Tagged: #montereywines

A Much Overdo Tasting at Windy Oaks!

THE STORY

The Windy Oaks tasting room in Carmel Valley is a great space for a party.  Combine that with their impressive Pinot Noirs from the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA – and you have a great event in the making. I’ve been talking to Angie, the tasting room manager, for sometime about hosting the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter. When I stopped there in June, I decided to do a quick tasting.  

Image of tasting room manager pouring wine into a glass

Yikes – It’s been 4 years since I have presented a post on Windy Oaks wines. The last one was here: Windy Oaks: Les Deux Grands Crus and More Pinot Noir!

THE WINERY

“Windy Oaks: Fine Wines With A Sense Of Place

“Windy Oaks Estate’s premium wines are grown in unique terroirs in Monterey and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Winemakers Jim and Judy Schultze have been offering fine wines with a sense of place since 1999.” You can read more about them here.

THE WINES

Today, I am presenting 5 Windy Oaks wines. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I don’t correct typos from winery websites. Today’s wines come from both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. They have updated their tasting menu since I was there in June.

2020 Windy Oaks Sparkling Albariño, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $49 (#1773)

label of a vintage woman in a swing for the Albarino

Winery Notes: “Sourced from the Arroyo Seco AVA in Monterey County, the Methode Champenoise is utilized for a crisp and lively sparkling wine gauranteed to liven up any occasion!”

albarino bottle and glass with a pour of the wine

My Review: Light gold in the glass. Hint of apple on the nose. Tiny bubbles on the crisp, acidic palate with brioche on the finish. June 2026

2023 Windy Oaks Old Vine Viognier, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, $35 (#1774)

bottle label image for the Old Vines viognier

Winery Notes: “This dry, elegant and mineral-toned Viognier is beautifully textured and richly flavored with full body with apricot lemon honeysuckle and butter cream with hints of chalky stones and vanilla.”

My Review: Yellow/light gold and viscous in the glass. Heavy nose of grilled peach and toast. Rich palate of oak, peach, and Meyer lemon. There is a lot going on in this glass. Intriguing. Viognier is hard to find in Monterey County. This one was unexpected. June 2026

2022 Windy Oaks Henry’s Block Pinot Noir, Schultze Family Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.6% ABV, $64 (#1775)

Elegant front label for the Henry's Block Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “Henry’s Block is among the original plantings at Windy Oaks in the late 90’s. Named after one of our founders father: Henry. Single Acre, French/Swiss clone of Pinot Noir, Wadenswil 2A.”

My Review: Translucent ruby in the glass. Light cherry notes on the slightly sweet nose. I picked up alcohol on the nose, as well. Nice palate. June 2026

2022 Windy Oaks Clone 943 Pinot Noir, Escolle Vineyard, Rodeo Queen Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA,     Monterey County, $54 (#1776)

label from the front of the 2022 Pinot Noir bottle - lady in swing

Winery Notes: “Dark ruby and aromatic the Rodeo Queen Clone 943 has an array of  red fruits, spice, floral notes and subtle toasty French oak.”

My Review:   A really pretty ruby in the glass. Macerated fruit with cherry and earthy notes. Rich dark fruit on the yummy palate, with a bit of smoke on the finish. June 2026

2021 Windy Oaks Night Owl Red, Monterey County, $25 (#1777)

Label image of the 2022 Night Owl Red depicting the silhouette of an owl sitting on a branch with a golden moon in the background

Winery Notes: “A classic Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, that is delightfully playful, dark garnet/red hued and full of flavor with a medium weight body and easy textures captures Monterey County’s Mediterranean warmth and marine influenced cool/crisp detail.”

My Review: Garnet in the glass. Dark fruit and a little brown sugar on the nose. Grenache dominates the palate. A good food wine. June 2026

THE TASTING ROOMS

You can visit Windy Oaks at the winery in Corralitos, Carmel-By-The-Sea, and Carmel Valley Village.  Check here for the details here: Visit Us.  Please call 831-724-9562 for reservations and other pertinent info.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

A Taste of Monterey: An AWS Holiday Party to Remember!

