Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Cali's Cuvée Pinot Noir

IMG_0244.jpeg

2017 Left Coast Estate Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir ($24)

This Cali’s Cuvée from Left Coast Estate is their flagship Pinot Noir.

Named for the owner’s daughter, this wine is 100% Pinot Noir. It’s fermented in 100% Stainless Steel and then aged for eight months in 100% French oak, 15% of which is New French Oak.

Winemaker Joe Wright states “Expressive black cherry, black tea, and forest floor aromas expose a polished and poised dark raspberry, bitter chocolate and spice flavors that finish with our region’s minerality and mild tannin.”

This Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir exhibits raspberry, cranberry and sour cherry on the nose. On the palate it’s got a bright front end of cranberry and cherry with dusty tannins and a light, delicate finish.

Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir from Left Coast Estate is affordable and attainable and makes a perfect fit for Behind the Cork™. Look for this one and enjoy! 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 Left Coast Estate winery


Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Latitude 45° Pinot Noir

IMG_1893.jpeg

2016 Left Coast Latitude 45° Estate Pinot Noir ($38)

This Left Coast Pinot Noir is their oldest vineyards on their Estate and are planted directly along the 45th parallel which is halfway between the North Pole and the Equator and just so happens to also pass through France and Italy.

This 100% Dijon Clone Pinot Noir is fermented in 100% French oak and aged for 15 months in 75% new French oak, 25% neutral French oak

The winemaker notes state “This 100% Dijon clone, single vineyard is focused and expressive, teeming with black cherry, plum and white pepper aromas. Dark plum, black tea, espresso and spice flavors mingle with velvety, well-integrated tannins.”

This is a big Pinot Nior that will stand up to bold flavors, such as braised meats and root vegetables. 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 Left Coast Estate winery



Behind the Cork™ - Hess Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon

Hess Lion Tamer Cab.jpeg

2017 Hess Collection Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)

This Hess Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon is from Napa Valley. It a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petite Sirah and 8% Malbec. It’s aged in 33% New French and American oak barrels for 20 months.

The name Lion Tamer has become their nickname for Malbec because they use this grape as a blending variety to tame powerful tannins. They say “This Cabernet Sauvignon brings all the roar of Napa Valley and when blended with a touch of Malbec, produces a big, lush wine that finishes with smooth and tamed round tannins.”

Winemaker Dave Guffy states “Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon is plush in texture with heady aromas of blackberries, black cherries and notes of freshly ground coffee. We add a touch of Malbec to the blend to develop a softness in the tannins, making this a wonderfully smooth and seamless wine. These mouthwatering tannins surround the palate, framing layered elements of bright blueberry, toasty oak and deliciously rich mocha. I find this vintage of Lion Tamer Cabernet is perfectly balanced, with well-integrated vanilla oak notes presenting on the lengthy, elegant finish.”

I found this Lion Tamer Cab to have a big, full-bodied profile with great chocolate and vanilla notes from the oak aging. The tannins were firm but not over-powering and finished smooth with lingering flavor.

This is an exceptional Cab from Napa. If you are looking for a special wine for a special occasion, this one’s for you! 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, Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Truffle Hill Chardonnay

Left Coast Chardonnay.jpeg

2018 Left Coast Truffle Hill Chardonnay ($24)

This Chardonnay is from Oregon’s Left Coast “Truffle Hill” vineyard that contains four acres of European Black Truffle-inoculated hazelnut trees, shrub roses and holly oaks.

This 100% Chardonnay is fermented in 80% Neutral French Oak and 20% New French before being aged for 9 months.

Left Coast winemaker Joe Wright’s tasting notes state “Palo Santo, elder flowers, white pepper and toffee, with fruitier aromas of lemon peel, peaches and pears. This age-worthy Chardonnay offers up bright acidity, ripe kiwi fruit, a nectary mid- palate and spiced poached pears.” [My Note: Palo Santo in Spanish literally means “Holy Wood”. It is part of the citrus family and has sweet notes of pine, mint and lemon.]

I found this Truffle Hill Chardonnay to be terrific. It was rich and complex with a creamy finish and lingering acidity.

This is a really good one that deserves your attention. Look for it! 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 Left Coast Estate winery


Pair Your Thanksgiving Wine with the Side Dishes, Not the Turkey

We are just days away now from the big Thanksgiving feast. And one of the most common questions is "What wine pairs best with the Thanksgiving meal?" 

As previous stated, the trick is to pair your wine with the type of sides you are serving, not the turkey itself. Typically, along with the turkey, you are going to have stuffing and mashed potatoes and cover them all in a rich gravy.  And then you throw in the yams, cranberry sauce, a couple more casseroles and the vegetables and you end up with some big, rich favors on your plate. This means that a red wine will certainly pair wonderfully with your Thanksgiving meal.

But, if you insist on a white wine, try a dry Riesling (look for 'Trocken' on the label) or a crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. But I say "Give a red wine a try."

Some of my favorites for Thanksgiving are:

  • Beaujolais - Light, dry and fresh with fruity flavors. And you can serve it chilled.

  • Pinot Noir - A light bodied red with flavors of cherry, raspberry and strawberry. In the French wine section at your store, this is called a red Burgundy. And this too can be served slightly chilled.

  • Rhône Blends - Rhône wines focus on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre (GSM) grapes, producing medium-bodied blends.

  • Zinfandel - This medium bodied red wine can really work with a Thanksgiving meal. It has characteristics that include plummy, jammy flavors with spicy or peppery notes.

And the timing is also perfect for trying a Beaujolais Nouveau that was just released this past Thursday.

Regardless, don't stress over the wine. Enjoy it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Cheers!