2017 Barboursville Vineyards Octagon ($95)
This Barboursville Vineyards wine was named to celebrate the estate’s diverse connections with the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, symbolized in the central octagon drawing room in his design for Governor Barbour’s mansion.
Octagon is produced from 100% estate-grown grapes including 62% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. The gapes were grown under the expertise of viticulturist Fernando Franco, and were sourced from two Merlot parcels, one Cabernet Franc, and two Petit Verdot plots.
A traditional approach to fermentation was followed, with blending occurring after 12 months of aging.
This Octagon is medium purple in color with aromas of red fruit, sweet tobacco and notes from the oak aging. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has rich black fruit flavors along with notes from the 12 months of oak aging. It has medium-high tannin and finishes soft and balanced. [ABV: 13.5%, TA: 5.4 g/L, pH: 3.68, Residual Sugar: <0.1%]
This is indeed a winner and a perfect fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Barboursville Vineyards, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
50 West Aldie Heights Cuvée ($70)
50 West is a farm vineyard located on Route 50 just past the historic town of Aldie in Middleburg, Virginia. (39060 John Mosby Highway).
First used by Native Americans as a route to move their migrating herds, Route 50 was later used by the colonists and a portion was even surveyed by George Washington.
As one of the larger farm vineyards in the state, they grow fruit on five properties in northern Virginia and are proud of their reputation for growing 100% Virginia grown grapes to make their wine.
Winemaker Jason Burrus got his start in California where he spent six years in Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Valley while completing his MS in Viticulture & Enology from UC Davis. He’s called Virginia home since 2006.
This Aldie Heights Cuvée was produced from 47% Tannat, 44% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon from their Shenandoah Springs & Shenandoah Ridge Vineyards. It was aged for 26 months in French oak barrels.
It is medium purple in color with delicate black fruit aromas along with a hint of the French oak. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has rich dark fruit flavors, is very complex, has wonderful vanilla notes from the French oak aging and has a long, smooth and balanced finish. [ABV: 14.5%, TA: 4.5 g/L, pH:4.0, Residual Sugar: 0.4%]
This is a truly outstanding wine. One sip will show you why this was a winner in the Virginia Governor’s Cup. And, it’s a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.
Media Samples Provided by 50 West Vineyards, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
2021 King Family Vineyards Mountain Plains Monticello Red Blend ($85)
King Family Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery. They’re known as one of the best wineries in Virginia.
They specialize in the production of premium wines that showcase the remarkable quality and terroir of the Monticello AVA. Beginning with carefully selected grapes, winemaker Matthieu Finot creates wines inspired by the old world, but uniquely expressive of Virginia wine.
This Monticello Red Blend is produced with 45% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot and 18% Petit Verdot.
The grapes are hand-sorted and destemmed. The wines underwent four to eight weeks of maceration in open-top concrete fermentation tanks, allowing for the extraction of color, tannin, and concentration. Following pressing, the wines were aged separately for 22 months in new French oak barrels. After blending, the wines continued to age until bottling.
This Monticello Red Blend is Medium ruby in color with aromas of black plum, blackberry and black currant along with a pleasant hit of the French oak. On the palate, this medium-full bodied Red Blend is rich and complex with big black fruit flavors and notable oak. This wine has a wonderfully long finish that is very smooth. [ABV: 13.8%, TA: 5.27 g/L, pH:3.52, Residual Sugar: <0.1%]
This King Family Vineyards Monticello Red Blend is indeed a winner! And a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.
Media Samples Provided by King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
Trump Winery Sparkling Rosé ($44.99)
Trump Winery (formerly Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard) is a winery on Trump Vineyard Estates in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the county of Albemarle. It is within both the Virginia and Monticello viticultural areas and is among the 23 wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail.
The winery and vineyard were established by Patricia Kluge in 1999, and later purchased by Trump in 2011.
Jonathan Wheeler oversees their sparkling, white, and red wine programs. With extensive experience since 2006 and a background from Sonoma, Monterey, Marlborough, and the Finger Lakes, he holds a B.A. in Chemistry from SUNY Oswego and is a member of the Winemaker’s Research Exchange in Virginia.
