Anna Marie. We also invited the Monterey AWS and were pleased Jacqueline and Dominic Van Nes came! Both Erin and Jacqueline contributed to some of my notes.
We enjoyed an afternoon of wine tasting, delciious cheese board and chorizo, and winemaking story telling. And some wild story telling there was – especially about her innovations and challenges making the Sauvignon Blanc Pet Nat – would make a great podcast.
I have written about Idle Hour wines several times – just type “Idle Hour” in the search bar to find them. You can read more about their winemaking approach and history here.
Today I am presenting 7 Idle Hour wines. As always, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the winery. Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.
Winemaker’s Notes: This comes from the Clement Hills Vineyard. 44 cases produced.
My Review assisted by Erin: Refreshing – like a spritzer – a yeasty beer-wine. Gentle bubbles in the glass. Pear and white flower blossom on the nose. Earth, lemon zest, sweet spring grass and a touch of green apple on the palate. December 2022
This wine is not yet posted to her website. Making this wine was a grand adventure, as described above – would make a great podcast on the challenges and innovative thinking required in winemaking. 80 cases produced.
My Review assisted by Erin: Foamy, a little cloudy in the glass. Sweet, ripe stone fruit, honeysuckle and peach, creamy and aggressive, on the nose. Sweet and delicious with a bigger mouthfeel. A slight bitterness on the finish. Pithy. Lay this down a bit. December 2022
Winemaker’s Notes: This wine comes from Sarah’s Vineyard in Gilroy. “Aromatics of brioche and lychee, mild fusel oil viscosity with pear in the lingering mid palate with key lime acidity on the bright and dry finish.”
My Review assisted by Erin & Jacqueline: A sweet nose with grassy honeysuckle. Medium bodied. A smoky front palate like a gouda with brioche and lychee mid-palate and lime zest on the finish. December 2022
Winemaker’s Notes: “Bright blueberry and violet with a deep garnet color and the perfect bing cherry finish to pair with a pork tenderloin and cherry gastrique.”
My Review assisted by Erin: Inky in the glass. Violets, blueberry and dusty notes on the nose. Super bright fruit. Medium ripe tannings, a tiny bit grippy. Pair with risotto and skirt steak. I liked this wine. December 2022
We had tasted this wine on our cruise with Idle Hour last spring, but I had not captured tasting notes.
Winery Notes: 75 cases produced.
My Review: Dark ruby, a bit purple in the glass. Smokey, dusty nose. Very dark, crushed fruit on the palate. Chalky tannins with anchovy notes on the finish. December 2022
2019 Idle Hour Vin Rouge, Clarksburg AVA, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#916) Petite Sirah >50%, Cabernet Franc <50%
Winemaker’s Notes: N/A
My Review: Inky in the glass. A lovely, velvety palate with violet and oak notes. One of her tastiest wines. Serve with chorizo. December 2022
My Review: Smooth, rich fruit and a touch of caramel on the nose. Vibrant flavors of rose, cherry, and blackberry. Bing cherry on the finish. This is all juice – we like it! December 2022
You can purchase their wines from the Idle Hour website here. Check out how to visit them in Oakhurst here. Their tasting room in Carmel Valley Village is nestled inside the Big Sur Vineyards tasting room. Big Sur is kind enough to pour Idle Hour wines upon request! And Anna Marie comes down here sporadically to do tastings and talk about her wines. Check their Facebook page Idle Hour Tasting Room @IdleHourWine for the latest info!
Decanting Monterey is a non-profit wine education effort to promote our Monterey wineries through social media and classes. If you would like to donate to the cause, please click the PayPal button below or visit the Decanting Monterey Make a Donationpage for more information. All monies received will be used to defray the expenses of operating this website and offset travel expenses for Central Coast wine education classes.
When the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society lost the planned location for their December gathering, the Scratch Tasting Room offered an excellent alternative! We are indebted to Scratch’s staff for accommodating us on very short notice. It allowed us to have an exceptional social and wine education event. I knew from photos announcing its opening that this tasting room was designed to the nines. But I didn’t realize how spacious it was! It would be a great location to have a quiet tasting with a girlfriend or a larger event like a bachelorette party or a reception. Really lovely. And the wines matched the setting.
