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CORE wines, “b. core”, Santa Ynez Valley 2004

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I don’t usually blog wines I’ve tasted that are from cult producers as these tend to be next to impossible to find in the marketplace. I made an exception here because this wine is the best expression of Rhône white varietals I’ve had made outside of France and it appears that some of this wine might be still available at some wine shops and restaurants (but not at the winery). I was also pleased to see this information posted on their website:

“CORE top 5 reviewers (responsible for most direct sales and new accounts): 1-Robert Parker, 2-Reviewers of our wines on web blogs, 3-Andy Abramson, 4-Los Angeles Times, 5-Grape Nutz”

Any winery who acknowledges the power of us wine bloggers deserves some space here 😉

Dave Corey, the man behind CORE wines, has an interesting story and tells it on his, well, old school website (dude, what’s with all those Word files?). A vineyard consultant, Dave, and his wife Becky, started their own label in 2003. As in many family wineries, Dave does the winemaking and Becky the marketing. Both continue to hold down individual wine consulting businesses as well as their efforts at CORE.

CORE wines, “b. core”, Santa Ynez Valley 2004 ($28) – A blend of 57% Marsanne and 43% Rousanne, both varietals common in wines of France’s northern Rhône region.

Medium straw in color with aromas of melon, almond and herbs. In the mouth, the wine is rich with flavors of citrus, pear and minerals finishing with crisp acidity. The most Rhône-like California white I’ve ever had. Only 88 cases produced.

14.5% ABV
Natural cork closure
Score: 90

Find this wine offline (if you are lucky)

Find this wine online

Comments

  1. Andy Abramson says

    Tim,

    Thank you mentioning David Corey and his winery, Core Wines on you blog and for recognizing the power of the blogosphere.

    According to David, who has become a close friend, I was the first “reviewer” to write about his wines when we met upon his debut at the “Hospice Du Rhone” in 2003. Back then David was pouring his stunning Rose and the first red blend he had commercially released.

    David’s wines are indeed special, and its nice that you recognized the “B. Core.” We drank some recently at a dinner I threw in San Diego and the group was blown away by it, so much that I was fortunate to be able to purchase one of the few remaining cases.

    Thanks Again.