COR Cellars
Alder Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Dense purple, highly extracted pigment. White pepper, violet, butter, blackberry and black currant notes in nose. Blackberry and coffee flavors, rounded mouthfeel, slight skin astringency and white pepper on finish, minerality throughout. Light bodied, fruity, and approachable, excellent varietal character. Slightly oily, nutty aftertaste emerges after an hour - almond? Barrel wood? A nice touch, but still a solid base wine without it.
Dense purple, highly extracted pigment. White pepper, violet, butter, blackberry and black currant notes in nose. Blackberry and coffee flavors, rounded mouthfeel, slight skin astringency and white pepper on finish, minerality throughout. Light bodied, fruity, and approachable, excellent varietal character. Slightly oily, nutty aftertaste emerges after an hour - almond? Barrel wood? A nice touch, but still a solid base wine without it.
Nov 20th, 2019Purple red in color. White pepper and red fruit notes in nose. Cherry and white pepper flavors. Soft mouthfeel, but moderate astringency and chewy tannins in finish that quickly soften. 24 hours later, the fruit has mellowed, and the wood emerges, no longer in balance with the fruit. A decent wine for a day, then, but not for decanting or saving overnight.
Purple red in color. White pepper and red fruit notes in nose. Cherry and white pepper flavors. Soft mouthfeel, but moderate astringency and chewy tannins in finish that quickly soften. 24 hours later, the fruit has mellowed, and the wood emerges, no longer in balance with the fruit. A decent wine for a day, then, but not for decanting or saving overnight.
Jun 5th, 2018
December Cabernet Franc drinking continues with another bottle destined for a now forgotten blind tasting. Cor Cellars is a small bouquet winery that sources most grapes from the Columbia Valley. This Cab Franc, one of my favorite red varietals, was sourced from Horse Heaven Hills - a border AVA between southeastern Washington and Oregon. Alder Ridge Vineyard is owned by Precept Wines who is the biggest supplier of Horse Heaven Hills AVA grapes. Planted within shouting distance of the Columbia River, the grapes benefit from the deep marine influence the Columbia Gorge provides the region allowing favorable hang times for many grape varietals. Drank this one on its own - though would benefit with spicy or fatty foods due to high acid. ~$20 | #corcellars #cabfranc #horseheavenhills
On the eyes: Med concentration, bright strawberry-magenta, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Cedar, tobacco, black raspberry, strawberry, violet, chalk, med alcohol.
On the tongue: High acid, med+ tannin, med alcohol. Rhubarb, strawberry, tart cherry, hints of tarragon and a bit of earthiness; new oak(?). A bit out of balance for me - not sure cellaring will fix its issues. Best drunk now.
December Cabernet Franc drinking continues with another bottle destined for a now forgotten blind tasting. Cor Cellars is a small bouquet winery that sources most grapes from the Columbia Valley. This Cab Franc, one of my favorite red varietals, was sourced from Horse Heaven Hills - a border AVA between southeastern Washington and Oregon. Alder Ridge Vineyard is owned by Precept Wines who is the biggest supplier of Horse Heaven Hills AVA grapes. Planted within shouting distance of the Columbia River, the grapes benefit from the deep marine influence the Columbia Gorge provides the region allowing favorable hang times for many grape varietals. Drank this one on its own - though would benefit with spicy or fatty foods due to high acid. ~$20 | #corcellars #cabfranc #horseheavenhills
On the eyes: Med concentration, bright strawberry-magenta, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Cedar, tobacco, black raspberry, strawberry, violet, chalk, med alcohol.
On the tongue: High acid, med+ tannin, med alcohol. Rhubarb, strawberry, tart cherry, hints of tarragon and a bit of earthiness; new oak(?). A bit out of balance for me - not sure cellaring will fix its issues. Best drunk now.
Unfortunately tainted with new oak. Hiding behind the new oak there are interesting notes of liquor ice, dark berries, and plum. Could be great if they didn't rush it to market.
Unfortunately tainted with new oak. Hiding behind the new oak there are interesting notes of liquor ice, dark berries, and plum. Could be great if they didn't rush it to market.
1 person found it helpfulOct 8th, 2016Inky purple in color. White pepper, vegetal and maybe black currant/cassis notes in nose. White pepper, blackberry water and later cherry flavors in mouth. Fine grain tannins on finish. Tasty and well balanced if not terribly complex WA state red, true to varietal character
Inky purple in color. White pepper, vegetal and maybe black currant/cassis notes in nose. White pepper, blackberry water and later cherry flavors in mouth. Fine grain tannins on finish. Tasty and well balanced if not terribly complex WA state red, true to varietal character
Dec 18th, 2016
A touch green and tannic, some whole cluster fruit going on here
A touch green and tannic, some whole cluster fruit going on here
Jun 19th, 2014
Pepper notes on nose. Full body, dry, some acidity. Blueberries, plums.
Pepper notes on nose. Full body, dry, some acidity. Blueberries, plums.
May 11th, 2020
Good balance of fruit and tannin with a peppery finish. Light bodied, but with good complexity.
Good balance of fruit and tannin with a peppery finish. Light bodied, but with good complexity.
May 9th, 2017
Great with steak, grilled veggies, and butternut squash risotto
Great with steak, grilled veggies, and butternut squash risotto
Apr 1st, 2017