Tagged: Central Coast Wines

Yes, Folks, There’s a New Parsonage Rocco Syrah Out There!

THE STORY

Time for another Parsonage pickup and a tasting of a few new releases, including a brand new Rocco!

But a quick American Wine Society Monterey Chapter News Alert:  Parsonage has joined the AWS Welcome Here program! If you are an AWS member, simply show your membership card and you will get a discount! If you are not a member or a participating winery and would like to join, check out our home page for more information!

Image of logo stating AWS Members WELCOME americanwinesociety.org

My last post about Parsonage was here: Parsonage Loses Parklet and Redesigns Beautiful Interior! Let’s jump into these wines!

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you 3 of the new releases we tasted in March. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2022 Parsonage Wild Card Red Wine, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $42 (#1725)

2022 Wild Card

Winery Notes: “Lots of lush red fruit with floral and herbal notes in the alluring nose of this six varietal blend. The medium-structured palate is loaded with red berries, cherries, and hints of mulberry and pomegranate.”  Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Grenache, Syrah

My Review: Pale purple in color with a clear rim. Deep jammy fruit in the nose with some rose petals and mocha notes. Jolly rancher on the palate. March 2026

2022 Parsonage The BDL Red Wine, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $44 (#1726)

bottle label for the 2022 BDL
2022 The BDL

Winery Notes: “Our Bordeaux-style beauty. The bouquet leaps from the glass with dark fruit, anise and tobacco. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot harmonize in a satisfying melange of dark berries, cherries and plum with a medium-firm mouthfeel and finish.” 

My Review: Garnet in glass. Dark cherry and oak on the nose. Balanced palate with a tannic finish. Still young, but could age into a nice wine. I took one home. March 2026

2022 Parsonage Rocco Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1727)

Image of 2022 Rocco label of a little blond boy and a dog looking at the vineyard.
2022 Rocco Reserve Syrah

Winery Notes: “The nose, the palate, they shout out I am a beautiful serious beast of a wine!! This vintage of Rocco is an unrestrained force of nature. Dark in berries, currants, cherries, and chocolate. Swirling in the background are savory spices and meaty umami wrapped in a muscular palate structure. The ’22 Rocco bellows from the mountaintops, “PAIR ME WITH A RIBEYE!!”

My Review: Beautiful garnet in the glass. Smooth, dark fruit on the nose. Mocha and a touch of funk on the nose and palate. This is year over year one of my favorite wines and I took one home. March 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

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

Their winter hours are: Wednesday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm, Closed Monday & Tuesday Make a reservation on line or call 831-659-7322.

Check them out on Instagram here: @parsonagewinery.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

AWS Monterey Celebrates an Early Valentines Day at Lepe Cellars’ New Location!

THE STORY

When we heard that  Lepe Cellars had moved to a great new spot in Carmel Valley, we leapt at the chance to take the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter there for one of our 2026 tastings. We recalled fondly how Miguel Lepe and his tasting room manager Thyra Roth hosted us for our holiday party a couple of years’ back.

In February, we held an early Valentine’s celebration at their new venue.  Members brought food (delicious) to pair with the wines.  Upon arrival, we heard that Lepe Cellars was raffling off a magnum of Petit Verdot for us – what an extra treat on top of their industry discount they afforded our group! With 32 members and guests in the room, Thyra kept things hopping while Miguel talked to us about making single varietal, single vineyard wines to showcase our Monterey vineyards.  It was a fabulous event.

A picture of appetizers amid valentine's day decor - big red hearts and napkins
This was an early photo – members brought so many delicious appetizers to share!

I last presented Lepe Cellars here: Lepe Cellars Hosts a Jingle-Mingle!

THE WINES

I have 7 Lepe Cellars wines to present to you today, from that evening’s event plus a scouting trip last November. Winery notes come from their website or tasting sheet unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

3 members sitting around a table with employ plates enjoying the event
Members enjoying our social event.

2023 Lepe Cellars Barrel Select Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $75 (#1705)

Bottle label for the 2022 Barrel Select Pinot Noir with a banner across the middle indicating it is a 10 year celebration

Winery Notes: “Expressive and lush this wine opens with notes of red cherry and raspberry jam interwoven with notes of rose petals and clove. On the palate are notes of wild strawberry, dried herbs leading to a lingering vanilla finish.”

A member and 2 guests enjoying the event
We love it when new guests check us out!

My Review: Pale translucent ruby in the glass. Spicy nose of cinnamon and light cherry. Cherry and woody cinnamon stick on the palate. November 2025

2022 Lepe Cellars Grenache, Zabala Vineyards, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $45 (#1706)

bottle label of the 2022 Grenache

Winery Notes: “Opens with notes of plum and dried cherries and a trace of wet stones. The palate unfolds with notes of fresh strawberry, savory soy and a hint of dried thyme.”

93 Points – Editors’ Choice Wine Enthusiast: “The mineral side of Grenache is rarely explored, but this bottling from a very rocky appellation puts the earth on center stage. Aromas of crushed riverstone meet with cherry and light baking spice on the nose. The palate’s strawberry and caramel flavors ride that stony edge into the finish.” — Matt Kettmann

2 members in matching burgundy shirts smiling, enjoying the event
Enjoying good wines and a good time!

My Review:  A pretty, medium ruby in the glass. A mellow, darker cherry nose. Nice smooth palate with dark fruit flavors and a lingering finish. I think this is one of the best Grenache wines made on the Central Coast.  November 2025

2023 Lepe Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Merit Vineyard, San Antonio Valley, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $65 (#1707)

bottle label for the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Notes: “Blackberry, black currant, vanilla.”

Picture of the couple who won the magnum of wine from the raffle with other guests in the background.
Lucky Winners of the Raffle!

My Review:  Medium, opaque garnet in the glass. A lot of smooth fruit with cherry notes. February 2026

2023 Lepe Cellars Cabernet Franc, Tre Gatti Vineyards, San Antonio Valley, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $55 (#1708)

bottle label for the 2023 Cabernet Franc

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

A member and his guest enjoying the event
A warm welcome to a new guest!

My Review: Cloudy in the glass. Cherry, red currant on the very smooth palate, with a spicy finish. While a lighter style, it is quite tasty. I took one home. November 2025

2022 Lepe Cellars Anniversary Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $75 (#1709)

2022 Anniversary blend label - has a banner indicating it is 10 year celebration

Winery Notes: “Deep and velvety this red blend is bursting with notes of black berry jam, black currant and a touch of violet. The palate is juicy with notes of cranberry and plum and finish with rich notes of brown sugar and baking spice. 42% Petit Verdot (Merit Vineyard) 34% Cabernet Sauvignon (Merit Vineyard) 20% Cabernet Franc (Tre Gatti Vineyard) 4% Syrah (Zabala Vineyard).”

Miguel Lepe is pouring wine for our members with Thyra standing in the background
Miguel and Tira enjoying our evening!

My Review:  Medium garnet in color. Pepper, vanilla, and port notes on the nose. Big palate with balanced acidity and tannin. I like this wine. November 2025

2022 Lepe Cellars Syrah, Zabala Vineyards, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $55 (#1710)

Picture of bottle label for the 2022 Syrah

Winery Notes: “Blueberry, dark chocolate, dried herbs.”

My Review:  Garnet in color. A mellow blueberry on the nose. Nice palate with blueberry, blackberry and spice on the rich palate. This was tasted in November and not at this event. November 2025

2023 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $55 (#1711)

Picture of bottle label for the 2023 Petit Verdot

Winery Notes: “Plum, boysenberry, chocolate.”

My Review:  Garnet in the glass. Sweet plum and port on the nose with a bright cherry palate. November 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

The Lepe Cellars tasting room is located at 19 E Carmel Valley Rd. Carmel Valley, CA and is open during these hours: Friday – Saturday 12pm – 6pm, Sunday – Monday 12pm – 5pm, Tuesday – Thursday by appointment only.

2 men standing beside the AWS Monterey Chapter banner outside of Lepe Cellars
Our AWS Monterey Chapter Banner!

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

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