Tagged: Paso Robles AVA

Impressive Corral Lineup for the Monterey AWS WinedUP Friday!

 Back in May, I received a call from Phil Arnold, the Vice Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society. He expressed I could be helpful to their WinedUP Friday wine tasting events because I know so much about our local wineries. The first one I organized was at Parsonage, which I wrote about here: .  The next one was at Corral, which I negotiated for 1 September, the Friday of Labor Day Weekend! I previously wrote about Corral here: https://decantingmonterey.com/come-say-hello-at-corral-wines-new-tasting-room/.

From the Corral Wine Co website: “Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards. In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast. We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”

Happy Birthday, Jessica!

Corral Wine Tasting Room, which only opened in January 2022, has a very cool and relaxing vibe. Jessica Gatton, their awesome tasting room manager, and I were expecting quite a crowd and I wanted the members to be able to taste all the wines.  We weren’t really sure how it would go, as people arrived at different times, so no one was on the same wine at the same time.  And it was Jessica’s birthday – she had plans immediately after the event. On the verge of chaos, Corral reinforcements arrived, including their co-owners Skip and Dani Wilcox and co-owner/winemaker, Adrien Valenzuela.  The Corral staff all chipped in to pour the wines and the AWS group was very happy. The wine was greatly enjoyed and many purchases wrapped up the evening. Thank you, Jessica, Adrien, Skip, and Dani, for all your hard work, making this an exceptional event! 

As soon as Jacqueline Van Nes, Chair of the Monterey Chapter of the AWS, realized we had the winemaker in the house, she inquired if he would speak to us. Adrien readily agreed! We were thrilled that he was willing to address our group – an unplanned and very welcomed action. 

Corral Winemaker Adrien Valenzuela with Monterey AWS Chapter Chair Jacqueline Van Nes

Adrien shared with us his wine background and training.  A local from Salinas, he said he had left the area and had not planned to come back. He is written up as one of four up-and-coming winemakers in this September 5, 2019 Monterey Weekly article: Four young Monterey County winemakers talk about launching new labels in a time of uncertainty. Here is a quote from the article: “The career paths taken by Monterey County’s winemakers are not always predictable. Adrien Valenzuela studied biology and expected a career in nursing to follow – that is, until he did an internship at Estancia. He is now a winemaker for Constellation Brands in Gonzales, which owns almost 30 different labels, including Estancia and Robert Mondavi.” And now with Corral Wine Co.

He also shared the Corral story and trajectory. Their first vintage was in 2018, with a mere 500 cases, with fruit sourced from Monterey, Paso Robles, and Gilroy.  This past year, that number reached 1400 cases and now they are expecting 2600!  Nice!  While some of what they produce comes from Bell Ranch in the Carmel Valley, they have been fortunate to obtain fruit from some notable Monterey County vineyards (Zabala in Arroyo Seco, KW Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and Massa in Carmel Valley). And they are expanding their acquisition of fruit from specific areas of Paso Robles, as well as from the Enz Vineyard in San Benito County. 

Phil Arnold got up to say a few words about the Monterey Chapter of AWS, a young chapter that started in January 2020, right before the pandemic. It is a great group of people interested in learning more about wine.  In addition to the first Friday WinedUP events, they host an annual BBQ, wine judging and other events. If you are interested, you can join them by becoming a member of the national AWS here:  https://americanwinesociety.org/.  The AWS is “America’s largest community of wine explorers”! Then you can join the Monterey Chapter. Membership is quite affordable and they are a non-pretentious and friendly social group. 

Today, I am presenting 8 Corral wines from the AWS tasting event, 2 of which have been presented here before, with expanded tasting notes. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. You can read more details about some of these wines on their webpage here. 

2019 Corral Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, $28 (#604)

Winery Notes: “Bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit, such as guava and grapefruit dominate along with some fresh cut hay, lemon blossom, wet stone and racing acidity.”

My Review:  Very light, pretty in the glass. Grapefruit, guava and grilled pineapple on the nose. Yummy palate of lychee, mango, papaya, sweet grapefruit and hay, with some minerality on the finish. Love Zabala VIneyard and find this to be a very attractive and sophisticated wine.  I’d like to feature this wine in a future class! March/September 2022

2020 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, $26 (#605)

Winery Notes: “Bright and fresh aromas of strawberry and orange blossom, with nice, bright acidity.”

My Review: Dusty rose (“ballet slipper pink”) in color.  Sweet bouquet of white peach, with a light palate of white peach and honey and a touch of smoke on the finish.  This is a 2020 rose (fire year), afterall. A classic pool wine. Only red wine they made from 2020. March/September 2022

2021 Corral “Pancho’s Chard” Chardonnay, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.1% ABV, $36 (#839)

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Winery Notes: “Crisp & refreshing acidity, with aromas of citrus and honeysuckle.”

