Mixed Case – Coastal Vines

Tasting Notes

The Coastal Vines wines are made by winemaker Michael Alley in an approachable, fruit-driven style. This isn’t to say the wines are sweet, which is an often-used tactic in common retail wines. These are dry wines, with ripe fruit at the core of the product. The wines all see oak treatment, but this, too, is not overdone. The resulting wine present classic fruit profiles for the category, with some oak treatment, but not so much to drive the price up or to overpower the fruit and acid balance in the wine.

Given the fruit, oak and acid balance of these wines, they have extensive food-pairing possibilities.

This is a mixed case of 12 bottles containing 4 bottles of each wine.

Coastal Vines 2019 Chardonnay:
This Chardonnay is pale lemon with aromas of smoked oak and citrus. These flavors carry onto the palate in a burst of apples, oak, and a hint of orange blossom. The finish is toasty. The wine is medium-bodied in terms of mouth feel, displays modest acidity and alcohol (12.5%).

Given the softer, balanced profile of this Chardonnay, the wine will match up well alongside dishes that have more subtle flavours and weight. Spices and flavours of dishes should be restrained. It will pair best with light cheeses, fish, chicken and lighter pasta dishes.

Coastal Vines 2016 Pinot Noir:
Pale ruby colour. On the nose there is classic California Pinot character with blackberry, cherry, cola and leather. The soft vanilla tones from the oak blend perfectly with the forward fruit core and soft tannins, providing complexity and balance and leading to a lingering finish.

Pinot Noir is often the choice for consumers who seek out lighter reds, relative to something like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. California Pinot Noir, however, can be all over the map from light and fruity to very big reds. This Pinot sits on the lighter half of the scale (12.5% alc.) . Soft red fruit and smooth tannins are at the core of this wine. Pair this wine with seafood, or fowl (particularly duck), pork or light cheeses.

Coastal Vines 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon:
The Coastal Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark, plum-colored wine. Aromas of currants, berries and toast open up to flavors of ripe raspberries, plums, and vanilla on the palate, culminating in a smooth, fruity yet dry finish. Medium to full bodied, coming in at an easy-drinking 12.5% alcohol.

In terms of food accompaniment, this is not a big high alcohol wine, but a softer version of Cabernet Sauvignon, which in many ways positions it well to go alongside food, rather than sit on a pedestal all by itself. Great for red meats on the backyard grill or pasta dishes in a red sauce.