Last week I attended a press event put together by the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association. The focus of the event was Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from about 12-15 Monterey producers, with representatives from four wineries who presented one of their Pinot Noirs. The event was well attended & represented.  MORE >>

As to the wines I started with the 2006 Chardonnay that only sees 5% new oak & is put through no malolactic fermentation. It was a nice Chardonnay and for the price ($28 suggested) a nice buy relative to some of the other $50+ Napa Chards. had a 2004 " The Sisters " Cab made with 8% Cab Franc. Nice wines. NOT A FRUIT BOMB. MORE >>

Premier Cuvee means first pressing, in this case. 2004 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs (8) I was excited to try Schramsberg wines, as I understand them to be the creme de la creme of American sparkling wine. 2004 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs (7+) A little funk on the nose, sweet berry and brown sugar flavors. MORE >>

White 2004 Vergé Viré-Clessé Vieille Vignes - barnyard funk is overpowering on the nose. 2007 Haut la Vigne Côtes de Duras - 50-50 chardonnay and semillon. Red 2004 Peyra Côtes d'Auvergnes - somewhere between the south-eastern edge of the Loire and the north-western Rhône is Côtes d'Auvergnes. Maybe a bit of both. MORE >>

The Chardonnays are quite good, but the wines that stopped me in my tracks were the blends. The 2007 Mosaico , for example, is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Muscat, Gewurtztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Friulano.but all from one specific vineyard site - the Sylvanus Vineyard on their estate in Bridgehampton. Where is the soil? MORE >>