In April, Corral Wine Co. hosted its members for a magnum party. With a beautiful display of delicious foods provided by Carmel Valley Creamery, it was a fabulous event. We sampled and savored 5 of Corral’s wines in magnum format. Very cool. My takeaway was that wine bottled in magnums has the chance to develop differently than in a 750 ml bottle. We even took one home! Yowza! Congrats to the Corral team for their excellent wines and a terrific event.
From their website: “In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.
“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 5 Corral Wine Co.wines. The first 4, I have reviewed before but I am providing updated reviews today. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ notes.
2022 Corral Estate Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $68/$180 (#1695)
Winery Notes: “Rich concentrated aromas of red fruits such as dark cherry, and strawberry with hints of cranberry, savory spices, and fine toasted oak. Slight aromas of cassis, leading way into sweet baking spices. Full of flavor this wine has a nice balance to it with aromas and flavors of cherry, clove, and baking spices with a nice long finish.”
My Review: Pretty in the glass – “vintage red”. Saddle leather on the nose. Nice palate of cherry and leather. I have to say tasting this wine on this day was an eye-opener, perhaps our favorite of the 3 pinot noirs we tasted that day. April 2026
2022 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58/$160 (#1533)
Winery Notes: “Nice rich aromas of dark cherry, casis, and forest floor and earthiness leading into ripe dark berries and a hint of leather and sweet baking spices to finish. Its refined richness and bold elegance lead way into a rich mouthfeel and layers of soft tannin and subtle sweetness for a nice long finish.”
My Review: Garnet in color. Violet and mellow cherry on the pleasant nose. Rich cherry jam countered by leather on the complex palate, finishing with subtle tannins. A richer flavor than most SLH Pinot Noirs, slightly sweet on the front with a little lingering menthol on the finish. Consistently one of our favorite SLH Pinot Noirs. February and March 2025 + April 2026
2022 Corral Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $64/$160 (#1696)
Winery Notes: “Classic SLH Pinot Noir with aromas of darker fruit, ripe cherry and a freshness made up of sandalwood and a slight earthiness, sweet spice, and a warm richness. With a nice rich and lush mouthfeel and a long lasting finish.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Delicious plum and spice on the rich, slightly earthy nose, followed by dark fruit and caramel on the palate. I like this one. March and April 2026
2022 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Armory Vineyard, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $87/$218 (#1745)
Winery Notes: “Dry farmed since day 1 allowing a nice rich dark fruit driven wine with intense color and concentrated aromas of bing cherry, plum, and spices with hints of peppercorn, cedar, wilder herbs, leather, and a dusty finish. With rich flavors of plum, blueberry cobbler, dark chocolate, violets, and hints of tobacco leaf.”
My Review: Beautiful purple in the glass. Clove, dark plum, blackberry, blueberry and a touch of menthol on the nose. Smooth, rich, dark palate with eucalyptus notes on the finish. I enjoyed this wine. March and April 2026
2022 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $140 (#1754)
My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Cassis on the nose. Intense palate of intense concentrated dark fruit. I couldn’t help myself and took one home. April 2026
Deep in the planning for the 2026 calendar of events, the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter’s Scouting Party visited Corral Wine Co. The goal was to check out its fabulous outdoor space for an upcoming summer event. What we got was a fabulous, private tasting which even accommodated our mascot-by-default, Mushu. We enjoyed it so much that we followed up with Larry Bell and are all set for our summer 2026 outdoor event! Thanks, Larry and Marissa!
From their website: “In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.
“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 5 Corral Wine Co.wines for the first time and a revisit of their 2021 Petite Sirah.Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. My notes are amplified by the AWS Monterey Chapter Scouting Party. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ notes.
2024 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $32 (#1693)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of stone fruits, citrus, wet stone, and hints of gooseberry. On the palate lemon, citrus, peach while finishing with its nice racing acidity and minerality.”
My Review: Extremely pale in the glass. Acidic and minerality on the nose. Creamy peach and melon with pineapple notes on the light palate. November 2025
2023 Corral Chardonnay, Highlands Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $56 (#1694)
Winery Notes: “Rich tropical fruit aromatics of grilled pineapple, and crème brulee with hints of lifted sweet toasted spice and roasted nuts and toasted marshmallow. Flavors of citrus and myer lemon, sweet baking spices, and lemon custard.”
My Review: Golden in the glass. Caramel on the balanced nose. Delicious palate of crushed pineapple. November 2025
2022 Corral Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $68 (#1695)
Winery Notes: “On the nose dark cherry, cassis and forest floor. On the palate dark berry, hints of leather and sweet baking spicecs. Rich bold mouthfeel with layers of soft tannins lingering through the finish with subtle sweetnees.”
My Review: Cloudy in the glass. Cherry, red currant really smooth with a spicy finish. While a lighter styled, it is quite tasty. November 2025
2022 Corral Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $56 (#1696)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of darker fruit, ripe cherry and a freshness made up of sandalwood and a slight earthiness, sweet spice, and a warm richness. With a nice rich and lush mouthfeel and a long lasting finish.”
My Review: True to varietal. Spicy, peppery with riper richer grapes. I prefer this one. November 2025
2023 Corral Zinfandel, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, $56 (#1697)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of blueberries and plum with a slight herbal aroma and hints of lavender leading way into red licorice and allspice with intense flavors of boysenberry, black cherry leading the way for cocoa powder and a nice mineral finish being enhanced by the limestone rich soil.”
My Review: Blueberry, cherry and spice on the nose. A spicy, tongue-coating palate. Really delicious. Medium tannins and a bit acidic. While not as big as other California Zinfandels, this is the best representation of a San Benito Zinfandel I have tasted so far. It would go well with your turkey and cranberries or a leftover turkey sandwich! November 2025
2021 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1534)
Winery Notes: “Rich in color with aromas of dark fruit and ripe red fruits lead way to hints of sage, nutmeg and leather. Flavors of blackberries, baking spices, velvety tannins on the finish.”