THE STORY

In December, the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter held its annual holiday party at A Taste of Monterey in historic Cannery Row, at a time of year when we could enjoy its amazing views of the Monterey Bay. At this sold-out event, 40 members and guests indulged in 5 outstanding Monterey wines, perfectly paired with delicious appetizers. This was a fun and social gathering for our group, while we learned more about Monterey wines from our venue hosts, Jasmine Hernandez and Scott. Thanks, again, Jasmine and Scott, for such a wonderful event!

Group photo of AWS Monterey Chapter

Our chapter board previewed and selected the 5 wines for our tasting, which were sourced in different parts of Monterey County – from the famous Santa Lucia Highlands to the southern San Antonio Valley. The knowledgeable staff guided us through each wine. The favorite wine was the NV Folktale Sparkling Rosé. The most unique was the Russell Joyce Le Blanc, a blend of Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, from two vineyards in the Arroyo Seco AVA. Another favorite of the evening was the Tondré Grapefield Pinot Noir – a notch above the typical SLH Pinot Noir!

Photo of venue staff, Jasmine and Scott

You can read my last post about A Taste of Monterey here: A Taste of Monterey: More Than Just Its Amazing Views! Read more about them on their website! Interested in joining the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter? Join the national American Wine Society and select Monterey as your chapter!

THE WINES

Today I am presenting the 5wines from this holiday tasting. They are all from Monterey County. Winery notes come from winery websites, unless otherwise noted. You can read more about each winery on its website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

NV Folktale Sparkling Rosé, Monterey County, $45 (#1687)

Photo of Folktale Rose bottle

Winery Notes: “Brilliant rose gold in color, the Rosé Brut sparkling wine opens with soft notes of watermelon, kiwi and a beautiful yeasty quality that invites you in. The palate is elegant, with cherry, floral, and a creamy texture that has a bright finish.”

My Review: Fine bubbles with balanced acidity. Everyone enjoyed this perfect way to start our event. I have valued this wine since I first tasted it a few years back and it remains one of my top local sparkling wines. December 2025

2024 Russell Joyce Le Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA $35 (#1688)

Photo of Russell Joyce Le Blanc bottle

Winery Notes: “Discover the exceptional flavors of this fine white wine from Monterey, California. Experience the delightful combination of white peach, watermelon rind, and spring flower aromas. Refresh your palate with notes of salted green apple, grapefruit, and a hint of river rock.” (Monsieur Marcel)

My Review: Sweet, floral nose. Good acidity and lots of minerality with a Meyer lemon , grapefruit zest finish. December 2025

2021 Tondré Grapefield Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.1% ABV, $40 (#1689)

Photo of Tondre Pinot Noir bottle

Winery Notes: “The 2021 vintage Pinot Noir offers a captivating display of luscious red and black cherry fruit, skillfully intermingled with a delightful blend of assorted spices that perfectly embodies the essence of Tondré Grapefield and the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The palate offers a velvety texture that exudes elegance. It’s acidity is balanced complementing the moderate tannins to perfection.”

My Review: Cherry and forest floor on the nose. A richer than typical Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir palate. I liked this Pinot Noir.  This is the one wine which was recommended by the staff as an exceptional Pinot Noir to showcase for our tasting.  Way to go, Scott. December 2025

2019 Shale Canyon Merlot, Arroyo Seco AVA, $40 (#1690)

Photo of Shale Canyon Merlot bottle

Winery Notes: “Big, full-bodied Merlot with classic Bordeaux attributes. This wine begins with a big bouquet of ripe fruit and violets. The middle is graced with raspberry, pomegranate and cherry. A long finish of cedar and frim tannins. Only 246 cases produced.” (from A Taste of Monterey website)

My Review: This was a smooth, rich, full-flavored Merlot. Packed with plum, raspberry, cranberry and cherry, this wine was smooth and tasty. December 2025

2021 Marin’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, San Antonio Valley AVA, $45 (#1691)

Photo of Marin's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon bottle

Winery Notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon displays characteristics of black cherry and licorice with supple tannins on the finish. We used 15% new french oak on this wine. Only 6 barrels of this wine were produced.” (Vinoshipper website)

My Review: Coming from the most southern region of Monterey County’s winemaking, this Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the dark, riper fruits from this warmer climate. It is a full-bodied crowd-pleaser, one of the favorites of the event.

