2017 Frank Family Napa Zinfandel ($38)
Rich Frank, the founder of Frank Family Winery, developed a passion for wine, particularly Bordeaux and Italian wines, during his extensive travels as the former President of Disney Studios. In the 1980s, he discovered his love for the Napa Valley and soon after purchased a home with a vineyard in the heart of Rutherford. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Rich’s “second career” as the owner of one of Napa’s most esteemed wineries, Frank Family Vineyards.
Leslie (Miller) Frank, the co-founder of Frank Family Vineyards, is an Emmy Award-winning journalist. Today, Leslie actively participates in the strategic marketing and branding of Frank Family and their luxurious collection of wines.
This Frank Family Napa Zinfandel is produced from 91% Zinfandel along with 9% Petite Sirah that were sourced from the family estate and purchased grapes. The wine is aged in new and twice-filled French oak barrels.
This Zinfandel is dark purple in color with jammy aromas of dark fruit. On the palate, this full-bodied Zinfandel has flavors of black berry, black cherry and red plum. It has medium tannin (decanted for one hour) balanced acidity. It finishes smooth with hints of toasted oak.
This Frank Family Napa Zinfandel is a real treat at a great price for a Napa wine, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2022 Esporão Monte Velho Reserva ($18)
A new Reserva Red wine has been added to the popular Monte Velho (pronounced MON-tay VELL-yo and meaning “Old Hill” in Portuguese) wine line. The Monte Velho name is inspired by a grassy mound on the Herdade do Esporão estate, which is topped by a prominent 12th-century fortress.
Says Cultivamos (Importer of Esporão) president & CEO, Ben Carson-Brown, “The reason for this new addition to Esporão’s Monte Velho range is simple: Monte Velho wines are made intentionally for daily consumption, especially in Portugal where wine is a traditional component of the evening meal.
Monte Velho Reserva Red 2022 showcases Alentejo’s 2,000-plus year viticultural history, with its tradition of blending.
This Monte Velho Reserva is a blend of four grape varieties: Aragonez (also known as Alicante Bouschet), Trincadeira, Syrah, and Touriga Nacional, each comprising 25% of the total. The grapes underwent de-stemming and crushing, followed by controlled fermentation. Subsequently, malolactic conversion was initiated, and the wine was aged in used oak barrels for eight months.
Monte Vehlo Reserva is deep purple in color with bright aromas of dark fruit and herbal notes. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has flavors of blackberry, blue berry and raspberry with herbal, peppery, notes. It finishes easy with spicy notes. (Alcohol by Volume: 13.5%, Total Acidity: 5.7 g/L, pH: 3.61, Residual Sugar: 1.0 g/L)
This Monte Velho Reserva from Esporão is not only delicious but also affordable, making it a great 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.
Media Sample Provided by Esporão
Behind the Cork™ - Sweet Wines of Oliver Winery
Oliver Winery, located in Bloomington Indiana, is “Driven by curiosity and creativity” according to Rob Warren, VP of Winemaking. This ‘hobby winery’ has grown to be among the 30 largest wineries in the U.S. They seek to set the quality standard for the sweet and flavored wine category with innovative yet approachable wines - unpretentious, full of personality and refreshingly real - No flavorings or colorings, no high fructose corn syrup.
Oliver wines are:
Giftable: Bright, bold flavors make these wines a thoughtful and approachable gift for wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike
Chocolate Pairing Perfection: Dreamberry and Cosmoberry complement a variety of chocolates, while the Sweet Red pairs with everything from truffles to chocolate-covered pretzels
Celebration-Ready: Whether for a party or romantic dinner, these wines are festive, fruit-forward options
The ‘Soft Wine Collection’ from Oliver Winery (including the three featured wines below) is crafted with juice from the cool-growing Great Lakes region and cold fermented in stainless steel tanks resulting in a bright fruit taste and aroma.
Oliver Winery - Sweet Red ($13)
Ranked one of the Top 6 sweet red wines in the U.S.
Classic Concord grape aroma, deliciously smooth, fruity taste, and ruby-red color. This soft red wine is fresh, crisp, and just-sweet-enough.
Oliver Winery - Dreamberry ($16)
This wine has layered real flavors of light and tropical lychee and raspberry with sweet red wine and a hint of lime. A refreshingly real, deliciously juicy wine. Made with the very best fruit and natural ingredients.
