Tagged: Wine Reviews

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

Wrath: A Quiet Afternoon on the Monterey Wine Trail!

THE STORY

As the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod (minus one) departed our afternoon visit from Zabala Vineyards, deep in the heart of the Monterey Wine Trail, we pondered: head home or stop at a winery?  With the new Monterey Wine Trail signs clearly guiding us (although my GPS said otherwise), we made a bee-line for Wrath.

It was a quiet, Friday afternoon in mid-March.  Cynthia, our engaging tasting room host, was glad to see us. She gladly poured us what we wanted to taste, while pointing out the fact that Wrath and its 70-acre San Saba Vineyard are located in the Monterey AVA, while the cattle we could see out the front window were grazing in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Fun fact.  You can read more about all the Monterey County AVAs here.

My last post about Wrath was here: Wrath Releases Its 2018 Syrahs! And my very first complete post about them was in 2020 here: Wrath: Harnessing Angry Fog and Screaming Winds to Create Great Wines. I’ve written about their wines a few times – just type “Wrath” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

ABOUT WRATH – ON THE MONTEREY WINE TRAIL

From the Wrath website:

“The wrath of Juno sent Aeneas wandering the Mediterranean in Vergil’s Aeneid. For the ancient Romans, ira or wrath, was a tool of a god, an unstoppable anger driven by forces greater than man. One can argue that we see such fury in both the might of nature and the passion of art. Wrath appears in the edgy power of Robert Plant’s voice and the raw wail of Eric Clapton’s guitar. It is frozen into Jackson Pollock’s violent splatters of paint. Wrath is in the wall of maritime fog that rolls into the Salinas Valley and the relentless afternoon winds that scream through our grape trellises. Wrath wines represent a nexus of nature and an unbridled passion for winemaking. Welcome to Wrath.”

“Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from our estate vineyard and respected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Our production is small, our distribution is limited and our wines reveal attitude, passion, and an inherent respect for what a vineyard can give us.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 8 Wrath wines from this March tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. You can read more about each wine on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Wrath 3 Clone Chardonnay, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $35 (#1292)

Winery Notes: “Expansive and rich, this golden-hued Chardonnay offers peach, baking spices, oak and a hint of butterscotch.” 91 points – International Wine Review

My Review: Light gold in color. This wine has a very tropical nose. The palate is full of tropical flavors, with melon predominant – classic. March 2024

2021 Wrath Falanghina, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $25 (#1293)

Winery Notes: “A fragrant bouquet of orange blossom, jasmine and lemon leads to subtle flavors of honeydew melon and lychee with a hint of seat salt spray. Very refreshing and clean.”

My Review: Honeysuckle and peaches on the nose. Tart, like underripe kiwi on the palate. This wine will wake you up. March 2024

2022 Wrath Saignée Rosé, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $23 (#1294)

Winery Notes: “The perfect aperitif wine; pink grapefruit and rhubarb flavors lead to a crisp, dry finish that is refreshing and delicious.” I swear they changed the vintage on the website as I was writing this post – these winery notes are for the 2023.

My Review: Ballet slipper pink in color. Watermelon on the nose, followed by a SweetTart finish. We like this wine and took some home! March 2024

2021 Wrath Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $55 (#1295)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of blackberries and cherry cola blend with flavors of black cherry, vanilla and an earthy element that merge into a long, structured finish with lots of dark fruit.” 95 points – Wine Enthusiast

My Review: This wine exhibited tobacco on the nose. Chewy, with a little bit of a that cloying Pinot Noir palate, followed by a tart finish. March 2024

2021 Wrath Swan/828 Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $35 (#1296)

Winery Notes: “Dark cherry, raspberries and a touch of earthiness highlight the characteristics of our growing area.” 94 points – Planet Grape

My Review: Translucent dark cherry in color. The nose was brimming with cherry notes, followed by a rich palate of dark cherry fruit. We like this wine. March 2024

2020 EX Syrah, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $12.50 (sale price) (#1297)

Winery Notes: “Full-flavored and savory, this wine has dark berries, black pepper and dried herbs all wrapped with velvet tannins.” 93 points – Planet Grape

My Review: This wine is surprisingly good for its sale price. Dark, intense berries brimming with jammy flavors. Unfortunately, that 2020 smoke on the finish detracts from its overall enjoyability. I will look to a different vintage for a future wine class, as the wine showed me its potential to be a really tasty wine. March 2024

2020 Wrath Destruction Level Red Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#1298) 63% Grenache, 37% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Inky and intense, this blend combines dark fruit with soy and earth undertones, followed by a long, lively finish.” 95pts “Cellar Selection” – Wine Enthusiast

My Review: This wine was quite dark in the glass. The palate was brimming with dark, intense, crushed berries. I liked this wine and meant to take some home. Alas. March 2024

2018 Wrath Syrah, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#856)

Winery Notes: “This wine is aromatic with aromas of black pepper, smoke, leather and cassis.  The palate has a velvet texture and the finish is powerful and succulently juicy.” 92 points – Vinous

My Review: Very dark cherry color in the glass. This wine has a big delicious palate of dark berry and cherry flavors. I liked this wine quite a bit – we have some at home. March 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Wrath has 2 places to taste their wines and we think they are both lovely.  So handy to stop in at Carmel Plaza, but what a treat to drive out River Road to the bucolic setting of their winery – bring your lunch!

Winery Tasting Room: “Located at 35801 Foothill Road (at the junction of River Road) in Soledad, CA, 5 minutes west of Hwy 101.   Open Fri-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tue-Wed-Thurs.    Direct: 831.678.2992” 

Carmel Tasting Room: “Located in Carmel Plaza, downtown Carmel at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Mission St., ground floor. Open Fri and Sat from 11-6pm.  Open Sun through Thur from 11-5 pm 831.620.1909”

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Trade Tasting Reveals the Gems of Monterey Wines!

THE STORY

Thanks to a last-minute reminder from Kim Stemler, Decanting Monterey was able to attend this year’s Monterey County Vintners & Growers Wines Trade and Media Wine Tasting in Carmel. This was really a great opportunity without large crowds to taste enjoy the gems of Monterey wines. I am so grateful, Kim, for the reminder!

The event was held at the Carmel Mission Inn, an easy drive and access with just enough parking. The weather was sunny – and a tad windy.  While most of the wineries were inside, it was great to be outdoors with the rest, although a few wine glasses were lost to the wind!

The best part of the event is to be able to dig deep with local winemakers we have gotten to know over the years such as Ian Brand, David Baird and Keith Prader. Those frank conversations are the real way to learn what is happening in Monterey wine country.  In addition, the event allowed us to get to know more of them. We connected with some well-known vintners in our community such as Jack and Dawn Galante. We had the chance to properly introduce ourselves to Russell Joyce. And it was nice to see Sam and Joe Miller from Rexford Winery who no longer have a tasting room in Carmel Valley. And there were newer faces including Greg Hill from Tira Nanza, who has extended another visit to their vineyards – we will do it! And, regretfully, I did not get to all the tables to catch up with some of my favorite vintners: Sabrine Rodems and Miguel Lepe.  I’m sure I’ll see you soon.  

We had a strategy to each pick one wine from a table, but even that quickly became too much.  There are always too many wines to try, despite our efforts. So grateful for the conversations we had and, for those we couldn’t quite get to, we hope to see you at the next one!

ABOUT THE MONTEREY WINES TRADE AND MEDIA WINE TASTING

FROM THE INVITATION:

“This experience allows trade and media members exclusive opportunities to discover and explore the latest releases and other available wines. Indulge in a diverse selection of over 100 wines from over 25 local wineries. This trade tasting allows for more interactive conversations with winemakers, proprietors, and even a few growers.

“The event will showcase wines from various AVAs within Monterey County, including Carmel Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Chalone, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio Valley, Hames Valley, Monterey, and nearly approved Carmel Coast AVA.

WHY SERVE LOCAL?

“By serving local wines, you enhance the overall guest experience, offering authenticity, uniqueness, and a connection to the local community. This benefits your establishment’s reputation and appeal, strengthens customer relationships, and contributes to long-term success and increased sales.”

THE GEMS OF MONTEREY WINES

We tasted quite a few wines that day – so I am narrowing them down to 8 gems – from my palate’s perspective. Those standouts fit some “best” categories, so I will label them that way. I’ll admit up front that these larger events do not make for good note taking, so my descriptions are going to fall well short of my normal standard.  I hope I will have the chance to visit the wineries and do more detailed notes over the course of the summer. 

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.

BEST WHITE: 2023 Tira Nanza Estate Grown Viognier, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $60 (#1313)

Winery Notes: “We dry farm our Viognier to produce wines that emphasize both the varietal and the place where it’s grown. Our 2023 Viognier is dry and full bodied with perfumed notes of white flowers and apricot that are so emblematic of the varietal. This is a wine that is sure to entice both seasoned Viognier fans as well as newcomers to the varietal.”

My Review: This is an incredibly aromatic wine with full bodied flavors on the palate, making it the number 1 wine of the event for me! April 2024

BEST SPARKLING: 2020 Odonata Sparkling Riesling, Tondre Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $42 (#1314)

My Review: Very tasty with tiny bubbles.  Crisp and balanced. I enjoyed this wine greatly. April 2024

BEST CHARDONNAY: 2021 Talbott Chardonnay, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $45 (#1315)

Winery Notes: “Our 2021 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay is an elegant expression of the fog-cloaked vines of our legendary Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Wisps of lemon zest and Tahitian vanilla conjure hints of meringue clouds dotted with lemon curd. The mouthfeel is silky with touches of salinity. Bright layers of sliced apple and pear supported by toasted brioche lift the fruit, leading to a long, lingering finish with a touch of rich caramel.”

My Review: 30% new oak leads to a rather oaky nose with a sophisticated palate, standing heads and shoulders above the rest. April 2024

BEST ROSE: 2023 Tira Nanza Malbec Rosé, North Coast AVA, 13.5% ABV, $30 (#1316)

Winery Notes: “Back by popular demand, our 2023 Malbec Rosé shares the same vibrant fruit and complexity that made our previous vintages so special. This wine is crisp and dry with inviting aromas of strawberry and flavors of raspberry and ripe melon.”

My Review: Another aromatic wine from Tira Nanza – this rosé stood out to me as flavorful – much more like a Provencal rose – a perfect wine to sip in the microclimate! April 2024

BEST RED: 2018 Shale Canyon Cabernet Franc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $35 (#1317)

Winery Notes: “Our 2018 Estate Cabernet Franc starts with aromas of dark fruit, slight oak and a touch of floral.  A complex wine with flavors of dark cherry, dark berry and cassis.  A finish of vanilla with a hint of leather and medium firm tannins.”

My Review: I went “wow” when I tasted this wine.  I have presented his big Cab Francs before in my classes and this one did not disappoint – full-bodied deliciousness. April 2024

BEST SYRAH: 2019 Silvestri Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1098)

Winery Notes: “Syrah fans everywhere!  Our Syrah continues to please year after year.  Savor the aromas of blackberry and dried plum while enjoying the mouth-watering flavors, velvety texture along with medium tannins.”

My Review: I’ve presented this wine before.  Coming from Carmel Valley, this is a richer Syrah than most of our cool climate permits.  Blackberry and blueberry notes on the nose, followed by a smooth and rich palate. So easy to drink! April 2024

BEST LOCAL RED BLEND : 2018 De Tierra The Puzzler, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $49 (#1318)

Winery Notes: “IN THE GLASS: Garnet in color. Nose offer notes of rich earth, plum fresh fig, black licorice and a hint of spice. ON THE PALATE:  Plush tannins balance this very complex full bodied wine. The wine starts with notes of plum and blackberry, then leads to black tea with a long tobacco finish.”