My Review: Rich, thick, dark purple in color. Crushed black currant with eucalyptus and sage notes on the nose. Huge, rich palate of dark fruit, finishing with lingering intense black currant and saddle leather. This is one delicious wine. We took some home! February/March 2025
When six couples from our East Coast life joined us here on the Monterey Peninsula, it wasn’t hard to come up with wineries we wanted them to experience. Corral Wine Co. @corralwineco was an easy choice to make. This was the perfect opportunity to expose them to Adrien Valenzuela’s fine winemaking. In addition, there were 4 new releases to try, which are the centerpiece of today’s post!
Many thanks to owner Larry Bell for his surprise appearance to host our group and share stories about the winery and the wines. (Our friends proclaimed “There’s a cowboy in there!” as we walked into the tasting room.) His humility and honesty about their experiences, successes and challenges to date are refreshing. As their slogan says: they’re not fancy, but they make good wine. And a very special shout out to Marissa for pouring for us and amplifying the wine descriptions along the way – she is the consummate professional! Our friends commented for days about the high quality of the Corral Wine Co. wines.
My Chardonnay-loving friend declared the 2022 Corral Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay as the best of the day. My updated review: “Yellow-gold in the glass. Butter and caramel balanced by a touch of lime on the nose. Quite flavorful and classic. A nice tang on the palate and acidity on the finish saves it from being too buttery from the malolactic fermentation. November 2024 and March 2025”
And, finally, the 2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon has come into its own on this third (for me) tasting: “Purple in the glass. Raspberry and plum on the nose, reminiscent of a balsamic vinegar, savory and slightly sweet at the same time. Juicy, balanced palate, like a rich raspberry jam on toasted sourdough. A blue, tannic crunchiness of Concord grape skin, finishing with intensely dark plum and mint. Very complex and delicious. March 2025”
THE WINERY
From their website: “In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.
“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 4 Corral Wine Co.new releases from this reunion experience. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. My notes are amplified by the East Coast Chapter of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2023 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, $36 (#1531)
Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of strawberry, peach ring, and red fruit. Leading way into flavors of watermelon, passion fruit, and orange citrus with hints of white peach and mandarin.” Getting the color right remains a challenge – from their previous vintage of a bright deep color to this year’s pale version.
My Review: Very pale and viscous in the glass. Floral nose, followed by a crisp palate highlighted by pink grapefruit tartness. I would drink this in the micro-climate. March 2025
2023 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1532)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of stone fruits, citrus, wet stone, and hints of gooseberry. On the palate lemon, citrus, peach while finishing with its nice racing acidity and minerality.”
My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Grilled pineapple on the nose. Very tasty crisp palate with gooseberry and pineapple flavors. Perhaps the tastiest Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc currently on the market. February and March 2025
2022 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#1533)
Winery Notes: “Rich, full flavors of drk cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, spice, and a long finish.”
My Review: Garnet in color. Violet and light cherry on the pleasant nose. Rich cherry jam countered by leather on the hot palate, with lingering menthol on the finish. A richer flavor than most SLH Pinot Noirs, slightly sweet on the front with a little lingering menthol on the finish. Consistently one of our favorite SLH Pinot Noirs. February and March 2025
2021 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1534)
Winery Notes: “Dark and rich in color with aromas of dark fruit, and ripe red fruits leading way into hints of sage, nutmeg, spices, and leather. With flavors of blackberries, sweet baking spices finishing with nice velvety tannins and a long flavorful finish.”
My Review: Rich, thick, dark purple in color. Crushed black currant with eucalyptus and sage notes on the nose. Huge, rich palate of dark fruit, finishing with lingering intense black currant and saddle leather. This is one delicious wine. We took some home! February/March 2025
The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society was seeking a place to celebrate the holidays – and I thought of LadySommatthe Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel. They have interesting offerings in a great space. Fortunately, the date we were seeking just happened to be open on their calendar. They offered us some fun wine education aspects and a beautiful spread of cheeses and fruits paired with some delicious bread, making for a lovely evening. Roxanne and Tamara were great hostesses for our group that evening. Thank you, ladies! And we were very happy to meet some brand new members of our local wine group!
ABOUT LADYSOMM
From their website: “At the heart of Lady Somm are two sisters, Roxane Langer and Tamara Carver, whose passion for wine has blossomed into a mission to share it with the world. With backgrounds that span the globe and the wine spectrum, they invite you to join them on a journey of discovery, education, and enjoyment. Welcome to our world of wine.”
On their website, you can dive deeper into all of their wine education, tasting salon, travel and special events. I encourage you to take a peek! I am excited about their offerings – there is something for every budget. They host regular wine tasting and education events, running the spectrum from informal to fancy. It’s a fun place to explore!
THE EVENT
Our holiday celebration at LadySomm was a fun event. How lovely to enter their space, all decorated for the holidays with the beautiful charcuterie boards on display plus the 3 wine education stations:
“Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles – Taste three different sparklers that evoke the holiday spirit: Are you a prosecco fan or a method Champenoise fan, OR do you even know which you prefer? Taste three of our favorites to confirm your preference.”
This was eye opening. The prosecco from Italy upon first taste was delicious, blowing my preconceived idea that all prosecco’s are sweet. Others thought it was a tad sweet, which I discovered to be true upon a revisit. Alas. The cava from Spain was extremely bubbly, crisp, and dry – the bubbles obfuscated the flavors for me, which is one of my pet peeves in overly bubbly wines. I probably didn’t give it a fair shake and will try another one again. The Champagne (obviously from France) had the finest bubbles, the most sophisticated of the three. I do enjoy a good Champagne! Those would have been fun to blind taste to see if we could guess which was which.
“Beef or Fowl for your holiday table – which wine region has you covered? Taste a “perfect for your roast turkey” white wine, a big red for your prime rib and a wine that pairs well with both all from one European wine region.”
