#4 on my Greater Monterey Area list is a winery run by an archaeologist. Talk about understanding the soil!
Wrath’s tasting room is located in the Carmel Plaza Shopping Center, an outdoor mall filled with high-end clothing and jewelry stores, as well as small art galleries. It’s also right next to The Cheese Shop (convenient, right?), which offers hundreds of cheeses for you to try for free! I highly recommend you stop by throughout your visit, try some smoked gouda, and take some to-go for your tasting next door (most Carmel wine shops are very accommodating for those who bring their own cheeses).
Their tasting room is nothing special: a simple extended granite bar and one coffee table with some seats, but don’t let that fool you. They have some fantastic wines, and I always remember to swing by when I’m in town. Their wine list is longer than most, and they break them down by clone or the specific vineyard the fruit is from (I love that they do this because you can really experience the difference between the clones and terror of the different properties). Wrath specializes in Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, with a few other varietals always on the menu. Mine and my editor’s favorite is their Bookenoogen Pinot Noir due to its complexity, mouthfeel, and overall approachability.
1) Wine = 4.3
2) Price Point = 3.1
3) Service = 3.9
4) Decorum / Scenery = 3.8
5) X factor = 3.2
Overall: 3.85
(0-5 scale, anything above 2.5 you will have a good time)
One of the most unique wines I’ve ever tasted is from Wrath, and though not usually on the tasting menu, I lucked out during my last visit. Their orange Falanghina is aged in clay dolium and is worth a taste if they have it (if you’re a true wine enthusiast, consider this wine a must-try). Almost no one in America makes a Falanghina, much less an orange one (white wine made as if it was a red wine), and to boot, it’s also 100% unfiltered! I enjoyed it so much that I ordered a case.
My only complaint about Wrath is that they’re EXTREMELY picky when it comes to extra pours, their tasting menu, and substitutions or changes to standard flights. For me, it takes a bit away from their exquisite wines and my overall experience.
Overall, Wrath is a great place to go for experiencing some of Monterey County’s iconic Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. http://www.wrathwines.com
(Featured image sourced from: http://carmelbytheseaca.blogspot.com/)