This Trump sparkling rosé is produced from 88% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Noir. It is medium copper in color with a delicate that includes cherry and floral notes. On the palate this wine is very bubbly with flavors of strawberry, cherry and grapefruit. [ABV: 12.5%, TA: 10 g/L, pH: 3.25, Residual Sugar: 0.9%]
This is a very refreshing sparkling rosé and a Virginia Wine Governor's Cup® winning wine featured as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.
Media Samples Provided by Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
Marqués de Cáceres Cava ($12.99)
Marqués de Cáceres (Mar-kez Day Kass-er-rus) winery is located in Rioja Alta, Spain. It was founded in 1970 by the Forner family, an enterprising family that has been in the wine trade for five generations. The brand remains family-owned and women-run, led by CEO Cristina Forner. Marqués de Cáceres is one of the most widely distributed Spanish wines in the US.
In the 1800s, Spain began producing sparkling wines to mimic their French neighbor's Champagne and they called it Champaña. But in the 1970s, French regulations were put into place such that only sparkling wine produce in the Champagne region of France could rightfully be called Champagne. So, the Spanish re-named their sparkling wine for the caves or cellars where the sparkling wine was kept for aging. Hence the name Cava.
This Marqués de Cáceres Cava is produced from 50% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada grapes. It is pale gold in color with a delicate white flower aroma. On the palate, it has flavor of crisp apple flavor with fine and persistent bubbles. This one is best served cold!
This Cava from Marqués de Cáceres is very tasty and refreshing while being affordable and attainable. A great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Marqués de Cáceres and Vineyard Brands
Marqués de Cáceres (Mar-kez Day Kass-er-rus) winery is located in Rioja Alta, Spain. It was founded in 1970 by the Forner family, an enterprising family that has been in the wine trade for five generations. The brand remains family-owned and women-run, led by CEO Cristina Forner. Marqués de Cáceres is one of the most widely distributed Spanish wines in the US.
Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo (~$19)
Verdejo is a white grape that grows almost exclusively in Spain. This wine is made by female winemaker, Carmen Blanco. Carmen also oversees the vine maintenance for 308 acres of Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is produced from 100% Verdejo grapes. They are gently pressed and fermented. The wine is kept on-lees until the time of bottling. It is pale gold in color with aromas of lime and honey with floral notes. On the palate, this light-bodied wine has good acidity with citrus flavors (grapefruit & lime) and finishes with a touch of tartness.
Marqués de Cáceres Rosé (~$19):
This rosé is produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes. After destemming and light crushing, the red grapes undergo maceration with the skins for approximately 8 hours and is then fermented in stainless steel tanks. It is then kept on its fine lees for a month. It is a pale salmon in color with a delicate sweet cherry aroma. On the palate, this light-bodied rosé has bright acidity, soft cherry and strawberry flavors that finish soft, smooth and refreshing.
Each of these Spanish wines from Marqués de Cáceres are great tasting, affordable and widely available thus making them a great fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.
Media Samples Provided by Marqués de Cáceres and Vineyard Brands
The Virginia Wine Governor's Cup® Winning Red Wines
Earlier this year, a qualified team of judges sampled over 620 of the best Virginia wines, ciders and meads from across the Virginia Commonwealth.
The Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition is one of the most stringent and thorough wine competitions in the United States. The contest is a result of a partnership between the Virginia Wineries Association, which owns and manages the competition and the gubernatorial-appointed Virginia Wine Board.
The highest 12 ranking red and white wines make up the 2025 Governor's Cup Case.
Here are the six top red wines that are included in the 2025 Governor’s Cup Case, as shown above (Left to Right):
2018 Trump Winery, Sparkling Rosé ($44.99), Charlottesville VA
2023 DuCard Vineyards Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve ($60), Etlan VA
2017 Barboursville Vineyards "Octagon" ($95), Barboursville VA
2021 50 West Vineyards "Aldie Heights Cuvée" ($70), Middleburg VA
2021 King Family Vineyards "Mountain Plains Red" ($85), Crozet VA
2023 Paradise Springs Winery, Cabernet Franc Brown Bear Vineyard ($42), Clifton VA
Look for these wines to be featured in upcoming Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week blogs. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.
Media Samples Provided by Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
The Virginia Wine Governor's Cup® Winning White Wines
Earlier this year, a qualified team of judges sampled over 620 of the best Virginia wines, ciders and meads from across the Virginia Commonwealth.
The Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition is one of the most stringent and thorough wine competitions in the United States. The contest is a result of a partnership between the Virginia Wineries Association, which owns and manages the competition and the gubernatorial-appointed Virginia Wine Board.
The highest 12 ranking red and white wines make up the 2025 Governor's Cup Case.
Here are the six top white wines that are included in the 2025 Governor’s Cup Case, as shown above (Left to Right):
2023 Valley Road Vineyards/ Afton VA, 2023 Petit Manseng ($29.95): 100% Petit Manseng
2023 Winery at La Grange/Haymarket VA, 2023 Petit Manseng ($39): 100% Petit Manseng
2023 Veritas Winery/ Afton VA, 2023 Monticello White ($35): 50% Chardonnay, 22% Viognier, 17% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Petit Manseng
2022 Michael Shaps Wineworks/Charlottesville VA, Wild Meadow Vineyard Chardonnay ($28): 100% Chardonnay
2023 Barboursville Vineyards/Barboursville VA, Vermentino ($23) (Overall Governer’s Cup Winner)
2023 Potomac Point Winery/ Stafford VA, Albarino ($35): 95% Albarino, 5% Viognier
Look for these wines to be featured in upcoming Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week blogs. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.
Media Samples Provided by Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
2024 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Pinot Noir Rosé ($20)
Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding the winery in 1997. According to Ancient Greek mythology, Gaia (Guy-uh) was one of the primordial deities, emerging fully formed from Chaos to become the divine personification of Earth and the mother of all life. Gaia labels depict the goddess in a festive headdress of colorful fruits and flowers.
Gaia wines are crafted with French winemaking sensibility and made from 100% organic fruit grown at a cool 4000 foot altitude.
This Gaia Pinot Noir Rosé was produced from 100% organic Pinot Noir grapes that were hand harvested. The full clusters were pressed followed by a five-day cold maceration. It was then fermented for 30 days.
Gaia Rosé is a pale copper in color with delicate aromas of red fruit (cherry & strawberry) and floral notes. On the palate, this light-bodied rosé has subtle notes of Maraschino cherry and strawberry with good acidity. It finishes soft and balanced with just a hint of sweet fruit. [ABV: 12%, TA: 5.47 g/L, pH: 3.31, Residual Sugar: 1.08 g/L]
Gaia Rosé from Domaine Bousquet is light, easy to drink and very affordable making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet
2022 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)
Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding the winery in 1997. According to Ancient Greek mythology, Gaia (Guy-uh) was one of the primordial deities, emerging fully formed from Chaos to become the divine personification of Earth and the mother of all life. Gaia labels depict the goddess in a festive headdress of colorful fruits and flowers.
Gaia wines are crafted with French winemaking sensibility and made from 100% organic fruit grown at a cool 4000 foot altitude.
This Gaia Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that were carefully hand selected. They were fermented with native yeast for 15 days followed by 30 days of maceration. The wine then underwent full malolactic conversion before spending 10 months in used French oak.
This Gaia Cabernet Sauvignon is deep purple in color with medium aromas of black cherry and black plum. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of black fruit along with herbal notes. There is a hint of chocolate from the oak aging. It has rich flavors and a nice finish with spicy and jammy notes. [ ABV: 14.5%, TA: 5.2 g/L, pH:3.68, RS: 1.9 g/L]
This Domaine Bousquet Gaia Cabernet Sauvignon is very tasty and quite affordable, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet
2022 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Malbec ($25)
Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding the winery in 1997. According to Ancient Greek mythology, Gaia (Guy-uh) was one of the primordial deities, emerging fully formed from Chaos to become the divine personification of Earth and the mother of all life. Gaia labels depict the goddess in a festive headdress of colorful fruits and flowers.
Gaia wines are crafted with French winemaking sensibility and made from 100% organic fruit grown at a cool 4000 foot altitude.
