In this episode, Jeff tastes through some samples of Cabernet Franc from Cornerstone Cellars…
Wine Tasted:
Cornerstone Cellars 2011 and 2012 Black Label Cabernet Franc
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Jeff
Cabernet Franc: European or Californian? Leave a comment, and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff picks the perfect wine to go with a greasy cheeseburger…
Wine Tasted:
Stepping Stone 2011 North Coast Red Rocks
After the Fact:
Jeff was WAY off. This wine saw NO OAK… Just 5 months in a stainless steel tank.
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Jeff
Have you had any of the Stepping Stone Rocks wines? What’s your cheeseburger and wine pairing? Leave a comment and let us know.
Is it summertime yet?
In Northern California, it sure has been feeling like it.
On hot days like these, you’ve gotta get you some nice, cold, white wine.
Luckily, the folks at Cornerstone Cellars just sent me this sample…
Stepping Stone 2012 North Coast White Rocks
Stepping Stone is the entry-level label by Cornerstone Cellars. The Rocks series releases a different red and white wine blend each year. The goal is to provide interesting, approachable, and affordable food-friendly wines every vintage.
The 2012 White Rocks is a blend of Chardonnay and Muscat Canelli selected from the California North Coast AVA. It rolls in at $18.
Color: Pale yellow, with a bit of a greenish tint.
Nose: Honeysuckle, pear, lime and minerals. Nice!
Taste: There is a great viscosity to this wine. The White Rocks is loaded with citrus flavors of lemon and lime, with just a touch of melon. There are some subtle grassy notes, as well as a hint of honey. If I were tasting this blind, I would swear that this was a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend.
Score: This is a fun wine. It’s got a great balance of fruit, mineral, and acid. It’s a solid 89 for me, and well worth your 18 dollars.
This wine was great, so you know I had to pair it with some food…
Mediterranean Turkey Slider with Tzatziki, Lemon Arugula Salad, and Roasted Corn
Now that ROCKS!
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your summertime wine of choice? Leave a comment, and let us know.
How’s the weather in your neck of the woods?
It’s beautiful here in Northern California.
It’s the perfect time to break open the ol’ grill.
When you’re grilling, there are a couple different ways to go in terms of wine pairing.
For me, the choice was obvious…
Stepping Stone 2012 Corallina Syrah Rosé by Cornerstone Cellars
The fine folks at Cornerstone Cellars sent this wine my way as a sample, and I just had to break it open.
This rosé is 100% Napa Valley Syrah. The block of this Syrah was intended to be used for rosé from the beginning. In a world where some rosé is treated as an afterthought, this wine was made with intention. For a wine that saw French oak for 5 months before bottling, this rosé is surprisingly affordable at $20 a bottle. Considering that it is now available on special at $16 from the winery, this rosé is a steal.
Color: A beautiful salmon pink.
Nose: Citrus of grapefruit and lime, with a fun cherry 7-up minerality on the nose.
Taste: Make no mistake. This is a dry rosé. The fruit, however, gives a good perception of sweetness. Beautiful notes of cherries, raspberries, and cranberries with a little orange zest on the back end. A nice minerality, and good acidity, gives this wine a fresh balance that completely hides the 14.1% alcohol.
Score: Cornerstone will tell you that this a serious rosé. I agree. A solid 88.
Now, onto the food…
Mushroom, Onion, and Bell Pepper Kabobs, Marinated Portobellos, and a New York Strip
Some folks will tell you that this outdoor meal requires a big Cab, or a ripe Zin, but those folks are squares.
This is rosé weather.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your beverage of choice when you’re manning the grill? Leave a comment, and let us know.
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After spending the morning in the wine cave at Del Dotto in Napa, Kara and I headed North on the 29 to the Cornerstone Cellars tasting room in Yountville.
Cornerstone Cellars
Upon arrival, we met up with managing partner, blogger, and all around great guy, Craig Camp, who hosted us in a tasting of their current releases…
Stepping Stone 2011 North Coast White Rocks: A dry white blend of Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer, the White Rocks brings flavors of subtle grassy notes and pineapple. There’s a good acid and weight to this. 87
Stepping Stone 2010 Napa Valley Riesling: Nose of honey suckle and minerality. There’s a good medium light weight to this bone dry white. 87
Cornerstone Oregon 2010 Willamette Valley Chardonnay: Toasty nose of lemon and vanilla. There’s a good, creamy mouthfeel that is complimented by a balanced lemon acidity. I love this wine. 91
Cornerstone Cellars 2010 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc: Pretty nose of papaya and peach. Good lime flavored acidity and subtle grassy notes. 90
Stepping Stone 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: A nice, light Pinot Noir that smells of pepper and strawberries. On the palate, the pepper spice is balanced with hints of cola, cranberry, and leather. This is some good stuff. 90+
Cornerstone Oregon 2009 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: Toasty nose of tomatoes and cherries are complimented by the taste of cola, cherries, sassafras, and cranberries. There is a great balance to this wine. 91+
Cornerstone Cellars 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark burgundy in color, this wine has a pretty nose of strawberry and black fruits. This Cabernet has some fantastic structure with its smooth, chalky tannins. The wine has plenty of pretty black fruit, and a long finish of black olives (which may be due to the 5% Merlot blended into the wine). I’m a fan. 92
Cornerstone Cellars 2008 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon: This wine is hella dark. It has a pretty nose of menthol and dried cherries. On the palate, it is all tannin, acid, and spice. This is definitely and age-worthy cab. Craig also poured us a splash of the 2006 to show how it ages. The wine will definitely showcase some herb notes and the tannins pull back over the next few years. This is a great wine. 92+
Cornerstone Cellars 2009 The Cornerstone Red Wine: This is THEE wine that showcases what good fruit and good winemaking can do in Napa Valley. This wine features 95% Cabernet Sauvignon from the famed Oakville Station/To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, along with equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wine is dark red, verging on black. It features a nose of strawberry shortcake and boysenberries. The palate has great fruit of blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and plum. There is a nice long acid, good green notes of bell pepper, and chalky, bike tire-like tannins. This a fantastic wine. It has the chops to go toe-to-toe with some of Napa’s finest. 93
Before we took off, Craig brought out some Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from To Kalon for us to sample…
Yum!
The next time you’re in the Napa Valley, you’ve gotta check out Cornerstone.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
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