Sabrine Rodems is Monterey County’s most renowned female winemakers. Not only is she the winemaker for the highly respected Wrath Winery (where I first learned of her), but also has her own label – Scratch – and serves as the winemaker for Kori Wines. While I enjoyed a bottle of Scratch’s Blanc de Blanc earlier in the pandemic, and have written up one or two of her wines, I had not had the opportunity to stop by for a wine tasting or write up a review.
About Scratch from its Website: “Scratch is a project of Winemaker Sabrine Rodems producing small-lot Chardonnay Sparkling, Riesling, Grenache, Pinot Noir and Cabernet from Monterey, Arroyo Seco, Santa Lucia Highlands and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA’s.
“Sabrine received her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA in Theatre, Film and Television and worked in the film and theatre industry for many years before deciding to go back to school to earn her Master’s of Science in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. For the past twenty years Sabrine has been making highly acclaimed wines from some of the best vineyards in California.
“Working in the Central Coast and Monterey area has given her access to some of the best cool climate grapes in the world.”
I’m also intrigued by her edgy labels. I asked the winery about the message behind them and got this response: “Mr. Cola was once a photographer for the New York Times then eventually found his calling in producing art. Sabrine was originally drawn to Mr. Colla due to his edgy nature as well as powerful message. As we do not have a lot of female wine makers today, we really wanted to showcase strong independent “bad ass” women on our labels to celebrate the change in the industry but also in hopes of inspiring the next generation of female wine makers.” They suggested we check out the artist’s website here: https://www.eddiecolla.com/.
On Eddie’s website he says this: ” There is a visual conversation that takes place on the streets of urban environments. This conversation is dominated primarily by advertising and utilitarian signage and assumes passive participation. Whether invited or not I am going to participate in this conversation. Public spaces were never intended to be coated from top to bottom with photos of consumer products. These spaces should, in some manner, reflect the culture that thrives in that space.”
I have 7 Scratch wines to present to you today from this event. I was assisted in my tasting notes by Erin O of Terravinos. I’ll write more abut her in the coming weeks. Therefore, today my notes are a little more in-depth and descriptive. Erin has a much more sophisticated and trained palate than I. I’ve added “assisted by Erin” to those reviews. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or website: https://www.scratchwines.com/. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Winemaker’s Notes: “Extra Brut Chardonnay sparkling wine with brisk acidity and refreshing bubbles. Citrus with some tropical flair of lychee, guava and white flowers.”
My Review, assisted by Erin: Light cream soda in the glass. Pear and honeysuckle on the yeasty nose. Very crisp palate with notes of lemon zest and green apple – very balanced flavors and a creamy mousse. Super youthful. Nice. December 2022
Winemaker’s Notes: “The touch of 828 Clone Pinot Noir to the Clone 96 Chardonnay base synergistically add a juiciness to the mid-palate that makes you want to take another sip! Clone 96 Chardonnay has a round honey-dew melon mouth feel and with the addition of pinot makes you think you are biting into a fresh Fuji apple. This sparkling wine is make using the classic Methode Champenoise, fermented in the bottle.”
My Review, assisted by Erin: Dusty rose/pale pink in color. Strawberry jam with a little biscuit and red apple on the nose. Strawberry and rose petals on the palate, amplified by crisp red fruits and ruby grapefruit. A soft mousse. Fills the palate with bubbles. Youthful. December 2022
Winemaker’s Notes: “This Riesling is on fire! Big acid, bright minerality, grapefruit and lemon with a hint of flowers. There is no residual sugar in this wine so it is not sweet at all, it is completely dry. From the rocky, loamy Kristy’s Vineyard. ”
My Review, assisted by Erin: Medium lemon in color. Some lees on the creamy, biscuity nose – reminiscent of a sauterne! Nectarine, peach and minerality on the palate. Muted acidity and brightness. Drink now. December 2022
Winemaker’s Notes: “Bright energetic palate of Cranberries, pomegranate seeds, sour cherries and berries. This juicy Pinot from the near top of the Santa Lucia Highlands bench shows the classic fruit of this AVA along with nutmeg, cinnamon and hints of white pepper.”
