The online home of Mark “The Cork Head” Stuart, Certified Wine Professional, speaker/educator, judge, and columnist.
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2007 Girard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley:
When chardonnay stays away from the heat of the Napa Valley it retains an entirely different character. Acidity, oak, and fruit harmonize into a beautiful example of why the Russian River Valley is arguably the most important region for this varietal in the United States. Read More
Big House Red
So I just got through tasting and reviewing the three Big House wines that were sent to me by the distributor. While writing my tasting notes a different thought process rolled through my head. Let me explain…
A few years and beers ago my pal Dale, the bartender at Latitude 32 Grill and Pub in Pacific Beach, CA recanted a story from the previous night where a well dressed woman sashayed through the door of this neighborhood pub and asked to see the wine list. Ever the clever lad Dale is, he went back to the office where he scribbled in large permanent marker three words on a coctail napkin. “RED”, ”WHITE”, “PINK”. I don’t think she’s been back.
This wine screams “Hey, I’m from Marlborough, New Zealand!”
Lime, passion fruit, and grapefruit flavors abound, plus the obvious and outrageous Marlborough grassiness and a hint of white pepper on the finish. The fruit and non-fruit features integrate seamlessly in what is an excellent example of the NZ style of sauvignon blanc.
I’ve been drinking the 2008 Yalumba “Y” Series Viognier all summer.
It features a sublime texture, flavors of white peach and honey with a little dried apricot in the background, all supported by a pleasant minerality often reserved for old world and higher priced wines. Chardonnay lovers looking for a change of pace will appreciate the lanolin-like texture, and certainly notice the hightened aromatics this wine provides. Read More
2006 Juan Gil, Jumilla Red Wine, $16
Above average in weight with firm tannins that don’t overpower the wine. Very complex and complementary aromas of grilled plums, Bing cherries and game surrounded by a backbone of fresh herbs and a hint of blackberry. Bright fruit comes alive on the palate exacerbating the blackberry and plum notes, followed by a lasting finish of fruit and lingering barrel spice. 14.5% alcohol, 91 points. Read More
La Capilla 2006 Syrah, Paso Robles: $36
This massively structured, full-bodied syrah explodes in the mouth with baked cherry, green peppercorns and gentle whisper of scorched earth minerality. The magically integrated tannins carry the flavors on and on where sweet vanilla shows up to complete the 20-second finish. Grill up a rib-eye steak with Montreal seasoning and enjoy! 14.5% alcohol, 91 points
-The Cork Head
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