2021 Trujillo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($96)

Michael Trujillo arrived in Napa Valley in 1982 from his family’s farm in Colorado. He grew up helping his father year-round in the fields, and learned early on about how soil, climate, pests and critters affect living, growing plants.

After three decades of winemaking experience in all aspects of the business—from vineyard cultivation and irrigation digging, to cooperage selection and blending—Michael Trujillo is proud to offer his own namesake Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine is a realization of his lifelong passion for crafting red wine, an expression of all that he’s learned and deeply values about winemaking in the Napa Valley.

This wine is produced from 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, all of which are from the Napa Valley. It was aged 22 months in French Oak (82% new barrels).

Trujillo Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is deep, dark and dense in its color. On the nose it has dark fruit aromas of black cherry, currant, and a hint of plum, along with cedar and cigar box. On the palate, it starts bold and then yields a smooth richness with flavors of black cherry, currant, and dark chocolate that culminate in a lengthy finish. [ABV: 14.6%, TA: 5.6 g/L, pH: 3.71, RS: 0.4 g/L]. Cases Produced = 582

Trujillo Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa is truly amazing! And, a real treat for your palate. That makes it an easy selection 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. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Trujillo Wines

2022 Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir ($22)

Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir is blended from some of the region’s top vineyards. The Rochioli and Bacigalupi vineyards are in the Middle Reach subdivision, where close proximity to the river awards foggy mornings, warm and sunny days, and cool nights. The Toboni vineyard is in the Santa Rosa Plain, a distinctly cooler and foggier sub-region, while the Hallberg and McDonald Mountain Vineyards, located within the Green Valley and Sebastopol Hills neighborhoods, exhibits even more extreme cool climate conditions.

This wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes that are hand sorted. Some of the grapes were de-stemmed and then transferred to small, open-top tanks where a small percentage of whole cluster fruit was added. It underwent malolactic conversion and was aged in 35% new French oak barrels for nine months on primary lees.

Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir is a medium ruby red in color with nice, bright red fruit aromas. On the palate, this medium-bodied Pinot Noir has flavors of sour cherry and cranberry.

Gary Farrell is a top Russian River producer of Pinot Noir. And, at this price, an amazing value. A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2016 Olarra Classico Gran Reserva Rioja ($30)

Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva 2016 is a well-regarded Spanish red wine from the Rioja region of Spain.

With a history dating back 50 years, Bodegas Olarra base their wines on the ideal selection of the raw material, on the traditional winemaking methods which have been adapted to modern times and the evolution of their wines to the tastes of the consumer.

The third generation of the Bodegas Olarra family is made up of three committed young winemakers who are totally wrapped up in the production of great Rioja wines — Pedro Limousin Ucín, Marcial Zapke Ucín and Luis Limousin Ucín.

This Gran Reserva (meaning it spent a minimum of 2 years in oak and minimum of 3 years in the bottle) is produced from 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Granacha and 5% Graciano. At it’s 9-year mark, it’s definitely showing its age with its tawny color. On the nose, there is black fruit and sweet tobacco. On the palate, it has flavors of black cherry and fig. It finishes spicy and nutty (from aging oxidation).

This 2016 Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva Rioja may be at its peak after nine-plus years. So, if you get an opportunity to try it, it’s well worth the experience. It’s this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2023 St. Francis Sonoma County Pinot Noir ($25.99)

The fruit for this wine was sourced from multiple vineyards in the Sonoma Coast region.

This Pinot was fermented using a combination of techniques, fusing both old and new world styles of Pinot Noir winemaking. Each vineyard lot of 100% Pinot Noir underwent a 14-day fermentation, with an extended maceration for up to 30 more days to allow flavor and texture to harmonize. The wine was then racked off into French oak barrels, where it underwent malolactic conversion, before it was blended and bottled.

St. Francis Sonoma County Pinot Noir is medium ruby in color with aromas of red berries including raspberry. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has the classic Pinot Noir flavors of tart cherry and cranberry, medium tannin and medium acidity. It finishes light with just a touch of tartness.

