Behind the Cork™ - Rombauer Zinfandel

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!

The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Behind the Cork™ - Carneros Creek Reserve Chardonnay

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!

The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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