This Gaia Malbec was produced from 100% Malbec organic grapes that underwent cold maceration for 72 hours followed by fermentation with native yeast for 12 days. It was then aged in French oak barrels (100% used) for 10 months.
Gaia Malbec is deep purple in color with aromas of blackberry and sweet tobacco. On the palate, this medium full-bodied wine has medium tannin and medium acidity with flavors of blackberry and black cherry. It finishes balanced with some spicy notes. [Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 14.5%, Total Acidity (TA): 5.232 g/L, pH: 3.69, Residual Sugar (RS): 1.94 g/L]
What better way to celebrate Earth Day 2025 on April 22nd than with Domaine Bousquet’s Gaia Malbec. It’s delicious and affordable, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet
Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso ($34.99)
According to their literature, “Like most first borns, Sandy has main character energy. She sets the standard for what boxed wine can be while knowing how to have a good time.”
This wine is perfect to drink chilled, you can open and store it in the fridge for up to a month! And, one box is equivalent to four bottles (3L) so there’s plenty to share with friends!
Vino Rosso is made from organically farmed grapes with 85% Sangiovese blended with 15% Trebbiano, a native Italian white grape.
Each wine is crafted from organically farmed Italian grapes, sourced from the sustainability-driven, family-owned Conti degli Azzoni estate in Italy’s Le Marche region.
Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso is deep purple in color with aromas of dark fruit and herbal notes. On the palate, it is medium-full bodied, with medium tannin and good acidity. It finishes light and spicy.
Although this Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso is sustainably packaged, it’s not your typical boxed wine. This is a real Italian wine that very enjoyable by the glass or with a meal. Again, don’t let the packaging fool you, this is a really good wine. And, at the equivalent of $8.75 per bottle, it’s extremely affordable! Hence, a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Giovese Family Wines via SAVONA COMMUNICATIONS
2015 Conde Valdemar Reserva ($28.99)
Valdemar Family is comprised of 334 hectares (825 acres) of family-owned vineyards spanning Bodegas Valdemar in Roija, Spain and Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, Washington. The winemaking legacy of the Martínez Bujanda family dates back to 1889. The fifth generation siblings Ana and Jesús are currently at the helm of both estates on two continents.
For a Rioja to be called a “Reserva” means that it undergoes a minimum of three years of aging with at least one year in barrels and six months in the bottle. In this case, this Conde Valdemar Reserva spent 19 months in American oak (65%) and French oak (35%).
Produced from 85% Tempranillo, 7% Garnacha, 5% Garciano and 3% Maturana, this wine is medium-full bodied. It is a medium ruby-garnet color, showing its age. On the nose, it has muted aromas of fig, plum and cherry. On the palate, this Conde Valdemar Reserva has soft flavors of raisin, prune and fig. Its tannins are smooth, with medium-low acidity. It finishes soft, showing its 10-year age. Its a very nice Rioja Reserva!
To find ten year old wines is difficult, but to find one at this price is amazing! This 2015 Conde Valdemar Reserva is a really nice wine that’s available at a great price. That makes it a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Valdemar Family via Ten27 Communications
2019 Conde Valdemar Crianza ($19.99)
Valdemar Family is comprised of 334 hectares (825 acres) of family-owned vineyards spanning Bodegas Valdemar in Roija, Spain and Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, Washington. The winemaking legacy of the Martínez Bujanda family dates back to 1889. The fifth generation siblings Ana and Jesús are currently at the helm of both estates on two continents.
“Crianza” is a word you may not have noticed on wine labels since it doesn’t immediately mean anything to an English speaker. But, one of its translations means ‘aging.’ And, indeed, this style of Rioja wine is required to be aged for at least one year in oak and spend one year or more in the bottle before being sold.
This Conde Valdemar Crianza is produced from 82% Tempranillo, 11% Mazuelo (aka Carignan), 4% Graciano and 3% Maturana that are grown in their vineyards in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta.
It is deep purple in color with medium aromas of black cherry, plum and blackberry. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has flavors of black fruit, tobacco leaf and chocolate (from the oak aging). It finishes smooth and easy with some spicy notes.
Conde Valdemar Crianza is a versatile wine with a nice balance between fruitiness and oak flavors. At this price, this wine is a perfect fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Valdemar Family via Ten27 Communications
2023 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Malbec ($18)
Family-owned Domaine Bousquet has stood for a 100% commitment to eco-friendly, certified organic, competitively priced wines from the get-go. “Certified” is definitely the operative word at Domaine Bousquet, which is currently at 14 different certifications and counting.
Domaine Bousquet’s Reserve organic wines are defined by:
The grapes are 100% estate-grown, a step up from the winery’s classic varietal line
The fruit is from plots with low yields, offering more body, more flavor
All red wines undergo cold maceration to capture the flavors from the grape skins. Aging is also little longer for the reds: 10 months in French oak, six months in bottle
Freshness, aromatics, and fruit-forward qualities
This Domaine Bousquet Reserve Organic Malbec is produced from 85% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Syrah. It was fermented with select yeasts for 10 day followed by an additional 154 days of maceration. After 100% malolactic conversion it was aged with 50% going into second use French oak for six month with the remaining 50% being aged in stainless steel and concrete tanks.
This Malbec is deep purple in color with medium aromas of red and black fruit with hints of sweet tobacco. On the palate, this full-bodied Malbec has medium tannin, medium acidity, flavors of dark fruit and red plum with a bit of vanilla from the oak aging. It finishes spicy and jammy. (ABV: 14.5%, TA: 5.4 g/L, pH: 3.66, RS: 1.78 g/L)
This Domaine Bousquet Reserve Organic Malbec is really nice with deliciously rich flavors. And, at this price is a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet
2023 Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay ($18)
Family-owned Domaine Bousquet has stood for a 100% commitment to eco-friendly, certified organic, competitively priced wines from the get-go. “Certified” is definitely the operative word at Domaine Bousquet, which is currently at 14 different certifications and counting.
Domaine Bousquet’s Reserve organic wines are defined by:
The grapes are 100% estate-grown, a step up from the winery’s classic varietal line
The fruit is from plots with low yields that offer more of everything – more body, more flavor
The Chardonnay is subject to careful blending at the winery, with 50% seeing some oak and 50% fermented and aged in tanks
Freshness, aromatics, and fruit-forward qualities
This Domaine Bousquet Reserve Organic Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown at the foot of the Andes at 4000 feet altitude. The grapes were hand harvested. Fifty of the wine was fermented in oak for 15 days. It was then aged for six months in 3rd, 4th and 5th use French oak barrels, on lees. (ABV: 14%, Total Acidity: 5.43 g/L, pH: 3.34, Residual Sugar: 1.91 g/L)
The wine is medium gold in color with delicate tropical aromas, baked apple and citrus. On the palate, this Chardonnay is medium-bodied with rich flavors of baked apple. It has medium acidity and finishes smooth, soft and balanced. A delicious Chardonnay.
This Domaine Bousquet Reserve Organic Chardonnay is really nice with deliciously rich flavors. And, at this price is a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet
2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot ($16.99)
Chateau Ste. Michelle founded a wine region, and they’re not done blazing trails yet. They honor their 55-year legacy of making world-class Washington wine, while taking bold steps to build our future with 2,600 acres of sustainably farmed estate vineyards, state-of-the-art cellar technology, and a talented, passionate winemaking team led by head winemaker Katie Nelson, with 30 years of Washington winemaking experience.
Indian Wells grapes are sourced from their namesake Indian Wells Vineyard, along with a variety of other warm-climate Washington vineyards that range from the Wahluke Slope to Cold Creek Vineyard.
This Indian Wells Merlot is a deep purple wine with enticing aromas of dark fruits and spices. On the palate, it boasts a full-bodied character with flavors of blackberry, medium tannins, balanced acidity, and vanilla notes from its oak aging. The finish is smooth and lingering, leaving a pleasant impression.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot is a delightful wine that is widely available at an affordable price. This makes it an ideal choice for this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2017 Frank Family Napa Zinfandel ($38)
Rich Frank, the founder of Frank Family Winery, developed a passion for wine, particularly Bordeaux and Italian wines, during his extensive travels as the former President of Disney Studios. In the 1980s, he discovered his love for the Napa Valley and soon after purchased a home with a vineyard in the heart of Rutherford. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Rich’s “second career” as the owner of one of Napa’s most esteemed wineries, Frank Family Vineyards.
