We recently opened this astounding, impressive 2018 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc. After a bit of digging, I realized my initial writeup of this wine (Boëté – A Personal Milestone Celebration Inside the Winery!) was pre-release and at the end of a tasting, so I am bringing it back to you again, 4 years later.
“…Working in the vineyard and at the winery is a family affair with sons Jesse, Sam, and Dillon working full-time alongside their dad. John makes all the vineyard and wine making decisions, with great attention to detail being paid throughout the growing season and the wine making process; from pruning to fermentation and aging, to blending and barrel selection.
“Today, more than 6,000 grapevines grow on 7 acres, producing fruit that is widely regarded as some of California’s best.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting just one wine. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a matter of practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.
2018 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $52 (#336)
My Review: Dark garnet, almost purple in the glass. Blackberry, cedar, coffee, and Coca Cola on the nose, all carrying over to a cassis-driven palate with a delicious dark cherry finish. I like this wine. July 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
You can taste and purchase Boëté wines at The Barrel Room every day (closed Wednesdays), 12-5 p.m. 5 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village.
On a quiet Tuesday in June, neighbors invited me to go with them to Odonata Wines out on the Monterey Wine Trail in the Salinas Valley. We thought this might be a good adventure for our 5-month-old, rather large puppy. It was a big car ride for him and a lot of pup handling for us, especially when I ran out of kibble. Heh. It is one of my goals that he be a great tasting room companion – we are getting there!
We were hosted by tasting room manager Rebecca Carranza, whom I had met before when she worked at Lepe Cellars. She treated us so well and made sure we got to taste everything we wanted – and more!
“Small lot wines with a focus on local grapes that are organic and grown sustainably.
“Odonata Wines is a small family winery owned and operated by winemaker Denis Hoey. Located on the California coast, farming vineyards around the Monterey Bay Area. Odonata produces small batches of each of their wines and focuses on local grapes that are organic and grown sustainably. Hoey works closely with local growers to ensure the highest quality wines from the vines to the glass…”
“The credo we subscribe to is blending of old world winemaking methods and attitudes with new learning and a continuous search for improvement. We always want it to be interesting and exciting when you come to the tasting room or winery.” — Winemaker Denis Hoey
THE WINES
Today I am presenting the 10 wines we tasted that lovely afternoon. Winery notes come from their website unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2021 Odonata Brut Cuvée, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $48 (#1592)
Grapelive Review: “The 2021 Odonata Brut Cuvée is a sparkling wine produced using the traditional Methode Champenoise…” no current notes available online…
My Review: Pale with tiny bubbles in the glass. A Champagne-like yeasty finish. We liked this wine. June 2025
2021 Odonata Sparkling Grenache Rouge, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $46 (#1593)
Grapelive Review: “Again I was impressed and thrilled by the new set of releases from Odonata, and I especially loved the latest Grenache Rouge Fizz, which shows off a dark ruby hue and a Champagne style mousse with a dry, but expressive palate of strawberry, plum and tart cherry fruits, a touch of lees brioche, wet stones, mineral notes, a light sense of anise and candied orange and subtle florals. The Odonata Sparkling Grenache Rouge by winemaker Denis Hoey, sourced from the Hook Vineyard that is all Tablas Creek clone Grenache set on sandy loams, is a macerated on the skins to be a red Methode Champenoise bubbly. Made from these old vines in the Santa Lucia Highlands, this unique bubbly is exciting and lively on the palate, but with an elegant mousse and a depth of flavors. Hoey employed, as noted in prior reviews, a full skin maceration and primary fermentation in stainless steel, exactly as a normal red wine would have, before going through its patient journey of lees aging and riddling in bottle to become this ruby colored and crisply dry bubbly that was lovingly hand crafted to thrill the senses.”
My Review: A beauty in the glass, this sparkling grenache is surprisingly tart on the palate, balancing out the sweetness. June 2025
2024 Cote du Denis Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.4% ABV, $32 (#1594)
My Review: Tropical nose with a lime finish. June 2025
Winery Notes: “Bright aromatics of sweet cream butter, with a balanced amount of toasty oak, melding with baked yellow apple. Weighty on the palate, but lightened by crisp light fruit on the entry, and ending with a long and textured finish. Think salmon or grilled chicken.”
My Review: Pale in the glass. Caramel on the nose. Pretty delicious palate. Easy to drink. June 2025
2022 Odonata Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 13.1% ABV, $42 (#1596)
Winery notes: “Bright bing cherry with subtle hints of toast allure you into the glass. Palate is broad, rich and pleasurable. The finish is long and lingering. This elegant expression of a low alcohol Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot is testament to this great region. This wine will age gracefully for a decade or more but drinks playfully and fruit forward now.”
My Review: Dark cherry on the very tasty palate. Punches above its weight. I like this pinot noir. June 2025
2020 Odonata Sangiovese, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley, 14.5% ABV, $32 (#1597)
Winery Notes: “Juicy, fresh strawberries with a hint of woodsy vanilla from the oak. This wine is smooth and enjoyable now, but if cellared, the bright fruit will mellow, allowing the herbs and spices to emerge, making it a perfect match for food.”
Edible Monterey: “The 2022 Petite-Sangio blend hails from Machado Creek in Santa Clara Valley and blends the chocolatey lushness of Petite Sirah with the youthful tease of red cherry soda from the Sangiovese, to create a pop rocks sensation in the mouth. Kind of like a truffle filled with a tangy, boozy red cherry filling.” Laura Ness
My Review: Very tasty. Wrong on so many levels but so, so good in the glass. A favorite of the day – I took some home! June 2025
2020 Odonata Petite Sirah, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley, 13.8% ABV, $32 (#1599)
Winery Notes: “Boysenberry, root beer, peachy aromatics. Dense chewy tannins, fruit is expressive yet tamed by the dark brooding nature of this varietal. Pretty little spice and long textured finish. This is our work horse wine, every day red wine that pleases with every sip. This is our 11th year working and farming at Machado Creek Vineyard, this block is all head trained (meaning no wires) and leads to a really dynamic expressive fruit.”
My Review: This came to us late in the tasting when our pup became restless, so our notes are minimal: A tasty big wine. I’ve enjoyed this wine year over year. June 2025
2021 Odonata Syrah, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $42 (#1600)
Winery Notes: “Deep and brooding aromatics with subtle sun drenched exposed dusty rock. Notes of coriander, pink pepper corn, lavender, and black raspberry in the nose. Flavors of black olive and blackberry jam kissed with a bright and briny acidity. Finishes clean with bright floral notes lifting the palate!”
My Review: Cherry, red raspberry on the nose. Cherry dominated the palate with orange peel on the finish. Very good for a cool climate. June 2025
Winery Notes: Winemaking: Destemmed completely, gentle punch downs for 21 day extended fermentation, pressed to barrel. 41% New Oak, (51% French, 45% American)
My Review: Very dark fruit cooked fruit almost portlike. I think this deserves a retaste on another day. June 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
Visit the Odonata Tasting Room: “Nestled at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and at the beginning of the River Road wine trail lies the Odonata winery and tasting room. We hope you will stop by our tasting room and sample a selection of our current releases. We are open 7 days a week and no appointments are necessary.” Open Daily 11 am – 5 pm. Located at 645 River Road, Salinas CA, 93908.
My quest to get the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter to every local tasting room continued this month at Seabold Cellarstasting room in Carmel Valley Village. This one took quite some time to arrange, as Eden Rift Vineyards and Seabold had a merger in 2024. (They described it as a “parent/sister” relationship; they continue to operate autonomously.) We took advantage of their offer for us to bring our own appetizers and make a little summer party out of it. Their expansive and comfy outdoor space made it a perfect spot for our group of 25. We were hosted by Dre Bejines (Eden Rift) and Cynthia D’Vincent (Seabold Tasting Room Manager), who knows everything there is to know about Seabold!
Our members enjoying being together on a summer evening!
