Tagged: #decantingmonterey

Lyndon Fog Cellars: These Well Made Wines Impress the Palate!

THE STORY

Laurel Livingston Lyndon Fog

I met Laurel Livingston the first time at the Monterey Winemaker’s Celebration in Carmel-By-The-Sea, where I first discovered Lyndon Fog Cellars. What piqued my interest was their Syrah made from Zabala Vineyard grapes. I’m a huge fan of Zabala Vineyard fruit. Fast forward to an I Brand party in the Fall of 2024 where Laurel and Glen generously gifted me the 3 wines I am presenting today.

Laurel Livington at I Brand Vertical Tasting

My last post including Lyndon Fog Cellars was here: Highlights from the 31st Annual Monterey Wine Country Winemakers Celebration!

THE WINERY

About Lyndon Fog Cellars from their website:

“We have been working and making wines on the Central Coast of California for over a decade. Since starting in the wine industry we’ve always dreamed of the day we could make our own wines that represent us and our passion and love for wine. Together we’ve started Lyndon Fog Cellars.

“These wines are a representation of us and our winemaking style. Our grapes come from vineyards we’ve worked with and believe produce the best quality grapes to make the wines in the style we want; well balanced and fruit forward allowing you to enjoy them with a variety of food or as a glass on their own.

“We are incredibly excited to share our wines with you and hope you enjoy!”

THE WINES

Today I’m bringing you 3 current releases we have tasted this year.  These were all gifted to me for the purpose of review. Winery notes come from the Lyndon Fog Cellars website. My tasting notes were amplified by my Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society fellow board members, Janet Torelli and Erin O’Reilly. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Lyndon Fog Chenin Blanc, Vista Verde Vineyard, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#1585)

Winery Notes: “…fermented in neutral French Oak barrels. Following fermentation the wine aged in barrel for an additional 5 months, with 30% new French Oak. The result is a medium bodied tropical wine with a subtle brown spice from the new oak, which compliments the leading fruit flavors.” 

My Review: Pale straw in the glass. Golden apple, sweet lemon curd, apricot, white blossom, pineapple, Bosc pear (maybe some papaya?) on the nose. Light tropical flavors on the palate with a tasty punch of pineapple on the finish. February 2025

2023 Lyndon Fog Grenache, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.8% ABV, $30 (#1586)

Winery Notes: “…This Grenache was aged 6 months in French Oak, 30% new French Oak. This 100% Grenache is a medium bodied red wine with aromas of ripe strawberry and baking spice.” 

My Review: Cranberry with hints of cherry cola and watermelon rind on the nose. Cranberry, cherry sucker, rose petals, and plum on the palate. The fruit is so right and fresh. This wine has a tongue-coating mouthfeel. Overall, a tasty palate with a dry finish. July 2025

2023 Lyndon Fog Syrah, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.9% ABV, $35 (#1429)

Winery Notes: “…This Syrah was aged 6 months in French Oak, 30% new French Oak. This 100% Syrah is a medium-heavy bodied red wine with aromas of plum, earthy notes, black pepper and dark toast.”

My Review: Medium garnet in color, cherry, dark plum, and milk chocolate (tar, ashes, and tobacco – a classic Rhône nose) on the nose. Bright palate of cherry at its core, wrapped in Game and leather with a dark plum finish. February 2025

LOCATE

You can find Lyndon Fog Cellars on their website!

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Parsonage Loses Parklet and Redesigns Beautiful Interior!

THE STORY

In May, I dropped by the Parsonage tasting room and was astonished it had taken down its parklet and beautifully redesigned its interior to accommodate more guests. So nicely done! I’m sharing some of the new pictures from their website in today’s post – with the permission of the winery.

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

The following week, I stopped in with my neighbors for the Spring 2025 pickup. I was surprised by the number of new releases and gladly tasted them to make my allocation adjustments. The standout wine for me was the 2021 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot with its dark berry nose and palate. The 2021 Parsonage Bixby Reserve Petit Verdot is a very close second – a powerful cellar-worthy wine. I’ve reviewed them below, along with the other new releases I tasted that day.

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

This visit was also a great opportunity to add another piece of Mary Ellen Parsons’ creative art to my home collection.  We have a chicken obsession in our home, so it was easy to add this giclée to our collection of her art in our home. You can read more about her art here and you can see her art on display in the Parsonage tasting room in Carmel Valley Village.

