Looking to taste some new wines in Carmel Valley Village, we suddenly realized Chesebro Wines new releases had somehow escaped our attention! We are very happy our random stop yielded so many delicious wines, including the latest Las Arenas and La Montagne Sauvage red blends.
This tasting offered some additional and rare opportunities: to taste the 2010 and 2015 Roussanne/Rousanne blend wines side by side AND to sample their estate Cabernet Sauvignon bottled as a single varietal. That was a first for me!
Alex Lallos, Chesebro Wines’ tasting room manager, has been one of my biggest supporters back to before the pandemic. The up-front quality and value of Chesebro Wines makes them a favorite to include in my wine classes. Moreover, Alex has offered me great discounts and has helped me get my wines to their destination. I’m grateful for his support.
The Wines
Today, I am presenting 9 Chesebro Wines. Looking back in my blog, it has been a while since I have presented a full tasting from there. My last post was this one about the 2014 La Montagne Sauvage release. However, I have written about Chesebro Wines several times – just search “Chesebro” and you will find them all! Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2022 Chesebro Albarino, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $25 (#1047)
Winery Notes: “Our take on a traditional Spanish white variety. Aromas of Apricot blossom and kumquat. Lots of stone fruit and citrus loaded with minerality and verve. Vibrant and refreshing on the palate. The perfect Summer white!”
91 Points Wine Enthusiast: “Crisp and vibrant aromas of lime blossom, tart apple and a hint of tropical fruit dance across the nose of this bottling. There’s an acidic and textural edge to the palate, where apple, pear and citrus zest flavors align.” (Note: this is the 2021 vintage’s description and rating)
My Review: Pale in the glass, with a slightly musty note. Grapefruit on the palate with a tart finish. This is a very clean and crisp Albarino. June 2023
2022 Chesebro Sauvignon Blanc, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $22 (#1048)
Winery Notes: “100% Musque clone of Sauvignon Blanc. Aromatically bright with citrus, white peach, honeydew melon and passionfruit notes. The mouth is medium bodied with similar flavors as the nose along with some minerality and a long crisp finish. Pairs well with many lighter foods and is a great apperatif.”
92 Points Wine Enthusiast: “This is a benchmark Sauvignon Blanc for Arroyo Seco, representing the hallmark elements of the windswept region. Crisp aromas of lime peel, white flower blossom, cut grass, wet cement and peach invite the nose into the stony palate, where forest grass and passionfruit flavors work in harmony.” (Note: this is the 2021 vintage’s description and rating)
My Review: I sadly did not capture specific tasting notes, but we all agreed this wine was delicious. June 2023
2015 Chesebro Piedras Blancas, CM Ranch Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.1% ABV, $27 (#1049)
Winery Notes: “A Rhone style white (85% Roussanne, 10% Vermentino, 5% Sauvignon Blanc) Our richest and most complex / ageworthy white.”
My Review: Light golden in the glass. Faint notes of pineapple and petroleum on the nose. Light fruit flavors on the palate. June 2023
2010 Chesebro Estate Roussanne, CM Ranch Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $30 (#1050)
Winery Notes: “LIBRARY RELEASE – A Rhone style white (85% Roussanne, 10% Vermentino, 5% Sauvignon Blanc) Our richest and most complex / ageworthy white. From deep in our cellars we saved 25 cases of this wine because we knew it would turn into something special with age. It has done exactly that now with 12 years of age. A blend of mainly Roussanne, it is modeled after the most famous white wines in Chateauneuf du Pape, France. A nuanced dame of a wine. Rich and viscous with aromas of honey and baked pear, framed by oak. A full bodied and very serious white, with a hint of butter and a dry apricot finish. Pair this sturdy white whith soft cheeses, cream sauces, roasted fowl and sweetbreads.”
My Review: Golden in the glass. Notes of whiskey, caramel and a touch of mint on the palate, with a slightly tart finish. June 2023
Winery Notes: “A Estate blend of 50% Mission Ranch & 50% Cedar Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir. High toned, bright and elegant. A Pinot Noir lovers Pinot Noir…It packs so much intensity and pure Pinot Noir aromatics into such a defined and bright wine. This is truly in the Burgundian fashion. Refined, elegant and bursting with red fruits. Finding a boutique Pinot Noir of this caliber made in such small quantities for under $25 is nearly impossible these days.”
My Review: Ruby in color. Bacon on the nose with a cinnamon candy finish. June 2023
2016 Chesebro Las Arenas, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $27 (#1052)
Winery Notes: “Our Southern Rhone inspired red blend. 65% Grenache 35% Syrah from the sandy soils in Cedar Lane Vineyard.”
My Review: Inky in the glass, Rich, intense berries and cherry = this is pretty tasty. June 2023
2015 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage GSM, CM Ranch Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.9% ABV, $35 (#1053)
Winery Notes: “Our proprietary Rhone belnd of Syrah (80%), Grenache (15%) and Mourvedre (5%) modeled after the legendary wines of the Rhone Valley, France. Grown at 1500′ elevation, this is our flagship wine and our most popular blend from a small 2.5 acre vineyard in the mountains of Carmel Valley. Rich and broading with aromas of dark berries and all-spice. An ageworthy and deeply profound example of what Rhone varietals can do on the granite soils of Upper Carmel Valley. ONLY 80 Cases Produced.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 Points: “Herb-smoked blackberry jam, lilac and chaparral seasonings make for a rustic exploration of the terroir on the nose of this bottling. The palate is full of garrigue as well, with fennel spicing up the muddled and roasted red-berry flavors.”
My Review: While I don’t have specific notes, we all agreed this was a very good, tasty and smooth wine which we would enjoy drinking any day! This is a wine I have presented in my classes over and over – always a hit. I took one home for a future vertical tasting. June 2023
2016 Chesebro La Mariposa, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $30 (#1054)
Winery Notes: “A Northern Rhone (Cote Rotie) inspired Syrah. Co-fermented with 5% Viognier for aromatic complexity and texture just like they do in Cote Rotie. Deep, rich and concentrated. ‘La Mariposa’ means butterfly in Spanish. Watch this decadent Syrah explode from your glass and develop into something truly beautiful over the evening or let is rest in the cellar for a few years and watch it evolve. Very Limited – Only 70 Cases Produced.”
My Review: Alas, no specific notes on this wine – we had reached our tasting limit for the day. This is a wine I have enjoyed in the past and this vintage was quite tasty. June 2023
2018 Chesebro Cabernet Sauvignon, Chaparral Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $48 (#1055)
Winery Notes: “Many people don’t know that Chesebro winery producers Cabernet Sauvignon because generally it is not released to the public. This is a real treat for you fans of our heavy reds. From the highest elevation (2400ft) vineyard in Carmel Valley. Chapparal Vineyard is dry farmed and gives a very small yield of less than 2 tons per acre, which means the wine is bursting with flavor, color and aromatics. Aged for 22 months in French Oak. Upon first glance this Cabernet shows a deep dark mahogany core. Soaring aromatics (both savory and fruity) emerge from the glass with dark currants on the nose complimented by fresh tobacco, cedar, sage, cassis and of course chapparal. Wondeful balance, chalky minerality and fine grained tannins. Fruit forward and charming yet densely structured – This has it all but there are only 50 cases made so get it while you can…
“NEW RELEASE – Limit 6 Per Customer…From the highest elevation (2400ft) vineyard in Carmel Valley (Chaparral Vineyard). Dry farmed 1.5 acres with tiny yields of less than 2 tons per acre. Aged 22 months in new French oak. Only 40 cases Produced.”
My Review: Garnet in the glass. Dark fruit, bubblegum and perfume on the nose. Smooth dark fruit balanced by herbal notes. A good expression of the fruit and a lovely wine. This was a real treat. June 2023
Tasting Chesebro Wines
You can sample Chesebro Wines or in their tasting room at Up-to-date information on their tasting room hours and reservation link is here. They are open Friday through Sunday from noon until 5:00 PM reservations encouraged. You can buy their wines via their website (www.chesebrowines.com).
I had never heard of Austin Harlow so it was time for us to get educated! There were 9 wines on the tasting menu with 2 options: half flight for $10 and full flight for $20. Now, that’s enticing! We chose a half flight, so I still need to go back and try his other wines.