This 2023 St. Francis Sonoma County Pinot Noir is an excellent example of the Pinots produced in Sonoma County yet at a fraction of the cost. This is great tasting and a super value. 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. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by St. Francis Winery via Kobrand Wine and Spirits

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2022 Montes Alpha Carmenère ($24.99)

Montes — officially Viña Montes — was founded in 1987 by four partners with extensive experience in winemaking and viticulture: Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand. Their founding goal was bold and transformative: to craft premium-quality wines at a time when Chile was largely known for high-volume, inexpensive wine production rather than world-class bottles.

Montes didn’t just make great wine — it rewrote the story of Chilean viticulture. By insisting on premium quality, exploring new terroirs, innovating in both vineyard and cellar practices, and maintaining a deeply Chilean identity without reliance on foreign investment, Montes helped elevate the reputation of an entire nation’s wine industry.

This Montes Alpha Carmenère is produced from 90% Carmenère and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that were macerated for 5 days after which selected yeasts were added and fermentation lasted 7-10 days. It then underwent malolactic conversion. Some of the wine was then transferred to French oak barrels where it aged for 12 months while the remaining wine was transferred to concrete tanks.

Montes Alpha Carmenère is deep ruby red in color with delicate aromas of both red and black fruit. On the palate this wine is full-bodied with rich flavors of blackberry, blueberry, fig and plums. Its tannins and acidity are well balanced. This wine finishes spicy with a hint of chocolate from its oak aging.

This 2022 Montes Alpha Carmenère is an excellent example of the wines coming out of Chile. It’s great tasting and a super value. 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. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Montes Winery via Kobrand Wine and Spirits

2023 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ($15.99)

Parallèle 45 is named after the earth’s 45th parallel, a famous circle of latitude that marks the midpoint between the equator and the North Pole. It also passes over the cellars of Paul Jaboulet Aîné in France.

Founded in 1834 on the hill of l’Hermitage in Tain l’Hermitage, the Paul Jaboulet Aîné house oversees an exceptional heritage that brings together the most famous terroirs of the northern Rhone valley and produces quintessential great wines.

While Côtes-du-Rhône in France is renowned for their Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre (GSM) blend, Parallèle 45 puts their twist on this by producing their sustainably grown blend of 53% Grenache, 41% Syrah, 3% Marselan and 3% Carignan.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge is deep garnet in color with delicate aromas of raspberry and red cherry. On the palate, this is a medium-full bodied wine with red fruit flavors, medium tannin, medium-high acidity. It finishes light with just a hint of sweetness.

This Parallèle 45 is a delightful red blend that that can be enjoyed with light fare. It’s a great wine at a great price making it a super 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. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Parallèle 45 via Kobrand Wine and Spirits

2023 Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.99)

Bezel is a new wine adventure from the famed Cakebread Family of wines.

Since 1973, they have made wine in Napa Valley at Cakebread Cellars in Rutherford, California. But with Bezel, they are breaking out of Napa to find the hidden gems of California wine country in the Central Coast.

In this case, the Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon is from Paso Robles. It was produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It spent 14 months in French oak.

Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon is deep purple in color with aromas of black cherry and plum with a bit of spiciness. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has nice flavors of red and black fruit with distinct boysenberry notes. The tannins and acidity are balanced and it finishes with just a hint of tartness. (wine was decanted for ~1 hour before tasting)

Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon is part of the great Cakebread family of wines. It tastes great, is very affordable and widely available. A perfect fit for the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Bezel Winery via Kobrand Wine and Spirits

2021 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.99)

When Chateau Ste. Michelle was founded in 1967, many believed great wine could only come from Italy or California. Their founders set out to prove otherwise—and in doing so, established Washington’s first premium winery.

From the beginning, Chateau Ste. Michelle helped put Washington State on the global map through terroir-driven winemaking, innovation, and award-winning craftsmanship.

Today, it remains the most iconic winery in Washington and a leader in shaping the future of American wine.

This 2021 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Syrah that was aged for approximately 19 months in a mix of French and American oak barrels.

This Cabernet is deep purple in color with subtle aromas of black fruit and herbs. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of black cherry, black berry and plum jam. It has medium tannins and acidity (ABV=14.5%). It finishes with some herbal and peppery notes.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon is a nice one that’s affordable and widely available. A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2020 Sobon Estate Amador County Barbera ($17)

Shenandoah Vineyards in Plymouth, CA, was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. They moved from Los Altos, California, where Leon was a Senior Scientist with the Lockheed Research Lab. Leon's gift for home winemaking led him to leave Lockheed and begin a new career as a Winemaker.

