Tagged: Parsonage

Parsonage Loses Parklet and Redesigns Beautiful Interior!

THE STORY

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

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

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

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

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

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

2025 Cheese Pairing

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

THE WINES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE TASTING ROOM

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

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

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

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Happy 21st Birthday, Rocco!

THE STORY

As a diehard Parsonage Rocco 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.

My last post about Parsonage was here: And the 2021s Keep Rolling Out at Parsonage. Let’s just jump into these wines!

THE WINES:

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.”

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

And the 2021s Keep Rolling Out at Parsonage

THE STORY

Today’s story seems simple on the surface: a Parsonage wine pickup and more 2021 releases to taste. We enjoy our wine pickups – a chance to chat up the staff, hear what’s new, taste new releases, retry some favorites, and hand select our final allocation.  But the deeper story reflects what I am tasting and hearing at our local wineries: the impact of the missing vintage.

The 2020 wildfires ravaged much of Monterey County’s vineyards – both the Salinas Valley and Carmel Valleys were hit hard, meaning most vintners had to completely scrap their red wines. And, since many of our wineries are quite small, this means the 2021 and 2022 red wines are being released sooner than expected. It’s something to consider when you taste these wines that probably need more time in the bottle.  I’m not referring to any of the wines in today’s post.  But it is something to keep in mind.

My last post about Parsonage was here: Parsonage: From the 2008 “Snosrap” to the Latest Rocco! Let’s just jump into these wines!

THE WINES

Today I’m bringing you just 2 new releases from Parsonage’s 2021 vintage.  Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Some of these are so new that tasting notes aren’t even yet available! Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Parsonage Cyrano Red Wine, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $32 (#1522)

Winery Notes: “The Cyrano, a blend of Merlot and Syrah, is one of our best sellers. Quite the dazzling bouquet of black, blue, and red fruit (in that order) wrapped in allspice and vanilla. Remarkably complex and delicious palate of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, currant, and exotic spices. The mouthfeel is elegantly structured with perfect acid-tannin balance.  What a beautiful finish!” 

My Review: Pretty garnet in the glass. Orange, violet, dark red plums, cranberry, red cherry, with a hint of bubblegum on the nose. Medium palate of bright cherries balanced with dried cherries, with the Syrah giving it a spicy finish. February 2025

2021 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#1523)

Winery Notes: “SCRUMPTIOUS!! What a crazy word to describe Pinot Noir. I also could have said yummy or delicious.  But those descriptors are so inadequate. This Hawk is a true outlier, reminiscent of the epic 2012 version, for those who remember that vintage. The 2021 is barely recognizable as Pinot Noir. The bouquet hints at Pinot with its cherry and floral essences. But there’s a mysterious opulence to this Hawk that is mystifying and compellingly addictive. In a word, scrumptious!”

My Review: Mint and cherry on the nose. Light cherry and spice on the palate. An improvement over most Central Coast Pinot Noir wines – no metallic taste! A tasty wine. February 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.

Tasting Room Photo Provided Courtesy of Parsonage!

“Reservations can be made here or by phone. Please call us at 831-659-7322 for same day reservations.”

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Parsonage: From the 2008 “Snosrap” to the Latest Rocco!

THE STORY

We are never quite sure what will get pulled out of our cellar, but it never surprises me that it will be a  Parsonage wine, as we have been purchasing their wines since about 2002. They are our longest, continuous winery relationship in Monterey County. I do like my big reds.

Our Expansive Relationships with Monterey County Wineries (2021)

In this post, we have 3 cellar pulls, with the 2008 “Snosrap” – the Cyrano, followed by the just-released 2021 Rocco Reserve Syrah. I thought this might make a fun little holiday post. It was shocking to us to find this 2008 wine in our cellar, but, as some racks are double-stacked, anything could be hiding in there! And, IMHO, the Rocco should be tasted BEFORE the voluptuous Xandro (reviewed in the post linked below).  We left with a couple more Xandro’s and I admit I might need to go back and try the Rocco again!

This 2021 Xandro is so big, jammy, and delicious!

My last post about Parsonage was here: Parsonage Releases Stunning Wines from the 2021 Vintage! Since I write about them often, let’s just jump into these wines!

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you 4 Parsonage wines across several vintages and varietals.  Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Some of these are so new that tasting notes aren’t even yet available! Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2008 Parsonage Snosrap Bordelaise Red Wine, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $24 (#1485)

“the nose knows…”

My Review: Deep garnet in the glass. Very dark jammy fruit on the nose with coffee and chocolate notes. Upon opening, a bit like ruby port or that new 2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon I just reviewed. On day two, drinking so much better. Medium bodied, this wine expresses some SweetTart flavors, balanced by dark brooding fruit mid-palate with notes of spearmint, and a hint of rosemary. Retains a hot and caramelized, port-like finish. I liked this wine. November 2024

2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast AVA (#1486)

Winery Notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon field blend is joined with a mix of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It’s a full-throttle bombastic beauty, typical of younger vines. The nose is all about dark fruit marked by brambleberry compote. Plum and cassis join with brambleberry on a muscular palate that finishes with some major league tannins.”