Bill Austin was in the tasting room that Friday afternoon, so we had a chance to talk a bit. We learned about how he sources his grapes, including managing and farming one of the Hollister vineyards himself. Other local vineyards are well known to us, including Zabala Vineyards down in Arroyo Seco AVA and Manzoni Estate Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. He prides himself on bringing quality wines in attractive and fun bottles at reasonable prices. This is a sentiment echoed by several of his neighboring vintners and one of the reasons I admire Monterey/Central Coast wines.
“Drawing grapes from some of the finest vineyards in California, Austin Harlow Winery prides themselves in showcasing some of the best wines being produced in the area.”
“Austin Harlow Winery was established in 2014 by Bill Austin of Monterey Peninsula, a long time wine enthusiast. The flagship brand is “Mid Life Crisis Wines”, officially released in March 2015. Drawing grapes from some of the best vineyards in California, the Mid Life Crisis Wines offer both intense and complex flavors at a great value. The Mid Life Crisis lineup consists of Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel (from a vineyard planted in 1935), a San Benito County Zinfandel, a Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon (from grapes planted in the Clements Hill region), a Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey County Pinot Noir (from an appellation considered to be one of the best in the world), and Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey County Chardonnay.
“All of the Mid Life Crisis Wines have been patiently aged in small, French and American oak barrels of the highest quality and then bottle aged for one year so that they are delicious immediately upon release, but they also will increase in complexity with additional bottle age…
“…Did you ever taste a $60 or $80 bottle of wine for under half the price?! Mid Life Crisis Wines are truly luxury wines at affordable prices.”
My Review: This was the last wine we tasted – after we had the bigger reds. My apologies, but I have no notes. My recollection is that it was representative of the region. June 2023
My Review: Dark garnet in color. Intense dark berries on the palate with bright red fruit (red currant) on the finish. We all thought this very young wine, with more time in the bottle, has the potential to be a very good wine. June 2023
When I found out that this year’s Monterey Winemakers Celebration was happening on June 10th, I had some juggling to do. I had a wine class scheduled in DC, but was able to move it to be able to attend this event. The bonus was getting extra quality time in DC with our daughter! As soon as I straightened out my class, I got brave and asked Kim Stemler of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association if there was any way I could be comped a couple of tickets – and she immediately said yes! And I convinced the rest of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod to attend!
As my avid readers know, Decanting Monterey is a self-funded labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines. The only “compensation” I receive is free tastings (most places), discounted purchases, an occasional comped bottle, and, most importantly, the appreciation of our vintners. I was grateful for this opportunity. And the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association is my go-to resource for all things Monterey wine.
About the Monterey Winemakers Celebration: “Join the vintners (winemakers) & growers of Monterey County and enjoy the incredible wines and culinary abundance from one of the world’s premier wine regions in the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This iconic Monterey County wine festival, in its 30th year, will be held on Saturday, June 10, during Carmel’s Culinary Week. The event is moving back to the streets – Dolores (between Ocean and 7th) and 7th Street (between Dolores and San Carlos). Some of our favorite Chefs and food purveyors will join us to delight you with their magic.
I can’t wait to learn the date of next year’s event and get it on my calendar early!
WINERIES: I’m so pleased that the event website contained live links to all the wineries in attendance, making it easy to spot and research those wineries that are new or ones where we have never tasted wine, as well as to see which of our well-known wineries were there.
There were also quite a few delicious food options, which is important when you are sampling a lot of wine. Here’s who was there (from the event website):
I could have just hung out at Basil and Yafa all afternoon.
My Strategy: I had a strategy going in – to focus on wineries that were new or ones I had never presented in my blog, sample one wine, and dump the rest. I stuck to that approach for the most part. I also was able to have a few tastes of some of our favorites, too. 2 hours at the Main Event were plenty to talk to the new or new-to-us vintners and catch up with friends. We began at Shale Canyon and ended at Bernardus, with a nice, long stop at Corral Wine Co. in the middle. I was happy to connect with newcomers JL Wood,Pelio Estate, Tira Nanza, as well as try Rustiqué Wines, Folktale and The Riboli Family wines. I somehow missed tasting a wine at Carmel Road. I was still able to do a quick reach back in the middle to Chalone, Lepe, McIntyre, Puma Road, I Brand & Family, Joyce, and others. Maybe I will write a bit about them in the coming weeks!
Unlike the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival in May, this one was – for the most part – just our local wineries plus The Riboli Family from Paso Robles and Los Angeles, and a few big names like Robert Mondavi and J. Lohr. And a great chance to sample wines from across the county. If you love Monterey wines, this is the event for you!
I did not capture detailed tasting notes at this event, so I’ve cobbled together my reviews from memory. Today is more about showcasing these new/new to me wineries. This post focuses on JL Wood,Pelio Estate, Tira Nanza, Rustiqué Wines, Folktale and The Riboli Family. Each is worthy of a future visit and a full tasting. Any winery notes are from their websites or from the presenters at this event. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
JL WOOD WINES
We had never heard of JL Wood. They have long been producing grapes and decided to make their own wines. They only make Chardonnay from Arroyo Seco – the wines they brought to this event were all Gold or Double Gold Medal winners. Their first vintage was 2021. Their winery operations are up in Napa and they have no tasting room. You can order their wines on their website and they ship to several states for free!
I love their intro on their home page: “Visiting friends? Going to a party? Celebrating at home? Having a relationship thing? Just got home from a required work in office day? Try a glass of JL WOOD Chardonnay. At JL WOOD, Chardonnay is all we do.”
From their website: “We are proud to announce that our 2021 Premier won Double GOLD and 97 points at the just concluded Sunset International Wine Competition. Our Nouveau won GOLD and 91 points at the 2023 Sommeliers Choice Awards, an international competition in San Francisco. In the same competition, our No-Oak won a GOLD and 90 points. Premier won GOLD and 93 points and the No-Oak won GOLD and 92 points at the 2023 Winemaker Challenge. The No-Oak won GOLD and 90 pts at the 2023 Monterey International Wine Competition. The Nouveau won GOLD at the 2023 Monterey Wine Festival. Our No-Oak won SILVER at the 2023 New Orleans Food and Wine Experience International Wine Competition and was judged to be one of the top Chardonnay wines.”
About JL Wood: “JL WOOD is a family-owned winery with a laser focus on a satisfying and modern customer experience. We create modern affordable luxury wines that are true to the fruit, delivering clean and bold flavors sip after sip. We use our independence to showcase outstanding lots of wine that otherwise would have disappeared into the oblivion of a 60,000 or 160,000-gallon industrial winery tank.”
Building on a legacy
“Our family has been on the same land for over 100 years. The land has been very productive. The family has farmed grains, vegetables, livestock feed, cattle, and sheep. A UC Davis study in the late 1950s identified our district as being ideal for certain types of wine grapes, like Chardonnay, that enjoy a combination of hot summer days and cool nights.
“JL Wood led the family into the wine business. Our wine grapes were planted in the late 90s. The rootstock and clones we have were carefully selected to match our soils and climate. The result has been very efficient farming and outstanding Chardonnay wine.”
2021 JL Wood Premier Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $36 (#1028)
Winery Notes: “Fruit and citrus flavors. Smooth acidity and signature long finish. Flavors layered with a pleasing vanillin, spice, and toasted oak background notes. Fully fermented. No malolactic fermentation. No added sugar. Pairs well with a multi-course meal of fish, meat, or sophisticated dishes. Award winning: GOLD and 93 points at the Winemakers’ Challenge Competition.”
My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Nice aromas of white citrus blossoms and tropical fruit on the nose. A very tasty and balanced palate – oak is very well integrated in this wine so that it is almost imperceptible. June 2023
PELIO ESTATE WINES
We first heard of Pelio Vineyards from the labels of other wineries – then I saw they were opened a tasting room in Carmel Valley next door to Blue Fox. Pelio Estate Wines was on my must-taste list for this event, as I am hoping to arrange a future Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society event there. You can taste their wines by contacting them directly or making a reservation on their website. They are located at 25 Pilot Road in Carmel Valley and open Friday – Sunday 11:30 am – 6 pm.