THE WINERY
From their website:
“Seabold Cellars focuses on cool-climate organic and sustainable vineyards to produce balanced wines that showcase their origin more than their winemaking. During the year, more time is spent in vineyards than the winery. Our winemaking is as hands-off as possible, respecting traditional techniques and practices without being beholden to them. We produce non-interventionist, site-specific Burgundy and Rhône varieties, as seen through a California lens.”
“Seabold Cellars was founded in 2014 by Master Sommelier Chris Miller. Located in the small town of Marina, the winery is at the epicenter of California’s Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz wine growing regions.”
You can read more about Chris Miller and Seabold Cellarshere.
THE WINES
Today I am presenting the 4 wines we tasted that evening. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites or materials. My notes today are amplified by my fellow AWS board member Erin O’Reilly, home winemaker and author of terravenos.
Winery notes: “Fresh and exuberant on the nose, with loads of pink and white grapefruit, starfruit, exotic flowers, gooseberry, honeysuckle and a core of ripe tropical fruit framed by crystalized ginger and fresh cut grass.”
My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Subtle pineapple, guava, and passion fruit on the nose. Pleasant round palate with lemon notes on the finish. It’s a very good wine – a nice warm climate. I would buy this wine! August 2025
2020 Seabold Chardonnay, Eden Rift Vineyards, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1588)
Winery Notes: “An open and exotic nose, with butterscotch layered over dried pineapple and ripe lemon curd. Telltale Monterey Bay acidity frames the richness on the palate, giving a fresh li to counterbalance the rich and ripe fruit. Truly a bole to ‘drink or hold’, with an immediate appeal.”
My Review: Pale yellow and viscous in the glass. Buttery nose with lemon curd and golden apple. Bosc pear, white flower and just ripe yellow peach. All the fruit is ripe and rich. The nose is more interesting than the palate. I attribute that to the vintage. August 2025
2021 Seabold Pinot Noir, Eden Rift Vineyards, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 13.7% ABV, $40 (#1589)
Winery Notes: “From 120-year-old head-trained vines in Redwood Valley. Roasted blackberries, black currants, seared venison, black cherry compote, violets, and black olives.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Cherry, herbs, dry leaves, and bergamot tea on the nose. Medium tannins. Zippy up front with a palate of cherry, raspberry, herbs, and tea. Forest floor and a touch bitter on the back end. August 2025
Winery Notes: “On the nose, charred blueberries and plums give way to subtle undertones of grilled venison. With air, black olive tapenade, rosemary, and dried sage start to emerge. On the palate the tannins and acidity are present but seamless, showing balance in youth with a promising aging capacity.”
My Review: Dark in the glass. Warm berry jam and brown sugar on the nose. Rich palate of rather jammy fruit followed by ham hock notes and a spicy finish. This is a very nice, cooler climate Syrah. August 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
“Visit us at our tasting room, located in idyllic Carmel Valley Village. Graced with sunshine, tucked at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains, our tasting room is dog friendly and children friendly, and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.”
Seabold tasting room’s lovely outdoor seating!
3 Pilot Road in Carmel Valley Village. Open Thursday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m. and by appointment (831-288-2730).
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.
“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
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.
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
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.
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!
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.”
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.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! I really can’t believe what sprang from a pandemic pastime (literally) has persevered and is now an internationally-recognized effort. Whether you get my weekly reviews delivered to your email (sign up today – it is free!), see them on social media (Instagram, Facebook, or CELLAR TRACKER, or discover them via Google search; I hope you are enjoying reading about our Monterey wines through my lens. I value every view, like, and comment. I write this blog out of passion for our Monterey wines, not for profit, and have continued to keep this space ad-free for you. I deeply appreciate each and every one of you who is reading my posts!
HUGE THANKS UP FRONT!
I want to express my gratitude to those vintners in year 5 who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have donated wine to the cause! I am grateful to Chesebro, Corral Wine Co., I Brand, Parsonage, and Rombi for their generosity this year in donated wines, steep discounts or assistance with group tastings. I am especially thankful for Sal Rombi who has donated pre-release for us to taste in-depth and replacement bottles for many of the wines I have reviewed. And to my fellow board members at the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society who continue to trust me to organize most of their events. And, of course, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod who make this all tons of fun!
