Tagged: Wine Blog

Decanting Monterey Selects Its Wine of the Year: 2020 Site Wine Co. Syrah!

Site: “Sourced from the most distinctive vineyard sites in California”

THE STORY

I never thought to name a Decanting Monterey Wine of the Year until I tasted the 2020 Site Bien Nacido Syrah. One of our many finds from K&L Wine Merchants, this wine surpassed all others for its flavor, structure and value.  We try a lot of wines in a year, from fine Bordeaux wines to grocery store bargains, but most of our wines we find right in our back yard – in Monterey County. I focus my blog on Central Coast wines with rare exception.

Because we are on K&L Wine Merchant’s Insiders mailing list, we often see bargains otherwise not available.  Through this access, we have tried Central Coast wines we might not otherwise have found. And that was the case with this wine. So we are stepping outside of Monterey County for today’s wine.

I have long been a fan of the Bien Nacido Vineyard, perhaps stemming from a 2018 trip down to Ojai, where we tasted Ojai Vineyard’s fabulous Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah. In addition, I visited Los Olivos in 2022 on the way to a high school reunion and tasted several Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrahs.  I have mentioned the Bien Nacido Vineyard or the Bien Nacido clone in 11 posts since starting Decanting Monterey in 2020.  Read this one to hear more about the legacy of the vineyard itself: Santa Maria AVA: Home to the Legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard!

I love Syrah, especially since we moved to the Central Coast, but not all Syrahs are the same. The vintage, the pick, the winemaker’s talents all play a role in making a wine great. And I worry a wine purchased without a tasting will be too earthy – or even too overdone (high alcohol), even for my preferences (not that I would turn one down!). A great wine will find that balance of flavor and structure – and a good price just makes it even better.  And today’s wine has it all.

THE WINERY

Have you heard of Site Wine Co.?  Neither had I.  Here’s what I found out from various articles but primarily their own website:

“The wines of Site come from grapes that have been sourced from the most distinctive vineyards in California. These sites promise wines that kindle our senses and intellect and leave a gut feeling of pleasure. I view each vintage with a fresh eye and an open mind. I don’t enforce a particular winemaking style but take an approach that’s nimble and dynamic and attuned solely to the vineyard and the vintage, not to a dogma.”

“Site purchases fruit from just 3 vineyards, Bien Nacido Vineyards (Syrah), Larner Vineyard (Syrah, Grenache and Viognier), and Stolpman Vineyards (Roussanne).”

“Site is managed by Jeremy Weintraub, who is winemaker at Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles, CA. Before Adelaida, Jeremy was winemaker at Seavey Vineyard, in Napa Valley, and before that he had winemaking and grape-growing stints in Paso Robles, Santa Maria, Central Otago, Martinborough, Tuscany, and on Long Island.”

THE WINE

Today I’m presenting just this one wine.  Winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the bottle or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2020 Site Wine Co. Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyards, Santa Maria Valley AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14.3% ABV, $65 ($40 from K&L) (#1692)

Winery Notes: “This wine, comprising 100% syrah grapes from the same rows of Block Z at Bien Nacido Vineyards that I’ve been receiving since 2012, offers aromas of dark fruits, white pepper, and cooking spices. The mouth is medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long finish.” 97 points, Jeb Dunnuck

K&L Wine Notes: “Since we receive a lot of requests for ripe, concentrated wines that are great on their own as well as with food, I’m thrilled we can offer this outstanding Syrah from the Central Coast. It’s a big, dense and seamless red with lush smoky black fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Delicious.” John Downing

My Review: Beautiful, dense garnet in the glass. Saddle leather, chalk, dark cherry, cotton candy on the nose. Mouth filling, explosive rich red fruits on the palate, with cherry dominant. A delicious wine. October 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

‘Please contact the winemaker directly to schedule a tasting of his current release wines. The location, date and time will need to be agreed upon by all parties. A minimum of four guests is preferred for tastings. Email jeremy@sitewineco.com to arrange.”

If you make it there, tell them Decanting Monterey sent you!

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Happy Holidays with a Bernardus Post!

THE STORY

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

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

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

THE WINERY

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

Where Dutch Elegance Meets Monterey Terroir

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

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

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

THE WINES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE TASTING ROOM

“Experience the Luxury of Bernardus Winery”

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

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

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Stikky Wine: What’s in Your Glass?

Recently I was asked to review Stikky Wine, a book by Stikky.  Have you ever heard of Stikky books? Neither had I! They are designed to teach you something and have it stick in an easy, fun, colorful way. Stikky Wine is exactly that. Whether you are a newcomer to wine or have some experience, this is a great book to have on hand. As the cover says, “Learn the six aroma families and three essential characteristics to enjoy great wine and talk like a pro – in just one hour.” At only $12, it is packed full of knowledge and would make a great stocking stuffer for that budding oenophile on your holiday gift list!

Photo of the cover of the Stikky Wine book

MY REVIEW

First off, this is such a cute, magenta/red wine colored book! It’s format is small and easy to flip through, colorful and a page-turner! Stikky Wine is a great introduction to wine appreciation which can be enjoyed by a complete novice to someone with extensive wine experience. Intimidated by wine? No longer. Just flip through this book, quickly learn and test yourself – and then practice with a real glass of wine! It doesn’t take long to learn about the aroma and palate profiles of the 6 major varietals and become your own mini expert on wine.It uses images and little quizes throughout to make the information stick.

A synopsis of the book from its website

The book is broken into two Sequences, with a stopping point at the end of each sequence to practice what you learned. It is followed by an Epilogue and Next Steps to keep your learning going.

Sequence One is an introduction to wine and how to assess your wine by color and aroma. The WHEFF approach teaches you to stop and think about what you’re actually smelling. Is there anything weird is there? Anything herbal or earthy? What fruits do you smell? Are there any floral aromas? Once you have mastered this technique, you can improve your ability to identify or guess the varietal before you even taste it! This should enhance my skills when we play Mystery Wine at home!

images depicting the 6 categories of smells you might find in your glass of wine
The WHEFF approach to wine aromas
image of a wine glass filled with earthy things like dirt, rocks, wood and leaves.
Anything earthy in your glass?

In Sequence Two, the techniques help you dive into the wine’s profile on your palate. It instructs you how to hold a sip of the wine in your mouth to experience the tannins, the acidity and the body, providing the details of what each of these is. Then it goes further to guide you on how to order wine in a restaurant – how to ask for the kind of wine you like within your budget – and when it is okay to send the bottle back.

HOW TO ORDER

You can order this book directly at Stikky here: Stikky Wine. I think I’m going to order a few copies right now!

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Marin’s Vineyard: A Rare Viognier from Monterey County!

THE STORY

When my DC virtual wine group picked “viognier near you” as its September theme, I was delighted – I thought it was going to easy to find one from our local wineries. One winery told me they quit making it a long time ago; I guessed I hadn’t noticed.  I spoke with Will Chesebro, winemaker at Chesebro, who informed me they grafted their viognier vines to Albariño. There was lack of demand, no buyers. Chesebro recommended Marin’s Vineyard, which took me to A Taste of Monterey, where you can find wines from our wineries with smaller production, among others. That’s where I found today’s wine.

I did some digging after making this purchase and found a few other bottlings of Monterey viognier from Scheid Vineyards and Odonata, plus there may be others I have missed or they have sold out. If you know of a Monterey County Viognier, please let me know!! Leave me a comment or email me.