My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Red and black fruits having a party on the nose, with cherry predominant. Juicy palate balancing bright red and black as it crosses the tongue with licorice on the finish. Is Cabernet Sauvignon supposed to be fun? This one sure is. November 2024

2015 Parsonage Dario & Bixby Reserve Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County (#1487) Merlot & Petit Verdot blend

My Review: Surprisingly bright fruit on the nose – tart blackberry. Huge palate jammed with blackberry and dark fruit flavors. Licorice notes dance on the finish. Powerful for a 9-year old wine. November 2024

2021 Parsonage Rocco Reserve Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98, (#1488)

Winery Notes: “Our magnificent flagship wine, the Rocco is what we’re known for! A restrained melange of floral, exotic spice and splendidly dark fruit harmonize into a uniquely Parsonage terroir bouquet. The generous palate of black fruit – berries, cherries, currants, plums – accented with dark chocolate, savory spice and mysterious umami all wrapped up in an elegantly full-bodied structure.”

My Review: Caramel on the nose. Full palate of dark fruit, dark berries. This newly released wine is still quite young, drinking a tad lean yet elegant, not as rich and jammy as other vintages. I would recommend tasting it before – not after the 2021 Xandro, which is such a big, jammy mouthful. You can find that wine reviewed in Decanting Monterey at the post above. December 2024

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.”

© Decanting Monterey 2024

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

Parsonage Releases Stunning Wines from the 2021 Vintage!

THE STORY

As soon as we go to the valley to pick up wine allocations, it never fails that we get another club notification! We live on the chilly coast, so going to Carmel Valley to taste new releases and get warm is a welcome task. In this instance, we went Parsonage Winery.

The real fun with this release is tasting 2021 The Aussie side by side with its reserve version – the Xandro.  I’m impressed with each of these 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blends, but in very different ways.  I also managed to sneak in a purchase of the yet-to-be-released 2021 Rocco Reserve Syrah and a miraculous find of the last available 2019 Rocco.  Someone is looking out for me!

In addition, Parsonage has made two 2023 Chardonnays: one 100% stainless steel and one in oak.  Read below to see which one I preferred!

THE WINERY

Since I write about Parsonage often, I’m including their latest newsletter as the update!

THE WINES

Today I’m bringing you 5 new releases wines.  Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Some of these are so new that tasting notes aren’t even yet available! Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Parsonage Chardonnay, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $40 (#1464)

Winery Notes: “A charming nose of pear and lemon blossom with subtle hints of kiwi and hazelnut. A fully rounded out palate structure with lemongrass and tropical fruit notes.”

My Review: Golden in color. Grilled pineapples and white flowers on the nose. Full malolactic fermentation. Very flavorful palate, with caramel notes. Very pleasant. I preferred this Chardonnay. October 2024

2023 Parsonage Wood Reserve  Chardonnay, Diamond T Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV (#1465)

My Review: Asparagus and honey on the nose. Leaner and cleaner – a much more sophisticated wine. I confess that I had taken a medication which may have influenced some of these flavors and smells, so don’t go by me! Decide for yourself! Love the new quilt Mary Ellen Parsons made which is on this label! October 2024

2021 Parsonage The Aussie, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $46 (#1466)

Winery Notes: “This 2021 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah has an uncommon level of lusciousness. The nose fairly resonates with exquisitely ripe dark fruit, the full spectrum of bramble berry, black currant, black cherry, and black raspberry with a depth of florl spicy notes.  All of that beautiful, ripe fruit explodes on the palate and prompts tears from one’s eyes on the fabulous finish.”

My Review: Fruit forward bouquet. Plum and yum with menthol and cinnamon notes. Very tasty palate – a Sharon kind of wine. But tears, really?? October 2024

2021 Parsonage Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $52 (#1467)

Winery Notes: “The nose is powerfully aromatic with a core of ripe dark fruit and a dusting of mixed spices. Chewy intensity in structure with layers of blackberry, current, plum, and blueberry with subtle notes of mocha, peppercorn and a hint of graphite on the finish.”

My Review: A darker rich color. Dark fruit and leather on the nose. Intense, concentrated dark flavor. This is one to watch. October 2024

2021 Parsonage Xandro Reserve, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1468)

Winery Notes: “Our reserve blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Nose of black and blue fruit, fig newton, earthy exotic black cardamom-nutmeg-vanillin, and Parsonage terroir perfume. Opulent palate of blackberry, black currant, black cherry, blueberry, and curry spices. Exquisitely lengthy and delicious finish!!

My Review: Dark purple in the glass. Big, rich, fruity nose and the palate will wake you up! Sophisticated, intense, a reserve for sure! We liked this wine. October 2024

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.”

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

A Sweet, Little Local Monterey Catch Up Post!

THE STORY – Monterey Catch Up

Time for a short, Monterey Catch Up Post of wines we have enjoyed at home!

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you a little Monterey catchup post on 4 wines, 2 new ones and 2 revisits!  The Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir we found in our fridge and enjoyed on one of those rare, warm June coastal days. I picked up the Galante Vineyards Merlot at a tasting there long ago – but did not get to sample it until this past winter (amazing what we find hidden in our wine room!). We picked up the Pierce Ranch Vineyards Claret as they were closing their Cannery Row tasting room (they are open at their winery – see below!).  Finally, we enjoy re-tasting Carmel Valley wines from the 2016 Soberanes Fire year to see how they are holding up. The Parsonage Tanner Reserve is one which, through creative winemaking, I still don’t detect even a hint of the smoke – it is drinking beautifully. 