Here, we learned how different wines pair with turkey and beef. We tasted a Domaine de Cala, Coteaux Varois en Provence rosé with the turkey – an appropriate pairing.
Then we tried the 2021 Wrath Pinot Noir, Boekenoogen Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.3 % ABV, $49 (#1484) (92 points – Wine Enthusiast) with both the turkey and the beef, showing its versatility in food pairing. This wine was fuller-bodied than the typical SLH Pinot Noir, possessing enough structure and tannins to please our palates and stand up to the beef.
Finally we tried a Tribe & ArrowDiamond Dão Proprietary Red Blend(50% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot), Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley with the beef. I didn’t see the vintage, but this is a limited production bottling by Olette Wines with individually numbered bottles. Another great pairing!
“Know What Your Nose Knows – Learning the Language of Wine: Learn to smell and identify common scents in three different wine varietals.”
Here they had on display a 2022 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1088); a Val de Meigas Albariño from Spain; and a MAX Carménère Reserva from Chile. For this exercise, they put wine glasses upside down over Le Nez du Vin wine odor bottles. Oh, is that what you are supposed to do with them – who knew? Another fun excursion for a future wine event!
First we focused on the aroma chart or what one might smell by swirling one of the white wines in the glass. Then we could pick up each glass and try to discern the odor in each glass to the chart. I guessed all of these correctly. The green apple wasn’t so distinctive, but wet hay was the most memorable for me. Then we had a set of cards to use to identify the odor samples typical for a Carménère. I got green pepper off the bat, and found garlic a bit harder to discern. OK, I don’t consider myself to have a very good nose or palate for detecting the multitude of aromas and flavors in a wine, but I aced them all!
VISITING LADYSOMM
LadySomm is located at 3728 The Barnyard, G-23 on the upper level in Carmel. They are open 2-7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays. Check out their website for upcoming events throughout this holiday period and beyond!
December is the perfect month to join the American Wine Society and select Monterey, CA as your local chapter! Please join today so you can participate in our 2025 local wine education activities!
One of our Decanting Monterey wine partners recently invited me to attend a Corral Wine Co. release party. I was quite excited about the invitation, as we consider their wines as some of the finest in the area. For me it was a rare chance to visit their beautiful Bell Ranch estate, chat up the owners and staff, and mingle with the members. We had a long conversation co-owner and winemaker Adrien Valenzuela who gave us the details about the new red blend, called “Tres Amigos” and the newly released Cabernet Sauvignon.
Rick and Adrien
We were greeted with a pour of their 2022 Monterey County Chardonnay, followed by their 2022 Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH) Chardonnay – a stark contrast between the two. The SLH white was paired with potato chips – very good together! I’d say the Monterey Chardonnay would make a great every day white, while I would save the SLH one for a special occasion – like Thanksgiving!
The “Tres Amigos” is a tasty blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. I found it very approachable, drinkable now, and right up my alley. It was paired with Lula’s chocolates. Yum. When I try to compare it to the 2019 “See What You Can Do” Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend, I find them completely different. The 2019 was a much more structured wine, while the Tres Amigos is one I want to serve now.
We also sampled the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, which Adrien says he left in the barrel longer than usual. It was paired with delicious brisket. The flavors in that wine certainly reflect the extra aging. I would cellar that wine for a while.
Finally, we got a barrel sample of their 2023 Zinfandel from the Enz Vineyard in San Benito County. It is aging in once-used French barrels. I have to say it is already a big, delicious beauty, one I will look forward to once it is released. I was too blown away to capture notes, but we all said this could be the finest local Zinfandel yet!
“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.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 4 Corral Wine Co.wines from this November release party. Winery notes come from their website or provided at the release party. My notes are amplified by my Wine Pod partner. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2022 Corral Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $38 (#1469)
Winery Notes: “Barrel fermented with 20% New French Oak and allowed to go through complete malolactic fermentation. This Chardonnay will appeal to a wide variety of palates. Composed of precision, minerality, and freshness but also bringing some structure, body, and concentration. Aromas of toasted oak, crème brûlée, baking spices, and roasted nuts with flavors of lemon custard, pineapple, and butterscotch.”
My Review: Yellow with a little green tinge in color. Meyer lemon with grassy notes. Not super buttery, which is a plus in our view! November 2024
2022 Corral Chardonnay, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $52 (#1470)
Winery Notes: “Elegant and focused Chardonnay barrel fermented with 33% New French Oak allowed to go completey through malolactic fermentation which brings richness and an oily, silky mouthfeel with a medium to full body. Displaying aromas of tropical fruit, lemon, sweet baking spices, and hints of vanilla and clove. Rich flavors of Meyer lemon, pineapple, and stone fruit that lead way into a long lasting juicy finish because of its bright acidity.”
My Review: Yellow-gold in the glass. Butter deliciousness on the nose. Quite flavorful and classic. The acidity on the finish saves it from being too buttery. Elegant and balanced. November 2024
2021 Corral “Tres Amigos” Red Blend, Central Coast AVA, 14.2% ABV, $64 (#1471) 66% Syrah Highlands Ranch SLH, 20% Petite Sirah, 14% Cabernet
Winery Notes: “Deep purple hued wine showing off its inky color and intensity. With a nice array of aromatics: blackberries, crushed blueberries, black pepper, bay leaf, cedar, and dried herbs; matching its big flavor profile of black fruits, all spice, elegant velvety tannins, and its fresh acidity bringing it a nice long finish.”
My Review: Plum, a little chocolate and deliciousness on the palate. Smooth, with plenty of fruit and so easy on the tannins. Classy label! I want to serve this wine now. I took two home. November 2024
2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Armory Vineyard, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo, 14.5% ABV, $87 (#1472)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of dark red cherry, blueberry cobbler, dark chocolate, roasted notes, vanilla, and new leather with hints of tobacco and black pepper. A juicy palate with lots of flavor made up of maraschino cherry, anise, and blackberry; finishing with nice elegant but firm tannins.”
