Beverage of the Week (B.O.W)
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BOW for the Week of: May 25 to May 31, 2011
BevX readers are very familiar with the great Cabernet’s made by Cornerstone Cellars but did you know that they have a sister label? Stepping Stone is the sibling to the reserve tier wines offered under the Cornerstone moniker. As you would expect, the Stepping Stone Wines are just as special and expressive.
We are big fans of the Stepping Stone Sauvignon Blanc and their very stylish Rosé known as Corallina. Corallina (coral in Italian– named for its brilliant pale pink color) is a bright taste of summer captured in a bottle. It is a dry Provencal style Rosé that exhibits both depth and zest. You know that we are huge fans of well-made Rosé.
The 2010 Stepping Stone Corallina is made entirely from Syrah grown at the Mogambo Vineyard, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley. This vineyard is situated in a relatively cool climate location that allows the retention of vibrant acidity that is so essential to great Rosé. Whole clusters of Syrah grapes are gently pressed to protect the fresh juice. The lively color you see in the bottle is naturally obtained by a brief contact with the Syrah skins. The Wine is fermented at very cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks and then racked into neutral barrels for a brief time to add another layer of flavor and richness.
The resulting Wine is fresh with ripe bright berries with a crisp dose of acidity and enough heft to make it a perfect companion at the dinner table. Corallina is the ideal expression of an Old World style Rosé produced with ripe Napa Valley fruit. Rosé lovers should grab this wine in a hurry as fewer than 300 cases were made. “My goal is to produce wines that reflect site, appellation, respecting tradition and to make wines we love to drink.” says winemaker Jeff Keene. Mission accomplished.