About Pelio: “As sisters we have always dreamed of owning our own business. When we thought about what we wanted to do, our first thoughts went to our two loves: wine and Carmel Valley.” -Lindsey & Shelby Pelio.
“In the year 2000, we purchased a piece of land where we made great memories of family picnics, learning to ride bikes and playing hide-and-go-seek in fields. Most importantly, it was the place as kids, where we let our minds run free and learned how to dream big. This piece of land was the catalyst of many firsts for us as sisters. It is where we first learned how to ride a bike, first learned how to drive a car and now it is the foundation of our first business endeavor together. We are the proud owners of this beautiful land and fabulous vineyard. As in the blending of fine wines, we took our grapes, added family, friends, winemakers, and here we are today with PELIO ESTATE VINEYARDS.”
Winemaking Description: “The 2020 Pelio Rose is produced in the whole-cluster to press method. Specific sections of the vineyard were hand harvested to produce a wine that highlights crisp acidity with balanced bright fruit characteristics. Clusters were loaded into the press and pressed to a minimal 120gallons/ton before overnight settling and fermentation. Juice was only in contact with the skins for the 45-minute press cycle giving this wine it’s delicate color. A cool ferment was carried out to dryness over two weeks before racking and maturation in stainless steel.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “A beautiful pale pink in the glass, this rose gives aromas of fresh strawberry and guava, with bright tropical esters of banana. The palate shows grapefruit and mixed citrus over crisp acidity. The texture is silky for a light rose and matches the flavors well.”
My Notes: Very pink in color, this rose is exactly what one is looking for on a warm, sunny day. Very balanced, crisp. Recommend this wine. June 2023
Tira Nanza is a true, local newcomer. We first heard of them on the event website and were eager to seek them out. They are located in Cachagua on the former Galante ranch and have already invited Decanting Monterey to visit!
About Tira Nanza: “From its sumptuous taste to scenic vineyard views, wine evokes feelings of luxury, sophistication, and indulgence. Like most consumers, this view of wine was all that we initially knew. It wasn’t until we dove head first into the industry and experienced the entirety of the winemaking process that we truly fell in love with it.
“Our goal is to offer a more authentic way to interact with and enjoy wine. Our wine experiences are process-driven, fostering deep connections, rather than overly product-driven, formulaic walkthroughs that only create surface level connections. It’s our hope that this will give our guests newfound excitement and deeper insight into the world of wine.”
“In order to make great wine you must have great fruit. Every decision we make is centered around growing the best fruit we possibly can. Where the soils allow, we dry-farm our vineyards to foster plants that are self-sufficient and not dependent on a weekly shot of water. Dry-farming forces the vines to send their roots deeper to find water and results in fruit that is more concentrated and more connected to its terroir.
“We rely on natural solutions to get the most out of our vineyards. We count on our healthy population of owls and hawks for pest control, and we use cows to clean between the rows and to improve our soil health. We use only organic and biodynamic sprays to keep our fruit healthy and untainted. Our approach requires an intimate relationship with our vineyards garnered by walking them daily. Every vine at Tira Nanza is hand-pruned and hand-harvested by the same hands that make the wines.”
Winery Notes: “Our inaugural vintage of Cab is finally here! Harvested from the oldest vines on our ranch, this dry farmed fruit exceeded all of our expectations for our first vintage. Blended with 20% Merlot and aged entirely in French Oak (75% neutral/25% new) this wine combines rich red fruit flavors with an inviting freshness seldom seen in California Cabernet.”
My Review: Impressive first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Lively in color – a vibrant garnet. Cherry notes on the nose and palate. This was quite good and drinkable now – will improve with age. June 2023
RUSTIQUÉ
We have seen Rustiqué located next to Odonata and have tasted wines from the Silacci Vinayard, but this was the first time interacting with Rustiqué directly. Their tasting room is open Friday – Sunday 11 am to 5 pm at 1010 River Road, Salinas. They also do some nice special events there.
About Rustiqué: “Rustiqué is a family owned and operated estate winery established in 2006. Made with the grapes from Silacci Vineyards, we are dedicated to learning from the land and evolving alongside it to make high quality pinot noir and chardonnay. Our tasting room is located in Monterey County in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range.”
Winery Notes: “This Chardonnay highlights the cold climate growing region of Monterey County, with aromas and flavors of golden pear, peach, melon and floral accents. It’s full bodied and accentuated palate leaves you with a beautiful structured oak toast and well rounded mineral driven finish.”
My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. If you like an oaky Chardonnay, this is the one for you. I still need to visit their tasting room.June 2023
FOLKTALE
We haven’t been to Folktale since they first opened, mostly because we prefer a traditional wine tasting setup. They have blossomed into a beautiful wine and food venue which we have not yet experienced. Moreover, they have just opened a tasting venue at Now that they have been making wine for a while, it was time to taste their wines! Plus they just opened a tasting bar at Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse in Carmel-by-the-Sea. I was very pleased to be invited to the winery for a tasting, which I will do soon with my friend Erin of tèr·ra·ve·nos! While I tasted their big, Bordeaux-style red blend, I was also intrigued by their cloudy orange wine. Keeping to my 1-wine rule, I was unable to taste both!
About Folktale: “In 2015, a band of artists, craftspeople, and lovers of life brought their wandering imaginations and lofty aspirations to a magical piece of land in Carmel, California. Out in the sunny valley, we cultivated grapevines and gardens to craft beautiful wines and experiences to delight the senses. We named this place Folktale Winery & Vineyards.
“Folktale was inspired by the idea that in every great bottle of wine, there is a story. It is filled with uniqueness of place, a year of sun and rain, and the art and craft of winemaking. The story is about our people, our guests, and our passion. This is a love story, and the best love stories never end.”
2018 Folktale The Hound, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.7% ABV, $95 (#1032)
Winery Notes: “THE HOUND is a classic blend of Bordeaux varietals, combining 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 11% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 9% Cabernet Franc sourced 89% from Massa Estate Vineyard and 11% from Cedar Lane Vineyard. The not-so-little brother of our Reserve Bordeaux blend, this wine is complex and elegant with aromas and flavors of blueberry, mocha, floral lilac, frisée, dusty vanilla, brown sugar, creme de cassis, pencil lead, cedar wood, and hibiscus. The texture offers nice richness with round and full tannins. The Hound is a beautiful, bold wine that will benefit from aging.”
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 11% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc, which is primarily from the Massa Estate, shows boisterous aromas of boysenberry, crumpled flowers and acai on the nose. Massive tannins and strong acidity rise up on the sip, so give the dark fruits time to emerge from behind that veil. Drink 2023–2032.” — Matt Kettmann
My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Smooth dark berry fruit on the palate. Grippy tannins on the finish. Overall, quite likeable (with that great pedigree of using Massa Estate grapes, what’s not to like?), but the dry finish leads me to think it needs a few more years of cellaring. Would pair well with a steak. My friend Erin of tèr·ra·ve·nos and I were invited to visit and will plan to do so soon. June 2023
THE RIBOLI FAMILY
I had not heard of the Riboli Family by name, but I had certainly heard of some of its brands: Maddalena, San Simeon, among others. I was only able to taste one wine here (my choice, not theirs) and I went for one of their reserve red blends from San Simeon.
“4 GENERATIONS OF WINEMAKING EXCELLENCE SINCE 1917
“A family legacy built on hard work, family values, and a love for the land.
“Here at Riboli Family Wines, we pride ourselves in maintaining our core family values while also employing innovative techniques that will keep our legacy alive for generations to come. Each Riboli family member maintains a steadfast commitment to honoring not only our premiere craftsmanship of wines, but also our dedication to environmental sustainability and to the people that make up our family business.”
DISTINCTIVE SOILS: “The superb structure and elegant profiles found in our wines are the direct result of our estate vineyards’ unique blends of calcareous limestone, sandstone, and loam soils.”
HILLSIDE VINEYARDS: “Our estate vineyards are all situated on hillsides as we believe these aspects provide the best grape-growing conditions. The slopes provide great drainage, protection from frost, and optimal ripening conditions for our vines.”
CURATED CLONAL SELECTION: “Our vineyards feature over 15 varieties of grapes and over 50 clones carefully curated to match each vineyard’s terroir.”
About San Simeon Reserve Wines: “Ancient seas receded and revealed a unique bed of limestone on which world-class wines now grows. From our best blocks on steep hillsides with perfect aspect and drainage, creating our signature flavors and aromas.”
Winery notes: “The skies darken, the winds howl, and the waves pound the rugged shore…Stormwatch! Located near the coastal town of San Simeon, our family’s ESTATE vineyards are located within the El Pomar district of the renowned Paso Robles appellation. Steep hillsides and rocky soils produce the intense flavors and aromas of this Bordeaux-style blend. Our artisan wine is hand-crafted in small lots and aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of 18 months. Dark, rich, and mouth-filling. Ripe flavors of blackberry and raspberry with touches of spice and vanilla. Enjoy the thrill of Stormwatch!”
My Review: Very dark in the glass, this brooding wine is packed with dark fruit flavors and was one of the best reds we tasted at this event. This is my kind of wine and perhaps my favorite wine of the day. I need to get down to Paso to taste more San Simeon wines! June 2023
Today marks the third anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! And what a year it has been! With 291 wines presented and reaching over 10,000 views, we have a lot to celebrate. Please read to the end for today’s small ask.
OUR HISTORY
Deep in the unvaccinated period of the pandemic in July 2020, Decanting Monterey was founded on wines from our own collection sampled at home, with or without our neighboring friends and our daughters, who quickly became known as the COVID Wine Pod. It was 2 posts per week and, mostly, one wine at a time. Back then, some wineries had just reopened with their COVID procedures and we still weren’t venturing out much. I also established the @decantingmonterey Facebook page.
During Year 2, as we became fully vaccinated and boosted – and double boosted, we were able to get out to more local wineries at a more deliberate pace. And the COVID Wine Pod was renamed the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod! I also moved to a single post per week and presented a single wine class to my old DC wine group. Most of the posts were based on event-driven or winery tastings and fewer individual, cellar-driven posts. And I started the @decanting_monterey Instagram feed.
During Year 3, I began to get recognition as an entity with some stature behind it:
I have some high-level stats to share with you about Year Three of Decanting Monterey!
www.decantingmonterey.com hit the 10,000 “views” mark! This statistic is very important to me. If you are seeing my blog on social media or via email, please be sure to click the link and open it!
291 wines were presented on Decanting Monterey for the first time.
207 red wines were presented, as well as 62 whites, 20 rosés, and a couple of oranges – including 6 sparkling and 2 fortified wines.
Over 39 distinct varietals were presented with Pinot Noir topping the list thanks to the SLH festival I attended, followed closeky by Red Blends, and Syrah – no surprise if you know me!
Wines from 12 California counties are represented, with 181 from Monterey, 30 from Santa Barbara, 20 from San Benito, 15 from Santa Cruz, 11 from San Luis Obispo, 9 from San Benito – and more! Plus 12 wines from Italy!
Wines from 6 of the 9 Monterey American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were covered, capturing 39 varietals!
I Brand was the most represented family of wines, followed by Parsonage. I attribute that to the steady and wonderful release events offered by I Brand & Family wines. Parsonage was one of the first local wineries to put Monterey wines squarely on our consumption radar way back when. Their wines match my palate perfectly – what else can I say?
While I have some posts already queued up for Year 3, let me ask my mighty readers: Where should I visit next? Please leave me a comment on this post and let me know what some of your favorite, local places are to wine taste that I should not miss in Year 3! I have a list of not-yet-covered wine tasting rooms and other wine venues to check out – happy to add to it. I don’t know what I don’t know.
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OUR SUPPORTERS
I am grateful to Chesebro, Bernardus, Bunter Spring, Idle Hour, Pierce Ranch and Rombi for their generosity this year in donated wines or discounts. Grateful to Kim Stemler and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association for their support – what a great resource! And to Erin O’Reilly of tèr·ra·ve·nosfor her partnership and advice as we navigate this world of wine. I remain grateful to those vintners who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have comped me bottles of wine! And, of course, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod!
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Now, to my ask:
As my avid readers know, Decanting Montereyis a self-funded labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines. The only “compensation” I receive is free tastings (most places), discounted purchases, an occasional comped bottle, and, most importantly, the appreciation of our vintners. While I do this, I protect your data from being sold or used by anyone other than for my own website statistics. Here is my Privacy Policy.
As I come up on my 3-year renewal of my website, I am asking my readers to consider making a small donation to keep this effort going. I donate my time, energy, knowledge, and to date personally have funded this website and my wine education travel expenses.
Here is what it takes to make Decanting Monterey run:
$1200-2400/year in travel expenses (airfare, car rental only)
While this blog is open and free, donations to this not-for-profit effort are always welcomein any amount! You can donate here: Donate to Decanting Monterey. All donations go toward the operation of this website and to offset travel expenses for out of area wine classes. Even the smallest amount would be greatly appreciated.
So, here we go – Year 4! This should be an even better one! Thanks for your support to me on this crazy journey.
Last week, I had the opportunity to present Monterey wines to my old wine group one more time. It is always an honor to be asked back. I do this class about once a year and am always glad to see my old wine friends. What I didn’t expect was almost a full house! There were a lot of new faces in the room – including my daughter and a few of her friends.
But – before I go on, Decanting Monterey has hit another milestone: 10,000 views! This is huge! I have each and every one of my readers to thank for this achievement. I appreciate you so much.
What do I look for in a local wine to present? First of all, quality – it has to be a very tasty, good quality wine. But, right along with taste is its price. The wine budgets for these nonprofit classes are always tight. As wine and shipping prices rise, these get harder and harder to pull off. You see, I don’t want to present them grocery store wines. And I don’t just want to present good value wines. Rather, I like to present delicious wines from wineries I know directly. I like the personal aspect of developing relationships and sharing stories. And I like the challenge of the hunt to find the very best wines to fit the budget. This time, I presented two Gold Medal wines – the audience really loved that. And the fact that most of our local wineries will ship out of state is a plus – the audience can go directly to the winery and order more.
Our local wineries are always quite generous to me. They give me steep discounts on their wine (sometimes they donate wine, even!) in return for me giving their wines visibility to a new audience. I’m so grateful. Shipping was probably the biggest wildcard this year. It varied from a winery that could give me a deal ($30) on shipping to those who can’t catch a break (over $70!). I considered checking out a big box store there to see what they carry, but that runs counter to my m.o. I also keep the audience in mind: I don’t like presenting an expensive class, but the high attendance last week for the most expensive class I have presented to date shows I should worry less about this.
I’m already starting to think how I will put together another class for them next year. I am watching the sales and shipping bargains. It is too soon and too hot to ship now, but the wheels are turning. Readers: Got any recommendations?? Please comment!
THE CLASS ITSELF
I start these classes by ensuring everyone knows where Monterey County is – about 2 hours south of San Francisco and just north of the Paso Robles wine growing area. I talk about the fact we are a cool wine growing region, thanks to the influence of the frigid and deep Monterey Bay. I talk about the Thermal Rainbow® – our grapevines which expeirence high valley temperatures during the summer days are brought relief by the afternoon winds coming off the bay which both stress and cool the vines – with accompanying fog to keep them from getting too cold overnight.
I give them our stats, which I obtain from the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association website – my go-to website for everything Monterey wine. I also read the crop reports myself (funny, no one else in the room reads crop reports 😊). I noted our grape-growing acreage has dropped a bit (perhaps from the wildfires?), dropping us to the 5th largest in the state, just behind Napa. And that we remain the largest producer of Chardonnay in the U.S. and the largest producer of Pinot Noir in California. I mentioned the recent Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival event and highlighted how many of the wineries present were from outside the county (more to come on that event in the upcoming weeks). Some 50% of our grapes are purchased from outside the county.
I like to present wines from our different Monterey County American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). For the first time I presented one from San Antonio Valley AVA, which gave me a great launching point on our wine growing origins starting in the 1770s with the Franciscan missionaries. And, from there, our history as to how we got to modern winemaking in the region.
In the last couple of years, I have added a section on climate change to my presentations. We talk about the devastating impact of the wildfires in 2020, the heat spike just before harvest in 2022, and all that rain this past winter. It’s real, folks.
I highlight the ease and affordability of coming to Monterey to taste wine. Armed with our tasting room brochures provided by Kim Stemler of the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association, I invite them all to visit.