According to the 2024 Monterey County Crop Report, in 2024 there were still 111 acres of viognier harvested here. Digging into past years’ reports, in 1995, Viognier started to be reported separately (vs “other whites”) starting at 26 harvested acres and ending the decade at 58 acres. From 2000 to 2010, there was tremendous growth in acres harvested, reaching 163 in 2009. In 2012 and 2014, there were 170 acres harvested, representing the peak of Viognier in Monterey County.  And in the past 6 years, it has averaged 111 acres harvested.  It’s still out there, people!

THE WINERY

From their website:

“At Marin’s Vineyard, we produce thoughtfully hand-crafted wines that reflect our grass root efforts and ranching heritage – specializing in Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec of southern Monterey County. Family owned and operated by Brenda, Duane, and Marin Wolgamott. Established in 1999. Our vineyard is located in Lockwood, CA and the newly opened tasting room is in Downtown Atascadero.”

THE WINE

Today I’m presenting just this one wine.  Winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the bottle or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

Marin’s Vineyard 2021 Stockholder’s Reserve Viognier, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $28 (#1666)

picture of the front label of the 2021 Marin's Vineyard viognier with pretty painted cactus.

Winery Notes: “In this vintage I was playing around with how I want the aromatics to express themselves. It was a stainless steel tank fermentation and then aged in neutral oak barrels for 6 months. It’s a very classic Viognier style with lots of floral honeysuckle and an medium body finish with dried apricot.”

From the label: “…The desert cactus is stouthearted and beautiful, giving inspiration to our winemaking styles. This barrel aged Viognier displays characteristics of fresh apricot, with a round mouthfeel and rich golden color. Only 250 cases made.”

Wine Enthusiast – 89 points: Light aromas of honey, sliced apple and banana are fairly mellow on the nose of this bottling. The palate is fatter and ripe with dried peach, mango and banana flavors.” — Matt Kettmann, July 2024

My Review: Yellowish tan in the glass. Melon, peach and honeysuckle on the nose. Opened a bit tart and bitter, but mellowed into apple, pineapple, honey and floral notes on the palate, finishing with apricot. September 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

Because Lockwood is so much closer to the Paso Robles wine growing region, it opened its tasting room there.

“Marin’s Vineyard is a welcoming wine tasting room at the heart of Downtown Atascadero.

“Come visit our Tasting Room!”

Hours: Thursday and Friday 4:30-8pm, Saturday 2-8pm, Sunday 1-6pm

Location: 5983 Entrada Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422

Call or Text: 831-905-2692

If you make it there, tell them Decanting Monterey sent you!

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Rombi: A Preview of the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon!

THE STORY

We had the privilege of receiving a pre-release bottle of the 2023 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon and tried this baby back in September. We had a lot of emotions tasting this wine – its smoothness and deep fruit flavors presaging an elegance yet to come. 

As I come back to Monterey wines after my 9 weeks of posts from my wine adventure in Paso Robles, I give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day to our Monterey County vintners for what they do every day to bring us these quality wines.  And their generosity to me by offering free tastings, discounted purchases, and the occasional gifted bottle of wine. A toast to each and every one of you!

You can read my last post about Rombi Wines here: Rombi Releases A Brand New, Stunning 2023 Petit Verdot!

ABOUT ROMBI WINES

“Since 2006, hands-on winemaking that reflects a unique sense of place”

“Wine is a gift from nature, and every bottle produced at Rombi Wines tells a story of the land, the geography, the climate, and the hands-on philosophy of one man. Salvatore Rombi takes winemaking personally, obsessing over every detail — from harvest to barrel aging — to produce a unique range of elegant yet bold and complex red wines from the Carmel Valley Appellation. Rombi’s small vineyard and intimate tasting room provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable wine journey. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a strict allegiance to sustainable farming practices, Rombi creates award-winning, limited-production vintages. As an ode to terroir — the rock and soil, but also the land and legacy, culture and commitment, time and tradition — the wines from Rombi are always bottled poetry.”

THE WINE

Today I’m presenting just this one wine, the 2023 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, which was gifted to me, pre-release.

2023 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 14.1% ABV (#1665)

Photo of the pre-release bottle with the year handwritten in a silver marker

My Review: Pre-release. Dark garnet in the glass. Dark cherries, berries, vanilla, leather and licorice on the nose. Intense dark fruit and smooth palate presage an elegance yet to come. Good texture. It finishes quite dry and tannic at this youthful point. While I don’t yet detect the heft/depth I expect from a Rombi, I think that is a reflection of its youth.  It reminds me of those very early tastes of his 2015 vintage, which has remained one of my favorites. This wine obviously needs much more time in the bottle. We double decanted this wine, as one always should with a Rombi. September 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

I highly recommend visiting their tasting room for an experience and wines you will remember. Go see Sal.

Taste Award-Winning Vintages at Rombi Wines:

“At Rombi Wines, our unique tasting room provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Salvatore Rombi is most often on hand to guide you through the winemaking process and your tasting experience. Step off the beaten path and discover Rombi, where every bottle tells a story.

“Rombi Wines Tasting Room is at 1 Center St., in the charming Carmel Valley Village. We are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m., although appointments can be made for weekday visits.”

(831) 659-7200

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

2018 Boëté Cabernet Franc Revisit: Scrumptiousness in a Glass

THE STORY

We recently opened this astounding, impressive 2018 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc. After a bit of digging, I realized my initial writeup of this wine (Boëté – A Personal Milestone Celebration Inside the Winery!) was pre-release and at the end of a tasting, so I am bringing it back to you again, 4 years later.

I last wrote about Boëté Winery here: Boëté Presents Outstanding Carmel Valley Wines to the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society!

THE WINERY

Here’s a bit of their story from their website:

“…Working in the vineyard and at the winery is a family affair with sons Jesse, Sam, and Dillon working full-time alongside their dad. John makes all the vineyard and wine making decisions, with great attention to detail being paid throughout the growing season and the wine making process; from pruning to fermentation and aging, to blending and barrel selection.

“Today, more than 6,000 grapevines grow on 7 acres, producing fruit that is widely regarded as some of California’s best.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting just one wine. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a matter of practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.

2018 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $52 (#336)

My Review: Dark garnet, almost purple in the glass. Blackberry, cedar, coffee, and Coca Cola on the nose, all carrying over to a cassis-driven palate with a delicious dark cherry finish. I like this wine. July 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

You can taste and purchase Boëté wines at The Barrel Room every day (closed Wednesdays), 12-5 p.m. 5 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village. 

You can read more about the winery and purchase their wines on line here: https://www.boetewinery.com/our-wines-list/Our-wines-list/#close. For more information, please call 831-625-5040 or email boetewinery@comcast.net.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Eric Kent: “…making wine, discovering new art and sharing them both”

THE STORY

Always looking for a wine bargain, we discovered today’s wine – an easy-drinking Eric Kent Cabernet Sauvignon on sale for $15 at K&L Wine Merchants. You can find quite a few current and past Eric Kent wines on their website. This is the first Eric Kent wine I have posted on Decanting Monterey.

What I found equally interesting was the art on the label. The featured artist on this bottle was Hilary Williams. This particular print is from 2017 and called “Haight Street Dream.” You can find more of her work on her Instagram site @hilaryatthecircus, which is where I found the title of this print!

THE WINERY

Eric Kent Wines (@erickentwines) is a “boutique producer of hand-crafted Sonoma County wines featuring inspiring artists’ works on our labels.” The website bio for Paul Kent, partner and winemaker, shares their purpose: “…Of course this work is hard, sometimes stressful and often less glamorous than one might imagine… but it’s also fascinating, exhilarating, inspiring and rewarding like nothing else I’ve ever done. The way I see it, making wine, discovering new art and sharing them both with others is about as good as it gets. To our many customers who make this possible, I offer my most sincere thanks. I raise my glass to each and every one of you!”