My Review:   Light in color, with the scent of “Melon de Bourgogne” and lemon on the nose. A bit of a wine spritzer look and taste in the glass. Fairly lemony palate – “like a lemon bar! This is such a new release that they don’t even have the labels yet! September 2022

2019 Corral Pinot Noir,  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $52 (#840)

Winery Notes: “Composed of two different clones from two vineyards in the heart of The Santa Lucia Highlands, this Pinot Noir shows off a lighter body, bright, red fruit and earthiness.” From the Highlands Ranch & KW Ranch Vineyards.

My Review: Transparent dark ruby in the glass.  Perfume on the nose.  Palate laden with alcohol.  This wine seems young and not ready for release – might need to open up more or settle down. September 2022

2019 Corral KW Ranch Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $58 (#841)

Winery Notes: “Rich flavors of cherry, plum, and nutmeg. Elegant and lasting finish.”

My Review: Inky ruby in the glass.  Smells like dark fruit, almost raisiny.  Very bold on the palate – big and smooth.  I’m not a Pinot Noir lover, but I truly like this wine! As with the 2018, I would not have guessed this was a Pinot Noir if I were doing a blind tasting.  This is one of my favorite wines from today’s tasting. We thought we had this wine at home, but it was the previous vintage, so I will have to rectify that! September 2022

2019 Corral Enz Vineyard Old Vines Zinfandel, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 14.8% ABV, $48 (#842)

Winery Notes:  “Light-medium body, old vine Zinfandel. Red fruit and spices.”

My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in the glass.  Nose of dark fruits, pepper and violets.  Very jammy, mocha (cocoa powder), with some licorice on the finish. I’m a long-time Zinfandel fan and took one home! On a previous visit, Larry Bell played mystery wine with this wine with me – while I suspected Zinfandel, I didn’t think he was making one.  And he did – and it is good! September2022

2019 Corral “See What You Can Do” Red Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $62 (#843)

Winery Notes: “50/50 Cabernet & Syrah blend with notes of cranberry, pine needles, and all spice.” 50% Cabernet from Massa Estate, Cachagua (Carmel Valley AVA); 50% Syrah from Zabala Vineyard (Arroyo Seco AVA) 75 cases produced.

My Review:  Inky in the glass.  Mocha, plum, dark berries and vanilla on the nose.  Palate of sharp berries and spearmint with vanilla and anise on the finish.  This wine is very young for all this big fruit from some of the best vineyards in our area. Recommend cellaring for a year or more – if you can resist!  One of our favorite Corral wines. September 2022

22019 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 14.5% ABV, $52 (#844)

Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit: blackberries, blueberries tobacco, black pepper, and toasted baking spices. Rich in flavor, full bodied with a long finish.”

My Review:  Beautiful dark ruby in the glass.  Smoke and alcohol on the nose – not a ton of fruit.  Palate is smooth and rich with dark berry flavors and yummy.  This is my favorite, current Corral wine – we keep buying more because we keep opening it at home! September 2022

We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA!  Hours are Sunday, Monday and Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm; Friday and Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00ish pm; and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. They have two tastings:  The Cellar Rats (referring to Larry and Skip) ($20 for 4 wines) and The Maker (referring to their winemaker, Adrien) ($25 for 6 wines). 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Law’s Intrepid: “A brilliant representation” of the Adelaida District’s Terroir!

In January, our COVID Wine Pod partners invited us over to celebrate their daughter receiving a final job offer in Washington DC.  After appropriately celebrating with Champagne, a mystery wine appeared. 

First, we did a proper toast with real Champagne. Then, we played Mystery Wine.

One of our favorite games to play in the pandemic has been Guess the Mystery Wine. This wine had already been decanted, no label in sight. We guessed New World. It was very familiar on the nose, but we couldn’t place it.  It didn’t taste like a Cabernet Sauvignon – more like a Zinfandel, Syrah, or Petite Sirah.  My guess was Petite Sirah. Our host’s better half guessed Syrah – bingo, she was right!  A Law Estate Syrah from Paso Robles!

I have presented Law Estate Wines here twice last April.  https://decantingmonterey.com/law-estate-rose-the-perfect-wine-for-an-unexpectedly-hot-coastal-afternoon/ and https://decantingmonterey.com/law-aspire-an-entrancing-red-blend-from-americas-rhone/.