In this class, I focused on three wine growing areas in the county: Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley, and one “technically” from Monterey. Much of the information below is distilled from the AVA website above.
I have presented Arroyo Seco AVA wines to them many times before, which literally means “dry riverbed.” With maps available on the tables, I was able to describe the steep, narrow gorge, where Bordeaux varietals prosper, opening out to the Salinas Valley floor, more appropriate for Burgundian varietals. Arroyo Seco experiences harsh weather conditions varying from warm days to windy, foggy and cold nights. I mostly enjoy the white wines from Arroyo Seco, but I have been pleasantly surprised by bold and big reds produced from grapes in the gorge as well as from the valley floor. In this class, I presented wines from Chesebro, Corral, and Shale Canyon – both from the valley floor and the gorge.
It was my pleasure to be able to bring them a wine from the San Antonio Valley AVA for the first time. Although it is one of the oldest wine growing areas in California, it is one of the youngest AVAs in Monterey County, established in 2006. A mere 25 miles north of Paso Robles, it is in the southern part of the county, nestled in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Range. It has great variance in elevation – from 580 to 2800 feet, and its soils are primarily gravelly loam and clay. Due to its warmer climate, it is an excellent growing area for full-bodied Rhône, Bordeaux, as well as Portuguese & Spanish, varietals.
The last wine growing area I presented was the Monterey AVA, in this case a bit of a catch-all. As vintner Mark Bunter is quoted as saying, “In one of the many examples of AVA nonsense, this vineyard, a mile outside Carmel Valley Village, isn’t in the Carmel Valley AVA, although vineyards 10 miles away, in Cachagua valley, are. So legally it’s not Carmel Valley wine, it’s Monterey wine. Whatever.” A new Carmel Coast AVA is coming soon to capture this gap!
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE WINES!
In today’s post, I will showcase the 5 wines presented in my class. Winery notes come from their tasting sheets, the bottles, and/or their websites. My notes are from my previous tastings of these wines. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
CHESEBRO: “With lots of 300 cases or less, and a penchant for offbeat, as well as mainstream varietals, Chesebro’s production may be small, but the effort is prolific. We are passionate about true varietal expression, as well as preserving the unique voice of each vineyard site, from soil to glass. All of our wines are made solely from our vineyards in the Arroyo Seco and Carmel Valley AVA’s.
“This connection to every every aspect from vine to bottle allows us to keep our quality high and prices affordable. Our commitment to wines of distinction will be evident from your first visit to our casual and welcoming tasting room in beautiful Carmel Valley Village. Come find out what artisan wines, lovingly farmed and made by hand, truly taste like.”
2020 Chesebro Vermentino, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.1 ABV, $23 (#991)
Winery Notes: “A unique Italian (and French) white variety typically found in Corsica, Sardina and Liguira. Smooth and light on the palate with mouthwatering acidity. It is aromatically complex with citrus, herbal and often floral notes. Versatile and fresh it can be a great pairing with many lighter dishes such as poultry, fish, vegetables and fresh cheeses.”
My Notes: Straw in the glass. Perfume of apricot and citrus blossom on the nose. Crisp palate with apple and pear flavors with a slightly bitter grapefruit/lime twist on the finish. (March 2023)
CORRAL WINE CO: “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.”
Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of guava & 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 (At the event itself, we experienced bottle variation. I have used this wine in other classes before with no issues. I have tasted this wine subsequent to this class and it was perfectly fine.)
SHALE CANYON WINES: Current production is ~1000+ cases/year. Arroyo Seco. They grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah & Mourvèdre. Making classic and unique blends, such as our current favorite ZSM: Zinfandel, Syrah & Mourvèdre.
Winery Notes: “Best of Class and Best of Show for $31 to $50 range at the 2023 4th annual International Cabernet Franc Competition! Our 2017 Estate Cabernet Franc starts with aromas of dark fruit, slight oak and a touch of floral. A complex wine with flavors of dark cherry, dark berry and cassis. A finish of vanilla with a hint of leather and medium firm tannins.
“Cabernet Franc is one of the world’s top 20 most popular grape varieties. Recent DNA testing has proven it to be an ancestor to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Malbec. It is so popular that is has its own “wine” holiday, International Cabernet Day is celebrated August 30th.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. A sweet blackberry nose. Smooth and yummy palate of dark, lean fruit. Very balanced. This wine was a huge hit in the wine class, including my own daughter asking that we ship her a case! I’m working on it. March 2023
PIERCE RANCH VINEYARDS: “The story behind Pierce Ranch Vineyards is a love story of wine shared amongst friends and our beloved community. It starts in the iconic vineyards of southern Monterey County’s San Antonio Valley appellation in the year 2000. There is a depth to the terrain that exposes the remarkable quality of the region. A small, family-owned affair, we bring a sentimental spirit to viniculture, to honoring the land, and to cultivating and harvesting the grapes in the late summer and fall. The romanticism of crush and the sweeping vineyards flows into our cozy tasting room. What began as a cottage house built in 1915 has become a space where our community meets in the magical garden and rustic indoor setting to taste the ambrosial wine with a unique focus on Portuguese and Spanish varieties. It’s a love story that never ends, poetry in a bottle that starts with respect of the land and the community by never using herbicides and only using native yeasts with minimal intervention. It is a dedication to the vines and attention to the grapes so they continue to thrive with the years.”
2017 Pierce Ranch Tempranillo, San Antonio Valley AVA, 13.1% ABV, $28 (#236)
Winery Notes: “Native of the Rioja, product of our Panhandle and Y Ranch Vineyard plantings. Received a Gold/Best Tempranillo award in Monterey County.”
My Review: Beautiful garnet in the glass with plum and violet notes. Has come into its time: rich finish of dark fruit, coca cola, licorice and cassis. While not the biggest Tempranillo around, it is delicious and drinking very well. I should have presented this wine before the Cabernet Franc, as it was overshadowed by that huge wine. March 2023
BUNTER SPRING WINERY: “Bunter Spring Winery is a small family operated winery in the Coombsville AVA in the southeast corner of Napa Valley. We also have some production in Monterey. Most vintages we make a few hundred cases of wine, mostly for ourselves, but also for sale to friends on our mailing list, and a few restaurants and wine shops. Why make wine? We just don’t care for many of the wines sold today. We make the kind of wine we want to drink: balanced, interesting, made with few or no additives, and low or no sulfite. We list all ingredients, the actual sulfite level, and the actual alcohol level on every label. Incredibly, NO OTHER WINERY DOES THAT…”
Winery Notes: “You can drink this with burgers, too, or with nothing at all, but it’s really good with pizza and spicy pasta. Aged sixteen months in American oak barrels. Ingredients: grapes, water, yeast, tartaric acid, sulfite. Not filtered, not fined. At bottling: total sulfite 52 ppm, residual sugar 0.3 g/l (dry).”
“In this vineyard, rows marked “Zinfandel” are promiscuously punctuated with Syrah and other varieties. Monterey is hardly a byword to Zin groupies, and the wine struck me as intensely fruit punchy but otherwise didn’t remind me much of Zinfandel, so I finished the job they started in the vineyard, and blended in more Syrah, to get a deeper, darker wine, with fuller body yet less alcohol. Yes, less alcohol. Believe it or not.” 16 months in once-used American oak barrels.
My Review: Very dark in color. Sweet dark fruit and perfume on the nose. Jammy dark berries and a touch of alcohol on the palate. This wine was favorably received by the class and is one of my favorites. It’s not as sophisticated as some of his other wines, but, as a ‘Zin groupie” living in Monterey, I appreciate it. I have presented this wine in 2 of my DC-area classes. June 2022
As I said in that post, 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 an extensive 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 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. Plus they have huge picture windows with bayfront views – perfect for sighting otters or watching a sunset.
About Muirwood: “WINES CRAFTED WITH CARE FROM MONTEREY COUNTY’S RENOWNED ARROYO SECO VINEYARDS”
“The Zaninovich family has deep farming roots, spanning nearly a century. In the early 1970s, we were captivated by the raw beauty and exceptional potential of the undiscovered Arroyo Seco wine region in Monterey County. Today this area has emerged as one of California’s most celebrated wine-growing regions, and among the most breathtaking.