My Review: Purple in color. Black pepper and raisin on the nose, almost a ruby port-like quality (but in a good way). Lots of white pepper and earth on the huge dark fruit palate. Cherry on the finish. That’s a big wine and definitely expresses the Paso Robles terroir. This wine needs to be cellared at least 5 years. We wondered what it would have tasted like had it been decanted. November 2024
Earlier this month, I connected with my old wine group – and presented Monterey wines to them. I do this class about once a year and am always glad to be sharing my passion and enjoying Monterey wines on the East Coast.
This class was a bit easier to put together than ones I have done in the past. Why? 1. An improved budget for the class allowed me flexibility to include some higher priced wines. 2. I had a free case of wine from one of the wineries (thank you!). 3. I stumbled onto some incredible shipping rates ($1 – really??) and huge sales on a couple of wines. As a bonus, most of the wines presented had Wine Enthusiast ratings. Writer-at-Large Matt Kettmann does a great job covering Central Coast wines.
I have boasted that, while Monterey is known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, I usually don’t present either. I set out to make this class is different. I felt it was time to show my East Coast friends a value (but tasty) Chardonnay representative of Monterey County – and what a really good Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands can be!
I could not pull off these classes without the generosity of our local wineries and the Monterey Vintners & Growers Association. I have worked to develop deep relationships with Monterey wineries, including the winemakers, tasting room staff, and even some vineyards! They give me steep discounts on their wine (sometimes they even donate wine!) in return for me giving their wines visibility to a new audience. Many thanks to Bernardus, Corral Wine Co., McIntyre Vineyards, Parsonage and Scheid for their support and generosity. I’m so grateful.
BernardusCorral Wine Co.McIntyre Vineyards
*Readers: Is there a Monterey County winery you know or would like to know for my next class or a future post? Wineries: Is there a deal on one of your wines you would like me to showcase next Spring? Leave me a comment below or email me!*
ParsonageScheid
THE CLASS ITSELF – ENJOYING MONTEREY WINES ON THE EAST COAST
It Takes a Village: Before I launch into this class, I need to give a huge thank you to my many friends who helped me with this class: Paula, the board member who got me on the calendar and introduced me; my former neighbors Howard and Nora, who patiently received my wine shipments; Stephen who chilled the whites and found excellent cheese pairings; my good friend Steve, who helped me transport the wines to the event. And, during the class, those friends plus Dina who helped pass out the wines to those East Coast wine aficionados.
I started this almost-sold-out class (57 people!) by ensuring everyone knew where Monterey County is on the Central Coast. I talked about our climate, the Blue Grand Canyon under the Monterey Bay, creating a Thermal Rainbow® – our high valley temperatures brought relief by the afternoon winds coming off the bay the stress and cool the vines – with accompanying fog to keep them from getting too cold overnight. I briefly ran through our winemaking history and current stats and encouraged them to visit! 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 & Growers Association, I invite them all to visit.
I then talked briefly about the four Monterey County American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) from which today’s wines originated: Monterey, Arroyo Seco, the Santa Lucia Highlands and, for the first time, San Lucas. You can read more about our AVAs here.
Finally, I gave a short overview of each winery and presented each of the wines. As we moved through the tasting, the group had extremely positive reactions and asked good questions.
They asked if wines were available locally – The Bernardus Chardonnay should be available locally; all others can be found via the wineries directly.
They cheered at the quality and expression of flavors in the Corral Sauvignon Blanc.
They asked how long the McIntyre could be cellared (another 8-10 years). And they seemed to really enjoy the two big red blends from Parsonage and Scheid.
One observation was that these wines were all rather high in alcohol – I assured them that it is not the trend, just happened to be the wines selected for this class.
Overall, the attendees were very happy with both the educational component and the quality of the wines themselves.
THE WINES
Today I am presenting the 5wines from this May tasting. Winery notes come from their tasting sheets or websites, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2020 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $30 (#884)
Winery Notes: “Bright white fruit aromas accented by subtle oak notes. The palate is intense and beautifully focused with vibrant peach and tropical fruit flavors along with spice accents. The long finish is supported by a refreshing acidity.”
Wine Enthusiast – 88 points: “Lime spritz and apple-slice aromas show on the nose of this bottling. The palate shows an earthier side, offering baked lemon and toasted nut flavors.”
My Review: Golden in the glass. Tropical and buttery on the nose and tasty with some grilled pineapple on the palate. Butter, caramel and slight metallic notes on the finish. I believe this Monterey Chardonnay is quite representative of our region. October 2023 & February 2024
2022 Corral Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1088)
Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of lemongrass, citrus, fersh herb, and guava with hints of gooseberry. Flavors of lemon, peach, and citrus finishing with a nice minerality and racing acidity.”
My Review: Straw in the grass. A slightly sweet nose of grapefruit & melon. The nose follows over to the palate with a grapefruit twist on the finish. It’s a lot, in a good way. September 2023
2016 McIntyre Vineyards Block 3 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1290)
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Roasted cherry and plum meet with turned earth and toasty oak aromas on the nose of this single-block bottling. The palate is wrapped in that savory oak flavor, which complements the dried sage and rich dark-fruit flavors, as strong tannins hold it all in check.” Matt Kettmann
Prince of Pinot – 91 points: “A combination of the Swan clone and the “Old Vine” Block. The crop was thinned to a maximum of three tons per acre or 1.5 lbs of fruit per foot of cordon. Indigenous yeast fermentations. · Dark garnet color in the glass. The nose offers aromas of blueberry-pomegranate and a compliment of toasty oak. An onslaught of purple and black berry fruits greet the palate. Not particularly nuanced but plenty of ostentatious fruit. Modest tannins, low acidity and a finish of modest length. The slightest warmth shows up on the finish.” July 2022
My Review: Dark ruby in color. Delicious nose of dark cherry. Palate is packed with dark, tart fruit like a dark cherry jolly rancher and some sandalwood. We liked this wine. March 2024
Winery Notes: “This iteration of the beloved Wildcard, our preposterous melange of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir, will rock your world. The nose is a fragrant and seductive melange of exotic spices, wild flowers, boysenberry, and cranberry. The palate is marked by cedar notes and blueberry with a vibrant backdrop of red and black fruit in this medium-plus mouthfeel beauty.”
