Category: Wine Blog/Reviews

Shale Canyon: Daring to Grow & Blend Varietals Not Typically Associated with Monterey!

My dog grooming-wine tasting afternoon in Carmel continues…but with a surprise: my little dog is ready early – yikes!  We walked over to Shale Canyon to suggest rescheduling and they invited my dog and me to come on in!  They closed the bottom half of their door and let him run around freely.  I was a heck of a lot more worried about what he might do than they were.  While he had a hard time settling down, he did fine, but was also a big distraction for my notetaking – I know I will need to go back.

My little dog’s first wine outing!

I admitted to them that I was a bit confused about the source of their wines.  It had been a LONG TIME since I had been there. I had it in my head they were from the Sant Cruz Mountains because one of them lived there.  Instead, I learned that their vineyards and wines are from Arroyo Seco, which continues to be a favorite AVA of mine. And they focus on the bigger reds I love including some tasty red blends, using intriguing names like “Consortium” and “Amalgamation.”  Definitely for me, this a winning set-up. I’m impressed with their ability to grow well Zinfandel and other varietals not usually associated with Monterey County. They must have a uniquely placed vineyard to be able to pull that off! Hosted by Keith Prader himself, I had a fabulous experience in their tasting room.

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% Mourvedre, a wonderful floral wine.  And Amalgamation, a very interesting blend of Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah.”

Today I am presenting 8 Shale Canyon wines.  The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.

2019 Shale Canyon Chardonnay, Vigna Monte Nero, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $25 (#498*) 

Winery Notes: “Aromas of toasted marshmallow, subtle green apple, pear, peach and a hint of lemon peel.  A long finish of vanilla bean and butterscotch.  This wine was not cold stabilized or filtered and has noticeable tartrates in the bottle.  We recommend pouring this wine through a cheesecloth or a screen to remove them. Aged in 100% French oak.” 165 cases produced.

My Review: Pretty yellow in the glass. Great balance of butter/oak and acidity. This was extremely delicious – an amazing SLH Chardonnay for a fabulous price!  September 2021

2015 Shale Canyon Mourvèdre, Shale Canyon Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $30 (#499*)

Winery Notes: “A bouquet of dark berry, violet ad 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.  100% Mourvèdre.

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

2017 Shale Canyon Striation Reserve, Shale Canyon Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $40 (#500*) 75% Zinfandel, 25% Mourvèdre

Winery Tasting Notes: “Rose petals and cinnamon on the bouquet with cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry gracing the middle.  A very long finish with vanilla bean and hint of licorice.  Medium plus tannins to make this an excellent wine for food pairings.” There is some story to this wine that the UPS delivery person actually helped formulate this wine!

My Review: Dark berry and some oak in the nose. Very smooth dark fruits and some leather on the finish. Lovely. A great wine for #500! September 2021                     

2016 Shale Canyon Cabernet Franc, Shale Canyon Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $30 (#501*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “Our 2016 Estate Cabernet Franc starts with a big bouquet of cherries, slight strawberry and a hint of cedar. I noticed strong fruit flavors with dark cherry, blueberry, plum and chocolate on the palate. It finished with some spice and structured tannins.” Scored at the California Cabernet Franc Wine Competition.

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Concentrated fruit and a touch of smoke on the nose. Smooth very dark fruit on the palate. September 2021                      

2017 Shale Canyon Partner’s Consortium Reserve, Shale Canyon Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $50 (#502*) 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot

Winery Tasting Notes: “A classic blend of Bordeaux varietals.  Very aromatic with a distinctive cherry note on the nose.  It is an elegant, yet complex wine with black berry, dark cherry, plum and blueberry on the palate.  It has a long finish with wisps of cedar, smoke and medium plus tannins.”

My Review: Smooth, dark, and not as fruity. I was clearly distracted by my little dog for these notes! September 2021       

2017 Shale Canyon Tempranillo, Shale Canyon Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $30 (#503*)

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

My Review: Spicy on the nose. Delicious fruit yet lean (tannic) on the finish. Pretty amazing. September 2021

2017 Shale Canyon Amalgamation Reserve, Shale Canyon Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $50 (#504*) 48% Zinfandel, 36% Tempranillo, 16% Petite Sirah – all estate grown!

Winery Tasting Notes: “This unique blend is like no other!…All Estate Grown! The color of this wine is beautiful.  Take a glass out in the sun and let the rays reflect through the wine onto a simple piece of white paper and you will see what I mean.  A lovely floral bouquet starts the experience.  Deep fruit with cherry, dark berry and a hint of color.  Long finish with tobacco and firm tannins.  This wine will also compliment rich foods so fire up the barbeque and pull out the rib eyes!”

My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Jam on the nose following through on the palate. September 2021

NV Shale Canyon Estate Petite Sirah, Shale Canyon Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, $30 (#505*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “Violets and dark cherry and blueberry on the nose.  Plum, dried cranberry and raisin in the middle.  Notes of chocolate, licorice and toast on the long finish with firm tannins.”

My Review: Very smooth and rich with blue and black berry fruits. Nice! September 2021   

You can buy Shale Canyon wines on their website or at their tasting room on Paseo San Carlos Courtyard, Westside San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel-by-the-Sea.  They are open Sunday through Thursday 1–5, Friday and Saturday 12-7 and suggest reservations for parties of 4 or more.  You can contact them at reservations@shalecanyonwines.com.