Winery notes come from their website, newsletters or tasting room. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2022 Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $24 (#1431)

Winery Notes: “If the Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir offers any preview into the quality of the coming wines for a given vintage, rest assured that 2022 will certainly be a vintage to remember. Sporting shades of melon, salmon, and coral that are classic for a Lucy Rosé, this beautiful offering packs unyielding aromatic intensity as it chills and condensates on the sides of the glass.  Delicate at first with notes of fresh strawberry and subtle, mineral driven undertones, this wine begins to offer complexities seldom seen in rosé as it opens up in the glass. Plush notes of peach blossom and watermelon waft into the air, as the first sips offer citrus-driven flavors of tangerine and orange peel, backed by tart raspberry and rose petal. Brief but impactful aging in 100% neutral French oak barrels offer an added layer of texture that pairs seamlessly with fresh acidity.”

“The Pisoni Family has always been committed to making exceptional wines, and Lucy allows them to combine this passion with philanthropy. The Pisoni family donates one dollar of each bottle sold to Breast Cancer Research. Since inception, over $200,000 has been raised for this cause.”

My 2024 Review: Pale salmon in the glass. Peach and apricot with strawberry notes on the nose. Kind of tart on the palate like underripe strawberries and raspberries. Refreshing. Complexity is revealed as wine warms in the glass. More than a pool wine. June 2024

2018 Galante Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $100   (#1432)

Winery Notes “This Wine Gang favorite is EXTREMELY limited – only 50 cases produced – and as you all know, it always sells out quickly.  Lush, ripe strawberry and toasted vanilla flavors abound in this classic Merlot.

My Review: Dark garnet in the glass – like a juicy, dark cherry. Dark fruit and a touch of vanilla on the nose. Sweet tart on the palate with an undercurrent of dark berries and plum. Cherry on the finish. March 2024

2016 Pierce Ranch Vineyards Claret, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $28 (#142)

Winery Notes: “…Benefiting from the region’s high elevation, rocky soils, and wide variation in diurnal temperature, the 2016 vintage is a nuanced, well-balanced wine with an elegant texture, restrained fruit, and a solid tannic structure. Produced on a very limited scale, its components were fermented in small lots and aged in French oak for 18 months. Flavors and aromas of red cherry, black currant, and plum combine with hints of cedar and tobacco leaf.”

My 2024 Review: Cranberry, blackberry, plum and musky herbal on the nose. White pepper, black raspberry and currant with grapefruit notes on the finish. December 2023

My 2020 Review: Raspberry and blackberry on the nose.  Raspberry, tart cherry and plum on the palate, with a smooth, licorice finish.  This is a very tasty, everyday Claret. May 2020

2016 Parsonage Estate Reserve Tanner Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $80

Winery Notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon is a burly beast of a wine and the fastest selling vintage we’ve ever made. When folks try it, they buy it. The nose is full of dark fruit with hints of barrel toast. The palate is full of blackberry, black cherry, and tobacco leaf.  Nicely integrated tannins and a long finish. We aren’t fancy and like to pair it with a burger.” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

My 2024 Review: Medium purple in color. Crushed blackberry and cherry and brewed coffee, with a hint of sulfur, on the nose. Melange of berries and spearmint on the plate with a dry, wooden finish with lingering licorice notes. Blind tasting this wine, you wouldn’t know it was from the year of the Soberanes Fire.

My 2020 Review: Glass-coating rich, this wine had a little sulphur and green olive on the nose, followed by umami flavors of pepperoni dipped in a good marinade.  Very robust and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon.  Little to no detection of smoke taint, despite the 2016 vintage. June 2020

THE TASTING ROOMS – A Monterey Catch Up:

Lucy Wines doesn’t appear to have a tasting room.

Galante Vineyards: Come visit our Wine Tasting Room and Western Emporium in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea. Located off Dolores between Ocean and Seventh Ave., Galante Vineyards is proud to be Carmel’s first “Wine Tasting Room”. We cordially invite you and your guests to stop by to say “howdy” and to taste our renowned estate wines.

“Our tasting room is located in Carmel-by-the-Sea off Dolores between Ocean Street and Seventh Ave. We are currently open DAILY for outdoor tastings: Monday-Thursday 12:30-6:30pm, Friday & Saturday  12:00-7:30pm, Sunday 12:00-6:30pm”

Pierce Ranch Vineyards : “We are now hosting regular tasting hours at the winery in Lockwood every Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00 pm…The official winery address is 53527 Bradley-Lockwood Road, Bradley, CA 93426. (We know. Apparently whether or not we’re actually in Lockwood is a matter of interpretation. It might be a quantum thing.) If you need directions or if you have questions, feel free to contact us at tastingroom@piercevineyards.com. We’ll see/observe you there.”

Parsonage: “Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Room: Hooray! We are open for both indoor and outdoor wine tasting daily. 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.”

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Parsonage Takes Wine Education to a New Level!

THE STORY

I enjoy being a member of a winery that takes wine education to a new level. This summer, Parsonage offered its members 3 different events to expand their knowledge of wines: a cheese pairing, a blending class, and a vineyard walk. I did the vineyard walk last year, and was excited to participate in the cheese pairing in June and the blending class with winemaker Frank Melicia in July.

The cheese pairing was so enjoyable – sip delicious wines perfectly paired with scrumptious cheeses – what’s not to love! The blending class, well, that was work – and very fun. Let me start with that!

