Behind the Cork™ - Trujillo Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Behind the Cork™ - Frank Family Napa Zinfandel

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! 

Behind the Cork™ - Trujillo Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

2021 Trujillo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($96)

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

It 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 sweet herbs. 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

2021 Trujillo Gary Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Check with Winery for Price & Availability)

The Gary Morisoli Vineyard is located near the western foothills of the Rutherford AVA and centered within the infamous Rutherford Bench. Year after year this amazing vineyard has consistently produced incredible Cabernet worthy of a Reserve bottling. This wine is 100% Napa Valley, Rutherford AVA, from the Gary Morisoli Vineyard. It was aged for 22 months in 100% French Oak (85% new barrels).

It has aromas of dark fruits, black cherry, and cassis with a vanilla notes and subtle hints of sweet tobacco. On the palate it is rich and bold with flavors of dark chocolate cherry, and currants. The tannins are very well balanced with the acidity. [ABV: 14.7%, TA:5.8 g/L, pH: 3.72, RS:0.6 g/L]. Cases Produced = 168

These two Trujillo Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa are truly amazing! And, a real treat for your palate. That makes them an easy selection as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week! 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 Trujillo Wines

Behind the Cork™ - Ultraviolet Sparkling Rosé

Ultraviolet Sparkling Rosé ($24.99)

This Ultraviolet sparkling rosé is from Poe Wines, in Napa, which was founded by Samantha Sheehan in 2009 after being inspired by the wines she tasted in Burgundy and Champagne. Their goal “is not to replicate Burgundy, but rather create alluring, vineyard specific, age-worthy wines revealing the beautiful terroir of California. There is minimal intervention, judicious use of sulfur, and never any additives.”

This sparkling Rosé is made from Pinot Noir grown at Manchester Ridge vineyard in Mendocino Ridge - 2000' above Anderson Valley. It is made in the Charmat method by allowing the still Rosé to ferment a second time in a closed pressurized tank for the bubbles to form.

This Ultraviolet sparkling rosé is a beautiful salmon color with a very delicate nose. On the palate it has wonderful flavors of raspberries and strawberries with a slight citrus note. It has a light sparkle from the fine bubbles, refreshing acidity and a hint of minerality on the finish.

This is a really nice dry sparkling rosé that’s a great fit for Behind the Cork™. Cheers!

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

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster 401 West Communications, STOMPY and Poe Wines

Behind the Cork™ - Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Sinegal Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($79)

I recently had the opportunity to share a bottle of Sinegal Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. And, Wow, this one is amazing! Even at it’s young age.

Sinegal Estate is a family-owned winery in Napa that is situated on a 30-acre property. The winery was originally known as the Inglewood Estate in the late 1800s. The Sinegal family purchased the property in 2013 and fully renovated it.

This 2018 Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon is actually a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot.

It was fermented in 90% stainless steel and 10% oak tanks then aged for 20 months in 85% new French oak barrels. And, this new oak helped create this terrific wine.

This Cab is inky deep dark purple in color with rich dark fruit aromas. On the palate it has concentrated flavors of black cherry, dark red fruit and dark chocolate. The tannin in this wine is moderate and finishes beautifully.

This 2018 Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon is a splurge treat that’s well worth it! Cheers!