BROWN ESTATE – UNCORKED IN METRO DALLAS!
When a bottle of wine is “corked” — or found to be spoiled — the culprit is usually a tainted cork. Often, but not always, the odor is described as smelling like a wet dog, damp basement or even a moldy newspaper. Usually, the wine is undrinkable. Even the most expensive wines are susceptible, and a “corked” bottle of wine has been the bane of many a winemaker’s existence for centuries.
In metro Dallas, a Napa Valley winery, Brown Estate, is offering taint-free corks in all of its wines. Partnering with Cork Supply USA, pioneers of an extensive cork inspection process, each individual cork is placed in a vial glass container with two drops of added pure HPLC-grade water. After 24 hours, testers sniff each cork, one by one, for off-aromas, thereby ensuring no tainted corks reach the winery. The result: every bad cork was discovered and discarded prior to the bottling of all 2012 vintage Brown Estate wines.
These wines are available on the wine lists at top Dallas restaurants and caterers such as Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Sky Canyon by Stephen Pyles, the catering group of famed Chef Wolfgang Puck’s, and Citrus Bistro, where partner Jean Loup Schyns describes the 2010 bottle of Chaos Theory as “memorable and delicious.” Dallas-area retail outlets include Spec’s Liquor, Goody Goody Liquor and PK’s Fine Wines & Spirits. D & E Fine Wine Group, based in suburban Dallas, represents the boutique Napa Valley winery throughout Texas.
Brown Estate’s ongoing efforts to procure failsafe corks began last year. Amelia Forney of Cork Supply USA revealed her company’s inspection program (named DS100) is relatively new to the wine industry. She estimated less than 50 wineries participate in the program.
According to winemaker David Brown, “This approach has significantly minimized the problem of bad corks, well below any level we have achieved before. Knowing that we can offer our clients delicious wines with reliable corks gives us peace of mind.”
For his part, Brown spoke passionately about his craft. “Winemaking is truly a labor of love. From the planting phase through the harvesting of the grapes, leading to the bottling and aging process – each step is carefully tendered and painstakingly monitored. The cork must do its part to ensure the integrity of the process and the wine.”
Brown Estate’s production during 2013 (primarily 2012 vintage wines) topped 8,000 cases, including their signature Napa Valley estate Zinfandel (2,100 cases) and four single vineyard estate Zinfandels – Mickey’s Block, Rosemary’s Block, Westside, and Chiles Valley (700 cases each)– and their 2012 Chaos Theory Zinfandel/Cabernet/Petite Sirah blend (1,400 cases), 2012 Chardonnay (250 cases), 2012 Petite Sirah (425 cases) an 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (400 cases). All of these wines will be released in 2014.
The Napa Valley Zinfandel, Chaos Theory, and Cabernet Sauvignon were released in February to retail outlets and restaurants in Texas and other US markets. These wines are available directly to consumers through the winery’s website. The single vineyard zinfandels are sold exclusively through the winery, as is their $125-abottle Brown Recluse reserve Cabernet/Zinfandel blend (150 cases). The 2012 Chardonnay and reserve 2011 Recluse Zinfandel (150 cases) will be released only to Brown Estate wine club members.
Brown’s signature Zinfandel and Chardonnay are often found on the Wine Lists of prestigious restaurants from New York to California. Primary examples are the locations of famed restaurateu Thomas Keller, who operates The French Laundry, and Bouchon in Yountville, CA., as well as Per Se, and a second Bouchon in New York City. Inclusion on these internationally- known restaurant’s Wine Lists means an available bottle of Brown Estate wine has passed the test of an exceptional Sommelier and Thomas Keller.
Owned and managed by the Brown Family, the boutique winery is located in the mountainous Sage Canyon area of Napa Valley, 14 miles east of downtown St. Helena.
For additional information on Brown Estate, visit www.brownestate.com or call the winery at (707)963-2435. When planning a trip to Napa Valley, visitors my call ahead to reserve a tour and wine tasting at Brown Estate.
