Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Center of Effort – Rosso Corsa Pinot Noir 2021
Edna Valley, Central Coast, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
The Rosso Corsa (“racing red” in Italian) is Center of Effort’s bold expression of Pinot Noir, sourced from their organically farmed estate vineyards in Edna Valley. Known for its cool climate and marine influence, this AVA delivers Pinot with both freshness and intensity. The name nods to the classic Italian racing heritage, emphasizing speed, energy, and elegance — qualities mirrored in the wine.

Aromas & Flavors
Bursts of dark cherry, ripe strawberry, and pomegranate meet hints of baking spice, cocoa, and dried rose petals. As it opens, layers of earthy forest floor and a faint touch of savory herbs add dimension.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet energetic, medium-bodied with polished tannins and a vibrant acid backbone. The wine flows seamlessly across the palate, balancing plush fruit with savory complexity, finishing long and precise.

Winemaking Notes
Estate-grown fruit, hand-harvested, fermented in small lots with partial whole-cluster for structure and aromatics. Aged in French oak barrels (30–40% new), which imparts subtle vanilla and toast while preserving freshness.

Food Pairing
Versatile and food-friendly — pair with roasted duck breast, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or charcuterie with earthy cheeses. Its balance of fruit and savoriness allows it to pivot beautifully from lighter fare to richer dishes.

Verdict
A dynamic Pinot Noir that captures the spirit of Edna Valley with a nod to Italian flair. Sleek, energetic, and finely structured — a wine that feels both luxurious and alive in the glass. — 4 months ago

michael robers

9.5

Fruitnforward for a cab. Well balanced, earthy finish. Excellent flavor and drinkability. Punching high above its listed price. — 2 years ago

Severn G

8.9

2003 | Birthday weekend for my lovely wife.

Green on the nose, is there substantial Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot for the last 25%? Cedar-y cherry notes to the palate, but short finish. Will more air rescue this bottle...?🤞 Double decanted with notes at 5H. (Drink 2005-2007?)

Paired to USDA Prime Strip Steaks (baseball-cut), Allen Bros. Chicago. — 3 years ago

Ron R

9.6

This was a crowd-pleaser along with the very low production back-story. The winemaker is self taught and risked everything to produce his own wines. This wine is uncommon in its flavor profile and sheer regal elegance. The last bottle I had frightened me as it displayed signs of decay, but not this. This was powerful and stole the day.
Sag Habor — 6 months ago

with Anne-marie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

2010 is a vintage to leave to your children if you bought this at 50 years old forward. This is a 50-60 year wine with proper storage.

The nose shows nice ruby, fruits of; dark cherries, cherries, strawberries with a dark currant center, blackberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Chocolate mousse, melted, milk chocolate, light caramel, moist sage, warm, slightly sweet dark earth with withering dark & red florals.

The palate is warm, inviting & beautiful. Easy to drink. Dark cherries, cherries, strawberries with a dark currant center, blackberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Red cola/licorice, dark chocolate, melted, milk chocolate, light caramel, moist sage, warm, oak barrel shavings, moist, dark earth w/ dry leaves, celery, used leather, moist tobacco, with withering dark & red florals. Perfect acidity with an excellently balanced, nicely knitted, perfect tension & structure with elegance for days the falls evenly on ripe fruits & soft earthiness.

94-96 in another 10 years. Outside chance at 97. — 8 months ago

Ericsson

8.9

Grapefruit, green apple, and pear are front and center. Acidic with a medium finish and balanced on the palate. — 3 years ago

Christian Bidegain

9.1

Along a bustling path made of ancient cut cobblestone, shadows lengthen across the exterior walls. Taverns bursting at the seams with people searching for refuge and libations as the sun grows weary. At the edge of this narrow bustling thoroughfare, the cobblestone rises up and creates a barrier against the vast void of the Bay of Biscay. Laughter, playful arguments, and wanting whispers flood the air, adding to the oppressive heat the suns pushes towards me in its last ditch effort of discomfort for the day. I drink up every ray as my feet dangle towards the breaking waves. All is right. The sun rays slowly crossfade into the voices growing louder as the night begins.

Nose: light strawberry, cut grass, lemon thyme. All faintly so.

Palate: bell pepper, serrano pepper, thai basil, zippy, medium-high acid, light bodied, lower alcohol. — 6 months ago

Joan Ziegler

9.1

Held up nicely. A creamy chard enjoyed by all! — 7 months ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.5

Deep magenta. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes black raspberry, kirsch and lavender, along with vibrant mineral and exotic spice flourishes. Incisive red and dark berry, bitter cherry and succulent herb flavors show fine detail and spicy cut. Chewy, slowly building tannins add shape and grip to a strikingly long, nervy finish that echoes the cherry and floral notes. All whole clusters. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, January 2023) — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.3

The “regular” 2020 Riesling Scharzhofberger Kabinett (bearing A.P. #3) leads with quince and peach accented by mint, cress, ginger and lemon, setting up an overall impression of coolness, but also of brightness, with stimulating cut and pungency analogous to that of the corresponding Braune Kupp. In the background is a greenhouse-like amalgam of flowers and foliage. The phenolic concentration here belies a vintage with relatively generous yields even as the efficacious acidity and levity defy preconceptions concerning a year marked by summer heat and drought. The multifaceted finish, transparent to wet stone underpinnings, is tongue-tinglingly vibrant. Here is a Riesling Kabinett to really grab and hold your attention even as it delivers consummate refreshment and a bit of thought-provoking intrigue to accompany its entertainment value. (David Schildknecht, Vinous, May 2022)
— 4 years ago