This was a really interesting wine.  It is from the Core Wine Company, a relatively new wine producer in the Eastern part of Santa Barbara County (they grow grapes about 30 miles from the coast).  The area where the grapes are grown is about 3000 feet above sea level, and it's inland location makes for climates that are much different from those regions further west which are producing world class Pinot Noir.  The higher altitude and sunnier days make for growing conditions conducive to Rhone style grapes.  This particular wine is a blend of 52% Mouvedre, 30% Grenache, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wine is a medium dark color.  The alcohol content is fairly high at 14.5%.  The wine definitely changed with decanting.  The wine had a strong bouquet of cedar, spice,pepper and raspberry.  It does not have the truffle, earthy scents of many of the southern Rhone and Bandol wines.  On the palate, it seemed somewhat out of balance when first poured.  It started to hit it's stride after about an hour open to air, and continued to mellow and improve its overall balance for another hour after that.  Once it had fully opened up, it lost a little aromatically, but gained nice balance and texture.  Crisp acidity, nice red fruit flavors, and moderate tannin in harmony with the rest of the wine.  I suspect that the wine will gain complexity and soften at the edges over the next few years.  The only thing holding me back from a higher score is my lack of experience on how this wine will change over time.  I look forward to wathcing several bottles in my cellar evolve over the next few years.  Core Wine Company also makes another wine called "Elevation Sensation" which is 47% Mouvedre, 49% Grenache, and 2% Syrah.  I will try to taste it and post a review here in the next few weeks.  For those looking for a change of pace from Cabernet, Pinot, and Bordeaux blends, I would strongly recommend this wine.  I give it a slightly higher rank than the Tablas Creek Rhone blend reviewed here a few weeks ago (and the Core was also less expensive).  I paid $27.99 for the wine at the Wine Sellar and Brasserie in Sorrento Valley.  I urge all Rhone fans to check this one out.

3.5 stars

If anyone would like to leave comments on the wine, or read the comments of others, please click below.

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion