Cork Hoarder

Paso Robles | March 23-24, 2013

Can you hear us Paso Robles? We’ll be out your way this weekend. Drop us a note if you’d like us to visit. We have a few already, but always in search of great wine and more importantly amazing people.

To send a request - just click the “ask” button in the toolbar above!

Woodside Vineyards | 2009 Woodside Chardonnay

Had a friend mention that she couldn’t find a Santa Cruz Mountain wine she enjoyed, and that if we were recommending Woodside Vineyard they must be tasty. Fact is, they are tasty. However, most people aren’t aware that there are vineyards north of Cupertino that is still considered Santa Cruz Mountains. As its name stipulates, Woodside Vineyard’s vineyards are actually located in Woodside. Right in the middle of the peninsula. 

Bob walks the fine line of balancing a well respected California chardonnay such as Kistler and the buttery, oaky chardonnay that many of us self proclaimed ‘snobs’ shun. 

Big notes of oak right up front, but muted on the butter and tropical notes. A round profile and very approachable. 

Thanks Buff, Bob, Brian and Phil for continuing to produce quality and local wines.

Corkhoarder is coming to Italy and Croatia!

Yes, you heard correctly! We’re planning a trip out to Italy this coming May. Flying into Rome and driving north. After Italy we will be ferrying across the Adriatic Sea to Rovinj to tour Northern Croatia. 

We plan on consuming a copious amount of wine on our trip, and if you’re a local producer or represent a local producer - get a hold of us, and we’ll try to schedule a visit. message us at: http://corkhoarder.tumblr.com/ask

Thanks! Grazie! Hvala!

Thanks to all of our fans and followers for making 2012 an excitement filled year. Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and much celebration as we wind down 2012! Drink well. Be Safe!

Rooster Café | Costa Mesa, Ca

Wrapping up our visit to SoCal today. Sometimes all we crave is a simple cup of diner coffee. Black.

Jaffurs | 2009 Syrah

One of the proprietors of Coach House Liquors & Deli, which has an excellent wine selection, introduced me to Jaffurs years ago and we’ve been big fans of their syrah ever since. 

Big brawny black fruit, cigar, eucalyptus, oak. It’s chewy and fulfilling. A final note about Jaffurs, if you come across a Verna’s Vineyard Syrah - you’re in for a real treat. Look for some in upcoming posts.

Scheid Vineyards | 2007 Chardonnay

We discovered Scheid when we stayed the weekend in Monterey, they just opened their tasting room on cannery row and we strolled out of the Intercontinental looking for a drink to end the evening. Been a big fan of central coast chardonnays for a long time and theirs doesn’t slack. 

Bright acidic notes, stone fruits and mineral. This Indian Summer heat wave is making us restock our summer selections.  

Corison | 2007 Corazón Gewurztraminer

We don’t consume many gewurztraminers, but Cathy Corison sold us on the story behind her Corazón label. Corazón is not just a playful take on “Corison” but literally translates into ‘heart’ ‘darling’ or ‘love’ in Spanish. She’s put her heart into her wines, and into this bottle gewurztraminer. 

It’s not the German style gewurztraminers that we’re used to, but a brighter California style that’s fitting. Fantastic bottle for a summer evening.

Pairings: What wine (or beverage) do you prefer with Bon Chon Chicken?

If you haven’t had Bon Chon Chicken, or Korean Fried Chicken maybe it’s about time you had. We’ve been obsessed with this stuff since a local Bon Chon Chicken opened up. Unlike the super secret mystery birds that other friend chicken chains use, Bon Chon Chicken only uses organic free range chickens from Mary’s Chickens in Sanger(just outside of Fresno), CA. 

These chickens are cooked up to be crisp and juicy then coated with one of two sauces. The question begs - what goes best with Bon Chon Chicken? 

Our top picks were some of the newer California micro-rieslings such as Tatomer or Big Basin, white bordeaux, tart Italian whites, and champagne, or something sparkling - but dry/brut. What do you think pairs well with Bon Chon Chicken?

Booker Vineyards | 2009 White

It’s no secret we’re huge fans of Eric Jensen and what he’s been up to at Booker Vineyards in Paso Robles, Ca. Although we’re fans due to his reds, he also makes a ‘manly’ white. Unfiltered, full flavored…burley. 

A lot is going on in this bottle. Cloudy, murky, mysterious in color - almost a sauternes orange. Floral and citrus dance on the nose. Palate is abundant in spicy stone fruits, honey, stewed apples, ripe melons, citrus zest, grapefruit, aloe, etc. There’s something new in every taste. It’s a big white. 

Chateau Roubine | Rose, Cote de Provence

Roses have been white hot this summer and we’ve been consuming more then we ever have before. This is currently at the top of the heap but we still have a few bottles, including some from much anticipated Media Luna on the block before our indian summer’s out. 

Dexter Lake | 2009 Red Wine

This is not a wine one would bring to Quince for dinner, but a small playful bottle to open and experience at home while playing the air guitar. Give this bottle 45-60 minutes to breathe as the mustache can be quite timid.

Once it’s grown it’s a really fun wine for its price point. Making the end of any day that much more special. 

Conundrum | 2010 California White Blend

Another great from Wagner Family Wines. Conundrum is the opposite equivalent of a great Napa Meritage, and that is a great California White Blend. Corkhoarder Approved.

Orsi San Vito | 2010 Vigna Del Grotto (Pignoletto)

If you drink lots of wine and find yourself growing tired of the typical whites. The apple, pears, tropical fruit profiles and seeking something drastically different. This pignoletto could very well be what you’re looking for. As we continued to drink throughout the evening, this wine was changing dynamically and I kept wanting more.

I believe it’s unfiltered, so it’s cloudy looking but what a nose. Intense floral and sweet on the nose, but upon first sip it was like licking a grape fruit rind. Citrus, bitter, and puckering - but in a great sense. As it warmed and breathed the flavors became integrated and eventually worked in harmony. The transition was fluid and exciting, from something quirky to something widely pleasing. Loved it.

Azienda Monsordo Bernardina (Ceretto) | 2010 White - Arneis

We opened a small selection of Italian whites last evening and this one was highly rated, I believe 93pts was the average score given by the typical reviewers. It hails from Langhe, a small appellation of Piedmont, Italy. 

Effervescent on the pour. Bright, crisp apple, pear, a little lemon with a quick snappy dry finish. I’d imagine it to work well on a hot summer evening.