Then we attended the Parsonage Wine and cheese pairing session this past weekend – a flight of Parsonage wines with hand-selected cheeses to pair specifically with each wine. Our winner was their 2023 Wood Reserve Cardonnay matched with the Fromage D’Affinois Brie. I also enjoyed the Midnight Moon My real favorite, though, had nothing to do with cheese: the 2021 Rocco Reserve Syrah with the Rocco-infused dark chocolate sea salt truffle from Pieces of heaven. Yum.

2025 Cheese Pairing

My last post about Parsonage was here: Happy 21st Birthday, Rocco! Let’s jump into these wines!

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you 4 of the new releases we tasted in May plus the 2022 Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2022 Parsonage Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1572)

Winery Notes: “A vibrant nose of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate and wildflowers.  The gorgeous red fruit is full, round and rich on the palate with a hint of Darjeeling on the long, lovely finish.” 

My Review: Garnet in the glass. Bouquet signals that this is a Pinot Noir, while the palate is filled with darker fruit. Finishes with brighter cherry notes reminiscent of a Jolly Rancher – in a fruity, tasty and good way! May 2025

2022 Parsonage Grenache-Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $44 (#1573) 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Sweet anise, strawberry, black pepper with an earthy minerality.” 

My Review: Warm brown sugar and spice on the nose.  Cinnamon carries over to the palate with a tart cranberry finish. May 2025

2021 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1574)

Winery Notes: “The Dario is our signature Merlot. Pairs perfectly with ham and pork tenderloin. Black raspberry, black cherry, anise, cocoa powder, and the Parsonage wildflower-spice terroir characterize the stunning nose of this epic beauty. All of the above form harmoniously on the the firm palate to create a wine of remarkable character.”

My Review: Rich, dark fruit on the nose.  I could smell this wine all day. Ripe plum and blackberry/dark raspberry on the palate.  Really delicious and my favorite wine of the tasting. May 2025

2021 Parsonage Bixby Reserve Petit Verdot, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1575)

Winery Notes: “Dark, dark fruit nose of blueberry, cassis, plum, violets, lavender, and sage. A bold melange of blueberry, dark fruit, cassis, and floral spices imposes itself in a full, well-rounded palate with an impressive finish.”

My Review: Best of both worlds – a tasty blend of bright and dark flavors, with licorice and cassis notes on the finish. This is a keeper. May 2025

2022 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#1591)

Winery Notes: “Made from grapes at the pinnacle of perfect ripeness, this Pinot has brilliant notes of black cherry with dried rose petals, cola, and English breakfast tea. The rich, round, muscular palate adds raspberry and currant to the dominant black cherry compote with the tea tannins driving the vibrant finish.”

My Review: Orange-rimmed garnet in the glass. Dark cherry and forest floor on the nose. Earth, cherry cola, and black pepper on the palate. A little zippy on the front palate and a little sweet. August 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Hooray! We are open for wine tasting daily.” 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm, last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. “Reservations can be made here or by phone. Please call us at 831-659-7322 for same day reservations.” Also, check them out on Instagram here: @parsonagewinery.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Vote for Decanting Monterey: “Best Local Blog of Monterey County”

Loyal Fans:  It’s that time of year again! Thanks to each and every one of you, Decanting Monterey once again was nominated for Best Local Blog of Monterey County – that makes 3 years in a row!! We are 1 of 5 finalists for this category.  I am so thankful and humbled by this nomination. 

Now I ask that you take the important next step:  Please vote for Decanting Monterey, a labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines. For 5 years, I have been bringing you my personal experiences to broaden the world’s view of Monterey wines. If you appreciate my personal stories, the wines, the reviews, my insights, please vote today!

VOTING IS OPEN NOW!!

From Now-Aug 29th, voting is open here: 2025 Best of Monterey County MC Weekly

You may need to register with name, email and zip code, but you can also skip that part and just vote

Please click on the photo for “Around Town,” then search for Best Local Blog and vote for “Decanting Monterey.” 

Best Local Blog

You will need to vote for 19 other local spots to submit your vote – please look around and make your favorite picks!  I’ll be voting for lots of our local places – both in and outside of the wine industry.  For example, I’m thrilled Victorian Corner was nominated for Best Huevos Rancheros and Vivolo’s for Best Clam Chowder.