My Review: Spice box on the nose, followed by a very smooth palate.  This is a well-integrated wine.  I’d like to explore presenting this in a class! April 2024

BEST “CALIFORNIA” RED BLEND: 2021 Galante Vineyards Big Little Wine Vintner’s Reserve, California, 14.5% ABV, $65 (#1319)

Winery Notes: “No lies! The lushest and most fruit forward wine to come out of the Galante stables, this homage to Monterey Peninsula’s lineage of film locales is the 50/50 blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot from Napa Valley. This wine greets the senses with its brilliantly violet tinged magenta hues, ripe raspberry, and dried orange peel notes on the nose. A fruit bowl of bramble berries fill the mouth, finishing with bold and lingering tannins, dark chocolate and chicory.  A “big” finish from all these “little” grapes.”

My Review: This was the last wine we tried at the event and it was a big one.  A nice blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot – what is not to like.  April 2024

THE TASTING ROOMS

You, too, can try the gems of Monterey wines by visiting one of our many tasting rooms! Please check each winery’s website for their specific locations and hours.

Several of today’s wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea: Talbott, Shale Canyon, Silvestri, De Tierra, and Galante.

Odonata’s tasting room is located down the Monterey Wine Trail – but not too far – very accessible!

Tira Nanza’s wines are only available at the winery in Cachagua, but you can reserve a tour on their website!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW DECANTING MONTEREY ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK and 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

McIntyre Vineyards: In the “Sweet Spot” of the Santa Lucia Highlands

THE STORY

Monterey County is known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines – probably more than any other varietals.  We produce the most Chardonnay in the US and the best Pinot Noir in the state year over year. Yet, I don’t typically present them in my classes.  For my upcoming wine class in Washington DC, I wanted to find the very best Pinot Noir that I could – and still make the class budget.  I stumbled onto a sale at the McIntyre Vineyards tasting room in Carmel, allowing me to fit not just any of their Pinot Noirs into my class – but the very special 2016 Block 3! These wines come from Steve McIntyre’s vineyards in the “sweet spot” of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Many thanks Kristen McIntyre for getting me a special price on this wine and to Natasha in the tasting room staff for showing us all these wines and helping us place our order.

My last big post about McIntyre Vineyards was here: Impressive Pinot Noirs from Steve McIntyre Bring SLH to Life! I’ve written about their wines a few times – just type “McIntyre” in the Decanting Monterey search bar. You all know I’m not that big of a Pinot Noir fan, but I will always stop to taste a McIntyre!

ABOUT MCINTYRE VINEYARDS – IN THE “SWEET SPOT” OF THE SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS

“Mcintyre Estate Vineyard lies in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre site (60 acres planted) boasts some of the Highlands’ oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines.… Proprietor Steve McIntyre is one of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in California. As owner/operator of Monterey Pacific, he farms 16,000 acres in Monterey County. The McIntyre Estate Vineyard was among the first properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands to be SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certified.”

ABOUT THE SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS AVA

“In a relatively short span of time the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA has achieved superstar status. The region boasts 6,000 acres of vines ‑ primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah ‑ planted on terraces below the Santa Lucia mountain range. The region’s climate is shaped by the morning fog and strong winds funneled daily down the Salinas Valley from Monterey Bay to the northwest. SLH enjoys one of the longest and coolest growing seasons in California.”

The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association provides this information about the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA:

“This elevated position exposes vines to morning sunshine and afternoon maritime breezes. Ultimately, this climate results in a long growing season, enabling grapes to achieve maximum varietal potential. Varietals include: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Dominant Soils: Chualar Loam, Arroyo Seco Gravelly Sandy Loam. Min./Max. Elevations: 98 ft. / 2,349 ft.”

You can read more about all the Monterey County AVAs here.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 McIntyre Vineyards wines from this March visit. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Because the staff was quite attentive, we had some challenge in taking our own, independent tasting notes, so they are a bit brief today. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2018 McIntyre Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $48 (#1288)

Winery Notes: “This wine is an amalgamation of the best blocks, best lots and best barrels from our 80-acre estate. The core comes from our “Old Vine” block. Planted more than four decades ago, this is the oldest planting of Pinot Noir in the SLH AVA. It is own rooted – a rarity in Californian – and trained on a Lyre trellis system. The remainder is a mix of Swan and Dijon clone 777 trellised on a VSP. The crop was thinned to a maximum of three tons per acre or 1.5 lbs. of fruit per foot of cordon. Row orientation is primarily north/south, which provides even sun exposure throughout the day.”

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “Complex aromas of dark cherry, sagebrush, clove and dried mushroom show on the nose of this estate bottling. Sandalwood and light incense spices lead the palate, where polished flavors of dark cherry, rust and clove-dusted mulberry arise.” — Matt Kettmann

My Review: Dark ruby. Dark intense fruit on the nose. Large palate with a dark cherry finish. Some tannin and alcohol on the palate. March 2024

2019 McIntyre Don Van Staaveran Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $50 (#1289)

Winery Notes: “The idea for the Winemaker Series was born out of impatience and age-related urgency! If I’m lucky I’ll get to participate in another 20 to 30 vintages as our vineyards and wines evolve. Collaborating with a diverse set of winemakers and viticulturists provides exciting opportunities to experiment and accelerate our pace of discovery. Each Winemaker brings their own style and experience, just as a great chef or a musician, to the process of producing a life enhancing experience best shared with others” – Steve McIntyre