“We are inspired by the legacy of John Muir, who sought to preserve the wilderness for future generations. With four generations of California farming in harmony with nature, we have great respect for this land we call home. Like John Muir, we take a long-term perspective. We believe in nurturing the land so that it may bear fruit for generations to come.
“The Arroyo Seco is located southeast of the Monterey Bay in the valley adjacent to the Arroyo Seco Creek, we’re lucky to enjoy a unique combination of growing conditions and soils which create grapes with character and flavor. We get a richness and quality of grapes that you don’t find anywhere else.”
About Pareto Estate Wines: “The Pareto Principle, also called the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. This is true in the world of wine, where 80% of wine is consumed by 20% of the people. With Pareto’s Estate, we raise our glasses to those of us that take up the slack of others. Cheers to the 20%!
“The vineyards of Pareto’s Estate are located in Monterey County on California’s central coast. This area is known for having the longest growing season in California, lasting on average about two weeks longer than other regions. We thank the early morning fogs and gusty afternoon winds for this fortunate phenomenon – it wreaks havoc on women’s hairdos but the grapes love it.
“We also pay homage to the awesome influence of the Monterey Bay, for without its plummeting depth of over 10,000 feet, the fog, chilly air and reliable breezes wouldn’t exist. And without them, Monterey doesn’t win the prize for longest hang time. And without longest hang time, the impeccable fruit that bursts with vibrant aromas and complex flavors would be….let’s not even go there.
“A few other facts you should know. At Pareto’s Estate, our wines are 100% estate grown. Estate grown means that the grapes are grown on our vineyards and are crushed each vintage at our winery. Nobody else gets to touch them. Nobody. Yes, we’re control freaks. Another tidbit is that our winery is a thing of beauty. Built in 2005, it is state-of-the-art and absolutely gorgeous if you’re into that sort of thing, which we are. One last factoid – our vineyards are 100% sustainably certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. We love our vines and take care of them…”
About Comanche Cellars: “My name is Michael Simons, and what started as a love affair with wine has turned into a passion for producing small lots of very handcrafted wines from neighboring vineyards. Our tiny (1,800 cases) winery is named after Comanche, my horse when I was ten years old. He was an important part of a young life, and I use his name as a loving tribute to this old friend. These days, I ride a bicycle, and since this love affair with wine turned into a full-blown obsession, finding time for riding anything can be tough. But I still think of Comanche often, and am proud that his name and shoes are on every bottle of my wine. Maybe those horseshoes will bring you some good luck!
“Comanche Cellars is on California’s Monterey Peninsula, where we take advantage of the incredible wealth of vineyards that can be found in almost every direction. All throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains AVA’s, there are winegrowers and winemakers producing incredibly beautiful wines that, we think, can and will rival the best the world has to offer. We’re happy to be in the sweet spot right now, as Wine Enthusiast recently named Monterey as one of the Top 5 winegrowing regions worldwide!
“Saddle up, come along for the ride, and see for yourself what all the buzz is about. Just give us a call or drop us an email.”
Today I am presenting the 3 wines we tasted in March. We each selected a different flight – I chose the Rockin’ Reds Flight. The winery has since moved on with a different set of 3 reds for this flight. Winery notes come from the winery, unless otherwise stated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Winery Notes: Winemaking: French & American oak aging, careful barrel selection & blending process. Vineyards/Fruit: Wiley Ranch “Twin Oaks” Block: Elegant, balanced; Wiley Ranch “Vaquero” Block: Ripe, rich. Flavor Profile: Dark plum and ripe berries, soft & smooth finish. Food Pairings: Pizza Margherita, Classic Meatloaf.
Wine Enthusiast – 88 points: Dark cherry and cedar aromas make for a familiar start to this bottling. Hearty dark fruits show on the palate as well, with splash of wood oil and a fairly fierce acidity. Matt Kettmann, October 2021
My Review: Almost purple in the glass. Plum on the dusty, mellow, pleasant nose. Perfume and grapes notes. Juicy palate of blackberry, blueberry. So smooth. Best of today’s wines. March 2023
Winery Notes: “NOSE blackberries, blueberries, plum, with notes of vanilla and mocha. PALATE medium-bodied, soft tannins, rich lingering fruit finish. VARIETAL Cabernet Sauvignon. WINE Cabernet Sauvignon from the southern Monterey region, just north of Paso Robles, benefits from long, warm days and cool nights as well as modest rainfall. The result is big, bright, fruit-driven wine with rich tannins and a long finish.”
My Review: Dark ruby. Barnyard on the nose, with rose petal and light cherry notes. Palate of smooth fruits. Hints of barnyard, yet quite tasty. It opened up over the course of the tasting. March 2023
2020 Comanche Tempranillo, Pierce Ranch Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, $34 (#989)
Winery Notes: This special Spanish grape creates a wine that is bold and spicy. Aged in 50% new American oak barrels, it brings aromas of dark cherry, smoked meats and a long satisfying finish.
My Review: Almost garnet/ruby in color. Tart cranberry and raspberry on the nose. Spicy mouthful of berries and dark cherry. Lively palate. I enjoyed this wine. March 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! Comanche’s tasting room is located at 412 Alvarado Street, Monterey, and is open Tues-Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri 3-9 pm, Sat 1-9 pm, Sun 1-6 pm.
Our Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society is continuing to grow, making it challenging to find a spot for our first Friday “WinedUP” tastings. A lot of our local tasting rooms are small. I have been trying to find places with larger tasting rooms to allow more of our members to participate. It won’t always be possible, but I have found a few for this Spring. One of the first places I thought of was Georis. It has a stunning space – indoors and out.
The Georis Winery tasting room manager, Ivan Cornejo-Martinez, was great to work with. He was very kind and flexible – we worked together to keep the event as simple as possible, limiting the number of extra staff and glasses he would need to have on hand. It was nice to learn we could have done catered food or ordered in from Corkscrew Café across the street, as well. In the end, we decided to reserve those options for future events.
It had been a chilly day on the coast, so despite driving through a spot of rain to get to the valley, we were thrilled that it was sunny and even warm! When we entered their spacious tasting room, we were delighted to find 3 tasting options: Chilled (sparkling and white wines), the Grand Mix (which includes a white, a rose and 3 reds) and the Estate (all big reds). They started us with a special wine: the 2009 Deux Frères Merlot/Malbec blend – a great way to kick off the evening. The name of the wine refers to the two Georis brothers, Walter and Gaston, who sadly passed away last year. The tasting room staff Ivan, Daisy and James were extremely knowledgeable about the wines and did a terrific job taking each of us through our tastings. I hope to go back soon with the rest of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod.
Check with the winery, as their tasting menu and prices do change!
From the Georis winery’s webpage: “Walter Georis was born of a Belgian father and a German mother who immigrated to the US from Belgium in 1956 when Walter was eleven years old. After having spent his teen years in Southern California, Walter decided to move north to Carmel where he pursued a career in fine arts. Soon after arriving in Carmel, Walter designed a family restaurant, Casanova that would become internationally renowned for its cuisine and style, and its wine cellar. Remembering his childhood and the pleasures of country life on the family farms in Europe, Walter decided to combine his love of fine wines with the challenges and rewards of growing grapes and producing first class wines. In 1981, after consulting with French experts on soil and wine making, he bought a ranch in Carmel Valley and soon planted the grapes that would produce the first crop of Georis wines…
“The vineyard is located in the mountains of the upper Carmel Valley, California, 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Our 14 acre vineyard is planted to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir grapes. Our terroir is sandy clay loam with gravel and river rocks. Some small vineyard areas include chalky soils…
“Since 1982, Georis Winery proudly produces a variety of wines exceptional in quality. Georis wines represent authenticity, integrity and a commitment to terroir expressive wines. Our philosophy is to respect European wine-making traditions while embracing the generous California climate of our appellation. Our objective is to craft wines with complexity, elegance and finesse.”
Today I am presenting 12 Georis wines which we tasted at the AWS event. Winery notes come from their website or conversations with tasting room staff. Any errors are mine and mine alone. Sometimes I am distracted by others or feel rushed in the tasting and can’t get the notes I truly want. I’ll have to go back. After all, this is a social event!