Leslie (Miller) Frank, the co-founder of Frank Family Vineyards, is an Emmy Award-winning journalist. Today, Leslie actively participates in the strategic marketing and branding of Frank Family and their luxurious collection of wines.
This Frank Family Napa Zinfandel is produced from 91% Zinfandel along with 9% Petite Sirah that were sourced from the family estate and purchased grapes. The wine is aged in new and twice-filled French oak barrels.
This Zinfandel is dark purple in color with jammy aromas of dark fruit. On the palate, this full-bodied Zinfandel has flavors of black berry, black cherry and red plum. It has medium tannin (decanted for one hour) balanced acidity. It finishes smooth with hints of toasted oak.
This Frank Family Napa Zinfandel is a real treat at a great price for a Napa wine, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2022 Esporão Monte Velho Reserva ($18)
A new Reserva Red wine has been added to the popular Monte Velho (pronounced MON-tay VELL-yo and meaning “Old Hill” in Portuguese) wine line. The Monte Velho name is inspired by a grassy mound on the Herdade do Esporão estate, which is topped by a prominent 12th-century fortress.
Says Cultivamos (Importer of Esporão) president & CEO, Ben Carson-Brown, “The reason for this new addition to Esporão’s Monte Velho range is simple: Monte Velho wines are made intentionally for daily consumption, especially in Portugal where wine is a traditional component of the evening meal.
Monte Velho Reserva Red 2022 showcases Alentejo’s 2,000-plus year viticultural history, with its tradition of blending.
This Monte Velho Reserva is a blend of four grape varieties: Aragonez (also known as Alicante Bouschet), Trincadeira, Syrah, and Touriga Nacional, each comprising 25% of the total. The grapes underwent de-stemming and crushing, followed by controlled fermentation. Subsequently, malolactic conversion was initiated, and the wine was aged in used oak barrels for eight months.
Monte Vehlo Reserva is deep purple in color with bright aromas of dark fruit and herbal notes. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has flavors of blackberry, blue berry and raspberry with herbal, peppery, notes. It finishes easy with spicy notes. (Alcohol by Volume: 13.5%, Total Acidity: 5.7 g/L, pH: 3.61, Residual Sugar: 1.0 g/L)
This Monte Velho Reserva from Esporão is not only delicious but also affordable, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.
Media Sample Provided by Esporão
Behind the Cork™ - Sweet Wines of Oliver Winery
Oliver Winery, located in Bloomington Indiana, is “Driven by curiosity and creativity” according to Rob Warren, VP of Winemaking. This ‘hobby winery’ has grown to be among the 30 largest wineries in the U.S. They seek to set the quality standard for the sweet and flavored wine category with innovative yet approachable wines - unpretentious, full of personality and refreshingly real - No flavorings or colorings, no high fructose corn syrup.
Oliver wines are:
Giftable: Bright, bold flavors make these wines a thoughtful and approachable gift for wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike
Chocolate Pairing Perfection: Dreamberry and Cosmoberry complement a variety of chocolates, while the Sweet Red pairs with everything from truffles to chocolate-covered pretzels
Celebration-Ready: Whether for a party or romantic dinner, these wines are festive, fruit-forward options
The ‘Soft Wine Collection’ from Oliver Winery (including the three featured wines below) is crafted with juice from the cool-growing Great Lakes region and cold fermented in stainless steel tanks resulting in a bright fruit taste and aroma.
Oliver Winery - Sweet Red ($13)
Ranked one of the Top 6 sweet red wines in the U.S.
Classic Concord grape aroma, deliciously smooth, fruity taste, and ruby-red color. This soft red wine is fresh, crisp, and just-sweet-enough.
Oliver Winery - Dreamberry ($16)
This wine has layered real flavors of light and tropical lychee and raspberry with sweet red wine and a hint of lime. A refreshingly real, deliciously juicy wine. Made with the very best fruit and natural ingredients.
Oliver Winery - Cosmoberry ($16)
Inspired by the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail, this berry-infused sweet red wine has a familiar Concord-based red wine a twist, with a bright balance of natural cranberry, strawberry, and blood orange. Cosmoberry is a smooth, easy-to-drink wine.