My Review, assisted by Erin: Pale ruby in color. Bouquet of cranberry, raspberry, red plum, and warm baking spices, followed by a touch of garrigue. Raspberry and cranberry on the palate with medium minus tannins and medium acid, leading to a slightly bitter finish. Not cherry at all. The intensity of the fruit is not matched by the alcohol. December 2022
Winemaker’s Notes: “A rich and lush Pinot Noir with black cherries, plum, nutmeg, clove and hints of anise. Produced using 30% whole clusters fermentation creates a structured wine with balanced tannins and complexity.”
My Review assisted by Erin: Pale garnet in color. Dried cranberry and Bing cherry on the nose – potpourri. Medium-bodied palate presents a little jammy with medium plus grippy tannins and a touch of caramel with cherry notes on the finish. High alcohol.
Winemaker’s Notes: “This wine with nutmeg, clove, anise and black cherries will make your meal sing! This is a sneak-peek at this yet-to-be-released-wine.”
My Review, assisted by Erin: A perfume of rose petal, lavender, raspberry, black cherry and red fruits like cranberry and a tiny bit of chocolate, tobacco. Perfume carries over to palate with cranberry and raspberry flavors. This is a big wine with medium grippy tannins. December 2022
Winemaker’s Notes: “From the steep hillside of the JANACA Vineyard on Mt. Madonna. Rich flavors of plum and blackberries with juniper, nutmeg, clove. Classic Cabernet!”
My Review, assisted by Erin: Inky in the glass. Brambly, blackberry nose with baking spice, mint and sage notes. Full bodied and rich with chalky tannins. This is a lovely wine that represents well one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon growing regions in California. December 2022
The Scratch Tasting Room is located at 1 East Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Sunday – Thursday: 12 PM – 7 PM; Friday – Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM. You can find more information here.
Ian Brand’s release/wine pickup parties are always great events. This time, the setup was a bit different – in a way that I liked! The food and music were moved outdoors, accompanied by a moon bounce and a very entertaining unicorn bucking bronco. That allowed for better flow in the winery and more serious sampling of his new releases. While we missed the catered food, the food trucks were a sensible and appealing alternative.
I have learned to pace myself at these events. By that, I don’t mean wine consumption (I am usually designated driver anyway), but note taking and reflection on the wines. There is plenty of time to examine these wines. I was assisted by part of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod.
I’ve been writing wine reviews since the beginning of the pandemic. At first, it was every wine we opened. Eventually, it became just Central Coast wines. With this post, I have crossed the 900 wine reviews mark! Who would have thought this pandemic hobby to entertain family and friends would actually become something enduring!?!
I have 11 wines to present to you today from 2 labels: I Brand & Family, and Le P’tit Paysan (now Paysan) – most tasted at the release party. We’ll start with a couple of 2017s from our wine room. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or website: https://www.ibrandwinery.com/. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2017 I Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 12% ABV, $30 (#894)
Winemaker’s Notes from the Tech Sheet: “Location: Tres Pinot Creek, (along San Andreas Fault Line), at only 800 foot elevation. 5% south facing sloped bench, rocky alluvial deposits representing melange of geologic formations around fault zone. The area receives some amount of marine layer, off the Monterey Bay, via the Pajaro River gap. Days are mostly warm with peak temperatures in the 90s, with cold nights descending into the low 50s during the Summer and lower in the Fall.
“Winemaking: 100% Cabernet Franc. A great locale for Cabernet Franc to exhibit Loire-like structure overlaid with the bright fruit befitting California sunshine. Picked at moderate sugars and vinified whole berry (10% whole cluster) with spontaneous yeasts and a 18 day maceration, aged 11 months in 6 neutral barrels and puncheons.
“Tasting Notes: Light to medium bodied, reflecting old world, Loire Valley inspired Chinon or Saumum-Champigny characteristics through the lens of California sunshine and diurnal shifts. On the nose, bright red berries, cranberries, mild spice and herbal qualities. On the palate, red fruits, moderate acidity and tannins, allow the savory herbs and umami flavor characteristics to shine thru, upon the very long, finish. It’s 11.7% finished alcohol, but we rounded up on the label because we were a little ashamed it was so low. Don’t tell anybody.”
Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “There’s a regal sense of restraint in this bottling, starting with a light color and aromas of strawberry, white pepper, marjoram and baked soil. Crisp cranberry and raspberry flavors are layered with wild chaparral and desert herbs, a style that will work well with a wide variety of foods, from tacos to tenderloin.” Matt Kettmann, 9/2020
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com – 92 points: “COMPOSITION: Cabernet Franc has been gaining traction over the past decade, and many of California’s smaller producers have uncovered a treasure trove some hidden vineyards. The 2017 I. Brand Cabernet Franc, from the Bayly Ranch, is a wine of excellent merit. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits clarity of varietal character. Its aromas and flavors of dust, dried herbs and earth should pair it beautifully with a grilled ribeye.” (Tasted: March 19, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
My Review: This Cabernet Franc is lean in Loire style. A bit too lean for me. I would prefer it in a richer, bigger Bordeaux style. August 2022
2017 Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, $25 (#895) 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
Winemaker’s Notes: “Le P’tit Paysan offers intense blackberry, dark cherry aromas, chocolate, herbaceous and toasty notes on the palate. Medium-bodied, well-balanced with moderate and integrated tannins that give structure and liveliness to the wine.
“Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from two vineyards, a 44 year old vineyard planted in the calcareous alluvial deposits of the San Benito River and a 25 year old vineyard east of Gilroy, which grows in deep, extremely sandy soils against the foothills of the Diablo Range. The Petite Verdot from the Paicines AVA and grows in rocky alluvial deposits above the Tres Pinos arroyo. All three vineyards experience the warm days and cold nights typical of the Central Coast, allowing these late ripening Bordeaux varieties to be picked at high acidity and moderate sugars. Fermented whole berry in several lots with endemic yeasts, pressed after approximately 20 days. Aged for 11 months (3% new) French barrels. A beautiful example of ‘old school’ California Cabernet made with minimal intervention from mature vineyards.
“Pairs well with steak, duck, game, hearty stews, ribs, and dark, rich sauces.”
My Review: Pretty ruby in the glass. Dish soap and berries on the nose. Very pleasant palate of red and black fruits with floral notes. Hate to say, this is almost Pinot Noir-like with fruits that are more cherry and red. September 2022
2021 I Brand & Family Graff Family Vineyard Melon de Bourgogne, Chalone AVA, 12.5% ABV, $30 (#896)
Winemaker’s Notes: “N/A”
My Review: Hay in the glass. Citrus notes on the nose. A little buttery caramel on the palate. Overheard: Super bright. Done in steel with a little time in oak. November 2022
2021 I Brand & Family Fox Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, 13% ABV, $36 (#897)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Bright, intense Chardonnay from a private property in Carmel Valley. Barrel fermented and aged 16 months in cooperage.
“Tasting Notes: Amazingly balanced! Toasted walnut and brioche French toast lead the way to a wine with a bright acidity and creamy layers of fruit including baked apples and grilled pineapple. Baking spices and clove finish with a lingering, balanced acidity.”
My Review: Light golden color. Toast on the nose. Delicious tropical flavors on the palate with buttery notes. Finishes with a lemon twist. November 2022
2021 Paysan Jack’s Hill Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $22 (#898)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Blended from a collection of five small vineyards at the base of “Jack’s Hill”, in Chualar, CA. The cool climate and distinct iron oxide granite soil provide the foundation for this clean, crisp Chablis inspired Chardonnay. The balance of acidity and minerality shine brightly with each sip.
“Tasting Notes: Lemon curd on brioche toast with key lime zest lead the nose and the front palate migrating into flinty undertones of wet gunpowder and a pleasant return to chamomile. Finishes with bright but balanced acidy reminiscent of tart quinine.”
My Review: Always a favorite, this wine is light golden in the glass. Strong flavors of pineapple and citrus on the palate. Refreshing. November 2022
2020 Paysan P’tit Pape, Central Coast, 12.8% ABV, $25, (#899)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Our classic Grenache based blend. Old world balance with a California patina. A favorite.
