Stepping into Cornerstone

I can control a lot of things in the cellar, but I can't control Mother Nature 

~ Jeff Keene, Winemaker, Cornerstone Cellars - Napa

When I was in California back in January I set up a tasting for me and the "Chickies" at Cornerstone Cellars Napa.

Cornerstone is owned by four neighbors of which two are currently involved, doctors in Memphis. Cornerstone is the Reserve label, and they are going into their 22 harvest. For 17 years they only produced 2000 cases of 2 Cabernet Sauvignons.  Then the doctors decided to get serious and they went from 2000 cases to 10,000 cases of which 2/3 is under the Stepping Stone label. Winemaker Jeff Keene tells the story well in the below video, the history, the differences between Stepping Stone and Cornerstone

 We then moved on and began to discuss the trends in the Napa region.  Trends moving away from Chardonnay and into Sauvignon Blanc.  Below Jeff talks about those trends that he is seeing.


Now lets taste some wine! We tasted a lot of wine beginning with the 2010 Cornerstone Sauvignon Blanc and 2010 Stepping Stone Sauvignon Blanc.  The Cornerstone was nice crisp with citrus and grapefruit.   The Stepping Stone uses a Cuvee Musque clone of Sauvignon Blanc.  This clone usually is used as a blending wine, but Jeff likes to showcase it on its own.  Tropical fruit notes and nice acidity.

Next in the glass is the 2010 Stepping Stone Riesling.  Beautiful flavors of apricot and some peach. Not as acidic as a New York Riesling.  I think I am becoming spoiled with the Finger Lakes Rieslings and have become accustomed to liking racy acidity in my Rieslings.

Now we moved on to 2011 Stepping Stone Rocks which is a nice white table wine.  It is a blend of Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.  It was a very nice table wine with the spice of the Gewruz on the the finish.

Then it was onto the Stepping Stone Rose Syrah.  Here Jeff picks the Syrah early at 22 1/2 - 23 brix (thats early by California standards) He lets it sit whole cluster three hours on the skins.  He treats this wine like a white wine and then puts it through a 3 hour press cycle.  I actually liked this rose.  It was very nice.

The 2009 Cabernet Franc was picked at 24 1/2 brix which allowed it to have what I love, a nice soft black/white pepper finish.

We ended the tasting with three Cornerstone 2009 Cabernet Sauvignons. The first is the Napa is at blend of 95% Cabernet and 5% Merlot.  The Merlot is added to give some concentration to the mid palate.  Nice cherry and red fruit flavors.  The grapes came from Oakville.  The 2009 Howell Mountain Cab was a bit bolder.  Then there is the blend and I can't find the name or the bottle from my notes and pictures.  There was only 200 cases of this made.  It is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Merlot.  It was wonderful.

I want to thank Craig for setting up this tasting.  I am sorry we didn't get to see you.

If you are in the Napa area, I highly recommend you step into Cornerstone Cellars!

The Other Wines in the House

This week we travel to Oregon as we tasted Cornerstone Cellars 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.  We received this selection with our Oregon Pinot Noir Club shipment. Robert Parker gave this wine a rating of 92 and there are only 50 cases of this wine produced.

This Pinot Noir had a beautiful bouquet of black cherry and red berry with hints of earthiness. 

The palate - well just say it put a smile on my face!  Black cherry, plum with earthy notes and soft tannins.  Very well crafted!  A wonderful wine!  Good job Craig Camp!

If you are interested where the grapes came from and how it was aged: 

75% Pommard clone, 25% 115 clone

50% Eola Hills AVA, 50% Yamhill Carlton AVA

15 months in 60 gallon French Oak barrels, 50% new, 50% 1 year old

We also opened a Valley of the Moon 2006 Port.  We were never into Port, but seem to be liking it these days. Especially when I am craving something sweet after dinner.   It agrees with me much better than the ice cream I would have plated for myself.

We purchased this port in October when we visited the winery. The port is a blend of 77% Souzao and 23% Syrah.  Aged in older French oak barrels for 24 months.  Comes in at 19% alcohol.

 Aromas of cherry, currants and hints of raisin on the nose.  

On the palate I found light raisin, currants ending with cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg.