2016 Adelaida ‘Anna’s Estate Vineyard’ Syrah ($36)
Nestled into the rolling foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains near Paso Robles, California, there is an idyllic contemporary winery owned by the Hoffman family and operated by Dr. Stanley Hoffman and his two sons, David and Michael. The vineyards which are 1400-1800 feet above sea level, all produce estate-bottled premium wines.
The story of this uniquely successful operation goes back to 1964 when Dr. Hoffman planted his first French varietals Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon because he had found the climate, terrain, and chalky lime-rich soil of his Central Coast ranch to be comparable to the viticulture regions of France.
This Adelaida Syrah is 100% Syrah that was fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks and aged in French oak (32% new) for 18 months.
It is a deep purple in color with delicate aromas of blackberries and tobacco. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry, plum with some spice and pepper. The oak aging leads to nice vanilla flavors. It has a long finish that is smooth and balanced.
This Adelaida ‘Anna’s Estate Vineyard’ Syrah is a terrific wine that is affordable and obtainable. That makes it a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2021 Marqués De Cáceres Crianza ($13.99)
Enrique Forner founded the Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres winery in Spain in 1970. Don Vicente Noguera, the 7th Marquis of Cáceres (granted by the King of Spain) and a Grandee of Spain (a high-ranking nobleman of the highest rank in Spain), was a childhood friend of Forner and business partner who gave the winery his name. They had a special relationship that was forged when they were children and lasted until their final days.
Today, Juan Noguera, Vicente’s son, preserves the title of Marquis of Cáceres and has retained a direct personal relationship with the Forner family.
This Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza is made from Tempranillo with some small amounts of Garnacha, Tinta and Graciano. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel. Maceration with the skins lasts up to 20 days in order to extract color, aromas and structure. Malolactic conversion occurred in new oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged for 12 months in French oak (60%) and American oak (40%). The barrels consisted of 25% new oak, 25% oak used for two vintages and the other 50% in oak barrels that were used for a maximum of 3-4 vintages.
This Marqués de Cáceres Crianza is medium ruby in color with aromas of cherry and fig with hints of tobacco. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of cherry and red plum with medium tannin and acidity. It finishes lean and smooth with a hint of oak.
This is a really nice wine that’s easy to sip by itself but also pairs well with dishes with tomato-based sauces, stews, steak, grilled vegetables, barbecued chicken, smoked dishes, peppers. It’s a great value too! This makes the Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 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, Imported by Vineyards Brands
2020 Michele Chiarlo Le Orme Barbera D’Asti ($12)
Since 1956, Michele Chiarlo has been vinifying the essence of Piedmont, loving and developing the most incredible wine region in the world. They cultivate 110 hectares of vineyards between the Langhe, Monferrato, and Gavi areas, within them the finest crus while fully respecting the ecological criteria, terroir, and their expression.
This 100% Barbera is from several vineyards south of the Asti Hills in Piedmont, Italy. It was fermented in steel tanks with 10 days of maceration with skins while undergoing pumpovers. Malolactic conversion also occurred in steel. It was then aged for a minimum of one year with three months in French oak casks.
This Le Orme (the footsteps or the legacy) Barbera D’Asti DOCG is medium ruby in color with a nice aroma of red fruit. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has flavors of red cherry and blackberry with herbal and peppery notes. Barbera is typically higher in acidity and this one is medium-high with medium tannin. It finishes bright and spicy with good fruit flavor.
If you haven’t tried a Barbera, you’re missing out. And this Barbera D’Asti is a good one at a great price. That makes it a great fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2020 Fiuza 3 Castas Reserva ($8.66)
This wine is from Tejo, a historic wine region in central Portugal, inland from Lisbon, and known for its diverse terroirs shaped by the Tejo River, which divides it into the Bairro, Campo, and Charneca zones. The region, formerly known as Ribatejo, produces affordable high-quality red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines from both indigenous Portuguese grapes and international varieties.
Fiuza 3 Castas Reserva is produced from three grape varieties (hence the name, 3 Castas) including 34% Touriga National, 33% Alicante Bouschet and 33% Sousão (aka Vinhao). It was partially aged in French oak.
This wine is medium purple in color with very delicate aromas of blackberries and plum with hints of spice. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has flavors of black fruit and candied cherry (from the Alicante Bouschet) along with blueberry (from the Touriga Nacional) and medium-high acidity from the Sousão. It finishes smooth and fruity with just a hint of sweetness.
This Fiuza 3 Costas Reserva is a very nice wine at a great price, making it a great fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2016 Finca Los Principes Rioja Gran Reserva ($19.99)
Finca “Los Principes” (The Princes) is a wine from the Spanish wine region of Rioja.
This wine is made from grapes grown in a historic vineyard in the foothills of the Cantabria Mountains that stretch across northern Spain. The winery has six generations of winemaking experience.