THE TASTING ROOM

Photo of sunset view from venue

A Taste of Monterey is located at 700 Cannery Row, Ste. KK (head to the back of the first floor and up the staircase), Monterey, CA – 93940 Phone: (831) 646-5446. Hours: Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-7pm.  Click here for more information on wine tastings and food. 

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Happy Holidays with a Bernardus Post!

THE STORY

While my dog was getting groomed at The Dawg House in Carmel Valley Village, I decided to pop into the Bernardus Winery Tasting Room to do a serious tasting. I got caught up on all the news Bernardus and was able to take my time with each wine.  The biggest news I learned was that long-time tasting room manager Heather Rammel has left Bernardus for Pebble Beach and regional sales manager Jeff Jung now runs the tasting room. 

We have celebrated so many holidays with a fine bottle of Bernardus Marinus or Marinus Signature, so I dedicate this holiday post to them.  I hope you enjoy the holidays with family and friends and a glass of your favorite Monterey County wine!

My last post about Bernardus is here: 2024 Bernardus Marinus Dinner – Nothing Short of Spectacular!

THE WINERY

I’ve written many times about founder Ben Pon’s vision to grow quality Bordeaux blends right here in Monterey County.  With his passing, a few things have shifted, but the consistent factor has been vineyard manager Matt Shea.  There is more on their website to read, but here is a little snippet:

Where Dutch Elegance Meets Monterey Terroir

“Built upon lasting relationships with the region’s most respected growers, Bernardus sources its fruit exclusively from Monterey County vineyards. Throughout the years, Mr. Pon, winemaker Jim McCabe and Vineyard manager Matt Shea have worked tirelessly to cultivate strong relationships with local grape growers who set aside blocks specifically dedicated for Bernardus. Their top-quality fruit is the backbone of Bernardus’ single-vineyard wines, including Griva, Rosella’s, Garys’, Sierra Mar, Soberanes and others. “All of the vineyards we work with have similar farming practices,” Shea says.”

”Bernardus has one estate vineyard — Ingrid’s, located in the western part of Cachagua and planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — managed by Matt Shea, a champion of sustainable practices, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to ensure vine and soil health. His goal is to produce the best possible fruit while caring for the land on which it grows. All that time and attention to detail mean the best possible fruit.

“”My philosophy for farming comes from my background of spending 13 years in Oregon growing premium Pinot Noir organically, biodynamically and conventionally,” he says. “I have fused all of those types of farming into an approach that is as sustainable as possible and really tailored to this type of vineyard in Monterey County…”’

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 6 Bernardus wines from this single tasting. Winery tasting notes come from their website or tasting sheets, unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.

2024 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.7% ABV, $28 (#1682)

Winery Notes: “Our 2024 Signature Griva bottling has aromas of lime zest and lemon curd accented by notes of grassy minerality. The palate exhibits full flavors, hints of tropical fruit with meyer lemon, grapefruit, and a rich mouthfeel are supported by refreshing acidity. This year our Griva Sauvignon Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc with no added Semillon. It was so expressive we decided to bottle it pure.”

My Review: Pale golden in the glass.  Sweet pineapple and butter notes on the fragrant nose.  Full flavor on the palate of Meyer lemon, tart pineapple with grapefruit zest on the finish.  This is my favorite 2024 Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc. October 2025

2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $55 (#1683)

Winery Notes: “Our 2022 Rosella’s Chardonnay exhibits beautiful fruit forward aromas highlighted by rich toasted oak and caramel notes.  The palate is intense, exhibiting ripe peach accented by tropical fruits. This wine is wonderfully balanced, it shows the richness and intensity of fruit grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands, while also having a nice long crisp finish to bring all the flavors into focus.”

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Ingrid’s Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $80 (#1684)

My Review: Pale golden, one shade brown in color.  Mellow pineapple, banana and oak on the nose.  Citrus on the palate with a lime zest twist. October 2025

Winery Notes: “Our 2021 Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes spicy, dark red fruit aromas. The wine is very intense and beautifully focused. Flavors exhibit essences of black cherry, ripe berries and subtle toasty oak notes. Our 2021 Ingrid’s Pinot Noir is very structured, allowing for several years of ageing or it can be enjoyed in its youth for its bright fruit expression.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  A yummy nose of cherry, forest floor and deep plum. Wow this is delicious – dark berries, a touch of earth, but so rich, smooth and drinkable right now.  I enjoy this style of Pinot Noir. October 2025

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $70 (#1685)

92 points – Wine Enthusiast: “Baked black cherry, rhubarb, damp spice and dark herb aromas align on the nose of this bottling. There’s an earthy core to the palate, where black cherry, mace and chai flavors make for a spicy sip.” — Matt Kettmann, December 2023

My Review: Transluscent dark ruby in the glass.  Mellow SLH Pinot nose with a lighter palate with cherry and cranberry flavors. October 2025

2019 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey Caounty, 14.2% ABV, $125 (#1474)

My Review: Intense dark garnet in color.  Forest floor, vanilla and dark fruits – cherry, plum, blackberry –  on the nose.  Smooth palate of well-blended varieties not yet showing its full potential.  Right now lacking a bit of the richness that will show with age. If you must consume it now, decant it! Give this one more time to develop in the bottle.  It is going to be a good one.  October 2025.

An Earlier Review: This wine represents the “future” – it is so young and still tight. Pepperoni and black licorice on the nose. Stewed fruit with bright fruit on the back of the palate. Meaty. Needs much more time in the bottle.  It paired well with the lava cake. November 2024

2018 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#1447)

Winery Notes: “This 2018 vintage of our highly regarded Signature Marinus exhibits a beautiful, deep robe. The aromas are redolent with dark red fruits and dried spices. On the palate we find bright ripe-red fruit flavors and notes of cedar on a long, rich finish, promising a long life to come! A wonderful example from our estate vineyard!”

My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Delicious jammy cassis, dark berries and oak on the nose.  The palate conveyed all the dark fruits with a tannic finish.  This is a good vintage. October 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Experience the Luxury of Bernardus Winery”

“Established in 1994, Bernardus opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley. We are located about 15 miles east of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach, and showcase some of the best wines in the region. Join us for a tasting on our patio, at our tasting bar, or in our newly renovated signature Pon room, perfect for private bookings.”

The Bernardus Tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every day:

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

A Quest for the 2019 Chesebro Cabernet Sauvignon

THE STORY

When a friend (thanks, Brad!) emailed me that Chesebro was releasing its 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, we made a bee-line for the tasting room. We could not get enough of the 2018 vintage. Alas, we were too early – it wasn’t yet available. We were able to catch up on the other newer releases and even got an invitation from tasting room manager Alex to their upcoming members’ release party. And so we did!  There, we got to spend time with Will, Mark Chesebro’s son and winemaker, and taste the highly anticipated 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. Today’s post includes wines from both tastings.

THE WINES

Today, I am presenting 9 Chesebro Wines.  I last presented their wines to you in March 2025 here: Chesebro Releases Its 2017 Classics! Winery notes come from the label, their tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted.  The professional reviews below are quoted from the winery’s website. I’ll be honest.  Sometimes I think I have already tasted wines and I do not take detailed notes.  Unfortunately, several in today’s post fall into that category. Any errors are mine and mine alone; however, as a general rule, I do not correct any typos from the winery’s website.

2024 Cedar Lane Vineyard Grenache Rosé, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $28 (#1673)

Winery Notes: “Beautifully light and fresh Provençal style Rosé. Perfect for everyday (especially warm ones).”