© Decanting Monterey 2021

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De Tierra: “…the best representation ‘of the land’”

My new modus operandi is to go wine tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea while my dog is getting groomed.  In part, he goes there because they are the only ones who will take him.  But my ulterior motive is to get in a couple of wine tastings while I am there – it is really a “two-fer” day! On this particular September afternoon, I had no idea how much dogs would dominate until I walked into De Tierra’s tasting room, where I was warmly greeted by their two dogs – Freya, a large, sweet Doberman and tiny, decked out Annin.  They were clearly in charge of customer relations, continually making the rounds of the tables to make sure we had everything we needed!

About De Tierra Vineyards from their website: “De Tierra Vineyards began in 1998 as an organic grape-growing operation in the Salinas Valley by Tom Russell, an agriculture professional from Phoenix, Arizona. Russell had transitioned the majority of his conventional row crop vegetable operation to organic in the early 1990’s, and had great success in the California market. Russell was passionate about wine and farming, and wanted to explore the benefits of organic farming with wine grapes. Russell teamed up with friend and winemaker of Vignalta Italy, Lucio Gomiero, and planned to develop an organic vineyard in the Corral de Tierra Valley. The site was selected, a south-west facing, 40-acre farm, just 15 miles from the Salinas Valley. Through this partnership, De Tierra Vineyards was born…

​“Today, De Tierra is owned by Dan McDonnal and Alix Lynn Bosch.  De Tierra creates delicious award winning and hand harvested wines to share from the unique terroir of Monterey County.  De Tierra, as the name suggests, focuses on providing the best representation “of the land”.  Great wines begin in the vineyard, and it is their goal to translate the defining flavors of the terroir into great wine.  Dan and Alix continue De Tierra’s commitment to producing superior quality boutique wines.

“De Tierra Produces 9 varietals; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Sangiovese, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc as well as 3 Red Blends. All of their wines are made with grapes from high quality vineyards in Monterey County and beyond.  De Tierra’s mission is to make hand crafted, premium wines with the best fruit California has to offer…”

Today I am presenting 6 De Tierra wines, including the cleverly named “Frannin” (Freya + Annin) white and red blends.  The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet and website.

2019 De Tierra Frannin White Blend, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $35 (#490*) 65% Chardonnay from the Russell Vineyard, 35% Sauvignon Blanc from the Zabala Vineyard.

Winery Notes: Aged in stainless steel for 7 months with partial malolactic fermentation.

Winery Tasting Notes: “Pale gold with a shimmer of bright green. Nose offers hints of refreshing, mello guava and bright orange citrus…Bright citrus start transferring to mango and lychee nuts with notes of tart green apple. This wine finishes with perfectly balanced viscosity and acidity.”

My Review: Floral and honey bouquet. Honey and like on the palate with lovely acidity. Good minerality. Citrus finish. September 2021

2019 De Tierra Russell Vineyard Rosé, Monterey AVA, 13.2?% ABV, $29 (#491*)

Winery Notes: 100% Merlot, 100% stainless steel

Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS: Intense garnet in color with notes of midnight grapes and blackberry with subtle tones of soft leather, almond and dark chocolate.

ON THE PALATE:  Juicy dark berries and stone fruit with hints of molasses and warm black vanilla bean. This wine’s soft and mild dry finish produces a perfect balance.” 

My Review: Salmon in the glass. Freshness and vanilla on the nose. Smooth on the palate. Acidity on the finish with citrus notes. September 2021                               

2017 De Tierra Puzzler Red Blend, Monterey AVA, 14.2% ABV, $39 (#492*) 76% Merlot, 7.5% each Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah, 1.5% Cabernet Franc

Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Garnet in color. Nose offers notes of rich earth, plum, fresh fig with a hint of spice. ON THE PALATE Plush tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of plum and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a long tobacco finish.”

My Review: Ruby in the glass. Plum, blackberry, and coffee on the nose. Cherry and plum on the palate with tobacco on the finish. I liked this wine. September 2021               

2016 De Tierra Frannin Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, 13.8?% ABV, $39 (#493*) 1/3 each: Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Deep plum in color. Nose offers notes of ripe fruit, plum, dark cherry and a hint of smokiness. ON THE PALATE: Soft tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of dark cherry and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a citrus zest finish.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass, rich dark berries and spices on the nose. Dark fruit with a peppery finish. September 2021              

2017 De Tierra Russell Estate Merlot, Monterey AVA, 13.9% ABV, $39 (#494*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Intense garnet in color with notes of midnight grapes and blackberry with subtle tones of soft leather, almond and dark chocolate. ON THE PALATE  Juicy dark berries and stone fruit with hints of molasses and warm black vanilla bean. This wine’s soft and mild dry finish produces a perfect balance.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Cherry on the nose. Very smooth on the palate with plum, cherry, blueberry and blackberry flavors. A touch of leather on the finish. September 2021        

2016 De Tierra Syrah, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $49 (#495*) Best Red of Monterey County, 95 points, 2019 International Wine & Spirits Competition Platinum Award, Sommelier Challenge

Winery Tasting Notes: “IN THE GLASS Deep plum in color. Nose offers notes of ripe fruit, plum, dark cherry and a hint of smokiness. ON THE PALATE Soft tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of dark cherry and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a citrus zest finish.”