Oliver Winery - Cosmoberry ($16)
Inspired by the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail, this berry-infused sweet red wine has a familiar Concord-based red wine a twist, with a bright balance of natural cranberry, strawberry, and blood orange. Cosmoberry is a smooth, easy-to-drink wine.
For 50 years, Oliver Winery wines has represented the highest-quality ingredients. Their winemakers continually refine each wine in their portfolio to create approachable, fruit-forward, flavorful wines you can enjoy again and again. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.
Media Samples Provided by Oliver Winery
2022 Concha Y Toro “Amelia” Pinot Noir ($55)
The grapes for this wine are grown on the northern bank of the Limarí River at an altitude of more than 600 feet above sea level, just about 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The temperatures are cool and the mornings are cloudy, so the fruit ripens slowly, producing fresher tasting wines. This Pinot Noir is produced from 50% whole clusters that are fermented in stainless steel tanks. After Malolactic Conversion, the wine remains in French oak barrels (10% new) for 12 months. This Amelia Pinot Noir is medium purple in color with delicate fruit aromas. On the palate, this Amelia Pinot Noir is light in flavor with medium acidity and finishes easy. (ABV: 14%, TA: 4.5 g/L, pH: 3.63, RS: 2.74 g/L).
2023 Terranoble “Algarrobo” Pinot Noir ($15)
This wine is named for the iconic Algarrobo tree in their vineyard in the Las Dichas sector of the Casablanca Valley. The grapes for this 10% Pinot Noir are fermented in small batches with ~45% being whole clusters. It is then aged for six months in used barrels and in foudres (22%) before being aged three months in the bottle before release. This Algarrobo Pinot Noir is pale purple in color with aromas of sweet candied cherries and honey. On the palate it is medium-bodied with flavors of cranberry and sour cherry. It finishes a bit tart. (ABV: 13%, TA: 5.6 g/L, pH: 3.53, RS: 2.7 g/L).
2020 Garces Silva “Boya” Pinot Noir ($20)
This Boya (Bouy) Pinot Noir is from the Leyda - San Antonio appellations and produced from three French clone (888, 777, 115). Thee grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks for 12 to 15 days (10%-20% whole cluster). It was aged in stainless steel, used barrels and concrete tanks. This Boya Pinot Noir is medium ruby with a touch of garnet in color. On the nose it had strong aromas immediately after opening that settled down after decanting. On the palate it was medium-bodied with cherry-cranberry flavors (ABV: 13%, TA: 5.0 g/L, pH: 3.58, RS: 1.8 g/L)
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on three Pinot Noirs from Chile’s coastal regions. These wines are not only delicious but also affordable, making them a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. So, grab a glass and let’s toast to these amazing Chilian wines! Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Media Samples Provided by Concha Y Toro, Terranoble, Garces Silva and Master the World
2023 Miguel Torres Cordillera de los Andes Chardonnay ($20)
Miguel Torres, driven by a quest for exceptional wine production, discovered that the Limarí Valley is where Chardonnay takes on a unique and distinctive character. This Chardonnay is crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes, which undergo fermentation in French oak barrels before being aged in French oak barrels for seven months. The wine exhibits a pale straw color and enticing floral notes on the nose. On the palate, it reveals creamy citrus flavors accompanied by a refreshing acidity, culminating in a soft and smooth finish. (ABV: 13.5%, Total Acidity: 6.45 g/L, pH: 3.25, Residual Sugar: 3.7 g/L)
2021 Floresta Chardonnay ($20)
Floresta Chardonnay is also from the Limarí Valley where the soils consist of alluvial deposits with a first stratum of clay texture and a second of clay-loam with stones. Calcium carbonate deposits are found between the strata. Fermentation took place in Stainless Steel tanks and then the wine was transferred to barrels where it was aged on lees (surlie aged) with periodic battonage for 3-5 months. Approximately 30% of the wine undergoes malolactic conversion. The wine is kept on lees for 10 months, for a total of 12 months in French oak prior to bottling. It is pale gold in color with notable minerality on the nose. On the palate it has notes of green apple, pineapple, bright acidity and finishes with just a touch of tartness. (ABV: 13.1%, TA: 6.65 g/L, pH: 3.04, RS: 2.19 g/L)
2020 Montes Alpha Chardonnay ($24)
The vineyards that produce Montes Alpha Chardonnay are situated in the Aconcagua Costa region. The proximity of the vines to the Pacific Ocean and the significant impact of the ocean breezes create ideal grape-growing conditions. Montes Alpha is a blend of two Chardonnay clones from three distinct regions. Approximately 35% of the wine underwent fermentation in barrels with varying degrees of toasting, while 25% underwent malolactic conversion. A total of 35% of the wine was barrel-aged for 12 months in French oak of the first, second, and third use.
