Behind the Cork™ - Adelaida Anna's Estate Vineyard Syrah

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!

Behind the Cork™ - Marques De Cacres Crianza

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!

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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

Behind the Cork™ - Le Orme Barbera D' Asti

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!

Behind the Cork™ - Fiuza 3 Castas Reserva

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!

Behind the Cork™ - Finca Los Principes Rioja Gran Reserva

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!