My wine of the week for March 3-9 is the Core Wine Company 2007 “Hard Core.  It’s an interesting, and oh so tasty blend of the three main Rhône varietals, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvédre, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  It’s not a blend you’ll find everyday, and Core hit a home-run with this one!

Core Wine Co. is a family-run small production winery run by Dave and Becky Corey, who tend to the vineyards, make wine, and run the tasting room operations themselves.  Makes me tired just thinking about it!.  The winery is located in Santa Maria, California.  They produced 900 cases of “Hard Core”

My tasting notes follow:

 Dark opaque violet color with floral, and dark fruit aromas with hints of meatiness, and leather. On the palate medium bodied, and round with good acidity, and black cherry, cassis, and vanilla spice flavors. Long finish. 37% Mourvedre, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Syrah, 4% Grenache All the fruit is from the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard at 3000 feet in Santa Barbara County. From low yielding vines impeccably farmed year after year. The wine was aged for 30 months in a combination of 10% new French and American barrels and 90% neutral barrels. Unfined and unfiltered – 90pts

Core came to my attention when I attended 2011 Family Winemaker’s Tasting in San Francisco last year (see my recap below), when I was on a mission to taste I Rhône varietals.  Winemakers in the Central Coast region of California, including the Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara areas are doing big things Rhône-wise, and Core is definitely part of the movement!  I recommend you check ’em out!

Related articles

• Recap of 2011 Family Winemakers Tasting in San Francisco (enofylzwineblog.com)
• Wine Of The Week – 2007 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (enofylzwineblog.com)