Behind the Cork™ - González Byass NOE 30 year Sherry

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González Byass NOE 30 year Sherry ($49.99)

This Sherry is from Jerez de la Frontera in south-western Spain. All true Sherry fortified wine comes from the vineyards around Jerez de la Frontera and the neighboring towns of Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Together they form the three points known as the 'Sherry Triangle.’

This NOE sherry, which has aged for over 30 years, follows a careful winemaking process that results in an impressive showing of the Pedro Ximénez grape.

Antonio Flores, winemaker and master blender at González Byass, is the maker of this sherry.

It has an intense dark brown color, with aromas of figs, coffee and spices. It is very sweet, fresh and has a silky palate.

This is dessert in a glass. Serve this one slightly chilled on its own or with acidic desserts

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

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster on behalf of González Byass

Behind the Cork™ - Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon

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2018 Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon ($33)

Sexy Beast, the 2000 British crime film, earned Ben Kingsley an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a “Sexy Beast” for which this wine is named.

This wine, from the McLaren Vale of South Australia, was crushed into and fermented in open top vessels, with regular pump overs (three times per day during peak fermentation) to extract its color, flavor and tannins. It spent an average of 14 days ‘on skins.’ It was then drained and pressed to tanks and then racked to barrels for oak maturation in 10% new Taransaud French oak with the remainder being aged in one to seven-year-old French oak.

This Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon is deep crimson red in color, has aromas of blue and red currant along with herbal notes of wild herbs. On the palette it’s actually medium in body and has a very jammy finish with some acidity.

This one’s good now and should certainly get better with age. Cheers!

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

Sample Provided by Will Rogers of Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - González Byass Viña AB Sherry

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González Byass Viña AB Sherry ($24.99)

This Sherry is from Jerez de la Frontera in south-western Spain. It is a city of long-standing wine traditions. All true Sherry fortified wine comes from the vineyards around Jerez de la Frontera and the neighboring towns of Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Together these three form the three points known as the 'Sherry Triangle.’

The Spanish Viña means vineyard and AB refers to Andrés Botaina, the original owner of the vineyard that supplied the grapes.

The Palomino grapes destined for Viña AB begin life as Tío Pepe. Following fermentation to between 11% and 12% alcohol the wine is fortified to 15.5% alcohol and then enters the Solera. The unique temperature and humidity in the Jerez cellars, the 15.5% alcohol and an empty space of 100 liters left in the cask create the perfect conditions to form a layer of yeast known as the ́flor ́ on the surface of the wine. This flor is the most important influence on the Fino wine as it protects it from the oxygen and gives it its unique aroma and character.

The wine remains for a minimum of 4 years following the traditional Solera system under the flor. After this time the wine is moved to the Viña AB Solera where it remains for another 8 years.

This Viña AB Sherry is amber in color, with nut and vanilla aromas. On the palate it’s got a big initial flavor that quickly moves to an easy finish with just a bit of saltiness and bitterness.

Serve this one well chilled with most any light fare. Cheers!

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

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster on behalf of González Byass

Behind the Cork™ - Hess Napa Valley Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon

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2017 Hess Napa Valley “Allomi” Cabernet Sauvignon ($32)

This is a repeat to Behind the Cork ™ but one that’s well worth a ‘revisit.’

This 2017 Hess Napa Valley Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Pope Valley in the north-eastern part of Napa. It’s named in honor of the original Spanish land grant in Napa County which the native Patwin people lent their name - Rancho Locoallomia.

On the nose, this Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon yields big fruit aromas of blackberry and boysenberry along with herbal and spice notes. And on the palette, oh my, this one’s amazing! Rich dark fruit flavors of black cherry and black plum, nice tannin, chocolate and a wonderful lingering finish.

This Hess Napa Valley ‘Allomi’ Cabernet Sauvignon is hard to set down. It drinks so smooth and rich. And, at this price for a Napa Cab, it’s an excellent choice! Cheers!

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

Sample Provided by Donna White of Donna White Communications




Behind the Cork™ - Secastilla Granacha

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2014 Secastilla Granacha ($39.99)

The vineyards in the Secastilla Valley lie in the far north-eastern part of Spain, near the border with France. This region provides a Mediterranean micro-climate for growing grapes.

Secastilla is a hidden valley which boasts hundred-year-old Garnacha vines. The name of the valley, Secastilla, refers to the seven castles (Septum Castella) which overlook the valley.

This Secastilla 100% Granacha is produced from very old Granacha vines on a stony hillside more than 2300 feet above sea level.

This Secastilla Granacha’s production included pre-fermentation maceration, lasting three day, then alcoholic fermentation was done slowly and then malolactic fermentation began spontaneously as soon as the wine was run off from the tanks. After another 10 days it was racked off again into new French oak barrels where it spent another 10 months.

This Granacha is ruby red in color with the distinct aroma of cherries. On the palette it is very delicate, low in tannin, some minerality and has nice acidity on the finish.

This Granacha, imported by González Byass USA was a real treat. It is a limited production wine but well worth looking for. Cheers!

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

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster for González Byass