Winemaker Notes
Morgan G17 is a blend of 90% Syrah, 5% Grenache, and 5% Tempranillo from northern and central Monterey County. “G17” is one of Monterey County's best-known county roads, linking several of our grape growing appellations.
This wine is sourced primarily from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco appellations of Monterey County. Cool to moderate daytime temperatures are mitigated by ocean breezes and cool nights - fostering acidity and balance. Here the fog burns off early, allowing ample sunshine to warm temperatures to the mid-’80s during the summer and fall. The warm air draws cool winds from the Monterey Bay in the late afternoon. By night time, temperatures cool to the low 50’s.
This Rhône-style blend has a rich ruby red color, highlighted with purple edges. Dried plum, raspberry, cinnamon, and hints of rose petal jump out of the glass. The wine is medium-full bodied with soft tannins, offering a mouthful of dark fruit and savory herbs. Its weight and balance make it a perfect pairing with anything off the grill.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
With its deep ruby color and lush, bright, and smooth palate, this is a delightful rendition of the variety poised to become the Pinot Noir of 2019.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The Morgan G 17 Syrah has an excellent workhorse red wine. Much akin a top-notch Côtes du Rhône, this wine has endeared a large group of consumer love for the winery. The 2017 vintage is solid and beautiful. TASTING NOTES: This wine is bright, racy, and pleasing. It is aromatic and fruit-driven, and its aromas and flavors show up well on the palate. Pair it with a country stew and enjoy. (Tasted: August 19, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.