My Review: Bright garnet. Subtle nose of crushed red and black fruit. The bright fruit on the palate mellows out on a soft finish. Really well melded and delicious. May and November 2023
2020 Scheid Arbolitos, San Lucas Vineyard, San Lucas AVA, Monterey County, 15.5% ABV, $40 (#1287) 28% Primitivo, 28% Barbera, 19% Charbono, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignan, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Notes: “Our 2020 vintage is intense and focused, with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, ripe plum and elderberry. Acidic, bright and medium-bodied, it is framed by soft tannins. A rich red fruit finish prevails with notes of vanilla and mocha.”
Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “From a head-trained vineyard of “little trees,” this proprietary blend pairs black plum and purple flowers with peppercorn and soy on the nose. The palate is firm in texture, offering ripe blueberry and violet flavors.”
My Review: A Super Tuscan-style field blend. Cassis on the nose – intense delicious fruit. Very delicious. Jammy smooth complex palate. I really like this wine and selected it for my next class. February 2024
THE TASTING ROOMS
All of these wineries presented today have tasting rooms in one or more of our three wine tasting areas of Monterey County: Bernardus, Corral and Parsonage are in Carmel Valley Village. Scheid and McIntyre are in Carmel. Scheid also has a tasting room way down the Monterey Wine Trail.
You can see a map of Monterey County wine tasting rooms and get more information here.
The tasting rooms in the Carmel Valley Village “East End” (the old White Oaks shopping center) decided to share “Members for the Day” – a member at one winery could taste at all the tasting rooms! With our Tasting Passport in hand, we could taste at Parsonage, Corral Wine Co., Chesebro, Windy Oaks, Austin Harlow, and I. Brand & Family! How cool was that!
ABOUT THE EAST END “MEMBERS FOR THE DAY”
Each winery sent an invitation to its members, inviting 2 members plus 2 friends to spend a Sunday afternoon visiting the 6 wineries. Each prepared a limited menu from which attendees could pick a couple of wines to try. Or that was the idea, anyway. From the members’ perspective, this was a great way to try wineries we had never been to, bring a friend or two, and meet new people.
From the tasting room staff perspective, this was a bit of crowd-management chaos, in a fun way. Lots of people signed up and the fine print of only picking a couple of wines at each one was totally lost on the members. Some wineries told us verbally, others printed it on the menu, and yet another simply opened 2 wines as the only ones available that day – smart.
Members who were used to tasting the whole menu showed no restraint. 😊 At one winery, the event overlapped with their spring release, creating added confusion to who was “allowed” to try what! We could see in the eyes of the tasting room staff that some were doing the best they could with as much enthusiasm they could muster, while others looked simply shell-shocked. We members, on the other hand, had a wonderful time. At some wineries, the sales were flowing, so the idea worked for them.
In hindsight, some said that *if* they were ever to do this again, they would limit the invitation to 2 members (no extra friends), make it clearer that people could only pick 2 wines (or only serve 2). Good ideas. I would add: make this an annual event and try not to overlap your releases so there is a single menu. (I know, easier said than done and I am guilty of showing up to do both at once).
If you attended this event, I would love for you to leave a comment today on your experience at East End “Members for the Day”!!
2021 Mid Life Crisis Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV , $21 (#1303)
My Review: Pale gold in color and viscous in the glass. Butter on the nose. We found this Chardonnay to be pretty tasty with a buttery and light grapefruit finish. April 2024
Winery Notes: “Even though it wasn’t a warm vintage, our 2023 rosé shows more warm climate character, not unlike Spanish rosés, than in past years. The long hang time and ample canopies brought full phenological ripeness for a red wine at rosé sugars and acids. The resultant flavors are more cherry and plum than underripe strawberry and watermelon but in the same refreshing composition as usual.”
My Review: Pale pink in the glass. Light in flavor. Very refreshing. I would drink this in the micro-climate! April 2024
2023 Paysan Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $24 (#1306)
Winery Notes: “I feel like this last year people finally ‘got’ the Zabala Sauvignon Blanc. It’s not a gooseberry and cat pee SB like we were taught to like from New Zealand (and which has become, in the vein of buttery Chardonnay, a parody of itself) nor the laser thin acid bomb of Sancerre. The Musqué clone it’s based on gives a distinctly melon driven presentation, underscored by river rocks and crushed seashells. It also retains less acidity than other SB clones, which is essential in Arroyo Seco because the winds and cold nights make everything acidic. Our Zabala Sauvignon Blanc is an exceedingly pleasant wine, joyful, friendly, consistent. It’s the white wine you always want in the fridge for when you need a splash.”
My Review: Pale in the glass. Melon, peach and light pineapple on the nose. The palate is refreshing and light with a lingering finish. April 2024
2023 La Marea Verdelho, Pierce Ranch, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 11.8% ABV, $19 (#1307)
Winery Notes: “I set a goal of exploring more white wines in 2023. We picked up some pretty esoteric stuff, including two grapes off Pierce Ranch. The second will come in the summer, but the first is this delightful Verdelho. Verdelho is a Portuguese grape grown predominantly on the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores. It creates a bright, almost spicy wine redolent of citrus and orchard fruit. This is an exceedingly pleasant quaff. We only made 50 cases of this wine, so don’t pass on it or you’ll miss it!”