THE WINE

Today I’m presenting a single wine from Eric Kent. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

2021 Eric Kent Cabernet Sauvignon, Contra Costa AVA, 14.5% ABV, $32 (#1568)

Winery Notes: “Bigger and bolder than our previous Appellation Series Cabernet, this vintage will please most people at the table. You’ll find plenty of sweet, ripe black cherry, black currant, framboise and plum, accented with just a touch of barrel spice. Tannins are surprisingly mild and well integrated already, adding to an overall suppleness and lush mouthfeel. Eager to please and easy to drink, here’s another no-brainer selection for casual get-togethers and summer fare off the grill.?”

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

THE TASTING ROOM

You can taste their wines by appointment only in Santa Rosa by going to their website or Instagram account and contacting them directly.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

2021 Carol Shelton Grenache Noir: a Balance of the Sweet and the Savory

THE STORY

When we are looking for a wine to open, it is easy to gravitate toward a Carol Shelton. Her wines are reliably tasty and on the big side of red. This Grenache Noir brings us something a little different from her usual big Zins. 

My last post about Carol Shelton Wines is here: Zinfandel Expert Carol Shelton: the Road to Zen.I’ve written about Carol and her wines several times.  Just type Carol Shelton in the search bar. 

THE WINERY

Carol Shelton was one of the pioneer female winemakers in a man’s world.  She spent almost 2 decades as a winemaker for others until her husband urged her to start making her own wines.  You can read her full story here: THE ROAD TO ZEN.

THE WINE

Today I’m presenting 1 wine, the 2021 Carol Shelton Grenache Noir. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

THE GRAPE

“Grenache Noir is the darker-skinned member of the Grenache family, which also includes green-skinned Grenache Blanc and mauve-skinned Grenache Gris—it is often just referred to as “Grenache” (or Garnacha in Spain), although that is sort of like just saying “Pinot” instead of Pinot Noir or Pinot Blanc/Gris. In any case, the variety is clearly color challenged, but it produces such lovely delicate red fruit that we can forgive that! We selected this lot from wines destined for the Coquille Rouge blend because we fell in love with its easy-drinking vivacity—enjoy!”

2021 Carol Shelton Grenache Noir, Contra Costa AVA, Contra Costa County, 13% ABV, $28 (#1567)

Winery Notes: “Color is only a bit darker than our Rosé! Nose shows delightful ripe strawberry aromas and some peppery spice, along with a bit of black cherry fruit, and of savory leather notes in the background. Lighter bodied in mouth but super soft and creamy with a nice tangy finish. This would be fantastic with any lighter dishes with poultry or fish, or vegetarian meals, especially with lots of mushrooms! Try Chicken with Snow peas and Shiitake mushrooms, perhaps?”

My Review: Pale, tinged garnet in the glass. Sweet plum and raspberry jam on the nose. Tasty cranberry and raspberry jam on the finish. A clear exhibition of this winemaker’s touch. Not like our Monterey Grenache wines. April 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

Taste the Magic

“The setting for Carol Shelton Wines may not be what wine tasters envision when planning a visit to wine country. But Zin and fine wine lovers stepping into our homey, unpretentious tasting room will find a dream come true…

“We are open for tastings 7 days a week from 11 – 4.  Reserve tasting fee is $20 per person each tasting fee may be waived with purchase of one bottle.

“Walk-ins are welcome or give us a call (707-575-3441) to make a reservation and come on by to taste our award-winning wines.”

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Rombi Releases A Brand New, Stunning 2023 Petit Verdot!

THE STORY

When we stopped in for my Rombi wine pickup in late April, we got to taste a big surprise: a brand new 2023 Petit Verdot from Napa! This wine shows so well at this young age that I took an extra one home!

And, oh by the way, if you haven’t tried his 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, it is drinking really well – we took one of those home, too. You can read about it in this Decanting Monterey post: Get the Scoop Here: A Preview of Rombi New Releases!

