Corison Winery Tasting

Our second stop along St Helena highway was Corison Winery. Corison is a small family farm that is under the ownership and watch of Cathy Corison who has been making wine for over three decades. She was also one of the first women to make wine in California with a specialty in Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery was started in 1987 and sits off of the main highway on loamy soil. The vineyard is dry farmed, so the soil composition helps it to retain moisture. It is not 100% dry farmed because they do provide a “drink” for the vines if needed. As previously stated, Cathy’s specialty is Cabernet Sauvignon, but she also makes a Gewurztraminer. Our tasting guide stated that this is the only white wine she likes to produce. It is also a wine that gets much praise in the area, so I was excited to try. The Cabs are aged in new french oak and present with elegance and balance. The cabernet wines are not fruit bombs! The wines are feminine and made in an old world style. They are made to last!

• 2015 Corison Gewürztraminer Corazón 92 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  The wine has very little color, which was a very light pale yellow. It had a very vibrant nose, which expressed flavors of violet, hibiscus, honey suckle and rose petal. The wine aroma was very floral. This is a dry wine that should be appreciated with food. I had the opportunity to taste with and without food. It is amazing how different this wine is with the right food. The acidity profile compliments it greatly with food. The taste provides nice acidity with crisp floral flavors of lavender, hibiscus, and passion fruit. A very nice wine! Score 92

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• 1999 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A beautiful red garnet color with a nose full of leather, lavender, cherry and other dark red fruits. The taste was very balanced. The age on this wine allowed it to present with multiple layers of flavor. The wine was soft and elegant on the palate with mild tannins and some acidity. The flavors consisted of dark red fruits (cherry) and other fruits like blueberry and plum. I also found that there were some medicinal undertones on the finish, which was quite nice. This wine should be had over the next 5 years. Very nice! Score 92

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• 2013 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This wine had a more purplish hue to its visual presentation. I was excited to try the 2013 because it was such a great vintage. I have also tasted many 2013 California cabs that were really nice. This one did not disappoint! The nose contained flavors of vanilla, wet stone and rich dark fruits. Awesome acidity and structure. The taste provided flavors of vanilla, cherry and bitter chocolate. This is one that will age well and I suspect will have more flavors once aged. Also, the wine was decanted only for 2 hours prior to our tasting. I am very happy that I have some of these to rest in my cellar for the next 6 years plus. Score 94

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• 2012 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is Corison’s featured cabernet. It is a wonderful wine that has proper balance and structure. The color was a dark red. The smell of this wine offered pencil lead, cherry and black currants. The mouth feel was soft with rich layers of licorice, vanilla and other dark fruits. Very nice finish as well. Score 93

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This is cabernet made the right way. I highly recommend a visit for a try of the cabs and gewurtzraminer. Everyone in our crew really enjoyed the wines.