My Review: Very pale in color and lacking aromatics. Light on the palate with some ginger on the finish. We thought this would pair well with food and took one home. April 2024
2023 La Marea Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $25 (#1308)
Winery Notes: “After several short vintages, it’s lovely to finally have a decent crop off Kristy’s. The 2023 vintage was characterized by a comparatively late harvest. Across the 2023s, sugars were late to accumulate and acids remained stubbornly high as phenolics developed in the moderate temperatures. High potassium levels in the juice resulted in higher than usual finished pHs with good titratable acidities (a measure of the total acid content in the wine) meaning that the 2023 whites are deeply flavored, supple and open while remaining focused. Our 2023 Albariño has been showing great with depth and complexity to spare.”
My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. Full-bodied and delicious. Very balanced in all its flavors. We liked this one so much that we took 2 home! April 2024.
2022 Paysan Petite Sirah, Pierce Ranch, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $27 (#1309)
Winery Notes: “One way to beat the fall heat spikes of 2022 is to pick before they hit. Heat is a fact of life in the San Antonio Valley and the secret is to work with well adapted varieties. Thick skinned Petite Sirah is a lovely choice and on the fractured silicate and calcareous rock of Block One it yields a wine of surprising elegance and grace. I made the wines for Pierce Ranch for several years earlier in my career, so I know the vineyard well and this is one of their premier blocks. Fermented with 30% whole cluster and aged in neutral oak for 11 months.”
My Review: Almost purple in the glass. A nice, black and blue fruit palate with a tannic finish. I think this will settle down into a very yummy wine. April 2024
2016 Cheseboro Grenache, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.8% ABV, $35 (#1310)
Winery Notes: “A savory and robust Grenache from the sandy, well-drained soils of Cedar Lane Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Only 80 cases produced. Ripe rasberries and cracked pepper with a firm core of dusty tannins. Aromas of dried sage brush leads off followed by bright red berry fruit and a long caressing finish.”
My Review: Unfortunately, I did not take notes on this wine. I recall it being quite delicious and full, made in a style I would prefer my Grenache to be. April 2024
2018 Windy Oaks Special Release – Le Chaud, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 14.8% ABV, $85 (#1311)
Winery Notes: “Using a special piece of machinery that heat treats specific rows of the vineyard in rapid motion, it decreases the number of mildew sprays and actually increases the phenolics (important flavor contributors) in the grape skins. This results in amplified aromas and black/red fruit characteristics with unusual complexity and layering.”
My Review: I was unable to taste this wine, but my partner did – and I simply wanted to include it today.
Winery Notes: “This iteration of the beloved Wildcard, our preposterous melange of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir, will rock your world. The nose is a fragrant and seductive melange of exotic spices, wild flowers, boysenberry, and cranberry. The palate is marked by cedar notes and blueberry with a vibrant backdrop of red and black fruit in this medium-plus mouthfeel beauty.”
My Review: Garnet in color. Well-melded flavors in this red blend – a great follow-on to the fabulous 2020 vintage, which I am presenting in my DC wine class. Red and black fruits dance on the medium-bodied palate. This wine is still young and has great potential. April 2024
THE TASTING ROOMS
The Carmel Valley Village “East End” tasting rooms are located at 19 East Carmel Valley Road. Please check each winery’s website for their specific hours.
Corral Wine Co. co-owner and winemaker Adrien Valenzuela had shared with us that the newly-released Pinot Noirs would be available now in the tasting room in early February. We stopped by the check them out – and to try again their new Petite Sirah. I’m honing in on my wines for my next DC class and wanted to check out my options. I’ve got their Sauvignon Blanc in my lineup – what else might I pick?
Sourcing grapes from some of the regions very best vineyards is key to their success – from the correct side of Paso (depending on the varietal) to some of my personal favorite vineyards in Monterey County and beyond to San Benito County.
THE WINES – AVAILABLE NOW!
Today I am presenting 3 Corral Wine Co.wines from this September tasting, plus a few we tasted earlier in the year. I previously wrote about my first sip of the 2020 Petite Sirah here: Monterey County Vintners & Growers Celebrate 50 Amazing Years!Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2021 Corral Wine Co. Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $68 (#1267)
Winery Notes: “Bright vibrant aromas of red fruit: strawberry, pomegranate, dark cherry, and rose petals. Rich texture, balanced acidity, and a long fruit driven finish.”
My Review: Ruby, earth and cherry on the nose. Tobacco, tart cherry on the front. Fades on back palate. Very representative of our region. February 2024
2021 Corral Wine Co. Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA , Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#1268)
Winery Notes: “Rich, full flavors of drk cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, spice, and a long finish.”
My Review: Darker in color with more purple in the ruby. Dark cherry on the nose. Big bodied and rich dark berries on the palate. Unsweetened chocolate and espresso bean on the finish, with a touch of alcohol. Now here is a wine I would like to present in a class! February 2024
2020 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $54 (#1249)
Winery Notes: “Deep aromatics of ripe red and black fruit, black pepper, and leather with hints of graphite, nutmeg, and a slightly charred oak which give way to its full body but elegant mouthfeel and flavors of dark berries and nice structured tannins on the finish.”
My Review: Rich, thick dark purple in the glass. Eucalyptus or sage on the dark berry nose, following over to the thick, rich palate. This is one delicious tasty wine. I took some home and would definitely present this wine in a class! February 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
“Come say “Hello” at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village” located at19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley. Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6 p.m.
As a huge fan of Monterey County wines, I hold a special place for the resources and efforts of Kim Stemler and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. When I learned I could be there to join the Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years, I could not wait for the date!
THE STORY – The Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years
This annual meeting was held on January 31st at Rustiqué Winery out River Road. It was mostly attended by our local vintners and a handful of their supporters. After their board meeting, we mingled and sampled some of their newest wines, some not yet released. It was a relaxed and friendly setting with a delicious lunch, followed by the meeting itself.