This Rioja wine is produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes. Per the standards for a “Gran Reserva,” it was required to undergo a minimum of five years of aging, with at least two of those years in oak barrels.
This Finca Los Principes Rioja Gran Reserva is a medium ruby red in color with big aromas of red fruit, oak and herbal notes including tobacco. On the palate, this is a medium-full bodied wine with nice flavors of red cherry, black cherry and fig. The oak aging leads to some subtle flavor of cocoa. This wine is medium-high in tannin and acidity and finishes a bit spicy with an every so slight tartness.
Gran Reserva wines from Rioja can be extraordinary. And, this Finca Los Principes is indeed. And, at this price, is a terrific fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2023 Puerta de Plata ($7.99)
Puerta de Plata (i.e., Silver Door) wine is produced in Spain and bottled by Terra Cellars.
It is made from 60% Tempranillo and 40% Garnacha. A bit of on-line searching seems to indicate this wine was aged for 12 months in American and French oak.
This wine is medium ruby red in color with a nice aroma of cherry, along with herbal notes and some hints of its oak aging. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has flavors of cherry (from the Tempranillo) and blackberry (from the Garacha). It has medium tannin and medium acidity that leads to a lightly spicy and slightly jammy finish.
It’s hard to beat this Puerta de Plata wine for its nice flavor and value. This makes it a great fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2017 Ramey Claret ($39.98)
David and Carla Ramey founded their winery in 1996 and forged a new California winemaking style that paired old-world techniques with the premier fruit of Sonoma and Napa.
The Ramey family has long excelled at collaborating with other multigenerational winegrowers to make single vineyard wines as well as blends that showcase the defining characteristics of their sites. The second generation, Claire and Alan Ramey, began working at the winery in 2013.
As described in the previous blog, a Claret wine is a red wine blend. And, this Claret is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 14% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Syrah and 2% Cabernet Franc - a classic Bordeaux blend. The grapes were sourced from Napa Valley, High Valley, Alexander Valley, the Russian River Valley and Sonoma County.
After fermentation, the wine underwent Malolactic conversion in the barrel, and the wines were blended. The blend rested on its lees for twelve months in French & American oak barrels (24% new), with monthly bâtonnage.
This Ramey Claret is deep purple in color with rich aromas of black cherries, cedar, bay leaves, tobacco and chocolate. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has wonderful deep dark fruit flavors, smooth tannins, balanced acidity and finishes long and smooth.
This 2017 Ramey Claret is a really terrific wine and an exceptional value. A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2018 Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja ($8)
D.O. 5 Hispanobodegas is a group of wineries which produces and distributes quality wines from the most emblematic Officially Certified Wine growing Regions of Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rueda.
Their group is made up of a set of three wineries: Bodegas Valdelacierva (Rioja), Viñedos y Bodegas Gormaz (Ribera del Duero) and Bodegas GarciGrande (Rueda).
Their wines are based on the rigorous control of the production processes, from the raw material until it is in the hands of the consumer as well as in the continuous improvement of the vinification and aging processes. To this end, they have the most stringent quality and food safety certifications (ISO, BRC, IFS) in each of their group’s wineries.
This Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja was bottled for D.O. 5 Hispanobodegas. It is produced from 50+ year old Tempranillo vines that are grown at at altitude of nearly 1500 feet. After fermentation, it is aged 24 months in French and American 225 liter oak barrels followed by 12 months in the bottle before being shipped.
The wine is a beautiful medium purple in color with aromas of red and black cherry, fig and plum. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of red and black cherry, medium tannin, medium-high acidity and has a spicy finish with very a subtle hint of tartness.
Finding a 2018 wine under $10 is fantastic. And, it tastes great too! This make the Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2021 A to Z Engraved Proprietary Red Blend ($10)
A to Z Wineworks is owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), a Washington-based wine company. SMWE acquired A to Z Wineworks, including its Rex Hill subsidiary and winery facility, in September 2022.
A to Z Engraved Red Blend is a proprietary blend of grapes. Although A to Z was Oregon-based before the Washing-based Ste. Michelle acquired them, it’s unclear where the grapes for this red blend were grown - the label simply says “American.”
A bit of on-line searching seems to indicate that this wine has its foundation built on Syrah.
It is deep purple in color with very light aromas of dark fruit and tobacco. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has flavors of black plum and black cherry, moderate tannin and balanced acidity. It finishes lean with just a hint of fruity sweetness on the finish. [ABV: 13.9%]
This A to Z Engraved Red Proprietary Red Blend is tasty, having received a 91 point rating from Wine Enthusiast. And, at this price, is a great fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2016 Foley Sonoma Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($55)
Foley Sonoma was founded in 2016 in Alexander Valley, part of the Sonoma Valley, CA.
