Manzoni Cellars, Carmel-by-the-Sea ...a new breed of Pinot Noir

Recently, our friend invited us to dinner. She's a loyal Chardonnay lover, but that night set out a Manzoni Vineyard's Pinot Noir. Truth be told, though I live in Pinot country, I tend to gravitate to my other favorites. But why not be open and try a taste? Well, the Pinot Noir was delicious. Why not have a glass of the Pinot! Ok, maybe closer to two glasses.

So fast forward. I'm in Carmel, and it only made sense to visit Manzoni Vineyard's Carmel tasting room. I was fortunate to meet Sabrina Manzoni, co-owner. When she heard that our friends were wine club members and had introduced us to her wines, the conversation and wine tastings began to flow. Sabrina has a way of making you feel relaxed and welcome, almost as if you were tasting wine in her backyard and not a stylish Carmel space.

The Manzonis grow their grapes and craft their boutique wines at their winery in Soledad. Wine tasting at their Soledad winery and tasting room is offered on the weekends. The family's Salinas Valley agricultural history began in the 1930's and still continues. Focusing on making quality wines, the Manzonis are not pushing for high volume with their five acres of Pinot and one acre of Syrah. The Santa Lucia Highlands offer warm days, and cool nights. This, along with carefully hand thinning and picking the crops (vs. mass machine harvesting) is the foundation for their full flavored wines.

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You'll find this expressed in their Pinot Noirs. The Pinots in my neighborhood are inclined to be leaner and lighter, which can be lovely, but I tend to enjoy a Pinot with a bit more tooth to it. The Manzoni's Pinots are medium body, with red plum and rich berry. Both Pinots are inviting, full flavored, with a smooth, medium-weight mouth feel; yet not jammy or heavy. The 2014 Home Vineyard Pinot Noir has unfoldings of deep roses, while the 2014 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir hints of spice and is extra silky.

• Also try: 2014 Pinot Gris, Santa Lucia Highlands. I enjoyed the light (yet not watery) and refreshing profile, with it's stone fruit, hints of apple, and pleasing tart-citrus finish.

 

• 2015 Rose of Pinot Noir, Paicines: This is delightful and fun, with hints of graham, or cream on the nose, finishing the with slight grapefruit on the palate. Wines can be purchased at both their Carmel and Soledad tasting rooms, and also be found in restaurants, wine bars, and mom & pop grocery stores.

 

• The Carmel tasting room has an air-controlled wine room for storing/displaying the wines. This attention to detail boosted my confidence that the quality of the wine will be at it's best.
  

 

• Manzoni's wine maker also makes wine for Blair Wines (which is next door and shares the tasting room with Shale Canyon.)

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