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.
I was hunting around for a place to hold the May Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) First Friday meeting and contacted Jeff Meacham of De Tierra Vineyards. I received an immediate YES from him, making it one of the easiest places we have booked to date!
Our growing AWS group enjoyed the wines, an in-depth educational presentation by Jeff, great service by the staff and their lovely space. An extra bonus is you can order charcuterie or focaccia to accompany your tasting! My “dinner” there was delicious!
If your Monterey area winery has the capacity and interest to host us (up to 35 people) for one of our educational events, please let me know!
From their website: “De Tierra creates delicious, award-winning, and sustainably harvested wines to share from the unique terroir of Monterey County. De Tierra, as our name suggests, focuses on providing the best representation ‘of the land’. Great wines begin in the vineyard, and it is our goal to translate the defining flavors of place into great wine!”
De Tierra staff pouring our wines!
Jeff Meacham, who purchased the vineyard 2.5 years ago, educated us about the vineyard’s history – here are some of my notes: 25 years ago, Tom Russell was passionate about wine. He was seeking a property that had been organically farmed and would be Sustainable in Practice (SIP). He found it in Corral de Tierra, where there had been no overspray of pesticides. The first planting was their Merlot and it was the only commercial vineyard in Corral. (Jeff took a moment to inform us why it is important to make organic wines – that one of the reasons some wine isn’t good for you is the pesticides.)
Today they have 49 acres planted to 5 varietals. Last year, they acquired Hilltop Ranch Vineyards, as well (which used to be Cima Colina) which added Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris to their varietals. They are shifting their focus to estate wines and they wanted sole access.
THE WINES
Today I’m bringing you 5 wines from De Tierra Vineyards. Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2023 De Tierra Chardonnay, Russell Estate, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $49 (#1555)
Winery Notes: “Lively color of pale gold and glimmers of green. On the nose you’ll pickup honeydew melon, pear, apricot, yellow apple and honeysuckle…Notes of Asian pear, star fruit and pineapple. Strikes a delicious profile between minerality and robust fruit character. Beautifully well balanced acid and a smooth finish.” 100%. Lighter brighter. They also have a Monterey chard with 25% new oak.
My Review: Pale in the glass. Lime twist on the nose. A lot of minerality on the palate. Tasty. May 2025
2024 De Tierra Rose, Hilltop Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $44 (#1556)
Winery Notes: “Pale ruby in color with notes of cranberry, pomegranate and strawberry…Black cherry and plum with a hint of mushroom. Velvet in texture with notes of blueberry and dark chocolate.”
My Review: Pale red in the glass. Heavy Pinot Noir flavors on the palate – lots of skin contact it seems to me (later confirmed by the winery). A rather big palate for a rose. May 2025
2022 De Tierra Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $64 (#1557)
Winery Notes: “Pale ruby in color with notes of cranberry, pomegranate and strawberry…Black cherry and plum with a hint of mushroom. Velvet in texture with notes of blueberry and dark chocolate.”
My Review: Very tasty. Cherry and raspberry flavors dance on the palate, balancing out the tannins. There is something so enjoyable about this wine. May 2025
2020 De Tierra Puzzler Red Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $54 (#1558)
Winery Notes: “Garnet in color. Nose offers notes of rich earth, plum, fresh fig, black licorice and a hint of spice…Plush tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. This wine starts with notes of plum and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a long tobacco finish.”
My Review: Very dark in the glass. Notes of blackberry and plum on the nose. Merlot dominates on the palate – a very soft and drinkable red blend – always a favorite selection of mine from De Tierra. May 2025
2020 De Tierra Petite Sirah, Pedregal de Paicines, Central Coast AVA, 14% ABV, $69 (#1559)
Winery Notes: “Extraordinary deep purple color, with notes of fresh blackberry, black tea, black pepper, pomegranate…Full-bodied flavors of blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, plums and black pepper, mocha, dense tannins. Our limited release Petite Sirah recently won GOLD and earned a 96 points rating at the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition 2023.”