Fellow AWS Board Members
A BRIEF RECAP OF THE LAST 4 YEARS:
Year 1: Deep in the unvaccinated period of the pandemic in July 2020, Decanting Monterey initially was focused on wines from our own collection sampled at home, with or without our neighboring friends and our daughters, who quickly became known as the COVID Wine Pod. It was 2 posts per week and, mostly, one wine at a time. Back then, some wineries had just reopened with their COVID procedures and we still weren’t venturing out much. I also established the @decantingmonterey Facebook page.
During Year 2, as we became fully vaccinated and boosted – and double boosted, we were able to get out to more local wineries at a more deliberate pace. And the COVID Wine Pod was renamed the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod! I also moved to a single post per week and presented a single wine class to my old DC wine group. Most of the posts were based on event-driven or winery tastings and fewer individual, cellar-driven posts. And I started the @decanting_monterey Instagram feed.
I have some high-level stats to share with you about Year Five of Decanting Monterey!
www.decantingmonterey.com surpassed the 33,000 “views” mark – which more than doubled in a single year!! This statistic is very important to me. If you are seeing my blog on social media or via email, please be sure to click the link and open it!
In its lifetime, 349 total posts, including this one.
183 wines (168 for the first time) were presented on Decanting Monterey in Year 5.
138 red wines were presented, as well as 32 whites, 13 rosés, including a single sparkling wine.
Wines from 11 California counties are represented, with over 60% from Monterey. In addition to the counties depicted on the chart, there were also a few from Madera, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and Yolo counties.
Wines from 7 of the 10 Monterey American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were covered, with the most from Carmel Valley, followed by the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey.
Finally, we covered 2 wine events at LadySomm, and a trip to Amador.
2024 Monterey County Crop Report: Wine in Decline
I’ve written before about the declining wine market as people focus more on their health and drink less. The recent release of the 2024 Monterey County Crop Report highlights this situation quite directly, with a staggering 21% drop in the value of wine grapes in the county. It’s a worrisome trend for our wineries, as Dave Faries mentioned in the Monterey County Weekly article: The plummeting demand for wine has many in the industry worried. But is the situation so dire?I don’t know how much it affects our smaller, local wineries with their loyal followings, but the shift in the marketplace needs attention, with an eye to both short-term and longer-term strategies. I wrote about this in my Amador post here: Is this a permanent shift? Is wine becoming passé? Is anyone making a good de-alcoholized red wine? Here are the telling stats from the crop report:
Screenshot from the 2024 Monterey County Crop Report
Grapes went down in ranking from 5th place in 2023, to 8th place in 2024 – behind strawberries, leaf and head lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, celery and spinach.
Acreage of planted grapes declined from 40,200 in 2023 to 39,600 in 2024.
Grape crop valuedecreased from $194,642,000 in 2023 to $152,251,000 in 2024.
Grapes left hanging in Amador Fall 2024
WHAT’S NEXT?
While I have some posts already queued up for Year 6, let me ask my mighty readers: Where should I visit next? I have a short list of wineries not yet presented and new or relocated tasting rooms. And I do have a short trip to Paso Robles coming up. Beyond that? Please leave me a comment on this post and let me know what some of your favorite, local places are to wine taste that I should not miss in Year 6!
And, if you have not signed up for my free, weekly blog email, please do! I judge how well I am doing by how many views, subscribers, and comments I receive. (Go, Instagram!) No ads and I don’t sell your data. Please help me spread the word and feel free to comment on my posts! And follow my Facebook (@DecantingMonterey) and Instagram (@decanting_monterey) sites.
So, here we go – Year 6! I don’t think I will ever surpass Year 4, but even coasting in this world of Monterey wines has allowed me to access and promote some of the very best California has to offer. I hope you will try some wines from Monterey County and share your experiences with me!