2009 Georis Deux Frères, Carmel Valley AVA (#963)
Winemaker’s Notes: ~80% Merlot, ~20% Malbec
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Some soft sandalwood notes on the nose. Light on the palate. This well aged wine is coming into its own. April 2023
Winemaker’s Notes: From Tessiere Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. ~12 months in neutral oak.
My Review: This is one of those great, dry Rieslings from Arroyo Seco. Citrus flavors balanced by salty minerality. Sweet flavors of honeysuckle or white citrus blossom complete the finish. I described this wine as reminiscent of taking a tequila shot followed by the salt and lime – all in a very delicious package. April 2023
2021 Georis Les Abeilles Rosé, Carmel Valley AVA, $42 (#965)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Elegant and crisp Cabernet Franc based Rosè. Medium bodied and dry. Raspberry, peach candy, cantaloupe, and jasmine.”
My Review: This was a very nice wine, probably one of the best Central Coast Rosé wines I have tasted lately. Dry, delicately flavored, balanced, perfect in all ways. Very traditional. April 2023
Winemaker’s Notes: Aged in 20% French barrels for 12 months. The fruit comes from our estate vineyard in Carmel Valley.
My Review: Light in the glass with perfume on the nose. To me, this did not come off as one of those buttery Chardonnays. Balanced. A lean, lighter weight wine than I was expecting. April 2023
Winemaker’s Notes: “Full bodied and earthy. Smooth, soft tannin with a lingering finish. Blueberry, cherry, forest floor and violet. 554 Cases produced.”
My Review: A brown tinge in the color with very typical aromas and flavors of a Central Coast Pinot Noir. April 2023
2017 Georis Estate Les Amoureaux Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $65 (#968)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Full bodied and earthy. Smooth, soft tannin with a lingering finish. Blueberry, cherry, forest floor and violet. 554 Cases produced.”
My Review: This was the very last wine I tasted on the way out the door. A new participant at the AWS tasting told me that I really needed to try it. I found it to be fuller bodied and a Pinot Noir even this Pinot Noir naysayer could really enjoy. Sorry I did not capture better tasting notes! April 2023
2017 Georis Cabernet Franc, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#969)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Very soft and acid driven with notes of cherry, leather, and roasted pepper. Fantastic progression from the front to the back of the palate with a bright acidic finish.” From the Donati Family Vineyard in Paicines.
My Review Powered by Terravenos: Herbaceous, violet, and lots of mid-palate structure with mild tobacco notes on the finish. April 2023
2017 Georis Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.8% ABV, $40 (#54)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Rich and bold yet elegant with sumptuous aromas of mocha, savory chocolate, and black berry fruits. The palate is extremely generous with hints of young berry, black berry, black spices, and silky tannins.”
My Review Powered by Terravenos: OK, we are finally in my wheelhouse! This is one of the early wines I reviewed in Decanting Monterey. Ruby/purple in color with plum/blackberry and “Fig Newton” on the nose with rose petal, black cherry and overripe strawberry notes on the palate. Since I first reviewed this wine almost 3 years ago, the tannins have smoothed out. A very delicious, big wine which is drinking very well. April 2023
2017 Georis “La Chapelle” Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $80 (#970)
Winemaker’s Notes: Our annual Bordeaux blend, the 2017 vintage is 80% Merlot, 10% Petite Verdot and 10% Malbec.
My Review: A nice, dark berry bouquet with the nose carrying over to the palate. Very smooth with the fruit well integrated. I liked this wine. April 2023
Winemaker’s Notes: “Powerful ruby colored with great nose of dark fruit, plum, and blackberry. Smooth elegant middle with silky tannins and a chalky finish. A dominate palate with savory notes such as dates, fennel, tobacco leaf, and leather.”
My Review: Warm, dark fruit on the nose. This is a good Cabernet Sauvignon from the premier growing area for Cabernet in Monterey County – Cachagua. This has good structure and lots of tannin – this will last for years to come. Buy some and cellar! April 2023
2017 Georis “Clos des Moutons” Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, 13.8% ABV, $90 (#972)
Winemaker’s Notes: Our single vineyard selection, aged 26 months in French oak barrels. Think leathery, plum, and tobacco flavors. ~80% Merlot, ~20% Petit Verdot
My Review: Nose of rosemary. Cherry and berry flavors on the palate. Complex structure. This is another great wine. April 2023
2017 Georis Estate “Malbec Du Milieux”, Carmel Valley AVA, $75 (#973)
Winemaker’s Notes: A single vineyard of 5 acres of 40-year-old Malbec vines. Aged 24 months in French barrels.”
My Review: Warm, jammy fruit on the nose. It is a surprising mix of sweet jamminess and tart fruits like raspberry and cherry. I found this wine intriguing – and a great one to end the tasting on a very high note. April 2023
Georis Tasting Room: Located at 1 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley Village. Open Wednesday – Monday from 12:00 – 6:00 pm with the exception of the weather and holidays. (831) 659-1080. “We greatly appreciate a call if will be joining us with a large group, we want your experience to be delightful while drinking some of California’s best.”
As we were driving out to Carmel Valley to select wines for the Carmel Rotary event in February, we hatched this idea: Wouldn’t it be fun to host a blind tasting of Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignons? We ran the idea by one of our tasting room favorites, Summer Emmons, at Parsonage. She thought that sounded wonderful and started rattling off wineries which should be included – they were the same ones we had discussed in the car!
When we got home, Mr. H searched our collection to see if he could find wines from a single vintage. The oldest vintage we could find for all those wineries was 2015. And we did call around to try to add some other Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignons to the mix – but couldn’t get our hands on them.
This was a particularly good, albeit low yield vintage for Carmel Valley wines. As Sal Rombi of Rombi Wines explained to me long ago: Everything was going great, until flowering, when there was a lot of wind and rain. This resulted in about 55% fruit yield for the season. Because there were fewer berries creating less weight on the vines, the fruit was much more intense, resulting in this delicious vintage.
The hard part of arranging this event was finding a date that would work for everyone we wanted in the room. In the end, we pushed it out to March – and even then, lost a couple of participants. But it was the right group for the experience. In the room was the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod, Summer Emmons of Parsonage, and Erin O’Reilly of tèr·ra·ve·nos.
There was much anticipation and preparation for this event. The hardest part was the wine glasses: first, finding 7 sets of glasses in which all 4 glasses were the same, and then getting all the spots off the glasses. The amount of glassware reminded me of the time we tested Parsonage’s COVID wine tasting procedures – it was a lot of glassware, prompting them to change their plan.
The wines were all decanted at the same time. Not all our decanters were the same shape, but it was the closest we could come. And the wines were carefully pre-poured by Mr. H, a 2-ounce our of each of the 4 wines for each participant. Only he knew which wine was which and the order was mostly random. And only he and I knew exactly which wines were included in the mix, including the fact that one was a red blend. We also carefully planned the food pairings, with salami, cheeses, and a bit of dark chocolate to match the Cabernet Sauvignons.
Then the fun began. We used the tèr·ra·ve·nos tasting sheet to rate the wines. In general, we looked at and smelled each wine before we tasted them. We analyzed the flavors of each wine one-by-one. Since we didn’t know which was which, we could be bluntly honest about each one. With such a range of palates, we heard many descriptors…memorable ones…and we agreed that one of the wines – what we learned later was the red blend – tasted vastly different from the others. We did do an informal ordering of our preferences, with Wine #4 slightly edging out these other fine wines. This was a super fun format and we will do this again. Why not try this with your friends?
We started our evening with antipasto and 2 local whites: 2020 I Brand & Family Old Vines White and 2019 Corral Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc. Here are winery notes on these two wines and links to my prior postings about these wines:
2020 I Brand & Family Old Vines White (#742): “Old Vine White field blend is a blend of 3 unusual varietals. Orange Muscat, Mission and Palamino.” This was a very light white with interesting flavors, which evoked a conversation amongst us about the varietals we don’t know.
2019 Corral Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc (#604): “The Musque clone of Sauvignon Blanc showcases bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit. Guava and grapefruit compliment hints of freshly cut hay and wet stone. Finishes with a racing acidity.” This is one of our collective favorite local Sauvignon Blanc wines.
