Holidays are one of the many times during the year to gather with your foundation of family and friends who are meaningful to you. For many of us, spending time with those who know us best, who have contributed in their own way to the person we have become, and who may be considered part of our roots is what it’s all about. Chatting, laughing, reminiscing, and making plans with those who are special may be paired with a lovely meal or casual get-togethers, and…a great bottle of wine (you knew I’d get to that part!).
As we enter full throttle into the holiday season, there is a winery in Oregon and California which is producing wine which can be enjoyed with anything you serve at your holiday table and with anyone who is there (including Aunt Gigi!).
Wine from Cornerstone Cellars in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and in Napa Valley, California should be the foundation of your holiday gatherings!
The wine from the location in Oregon is a blend of the vision and work of Cornerstone Napa’s Craig Camp and highly regarded winemaker, Tony Rynders. In order to create a distinctive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay each of which expresses so many of the same characteristics as those in Burgundy, Camp looked for an area where the variety loves to be, where it can grow in optimal conditions…and Oregon was the place. His basic principle is that a variety should not be forced to grow in a place where it won’t thrive and of course that makes perfect sense. Tony Rynders made his mark at Oregon’s Domaine Serene and Washington’s Hogue Cellars before arriving at Cornerstone in Oregon and continues to bring his talents to our table!
New releases from Cornerstone Cellars in Oregon include a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Both were sent to me as samples.
**2010 Cornerstone Oregon, Willamette Valley Chardonnay – The pale gold color let me know immediately that this Chardonnay was going to be big and strong…in a way that I like! On the nose, the citrus stood up and shouted and with sweet spice, vanilla, and toast I was ready to take it for the team! Chardonnay done oh so right was in my glass…Dry, crisp acidity, balanced and full bodied, I loved the bright citrus (lemon?), minerality, vanilla, oak, and a touch of white pepper. This intense, delicious Chardonnay was aged in 100% French oak and bottled in April 2012. Serve this with your turkey, ham, or roast – this Chardonnay can stand up to any pairing you choose! Cost is $35.00.
**2010 Cornerstone Oregon Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – I have had quite a few Pinot Noirs of late yet this is the one which reminded me of my own wonderful travels to Burgundy. Aromas of raspberries, cherries, strawberries, and a touch of earth welcomed me to tastes of more red fruit including cranberries, vanilla, warm sweet spice, smoke, and a bit of chocolate. The lingering finish was satisfying and paired with grilled meats, and hearty cheeses, your holiday guests will ask for more! Aged in 100% French oak for fifteen months it, too, was bottled in April 2012. Cost is $50.00.
Just as Oregon’s Willamette Valley creates optimal conditions to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, California’s Napa Valley is the prime location for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. Cornerstone Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon consists of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot…carefully selected barrels of each vintage were used with the mission to produce a wine which reflects the unique character of Napa Valley. As Craig Camp has stated, “Our new style is more restrained, more focused on balance and elegance without giving up the authentic power that makes Napa Valley unique.” There will be someone at your holiday gathering who is looking for a very special Cabernet Sauvignon…and this new release sent to me as a sample is the one!
**2009 Cornerstone Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – This classy addition to your gathering will be most welcome! On the nose, I detected the mesmerizing intensity of dark fruits including currants and cherries with a dash of cinnamon and sweet spice. And the taste? Ahhh…the beautiful collaboration of those dark fruits, spice, and some minerality helped create a luscious mouthfeel, body and balance which could grow in the bottle for years to come…if only you can wait! Complexity and structure in this wine are more reasons to celebrate! Cost is $65.00.
In the case of all three Cornerstone Cellars wines, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley and the Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, finding a location where the variety thrives is a key to their success. Just as the person you have become is a product of your roots, so is wine. In Craig Camp’s words “Great wine comes from deep roots.” I couldn’t agree more.
Cheers to the beginning of a wonderful holiday season with your foundation of friends, family, and wine from Cornerstone Cellars! ~ Cindy