“Smells of bright, candied cherry fruit. The remarkably pure and crystalline cherry flavours have an aromatic sweetness to them that charms, while excellent acidity keeps the saliva flowing. Boisterous and bright with barely perceptible tannins. This expression of cherry will bring a smile to most drinkers.” Alder Yarrow

Wine Enthusiast – 94 points: “This grower-winemaker collaboration series is off to an exciting start, as this bottling exhibits appealing aromas of black cherry, subtle nutmeg and a light mesquite smoke on the nose. The palate is cohesive in presentation, combining complex sumac and cardamom flavors with a fresh and accessibly ripe cherry core.” Matt Kettmann

My Review: Dark translucent ruby. Juicy and pretty tasty. We liked this wine. March 2024

2016 McIntyre 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

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

2016 McIntyre Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $65 (#1291)

Winery Notes: “Every year we have a fresh opportunity to explore the terroir of the Santa Lucia Highlands. In 2016, the vines were balanced, the yields were low, the fruit was ripe and concentrated, and the winemaking process was effortless. This Old Vine Pinot offers plenty of ripe blackberry/cherry aromas and flavors that suggest Sorel mushrooms and black pepper. Polished, textured and expressive.”

My Review: Dark ruby almost purple in the glass apples/port on the nose following over to the palate. March 2024

THE MCINTYRE TASTING ROOM

“Come and enjoy a taste of our wines: Thursday through Sunday 11am-6pm

“Outdoor service has continued and indoor service has resumed for seated tastings. We will continue to offer curbside pick up, social distant retail sales and can assist in other ways virtually. Call 831-626-6268 or click the button below to reserve your spot.

“Enjoy our new outdoor park-let for an afternoon in our family and dog friendly Tasting Studio located in the Crossroads Shopping Center off Hwy 1 and Rio Road. Our knowledgeable staff look forward to serving you!”

Click here for more information!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!

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Scheid Vineyards: As far as The Eye Can See!

THE STORY

As I continue on my hunt for wines for my upcoming wine class in Washington DC, I stopped in at the Scheid Vineyards tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  When you drive down Hwy 101 past Soledad, you will see Scheid VIneyards as far as the eye can see! There were three reasons why I sought out Scheid wines: 1. I thought it would be good to honor the legacy of their founder, Al Sheid, who passed away about a year ago. 2. In addition, it would allow me to present wines from less well known AVAs, such as San Lucas.  3. And, probably the main driver on that day, I noticed they had $1 shipping for a case of wine!

I was warmly greeted by the staff, who clearly understood my purpose. I was a bit rushed for this tasting, as I could only find a 30-minute parking space in crowded Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Scheid tasting room staff accommodated me! I was excited to try the current vintages of the Barbera and the 50/50, one of my favorites of their blends. But it was a blend I had not previously tried that caught my attention this time for my DC class: the 2020 Scheid Arbolitos, a ‘Super Tuscan” red blend. I am a Big Red girl, after all.

My last post about Scheid Vineyards was here: Scheid: Finding the Yin Yang of Monterey Wines! I’ve written about their wines a few times – just type “Scheid” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

ABOUT SCHEID VINEYARDS – AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE

I would encourage you to read the history of Sheid Vineyards on their website here. It is an interesting story.  What began as an investment as a tax shelter (they are quite transparent about this) grew into vineyards as far as the eye can see as you drive down Highway 101.  

“For the first 15 years or so, Scheid Family Wines was known as Monterey Farming Corp., a grape grower that sold all of its production to winery clients for use in their own brands…

“Which brings us to today. We now own 12 estate vineyards located along a 70-mile stretch of the Salinas Valley. While in the early days, our business was about supplying grapes to other wineries, we now focus on building our own brands which we produce at our state-of-the-art winery, as well as a smaller Reserve Winery where the small production wines of Scheid Vineyards are crafted.”

ABOUT THE SAN LUCAS AVA

The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association provides this information about the San Lucas AVA:

“San Lucas is nestled on the southwestern edge of the Salinas Valley. Comprised of sweeping alluvial fans and terraces, grape growers have cultivated over 8,000 acres. Unlike other AVAs in Monterey County, San Lucas experiences significantly less cooling from Monterey Bay, which results in a warmer overall climate.

“Fluctuating elevations expose this area to morning fog and temperatures that oscillate as much as 40 degrees during the summer from day to night. These conditions contribute to a protracted growing season that yields grapes with full bodies and flavors. These grapes boast stunning color commensurate with their flavor, and varietals include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc”

You can read more about all the Monterey County AVAs here.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 5 Scheid Vineyards wines from this February tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2019 Scheid GSM, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $36 (#1283)

Winery Notes: “Featuring the bright, ripe raspberry fruit of Grenache, the jamminess and lushness of Syrah, and the subtle spice and earth of Mourvèdre, this captivating blend is a balance of delightful flavors. Aromas of currant, cherry and raspberry on a medium-bodied palate of bright fruit and balanced acidity lead into a lingering red fruit finish.”

My Review: Pleasant, Concord grape nose. Bright acidity on the palate. Refreshing. February 2024

2022 Scheid Barbera, San Lucas Vineyard, San Lucas AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $36 (#1284)

Winery Notes: “Our 2021 vintage is bright and appealing, with ripe red fruit flavors of cranberry, cherry and currant accented by vanilla and floral notes. The texture is vibrant yet velvety with juicy, supple tannins and a medium-bodied mouthfeel. An exuberant fresh fruit character makes for a delicious experience.”

My Review: Pretty bright ruby in the glass. Earth and forest floor on the nose. Rich on the palate – a dense wine. A pleasing and flavor-packed, medium-bodied palate with a tart finish. February 2024

2020 Scheid 50/50, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $36 (#1285) Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Winery Notes: “Our 2020 50/50 possesses the structure and dark fruit flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon and the softness and punched up fruit of Syrah. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry and ripe plum are accented with hints of pepper and vanilla.  Rich black fruit, integrated tannins and a subtle toasty oak finish will convince you that soul mates really do exist.”

My Review: Dark ruby in color. Plum, blackberry, and blueberry jam with a hint of earth on the tasty, lively palate.  Licorice notes on the finish.  This wine is not too heavy. Right up my alley. February 2024

2020 Scheid Cabernet Sauvignon, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.9% ABV, $40 (#1286)

Winery Notes: “Our 2020 vintage is intense and focused, with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and ripe plum with notes of tarragon and toasty oak. Bold and full-bodied, it is framed by elegant tannins. Lingering notes of black fruit, vanilla and mocha prevail on the finish. While drinking beautifully now, this rich and vibrant Cabernet will age nicely over the next 5-10 years.”

My Review: Wood chips on the nose. Very tasty palate with smooth tannins.  This is an easy drinking, “Tuesday night” wine. I kind of like it. February 2024

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.”

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 ROOM

Scheid Vineyards has 2 places to taste their wines:

Their tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea at San Carlos and 7th is consistently ranked Top Tasting Room in the Monterey County Weekly’s “Best of” competition: “A block off Ocean Avenue in historic Carmel-by-the-Sea, our Tasting Room is a warm and inviting haven to taste an array of our wines.”

At their winery located at 1972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield, CA: “Just off Highway 101 between Greenfield and King City, our “home” location set among the vineyards and easy to find thanks to our 400ft wind turbine.”

Click here for more information!

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!

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Lady Somm’s Grand Opening: A Spectacle Not To Be Missed!

THE STORY

Last June, I received Roxanne Langer’s (Lady Somm) business card from a neighbor. Roxanne and I started corresponding vie email with the intent of meeting up to discuss her wine business ideas. After scheduling, sniffles and holiday delays, we finally met in person in early February – after her concept for her business with her sister Tamara Carver, had been solidified. We met at their storefront located at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel. There was a lot of activity in their soon-to-be shop, with workers and deliveries happening nonstop throughout our conversation as they prepared for Lady Somm’s Grand Opening on March 21. 

I was excited to meet Roxanne and Tamara and learn about their vision for the business – to make this space a place for wine education, wine tasting, special events and dinners, and a shop for wine and other cute items. Although they weren’t originally thinking of a physical location such as the Barnyard, when the opportunity was presented to them, they couldn’t turn it down. The space is super cute, with a vintage feel and a feminine touch. 

Lady Somm is an ambitious undertaking in a place already dotted with wineries and wine shops. They distinguish themselves by their breadth of offerings and their depth of experience. As a Monterey wine educator myself, I offered them my help in any capacity. They invited me to their Grand Opening and subsequently invited me to one of their tastings. Thank you, ladies!

ABOUT LADY SOMM

From their website: “At the heart of Lady Somm are two sisters, Roxane Langer and Tamara Carver, whose passion for wine has blossomed into a mission to share it with the world. With backgrounds that span the globe and the wine spectrum, they invite you to join them on a journey of discovery, education, and enjoyment. Welcome to our world of wine.”

On their website, you can dive deeper into all of their wine education, tasting salon, travel and special events. I encourage you to take a peek! I am excited about their offerings – there is something for every budget.  It looks like a place for regular wine events, running the spectrum from informal to fancy.  It will be a fun place to hang out on the regular! I’m excited to try one of their Blind Tastings – can’t make the first one and hope they will do it again!

LADY SOMM’S GRAND OPENING

The Lady Somm Grand Opening on March 21st 2024 was quite an event!  Set outdoors on a lovely afternoon, it was replete with wine tastings, catered food and chocolates, as well as acrobatic and artistic performers. The local Chambers of Commerce and press were there to assist with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. 

Artist Bekah Bull

Several of our local wineries were there, including Talbot, Wrath, Big Sur, Dawn’s Dream, and the Paso Robles-based Cordant Winery. I also got to speak with Qouign owner and baker/chocolatier Santana Rodriguez, who makes some of the most exquisite chocolates in our region. 

THE WINE

Today I am following my approach to events by focusing on wineries I do not know. I am presenting to you a single wine from Cordant Winery.  If I had noticed them sooner, I would have tried all their wines – this calls for a trip back down to Paso Robles! You can read more about visiting them here: “Join In Our Journey.”

ABOUT CORDANT

From their website: “Cordant wines are made without an agenda, but with close attention to detail.”

“We source grapes from a selection of the best vineyards throughout the California Central Coast from which to make our Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhone-style wines. Some are chosen with intention for vineyard designation because of their unique ability to express a specific location. Others are chosen purposefully to demonstrate what vineyards can do in combination, and for their ability to contribute to a greater good.”

2021 Cordant Indocile, Central Coast AVA, 14.5% ABV, $65 (#1282)

Winery Notes: “This year presented us with an opportunity to craft a new wine to showcase the uniqueness of the vintage. Cordant is known for producing both vineyard-designated and blended wines, such as our southern-Rhone inspired “Maniacal” GSM.  So it seemed only fitting that we craft a northern-Rhone inspired blend to showcase our cooler-climate Syrah vineyards. The result is the first release of “Indocile”. Sourcing Syrah from some of our favorite vineyards, many in Monterey County, this wine is brimming with a mixture of cool and warm climate characteristics: dark fruits, herbs de Provence, lavender, and cigar to name a few. At the same time, it is also incredibly silky and sensual on the palate; we can’t get enough of it.” 93 points: Decanter. 96 points Drunken Cyclist.

My Review: Typical for a big event, I was unable to take notes at this event, so I am going from memory.  This was a voluptuous, smooth, big red made in my style with lots of Syrah to make this a wine I could just keep drinking. I definitely need to get to Paso for a tasting.  March 2024

© Decanting Monterey 2023

*FOLLOW ME ON CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Support Decanting Monterey’s Wine Education Efforts!