About Law Vineyards : “We are committed to making exceptional wines through sustainable and organic farming practices with minimal inputs. Located above Peachy Canyon Road on the west side of Paso Robles, the vineyard is one of the highest in the area at 1,600 to 1,900 feet. It is planted in high density, small-lot blocks. The extreme slopes, limestone soils, and multiple aspects create the distinct canvas and palette from which we work.”

2017 Law Intrepid Syrah, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, 16% ABV, $99 (#611*)

About the 2017 Intrepid from the winery: “The Intrepid’s dense purple juice presents an alluring nose of brown sugar, fleshy, dark fruits, black pepper, violets and baked blueberry pie. It maintains a sense of finesse, through the balance of course tannins, juicy acidity and mid palate weight. Despite all the decadence it offers, it never seems over the top; a humble extrovert if you will. It stays flawlessly balanced, has a lively, ample texture, and delivers a moreish finish. Not just for the Northern Rhône crowd, it’s a brilliant representation of this terroir that will keep for years.” Jeb Dunnuck rated this wine 98 points!

93 Points – Wine Enthusiast: “Those seeking wines of tremendous power and unctuous oak will enjoy this booming bottling, which was aged in 71% new barrels and begins with aromas of milk chocolate, cassis, maple butter and purple flowers. It’s thick and lush on the palate, where caramelized black-fruit, creamy cappuccino and bold baking-spice flavors go big.” Matt Kettmann, 5/2021

My Review:  Very dark and dense ruby in the glass.  Black fruit, cardamom and vanilla on the nose.  Intense dark fruit and cassis on the finish, with a touch of menthol and a lot of vanilla on the end, representing its high alcohol content. Still a bit more like a Petite Sirah to me! We enjoyed this wine. January 2022 

You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room.  Check it out here. Tastings are daily except Wednesdays from 10-4, by reservation only.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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“Come Say Hello” at Corral Wine’s New Tasting Room!

We were seeking parking in Carmel Valley and saw a spot just outside Sal Rombi’s tasting room.  We knew he was closed, but he was there – and invited us in.  While we were there, Larry Bell came in to pass a flyer about Corral Wine’s new tasting room opening.  He started to tell us about his wines – but he didn’t need to say too much – he had me at Sauvignon Blanc from Zabala Vineyard, one of my absolutely favorite combinations. We decided to change our plans for the afternoon to visit Corral Wines!

Larry Bell
Sam

As a 5th generation local, Larry Bell told us a bit of his personal story, growing up in Salinas, his family ranch – Bell Ranch – with both cattle and vineyards, and a long career in tradeshows. He shared colorful stories about his grandfather. On the cool side, he was a pilot who made some daring flights including under the Bixby Bridge (did I hear that right?).  On the tragic side, as a dairyman in his 30’s, his grandfather was making deliveries at the Toro Café and was attacked by banditos, leading to his premature death – a shocking story, reminding us that it really wasn’t that long ago that this area really was the wild, wild west. I’m sure there are many more stories yet to be heard!

If you get the chance, please stop by soon to try their terrific wines and welcome them to the neighborhood! Tell them I sent you! Their stylish and comfortable tasting room is located right between Parsonage and Chesebro at 19 East Carmel Valley Road in the old White Oaks shopping center.

About Corral Wine Co.: “Corral Wine Company is a production of Bell Family Vineyards. In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.

We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.” Overall production is about 1500 cases. 

They have two tasting:  The Cellar Rats (referring to Larry and Skip) and The Maker, referring to their winemaker, Adrian. 

Today, I am presenting 7 Corral wines. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet or their website.

2019 Corral Zabala Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA, $28 (#604*)

Winery Notes: “Bright, vibrant aromas of tropical fruit, such as guava and grapefruit dominate along with some fresh cut hay, lemon blossom, wet stone and racing acidity.”

My Review:  Pale in the glass with a frgrant nose.  Delicious palate of soft pineapple and white peach.  Super good. January 2022

2020 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, $26 (#605*)

Winery Notes: “Bright and fresh aromas of strawberry and orange blossom, with nice, bright acidity.”

My Review: Pale salmon in the glass. Vey nice and balanced with a full-flavored kick.  We liked this rose! January 2022

2018 Corral Zabala Vineyard Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco AVA, $34 (#606*)

Winery Notes: “Rich tropical aromatics such as grilled pineapple, ripe fruit, and toasted coconut with hints of vanilla.   With a slight oaky characteristic enhancing the richness of the wine.”

My Review:   Honey on the nose.  Rich on the palate.  The oak in this wine is very subtle. January 2022

2018 Corral Pinot Noir,  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, $48 (#607*)

Winery Notes: Red fruit:  cherry, raspberry, and strawberry.  Savory with hints of smoked meat, leather, and mineral.” From Pavo Real (Spanish Springs) and KW Ranch. 