I just realized the 2025 Best of Monterey County® nominations are open! The deadline for nominations is Sunday, July 20th! My simple ask is that you please go in and vote for Decanting Monterey as Best Local Blog. Here is the link: https://2025-best-of-monterey-county-nominations–mcweekly.contest.vote/. If you have already voted, please go back in and add this single nomination. If you haven’t nominated anyone yet, please do so today (or by Sunday). Yes, you need to nominate 20 entities across the categories. If you are local or have ever visited the area, you have the knowledge to do so! Yes, you have to register your email, but you don’t need to sign up for anything. Thanks so much!
When we stopped in for my Rombi wine pickup in late April, we got to taste a big surprise: a brand new 2023 Petit Verdot from Napa! This wine shows so well at this young age that I took an extra one home!
And, oh by the way, if you haven’t tried his 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, it is drinking really well – we took one of those home, too. You can read about it in this Decanting Monterey post: Get the Scoop Here: A Preview of Rombi New Releases!
“Since 2006, hands-on winemaking that reflects a unique sense of place”
“Wine is a gift from nature, and every bottle produced at Rombi Wines tells a story of the land, the geography, the climate, and the hands-on philosophy of one man. Salvatore Rombi takes winemaking personally, obsessing over every detail — from harvest to barrel aging — to produce a unique range of elegant yet bold and complex red wines from the Carmel Valley Appellation. Rombi’s small vineyard and intimate tasting room provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable wine journey. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a strict allegiance to sustainable farming practices, Rombi creates award-winning, limited-production vintages. As an ode to terroir — the rock and soil, but also the land and legacy, culture and commitment, time and tradition — the wines from Rombi are always bottled poetry.”
THE WINE
Today I’m presenting just this one wine, the 2023 Rombi Petit Verdot, which was part of my allocation.
2023 Rombi Petit Verdot, Napa Valley AVA, 14.45 ABV, $75 (#1561)
My Review: Fresh crushed plum, violets and berries on the nose. Rich vanilla, dark plum and cassis on the palate. Wow – this wine tastes so good now. Imagine how exceptional it is going to be when you give it some time. I took another bottle home! April 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
Visiting Sal Rombi in his tasting room is one of my favorite experiences – you might walk in as strangers, but you will walk out as old friends. His wines are some of the finest made in Monterey County.
“At Rombi Wines, our unique tasting room provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Salvatore Rombi is most often on hand to guide you through the winemaking process and your tasting experience. Step off the beaten path and discover Rombi, where every bottle tells a story.
“Rombi Wines Tasting Room is at 1 Center St., in the charming Carmel Valley Village. We are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m., although appointments can be made for weekday visits.”
The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) had its April session on The Barrel Room’s patio where Jana Saunders of Boëté Winery introduced their wines to us. As long-time members of their wine club, I was thrilled to finally make this happen for our members. We were allowed to bring appetizers to share and – bonus – it was a beautiful, sunny and warm afternoon. The wines were all delicious and the hospitality, unrivaled.
Boëtémakes such tasty wines from its Bordeaux varietals grown just beyond Carmel Valley Village. I pulled this short history from its website and encourage you to read the rest on its website:
“In the early 80’s John Saunders made wine at his Soledad Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands. At first making wine was a hobby and when his wines became popular with many of his friends in the restaurant industry, he decided to create a winery. In 1994, John and his wife Jana traded their 250-acre citrus orchard in Soledad California for 15 acres in Carmel Valley; land that had gone uncultivated due to lack of water. The first water well John drilled had gushed enough water to irrigate his vineyard forever. In early spring 1997, they planted their first vineyard on their sun-drenched hillside.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting just one new wine, as the others we tasted are available in the post linked above. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a matter of practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.
2021 BoëtéMerlot, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $50 (#1560)
Winery Notes: N/A
My Review: Ruby in the glass. Pleasant cherry dominates the nose. Tart palate with red cherry juice flavors. I would like to taste this new release gain – separate from an event. April 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
You can taste and purchase Boëté wines at The Barrel Room every day (closed Wednesdays), 12-5 p.m. 5 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village.
You can read more about the winery and purchase their wines on line through their website.
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