MINGLING
Before the meeting, I had the chance to speak with several winemakers I have gotten to know over the years. We asked about the 2023 vintage and heard the following: gratitude for the lack of wildfires, plentiful in yield, yet some mixed results vineyard by vineyard. David Baird from Folktale indicated he is looking forward to the imminent release of his 2023 whites and rosé. I thanked Miguel Lepe of Lepe Cellars for recently hosting the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society and he invited us back any time! Sabrine Rodems was very excited to show off the new Scratch C-47 Grenache-Syrah. Adrien Valenzuela from Corral Wine Co.brought their latest Petite Sirah just being released – wow. Kirstie Dyer invited us up to Holman Ranch for a tour and tasting. Dennis Hoey of Odonata did a double-take at our last name – just one letter separates us. People do ask me if we are related. Later, I joked that we should invite him to our upcoming family reunion as a long, lost cousin!
There were a number of Associate members of the group present, to whom I was introduced as a “Monterey County wine influencer.” I prefer the term “groupie.” I’m just a passionate fan and wine educator who helps get the word out about our fabulous wineries and wines.
THE MEETING
At the meeting itself, there was great recognition of how far the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association has come over these past 50 years – from their early meetings in a bar to having this larger meeting in a winery barn! Kudos were given to Kim Stemler, the face of Monterey wines, for her hard work increasing the profile of our vineyards and wineries, while working with regulatory bodies.
Kim has worked to support the members and to find solutions to challenges like COVID and wildfires (air support first makes a difference!). She provides a single point of information to streamline communication. One marketing success from 2023 was renaming the River Road Wine Trail to the Monterey Wine Trail and soon we will see new signs put up to help guide visitors. And she helped us get our local wines onto the shelves of Whole Foods! She also talked about getting wineries to visit each other to share techniques and expertise.
BRAINSTORMING
The next part of the meeting was to brainstorm at our tables some of the biggest positives and negatives for the region. At our table, we talked about the positive of growing recognition of Monterey County wines and the negative of increased shipping costs throughout the production supply chain, including delivery to consumers. As an example, the sharp increase in shipping costs during and after the pandemic have made it increasingly difficult for me to put together a class for my DC-based group.
With this much growth in the past 50 years, I can’t even imagine what it will be like the next time the Monterey County Vintners & Growers celebrate 50 amazing years!
THE WINES
Today I am sharing impressions of 9 of these latest wines; I didn’t take detailed notes. Winery notes, where available, come from their websites or labels, or as otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2022 Moonlit Harvest Chardonnay, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $22 (#1246) produced and bottled by Cowboys, Livermore, California
From the Back Label: “Eighteen eighty-three is the year C.H. Wente founded his winery in Northern California. This wine pays homage to his pioneering spirit and passion for quality grape growing and winemaking. The grapes for this wine were grown and harvested under our serenely moonlit estate vineyards located in Monterey, regarded as one of the best places in California to grow Chardonnay. The cool, coastal influences are ideal for delivering flavors of ripe apple, guava and mango balanced by subtle oak, vanilla and spice. Enjoy!”
My Review: Quite tasty and balanced with distinct tropical notes balanced with a little buttery oak – quite representative of a Monterey County Chardonnay. I would present this in a class. January 2024
2022 (?) Kori Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County (#1247)
My partner poured this, so I am assuming it is the 2022, for which I cannot yet find any notes.
Winery Notes: N/A
My Review: The tasty fruit for this wine comes from one of a top Arroyo Seco vineyard – Griva. A nice balance of citrus flavors with a predominance of that classic Sauvignon Blanc grassiness. January 2024
My Review: Big, bold flavors in this well-balanced wine. I don’t know the blend, but it clearly has enough Syrah to please my palate. Excellent. January 2024
2020 Corral Petite Syrah, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV (#1249)
Winery Notes: N/A
My Review: Rich and dark blue and blackberry tongue-coating flavors. I know I am not supposed to have favorites but this was, for our palates, our favorite wine of the day! January 2024
2019 Silvestri Eugenia Red Blend, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $65 (#1250)
Winery Notes: “The 2019 Eugenia is a unique blend of our estate reds (35% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Franc,15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot) at 25% New French Oak. Aged 18 months in barrel… Our version of a Bordeaux blend using all five varietals with Malbec leading and Cabernet Sauvignon just behind offering bold flavors of plumb and black currant and structure. Cabernet Frank and Merlot evenly support with balancing softness and a slight herbacousness and a minor contribution of Petit Vedot with color, tannin and spice.”
My Review: Very berry on the nose and palate, opening into a richer red. Tasty. January 2024
2021 Rustiqué Syrah, Tondré Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV (#1251)
Winery Notes: N/A
My Review: I was excited to try this Syrah from the esteemed Tondré Grapefield. My guess is that it is the first Syrah produced by Rustiqué. It was quite berry on the nose, followed by a very nice palate. I’d like to try this again. Time for a visit to Rustiqué! January 2024
2019 Odonata Sangiovese, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 14.2% ABV (#1252)
Winery Notes: “Strawberries, hints of cinnamon, leather and earth. The palate is round with balanced acidity and tannin. Great vintage for Machado Sangiovese, this wine is powerful and fruit forward, but will lean out into dried leaf and cool subtleties as time progresses. 10-20 year wine for sure.”
My Review: We got a lot of berry and cherry flavors with solid tannins on the finish – agree this would benefit from cellaring and I would like to taste it again!January 2024
2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $80 (#1074)
Winery Notes: “The renowned Garys’ Vineyard was planted with the celebrated “Pisoni clone” by the two iconic growers of the Santa Lucia Highlands: Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni. Together they have brought worldwide attention to this fabulous appellation for the exceptional quality of its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. This year, Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni have graciously offered Bernardus a few extra tons of the superb Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir (expertly farmed by Mark Pisoni). This enabled us to ferment in 3 small fermenters, providing a new subtle complexity to the finished wine.
“Our 2021 Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes a gorgeous perfume of ripe, dark red fruits along with notes of rose pedal. The fabulous palate is very intense – powerful yet elegant – with layers of boysenberry, ripe black cherry and a hint of spice. This is without a doubt, our finest Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir to date!”