Today I am presenting the 4 Carmel Valley wines in the order we tasted. 3 have been presented here before, and 1 is new (you can tell by their numbers). As usual, the winery notes come from their tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the owner. My tasting notes this time are an amalgamation of what I heard during the tasting. Are you ready for the big reveal?
2015 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#57)
Our Review: Deep garnet in color. Spice, tobacco, black licorice and leather on the nose. Cinnamon, dark fruit, black cherry, black licorice, tobacco and a touch of smoke and leather on the tongue-coating, smooth palate with a woody, dry finish. Chewy tannins. March 2023
2015 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Marinus Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#889) 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petit Verdot, 23% Merlot, 15% Petite Sirah
Winery Tasting Notes: “This 2015 vintage of our highly regarded Signature Marinus exhibits a beautiful, deep robe. The aromas are redolent with dark red fruits and dried spices. On the palate we find bright ripe-red fruit flavors and notes of cedar on a long, rich finish, promising a long life to come! A wonderful example from our estate vineyard!
Our Review: Lighter garnet than the previous wine, perhaps a touch cloudy. Aromas of intense dark raspberry (that delicious aroma of Cachagua fruit!) and prune; a spice like sandalwood, eucalyptus, or cigar box; and white pepper. Fruitier, packed with dark fruit and chocolate notes with a long finish. Smooth and tasty, less tannic than the previous wine. March 2023
Wine Enthusiast rated the 2015 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 90 points. “Roasted red-cherry aromas meet with charcoal, smoke, oregano and marjoram on the rustic nose. Stiffer tannins uphold both bright and dark-red fruit flavors on the palate.” Matt Kettmann, August 2020
Our Review: Dark garnet with hints of brown in the glass. A pretty nose of brambleberry, cassis, slightly floral, bakery yeast and “a fat crème de violet.” Fruity flavors of blueberry, intense cassis, and sour cherry, checked by earth and green notes. Slightly acidic and alcoholic attributes.March 2023
Winery Tasting Notes: “A beast of a cab, truly a bada$$. Think Jack Reacher from the books, not Tom Cruise in the movies. This brute has a deep, dark core of sophistication that reveals its identity with time. Black currants, huckleberry, and horehound licorice with great density on the palate and fully ripened tannins. My recommendation is to lay it down for a few years while it evolves into a peaceful warrior.”
Our Review: Garnet in color. Dark berries on the nose with floral and herbal hints combined with notes of smoke, wood and plastic. The palate says “Cabernet Sauvignon,” with beautiful, chalky, and smooth flavors of dark fruit, coffee, and smoke. The finish goes on forever. Perhaps our favorite amongst favorites. March 2023
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I was trying to come up with a place for the March monthly wine tasting for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society when my neighbor dropped by a Shale Canyon tasting menu. She had been working there for a while and we thought this might be fun to do together! I am a fan of Shale Canyon wines and have written about them a couple of times – just search “Shale Canyon” in the search bar. Their space seems small, so we went back and forth with the owners to determine a maximum capacity – and put it on the calendar. In early March, the Monterey AWS members turned out in force (right up to the limit!) and everyone had a great time.
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.
Many thanks to Keith Prader, co-owner and winemaker, plus his knowledgeable, hardworking and fun staff, Janice and Alicia!
“Current production is about 1000+ cases per year with our main focus on producing wines that have outstanding nose, mouth feel and finish. For the Estate wines we are currently growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre. We source fruit from larger, well established vineyards whose farming practices are exemplary in the industry and whose fruit is second to none. The varietals include Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay and Petite Sirah. We enjoy making classic and unique blends as well . Our Consortium is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Striation is 75% Zinfandel and 25% Mourvèdre, a wonderful floral wine. And Amalgamation, a very interesting blend of Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah. Quality is our main goal. Quantity is always secondary. We hope you try and enjoy our wines!”
Today I am presenting 10 Shale Canyon wines. Some of these wines have been presented here before, but this was an opportunity to revisit a few of them, with a little input from our AWS members. As usual, the winery notes come from their tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the owner.
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.” Naturally fermented. 165 cases produced.
My Review: Golden in color. Butter and yeasty notes on the nose. Tropical palate of pineapple, peach, and a touch of caramel. Nicely balanced and delicious. A great price for an SLH Chardonnay! March 2023
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.”
My Review: Dark ruby in color. Aromas of strawberry. Smooth and rich on the palate. Dark, intense tobacco and Mourvèdre enveloping the dark cherry flavors. March 2023
Winery Tasting Notes: “Our award-winning varietal starts with aromas of dark fruit, slight oak and a touch of floral. Distinguished flavors of dark cherry, blueberry, and cassis envelope the middle. The finish of leather, vanilla and medium firm tannins complete the experience of our flagship wine.” Best of Show, Best of Class.
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Sweet blackberry on the nose. Smooth and yummy palate of dark, lean fruit. Very balanced. My favorite of the day. I have selected this wine for an upcoming DC wine class! March 2023
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: Inky in the glass. Vegetal notes on the nose, like caramelized onions with a touch of Creme de Cassis. A jamminess follows through on the palate, but, tonight, this tasted a bit sharp. This wine is usually a household favorite, so I definitely want to revisit it as a stand-alone. March 2023
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.” 100% Tempranillo.
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. SweetTart on the nose. Dark, lean fruit on the palate. A very nice wine. March 2023.
Winery Notes: “ZSM is a complex blend of varietals. On the nose you will get bright berry fruit with a touch of violet. The middle is full of dark fruit, predominantly blueberry, followed by raspberry and huckleberry. On the very long finish you will get a whisp of smokiness from the newer oak barrels, firm tannins and notes of vanilla.” (“Let’s see what we got”)
My Notes: Yummy nose, rich palate, fruity and very balanced. This was a top favorite of the evening’s participants – everyone seemed to like this wine.
2018 Shale Canyon Petite Sirah, Paicines AVA, San Benito County, $35 (#949)
Winery Tasting Notes: “The nose on this is fruit, dark fruit, and lots of it. Blueberries, plums, blackberry, black tea and chocolate on the palate. Medium to firm tannins. 100% Petite Sirah.”
My Review: By now, it was very late in the tasting. Very smooth and rich with blue and black berry fruits. In one word: yummy. March 2023
Winery Notes: “A very nice bouquet of berries and cherry. The flavors that really stand out are dark berry, current, raspberry with a touch of plum and tart cherry. A smooth finish of licorice with mild tannins and a hint of chocolate.”
My Review: It was extremely late in the evening, but I wanted to taste this anyway. Cooked, dark fruit dominated the palate. Definitely need to retaste this wine. March 2023
Winery Notes: “A bouquet of dark berry, violet and earthy aromas of black pepper, thyme and a hint of citrus. Bright fruit characteristics, with fresh strawberry, raspberry and subtle cherry. Smooth tannins with hints of cedar and a drawn-out finish with late fruit. 100% Mourvèdre.”
My Review: Aromas of Scotch (!). (OK, like I said above, it is late in the tasting…) The palate was delicious – intense berries and balanced. We liked it. March 2023
Winery Tasting Notes: “A classic blend of Bordeaux varietals. There is a distinctive cherry note on the nose. It is very elegant, yet a complex wine with black berry, dark cherry and raspberry on the palate. It has a long finish with wisps of cedar, vanilla and silky tannins.”
My Review: Beautiful ruby color. Smooth, dark berries and mild baking spice on the nose. Nice. March 2023
Winery Notes: “Strong aromas of dark berries, black currant and a little cedar. This wine has flavors of blackberry, blue berry and cranberry. A long finish with a hint of smoke, toast and silky tannins completes the tasting experience. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.”
My Review: Pretty ruby in color. The nose was a mix of vegetal and berry jam notes. Rich and delicious on the palate. March 2023
Visit Shale Canyon’s Tasting Room! You can try Shale Canyon wines ($20 and $25 tastings) at their tasting room on Paseo San Carlos Courtyard, Westside San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel-by-the-Sea. Their Spring hours are Monday-Thursday 1–4pm; Friday 1-7; Saturday 12-7; Sunday 1 – 5 and suggest reservations for parties of 6 or more. You can contact them at reservations@shalecanyonwines.com.
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:
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