My Review: Dark plum, cassis, blackberry, blueberry and anise. This is a very smooth, full-bodied wine. I took some home! May 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
“De Tierra provides a one of a kind tasting room experience in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Just 1½ blocks off Ocean Ave., our tasting room is located in a cozy cottage that opens up to the sights and sounds of downtown. Come visit us and experience our extensive wine portfolio which features many single varietal wines, unique blends, sparkling and dessert wines. Make it a perfect match with our available locally sourced small bites.
“The Tasting Room at De Tierra Vineyards is open to the public Mon-Thr: 1pm-6pm and Fri-Sun: 1pm -7pm. Reservations are not needed, but are encouraged.” Click here for more information and to make a reservation.
I first heard about Swirling Hawk from its winemaker Frank Melicia, the winemaker at Parsonage and Silvestri. When one of our Monterey Chapter of the AWS members told me he was arranging a tour and tasting, I jumped on that tour. In late April, about a dozen of us met with David, the owner, at the winery for the story, a tour and a wine tasting. Swirling Hawk is not open to the public and only does small, private tastings with friends.
My bottom line: If you ever get an invitation to Swirling Hawk, say yes – you will be glad you did. The beautiful estate and vineyards are tucked away in Hidden Valley, off the Laureles Grade. The hospitality is first rate, as are the impressive wines. Moreover, all of that was accompanied by a lovely charcuterie spread. I took several wines home and am already looking forward to what is next.
“David’s family has been involved in the wine industry his entire life which nurtured his life long dream–to produce a world class wine for all to enjoy.
“After graduating college, he moved to California as a wine salesman where he met Marieke. Throughout their courtship, whether a casual gathering with loved ones, a dinner while traveling, or watching a sunset, they have always marveled at how a special bottle of wine dramatically enhances the experience.
“In 2017, they discovered Swirling Hawk Vineyards, a vineyard they knew would produce wines of exceptional quality and complexity. Swirling Hawk is singularly focused on delivering Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that will embody the unique air, land and sea characteristics surrounding this extraordinary vineyard.”
David shared that his current production is 250 cases. He currently has 15 barrels and will expand to 22. His wine club is modest – like his production: 1 release of 6 bottles per year. Nice.
2018 was their first vintage. The grapes experienced shorter hang time but even temperatures. The 115 clone of Pinot Noir was most dominant in that blend. In 2019, the grapes received a longer hang time and hotter weather, resulting in a much different flavor profile – more raspberry and cherry.
As best I could capture from David’s descriptions, Swirling Hawk has 13 acres of estate wine consisting of 777/116 and 667 Pinot Noir clones. The Pommard vines are only 6 years old, while the rest are 25. The Pinot Noir wine is aged in 50% new oak and 50% neutral oak. He has 10 unique barrels from which to determine the reserve blend, which is 2/3 Pommard clone.
Today I’m bringing you 4 wines from Swirling Hawk. Winery notes come from our visit to the winery. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2023 Swirling Hawk Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, $50 (#1551)
Winery Notes: During our visit, David indicated he only made 15 cases of this wine. It is sold out, yet we were able to taste it at this private event. Stainless steel fermentation, but some oak sticks added just a touch of buttery richness.
My Review: Golden in color and viscous in the glass. Buttery nose balanced by citrus and white blossoms notes. Minerality on the palate with a citrus twist finish. May 2025
Winery Notes: This Pinot Noir is a blend of estate grapes: About 1/3 Pommard, 1/3 Swann and 1/3 of the rest of the hillside grapes.
My Review: Deep in color. Dark plum, Bing cherry and strawberry on the rich, fruity nose. This Pinot Noir is all fruit, like a dark cherry Jolly Rancher (in a good way). To me, this is a richer representation of the finest Monterey can produce. This was my favorite wine of the tasting. May 2025
My Review: Dark, dense garnet in color. Dark plum and black licorice on the nose. The palate was scrumptious – a rich, delicious wine. Drinking exquisitely. Wish I had some at home. If you’ve got one in your cellar, now is the time to drink it. April 2025
Winery Notes: The reserve blend is made from 2/3 Pommard and 1/3 Swan grapes, with 2/3 neutral and 1/3 new barrels.