My Review: Typical Pinot Noir on the nose, yet a richer palate than most local Pinot Noirs. January 2022

2018 Corral Estate Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, $42 (#608*)

Winery Notes: “Bright vibrant aromas of strawberry, dark cherry, and rose petals. Rich texture, balanced acidity, and a long fruit driven finish.”

My Review: Slightly lighter ruby in the glass with expected Monterey County Pinot Noir flavors.  Compares favorably to the SLH! January 2022

2018 Corral KW Ranch Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, $55 (#609*)

Winery Notes:  “Full of flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, and spice.  Deep, rich fruit, with a long finish.”

My Review: Super dark ruby in the glass. Plum and dark cherry on the palate – big and rich.  If I were playing Mystery wine, I’m not sure I would guess it was a Pinot Noir. We liked it quite a bit! January 2022

2018 Corral Petite Sirah , Paso Robles AVA, $52 (#610*)

Winery Notes: “Ripe black fruit, black raspberries, tobacco, dark chocolate, cocoa, and toasted spices.  Rich, powerful, with a long finish.”

My Review:  Dark ruby/purple in the glass. Aromas and flavors of dark plum, blueberry and blackberry.  Smooth, rich and delicious. One of my favorites! January 2022

Come say hello at our newly opened Tasting Room at 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA!  Hours are Sunday, Monday and Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00ish pm; and closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Niner Wine Estates: Not “Those” ‘Niners – This is About Farming!

My virtual wine class selected the theme of Paso Robles.  Lucky me, I had picked up this Niner “kitchen sink” wine perhaps at Costco, perhaps at Safeway, sometime back.  Perfect for the occasion. I didn’t know anything about Richard Niner or his wines, so this was a chance to explore and learn!

My classmates presented these Paso Robles wines:

  • 2018 DAOU Pessimist Red Blend, 15.2% ABV, $22 (purchase price was $11), rated 92 points
  • 2015 Pasoport Wine Company Per Caso RHN Blend, 14.3% ABV, $44 ($11 on WTSO)
  • 2012 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.1% ABV, $20 (purchased for $15)

About Niner Wine Estates: “We currently farm a total of 240 acres across three different vineyards in Paso Robles and Edna Valley, and make all our wine in our LEED Certified Winery at Heart Hill Vineyard.  We are known for our estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as our flagship blend Fog Catcher; however, we grow a wide range of varietals and specialize in small lot bottlings that we allocate primarily to our Wine Club Members.  

“After growing up on a farm in West Virginia, Richard Niner spent his career building small businesses across a wide variety of industries.  One of his business ventures brought him to Paso Robles in the early 1990s and he was immediately drawn to the potential of both the land and the people who lived here.  After a long search, Richard and Pam purchased their first vineyard, Bootjack Ranch, in 2001 and spent the next decade building a tasting room and winery, finding and planting two additional vineyards, and assembling the current team. In 2013 they retired and their son Andy took over the day-to-day management of the business.”

2017 Niner Wine Estates Bootjack Red, Paso Robles, 13.5% ABV, $24 (#552*) 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 13% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Carménère, 4% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, 3% Zinfandel

Winemaker Notes from Wine.com: “The goal for the Bootjack Red was to treat each varietal separately using techniques that preserve the best characteristics of each. As a foundation, Cabernet Sauvignon was added for structure, Malbec for a juicy component, Cabernet Franc for fine tannin and length, and Merlot for subtle fruit and finesse. All other varietals in the blend are accent pieces, each adding spice and different fruit characteristics. The barrels selected along with the amount of time spent in barrel brought all of the individual pieces together in a cohesive way.”

My Review: Dark ruby, almost purple in the glass.  Caramel and blackberry on the nose.  Bold up front with smooth blackberry and blueberries on the palate. Intense dark fruit and a touch of ash on the dry, slightly tannic finish.  Balanced, mellow and very drinkable. September 2021                                                                                                                               

You can buy Niner wines online or at their tasting room in Paso Robles by reservation only.  My Wine Pod partners have been there and say it is fabulous – including a restaurant on site – sounds like a great outing!

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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BOLD Wine Co: “exciting, affordable, sustainably-grown”

This is Post Two about Seabold wines, today’s post focused on BOLD Wine Co.  For more about Seabold, please see the 6/14 post. When I did my tasting at Seabold, I was told they came up with the name the night before the bottle labels needed to be printed.  They thought of the Monterey Bay and the ocean breezes and their desire to be bold in the creation of their wines. Literally Sea Bold. BOLD Wine Co is the label for wines Chris Miller, the proprietor and winemaker, gets to play and experiment with.  From their website:

BOLD Wine Co is the label for wines the winemaker gets to play and experiment with.  From their website:

“We believe that everyone should have access to delicious and balanced wines that speak to their place of origin. Every year we work with new vineyards and varieties for Seabold Cellars; those first few vintages, the new wines that we find promising are released under the BOLD Wine Co label. We produce exciting, affordable, sustainably-grown wines from the Monterey Peninsula.”

