Time to celebrate a friend’s birthday while her husband was out of town. Since she forms a core part of the Decanting Monterey COVID Wine Pod, why not go to lunch in Carmel-by-the-Sea and do some wine tasting afterwards? After a lovely patio lunch at Grasings, we headed to our first stop – KORi!
I didn’t know much about KORi Wines except that they are relatively new and have earned critical acclaim. I was excited to know more about her wines and her at her tasting room!
From the Label: “Kori Wines are a family affair – a partnership between respected Santa Lucia Highlands grower Kirk Williams and his stepdaughter Kori Violini.” Yes, we are talking Kirk Williams of KW Ranch fame!
Critical Acclaim from the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition:
- Double Gold: 2017 San Saba Syrah (Monterey) 94 pts
- Gold: 2017 KW Ranch Pinot Noir (SLH) 90 pts
- Silver: 2018 Griva Sauvignon Blanc (Arroyo Seco), 2014 KW Ranch Pinot Noir (SLH)
- Bronze: 2018 Highlands Ranch Rosé (SLH)
Today I am presenting 7 of Kori’s wines. The winery notes come from the labels and their website. The prices are from the tasting sheet. We were excited to know that the winemaker is Sabrine Rodems from Wrath, as well as her own label, Scratch. The reds are all aged in French oak.
2018 KORi Blanc de Blanc, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, ??% ABV, $45 (#449*)
Winery notes: “Our first sparkling wine from our estate grown Chardonnay. Vibrant acidity and a fresh (dry) palate. Drink 2020-2028.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “Lemon. Lime Zest. White Blossom. White Nectarine. Fig. Lychee.”
My Review: Nose at first was yeasty, common in California sparklers, but it dissipated over time. Clover and a touch of nuttiness on the nose. Stone fruit and citrus on the palate. My Champagne loving partner liked this wine. August 2021
2020 KORi Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, 13.6% ABV, $27 (#450*)
Winery notes: “A personal favorite varietal of Kori’s, grapes sourced from esteemed Griva Vineyard in Arroyo Seco.”
Winery Tasting Notes: Guava. Lychee. Melon. Lemon Cream.
My Review: Viscous yet clear like water in the glass. Green apple, crisp pear and honey on the nose. Honey and grapefruit on the palate with some ripe cheese flavor mid-palate. Very refreshing. August 2021
2019 KORi Rosé, Highlands Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.2% ABV, $25 (#451*)
Winery Notes: “Our 2nd vintage! Like the previous vintage, 2019 is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes from our estate owned Highlands Ranch Vineyard.” 200 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Rose Petal. Rainer Cherry. Wet Gravel. Crab Apple. Stone Fruit.”
Critical Acclaim: “Bronze Medal – SF International Wine Competition 2019”
My Review: With 24 hours on the skins, this wine is bold in color. Slightly bitter on the nose. Rich in flavor on the palate, we’d say this is not a patio-sipping rosé. Rather, this would make a great food wine. August 2021
2018 KORi Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA (#452*)
Winery notes: Not available.
My Review: Slightly perfumey on the nose. Good, rich flavor with a slightly bitter finish. Would be good with a meal. August 2021
2017 KORi Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.3% ABV, $49 (#453*)
Winery notes: “From our family, estate owned first vineyard planted in 1997 at the corner of Fariview & River Roads in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Drink 2020-2027” 94 pts from Wine Enthusiast
Winery Tasting Notes: “Pomegranate. Blackberry. Bay Leaf. Red Cherry.”
Critical Acclaim: Gold – SF International Wine Competition
My Review: Ruby in color. Intense cooked cherry on the nose. The palate was raisin-like – intense fruit yet both bitter and sweet. This wine had been opened from the previous day; we declined an offer to open a fresh bottle. August 2021
2018 KORi Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, 14.5% ABV, $55 (#454*)
Winery notes: “The first Cab from KORi Wines! Sabrine couldn’t have done a better job making our debut Cab with single vineyard Alexander Valley fruit. Drink 2020-2030.” 225cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Pomegranate. Charred Pepper. Sour Cherry. Black Tea.”
My Review: Ruby in color. Green pepper on the nose. Dark berries with solid tannins. Explosive of flavor on the palate with a slightly tobacco finished. Delicious, yet a bit light for a Cabernet Sauvignon. I would recommend cellaring this wine. August 2021
2018 KORi Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, 14.5% ABV, $42 (#455*)
Winery notes: “Hot off the heels of the, now sold out, 2017 vintage comes the San Saba 2018 which a slightly drier year shows the same great black fruit, plum, baking spice & smoked meat put in a more concentrated package.” 195 cases produced.
Winery Tasting Notes: “Juicy Bramble Fruit. Black Pepper. Cigar Box.”
Critical Acclaim: Double Gold – SF International Wine Competition
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. White pepper and jammy berries on the nose, with lots of pepper masking most of the fruit on the palate. August 2021
You can buy KORi wines online or at their tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea “Monday-Thursday 1-6 (TUES CLOSED), Friday Noon-6, Saturday Noon-7, Sunday Noon-6. Reservations not required. Mission St between Ocean & 7th Avenue, Court of the Fountains, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921”
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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