Behind the Cork™ - Sobon Estate Barbera

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!

The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Behind the Cork™ - Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon

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!

Behind the Cork™ - Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Behind the Cork™ - Parallelle 45 Red Blend

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

Behind the Cork™ - Montes Alpha Carmenere

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