Go Big Reds!

 You could easily miss the small cozy Boëté Winery Tasting Room (www.boetewinery.com) because it is tucked into the long building alongside the Wagon Wheel Restaurant, located 3 miles east of Highway 1 on Carmel Valley Road, in the Valley Hills Center. But you don’t want to miss it!

This family owned and operated winery prides itself on growing all its own grapes and featuring just red wines.  The Boëté focus is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Cheval Rouge, their Bordeaux blend. We tasted all of them and, true to form, liked them.

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon was rich and chocolaty. When LC said she could actually taste the chocolate, the server Paula, a family member, brought out some dark chocolate to test the theory.  It was a wonderful pairing.  They also served some Puerta de Luna wine crackers with the wines, a nice way to clear the palate between tastes.

The Cheval Rouge, their signature blend, was a dynamic, spicy, full bodied blend and the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon tasted like berries of all sorts.  MK liked the rich flavors in the reserve 2006 Cheval Rouge, a classic Bordeaux blend of Cab Sav, Cab Franc and a bit of Merlot.                      

The family’s vineyards are just east of Carmel Valley Village and were first planted in 1997.  When we asked about the name of the winery, we learned that it was named in honor of the John Saunders’ grandparents, the Boëtés, who were from Le Juch, France.  Again, we encountered that sense of family that pervades so many of the valley wineries and the connection to old world wine making techniques from Europe. 

Boëté has a wine club and many special activities.  We were sorry to have missed the December series called Feast for the Senses which paired cheese, chocolate and wine. But we notice that they have a special pre-Valentine’s event on February 11^th with appetizers from Rose of the Carmel Valley Village Fish House and Boëté wines, of course.  For more information, check out their website, or call their tasting room, open daily from 12-5 p.m.  (831.625.5040).