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Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Challenges Monterey AWS in a Unique Blind Tasting

THE STORY

Last summer, the Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society was approached by Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards & Winery from the Umpqua Valley in Oregon.  Gloria Reustle and her husband Stephen offer a unique educational blind wine tasting experience comparing their Umpqua Valley wines to European counterparts. They also teach on the European Regions and their style of wines.

They wanted to see if we would be interested in having such an event for our AWS group.  After some back and forth, we were able to schedule this event for mid-March.

I’m all about wine education, so I’m happy to present this event in Decanting Monterey.

ABOUT UMPQUA VALLEY AVA

Having heard about Umpqua on a visit to relatives living in Oregon (it’s where their milk comes from), I was intrigued from the jump about this tasting. It is “Oregon’s oldest fine wine region.”

From the Umpqua Valley Wineries website:

“Umpqua Valley is the cradle of modern Oregon fine wine. The “100 Valleys of Umpqua” are filled with lush rolling vineyards, over 30 wineries growing 50+ varieties and a cast of diverse winemakers all exploring and crafting some of the finest wines in the Pacific Northwest. Come and taste!”

Its History

“The Umpqua Valley’s wine-growing history dates back to the 1880s when German immigrants who had worked for the Beringer Bros., the oldest continuously operating vineyard in Napa, planted the first wine grape vineyard in the Valley. Post-Prohibition, Richard Sommer established HillCrest Vineyard near Roseburg in 1961. He was the first to plant and bottle Pinot Noir in Oregon despite being told by his UC Davis cohorts that it was impossible to successfully grow wine grapes in Oregon. During the 1970s, new wineries opened, including Henry Estate Winery and Girardet.

“Today the Umpqua Valley appellation continues to evolve and now has over 30 wineries making over 40 varieties into some of America’s most distinctive wines. Everyday more winemakers discover the area, bringing with them a passion for innovation and world-class wine. The Umpqua Valley appellation became official in 1984.”

Click here for Sip Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to Oregon’s Umpqua Valley AVA.

ABOUT REUSTLE PRAYER ROCK VINEYARDS & WINERY

From their website: “Reustle (pronounced “rus’el”) Prayer Rock Vineyards is a family-owned winery in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Located 20 minutes from Roseburg, the winery features a wine cave and produces 15 grape varieties, including Grüner Veltliner, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Tempranillo.”

“Before the vineyard and winery, Stephen and Gloria Reustle owned a successful marketing company based in Philadelphia that taught them the value of providing world-class products to a loyal customer base. However, having a farming background and a love for wine, Stephen had always dreamed of owning a vineyard and winery. Selling their marketing firm, the Reustles moved to the West Coast in hopes of finding an ideal location to start their vineyard. After an extensive search, the Reustles eventually purchased property through a newspaper advertisement for ‘Potential Vineyard Land’ in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley.”

Notable Achievements

“In 2007, Stephen and Gloria began entering their wine in competitions. It wasn’t long before they started to receive medals, many of which included ‘Gold’ and ‘Double Gold.’ In 2015, however, Stephen and Gloria received their most prestigious award yet: Best Syrah of the New World at the 6 Nations Wine Competition. This prestigious wine judging showcases the top 100 wines from each nation…the United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile. Reustle not only claimed the top award for the Syrah category but also secured a tie of second place for its 2012 Syrah Winemaker’s Reserve.”

While Stephen and Gloria are very proud of all their awards, they are especially proud of this one.  Stephen told us a great story about how he was invited to Australia to receive these awards.  He declined due to his responsibilities at the winery – until the U.S. Ambassador himself called him to insist he come.  SOMMJournal also featured Reustle in this article: Rise of Oregon Syrah.

More recently, the Great Northwestern Wine Competition rated the 2021 Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards Green Lizard Grüner Veltliner 99-points and three Platinum Awards! In addition, the 43rd Annual Dan Berger’s Int’l Wine Competition named Reustle the 2023 Small Winery of the Year.

You can read more about Reustle’s history and operations here.

AND, SO, HOW WAS THE TASTING?

This event was fabulous! It was so professional and personable at the same time. I’d say it is one of the best wine education events I have ever attended. Stephen and Gloria Reustle are great people who engaged, educated, and shared with us so much information about all of the wines and the regions they come from. They have their presentation down to a science with wonderful graphics and pictures with side-by-sides of the Umpqua vs. Europe wines, all enhanced by their engaging stories. Stephen included all the facts and figures I like to collect and Gloria engaged with each of us individually. And they offered us amazing discounts on their wines. I would highly recommend this presentation for your wine group.

THE WINES

I have nine wines to present to you today. The first wine was a “pre” wine and not part of the side-by-side comparison. Winery notes come from their websites, slides or handouts, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone.

Now, for the reviews!

2022 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Hefeabzug Estate Selection Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.1% ABV, $36 (#1273)

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “An earthy note that mixes loam and wet gravel transitions to aromas of chilled Cosmic Crisp apple slices and saline. The wine’s tangy blood orange flavor is joined by traces of lemon verbena and jasmine green tea. Lighter-bodied, with mildly tangy acidity.” — Michael Alberty

My Review: Pale in the glass. A nice nose of honeysuckle and crisp fruits. Pear and apple on the palate with a tart finish. A lingering green bell pepper. March 2024

2022 Alzinger Federspiel Grüner Veltliner, Durnstein, Wachau DAC, Austria, 12% ABV, $33 (#1274)

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “Graceful with a mineral crunch adding to the notes of apple and lime, all backed by a firm backbone of acidity. This is a rather delicate example, with nice floral highlights and a sea-salt note, which would all match beautifully with smoked fish.” — Aleks Zecevic

My Review:  Light in the glass. Very lean on the nose with delicate white flowers and peppery notes. Almost a rust smell in the glass. Crisp on the palate with yeasty notes. I preferred this wine in the blind tasting.  March 2024