My Review: Dark berries and cherry with a touch of cedar on the nose. Palate reflects the nose with a touch of leather on the finish. September 2021      

You can buy De Tierra wines on their website or at their tasting room on Mission 3SE of 5th, Carmel-by-the-Sea, daily on a first come, first served basis.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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The Ojai Vineyard: “California wines with a European sense of finesse”

I’m venturing a little south today to Ventura County (no pun intended!).  In 2019 we took a road trip with favorite relatives down to Ojai.  We stayed in a lovely small boutique inn, went hiking, enjoyed the restaurants, museums and shops, and, of course, wine tasting was involved.  Our favorite winery there was The Ojai Vineyard.  Our experience in their tasting room was exceptional – from wines to staff engagement.  We picked up some wines on that trip that were so good, we still aren’t opening them! Maybe this post will convince Mr. H to let me have another one!

I was in DC in August, so my wine class decided to meet in-person.  They picked a theme of “Monterey and South of Monterey” wines.  Our host was the one who first informed me of the “Rhone Rangers,” so I thought it would be appropriate to bring a Syrah for the class.  Luckily for me, MacArthur Beverages was carrying a few of the Ojai Vineyard wines (still in stock, last I checked), including this Syrah.  Not only that, Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 93 points! 

About The Ojai Vineyard from their https://www.ojaivineyard.com/: “The wines we make today are a culmination of four decades pursuing excellence with the fruit grown in our region. We believe that a history like ours is an asset only insofar as it is defined by evolution. Craft is not an overnight sensation; it is the step by step progress that only comes from intuition and experience.”

2016 Ojai Vineyard Syrah Rolling Ranch, Ventura County (Upper Ojai), 14% ABV, $50 (#487*) 98% Syrah, 2% Viognier

Winery Notes from Their Website: “It’s already been a thrill for us to taste this 2016 Syrah, which represents the first cool vintage since we’ve reworked our approach to extraction with this wine. Around 2012 we had reassessed our approach to Roll Ranch Syrah, wading into further use of stem inclusion to open up some its chewier tendencies. Wading then became a plunge into majority whole cluster fermentation and pumpovers in subsequent vintages.

“The 2016 vintage showed a partial rebound out of the drought. Yields came up from the paltry 2015 year but were still shy of average. Throughout even July and August the marine layer pushed well up into the Upper Ojai Valley where Roll Ranch sits, and those cool mornings provided a more gently ripened nature to this boisterous fruit.

“Stepping away from the plummy opacity that dominated this wine’s youth in years past, there’s some transparency into the finer, once slow to show aspects of Roll Ranch. There’s more room for the co-fermented Viognier to express itself, melding with the Syrah to express lavender chocolate, just torn Apricot, and rich seductive flavors of ripe cherry and muddled raspberry. What is lavish gets balanced by appealing dustiness and the earthy punctuation of dried herbs and nutmeg from the stems. It will continue to evolve a long while, but this Roll Ranch Syrah just rocks already—how nice is it to not have to wait ten years first?!” 22 months in French oak barrels, 27% new. 

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Strangely minty. Dark plum and kalamata olive flavors. I was hoping for a richer, fruitier Syrah, but now that I see the winery’s notes, I recognize that was not their aim with this vintage. The winery has a cool aging guide for all its wines by varietal and vineyard on its website.  Clearly, this wine was way too young to drink and required decanting.  I would like to try it again.  August 2021                                                                                                                                   

You can buy Ojai Vineyard wines on their website or at their tasting room at 109 S Montgomery St, Ojai, CA 93023 daily 12-5 p.m. Reservations are required.  You can find a link on their website! 

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Lepe Cellars: A New Face on the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Circuit!

Sometimes it is hard to keep track of tasting rooms and their locations, as they swap primarily between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley Village.  We knew Scratch had moved to the valley and decided to check out this new winery in its tiny spot in the entry way to an art gallery.  Figge, Scratch and now Lepe, which opened back in April 2021! We were impressed with the wines and look forward to going back.  Check them out if you haven’t been there yet!

About Lepe Cellars from their website: “Our goal is simple: to capture the true expression of the vines by farming in a way that respects the biodiversity within the land. We are able to achieve our sustainable and natural approach by spending our time in the vineyards where winemaking begins. From here there is a continuous flow into the cellar where low-intervention artisanal methods are used to express a sense of place surrounding the Monterey wine region.

“We source from organically farmed vineyards and hand harvest using sheers to keep the fruit intact and pristine. Our growers avoid the use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers. From there fermentation begins in small batches using native yeasts that originate from the vineyard and cellar, allowing the development for increased complexity. Aging continues in finely grained French oak barrels where the wine evolves naturally at its own pace. When the wine is ready, we begin the bottling process. Our wines are never fined nor do we use any other additives, making our wines organic, vegan and sustainable.”

About the Winemaker: “Miguel Lepe studied enology and viticulture at California Polytechnic State University – SLO. He began his career working for various well respected wineries across California’s Central Coast and South America. Passionate about his craft, Miguel’s hard work and dedication has led him on a new journey – creating Lepe Cellars to showcase the best of Monterey County wines.”  He makes his wines at the Wrath winery and his mentor was Peter Figge.