This Chardonnay exhibits a medium gold color with minerality on the nose. On the palate, it presents flavors of green apple and lime, with moderate acidity and a bright finish. (ABV: 14%, TA: 3.53 g/L, pH: 3.21, RS: 2.7 g/L)
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on three fantastic Chardonnays from Chile’s coastal regions. These wines are not only delicious but also incredibly affordable, making them a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. So, grab a glass and let’s toast to these amazing Chilian wines! Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Media Samples Provided by Miquel Torres, Viña Santa Rita, Montes and Master the World
2019 St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc ($24.99)
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery produces 100% estate grown, certified Napa Green wines, focusing on sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, and additional red Bordeaux varietals.
Napa Green is an environmental certification program for vineyards and wineries. This program is one of the most comprehensive environmental accreditations in the wine industry, covering every step from soil to bottle and requiring continuous improvement to maintain their certifications. All of of their land is certified Napa Green.
This St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc is produce from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are estate grown in their Dollarhide Vineyard. The grapes were pressed to tank and immediately chilled and settled prior to fermentation. All fermentation was completed in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to maintain and enhance the natural flavors. The final blend was completed soon thereafter.
This Sauvignon Blanc is pale gold in color with hints of green. It has nice aromas of tropical fruit, grapefruit and lime. On the palate, this wine has delicate tropical fruit flavors, moderate acidity and finishes soft and balanced with a hint of honey. (ABV: 13.5%, Total Acidity: 6.8 g/L, pH: 3.29, Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L)
This is indeed a ‘super’ Sauvignon Blanc from St. Supéry winery. It’s widely available and nicely priced for a quality wine from Napa. That makes it a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!
2020 Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc ($13.99)
One of the first two wines Ferrari-Carano ever made 40 years ago, this Fumé Blanc is from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in Sonoma County — Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River Valleys.
When the grapes for this wine arrived at the winery, each lot was gently crushed and pressed into stainless steel tanks for 48 hours of cold settling. The juice was either transferred to stainless steel tanks (73%) or older French oak barrels (27%) for fermentation. The wine in barrels were sur lie aged and stirred every other week for two months, then blended and bottled.
This wine is a medium-gold color with pleasant aromas of tropical fruit. On the palate, this is a medium-bodied dry wine with medium-high acidity, flavors of pear, pineapple and grapefruit, and finishes balanced and bright. (ABV: 13.8%, Acidity: 5.6 g/L, pH:3.27)
This Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc is a tasty refresher that is priced nicely and is widely available. A great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week! Cheers!
2022 Daou Chardonnay ($16)
Daniel Daou always had dreams of becoming a winemaker, but as a young man in France, this was completely out of reach. He placed this dream on the back-burner, but the pulse of that dream never truly faded. It was always there in the background, calling to him. To feed that passion, Daniel ravenously studied and collected wines while raising his young family in San Diego. “When I would go to kiss my father goodnight, he was always reading a wine book,” his eldest daughter Katherine fondly recalls. This passion ultimately led him to follow his winemaking dream and discover what is now DAOU Mountain in Paso Robles, California.
This 100% Chardonnay, barrel-aged for five months, with 30% in new French oak, exhibits a deep golden yellow color and light aromas of tropical fruit, vanilla, and floral notes. On the palate, it strikes a balance between a bright, crisp, and fruity Chardonnay from stainless steel tanks and one with heavy oak aging. While it undergoes five months in French oak, pineapple and pear flavors persist, complemented by rich vanilla notes from the new oak.
This Daou Chardonnay is another fantastic wine from Daou. And guess what? It’s super affordable and widely available. That makes it the perfect choice for this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week!
Pick this one up. I'm going back for more! Cheers!