My Review: Dark, dense garnet in color. Dark plum and black licorice on the nose. The palate was scrumptious – a rich, delicious wine. Drinking exquisitely. Wish I had some at home. If you’ve got one in your cellar, now is the time to drink it. April 2025
Our tour included a visit to “The Barn” where our friend Sarah enjoyed the fireplace.
As a diehard ParsonageRocco Reserve Syrah fan, I was not about to miss the real Rocco’s 21st Birthday celebration at their tasting room in April. This was a great opportunity to have a conversation with Rocco, his grandfather and winery owner Bill Parsons, enjoy a flight of Rocco Reserve Syrah wines, including a 2001 library Syrah made before he was even born. All of this was accompanied by some of his favorite childhood snacks, from his grandmother’s delicious endive topped with goat cheese, pecan and honey to the highly processed Cool Ranch Doritos. Who knew the latter would make such a great wine pairing? I lament the fact I didn’t get a picture of the cute display of Rocco’s favorite childhood snacks.
Today I’m bringing you 3 of the wines we tasted that day – the others previously appeared in Decanting Monterey – just search Parsonage to find them. 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.
2023 Parsonage Rosé of Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $38 (#1548)
Winery Notes: “The rich fragrant floral bouquet is matched by its uniquely rich copper hue. Deep palate flavors, manifest of ripe strawberries and luscious nectarines. This rosé is for big red wine lovers! The mouthfeel is like a bullet down the middle of the pallet with a vibrant and savory finish.”
My Review: Copper/salmon in the glass. Rich in body – definitely a big rose for big red wine lovers – you won’t mistake this for a Provencal rose! 100% Syrah. April 2025
2008 Parsonage Rocco Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, Library Wine (#1549)
Winery Notes: “A blast of blueberry, blackberry, curry spices and cocoa on the nose. The monumental mouthfeel is layered with dark fruit, exotic spice, and French oak barrel brûlée. The signature notes of mineral and game with hints of liquor and Amarone deliver on an exceedingly long and dramatic finish.”
My Review: Dark, dense garnet in color. Dark plum and black licorice on the nose. The palate was scrumptious – a rich, delicious wine. Drinking exquisitely. Wish I had some at home. If you’ve got one in your cellar, now is the time to drink it. April 2025
2001 Parsonage Estate (Rocco) Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, Library Wine (#1550)
Winery Notes: “Deep nose of blueberry, sage, and game. Lush mouthfeel with dark berries, grilled meat and cinnamon/clove on the pallet with fine, ripe tenants and a long smooth finish.”
My Review: Dense garnet, almost purple. Prune and earth on the nose. We tasted this one after the 2008 vintage – this one has a leaner, earthier palate. I preferred the 2008! April 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
“Hooray! We are open for both indoor and outdoor wine tasting daily.”
19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village
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.”
Today’s post is about 2 exceptional Lucia by Pisoni wines we have enjoyed recently. One was given to us by a visiting friend and the other we ordered while dining at the The Fish Hopper on Monterey’s Cannery Row.
I’ve written about Lucia by Pisonia couple of times –the best way to find them would be to search “Pisoni” on the Decanting Monterey website.
“The terrain was rough. There was no water. ‘Gary is crazy’ everyone said. Years later, he had developed one of “California’s great sites.” Read the whole story here!
Gary Pisoni is one of the pioneers in exceptional winegrowing and winemaking in the Santa Lucia Highlands. When he told his parents he wanted to plant vineyards on their farmland, his parents thought he was crazy. He planted his first 5 acres in 1982 and, once he found a water source, he expanded the vineyard another 17 acres. Those grapes are now amongst the most respected and coveted in all of Monterey County. He finally began producing his own wines in 2000. His operation is a family affair, with his two sons, Mark and Jeff Pisoni, joining the team.
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 2 Lucia by Pisoni wines. As usual, the winery notes come from their tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the owner. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.