Today I am presenting 5 Lepe Cellars wines.  The winery notes and prices come from their tasting sheet, website and emails with the winery.

2020 Lepe Cellars Vermentino, Cedar Lane, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13% ABV, $26 (#478*) 

Winery Tasting Notes: “Layers of lemon and lime mingle with mineral tones, wet stone, and a floral bouquet. This bright and energetic Vermentino pairs well with oysters, scallops and sushi.”

My Review: Perfumey with bitter grapefruit on the palate.  Lime zest on the finish. I like a Vermentino from Cedar Lane! only 1 of 2 that I know. August 2021                                                                                                                          

2017 Lepe Cellars Chardonnay, River Ranch, Carmel Valley, 13% ABV, $32 (#479*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “Seared orange-rind and toasty bread aromas make for a slightly wild but intriguing nose. There’s a lemon-peel tang to the sip, where hints of cream, apple and pineapple converge.” 

My Review: Neutral oak was used to make this flavorful Chardonnay – lemon, pineapple and a touch of bitterness fill the palate. I like this Chardonnay! August 2021                                   

2020 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.9% ABV, $49 (#480*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “Bright and lush in style, unleashing fresh juicy cherries and raspberries with hints of hibiscus on the finish. Light to medium body spectrum achieving a fresh fruit forward profile. Pairs well with herb crusted pork tenderloin, grilled lamb, mushroom creams and dark sauces.”

My Review: Comes from a great SLH vineyard – garnet in color. I confess as not a Pinot Noir lover, I failed to capture proper tasting notes. August 2021                    

2020 Lepe Cellars Zinfandel, Wellong Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 13.7 ABV, $40  (#481*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “This single-vineyard expression from southern Monterey County begins with a floral hit on the nose before diving into cherry-compote and crushed rock aromas. It’s linear on the palate with red-plum, hibiscus and cinnamon tones, finishing with a spicy kick of white pepper.”

My Review: Spicy on the nose. This is about the best Zinfandel I have tasted from Monterey County – will for sure be one to watch.  It comes from one of the best potential spots for Zin in the area. August 2021                   

2019 Lepe Cellars Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey, 13.7% ABV, $55 (#482*)

Winery Tasting Notes: “Elegant aromas of fresh blueberry and violets with hints of dark plum, black pepper and milk chocolate on the palate tied together with soft lush tannins. Pairs well with Lamb shawarma, Indian tandoori and barbecued ribs.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  Beautifully jammy nose carrying over onto the palate.  Best Syrah we tasted on this day. I sure hope I bought some! August 2021           

You can buy Lepe Cellars wines on their website or at their tasting room on Dolores between 7th Avenue and Ocean, Carmel-by-the-Sea, daily 12-7 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. They are also sold at these locations:

  • Deer Park Wine & Spirits – Aptos, CA
  • Capitola Wine Bar – Capitola, CA
  • Star Market – Salinas, CA
  • Elroy’s Fine Foods – Monterey, CA
  • Village Wine & Tap Room – Carmel Valley, CA

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Le P’tit Paysan: Let’s Go Back in Time a Little Bit…

We recently opened Ian Brand’s 2017 Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon and I wrote up this whole side-by-side review of the 2017 and the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (2018 previously reviewed here: https://decantingmonterey.com/le-ptit-paysan-new-releases-continue-to-impress/). A few weeks later, we discovered a 2012 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah in our wine room and decided to open it, as well. So, let me revise my planned post a bit!

About Le P’tit Paysan from wine.com: “The Le P’tit Paysan label is ‘Village’ wines reimagined for California. They take vineyards and lots that, for whatever reason, aren’t ready to stand on their own and we compose them into terroir specific, eminently drinkable wines that belong on your table. These wines are made with the same attention to detail that graces our single vineyard offerings, specific site selection, open top fermentation (reds) or whole cluster pressing (whites), a focus on endemic fermentations, no enzymes, no fining, gentle filtration only as needed.  Easy to drink but subtly serious, easy to pair but lovely on their own, demurring complexity, bright acidity, clean and fresh as the ocean air that blows in daily off the Monterey Bay.”

We liked the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon and feel the direction of moving to Old Vines fruit from San Benito County, as he did with the 2018, is a great move.  That one was incredibly young when I tasted it and it deserves a revisit soon.  AND, for my DC-area readers, you can find the 2018 at lots of little markets around town!