OTHER VOTING CATEGORY SUGGESTIONS

Here are some wine-related suggestions:

AGRICULTURE:

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE:

  • Best Winery to Visit: Your choice
  • Best Tasting Room: Your choice
  • Best Selection of Wines by the Glass: Your choice

RESTAURANTS:

  • Best Wine List: Your choice
  • Best Sommelier: Your choice

SPECIALTY FOODS:

  • Best Local White Wine: Your choice
  • Best Local Red Wine: Your choice
  • Best Local Rosé: Your choice

SHOPPING AND SERVICES:

  • Best Wine Market: Your choice

Thank you so much, again, for your nomination and your vote! I couldn’t do this without you!

Central Coast Sharon

Profile Photo

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Barterra Winery: A Hidden Gem in Half Moon Bay!

Chris Minoletti Opened Just for Us!

THE STORY

Our friends invited us to visit them in Half Moon Bay during their family vacation. We said yes – and their immediate next question was what wineries to visit.  Wineries?  Are there wineries in Half Moon Bay?  The answer is yes! My quick research discovered several – who knew? I wrote to Barterra and they were able to open on very short notice just for our group.

We were hosted by Chris Minoletti who drove over from San Mateo just for our group.  As the great grandson of Angelo Minoletti, he proudly described each wine to us.  No, the grapes are not grown in Half Moon Bay – most of the grapes come from Lodi, with a few wines made from grapes in other regions of Northern California. We are grateful to his hosting us mid-week and we all tried to show our gratitude by buying his wine to share with others.

THE WINERY

From the Barterra website:

About Us: “My Grandfather, Angelo Minoletti, like thousands of immigrants, came to America to make a better life for his family. He settled in San Francisco’s North Beach and made wine for the family with my father, Attilio Minoletti. The making of wine was their simple pleasure, to enjoy with family.  We continue this tradition as a family-owned and operated business.” Paul Minoletti

Tools of the Trade Collected Over the Years by the Minoletti’s

Our Philosophy: “We have a hands-on approach, visiting the vineyards who prioritize growing quality grapes and only harvest by hand.  Our winemakers focus on crafting European-style wines that can be enjoyed now and have the potential for aging.  We meet with our winemakers on a regular basis to stay up-to-date with harvest trends and ensure the quality of our wines.”

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you the 9 Barterra wines we tasted. The notes are amplified by the “Decanting Monterey Wine Pod North” – our friends and their family, one of whom is studying to be a sommelier! Winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the bottle or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2024 Barterra Gewurztraminer, Clarksburg AVA, Yolo County, 13.1% ABV, $29 (#1576)

Winery Notes: “This dry version of Gewürztraminer is full of spice and fruit, with notes of lychee, lime and green apple that all together is bright, savory. fresh, and floral. A medium body carries concentration through to a flinty, spicy lasting finish. Try this pleasantly refreshing wine with soft and fragrant cheeses. such as Munster or gorgonzola, or with an aromatic Asian dish that features ginger and exotic spices.” 

My Review: Pale in the glass. Lychee on the nose. Dry, lean and light palate with a faint ginger finish. Such an interesting little wine – and not something you see around here very often! July 2025

2024 Barterra Vermentino, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 12.5% ABV, $29 (#1577)

Winery Notes: “Influenced by a delta breeze, the vineyard where these Vermentino grapes grow remains cool even during the warm summer. Enjoy this pleasantly tart wine with notes of lemon and tropical fruit while sitting in the sun. Pairs well with seafood, like oysters on the half shell, and with pasta dishes that feature fresh vegetables or pesto sauce.” 

My Review: Sweet honeysuckle, orange blossom on the nose with a touch of citrus. Light flavors on the crisp palate with some green apple, minerality. July 2025

2023 Barterra Chardonnay, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 13.3% ABV, $29 (#1578)

Winery Notes: “This golden beauty has a silky smooth mouth feel enveloping golden apples and yellow peaches, along with hints of pineapple. A touch of vanilla bean emerges on the finish. Enjoy this Chardonnay with a wide variety of food, including seafood, chicken and tomato sauce dishes..”