The quotes below come from the Seabold web page https://www.seaboldcellars.com/ or from their tasting sheet.  

2017 BOLD Wine Co Grenache Rosé, Paso Robles AVA, 13.4% ABV, $20 (#378*)

Winery Notes: “Drs. Serena Friedman and Michael “Farmer Mickey” Drucker built up this 400-acre ranch from scratch with their bare hands. Incredibly hard workers and tireless proponents of the Paso Robles region, they grow mostly Bordeaux and Rhône varieties…Red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper, dried lavender, red currant.” 120 cases produced

My Review: Vibrant salmon in the glass – a lot of time on the skins. Very sweet nose – almost bright cherry, followed by full-bodied strawberry cream on the palate. Like a strawberry shortcake! I would love this in a bubbly version! May 2021

2018 BOLD Wine Co Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $25 (#379*)

Winery Notes: “Balestra is located just north of the Santa Lucia Highlands on a well-drained alluvial bed of coarse loam and clay, which combined with its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, delays ripening while retaining low pH levels. Olson is one of our favorite vineyards in Monterey County, 4 miles off the Pacific Ocean, with bracing acidity. Unfortunately, while the Pinot Noir quality is outstanding, yields are typically just about 1 ton per acre…Crushed raspberry, balsamic strawberry, rhubarb, white mushroom.”  Whole cluster pressed, native yeast fermentation. 412 cases produced

My Review: Bright cherry in the glass.  Slightly sweet cherry on the nose – classic Pinot Noir.  Cherry Jolly Rancher on the palate.  Agree with the hibiscus tea! May 2021

2019 BOLD Wine Co Carignan, Redwood Valley, 13.6% ABV, $25  (#380*) 82 cases produced

Vineyard Notes: “REDWOOD VALLEY At a higher elevation and cooler temperature than much of surrounding Mendocino County, Redwood Valley has warm days and intensely cold nights, leading to a long ripening season that often lasts into November. The winemaking tradition here goes back to the mid-1800s, with small plots of original plantings from that era…VINCENZO VINEYARD First planted in 1918, Vincenzo is owned and cared for by the grandchildren of the original farmer. Organic and dry-farmed since its planting, the old-vine head-trained vines here are remarkably healthy and yield intensely flavored wines.”

Winery Tasting Notes: “Campfire, blueberry skins, black raspberry, star anise, violets, and charred meat.”

My Review: Beautiful ruby – a tad purple.  Berry/cherry on the nose – like a Pinot Noir! Smooth on the palate brimming with delicious berry flavors. Just when I was thinking I was done exploring Carignan, I found this Carignan, which I liked a lot! May 2021

You can buy BOLD Wine online or at the Seabold Tasting Room, 3 Pilot Road in Carmel Valley Village.  They are open Thursday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m. and by appointment (831-288-2730).

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Law Aspire: An “Entrancing” Red Blend from “America’s Rhône”

Warm weather and sunshine were predicted for the Monterey Peninsula – that called for another patio tasting with the COVID Wine Pod. While the sun didn’t really shine, some impressive wines were shared. Our friends brought a Law red wine from Paso Robles, known as “America’s Rhône!” I last brought you Law Estate Wines here: https://decantingmonterey.com/law-estate-rose-the-perfect-wine-for-an-unexpectedly-hot-coastal-afternoon/.  

Always a treat to gather with our neighbors, now best friends, who have such similar tastes in exceptional wine!
While the sun did not come out as promised, the fire table took the edge off as the temperature dropped.

About Law Winemaking: “Being a gravity-fed winery allows us to stay true to our winemaking principle. We utilize concrete fermenters due to their pinpoint temperature regulating abilities as well as their small, yet signifcant, amount of gas exchange from the concrete’s natural porosity. Wines are drained and pressed before they go into a mixture of 100% French oak of which 30%-75% may be new depending on the blend. Once in barrel, the wine remains on its lees for an aging of 22-24 months before it is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Our wines then remain in bottle for an additional year and a half before they are released.”

