Behind the Cork™ - Clayhouse Adobe Red
This was an interesting find. I love Paso Robles and the wines that are produced there. But, I wasn’t previously familiar with this one. The Clayhouse estate Red Cedar Vineyard is located on the ea…
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Behind the Cork™ - Lion Tamer Red Blend
This red blend comes from The Hess Collection of wines from Napa Valley. Hess Family wines was founded by Donald Hess in 1978. Today, Tim Persson (Donald’s son in law) and his wife Sabrina are owners…
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Behind the Cork™ - 2016 Écluse Ensemble
This Bordeaux red blend from Écluse in Paso Robles is truly an ensemble of varietals. It’s produced from 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cab Franc, 15% Petit Verdot, 14% Merlot, 14% Malbec and 7% Carignan…
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Behind the Cork™ - 2017 Ventisquero Grey Glacier GCM Red Blend
This wonderful blend from Ventisquero comes from the La Roblería vineyard in the Apalta area of the Colchagua Valley. It is a blend of 62% Garnacha, 19% Cariñena (Carignan) and 19% Mataro (Mouvedre o…
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Behind the Cork™ - 2016 Rancho Sisquoc Santa Barbara “Sisquoc River Red”
Now here’s a red blend that recently caught my eye. Not because of any fancy label or special promotion in the store. According to the Rancho Sisquoc website this is 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28%…
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Behind the Cork™ - 2013 Elevation 1250’ Paso Robles Red Wine
This Elevation 1250’ is a nice blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah from Paso Robles. And, as with all Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week features, it’s a great value. I must admit this is a…
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Behind the Cork™ - 2015 Foggy Veil Hillside Selection Santa Barbera County Red Blend
This red blend is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, in a traditional Rhone style. And the California Central Coast, Paso Robles and Santa Barbera, are doing tremendous Rhone blends. This one is full-bodied…
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Behind the Cork™ - 2014 14 Hands Columbia Valley Stampede Red Blend
I’ve recently read some nice things about 14 Hands Winery and, never having had their wines, I thought I’d give this one a try. The Stampede Red Blend is a combination of Syrah, Merlot, C…
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Behind the Cork™ - 2013 Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial
Abadia Retuerta first started producing wines in Spain in 1996. The winery and surrounding vineyards are on the former site of the 12th century Santa Maria de Retuerta Monastery in Sardón de Duero. Th…
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Behind the Cork™ - 2014 Foggy Veil Hillside Red Blend
This blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache from Santa Barbara County is another unexpected winner. In the Rhone tradition, this blend has the big fruit, medium tannin characteristics of the Syrah with t…
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