My final news from Sal Rombi is he will soon release his 2018 Petite Sirah, which I previously previewed here: Rombi’s 2018 Petite Sirah Expresses Its Napa Pedigree!

THE WINERY

ABOUT ROMBI WINES:

“Since 2006, hands-on winemaking that reflects a unique sense of place”

“Wine is a gift from nature, and every bottle produced at Rombi Wines tells a story of the land, the geography, the climate, and the hands-on philosophy of one man. Salvatore Rombi takes winemaking personally, obsessing over every detail — from harvest to barrel aging — to produce a unique range of elegant yet bold and complex red wines from the Carmel Valley Appellation. Rombi’s small vineyard and intimate tasting room provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable wine journey. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a strict allegiance to sustainable farming practices, Rombi creates award-winning, limited-production vintages. As an ode to terroir — the rock and soil, but also the land and legacy, culture and commitment, time and tradition — the wines from Rombi are always bottled poetry.”

THE WINE

Today I’m presenting just this one wine, the 2023 Rombi Petit Verdot, which was part of my allocation.

2023 Rombi Petit Verdot, Napa Valley AVA, 14.45 ABV, $75 (#1561)

My Review: Fresh crushed plum, violets and berries on the nose. Rich vanilla, dark plum and cassis on the palate. Wow – this wine tastes so good now. Imagine how exceptional it is going to be when you give it some time. I took another bottle home! April 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

Visiting Sal Rombi in his tasting room is one of my favorite experiences – you might walk in as strangers, but you will walk out as old friends. His wines are some of the finest made in Monterey County.

Taste Award-Winning Vintages at Rombi Wines:

“At Rombi Wines, our unique tasting room provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. Salvatore Rombi is most often on hand to guide you through the winemaking process and your tasting experience. Step off the beaten path and discover Rombi, where every bottle tells a story.

“Rombi Wines Tasting Room is at 1 Center St., in the charming Carmel Valley Village. We are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m., although appointments can be made for weekday visits.”

(831) 659-7200

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Boëté Presents Outstanding Carmel Valley Wines to the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society!

THE STORY

AWS Members

The Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) had its April session on The Barrel Room’s patio where Jana Saunders of Boëté Winery introduced their wines to us.  As long-time members of their wine club, I was thrilled to finally make this happen for our members.  We were allowed to bring appetizers to share and – bonus – it was a beautiful, sunny and warm afternoon. The wines were all delicious and the hospitality, unrivaled. 

Member Steve and Chapter Chair Jacqueline

I last wrote about Boëté Winery here: Boëté Opens a New Tasting Venue Inside The Barrel Room!

AWS Board Members Janet and Damon

THE WINERY

Boëté makes such tasty wines from its Bordeaux varietals grown just beyond Carmel Valley Village. I pulled this short history from its website and encourage you to read the rest on its website:

“In the early 80’s John Saunders made wine at his Soledad Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands. At first making wine was a hobby and when his wines became popular with many of his friends in the restaurant industry, he decided to create a winery. In 1994, John and his wife Jana traded their 250-acre citrus orchard in Soledad California for 15 acres in Carmel Valley; land that had gone uncultivated due to lack of water. The first water well John drilled had gushed enough water to irrigate his vineyard forever. In early spring 1997, they planted their first vineyard on their sun-drenched hillside.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting just one new wine, as the others we tasted are available in the post linked above. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a matter of practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.

2021 Boëté Merlot, Saunders Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $50 (#1560)

Winery Notes: N/A

My Review: Ruby in the glass. Pleasant cherry dominates the nose. Tart palate with red cherry juice flavors. I would like to taste this new release gain – separate from an event. April 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

You can taste and purchase Boëté wines at The Barrel Room every day (closed Wednesdays), 12-5 p.m. 5 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley Village. 

You can read more about the winery and purchase their wines on line through their website.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

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