2017 Law Aspire, Adelaida DIstrict, Paso Robles, 15.8% ABV, $78 (#325*) 88% Syrah, 12% Grenache

Jeb Dunnuck – 95 Points from Law Estate Wines: “Entrancing with its ever-evolving layers of dark berry notes, cinnamon and black pepper, this perennial varietal expression of our site possesses significant balance of weight, tannin, and velvety texture from front to back. Upon each sip, new and exciting characteristics unveil the complexities of this noteworthy wine long after the glass is set down. It has undoubtedly earned its title as one of the longest-lasting and beautiful finishes of the vintage!”

My Review:  Yummy black fruit, tobacco and graphite on the nose. Deep jammy cherry and berry fruit. Balanced with minerality. Super smooth and yummy. Clove on the finish.  This is pretty fantastic now and will get better with time. April 2021

You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room.  Check it out here. Tastings are by reservation only.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Odonata: Our Final Stop on the River Road Wine Trail!

Our third and last River Road Wine Trail stop with our COVID Wine Pod in mid-March was at Odonata.  I had given Denis Hoey a heads up that we were coming, yet we had no idea what to expect.  And we were late.  Which his guy Eric pointed out to us.  Heh.  We also didn’t understand the format – we were used to seeing a tasting sheet and picking the few wines we would taste. When we were presented with the sparkling Grenache, followed by a tray of beakers, we were worried we wouldn’t get to taste the big reds we love.  We actually got to taste everything! We finally relaxed and Eric, as he had time, sat with us to give us more information on the wines and the winery.  I ask a lot of questions!

Located at the former Marilyn Remark winery spot, the outdoor setting was lovely – we sat right in the middle with couches surrounding a round table.  The tasting menu was virtual, so bring your smart phone! It would be a fabulous picnic location, so we are definitely going back.  And we will go back as our first and only stop – would be so worth it. 

We were a couple of wines in when one Wine Pod member asked another what he thought of the wine we were tasting.  The response was, “It’s our 19th wine.”  Enough said.  Wine tasting notetaking discipline went out the window.  Luckily, we had designated drivers to get us home safely. 

COVID Wine Pod happily arrives at Odonata – the final stop for the day!

About Odonata: “Odonata Wines is a small family winery owned and operated by winemaker Denis Hoey. Located on the California coast, farming vineyards around the Monterey Bay Area. Odonata produces small batches of each of their wines and focuses on local grapes that are organic and grown sustainably. Hoey works closely with local growers to ensure the highest quality wines from the vines to the glass.”  “The credo we subscribe to is blending of old world winemaking methods and attitudes with new learning and a continuous search for improvement. We always want it to be interesting and exciting when you come to the tasting room or winery.” While they own some vineyards, they also source grapes from others well known and maybe not so well known throughout the Central Coast AVA.  Odonata is the Greek word for dragonflies and damselflies. 

2018 Odonata Sparkling Grenache, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 12% ABV, $38 (#311*)

A celebratory welcome with this sparkling Grenache!

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Strawberry in color, fresh baked bread, guava, and peaches on the nose. The palate is filled with texture! It finishes with under ripe tropical fruit that brings fresh acidity to balance out this bubble.”

2019 Odonata Viognier, Marin’s Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#312*)

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Notes of creamsicle, peaches and other stone fruit provide a tropical lift to the nose. The palate is lush and creamy, and is accentuated by moderate acidity through the mid-palate.”

My Review: Pear, apricot and peach, with burnt honey, taffy and toasted marshmallow – not your typical Viognier!

2019 Odonata Sauvignon Blanc, Joullian Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#313*)

Odonata Tasting Notes (website): “Our first time ever making a “sauvi-b” and we couldn’t be more excited about the outcome!  This wine has it all!  Vibrant and fresh, with notes of key lime, grapefruit and melon.  The palate is filled with fresh acidity, and is balanced out by passion fruit and kiwi!”

2016 Odonata Remembrance, Circle B Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, 12% ABV, $28 (#314*) 75% Petite Sirah & 25% Grenache. “All Proceeds from this wine are being donated equally to three important causes. 1) Alzheimer’s Research 2) Cancer Research 3) Our local Women’s shelter.”

Winery Notes: “Ripe and luscious on the palate.  Pleasant texture, with a lengthy finish. This wine is an easy drinker that will pair perfect with any grilled meats, Italian fare, etc. Pretty versatile all round fun glass of wine.”

2019 Odonata Cote-Du-Denis Carbonic Carignane, Circle B Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, $28 (#315*)

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Winemaker Denis Hoey hops on the carbonic train with this elegantly labeled bottling, and it hits all the marks. Bright raspberry, hibiscus and rainy cement aromas lead into a zesty palate of plum, strawberry and more wet rock flavors.” Matt Kettmann, September 2020

My Review: Beautiful translucent red in the glass, sweet on the nose, light cherry on the palate. 