For 50 years, Oliver Winery wines has represented the highest-quality ingredients. Their winemakers continually refine each wine in their portfolio to create approachable, fruit-forward, flavorful wines you can enjoy again and again. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.
Media Samples Provided by Oliver Winery
2022 Concha Y Toro “Amelia” Pinot Noir ($55)
The grapes for this wine are grown on the northern bank of the Limarí River at an altitude of more than 600 feet above sea level, just about 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The temperatures are cool and the mornings are cloudy, so the fruit ripens slowly, producing fresher tasting wines. This Pinot Noir is produced from 50% whole clusters that are fermented in stainless steel tanks. After Malolactic Conversion, the wine remains in French oak barrels (10% new) for 12 months. This Amelia Pinot Noir is medium purple in color with delicate fruit aromas. On the palate, this Amelia Pinot Noir is light in flavor with medium acidity and finishes easy. (ABV: 14%, TA: 4.5 g/L, pH: 3.63, RS: 2.74 g/L).
2023 Terranoble “Algarrobo” Pinot Noir ($15)
This wine is named for the iconic Algarrobo tree in their vineyard in the Las Dichas sector of the Casablanca Valley. The grapes for this 10% Pinot Noir are fermented in small batches with ~45% being whole clusters. It is then aged for six months in used barrels and in foudres (22%) before being aged three months in the bottle before release. This Algarrobo Pinot Noir is pale purple in color with aromas of sweet candied cherries and honey. On the palate it is medium-bodied with flavors of cranberry and sour cherry. It finishes a bit tart. (ABV: 13%, TA: 5.6 g/L, pH: 3.53, RS: 2.7 g/L).
2020 Garces Silva “Boya” Pinot Noir ($20)
This Boya (Bouy) Pinot Noir is from the Leyda - San Antonio appellations and produced from three French clone (888, 777, 115). Thee grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks for 12 to 15 days (10%-20% whole cluster). It was aged in stainless steel, used barrels and concrete tanks. This Boya Pinot Noir is medium ruby with a touch of garnet in color. On the nose it had strong aromas immediately after opening that settled down after decanting. On the palate it was medium-bodied with cherry-cranberry flavors (ABV: 13%, TA: 5.0 g/L, pH: 3.58, RS: 1.8 g/L)
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on three Pinot Noirs from Chile’s coastal regions. These wines are not only delicious but also affordable, making them a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. So, grab a glass and let’s toast to these amazing Chilian wines! Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Media Samples Provided by Concha Y Toro, Terranoble, Garces Silva and Master the World
2023 Miguel Torres Cordillera de los Andes Chardonnay ($20)
Miguel Torres, driven by a quest for exceptional wine production, discovered that the Limarí Valley is where Chardonnay takes on a unique and distinctive character. This Chardonnay is crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes, which undergo fermentation in French oak barrels before being aged in French oak barrels for seven months. The wine exhibits a pale straw color and enticing floral notes on the nose. On the palate, it reveals creamy citrus flavors accompanied by a refreshing acidity, culminating in a soft and smooth finish. (ABV: 13.5%, Total Acidity: 6.45 g/L, pH: 3.25, Residual Sugar: 3.7 g/L)
2021 Floresta Chardonnay ($20)
Floresta Chardonnay is also from the Limarí Valley where the soils consist of alluvial deposits with a first stratum of clay texture and a second of clay-loam with stones. Calcium carbonate deposits are found between the strata. Fermentation took place in Stainless Steel tanks and then the wine was transferred to barrels where it was aged on lees (surlie aged) with periodic battonage for 3-5 months. Approximately 30% of the wine undergoes malolactic conversion. The wine is kept on lees for 10 months, for a total of 12 months in French oak prior to bottling. It is pale gold in color with notable minerality on the nose. On the palate it has notes of green apple, pineapple, bright acidity and finishes with just a touch of tartness. (ABV: 13.1%, TA: 6.65 g/L, pH: 3.04, RS: 2.19 g/L)
2020 Montes Alpha Chardonnay ($24)
The vineyards that produce Montes Alpha Chardonnay are situated in the Aconcagua Costa region. The proximity of the vines to the Pacific Ocean and the significant impact of the ocean breezes create ideal grape-growing conditions. Montes Alpha is a blend of two Chardonnay clones from three distinct regions. Approximately 35% of the wine underwent fermentation in barrels with varying degrees of toasting, while 25% underwent malolactic conversion. A total of 35% of the wine was barrel-aged for 12 months in French oak of the first, second, and third use.
