Carmel Road Winery

Articles About Carmel Road Winery

Reviewed Wines

2016 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $25, screw cap. Sourced from SIP Certified vineyards and produced at a winery in the Arroyo Seco AVA. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 13% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose leads with aromas of forest, cherry and strawberry. Heavily infused with oak in a mid weight style, featuring a nucleus of cherry fruit encased in gentle tannins and finishing with a red cherry flourish and a trail of toasty, vanillin oak. Score: 87. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2015 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., TA 0.57, $25, screw cap. Aged 9 months in barrel, 16% new French oak. · Moderately light ruby red color in the glass. The nose opens nicely over time in the glass, offering fresh aromas of dark red cherry, spice and dusty oak. Light weighted and easy going, with bright flavors of cherry, strawberry and mocha. Lacy in texture with silky tannins and a cherry-fueled finish. A simple but redeeming wine. Score: 88. Reviewed December 3, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 Carmel Road Panorama Vineyard Arroyo Seco Monterey Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.54, $35. Clones 23, 667 and 777. Aged 13 months in French oak barrels, 24% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose is infused with welcoming aromas of black cherry, blackberry, earthy flora and a bit of oak. The black cherry core is quite tasty on the palate, enhanced with an earthy tone. Impressive harmony, with juicy acidity, modest tannins, and a light touch of oak. The satiny mouthfeel is quite seductive. Score: 92. Reviewed December 3, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 Carmel Road Panorama Vineyard First Row Arroyo Seco Monterey Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.53, $55. Sourced from the vineyard floor. The first row of vines acts like a protective barrier from winds for the other rows. Clones 667 and 777. Aged 13 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Lovely perfume of fresh dark berries and baking spices. Silky and elegant on the palate in a middleweight style, this enticing wine shows a pure expression of black cherry fruit with a compliment of spice. Seamless, with tannins in check. Still very enticing when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed December 3, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 Carmel Road Panorama Vineyard North Crest Arroyo Seco Monterey Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.55, $55. Sourced from the north facing slope of the largest knoll within the vineyard that is exposed to gusty winds. Clones 23, 667 and 777. Aged 13 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The scent of black cherry and bramble leads to a welcome depth of black cherry fruit accented with warm spices, earth tones, and just a thread of oak. Sleek in texture with a substantial tannic backbone. Score: 91. Reviewed December 3, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 Carmel Road Panorama Vineyard South Crest Arroyo Seco Monterey Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.55, $55. Sourced from vines located on the south facing slope of the largest knoll in the vineyard protected from afternoon marine breezes. Clones 667 and 777. Aged 13 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Shy aromas of ripe dark berries, prune, marzipan and fertile earth. Full-bodied, with a virile core of dark red and black cherry fruit flavors that veer to the very ripe side. Nicely balanced with immersed tannins and some finishing generosity. Re-tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, when the wine continued to show a compote character. Score: 88. Reviewed December 3, 2017 ARTICLE »

2014 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., TA 0.53, 51,389 cases, $25. Released March 2016. Sourced primarily from the Panorama Vineyard located in the foothills of the Arroyo Seco AVA, with additional contributions from Rincon Vineyard in Monterey and Clark Vineyard in Arroyo Seco. All vineyards certified sustainable by SIP since 2008. Aged 8 months in 97% French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. This wine aims to please with ebullient aromas of cherry, spice and sandalwood and light to mid weight flavors centered on spiced cherry fruit. Easygoing, with cashmere tannins, a hint of oak seasoning, and a lingering, congenial finish. A great value. Score: 90. Reviewed October 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Carmel Road Drew’s Blend Monterey Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $28. Sourced from Panorama, Rincon and Mission Peak vineyards. Clones 2A, Pommard, 115, 23, 667 and 777. Aged 8 months in barrel, 11% new French oak. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Slight reduction upon opening, transitioning to aromas of cherry and fertile earth. Light to mid weight in style, with a tasty core of red cherry and red berry fruits with a touch of spice. Good brightness and vibrancy, with silky tannins and a modest but satisfying finish. Not too serious, but that’s the point. Score: 88. Reviewed December 3, 2017 ARTICLE »

2013 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., TA 0.47, $22. Sourced primarily from the estate Panorama Vineyard planted to high-density vines of Pinot Noir. The vineyard is SIP (Sustainability in Practice) certified. Clones 667, 777, 115, 2A and 23. Aged 8 months in 95% French oak barrels. Winemaker is Kris Kato. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely scented, with aromas of cherry, spice, balsam and sandalwood. Soft in the mouth, with pleasing balance, offering a middleweight core of cherry fruit complimented by a touch of oak, finishing with a charge of maraschino cherry fruit. A solid, value-priced wine that is widely distributed. Score: 88. Reviewed April 20, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 Carmel Road Drew’s Blend Monterey Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., TA 0.58, 5,095 cases, $28. Winemaking partner of Kris Kato is Drew Barrymore. Sourced primarily form the Carmel Road Estate Panorama Vineyard in the foothills of the Arroyo Seco AVA. Clones 23, 115, 667 and 777. Aged 8 months in 95% French oak barrels (17% new). · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Interesting aromatic complex featuring black cherry, blackberry, peppercorn and toast. A forward drinking wine offering flavors of black cherry, blueberry, black tea and spice with haunting oak in the background. A friendly wine with balanced tannins and a heady finish. Score: 89. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »

2013 Carmel Road Panorama Vineyard Monterey Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.56, 392 cases, $35. Released February 2016. This estate vineyard is located in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains in the Arroyo Seco AVA. This certified sustainable vineyard is planted to high density spacing. Clones 667 and 777 with a small balance of “828.” 7-day cold soak, fermented in small open top fermenters, and aged 17 months in French oak barrels, 28% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Very moody nose offering shy scents of dark fruits and wine cave. A mid weight assortment of well-ripened dark fruits are at the wine’s core, framed by matched tannins and proper acidity. The high alcohol is well integrated, the oak seasoning is spot on, but the wine is singing monotone offering nothing more than a sullen load of fruit. Score: 88. Reviewed October 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2011 Carmel Road Monterey Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.56, 27,000 cases, $22. Panorama, Clark and Mission Peak vineyards certified sustainable by SIP since 2008. Clones 667, 777, 115, 2A and 23. Aged 9 months in 96% French oak (16% new) and 4% American oak (3% new). · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Extremely appealing aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, spice and fresh rose petal holding up over time in the glass. Tasty mid-weight core of dark red cherry and berry flavors with the slightest toasty oak in the background. Very easy to like with a sense of plushness on the palate and admirable balance. Unbelievable quality considering the huge production. Widely available. Very good. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Carmel Road Panorama Vineyard Arroyo Seco Monterey County Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.55, $35. Inaugural vintage. From an estate vineyard that is planted to high density and certified sustainable. Primarily clones 667 and 777 with added 2A and 23. Aged 15 months in 25% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry jam, cardamom spice, forest floor and oak vanillin. Big, ripe and full-bodied with a luscious core of boysenberry, blackberry, black plum, spice, dark chocolate and oak flavors. The high alcohol contributes to the creamy mouth feel. The finish is driven by sappy fruit flavors with a bit of oak and heat lingering on the finish. Score: 87. Reviewed October 11, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.54, $20. Sourced from certified sustainable vineyards in the Arroyo Seco AVA (Panorama, Clark, Porter, Sainz and Mission Peak). Clones 667, 777, 115, 2A, 828, and 23. Aged 8 months in 97% French oak barrels (20% new), 2% in American oak barrels (1% new), and 1% stainless steel tanks. · Dark, deep purple color in the glass. Complex perfume of dark cherries and berries, grapes, spice, wood smoke, coffee bean and dried rose petals. Earthbound flavors of blackberries and boysenberries and cassis with a hint of spice and edible flowers. Medium-weighted with mild tannins and a welcoming silkiness in the mouth. Consistently one of the best value-priced Pinot Noirs in the marketplace. Good (+). Reviewed January 11, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.54, 44,255 cases, $20. Released October 2010. Aged 9 months in 17% new French oak barrels, 3% new American oak barrels and 1% stainless steel tanks (1% Chardonnay in blend). Sourced from Panorama, Porter, Clark, Mission Peak and Mission Trails vineyards. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with an array of fresh berries. Brisk and juicy with a middle-weighted core of cherry and berry fruits, with a hint of cola, oak and citrus in the background. Soft with silky tannins. A solid daily drinker at a reasonable price. Good. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »

2008 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.78, $20, released December 2009. Aged 9 months in 98% French (17% new) and 2% American (100% new) oak. · Soft aromas of black cherries, blackberry jam and violets, picking up intensity with swirling. Lightweight flavors of darker Pinot fruits with supple tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. Often discounted and a solid daily drinker. Good (+). Reviewed March 2, 2011 ARTICLE »

2007 Carmel Road Winery Monterey Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $16. From Arroyo Seco vineyards in Monterey County where most mornings the vineyards are shrouded in fog. Afternoon breezes from the Pacific Ocean deliver cool, maritime air. This winery has specialized in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Monterey since 1999 and was a featured winery at this year’s International Pinot Noir Celebration. The winemaker is Ivan Giotenov. · On the nose there is intense black cherry and raspberry scents with a touch of fig and floral breeze. Delicious black cherry core that is juicy and satisfying. Silky textured with a clean and refreshing finish. One of the better value-priced Monterey Pinot Noirs. Reviewed September 5, 2009 ARTICLE »

2007 Carmel Road Arroyo Seco Clark Ranch Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.54, 626 cases, $35. Clones 2A, 115, 667 and 777. The Clark Ranch lies in the shadow of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Most of this 1,100-acre vineyard is planted to Chardonnay with 34 acres dedicated to Pinot Noir. This limited bottling comes from a special, 4-acre block at the heart of the ranch that consistently yields a deep and compelling Pinot Noir. Cold pre-soak, native yeast fermentation, hand punch downs, and no fining or filtration. Aged 10 months in 39% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Enticing aromas of dark raspberries and blackberries, black cherries, kirsch, brioche and oak. Discreetly concentrated flavors of chocolate-covered, perfectly ripe cherries, and fresh blackberry jam. The vivid fruit is nicely caressed by fine-grain tannins, the oak is beautifully integrated, and there is impressive aromatic persistence on the fruit-filled finish. Very good. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »

2006 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $15. Produced by Carmel Road Winery in Soledad and bottled at Carmel Road Winery in Santa Rosa. · Darkly colored. The nose is not appealing with oak, tobacco and herbs dominating the dark fruit in the background. Earthy blackberry and plum fruit with a coat of mocha dust. The finish is dry, tart and short. Reviewed November 17, 2008 ARTICLE »