My Review: Pale gold in color. Caramel with a hint of lime on the nose. Skipped malolactic fermentation and was aged in 20 % new American oak. Buttery mouthfeel without the buttery taste. Crisp and tasty. July 2025

2023 Barterra French Colombard, Mendocino County, 9.5% ABV, $26 (#1579)

Winery Notes: “Natural residual sugar, light and semi-sweet, and balanced with good acidity. Nice vivid aromas of white pears, golden apple, floral honeysuckle and fruit cocktail. Pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes, particularly Thai cuisine.”

My Review: One shade tan in the glass. Faint sweet plum on the nose. Faints sweet cherry, plum and cherry on the palate. Hey, for a semi-sweet wine, it is fine. July 2025

2021 Barterra Carignan, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 12.5% ABV, $42 (#1580)

Winery Notes: “This 100% Carignan expresses itself as eminently elegant. The natural acidity balances mouthwatering, refreshingly tart blackberries, and savory notes of classic mirepoix infused with coffee that builds on the lasting finish. Think Pinot Noir when deciding what to pair with Carignan. Try seared duck breast or any cinnamon-spiced dishes, berry-based sauces, and smoky meats.” 

My Review: Ruby in color. Smoke and brown sugar (like a toasted marshmallow) with cranberry undertones on the nose. Plum, dark cherry and berry on the palate. Toasted marshmallow and pepper on the finish. Some tannin on the finish. Good mouthfeel. July 2025

2021 Barterra Wanderlust Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.3% ABV, $42 (#1581)

Winery Notes: “Enjoy an immense abundance of richness and get lost in the pure darkness of black fruits. This blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Petit Verdot will dazzle your taste buds with gripping tannins on the finish that inspire a sense of adventure. Try pairing this with something from the grill.”

My Review: Dark in the glass. Deep garnet, brown sugar, rib barbecue on the nose. Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, lavender (herby soap), plum blackberry, mocha, and dark berry on the palate, with a slightly stemmy finish. Petite Syrah dominates the palate, while the Petit Verdot comes out on the finish. July 2025

2021 Barterra Sojourn Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.2% ABV, $42 (#1582)

Winery Notes: “Concentrated savory rich ripe strawberry and cherry are supported by smooth rounded tannins and a bit of oak, finishing with hints of cinnamon and melted milk chocolate. The nice balance of tannin, fruit and acid pairs well with a very wide range of foods, from red sauce pastas to steaks.”

My Review: Increasingly garnet in color. Golden brown sugar melded with dark fruit, like a cherry cordial, on the nose – almost vanilla. The palate displays smoked meats and leather from the Syrah, along with some jammy fruit, with a peppery finish from the Zin. July 2025

2021 Barterra Odyssey  Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.2% ABV, $42 (#1583)

Winery Notes: “Abundant fruits of strawberry, black currant, blackberry, and black cherry are balanced with supporting tannins framed with balanced acidity. Potpourri and savory cinnamon rolls lead to red rose petals and black coffee on the finish. This wine will hold up to just about any big flavorful food, so a classic pairing would be a grilled ribeye or lamb roasted with sea salt, rosemary and olive oil.”

My Review: Newest release from mid-May. 1/3 each Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Dark garnet in the glass. Dark, jammy fruit with a hint of smoke. Big palate of dark fruit and BBQ, with tannins throughout. Cellar this baby. July 2025

2021 Barterra Exploration Red Blend, Lodi AVA, San Joaquin County, 14.2% ABV, $42 (#1584) 60% Petit Verdot, 20% Zinfandel, 20% Carignan

Winery Notes: “Take your tastebuds on a delicious journey beginning with notes of raspberry sorbet followed by rose petals, tart red plum and sour cherry.  Continue to enjoy the supporting tannins, balanced and medium-bodied, with a lasting finish that pleases the palate.” 

My Review: Dark berry, brown sugar and smoke on the nose. Really big delicious palate. Could be my favorite. July 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Barterra Winery is an urban winery with a tasting room in Princeton Harbor in Half Moon Bay. We believe that wine tasting should be approachable and educational. We offer guided tastings in a relaxed atmosphere where you can experience and learn about unique varietals and blends from the finest wine regions in Northern California.”

Location: 151 Harvard Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA

Hours: Saturday & Sunday: 12pm to 6pm, Monday – Friday: By appointment only

Check them out on Instagram here: @barterrawinery.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Introducing Our East Coast Friends to Corral’s High Quality Wines!