2018 Odonata Pinot Noir, Silacci Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $32 (#316*)

Tasting Notes: “Cherry fruit, cola, and subtle spices on the nose. Dense forest floor, and hints of wild strawberry on the palate.”

My Review: Very berry on the nose and very nice on the palate.

2017 Odonata Grenache, Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.5% ABV, $28 (#317*)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant and lively on the nose with alluring nuances of fresh flowers and berry fruits. On the palate you’re treated with pepper herbs, fresh minerality and delightful tannin. The richness and depth of this Grenache erupts with every sip, while conveying texture and balance.”

My Review: A nice red color in the glass with a touch of bitterness on the finish. 

2017 Odonata Sangiovese, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, $32 (#318*)

Winery Notes: “Cool nights and warm days make this marvelous complex wine. It starts with darker berries, met with sweet strawberry notes. finishes with a smooth rustic and smokey nose. On the palate, I make this wine to embody the true Italian varietal that Sangiovese is. Earth and spice driven, with subtle fruit drive this wine to pair wonderfully with any Italian dish!” We liked this wine!

2018 Odonata Zinfandel, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 15% ABV, $32 (#319*)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of sweet blackberry jam, strawberry puree, and loamy soil on the nose. The palate is held together by bright acid and tannins, offering flavors of violets, blueberry, and black licorice.”

My Review: I have yet to find a Monterey/San Benito County Zin I love.  This one was OK!  Worthy of a re-taste soon!

2018 Odonata Syrah, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.8% ABV, $42 (#320*)

Winery Notes: “Elegant cherry fruit, red berry, cinnamon and spices on the nose. Bountiful fruit with opulent texture smooth out the palate. Enjoy this classic S.L.H. Pinot on its own or with a wide variety of food!”

My Review: Purple in the glass, a bit smokey with cherry on the finish. 

2016 Odonata Petite Sirah, Machado Creek Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley AVA, 14% ABV, $28 (#321*)

Winery Notes: “Opulent fruit, herbs and spices on the nose. The palate is perfectly balanced with loads of dark fruit, tannin and graphite.”

My Comment: This was our favorite so far of all the wines we tasted on this day!

2018 Odonata Dessert Zinfandel, 19.12% ABV, $25 (#322*)

Winery Notes: Sweet berry, mocha, and touch of sage. This is a very balanced expression of Dessert Wine, which allows it to be enjoyed on its own or added to any dessert you like!

My Review: It was a very good dessert wine!  I would pick up one of these if we were still doing dinner club and I needed one!

We picked up the Brunello and the Spiketail for a future review!

Visiting Odonata (from their website): This winery is very easy to drive to from many points – not far off Hwy 68!! “Nestled at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and at the beginning of the River Road wine trail lies the Odonata winery and tasting room. We hope you will stop by our tasting room and sample a selection of our current releases. We are open 7 days a week and no appointments are necessary.”

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Law Estate Rosé: The Perfect Wine for an Unexpectedly Hot Coastal Afternoon

When the COVID Wine Pod invited us to drink Rosé on their microclimate hot patio in our little coastal town, how could we say no?  They advised wearing shorts…on the Monterey Peninsula?  Yep.  What a rare treat!  And that is how this became Rosé Week for us, supplanting what I had planned for today’s post. 

Friends Melvin Dubee and his lovely wife Kristine enjoying their microclimate “hot” patio on the coast!

Our friends are huge Law Estate Wines fans – worthy of a future post showcasing more of their wines, but I have to have the opportunity to sample them first!

About Law Estate Wines: “Why are we ‘Here’? One, we have long had a passion for Rhone inspired blends. Two, Paso Robles is ‘America’s Rhone’. Those parts were easy. Our mantra was to find a vineyard site that could produce ultra-premium, limited production, Rhone and Priorat style wines that would be a true expression of the site. After two years of evaluating many potential sites (almost to exasperation), we finally found our Holy Grail. The analysis of 42 soil pits on this site revealed coveted limestone with low vigor soils. This, combined with the high elevation and steep slopes, was the unique and remarkable property that would produce the premium fruit we desired. Critical to our goal is a winery that can manifest the quality of the terrific fruit and create a world-class wine. We also believe that the Tasting Room should be an environment much like your home living room, where you can relax with friends and family while enjoying our Law Estate wines. As we continue to showcase and share the best that our estate has to offer, we will always be honored to have you joining us in the adventure.”