2017 Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, 13.3% ABV, $25 (#475*)

91 Points by wine.com: “Wineries often grapple with this question: Do we produce a style of wine that most consumers will like our do we deliver the best vision of the grape variety? The 2017 Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon pulls no punches and is a true to the grape variety as can be. TASTING NOTES: This wine is pert, well-built and Old World in style. Its aromas and flavors of black currants, earth, and dried herbs and held together in a tight and elegant format. It should pair well with a pan-seared lamb chop. (Tasted: March 19, 2019, San Francisco, CA)”

My Review: Dark in the glass.  Black fruits on the nose with a touch of cedar.  Dark berry and cherry flavors on the palate.  Vanilla on the finish. A touch acidic. August 2021

2018 Le P’tit Paysan Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, San Benito County, $25 (#279*) (previously published)

Winery Tasting Notes: “currant, blueberry, cracked black pepper, medium-bodied”

Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “This is a great example of Cab done in a more classical style, utilizing old vines for their aromatic and flavor range while remaining light on its toes. Aromas of crunchy blackberry, pepper and crushed wet stone lead into an energetic palate of black plum, chaparral spice and cracked pepper.” Matt Kettmann, 09/2021

My Review: Ruby in the glass.  A light, smooth bouquet and palate to match.  Very drinkable – not a big wine, but a great value and drinkable now! March 2021

2012 Le P’tit Paysan Petite Sirah, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, ~$21 (#476*)

Winery Notes: Black plums, blackberry, crushed rocks, black olive. Full and rich on the palate, but neither hot nor oaky. Structured without being overbearing, rich dark fruit, long finish with hints of stem tannins.

My Review: Inky ruby in the glass. Dark plum and blueberry on the nose. Soft blueberry and blackberry fruit is enveloped by a licorice finish. October 2021

I Brand’s tasting room in Carmel Valley Village is open for tastings – reservations recommended.  https://www.ibrandwinery.com/visit.  And BIG NEWS:  You can now purchase I Brand wines directly from their website at https://www.ibrandwinery.com/!

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Moving on Inside for a Tasting at Silvestri!

Continuing to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea tasting rooms, we went to an old favorite of mine, Silvestri!  Silvestri has the same winemaker as Parsonage and I am partial to their bigger reds.  I last brough you a Silvestri wine in August of 2020: https://decantingmonterey.com/silvestri-a-composer-of-elegant-carmel-valley-wines/. I won’t repeat the Silvestri story in this post – and you can read their latest newsletter here!

We were disappointed to see that the tasting room had lost its parklet due to decisions by the city, but were able to taste adequately nonetheless at the end of its attractive bar. I didn’t get to taste the Barbera while there, but picked it up for a future blog!

Today I am presenting 5 Silvestri wines.  The winery notes and prices come from their website. About their winemaking process from their website: “Our winemaking practices involve hands-on techniques such as French oak barrel fermentation for the Chardonnay and small open topped fermentors for the red varieties. The goal is to use traditional methods to allow the expression of the terroir while taking advantage of modern knowledge about wine fermentation and aging.”

*My late add to this post is a 6th wine, the 2020 Rosé.  While I did the regular tasting menu, my friend did the rosé menu and purchased this special pack of 5 rosé wines for $100!  She shared this one with me on a “hot” coastal September afternoon – perfect for the occasion!*

2018 Silvestri Tre Bambine Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, 14.3% ABV, $35 (#465*) 

Winery notes: “The Silvestri Vineyards Chardonnays are pressed and put into stainless steel tanks. It is then racked to French oak barrels to begin primary fermentation (sugar to alcohol) which takes place over a 3-4 week period. After primary fermentation is complete the wine is then inoculated to begin the malolactic fermentation process. This process gives the wine a buttery, creamy character. The wine is then stirred every 10 days for several months to increase mouthfeel and then barrel aged for approximately 10 months before bottling.” 134 cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes: “Meet the newest member of our family.  Born from grapes grown in our hilltop vineyard delivering highly aromatic fruit flavors.  Mango, melon with undertones of hazelnut make this wine a winner.  Just the right amount of acidity pops up in time to create the proper balance. This wine calls for crab cakes, pork or a soft brie type cheese.”

My Review: Light yellow in color. Butter and caramel on the nose. Crisp on the palate with melon flavors and good minerality. August 2021                                                                                                                       

2019 Silvestri Bella Sandra Estate Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, 14.5% ABV, $40 (#466*)

Winery notes: Same as above. 209 cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes: “Bella Sandra lovers will be delighted with the 2017 vintage.  An excellent vintage all around, this Chardonnay displays all the fruit, oak and acid balance it’s known for.  Begin with the aromas of pineapple and melon then taste the flavors of Asian pear a bit of hazelnut all combined.  Creamy, soft mouth-feel finishes with fine acidity. Indulge with a dish of lobster mac and cheese.  Delicious!” 

My Review: Grapefruit and sugar – dry and crisp – I preferred this Chardonnay to the buttery one.  August 2021                             

2018 Silvestri Pinot Noir, Rising Tide, Estate, Carmel Valley, 14.3% ABV, $45 (#467*)

Winery notes: “A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats” “This Pinot Noir comes from Block 1 in our vineyard.  This specific site presents the perfect ripeness and determines the dramatic results of this wine.  Science and art at it’s best, balancing numbers and taste.  After picking, our Pinot Noir is de-stemmed and whole berries are put into ¾ ton fermenters where they cold soak for 24 hours before adding yeast.  Whole berry fermentation maximizes the extraction of flavor and color.  After another 24 hours we “punch down” 3 times a day for 10-14 days.  After primary fermentation (sugar to alcohol) the juice is racked to one third to one half new French oak barrels.  Malo-lactic fermentation will take place here over a months time and will remain in the barrel for 8-12 months until bottling…” 292 cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes: “Relish the aromas and flavors of this Pinot Noir.  Raspberry, cherry, allspice and vanilla throughout this mouth-filling pleasure.  Silky and alluring to the finish. An ideal match with wild mushroom pasta.”

My Review: Comes from the first Pinot Noir planted on the estate in the 1990’s. Dark ruby in the glass. Cherry on the nose and a little black pepper and spice. Light cherry on the palate. August 2021               

2018 Silvestri Grenache-Syrah, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $40 (#468*) 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah

Winery Tasting Notes: “What a combo.  This Grenache/Syrah blend is just right.  These friends complement each other from the Grenache flavors of raspberry, pomegranate and fig to Syrah’s black raspberry, blueberry and white pepper spice.  Soft, toasty oak gives a smooth texture and moderate tannins with balancing acidity to finish it off. Roast lamb, braised beef with mushroom sauce are some perfect pairings with this wine.”

My Review: Rich ruby color.  Cherry and berry flavors intertwining on the palate, not quite sure which wine it wants to be.  Lots of fruit and a slight bitterness on the finish.  A tad acidic. August 2021                  

2018 Silvestri Syrah, Red Ranger, Estate, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $75 (#469*)

Winery notes: “The 2018 Red Ranger is the sixth release of our signature Syrah that represents a part of the vineyard featuring the Bien Nacido clone, which is known for its richness and complexity. We use 75% new French oak and age it in the cellar for 16 months…We are designating our reserve Syrah “Red Ranger” after our son Joey, a mild mannered poet until you face him on the longboard, downhill racecourse.” 114cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes: “Red Ranger rocks!  That consistent depth of flavor, roundness and long finish are all here.  Blackberry, black currant and a trace of fig lead to the full mouthfeel, just the right acidity and long, luscious finish…Try with a sausage stew and roasted meats, or aged hard cheeses.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  Very jammy, intense berry with an earthiness mid-palate.  Some raisin flavors on the finish.  Good texture.  My Silvestri favorite.  Always a must-buy for me! August 2021    

2020 Silvestri Rosé, Estate, Carmel Valley, 14% ABV, $20 (#471*)

Winery notes: “A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Franc and Malbec shows seamless aromas of strawberry and raspberry with a dry, lingering finish.” 241 cases produced.

My Review: What a unique blend! To me, this rosé smelled like Champagne! Delicate sweetness on the palate with flavor of apricot. Perfect for a very warm, sunny day. September 2021

You can buy Silvestri wines online or at their tasting room on 7th Avenue between San Carlos and Dolores, Carmel-by-the-Sea, daily 12-6 p.m. on a first come, first served basis.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Idle Hour: “honest and enticing” – like a Ribera del Duero Tempranillo!

I last brought you Idle Hour wines back in January, when I reviewed quite a few of their wines:  https://decantingmonterey.com/idle-hour-bringing-clarksburg-and-oakhurst-to-carmel-valley/.  I won’t repeat those details here. They are focused on “…producing small-lot, single-vineyard designated wines from Monterey, San Benito, Madera and Yolo Counties.”

This time, I have a simple, straightforward post about their flagship wine, Tempranillo! 

2016 Idle Hour Tempranillo, Heringer Estate Vineyard, Clarksburg CA, 13.8% ABV, $30 (#460*)

About the 2016 Tempranillo from their website: “Tempranillo has become one of our flagship wines, one of two wines of the many varieties we produce that will always be on the list here at Idle Hour. I fashion our Tempranillos after the region I find to be the most alluring in Spain, where this Iberian varietal calls home, the Ribera del Duero. Perhaps the variety sees more press from Rioja, where it is the main wine in the blends produced there. I find the 100% Tempranillo wines from the Ribera to be the most honest and enticing.  I hope you enjoy our version!” 225 cases produced.

My Review: Super dark in the glass.  Plum and cherry on the nose, following through on the palate, with a touch of spearmint on the finish.  Her Tempranillo is one of my favorites. July 2021

You can purchase their wines from the Idle Hour website here. Their new Carmel Valley Tasting Room at 1 Delfino Place (inside Big Sur Vineyards tasting room) is open Friday, Saturdays and Sundays.  Check them out at www.idlehourwinery.com or on Facebook at Idle Hour Tasting Room @IdleHourWine for the latest info!

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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KORi Wines: It’s a “family affair”!

Time to celebrate a friend’s birthday while her husband was out of town.  Since she forms a core part of the Decanting Monterey COVID Wine Pod, why not go to lunch in Carmel-by-the-Sea and do some wine tasting afterwards?  After a lovely patio lunch at Grasings, we headed to our first stop – KORi!

I didn’t know much about KORi Wines except that they are relatively new and have earned critical acclaim. I was excited to know more about her wines and her at her tasting room!

From the Label: “Kori Wines are a family affair – a partnership between respected Santa Lucia Highlands grower Kirk Williams and his stepdaughter Kori Violini.”  Yes, we are talking Kirk Williams of KW Ranch fame!

Critical Acclaim from the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition:

  • Double Gold: 2017 San Saba Syrah (Monterey) 94 pts
  • Gold: 2017 KW Ranch Pinot Noir (SLH) 90 pts
  • Silver: 2018 Griva Sauvignon Blanc (Arroyo Seco), 2014 KW Ranch Pinot Noir (SLH)
  • Bronze: 2018 Highlands Ranch Rosé (SLH) 

Today I am presenting 7 of Kori’s wines.  The winery notes come from the labels and their website. The prices are from the tasting sheet.  We were excited to know that the winemaker is Sabrine Rodems from Wrath, as well as her own label, Scratch. The reds are all aged in French oak. 

2018 KORi Blanc de Blanc, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, ??% ABV, $45 (#449*) 

Winery notes: “Our first sparkling wine from our estate grown Chardonnay.  Vibrant acidity and a fresh (dry) palate. Drink 2020-2028.”

Winery Tasting Notes: “Lemon. Lime Zest. White Blossom. White Nectarine. Fig. Lychee.”

My Review: Nose at first was yeasty, common in California sparklers, but it dissipated over time.  Clover and a touch of nuttiness on the nose. Stone fruit and citrus on the palate.  My Champagne loving partner liked this wine. August 2021                                                                                                                          

2020 KORi Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.6% ABV, $27 (#450*) 

Winery notes: “A personal favorite varietal of Kori’s, grapes sourced from esteemed Griva Vineyard in Arroyo Seco.”

Winery Tasting Notes: Guava. Lychee. Melon. Lemon Cream.

My Review: Viscous yet clear like water in the glass. Green apple, crisp pear and honey on the nose.  Honey and grapefruit on the palate with some ripe cheese flavor mid-palate.  Very refreshing. August 2021                

2019 KORi Rosé, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.2% ABV, $25 (#451*) 

Winery Notes: “Our 2nd vintage! Like the previous vintage, 2019 is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes from our estate owned Highlands Ranch Vineyard.” 200 cases produced.

Winery Tasting Notes: “Rose Petal. Rainer Cherry. Wet Gravel. Crab Apple. Stone Fruit.”

Critical Acclaim: “Bronze Medal – SF International Wine Competition 2019”

My Review: With 24 hours on the skins, this wine is bold in color.  Slightly bitter on the nose.  Rich in flavor on the palate, we’d say this is not a patio-sipping rosé. Rather, this would make a great food wine. August 2021                

2018 KORi Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA (#452*) 

    Winery notes: Not available.

    My Review: Slightly perfumey on the nose.  Good, rich flavor with a slightly bitter finish. Would be good with a meal.  August 2021                 

    2017 KORi Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.3% ABV, $49 (#453*) 

    Winery notes: “From our family, estate owned first vineyard planted in 1997 at the corner of Fariview & River Roads in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Drink 2020-2027” 94 pts from Wine Enthusiast

    Winery Tasting Notes: “Pomegranate. Blackberry. Bay Leaf. Red Cherry.”

    Critical Acclaim: Gold – SF International Wine Competition

    My Review: Ruby in color. Intense cooked cherry on the nose.  The palate was raisin-like – intense fruit yet both bitter and sweet. This wine had been opened from the previous day; we declined an offer to open a fresh bottle. August 2021            

    2018 KORi Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, 14.5% ABV, $55 (#454*) 

    Winery notes: “The first Cab from KORi Wines!  Sabrine couldn’t have done a better job making our debut Cab with single vineyard Alexander Valley fruit. Drink 2020-2030.” 225cases produced.

    Winery Tasting Notes: “Pomegranate. Charred Pepper. Sour Cherry. Black Tea.”

    My Review: Ruby in color.  Green pepper on the nose.  Dark berries with solid tannins.  Explosive of flavor on the palate with a slightly tobacco finished. Delicious, yet a bit light for a Cabernet Sauvignon. I would recommend cellaring this wine. August 2021   

    2018 KORi Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.5% ABV, $42 (#455*) 

    Winery notes: “Hot off the heels of the, now sold out, 2017 vintage comes the San Saba 2018 which a slightly drier year shows the same great black fruit, plum, baking spice & smoked meat put in a more concentrated package.” 195 cases produced.

    Winery Tasting Notes: “Juicy Bramble Fruit. Black Pepper. Cigar Box.”

    Critical Acclaim: Double Gold – SF International Wine Competition

    My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  White pepper and jammy berries on the nose, with lots of pepper masking most of the fruit on the palate. August 2021                

    You can buy KORi wines online or at their tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea “Monday-Thursday 1-6 (TUES CLOSED), Friday Noon-6, Saturday Noon-7, Sunday Noon-6. Reservations not required. Mission St between Ocean & 7th Avenue, Court of the Fountains, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921” 

    *Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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    Another Parsonage Wine, Another Bill Parsons Story!

    I asked my significant other to open something special for the two of us to enjoy – and he selected this library wine.  We learned earlier this year that, when you are allocated a library wine, you should not delay too long in opening it.  We were excited to try this 2006 Parsonage Dario.  Bill Parsons, the proprietor of Parsonage, always has a story about his wines – and he loves to tell a story!

    My dearest DC friends enjoying some Bill Parsons storytelling back in 2019!

    I try to be balanced in my selection of wineries to present. But, of course, the model I use drives me a bit more to wineries where I am a member or have a close relationship – especially during the first pandemic year of the blog when wine tastings were curtailed. So, I am a bit embarrassed to share these stats of how many wines per winery I posted during year one of Decanting Monterey. Bill Parsons likes this chart – and you can see why…we have been buying their wines since before they had a tasting room – and they were one of only a few places we visited to taste wine in year one of the pandemic. As I look at the data, I am not sure it is 100% correct, but you get the gist. And I have been able to get out and explore a bit more in recent months, so Year Two should look a bit different.