2022 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Green Lizard Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.1% ABV, $38 (#1275)

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points: “This is typically one of the better American examples of Grüner Veltliner, and the 2022 vintage is no exception. The Green Lizard’s pear, mandarin orange and earthy daylily aromas combine to create an amaro-like sensation. Flavors include more mandarin oranges, green tea and a burst of white pepper.” — Michael Alberty

My Review:  Extremely pale in color. Pear and honeysuckle on the nose. Light on the palate, a bit sweet almost cloying with a light finish. March 2024

2021 Domaine Morey-Coffinet 1er Cru “Morgeot” Burgundy, Chassange-Montrachet, Côte-d’Or, France, 13% ABV, $99 (#1276)

Jasper Morris – 92 points from wine.com: “From Francemont, close to the border with Santenay. A little more depth of colour and nearly as delicious a nose as the Clos St-Jean. This is still a fine rather than a muscular Morgeot, on the raspberry side. On the palate the Morgeot character does assert itself with muscular tannins. Needs longer than Clos St-Jean, and while it will never be as elegant there is good potential here. Drink from 2026-2032.”

My Review:  Ruby in the glass. Earth and barnyard on the nose. Lean and hot on the palate with an earthy finish. Bitter. March 2024

2021 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Winemaker’s Reserve Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.7% ABV, $48 (#1277)

Wine Enthusiast – 91 points: “A fruit-filled aromatic set features ripe blueberries, smoked blackberries and a trace of tangerine. Tart red raspberries and boysenberries are joined by flavors of orange peel, basil and saline. Grippy tannins and a mildly leathery texture provide a nice framework for all of the fruit”. — Michael Alberty

My Review:  Brown-tinged ruby in color.  I guessed by color alone that this was the Burgundy – but the palate said otherwise! Smells like California Pinot – cherry on the nose. Tasty palate with enough fruit to be interesting to me. I preferred this wine. March 2024

2021 Dumien Serrette Cornas Patou, Appellation Cornas Protégée, Cru des Côtes du Rhone, France, 13% ABV, $48 (#1278)

Winemaker’s Notes from wine.com: “’Patou’ is the name of the small vineyard parcel located to the south of the village of Cornas. This pure Syrah wine showcases the true soul of Cornas: deeply colored, robustly structured, endlessly satisfying. Black and purple fruits mix with silky tannins and hints of licorice and soy.” 93 points – Jeb Dunnuck

My Review:  Dark garnet/purple in the glass. On the nose, it reminds me of a Paso Robles or Napa wine – very grapey. Dry, with lean dark fruit on the palate. March 2024

2021 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Winemaker’s Reserve Syrah, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.9% ABV, $48 (#1279)

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “This reserve wine’s blueberry and lavender aromas are almost eclipsed by a savory scent of steak sizzling on an outdoor grill. A sturdy wall of tannins supports copious amounts of tart marionberry and raspberry flavors. The additional pork fat and pepper flavors are mouthwatering. Pair with cassoulet or burgers.” — Michael Alberty

My Review: This wine is really dark purple. The bright, “Sweetart” jammy fruit on the nose is balanced by spice and earth. Mouthfilling fruit. I personally had a hard time picking between these 2 Syrahs and in the end picked this one. Our group preferred this wine, as well.March 2024

2020 Cuentaviñas Alomado Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, 14% ABV, $80 (#1280)

Winery Notes from wine.com: “Alomado refers to the rolling hills or “lomas” that mark the landscape of the Sonsierra Riojana, considered by many to the finest terroir in Rioja for cultivating Tempranillo due to the Atlantic weather, high altitude, and limestone rich soils. Alomado is Eduardo and Carlota’s most Atlantic and accessible interpretation of a field blend planted on the Ábalos side of San Vicente de la Sonsierra.”

My Review:  Pretty garnet in the glass. Redder than the other Tempranillo. Mouth-filling, delicious palate with loads of fruit – dark berries dominate. I could drink it every day. Fruitier than the other wine – the group voted for this wine as its favorite. March 2024

2021 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Winemaker’s Reserve Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley AVA, Oregon, 13.90%     ABV, $48 (#1281)

Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition: “Black cherry, floral. Toffee and molasses. Maple and smokey.”

My Review:  Looks leaner in the glass, a dark garnet. Earthier and more alcohol and tannins. This is a big wine – still quite oaky and tannic – it needs more time. These wines were a tough call for me to determine which was my favorite. I assumed this was the Spanish wine and I voted for this wine! March 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

The Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards & Winery Tasting Room is located at 612 Oak Hill Rd., Roseburg, OR 97471 and is open Mon. – Sat. 10AM – 5PM.

“Immerse yourself in the charm of our vineyards and winery. There are multiple ways to experience Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards… checkout upcoming events, schedule tastings, or book a stay on our property. Explore our Estate page and dig deeper into our history and discover what makes this place special. Immerse yourself in the winery grounds where you’ll catch glimpses of Alpacas, Goats and Scottish Highland Cows grazing in our meadows. Traverse our network of hiking trails concluding with panoramic views at the famous Prayer Rock, or enjoy a glass of wine at the dockhouses…where every sip will tell a story.”  You can read more about their tasting options here: Reservations.

I would highly recommend visiting Reustle if you are in the Umpqua Valley!

© Decanting Monterey 2024

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Parsonage: Who Says Monterey Doesn’t Make Great Cabs?

THE STORY

We really enjoy our big red wines from Parsonage.  During February, we tried 3 of them: the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, the newly-released 2018 Tanner Reserve, and a recent library acquisition: the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – before it was named Tanner! Who says Monterey doesn’t make great cabs?

We recently dined with friends at Maligne restaurant in Seaside, CA. We decided to bring a special wine for corkage there and thought the 2005 Parsonage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon would be the perfect one – it did not disappoint!