2022 Lucia by Pisoni Estate Cuvee Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $55 (#1545)
Winery Notes (2018 Vintage): “The Lucia Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée represents the synergy that develops when three estate-farmed vineyards are blended and bottled as a singular wine. The 2022 vintage is comprised of 70% Pisoni Vineyards, 14% Garys’ Vineyard, and 16% Soberanes Vineyard. As the wine’s medium-ruby hue fills the glass, aromas of crushed strawberry, spiced plum, and underlaying hints of dark berry develop. The Pinot Noir transitions to the palate and shows savory notes of Asian spice, black tea, then gains volume with notes of plush red berries and subtle vanilla—from eleven months of aging in 45% new French oak barrels. The heavy morning fog and bracing coastal winds of the mountainous Santa Lucia Highlands keep this wine fresh and provide acidity that reawakens the palate after each sip. The finish shows youthful and layered, yet distinctly approachable tannin.”
You can read more about this wine on its tech sheet here.
My Review: Translucent, dark ruby with a purple tinge in the glass. Faint cherry nose with a quaffable palate with cherry and brambly flavors. This is not your typical SLH Pinot Noir! April 2025
2021 Lucia by Pisoni Syrah, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $65 (#1546)
Winery Notes (2018 Vintage): “Staking its claim as an immaculate representation of the new world, yet harkening back to its ancestral old-world roots, the 2021 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Syrah is a harmonizing display of this variety. The explosive profile bursts from the bottle immediately upon removing the cork and amplifies as this deep purple wine splashes into a glass. The aromatic intricacies are woven around notes of macerated blueberries and blackberry compote paired with a perfume of anise, violets, and fresh herbs. Coating the palate, this Syrah manages an unmistakable concentration and an undeniable elegance. Berry cobbler, new leather, toasted vanilla bean, and olive tapenade flavors gain momentum as the wine takes each breath. Vibrant acid and firm tannin from 100% whole cluster fermentation proclaim this wine’s youth. Drink now if you must, but patience will reward those who can resist the temptation of early enjoyment.”
You can read more about this wine on its tech sheet here.
My Review: I am disappointed to discover that I did not take tasting notes for this wine. I recall it being very smooth, sophisticated and delicious. I am not usually a fan of SLH Syrah but this one proved me wrong. The San Francisco Chronicle calls their Syrah “California’s Syrah at its best.” April 2025
My partner is always on the lookout for Central Coast bargains on the K&L Wine Merchants, where he found this 2023 Outward Massa Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon on sale for $30. We picked up a couple to try now and later. It’s pretty young for trying now, but we did. Today’s post is about Outward and this single wine. You can read my previous posts about the Durney legacy of the Massa Vineyard here.
THE WINERY
About Outward Wines: “Outward Wines is a partnership between Ryan Pace and Natalie Siddique. We produce small-lot, site-specific wines from California’s Central Coast. We currently farm about 6 acres of vines ourselves and also source grapes from vineyards along the coast. All of these vineyards are organically farmed at minimum.
“In the winery, we strive to minimize our impact in order to allow for a clear picture of what the site can provide naturally, and to give our wines a true sense of time and place.”
THE WINE
Today I am presenting 1 Outward wine. As usual, the winery notes come from their tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the owner. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.
2023 Outward Cabernet Sauvignon, Massa Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $42 (#1544)
Winery Notes (2018 Vintage): “With no new oak influence, our Massa Cabernet is our ode to the old-school Cabs of California. Our 2023 Cab from this site carries a robust bouquet of aromatics with well-integrated tannins to provide body and structure. Brambly red and black fruits, notes of leather, cedar, and herbaceousness bounce from the glass, while integrated acidity and soft tannins complete the palate. This is a ready-to-drink Cabernet for any occasion—with or without food.” You can read more about this wine and the Massa Vineyard’s legacy herewhich also has a link to its tech sheet.
My Review: Garnet in color. Fruity nose with scents of dark plum, crushed berries, and cherry. Raspberry jam with blackberry notes, chocolate and leather on the medium- weight palate, leaving you wanting more. The palate wraps with grippy tannins and lingering vanilla notes, wondering how this wine would taste if you could cellar it for a few more years. We’ll try. February 2025
“We currently offer private, by-appointment tastings at our humble winery production space located in Grover Beach. Visits are approximately 75 minutes in duration and include a tasting of 5-7 wines. Tasting fees are $40 per person.” Please visit their website here for more information.
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