This Chardonnay exhibits a medium gold color with minerality on the nose. On the palate, it presents flavors of green apple and lime, with moderate acidity and a bright finish. (ABV: 14%, TA: 3.53 g/L, pH: 3.21, RS: 2.7 g/L)
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on three fantastic Chardonnays from Chile’s coastal regions. These wines are not only delicious but also incredibly affordable, making them a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. So, grab a glass and let’s toast to these amazing Chilian wines! Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Media Samples Provided by Miquel Torres, Viña Santa Rita, Montes and Master the World
2019 St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc ($24.99)
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery produces 100% estate grown, certified Napa Green wines, focusing on sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, and additional red Bordeaux varietals.
Napa Green is an environmental certification program for vineyards and wineries. This program is one of the most comprehensive environmental accreditations in the wine industry, covering every step from soil to bottle and requiring continuous improvement to maintain their certifications. All of of their land is certified Napa Green.
This St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc is produce from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are estate grown in their Dollarhide Vineyard. The grapes were pressed to tank and immediately chilled and settled prior to fermentation. All fermentation was completed in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to maintain and enhance the natural flavors. The final blend was completed soon thereafter.
This Sauvignon Blanc is pale gold in color with hints of green. It has nice aromas of tropical fruit, grapefruit and lime. On the palate, this wine has delicate tropical fruit flavors, moderate acidity and finishes soft and balanced with a hint of honey. (ABV: 13.5%, Total Acidity: 6.8 g/L, pH: 3.29, Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L)
This is indeed a ‘super’ Sauvignon Blanc from St. Supéry winery. It’s widely available and nicely priced for a quality wine from Napa. That makes it a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2020 Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc ($13.99)
One of the first two wines Ferrari-Carano ever made 40 years ago, this Fumé Blanc is from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in Sonoma County — Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River Valleys.
When the grapes for this wine arrived at the winery, each lot was gently crushed and pressed into stainless steel tanks for 48 hours of cold settling. The juice was either transferred to stainless steel tanks (73%) or older French oak barrels (27%) for fermentation. The wine in barrels were sur lie aged and stirred every other week for two months, then blended and bottled.
This wine is a medium-gold color with pleasant aromas of tropical fruit. On the palate, this is a medium-bodied dry wine with medium-high acidity, flavors of pear, pineapple and grapefruit, and finishes balanced and bright. (ABV: 13.8%, Acidity: 5.6 g/L, pH:3.27)
This Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc is a tasty refresher that is priced nicely and is widely available. A great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week! Cheers!
2022 Daou Chardonnay ($16)
Daniel Daou always had dreams of becoming a winemaker, but as a young man in France, this was completely out of reach. He placed this dream on the back-burner, but the pulse of that dream never truly faded. It was always there in the background, calling to him. To feed that passion, Daniel ravenously studied and collected wines while raising his young family in San Diego. “When I would go to kiss my father goodnight, he was always reading a wine book,” his eldest daughter Katherine fondly recalls. This passion ultimately led him to follow his winemaking dream and discover what is now DAOU Mountain in Paso Robles, California.
This 100% Chardonnay, barrel-aged for five months, with 30% in new French oak, exhibits a deep golden yellow color and light aromas of tropical fruit, vanilla, and floral notes. On the palate, it strikes a balance between a bright, crisp, and fruity Chardonnay from stainless steel tanks and one with heavy oak aging. While it undergoes five months in French oak, pineapple and pear flavors persist, complemented by rich vanilla notes from the new oak.
This Daou Chardonnay is another fantastic wine from Daou. And guess what? It’s super affordable and widely available. That makes it the perfect choice for this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week!
Pick this one up. I'm going back for more! Cheers!