    Count of wines by winery during Decanting Monterey’s first year – guess where we are members!

    I’ve presented Parsonage to you in several prior posts and won’t repeat about them here (just type “Parsonage” in the search bar to see them all). You can check out their website here:  https://www.parsonagewine.com/. Winery notes below are from Bill Parsons.  

    2006 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley, 15% ABV, $80 (#444*)

    Winery Notes: “The Dario, named for Ali and Frank’s number two son and our grandson number three, is 100% Estate merlot. We usually make 50-100 cases a year. The 2006 vintage was our first Dario. Vintage 2006 started out to be our best ever. In barrel tasting it was just sublime. We made the mistake of hiring a crossflow filtration specialist who over heated some of our wines. He sort of cooked the estate merlot before we figured out what was happening. We never filtered again after that episode. The 2006 estate cab and Tanner reserve weren’t harmed and they were beautiful. The 2006 Dario was only slightly diminished…The Dario has always been a favorite for both Summer and me. The fruit is heavy on blackberry and black plum. The nose is always floral with exotic spices. The mouthfeel is full without tannic heft of our cabs and syrahs.” 

    My Review: Sweet yet smoky on the nose. Intense dark fruit, plum and a little tobacco on the palate. Still drinking well, a little thinner than expected. We have learned to drink these library wines when they are issued and not to continue to hold them! So, if you have one, open it! July 2021

    Parsonage is open for tastings by reservation only every day – click here for the details.  You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at 19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.  

    • Tasting Room Photo Courtesy Parsonage

    *Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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    Sometimes You End Up with Grocery Store Chardonnays

    I admit I am spoiled living in the heart of Chardonnay country, where we can take a short drive or simply reach into our fridge for a really delicious Chardonnay.  While we aren’t the biggest white wine fans, we do enjoy sipping a good one on our front porch on a rare warm and sunny day, like the other day when we opened a stunning I Brand & Family 2018 Chardonnay from Escolle Vineyard. This wine (reviewed here before) boasted lemon colors, tropical nose, and rambunctious tropical flavors with a pineapple overlay. But I digress…

    I’ve been on the road a bit dealing with family matters.  Fortunately, I was sent with a lovely 6-pack of local big reds I love.  I visited a relative who opened one of today’s Chardonnays and I had to resort to a grocery store for the other one for a family gathering.  They both fit the Central Coast profile of this blog, so lucky me!

    2019 La Crema Chardonnay, Monterey, 13.5% ABV, $20 (Wine #438*)

    This is one of my Chardonnay-loving friend’s favorite Chardonnays, so I was happy to try it with my relatives. I found it rated for 89 points on wine.com.

    About La Crema: “When La Crema was founded in 1979 as La Crema Viñera, meaning the Best of the Vine, the name was intended as an unabashed boast: These vineyards produced the very best grapes in the region. Today, the name has been shortened to mean, simply, the best, and La Crema’s wines represent the best grapes from preeminent cool-climate regions in California and Oregon.

    “La Crema wines—inspired by Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—are made in small lots that nurture distinct flavors and balance. The end result is elegant wines that are unswerving in quality over time.” 

    Winemaker’s Notes from their website: “Aromas of baked apple, brioche, and PINEAPPLE are followed by flavors of Asian pear, LEMON-TANGERINE, and notes of MINERALITY. The 2019 vintage presents balanced acidity and a long finish.” 100% Chardonnay; 8 months in the barrel.

    My Review: Buttery, tropical notes on the nose.  Butterscotch and tropical fruits on the palate – a bit sweet yet perfect for a hot Sacramento evening. Very different from the non-oaky Monterey Chardonnays I typically drink. July 2021

    2019 Edna Valley Chardonnay, Central Coast, 13% ABV, $9 (Wine #439*)

    When you are stuck in a small town SavMor for wine options, the selection is far from what I can find at even my local Safeway.  We know Edna Valley for its excellent wine, so this was the safest, best choice available!

    About Edna Valley Vineyard: “The region now home to Edna Valley Vineyard saw its first grapes planted in the days of the California missions. In the 1800s, it was believed that the grapes in this region were of the highest quality. Today, we still hold this to be true. Following in the footsteps of our founder, pioneering vineyard developer Jack Niven, we continue to craft award-winning Chardonnay – the first variety planted in the Edna Valley. In addition to our flagship Chardonnay wine, we offer five other varietal wines nationwide: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.” 

    Winemaker’s Notes from their website: “Our Chardonnay showcases grapes from some of California’s most sought-after wine regions in the Central Coast. The result is a dry, beautifully balanced, bold expression of Chardonnay with tropical aromas of toasted coconut and Tahitian vanilla. Juicy layers of white peach, split honeydew melon and ripe apricot are highlighted with hints of lemon zest and a crisp, refreshing finish.”

    My Review: Pale but rich golden in the glass.  Tropical fruits, butter and bamboo on the nose.  Light and a tad sweet on the palate, balanced acidity and a touch of bitterness on the finish.  A bit less flavor and minerality than I’m used to in my Monterey Chardonnays. August 2021

    *Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

    © Decanting Monterey 2023

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