Their winemaking philosophy is about pure varietal expression which produces award-winning, balanced wines rich in fruit and deep in character.
They produce 4,000 to 6,000 cases annually.
This Foley Sonoma Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is deep purple in color. On the nose it has rich aromas of blackberry, black plum, currant and oak. On the palate, this is a full-bodied wine with soft tannins and balanced acidity. It has rich, dark fruit flavors and has a long finish that is extremely soft and smooth.
This Foley Sonoma Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a gem. And, for a Alexander Valley Cab of this quality, it’s a bargain! If you love a big, rich Cab, this one’s for you. A great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2023 Barboursville Vineyards Vermentino Reserve ($23)
Earlier this year, a qualified team of judges sampled over 620 of the best Virginia wines, ciders and meads from across the Commonwealth. Over the past several weeks, I’ve featured the wines that comprised the winning case. Now we come to the wine with the highest overall score thus the one taking home the coveted Governor's Cup - Barboursville Vineyards Vermentino Reserve.
If you are not familiar with Vermentino, it’s a wine of medium lightness of body, that’s in between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
This wine was produced from 100% Vermentino that was fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic conversion and then aged for 7 to 8 months, on lees, again in stainless steel.
The Barboursville Vineyards Vermentino Reserve is a pale gold in color with aromas of lemon and pear. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has nice bright acidity along with some minerality and a touch of saline. It finishes long, soft and smooth. [ABV: 13%, TA: 6.1 g/L, pH: 3.46, RS: 0.1%]
No where else will you find a grand-champion wine like this Barboursville Vineyards Vermentino Reserve at this price. And, at last check, it’s still available on-line. This is great winner featured 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
2023 Winery at La Grange Petit Menseng ($39)
The site of this winery is rich in history. It was originally carved out of Robert “King” Carter’s Bull Run Tract in the 1600s and later became known as La Grange. The Winery at La Grange was established in 2011 with the vineyard spanning 1.25 acres, with occasional supplementation from Round Hill, VA.
Winemaker Seth Chambers holds degrees in Organic Chemistry and Plant Biology from Penn State University. He then earned an Enology Certification from WSU and now has 19 years of winemaking experience.
This Petit Manseng comes from Catherine's Vineyard in Haymarket, VA (Prince William County) where it is grown at an elevation of 550 feet. It is produced from 100% Petit Menseng that was aged on-lees, in neutral French oak. [ABV: 13.6%, TA: N/R, pH: 3.2, RS: 0 g/L]
Winery at La Grange Petit Menseng is medium gold in color with delicate aromas of pineapple and spice. On the palate, it has flavors of pineapple and apricot and bold acidity to counter the natural sweet flavor of Petit Menseng. It finishes sweet, tart and bright.
This Winery at La Grange Petit Menseng is another winning wine, at a great price, that fits right in 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 Winery at La Grange, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
2023 Valley Road Vineyards Petit Manseng ($29.95)
Organized in 2015, Valley Road Vineyards was conceived by a group of friends who brought talents from successful careers in law, advertising, insurance, real estate development, and writing, among others. With their mutual love of Virginia and a shared desire to support the emerging Virginia wine industry, they thought a vineyard and tasting room operation in the heart of the Monticello American Viticulture Area (AVA) would be a good choice for their next chapter together.
It seems to have worked out quite well! Their first-ever vintage of single-varietal Petit Manseng was a top winner in the Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup and included in the winning case!
This Valley Road Petit Manseng was produced from 100% Petit Manseng grapes sourced from their Mountain Glen Vineyard in Lovingston, Virginia. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed and fermented in neutral oak barrels.
Valley Road Petit Manseng is a beautiful gold color with aromas of honey and tropical fruit. On the palate, it has classic sweetness of Petit Manseng, flavors of apricot, mango and honey, along with bright acidity to balance the sweetness. [ABV: 13.5. TA: 7.84 g/L, pH: 3.25, Residual Sugar: 2.2%]
Petit Manseng is widely recognized as a sweet wine from France but, while this wine can be used as a dessert wine, it also goes wonderfully with appetizers or light entries. If you like sweet wines you are going to love this one!
This Valley Road Petit Manseng is a winning wine, at a very affordable price, that fits right in 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 Valley Road Vineyards, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
2023 Veritas Vineyards Monticello White Blend ($35)
Veritas Winery was started by Andrew and Patricia Hodson in 1999. Born out of their love of wine and commitment to producing quality wine, Veritas has grown into a 20-year-old family business that is on the leading edge of the Virginia wine industry.
With over 50 acres in the Monticello wine region, and producing a complex portfolio of wine ranging from sparkling to beautifully balanced red wines, Veritas wine quality starts in the vineyard, and the terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Winemaker Emily Hodson, daughter of Andrew and Patricia, has been the winemaker at Veritas for over 15 harvests.