My Review: Pale in the glass. Light on the palate with a floral finish. Very tasty. I would happily serve to family, friends and even present in a class! September 2025

2024 Cedar Lane Vineyard Albariño, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $28 (#1674)  

91 Points Wine Enthusiast: “Intensely peachy aromas weave from stonefruit through white flower bouquets on the nose of this bottling. Orange blossom, gardenia and jasmine elements float atop the stonefruit core on the cleanly presented palate.”

91 Points James Suckling: “Threading the needle between mineral purity and subtle springtime blossoms, this is a wine of definition and tension, with enough phenolic complexity to reward attention. Citrus and orchard fruit flavors with terrific acidity. Drink now.”

My Review: My only note on this wine was that it presented quite tart. Worthy of a revisit and more detailed notes. September 2025.

2023 Cedar Lane Vineyard Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $28 (#1675)              

Winery Notes: “A Chardonnay hommage to Burgundy – 25% new oak… Clean and fresh with a broad mouthfeel and persistent finish.”

My Review: A tasty Chardonnay, reflective of our region and one I would gladly serve to guests! September 2025

2024 Cedar Lane Vineyard Vermentino, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $28 (#1676)              

Winery Notes: “A unique Italian (and French) white variety typically found in Corsica, Sardina and Liguira. Smooth and light on the palate with mouthwatering acidity. It is aromatically complex with citrus, herbal and often floral notes. Versatile and fresh it can be a great pairing with many lighter dishes such as poultry, fish, vegetables and fresh cheeses.”

My Review: Acidic pineapple on the nose (very positive) carrying over to palate with a slightly bitter finish. It is so rare to stumble upon a Vermentino here – you have to love this wine! November 2025

2024 Cedar Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $28 (#1677)            

90 Points Wine Enthusiast: “Rounded aromas of peach bubblegum and tangerine sorbet are cut by a steely minerality on the nose of this bottling. That poppy, candied passionfruit flavor is framed by a chalky frame on the palate. “

92 Points James Suckling: “Aromas of pears, white figs, white grapefruit, citrus blossoms and saline minerality. The crunchy palate is both drying and mouthwatering, with shiso and white licorice throughout. Drink now.”

My Review: Pale in the glass. Peach and melon on the nose. Refreshing tart lime on the finish. November 2025

2023 Cedar Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1678)

Winery Notes: “”100% Cedar Lane Vineyard” Pinot Noir. Precision and class! Aromas of crushed red berry fruit, blood orange and forest floor with amazing nuance and Pinot Noir character. Fresh and playful throughout the palate leading to a long and caressing finish!” 93

93 Points Wine Enthusiast (Editor’s Choice):  “Aromas of fresh yet tightly wound white pepper, herb and raspberry pop on the nose. The Palate is bright and tense offering, cranberry, rose petal, and more peppery spice flavors.

My Review: Cherry ale on the nose. This is not like the SLH Pinots – it is richer in body and flavor, with a slightly sweet the finish (maybe that raspberry pop?). November 2025

2023 Cedar Lane Vineyard The Swallow Reserve Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1679)              

Winery Notes: “Produced only in top vintages. Winemaker’s selection. Only 42 cases made – 30% New French Oak.”

My Review: Very big flavors on the palate with a fabulous mouthfeel. I liked this wine and we took some home. September 2025

2023 Cedar Lane Vineyard Las Arenas, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $30 (#1680)       

Winery Notes: “Rhone Blend – 50% Grenache 50% Syrah grown on sandy soils in Arroyo Seco. Dense, dark and decadent….”

92 Points James Suckling: “Focused aromas of medicinal cherries, pepper and spices mark this 50-50 blend. The effusive fruit finds its way to the palate, where it’s layered with wild red berries, dried orange peel, leather and more spices. Dusty crushed rocks in the finish. Structured for solid mid-term cellaring. Drink or hold.”

My Review: Definitely a Rhone blend.  Spicy nose, with spice, cedar and menthol on the palate. Quite tasty. September 2025

2019 Chesebro Cabernet Sauvignon, Chaparral Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $48 (#1681)  

Winery Notes: “From the highest elevation (2400ft) vineyard in Carmel Valley (Chaparral Vineyard). Dry farmed 1.5 acres with tiny yields of less than 2 tons per acre. Aged 22 months in new French oak. Only 40 cases Produced.”

My Review: BBQ ribs on the nose. Sweet red and black fruits and spice on the jammy palate. Delicious, brimming with cherry and berry jam, finishing with eucalyptus notes. Pretty darn good. September 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

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

“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….” @chesebrowinestastingroom

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

O’Reilly Wins Gold at the California State Fair!

THE STORY

My friend and home winemaker Erin O’Reilly recently dropped off her 2023 Affatim Cabernet Sauvignon for us to try. She was “super excited” because it was awarded a Gold Medal at the Spring 2025 California State Fair Home Wine Competition! We shared it with the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod for a thorough review.

I’ve written about Erin and her wine story before in Decanting Monterey.  You can find my previous post here: tèr·ra·ve·nos – Wine Experimentation and Production at Home!

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR HOME WINE COMPETITION

From the link above:

“The California State Fair Home Wine Competition supports and promotes winemaking as a home craft and is designed to increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the amateur winemaker. The competition provides an opportunity for these wines to be judged in an organized and professional manner while delivering impartial evaluation feedback, and to recognize the talent of the successful home winemaker.”

THE WINERY

Adapted from her website tèr·ra·ve·nos: Erin has completed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) program levels 1-3, and just earned her WSET Wine Diploma. In addition, she holds the Spanish Wine Scholar certification, along with the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential through the Society of Wine Educators. She has completed the Wine Studies and Wine Marketing Program through Santa Rosa Junior College. And, like me, she is a member of the lively Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society.  As Erin says, if you’re local, join us!

THE WINE

Today I’m presenting a single wine from Erin. Winery notes come from Erin directly. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2023 Affatim Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast AVA, 14.2% ABV (#1602) 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot

Winery Notes: “Affatim means sufficient, amply, complete satisfaction. I was pleased with how this wine blend came together…The Cabernet Sauvignon 80% came from San Antonio Valley AVA, the Merlot 20% came from Almaden Valley in Santa Clara County…This is a solid wine, and I enjoyed making it and playing with blends and oak. I love how it all came together.”

My Review: Dark plum and cherry aromas on the nose. Not musty, but not fruity. Chalky on the smooth palate. Mint on the finish. Very drinkable! We enjoyed this wine! April 2025

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Decanting Monterey Hits the 5 Year Milestone: A Reprise!

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.

During Year 3, I was able to get recognition as an entity with some stature behind it. Our local Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society invited me to join them as a Board Advisor. As a result, I arranged 8 of their monthly events. I presented our Monterey wines to 3 classes: in Washington DC, in Northern Virginia, and to the Carmel Rotary! I covered 2 local wine events: the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival and the Monterey Winemakers Celebration.

My friends from Corral Wine Co.

Year 4 was the strongest year for Decanting Monterey. I was nominated for Best Local Blog in the Monterey County Weekly’s 2023 “Best of” competition. I covered 8 local wine events, including the 30th Monterey Winemakers Celebration, the Arroyo Seco Winegrowers 40th Anniversary, the 50th Anniversary of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, the Grand Opening  of LadySomm in the Barnyard, the East End Passport, and the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival. Arranged 7 winery visits and supported 2 tasting events for the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society, and hosted 1 wine dinner. I also presented 5 Monterey wines to an East Coast wine appreciation group.

Wine Pod Visit to Zabala Vineyards

During Year 5, we kept on going, but covered far fewer events due to serious injury (all better now, thanks!):

Wine Blog of the Year!

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.
  • Parsonage was the most represented family of wines, followed by Bernardus, I Brand, and Chesebro.
  • In addition, we included 5 wines from Washington State, and one each from Australia, France and Spain.
  • 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 value decreased 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!

Central Coast Sharon

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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Nominate Decanting Monterey for Best Local Blog Today!

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!

Central Coast Sharon

© 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

Top Themes this Week

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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