2020 Law Rosé, Paso Robles, 13.3% ABV, $35 (#274*) 68% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre, 6% Carignan

Winemaker’s Notes from the Law website: “The show has begun, once the lights rise and illuminate Rose’s rose gold shine. The stage is set by magical color and an elegant entrance of bright cherry, rose petal and wafting watermelon and strawberry. Rose’s practiced balancing act of minerality and fresh acidity lifts a gorgeous ensemble of lemon zest and peaches on the palate. This seamless performance always receives a standing ovation, making one yearn for an encore; but it’s vanishing act has truly become most impressive!”

My Review:  Honey and apricot in the glass – light salmon with a clear rim. Honeysuckle and peach on the nose. Apricot on the palate. Stone fruit and stone – you can definitely tell the soil is a little rocky.  Very delicious – the best of the Rosés we tasted today. Fruitier. March 2021

You can purchase Law wines from the winery on line or at their tasting room.  Check it out here. Tastings are by reservation only.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Paso Robles Melds Ancient Vines, Surfers, Cowboys, Farmers and Vintners to Produce Great Wines!

I brought you Turley Pesenti Vineyard wines here Turley Pesenti: Another Reason to Love Paso Robles Wines back in December.  Well, we opened another one, which I wanted to share with you today!

Turley describes Paso Robles as follows: “A few miles inland of California’s storied Central Coast, Paso Robles is a pioneer’s paradise, where surfers, cowboys, vintners, farmers, and ranchers commingle amidst ancient vines, towering oak trees, and rolling hills.”  Yep, sums it up nicely!

2015 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.7% ABV, ~$50, $38* upon release (#263**)

About Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel: “This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920’s on primarily limestone soil. Though the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, the soil plays the most important role in distinguishing this vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. The wines have a brightness, with chalk and floral aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general…With the calcaerous limestone and the occasional carignane vine interplanted with Zinfandel, the Pesenti Zin takes on a unique brightness leading to a “sweet-tart-esque” character.” 

Wine Spectator – 92 Points: “Structure meets zesty fruit in this vivid red, which has black cherry, grilled anise and white pepper flavors that take on speed toward minerally tannins. Drink now through 2026.” TF 05/2018

My Review: Very jammy, plum & berry, on the nose, carrying over to intense boysenberry on the palate, with vanilla on the finish. Overall, very berry. I did not pick up the depth of flavors described by Wine Spectator. Hold for a few more years.  (February 2021)

*The price above is what we paid via the Turley mailing list.  You can find this wine for sale on line from different wine merchants for an average price of $50.  You can also shop online from Turley’s two tasting rooms or join its mailing list here:  https://www.turleywinecellars.com/remotepurchases.  Yay, Turley tasting rooms are open for outdoor tastings! Check it out and make a reservation here.

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

Bear Cave: Law Office, Tasting Room, and Dog Hangout – all in one!

Over a year ago, I became friends with Marilyn Curry and discovered we had wine in common.  Marilyn and her husband, Barry Kinman, owned Bear Cave Cellars in Paso Robles from 2004-2012.  They made my kind of wines, so I am very sad they are no longer in business.  I am glad I got to try their Syrah, but didn’t get to try the rest of their big reds.  And now they are leaving the Monterey Peninsula for Hawaii, moving from one paradise to another.  I will miss her!

About Bear Cave from California Wine Advisor: “Bear Cave Cellars is the creation of Barry Kinman and Marilyn Curry who, in their other lives, are husband and wife as well as partners in the law firm, Kinman & Curry. In a unique melding of two distinctly different businesses, the law office is also the legal tasting room of Bear Cave Cellars. Whether you want legal advice or to try our wines, call our offices. (My note: Several reviews also mentioned this was a very, very dog friendly tasting room!)

 “Barry has been making wine since 1991. While living in Sonoma county he had access to top quality fruit from winery clients of the law office, including Kunde Vineyards. In the early 1990’s getting top quality fruit in Napa and Sonoma was not as difficult as it is today. Focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, Barry had the opportunity to work with top quality fruit in what may be the greatest decade of California grape growing – the 1990’s. Barry produced excellent wines from Napa in 1994, Sonoma in 1997 and the Sierra foothills in 2000.

“Paso Robles produces ultra-ripe wine grapes, which lend themselves to the fruit-forward style of wine making. By using a cool fermentation with extended time on the skins our wines all provide a softness and full mouth feel. The winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Zinfandel.”

2006 Bear Creek Cellars Syrah, Gill Vineyard, Paso Robles AVA, 15.9% ABV, $26 (#207*)

“Rich, aged, and still packs a wallop!“

My Review: Inky and dense in appearance.  Aromas of blueberry and blackberry. Rich dark fruit on the palate. At 15.9% ABV, this rich, aged Syrah still packs a wallop. Wish I could have tried their other wines. January 2021

*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.    

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