This Veritas Vineyards Monticello White Blend is produced from 50% Chardonnay, 22% Viognier, 17% Sauvignon Blanc and 11% Petit Manseng. Fermentation took place in 30% stainless steel and 70% oak. The wine was aged for 10 months in a combination of 11% new oak, 56% two-year oak, and 33% neutral oak.
The wine is a beautiful medium gold color with aromas of melon, apple, pineapple and spice On the palate, this medium-light bodied wine has flavors of melon, guava and peach with subtle hint of flavor from the oak aging. It finishes soft and smooth with just a touch of acidity at the end.
Winemaker Emily Hodson said that she worked long and hard on this blend and finally got it “just right” on the sixth try. I have to agree! This Monticello White Blend is terrific! And obvious why it was a winner in the Virginia Governor’s Cup. A great wine at a super affordable price 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 Veritas Vineyard and Winery, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
2023 DuCard Vineyards Vintner Reserve Cabernet Franc ($60)
DuCard Vineyards has been growing grapes for nearly two decades at their property, nestled at the eastern edge of the Shenandoah National Park in the shadow of Old Rag Mountain and White Oak Canyon.
DuCard Vineyard wines are handmade using traditional methods, in their on-site winery, from grapes grown by them at their three local Madison County vineyard sites.
While this level of authenticity was the norm 10 to 20 years ago as the Virginia wine industry was just getting started, it is less common now. But DuCard considers it extremely important for producing high quality wines that express a sense of ‘place’ or local terroir.
Winemaker Julien Durantie was born in the Bordeaux wine region and spent his formative years working on his family’s vineyard in Entre-deux-Mers, as well as at other renowned estates, including Château Macchore and Châteaude Cappes. He’s been with DuCard since 2007.
This DuCard Vintner Reserve Cabernet Franc is produced from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes that are lightly crushed, cold-soaked overnight and fermented in an open fermenter with two punchdowns and one pumpover each day. Fermentation lasts 21 days before being barreled and aged in 3-4 year old French oak for nine months.
The DuCard Cabernet Franc is medium purple in color with a good nose of black fruit and some earthiness. It is medium-full bodied with medium acidity and tannin, great black fruit flavors along with the classic peppercorn flavors of Cab Franc, and a smooth and balanced finish. [ABV: 13%, TA: 5.5 g/L, pH:3.9, Residual Sugar: <0.1%]
DuCard Vintner Reserve Cabernet Franc is another winner of the Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup and included in the winner’s case. It’s a really nice wine that fits right in 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 DuCard Vineyards, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
2023 Potomac Point Winery Albariño ($35)
When Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard was founded in 2007, Skip & Cindi Causey set out to make exceptional wine complete with an immersive experience rich in European ambiance and Virginia hill-side beauty.
Skip Causey and Jordan Cleary make up the wine making team. Skip spent 20 years training with three esteemed European winemakers at the winery, adopting their European approach to crafting wines that showcase their grapes. Skip is now passing the torch to Jordan, who has worked alongside him for 13 years.
This Potomac Point Albariño is produced from 95% Albariño and 5% Viognier. It undergoes a two-week fermentation, followed by the addition of a fining agent. It then settles and ages sur lie in stainless steel tanks for four months before bottling.
This Albariño is medium yellow in color with a delicate aroma baked apple with floral notes. On the Palate, it is medium-light bodied with nice apple and pear flavors, medium acidity and a soft, balanced finish. [ABV: 13.9%, TA: 7.3 g/L, pH: 3.33, RS: 0%]
This Potomac Point Albariño is another winner of the Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup and included in the winner’s case. It’s a terrific wine at a great price 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 Potomac Point Winery, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications
2022 Michael Shaps Wild Meadow Chardonnay ($28)
Nestled in the woods just south of Charlottesville, Michael Shaps Winery blends Old World tradition with Virginia terroir. Founded in 2007 by acclaimed winemaker Michael Shaps, the winery is known for producing small-batch, age-worthy wines.
Produced in the Burgundian style, this 100% Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed and fermented in oak barrels (50% new) with ambient (wild) yeast. This resulted in a prolonged fermentation and full malolactic conversion. It was then followed by 15 months of aging on primary lees.
This Michael Shaps Wild Meadow Chardonnay is medium gold in color with a very delicate aroma of pear. On the palate, this Chardonnay is fresh and bright. Its rather high acidity of 6.15 g/L is somewhat offset by the oak aging, having undergone full Malolactic conversion and the reported 0% residual sugar. These factors yield a Burgundy-like Chardonnay, that is fresh and bright. [ABV: 13%, TA: 6.15 g/L, pH: 3.2, RS: 0%]
This is yet another winner and, at this price, 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 Michael Shaps Winery, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications