Tasting notes:

Inland from the rugged Monterey coast, the winery is named after the winding road from Carmel-by-the-Sea through the Arroyo Seco near Salinas. The vines are grown in Monterey’s rolling hills overlooking Gonzales and Soledad, where winds from the cold Pacific Ocean create cool nights in contrast to the very warm days. This wine is a blend of Monterey AVA grapes. Deep ruby in colour, it exudes blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry fruit, with smoky oak and black pepper accents. The mid-weight, well-defined palate is framed by bracing acidity and linen-textured tannins, with a lovely floral lift on the finish. A worthy partner for seared sweetbreads in a red wine sauce. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)