“Tasting Notes: The nose begins with wet river rock and California chaparral combined with cherries and plum skin leading the way toward a meaty, teriyaki, black olive reminiscence. Composed on the palate, notes of white pepper and dried herbs – bay laurel and thyme provide a complex compliment to the fruit on the nose. A distinctly umami soy/hoisin silkiness finishes with an understated balance and subtle minerality.”
My Review: Dark ruby color. Cherry and tobacco on the nose. Smooth palate of red and black fruits – very balanced and tasty. As I understand it, Ian cleverly sourced these grapes from the Santa Clara AVA and Chalone AVA to skirt any smoke taint issues from the 2020 fires in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. November 2022
2020 I Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 11.9% ABV, $30 (#900)
Winemaker’s Notes: “100% Cabernet Franc. A great locale for Cabernet Franc to exhibit Loire-like structure overlaid with the bright fruit befitting California sunshine. Picked at moderate sugars and vinified whole berry (10% whole cluster) with spontaneous yeasts and a 20 day maceration in open top fermenters. Aged 11 months on lees in neutral barrels and puncheons. Naturally bright and low alcohol.
“Tasting Notes: Dusty Earthy notes abound right up front with notes of saddle leather, and interesting green undertones of poblano pepper and tomato leaf. The translation to the palate is immediately savory with bay laurel and a distinct salinity finishing with dusty tannins reminiscent of Chinon. This vintage is much more initially integrated than previous iterations.”
My Review: Garnet in color. Rose petal on the nose. Lean palate of dark fruit – yet a lighter style of Cabernet Franc. November 2022
2020 I Brand & Family Bates Ranch Cabernet Franc, Santa Cruz Mountains, 12.2% ABV, $48 (#901)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Bates Ranch Vineyard is a secret gem of the trinity of Bordeaux varietal sites nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Cabernet Franc fruit is from a small block planted atop rich red Franciscan volcanic influenced rocks in 1978. A classic example of Cabernet Franc. This full-bodied wine is bursting with lush, dark red berries and subtle lavender and hints dried herbs on the nose. Playing with balance, acidity pops off structured tannins finishing with that traditional peppery edge.
“Tasting Notes: The bouquet is rich with aromas of dried red fruits and cocoa nibs. Hints of espresso and chocolate-covered cherry lead the way on the palate, rounding to strawberry. Coastal fir lingers with pronounced tannins that create a wonderful tension with the wine’s mellow acidity.”
My Review: Deep ruby in color. Very nice palate of dark fruit. In a surprise move, I decided to take one home! November 2022
2019 I Brand & Family Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache, Chalone AVA, 13.2% ABV, $42 (#902)
Winemaker’s Notes: “A blend of three distinct Chalone vineyards, with lots of whole cluster and meaty, minerals and depth.”
My Review: Dark ruby color. A Grenache nose with cherry notes. Good structure. A little chewy and good – showing very well. I liked this wine. November 2022
2019 I Brand & Family Syrah, Graff Family Vineyard, Chalone AVA, 13.6% ABV, $42 (#903)
My home wine rack has some design flaws, resulting in this label damage.
Winemaker’s Notes: “From a 3 acre 1989 planting on the historic Graff Family Vineyard in Chalone AVA. Bacon Fat, mud, granite full, meaty, smooth and indulgent.”
My Review: Inky in the glass. Aromas of yeast, a little barnyard, cherry, cranberry, blackberry. Tasty palate of blackberry, black cherry, cranberry with some tobacco and licorice on the finish. December 2022
2020 I Brand & Family Bates Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.8% ABV, $48 (#904)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Bates Ranch Vineyard is a secret gem of the trinity of Bordeaux varietal sites nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is from a small block planted atop rich red Franciscan volcanic influenced rocks in 1978. A classic example of Cabernet Sauvingon.
“Tasting Notes: The bouquet is rich with dusty, overripe plum, cedar, graphite and hints of pine pitch resin. This translates to the palate and reveals the iron in the volcanic soil, which becomes present on the back. Super juicy acidity lingers and melds with mellow tannins creating a velvety finish.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Rich dark berry and cassis nose – yummy – following through on the palate, with a touch of acidity on this finish. While not like a Napa Cab, this was quite tasty. Grown at 2100′ elevation! November 2022
The I Brand & Family Tasting Room is located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 5 pm. Reservations are recommended – more information here.
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