My Review: We somehow ended up with a bottle of this wine at our table. Pinot Noir is not my wheelhouse, but this big, complex Bernardus Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of the finest I have tried. A pretty, bright red ruby color. Cherry and raspberry nose, followed by continued red fruit flavors on the complex palate. It went exceptionally well with our meal. January 2024
2021 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, Merit Vineyards, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV (#1253)
Winery Notes: N/A.
My Review: Tobacco on the nose. Dark plum and berry flavors on the palate. Pretty delicious. This was a great wine with which to finish the program.
THE TASTING ROOMS
With the exception of Moonlit Harvest, these wines can be tasted in our local Monterey County tasting rooms, spanning the 3 regions of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley Village, and the Monterey Wine Trail. You can find more information on their websites or at the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association website.
On a lovely September day, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod decided to stop in at Corral Wine Co. to experience their beautiful portfolio of tasty wines. There, we were warmly greeted and hosted by their expert staff, LeAnne and Marissa. It was a nice, quiet afternoon to taste some new releases, as well as retaste some of our favorites.
My last post about Corral Wine Co.was here: Impressive Corral Lineup for the Monterey AWS WinedUP Friday!A few of today’s wines were also in this post – but I am providing updated notes here. My notetaking can be really detailed or really skimpy when traveling with the Wine Pod – depends if we are “working” or simply enjoying ourselves – and how many tastings we have done in a single day.
We’ve been fans of Corral since they first opened their tasting room in January 2022 and find their young winemaker Adrien Valenzuela to be one of the most exciting, promising, up and coming winemakers we have encountered. His versatility seems to have no bounds – from a flavorful, delicate Sauvignon Blanc to his creative “See What You Can Do With It” red blend.
Sourcing grapes from some of the regions very best vineyards is key to their success – from the correct side of Paso (depending on the varietal) to some of my personal favorite vineyards in Monterey County and beyond to San Benito County.
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 8 Corral Wine Co.wines from this September tasting, plus a few we tasted earlier in the year. Some of these wines have been presented here before. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of lemongrass, citrus, fersh herb, and guava with hints of gooseberry. Flavors of lemon, peach, and citrus finishing with a nice minerality and racing acidity.”
My Review: Straw in the grass. A slightly sweet nose of grapefruit & melon. The nose follows over to the palate with a grapefruit twist on the finish. It’s a lot, in a good way. September 2023
(Honeydew on the nose. A nice, round palate finishing with pineapple and citrus fruits. July 2023)
2021 Corral Rosé of Pinot Noir, River Road, Monterey County, 13.25% ABV, $26 (#1206)
Winery Notes: “Bright and delicate, with aromas of strawberry and orange blossom. Aged in 100% Stainless Steel for 10 months.”
My Review: Ballet slipper pink in color. Sweet Bouquet of honeysuckle. Rich in flavor – a touch sweeter than I generally prefer – but just barely. April 2023
2022 Corral Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russell Estate, Monterey County, 13.25% ABV, $28 (#1207)
Winery Notes: “Bright and delicate with hints of strawberry, cotton candy, and hibiscus. Flavors of raspberry tea and white peach linger through the finish.”
My Review: Pale pink in color. Honeysuckle on the nose. White peach and floral on the palate. Quite nice but a tad sweet for me. 100% patio wine. Great for the beach. September 2023
Winery Notes: “Rich tropical aromatics of grilled pineapple, ripe fruit, and toasted coconut with hints of sweet baking spices. Subtle flavors of oak and spice finish on the palate with a nice oily body. Long lasting finish enhances the richness of this Chardonnay.”
My Review: Light golden in the glass. Toasted coconut on the nose, almost Sauternes like. Banana on the palate. September 2023
2019 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#841)
Winery Notes: “Rich flavors of dark cherry, plum, and nutmeg. Elegant and lasting finish.”
My Review: Pale garnet in color. Caramel on the nose. Spices including nutmeg on the mid palate. A bit of tobacco on the finish. September 2023
(Inky ruby in the glass. Smells like dark fruit, almost raisiny. Very bold on the palate – big and smooth. I’m not a Pinot Noir lover, but I truly like this wine – we have some at home! September 2022)
2019 “See What You Can Do With It” Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $62 (#843)
Winery Notes: “50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah blend with notes of cranberry, pine needles, and all spice.”
My Review: It’s got a great nose – “It smells up my alley,” proclaimed a Wine Pod member. This is truly my kind of wine. The Syrah hits mid palate with white pepper notes. A touch tart on the finish like a cherry Jolly Rancher. Right now, the grape varietals are tasting somewhat separately. September 2023
(Inky in the glass. Mocha, plum, dark berries and vanilla on the nose. Palate of sharp berries and spearmint with vanilla and anise on the finish. This wine is very young for all this big fruit – recommend cellaring for a year or so – if you can resist! One of our favorite Corral wines. September 2022)
2020Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $82 (#1209)
Winery Notes: “Aromas of black cherry, currant, and cedar. Hints of violet and blackberry. Aged in 50% new French oak.”
My Review: Deep garnet in the glass. Perfume on the nose. Very deep fruit and spice on the palate. This is going to be a great wine. April 2023 and September 2023
2019 Corral Petite Sirah, Aleksander Vineyard, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $72 (#844)
Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit: blackberries, blueberries tobacco, black pepper, and toasted baking spices. Rich in flavor, full bodied with a long finish. Aged in 100% Oak barrels, 50% new oak, 25% French, 25% American oak.”
My Review: Our last wine – and skimpy notes. Magenta in the glass, barnyard on the nose. We always like this wine. September 2023
(Beautiful dark ruby in the glass. Smoke and alcohol on the nose – not a ton of fruit. Palate is smooth and rich with dark berry flavors and yummy. This is my favorite current Corral wine – we keep buying more because we keep opening it at home! September 2022)
THE TASTING ROOM
“Come say “Hello” at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village” located at19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley. Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6 p.m.
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