The selection of a winery site in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County was well researched. Leon and Shirley and their six children moved to the old Steiner Ranch, outside Plymouth, CA, planted a vineyard, and converted the old stone garage to the Shenandoah Vineyards winery.

This Sobon Barbera from Amador County is one of the best! It is deep purple in color with aromas of black fruit and herbs. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has bright fruit flavors of blueberry, boysenberry and cherries. The tannins on this Barbera are moderate and the acidity is high - a classic Barbera trait (TA: 6.2 g/L).

Sobon Estate Amador County Barbera is an excellent wine at a fantastic price. And, widely available too! A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2023 Carneros Creek Reserve Chardonnay ($29.95)

Carneros Creek Winery (now a brand under Carneros Wine Company) was originally founded by Francis Mahoney in 1972. While the physical winery was sold to Michael Mondavi in 2006, the Mahoney family has retained the brand names.

This Carneros Creek Chardonnay was aged six months in 25% new French oak and 5% Acacia wood. Acacia’s influence is primarily textural and aromatic. It is said to allow the primary fruit flavors to remain the "star." But another "unusual" side effect of Acacia is that it can impart a vivid golden-yellow tint to the wine, making the Chardonnay look slightly more concentrated.

This Chardonnay is indeed a bright golden color and has aromas of tropical fruits and pear, with subtle floral notes. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has tropical fruit flavors including nectarine, citrus and green apple. It did not undergo Malolactic Conversion in order to retain the naturally high acidity. It finishes crisp and bright. [ABV: 13.5%, pH:3.5, TA: 5.2 g/L]

Carneros Creek Reserve Chardonnay is a refreshing wine that’s widely available and reasonable price. A great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2018 Rombauer Zinfandel ($42)

Koerner and Joan Rombauer established Rombauer Vineyards in 1980, and in 1984 they released their first California-style Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. One interesting note about the Rombauer family is that Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer wrote the internationally renowned cookbook, The Joy of Cooking.

This Zinfandel is a blend of 93% Zinfandel and 7% Petite Sirah. The grapes were sourced from El Dorado (42%), Amador County (32%), Lake County (17%), Napa (6%), and Lodi (3%). They were hand-picked and sorted. The wine making process included a cold soak for color extraction followed by fermentation in tanks and finishing for 16 months in a combination of French and American oak (10% new American oak).

This 2018 Rombauer Zinfandel is deep ruby in color with aromas of black fruit and spices. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has rich, jammy dark fruit flavors of blackberry and boysenberry with notes of vanilla from the oak aging. It finishes smooth with just a hint of sweet flavors.

The 2018 Rombauer Zinfandel is a really nice wine that is widely available and affordable. A great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2021 Frei Brother Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($16)

Frei Brothers has been a part of Sonoma County for over a century. After coming to California from his native Switzerland, founder Andrew Frei first established vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley in 1890. His two sons, Walter and Louis, eventually took over and adopted the name Frei Brothers. They successfully ran the winery for over 70 years.

Frei Brothers vineyards caught the eye of Julio Gallo soon after the repeal of Prohibition. He began using the site as a vineyard source for the rapidly growing E. & J. Gallo Winery. Once Walter and Louis had both retired in the late 1970s, the Gallo family purchased Frei Ranch.

This Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma. It is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon although some technical listings suggest it is may include small amounts of Merlot and Petite Sirah. It is deep purple in color with subtle aromas of dark fruit. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has medium-high tannin (give it some time in a decanter before serving), and medium-high acidity. There are notes of blackberry and plum. It finishes lean.

The 2021 Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available and very well priced for a Cabernet from Alexander Valley. That makes it a nice fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2020 Señorio de Odon Crianza ($6.99)

In Spanish wine, Crianza is a regulated aging classification that literally translates to "breeding" or "nurturing". It is the second tier of aged wine in Spain's quality system, sitting between young, un-aged wines (Joven) and more heavily aged wines (Reserva and Gran Reserva).

Crianza wines must have been aged a minimum of 24 months with at least one year of barrel aging followed by bottle aging.

This Crianza is produced by the family-owned Bodegas Leza García. It is 100% Tempranillo from the Rioja Alta region of Spain.