It was advertised as “Learn how to blend wines and have a great time while you’re at it! Winemaker & son-in-law, Frank Melicia, will walk you through the basics of blending and then you’ll experiment with your own blends.” What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon – pretending to be a winemaker! This was so much fun that I’d love to do it again!

I invited along my good friend Erin from tèr·ra·ve·nos.  As a true “garagista”herself and having recently earned her WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine, she was the perfect partner to give our team some confidence in what we were doing.

THE WINE BLENDING EVENT – Taking Wine Education to a New Level

The Set-Up

We walked into the Parsonage barrel room/winery and found 4 named bottles of wine on each table.  They were named John, Paul, Ringo, and George.  Hm…not only were we blending wines, but this was going to be a blind blending – we would not even know the varietals we were blending! The intent was not to let our preconceived notions of the varietal to influence our blend.  Cool!

We picked a table and were joined by Laurel and Adrien – it was nice to get to know them and they were eager to get to our task.  With a little guidance from Frank and a form on our table suggesting we should attempt 10 different blends, we got to work.

Step 1: What Are We Working With?

First we tasted the wine in each of the bottles on our table and made general notes about it – we had no real consensus on what any of them were:

  • John: Tart and dry, cranberry notes and bright in character. Cranberry makes me think of Grenache, but maybe it was a Pinot?
  • Paul:  Dark in color, this was a big wine with bacon and spices on the nose and palate.  Oaky, structured tannins and high alcohol. My guess was that this was a Syrah.
  • Ringo: Light in color, transluscent, not as strong as Paul.  Softer, yet still oaky.  My guess was Grenache but there was no consensus. Some thought it was a Pinot Noir. Whatever it was, we didn’t really like it, especially tasting it after Paul.
  • George: This was a big red, dry with peppery notes and a touch stemmy.  We thought this might be a Cabernet Sauvignon or maybe a Petit Verdot.

Step 2: Playing with Blending

The consensus at our table was that we preferred Paul and George and focused our blends primarily on those two wines.  We played with adding different amounts of the lighter John and Ringo throughout our 10 tries. I won’t go through all of them, but just the first few.

Blend #1: The first blend we tried was 50/50 Paul and George.  This made for a big wine, but the nose and the palate were dull.

Blend #2: We played it safe and lowered the blend to 45% Paul and 45% George to make room for 10% John. This wine was still a big wine, but brighter on the palate, more appealing. The tannins were more balanced and we all generally felt we would want to drink this wine.

Blends #3 & 4: We changed the ratio of Paul and George to 60/30 for Blend 3 and flipped that to 30/60 Paul and George in Blend 4, maintaining 10% John. #3 was more floral and tart, receiving an overall “eh” review.  #4 was dusty, oaky and just dropped off – a resounding NO.

Blends 5-10: We kept playing with different, even moving John and Ringo to the prominent blends, which yielded interesting results:

  • Blend 7 was 30% John, 10% Paul, 50% Ringo, and 10% George, resulting in an approachable blend with a spicy nose, cinnamon notes, and bubblegum – a good blend.
  • Blend 9 was 7% John, 45% Paul, 3% Ringo and 45% George – which yielded a very balanced, mid-palate-focused blend.

Step 3: Decision and Submission Time

We revisited #2 Blend again to ensure we still liked it the best.  We named our team The Red Ringers and our wine, the 2022 Parsonality. We proudly submitted it  – having fun with Frank Melicia. “We love it, yeah, yeah, yeah!”

THE RESULTS

The Winning Team!

Once all the wines were submitted. Frank did a quick taste of each one and declared the winner. Hard to believe it wasn’t us!  My notes are a little confusing, but I believe the winning blend was 35% John, 53% Paul and 12% George.  I think the second runner up was 5% John, 65% Paul, and 30% George. Ringo seemed universally dissed!  Congrats to the winning teams!

Second Place!!

Finally, Frank revealed the wines:

  • John was a field blend of Bordeaux grapes. (We didn’t guess that at all.)
  • Paul was indeed a Syrah from Cedar Lane Vineyard.  Of course it was. I got that one right.
  • Ringo was a Grenache – I had thought so, but not with strong confidence.
  • George was a Merlot!  None of us guessed Merlot! Of course that is why we liked it.

THE CHEESE PAIRING AND THE WINES

I am presenting 4 Parsonage wines from the cheese pairing event. You can see the delicious cheese pairing in the tasting menu below. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting menu. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a practice, I don’t correct typos from winery websites.

I’ve presented Parsonage wines to you many times.  Just type Parsonage in the search bar of any page on the Decanting Monterey website.

2021 Parsonage Rosé of Grenache, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $32 (#1417)

Winery Notes: “Another spectacular bouquet of candied violets, star anise, bubble gum, and your favorite perfume. Delicious mouthful of ripe strawberry, mulberry, red currant with a hint of orange zest in this off-dry marvel!”

My Review: I didn’t take any notes – it was a lovely wine which paired well with the cheese! We’ve enjoyed this wine a few times this summer.