THE STORY

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 last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: A Rare Chance to Attend a Corral Release Party!  I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar. A couple of updated reviews from that previous posting:

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 TASTING ROOM

VISIT US

*Please note that Corral is moving very shortly (if not already) next door in the stand-alone white house formerly occupied by Albatross Ridge!*

“We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA”

Open Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6-ish p.m.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Chesebro Releases Its 2017 Classics!

THE STORY

Usually, I catch the announcement when a new Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage is released, but the release of their latest vintage of this wine caught me by surprise. La Montagne Sauvage is one of the Monterey County wines I presented in my very first class many moons ago – it holds a special place in this aficionado’s portfolio.  I discovered the release of this wine and 2 other new releases when I stopped in to pick up a couple of bottles of their Sparkling rosé. I came back with one of my Decanting Monterey Wine Pod expert tasters to make sure I got these classics right. We were fortunate to be hosted that day by Alex Lallos, their Tasting Room Manager.

I commend Chesebro for continuing to produce exceptional wines at affordable prices – something they should be extremely proud of.

THE WINES

Today, I am presenting 3 Chesebro Wines.  I last presented their wines to you in January 2025 here: Kicking Off the New Year with a Chesebro Favorite! Winery notes come from the label, their tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted.  Any errors are mine and mine alone; however, as a general rule, I do not correct any typos from the winery’s website.

2017 Chesebro Piedras Blancas, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1415)

Winery Notes: “A Rhone style white (85% Roussanne, 10% Vermentino, 5% Sauvignon Blanc) Our richest and most complex / ageworthy white. Don’t be afraid to put this Rhone syled white from our estate vineyard in Carmel Valley deep in your cellar. A blend of mainly Roussanne, it is modeled after the most famous white wines in Chateauneuf du Pape, France. Rich and viscous with aromas of stone fruit and flavors of baked apples and oak. A full bodied and very srious white for the true connoiseur in mind. Pair this heady white whith cream sauces, roasted fowl and sweetbreads.”

My Review: Pale, dusty gold in the glass. Light mouthfeel. Peach and melon on the nose. Mellow palate with gardenia, white peach flavors, a lot of minerality, and balanced acidity. Turns out this wine was released in Summer 2024 – but I have better tasting notes this time! February 2025

2017 Chesebro La Montagne Sauvage, CM Ranch, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $35 (#1524)

Winery Notes: “Our proprietary Rhone belnd of Syrah (80%), Grenache (15%) and Mourvedre (5%) modeled after the legendary wines of the Southern Rhone Valley in France. Grown at 1800′ 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 blackberries, chaparral, sage and all-spice. An ageworthy and deeply profound example of what these Rhone varietals can do on the granite soils of Upper Carmel Valley. ONLY 80 Cases Produced.”

My Review: Dusty garnet in color. Jammy nose with dark cherry and spicy notes. Medium palate with dark cherry flavors and a dry finish. Tasty. This is one of my favorite wines to present in a class. We took some home. February 2025

2017 Chesebro Syrah, CM Ranch, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.6% ABV, $38 (#1525)

Winery Notes: “Single barrel series. Only 25 cases produced. 100% single vineyard Syrah from our estate vineyard in Carmel Valley. Aromas of dark blueberry and currants, spice, sandal wood and cedar. Some deep earthy forest notes as well. Wonderfully balanced with chalky tannins, fine acidity and brambly fruit. Medium-full bodied.”

My Review: Big bright flavors on the exploding palate. A range of cherry flavors. Really delicious. Probably my favorite wine of the day. Took some home! February 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Come Raise a Glass with Us! We are located at 19D East Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village.”

From the Chesebro Facebook Page, used with permission

“We are now open for tasting on Friday through Sunday from noon until 5 PM and by apointment on other days. Due to our limited capacity please make an appointment on all days so that we may better serve you. Appointments can either be set up through this page…or by contacting Alex directly at Alex@chesebrowines.com or 831-238-2618. Due to our remote location, appointments are not available for the winery itself….”

SOME SPECIALS AT WINE.COM TO SHARE WITH YOU

New Customer March Promotion

  • Promotion: $20 off $150 on your First Order at Wine.com 
  • Code: MARCH20
  • Dates Live: NOW-3/31/25
  • Link ID: 10004860

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© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

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