Señorio de Odon is deep ruby red in color with the classic Tempranillo aromas of cherry and spices. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of black cherry, fig and plum. It has medium-high tannin and acidity. It finishes lean with a bit of tannin and tartness.

The 2020 Señorio de Odon is widely available at Trader Joe’s and an excellent value. That makes it a nice fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2020 Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.99)

Barkan Vineyards is located a half-hour driving distance from both Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel. And, yes, it’s a Kosher wine. But not just a Kosher wine, a really good Kosher wine!

Barkan Platinum is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are grown in the Upper Galilee. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is aged for 18 months in “phenomenal” French oak barrels that provided unique characteristics to the wine.

Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby in color with a nice aroma of dark fruit and spices. On the palate, this wine is rich in dark fruit flavors. The oak and bottle aging has smoothed out the tannin for a soft mouthfeel. It finishes rich and soft.

If you’re looking for a really good Cab, that just happens to be Kosher, look no further. Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon is a great wine at a tremendous prices. That’s a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon ($22)

Paso D'Oro is a winery venture by the Terlato Wine Group that focuses on producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon from the Paso Robles region in California. The name translates to "Way of Gold," paying tribute to the golden California sunshine and the "golden path" taken by the winemaker's family.

The wines are crafted by Laura Orozco, who was appointed as the winemaker for this venture in 2022 after her successful tenure at Napa's Chimney Rock.

The grapes for this wine are from four different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Paso Robles including the Estrella District, San Juan Creek District, Geneseo District and the Highlands District. Each block has a different elevation, soil type, row direction, clone and rootstock.

Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Sirah and 4% Alicante Bouschet. Each individual vineyard block was fermented individually using several different yeast strains. It was aged 8 months in 25% new barrels.

This wine is deep ruby in color with wonderful aromas of black fruit. On the palate, this Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon has rich dark fruit flavors as well as vanilla and caramel from the oak aging. The tannins are medium-high (decant for 30-60 minutes) and the acidity is medium. It finishes with rich dark-fruit flavors.

Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific wine that’s attainable at a really great price. That makes it a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2019 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Mountain Cuvée ($18)

For six generations and over 160 years, the Bundschu family has farmed the Rhinefarm estate vineyard at the crossroads of the Sonoma Valley, Carneros and Napa Valley appellations.

Mountain Cuvée honors the Bordeaux blends of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Gundlach Bundschu sources it grapes from vineyards up against the Mayacamas Mountain range.

For the Merlot, they seek grapes that ripen well and have an expressive personality and consistency. Then they look for the Cabernet Sauvignon to provide a darkness to the wine. They source the fruit from only two growers within 2 miles of their estate to create the Cuvée, or blend.

During the winemaking process, they blend vineyard blocks together, evaluate and then create an appropriate oak-aging program, averaging 14 months in duration, primarily in French oak.

This Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée is deep purple in color with soft aromas of deep black fruit, herbal hints and a touch of caramel from the oak aging. On the palate, this full-bodied wine is rich with black fruit flavors, including plum, with coco and coffee notes from the oak. It finishes balanced, soft and smooth.

This is yet again a wine that I wish I’d picked up more than one! It’s a delicious blend that’s affordable and attainable. That make’s it a perfect fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

2016 Easton Zinfandel ($18)

Easton Wines was founded in the late 80s by husband and wife team Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan.

Bill puts his family name, EASTON, on their non-Rhône varietal wines. The wines are crafted from varietals that have traditionally worked the best in Amador County and the Sierra Foothills.

This wine was produced from 100% Zinfandel vines grown in Amador County that are from 20-80 years old. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and was aged for 11 months in 10% new French oak barrels.

Easton’s Zinfandel style typically emphasizes acidity and spice over "jamminess." This wine has been described as having aromas of blackberry, raspberry and black pepper. Unfortunately, although this 2016 vintage bottle has been stored in a wine refrigerator in a darkened room, it showed some definite garnet color and muted fruit flavors - signs of premature oxidation. It seems that this bottle moved past its "secondary" stage of aging and went straight into "tertiary" phase (dried leaf, leather, earth) much faster than I expected. It should hold up for 10 to 15 years.

So, while this bottle didn’t hold up well, I still believe that Amador County produces great wines, Zinfandel and Barbera especially. So, I’ll be giving Easton Wines another try real soon. Cheers.