2021 Parsonage The BDL, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $44 (#1418)

Winery Notes: “Our Bordeax-esque beauty made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

“For you who fell in love with the 2020 BDL (and you were legion), you won’t be disappointed in the ‘21. Its nose has the same come hither effect as the exotic sultry ‘20. A unique bouquet arises in the ‘21 from a mysterious floral-spice entanglement. The luscious dark currant-plum-mulberry melange of the ‘20 is invigorated by ripe black raspberry. The elegant mouthfeel is fuller and rounder extending the satisfyingly delicious finish!”

My Review: Pretty garnet in color.  A nice nose of dark fruits. Very tasty palate of bright and dark fruits with a spearmint finish. We like this wine. Took some home and served it at a birthday celebration – it was a huge hit! I have to say that this is my favorite vintage of The BDL.  June 2024

2021 Parsonage Wild Card, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $40 (#1312)

Winery Notes: “This iteration of the beloved Wildcard, our preposterous melange of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir, will rock your world.

“The nose is a fragrant and seductive melange of exotic spices, wild flowers, boysenberry, and cranberry. The palate is marked by cedar notes and blueberry with a vibrant backdrop of red and black fruit in this medium-plus mouthfeel beauty….”

My Review: Cinnamon and brown sugar on the nose. Pretty tasty. Cinnamon and crushed blueberry on the palate. This wine is still young but shows great promise. June 2024

2013 Parsonage Estate Syrah (Library Wine), Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $122 (#1419)

Winery Notes: “Bright nose of brambleberries & smoked bacon. Lush mouth feel with dark fruit, plum, umami, grilled meats and an olallieberry burst on the finish.”

My Review: Deep garnet in color.  Dark fruit on the nose – really yummy. The palate is leaner than the nose. Paired very well with dark chocolate sea salt truffles from Pieces of Heaven. Thank you for sharing this library wine! June 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Parsonage is open for tastings every day – click here for the details and to make a reservation.  Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. You can obtain their wines directly from the winery here or at their tasting room located at19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. 

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Celebrating 4 Years of Decanting Monterey!

Today marks the 4th Anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! I am still pursuing my passion to expose others to the depth and quality of our Monterey/Central Coast wines, often under-appreciated by wine snobs.  I like to champion our vintners and their wines out purely as a hobby, not for profit. And I appreciate each and every one of you who are reading my stories!

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.

During Year 4, my exposure and stature grew significantly:

  • Decanting Monterey was nominated for Best Local Blog in the Monterey County Weekly’s 2023 “Best of” competition and for Best Monterey Wine Blog for the LUXLife Hospitality Award 2024.

I have some high-level stats to share with you about Year Four of Decanting Monterey!

  • www.decantingmonterey.com surpassed the 15,000 “views” mark! 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!
  • 376 wines were presented on Decanting Monterey for the first time.

  • 292 red wines were presented, as well as 111 whites, 31 rosés, and a few oranges – including 12 sparkling wines. Yes, this is the real math – it includes some wines presented before.
  • Wines from 9 California counties are represented, with 284 from Monterey, 38 from San Luis Obispo (Paso Robles wine country!), 20 from San Benito, 12 from Santa Cruz, and 4 from Santa Clara, and a few from Napa and Sonoma. 

  • In addition, 16 wines carried the Central Coast designation, plus 4 labeled as California wines.
  • Finally, there were 36 wines from Croatia, 6from Spain, and 5 from Oregon!
  • Wines from 8 of the 10 Monterey American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were covered, with the most from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Carmel Valley.

  • Thanks to the larger tasting events, I presented many, many wineries for the first time and also visited the Austin Harlow and Comanche Cellars tasting rooms for the first time.
Austin Harlow/Mid Life Crisis Wines
Comanche Cellars

If you are an avid reader, then you know I love to read the crop reports.  According to the recently-released 2023 Monterey County Crop Report:

  • Grapes went up in ranking from 7th place from 2022 to 5th place in 2023, behind strawberries, broccoli, and leaf and head lettuces.
  • Acreage of planted grapes declined from 41,480 in 2022 to 40,200 in 2023.
  • Grape crop value increased from $173,789,000 in 2022 to $194,642,000 in 2023. Woohoo!!

While I have some posts already queued up for Year 5, let me ask my mighty readers:  Where should I visit next?  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 3! I have a list of not-yet-covered wine tasting rooms and other wine venues to check out – happy to add to it.  I don’t know what I don’t know. 

And, if you have not signed up for my free, weekly blog email, I encourage you to do so – the subscription button is on the right-hand side of each page of the Decanting Monterey website. I judge how well I am doing by how many views, subscribers, and comments I receive.  Please help me spread the word and please feel free to comment on my posts! And follow my Facebook (@DecantingMonterey) and Instagram (@decanting_monterey) sites.

I don’t want to leave today’s post without expressing my gratitude to those vintners who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have donated bottles of wine! I am grateful to Bernardus, Corral Wine Co., McIntyre Vineyards, Parsonage, Rombi and Scheid for their generosity this year in donated wines or steep discounts. Also grateful to Kim Stemler and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association for their support – what a great resource! And to Erin O’Reilly of tèr·ra·ve·nos for her partnership and advice as we navigate this world of wine.  And, of course, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod who make this all tons of fun!

So, here we go – Year 5!  I’m not sure I can top Year 4, but I am excited for the upcoming 31st Annual Monterey Winemakers Celebration! Hope to see you there!

And, to all my readers, thanks for your support to me on this crazy journey.

© Decanting Monterey 2024

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Enjoying Monterey Wines on the East Coast!

THE STORY

Earlier this month, I connected with my old wine group – and presented Monterey wines to them. I do this class about once a year and am always glad to be sharing my passion and enjoying Monterey wines on the East Coast.

This class was a bit easier to put together than ones I have done in the past.  Why? 1. An improved budget for the class allowed me flexibility to include some higher priced wines. 2. I had a free case of wine from one of the wineries (thank you!). 3. I stumbled onto some incredible shipping rates ($1 – really??) and huge sales on a couple of wines.  As a bonus, most of the wines presented had Wine Enthusiast ratings. Writer-at-Large Matt Kettmann does a great job covering Central Coast wines.

I have boasted that, while Monterey is known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, I usually don’t present either. I set out to make this class is different. I felt it was time to show my East Coast friends a value (but tasty) Chardonnay representative of Monterey County – and what a really good Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands can be!

I could not pull off these classes without the generosity of our local wineries and the Monterey Vintners & Growers Association.  I have worked to develop deep relationships with Monterey wineries, including the winemakers, tasting room staff, and even some vineyards! They give me steep discounts on their wine (sometimes they even donate wine!) in return for me giving their wines visibility to a new audience. Many thanks to Bernardus, Corral Wine Co., McIntyre Vineyards, Parsonage and Scheid for their support and generosity. I’m so grateful.

Bernardus
Corral Wine Co.
McIntyre Vineyards

*Readers:  Is there a Monterey County winery you know or would like to know for my next class or a future post?  Wineries:  Is there a deal on one of your wines you would like me to showcase next Spring? Leave me a comment below or email me!*

Parsonage
Scheid

THE CLASS ITSELF – ENJOYING MONTEREY WINES ON THE EAST COAST

It Takes a Village: Before I launch into this class, I need to give a huge thank you to my many friends who helped me with this class: Paula, the board member who got me on the calendar and introduced me; my former neighbors Howard and Nora, who patiently received my wine shipments; Stephen who chilled the whites and found excellent cheese pairings; my good friend Steve, who helped me transport the wines to the event.  And, during the class, those friends plus Dina who helped pass out the wines to those East Coast wine aficionados.

I wrote about my approach to presenting Monterey wines in last year’s post: Decanting Monterey Tells All: Introducing New Monterey Wines and Wine Regions in DC! Check that out for the details! I’ll give a short synopsis here:

I started this almost-sold-out class (57 people!) by ensuring everyone knew where Monterey County is on the Central Coast.  I talked about our climate, the Blue Grand Canyon under the Monterey Bay, creating a Thermal Rainbow® – our high valley temperatures brought relief by the afternoon winds coming off the bay the stress and cool the vines – with accompanying fog to keep them from getting too cold overnight. I briefly ran through our winemaking history and current stats and encouraged them to visit! I highlight the ease and affordability of coming to Monterey to taste wine.  Armed with our tasting room brochures provided by Kim Stemler of the Monterey Vintners & Growers Association, I invite them all to visit.

I then talked briefly about the four Monterey County American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) from which today’s wines originated: Monterey, Arroyo Seco, the Santa Lucia Highlands and, for the first time, San Lucas. You can read more about our AVAs here.

Finally, I gave a short overview of each winery and presented each of the wines.  As we moved through the tasting, the group had extremely positive reactions and asked good questions.

  • They asked if wines were available locally – The Bernardus Chardonnay should be available locally; all others can be found via the wineries directly.
  • They cheered at the quality and expression of flavors in the Corral Sauvignon Blanc.
  • They asked how long the McIntyre could be cellared (another 8-10 years). And they seemed to really enjoy the two big red blends from Parsonage and Scheid.
  • One observation was that these wines were all rather high in alcohol – I assured them that it is not the trend, just happened to be the wines selected for this class. 

Overall, the attendees were very happy with both the educational component and the quality of the wines themselves. 

THE WINES

Today I am presenting the 5wines from this May tasting. Winery notes come from their tasting sheets or websites, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2020 Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $30 (#884)

Winery Notes: “Bright white fruit aromas accented by subtle oak notes. The palate is intense and beautifully focused with vibrant peach and tropical fruit flavors along with spice accents. The long finish is supported by a refreshing acidity.”

Wine Enthusiast – 88 points: “Lime spritz and apple-slice aromas show on the nose of this bottling. The palate shows an earthier side, offering baked lemon and toasted nut flavors.”

My Review: Golden in the glass. Tropical and buttery on the nose and tasty with some grilled pineapple on the palate. Butter, caramel and slight metallic notes on the finish. I believe this Monterey Chardonnay is quite representative of our region. October 2023 & February 2024

2022 Corral Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1088)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of lemongrass, citrus, fersh herb, and guava with hints of gooseberry. Flavors of lemon, peach, and citrus finishing with a nice minerality and racing acidity.”

My Review: Straw in the grass. A slightly sweet nose of grapefruit & melon. The nose follows over to the palate with a grapefruit twist on the finish. It’s a lot, in a good way. September 2023

2016 McIntyre Vineyards Block 3 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1290)

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Roasted cherry and plum meet with turned earth and toasty oak aromas on the nose of this single-block bottling. The palate is wrapped in that savory oak flavor, which complements the dried sage and rich dark-fruit flavors, as strong tannins hold it all in check.” Matt Kettmann

Prince of Pinot – 91 points: “A combination of the Swan clone and the “Old Vine” Block. The crop was thinned to a maximum of three tons per acre or 1.5 lbs of fruit per foot of cordon. Indigenous yeast fermentations. · Dark garnet color in the glass. The nose offers aromas of blueberry-pomegranate and a compliment of toasty oak. An onslaught of purple and black berry fruits greet the palate. Not particularly nuanced but plenty of ostentatious fruit. Modest tannins, low acidity and a finish of modest length. The slightest warmth shows up on the finish.” July 2022

My Review: Dark ruby in color. Delicious nose of dark cherry. Palate is packed with dark, tart fruit like a dark cherry jolly rancher and some sandalwood. We liked this wine. March 2024

2020 Parsonage Wildcard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $38 (#1231)

Winery Notes: “This iteration of the beloved Wildcard, our preposterous melange of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir, will rock your world. The nose is a fragrant and seductive melange of exotic spices, wild flowers, boysenberry, and cranberry. The palate is marked by cedar notes and blueberry with a vibrant backdrop of red and black fruit in this medium-plus mouthfeel beauty.”

My Review: Bright garnet. Subtle nose of crushed red and black fruit. The bright fruit on the palate mellows out on a soft finish. Really well melded and delicious. May and November 2023

2020 Scheid Arbolitos, San Lucas Vineyard, San Lucas AVA, Monterey County, 15.5% ABV, $40 (#1287) 28% Primitivo, 28% Barbera, 19% Charbono, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignan, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Notes: “Our 2020 vintage is intense and focused, with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, ripe plum and elderberry. Acidic, bright and medium-bodied, it is framed by soft tannins. A rich red fruit finish prevails with notes of vanilla and mocha.”

Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “From a head-trained vineyard of “little trees,” this proprietary blend pairs black plum and purple flowers with peppercorn and soy on the nose. The palate is firm in texture, offering ripe blueberry and violet flavors.”

My Review: A Super Tuscan-style field blend. Cassis on the nose – intense delicious fruit. Very delicious. Jammy smooth complex palate. I really like this wine and selected it for my next class. February 2024

THE TASTING ROOMS

All of these wineries presented today have tasting rooms in one or more of our three wine tasting areas of Monterey County:  Bernardus, Corral and Parsonage are in Carmel Valley Village. Scheid and McIntyre are in Carmel. Scheid also has a tasting room way down the Monterey Wine Trail. 

You can see a map of Monterey County wine tasting rooms and get more information here.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

East End “Members for the Day” – A Crazy Good Idea!

THE STORY

The tasting rooms in the Carmel Valley Village “East End” (the old White Oaks shopping center) decided to share “Members for the Day” – a member at one winery could taste at all the tasting rooms! With our Tasting Passport in hand, we could taste at Parsonage, Corral Wine Co., Chesebro, Windy Oaks, Austin Harlow, and I. Brand & Family! How cool was that!

ABOUT THE EAST END “MEMBERS FOR THE DAY”

Each winery sent an invitation to its members, inviting 2 members plus 2 friends to spend a Sunday afternoon visiting the 6 wineries.  Each prepared a limited menu from which attendees could pick a couple of wines to try.  Or that was the idea, anyway. From the members’ perspective, this was a great way to try wineries we had never been to, bring a friend or two, and meet new people. 

From the tasting room staff perspective, this was a bit of crowd-management chaos, in a fun way. Lots of people signed up and the fine print of only picking a couple of wines at each one was totally lost on the members. Some wineries told us verbally, others printed it on the menu, and yet another simply opened 2 wines as the only ones available that day – smart.

Members who were used to tasting the whole menu showed no restraint. 😊 At one winery, the event overlapped with their spring release, creating added confusion to who was “allowed” to try what! We could see in the eyes of the tasting room staff that some were doing the best they could with as much enthusiasm they could muster, while others looked simply shell-shocked. We members, on the other hand, had a wonderful time. At some wineries, the sales were flowing, so the idea worked for them.

In hindsight, some said that *if* they were ever to do this again, they would limit the invitation to 2 members (no extra friends), make it clearer that people could only pick 2 wines (or only serve 2). Good ideas. I would add: make this an annual event and try not to overlap your releases so there is a single menu. (I know, easier said than done and I am guilty of showing up to do both at once). 

If you attended this event, I would love for you to leave a comment today on your experience at East End “Members for the Day”!!

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 10wines I have not presented before from 5 of the East End “Members for the Day” – Austin Harlow, I. Brand & Family, Chesebro, Windy Oaks and Parsonage.  We also tasted the wines at Corral Wine Co. – you can find my previous reviews of those wines Corral Wine Co.: A Beautiful Portfolio of Tasty Wines! and Corral: Newly Released Pinot Noirs Available Now! Winery notes come from the event tasting sheet or their website. You can read more about each winery on its respective website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Mid Life Crisis Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV , $21 (#1303)

My Review: Pale gold in color and viscous in the glass. Butter on the nose. We found this Chardonnay to be pretty tasty with a buttery and light grapefruit finish. April 2024

2021 Austin Harlow Sharon’s Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $36 (#1304)

My Review: Faint peach on the nose. A nice palate with a grapefruit twist on the end. April 2024

2023 Paysan Rosé, Central Coast AVA, 12.5% ABV, $19 (#1305) 78% Mourvèdre, 11% Cinsault, 11% Grenache.

Winery Notes: “Even though it wasn’t a warm vintage, our 2023 rosé shows more warm climate character, not unlike Spanish rosés, than in past years. The long hang time and ample canopies brought full phenological ripeness for a red wine at rosé sugars and acids. The resultant flavors are more cherry and plum than underripe strawberry and watermelon but in the same refreshing composition as usual.”

My Review: Pale pink in the glass. Light in flavor. Very refreshing. I would drink this in the micro-climate! April 2024

2023 Paysan Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $24 (#1306)

Winery Notes: “I feel like this last year people finally ‘got’ the Zabala Sauvignon Blanc. It’s not a gooseberry and cat pee SB like we were taught to like from New Zealand (and which has become, in the vein of buttery Chardonnay, a parody of itself) nor the laser thin acid bomb of Sancerre. The Musqué clone it’s based on gives a distinctly melon driven presentation, underscored by river rocks and crushed seashells. It also retains less acidity than other SB clones, which is essential in Arroyo Seco because the winds and cold nights make everything acidic. Our Zabala Sauvignon Blanc is an exceedingly pleasant wine, joyful, friendly, consistent. It’s the white wine you always want in the fridge for when you need a splash.”

My Review: Pale in the glass. Melon, peach and light pineapple on the nose.  The palate is refreshing and light with a lingering finish. April 2024

2023 La Marea Verdelho, Pierce Ranch, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 11.8% ABV, $19 (#1307)

Winery Notes: “I set a goal of exploring more white wines in 2023. We picked up some pretty esoteric stuff, including two grapes off Pierce Ranch. The second will come in the summer, but the first is this delightful Verdelho. Verdelho is a Portuguese grape grown predominantly on the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores. It creates a bright, almost spicy wine redolent of citrus and orchard fruit. This is an exceedingly pleasant quaff. We only made 50 cases of this wine, so don’t pass on it or you’ll miss it!”

My Review: Very pale in color and lacking aromatics.  Light on the palate with some ginger on the finish. We thought this would pair well with food and took one home. April 2024

2023 La Marea Albariño, Kristy Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $25 (#1308)

Winery Notes: “After several short vintages, it’s lovely to finally have a decent crop off Kristy’s. The 2023 vintage was characterized by a comparatively late harvest. Across the 2023s, sugars were late to accumulate and acids remained stubbornly high as phenolics developed in the moderate temperatures. High potassium levels in the juice resulted in higher than usual finished pHs with good titratable acidities (a measure of the total acid content in the wine) meaning that the 2023 whites are deeply flavored, supple and open while remaining focused. Our 2023 Albariño has been showing great with depth and complexity to spare.”

My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. Full-bodied and delicious.  Very balanced in all its flavors. We liked this one so much that we took 2 home! April 2024.

2022 Paysan Petite Sirah, Pierce Ranch, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $27 (#1309)

Winery Notes: “One way to beat the fall heat spikes of 2022 is to pick before they hit. Heat is a fact of life in the San Antonio Valley and the secret is to work with well adapted varieties. Thick skinned Petite Sirah is a lovely choice and on the fractured silicate and calcareous rock of Block One it yields a wine of surprising elegance and grace. I made the wines for Pierce Ranch for several years earlier in my career, so I know the vineyard well and this is one of their premier blocks. Fermented with 30% whole cluster and aged in neutral oak for 11 months.”

My Review: Almost purple in the glass. A nice, black and blue fruit palate with a tannic finish.  I think this will settle down into a very yummy wine. April 2024

2016 Cheseboro Grenache, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.8% ABV, $35 (#1310)

Winery Notes: “A savory and robust Grenache from the sandy, well-drained soils of Cedar Lane Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. Only 80 cases produced.  Ripe rasberries and cracked pepper with a firm core of dusty tannins. Aromas of dried sage brush leads off followed by bright red berry fruit and a long caressing finish.”

My Review: Unfortunately, I did not take notes on this wine.  I recall it being quite delicious and full, made in a style I would prefer my Grenache to be. April 2024

2018 Windy Oaks Special Release – Le Chaud, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 14.8% ABV, $85 (#1311)

Winery Notes: “Using a special piece of machinery that heat treats specific rows of the vineyard in rapid motion, it decreases the number of mildew sprays and actually increases the phenolics (important flavor contributors) in the grape skins. This results in amplified aromas and black/red fruit characteristics with unusual complexity and layering.”

My Review: I was unable to taste this wine, but my partner did – and I simply wanted to include it today.

2021 Parsonage Wild Card, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $40 (#1312)

Winery Notes: “This iteration of the beloved Wildcard, our preposterous melange of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir, will rock your world. The nose is a fragrant and seductive melange of exotic spices, wild flowers, boysenberry, and cranberry. The palate is marked by cedar notes and blueberry with a vibrant backdrop of red and black fruit in this medium-plus mouthfeel beauty.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Well-melded flavors in this red blend – a great follow-on to the fabulous 2020 vintage, which I am presenting in my DC wine class. Red and black fruits dance on the medium-bodied palate. This wine is still young and has great potential. April 2024

THE TASTING ROOMS

The Carmel Valley Village “East End” tasting rooms are located at 19 East Carmel Valley Road.  Please check each winery’s website for their specific hours.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

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