I’ve presented Parsonage wines to you many times.  Just type Parsonage in the search bar of any page on the Decanting Monterey website. And while you’re there, sign up to get my blog delivered to your email every Thursday!

THE WINES – Who Says Monterey Doesn’t Make Great Cabs?

Today, I am presenting five Parsonage wines. Winery notes come from their website, tasting sheets, or release notes, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. I previously presented the 2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon way back in 2020 and this is the first time I have presented the rest.

2017 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast AVA, 15% ABV, $48 (#218)

Winery Notes (upon release): “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 very dark fruit marked by brambleberry compote. Plum and cassis join with the brambleberry on a muscular palate that finishes with some major league tannins.”

My Review: Luscious and beautiful intense, dark garnet in the glass. Tobacco, intense dark fruit on the nose. A palate of black fruits with a chalky and bitter tannic finish. It’s a big wine. Needs to open up. February 2024

2018 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $95 (#1269)

Winery Notes: “Round and opulent with fully ripened tannins leading to a smooth finish.”

My Review: Garnet in the glass. (Or as Bill Parsons said, “One of the deepest mauves I’ve ever seen.”) A lot of fresh fruit and caramel on the nose. Good balance of tasty fruit and structure. This wine has a long way to go. As my partner said, “The tannins are very assertive.” Hold this wine. February 2024

2005 Parsonage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $135 (#1269)

grapelive.com Review: “Every vintage just gets better here, and 2005 looks set to take the throne as the Parsonage king wine. Nothing in this area even comes close to this wine, it is a freak of nature and I can only compare it to Napa and Pauillac in its style and richness, then again it just might even be better! Bill Parsons finds it hard to take in, but he is a man living the dream, as his wines rank as world class or even world-beaters! The 05 Reserve Cab is utterly fantastic with blackberry jam, cassis, currants and plum fruit bursting at the seams, it is almost more impressive for the depth and balance that is has! Everything is in its place and the wine is so focused and defined it can’t help but be a classic.” 98 Points, grapelive

My Review: Very dark in the glass. Dirt, oak and black fruit notes on the nose. Delicious and well-structured palate, finishing with blackberry, plum and dark cherry flavors. Can respect the age of this very well made and elegant wine. It is aging nicely and can still be enjoyed for years to come. If you’ve got one, why not enjoy it now? February 2024

2020 Parsonage The Aussie Red Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $44 (#1270)

Winery Notes: “Our popular, magical blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. We like to pair it with rack of lamb or duck. This is a big red wine. 50% Cab and 50% Syrah.

“The 2020 Aussie posits a massive bouquet in a spectrum of rich black fruit, fennel, and mineral notes. The robust palate exhibits blackberry, currant and an explosion of savory, earthy, grilled meat on its full throttle finish.”

My Review: Cherry notes, followed by a big palate of dark fruit. My style of wine. The first 2 times I tried it, I detected a hint of smoke on the finish.  However, I did not notice that at all on my last tasting.  March 2024

2021 Parsonage Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, 15% ABV, $48 (#1271)

Winery Notes: “A fragrant nose of rose petal, bing cherry, cola, and Darjeeling tea. Theses flavor essences are joined on the medium-density palate by strawberry and red raspberry on the elegantly tart finish. Pairs excellently with Gruyere and crackers.”

My Review: We tasted this wine and considered it representative of the region. It’s a good Pinot. I’m not a Pinot Noir fan and I didn’t take specific notes. My apologies. February 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 at 19 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. 

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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Corral: Newly Released Pinot Noirs Available Now!

THE STORY

Corral Wine Co. co-owner and winemaker Adrien Valenzuela had shared with us that the newly-released Pinot Noirs would be available now in the tasting room in early February.  We stopped by the check them out – and to try again their new Petite Sirah. I’m honing in on my wines for my next DC class and wanted to check out my options. I’ve got their Sauvignon Blanc in my lineup – what else might I pick?

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: Corral Wine Co.: A Beautiful Portfolio of Tasty Wines! I’ve written about them several times since they first opened their tasting room 2 years ago. Just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

Sourcing grapes from some of the regions very best vineyards is key to their success – from the correct side of Paso (depending on the varietal) to some of my personal favorite vineyards in Monterey County and beyond to San Benito County.

THE WINES – AVAILABLE NOW!

Today I am presenting 3 Corral Wine Co. wines from this September tasting, plus a few we tasted earlier in the year.  I previously wrote about my first sip of the 2020 Petite Sirah here:  Monterey County Vintners & Growers Celebrate 50 Amazing Years! Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Corral Wine Co. Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $68 (#1267)

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

My Review: Ruby, earth and cherry on the nose. Tobacco, tart cherry on the front. Fades on back palate.  Very representative of our region. February 2024

2021 Corral Wine Co. Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA , Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58 (#1268)

Winery Notes: “Rich, full flavors of drk cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, spice, and a long finish.”

My Review: Darker in color with more purple in the ruby. Dark cherry on the nose. Big bodied and rich dark berries on the palate. Unsweetened chocolate and espresso bean on the finish, with a touch of alcohol. Now here is a wine I would like to present in a class! February 2024

2020 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $54 (#1249)

Winery Notes: “Deep aromatics of ripe red and black fruit, black pepper, and leather with hints of graphite, nutmeg, and a slightly charred oak which give way to its full body but elegant mouthfeel and flavors of dark berries and nice structured tannins on the finish.”

My Review: Rich, thick dark purple in the glass. Eucalyptus or sage on the dark berry nose, following over to the thick, rich palate. This is one delicious tasty wine. I took some home and would definitely present this wine in a class! February 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

“Come say “Hello” at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village” located at19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite C, Carmel Valley.  Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6 p.m.

© Decanting Monterey 2023

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