Wrath: New Releases from Monterey
Wrath is a small artisanal winery located along the foothills of the Santa Lucia Highlands in the Monterey AVA. It crafts high quality premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc from its San Saba Estate Vineyard and vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Production is small and distribution is limited. Winemaking is in the hands of the talented Sabrine Rodems (shown here).
The San Saba Estate Vineyard is set just below the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The estate consists of 72 acres of which 68 are planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Falanghina. It is a cool site with little rainfall and a very long growing season. Its soils consist of Arroyo Gravelly Loam and Hanford Gravely Sandy Loam. The vineyards are low-vigor, well-draining, and disease- and pest-free. Steve McIntyre serves as viticultural consultant. San Saba is Sustainabiliy in Practice (SIP) certified.
The wines reviewed here are a selection of the Wrath portfolio that is released under three labels: EX, Winemaker Series and Single Vineyard Series. Wrath wines are estate grown, very well made and offered at affordable prices.
The Wines
Wrath 2021 Chardonnay 3 Clone Monterey ($35) 91 Golden color. Orchard fruit and a hint of honeyed oak on the nose. Broad and creamy on the palate with very good depth of flavor. Finishes clean, focused and long. Sourced from the estate’s San Saba Vineyard; aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. 14% alc.
Wrath 2021 Fermata Chardonnay Monterey ($35) 92 The Fermata Chardonnay displays a lovely yellow gold color with a rich fragrance of ripe peach. It is full in the mouth with a creamy palate and ripe honeyed and vanilla flavors. Toasty oak puts in an appearance on the finish. Sourced from the San Saba Vineyard and matured 10 months in 20% new French oak. 13.8% alc.
Wrath 2021 EX Pinot Noir Monterey ($29) 91 Medium ruby red with a red cherry, pomegranate nose. There’s lovely fresh red cherry/berry fruit on a balanced, medium weight palate with a silky texture. A good every day, easy drinking Pinot. All Clone 828 sourced from the estate’s San Saba Vineyard. 14.2% alc.
Wrath 2021 Pinot Noir 4/777 Monterey ($39) 92 The blend of 35% clones 777 and 65% Pommard offers dark and earthy black cherry aromas and flavors with a hint of forest floor. Show good acidity, rich layered flavors, and overall freshness. 20% whole cluster fermented and aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. 14.5% alc.
Wrath 2021 Pinot Noir Ex Vitie Monterey ($38) 92 The 2021 Wrath Pinot Noir Ex Vitie is from Wrath’s Winemaker series. It offers dark cherry scents with earth notes. It is full on the palate with excellent balance and freshness. While not highly concentrated, there is plenty of flavor, round tannins and a medium finish. All whole cluster fermented and aged 10 months in 30% new French oak. 14.4% alc.
Wrath 2021 Ex Syrah Monterey ($25) 92 Opaque color. Opening with a black pepper, blueberry, liqueur-like nose. Quite elegant and savory with a suave mouth feel and firm round tannins. Among the best wines in the Wrath portfolio. 50% Clone 17, 30% 877, and 20% Noir sourced from the estate’s San Saba Vineyard and fermented 20% whole cluster. Matured 10 months in 20% new French oak. 14.4% alc. Outstanding value!
