WOW: Not Just TV Dinners, Swanson

WOW: Wine of the Week

Not Just TV Dinners:  Swanson Vineyards


While wine drinkers may not first think of TV Dinners when approached with the name "Swanson," that was the norm in the early 1950s when first the Swanson name made a splash.

Today though, the Swanson name is VERY well know for its quality red wines and ever expanding portfolio.  Uncorked is pleased to have had the opportunity to offer three of their selections to our clients.  Enjoy!

Winery Notes

For more than half a century, the Swanson name has been recognized primarily for frozen food products, as in the famous TV dinners the family launched in 1953, which, at that time, was a groundbreaking innovation in the food business.

Twenty-five years ago, the Swanson family chartered another innovative course, this time into the world of wine. Commencing in the mid-1980’s, they were one of the earliest producers of Napa Valley Merlot.

Today, while its wines are extraordinary, the mission of Swanson Vineyards is straightforward: to celebrate the simple pleasures in life, made better with wine. And the winery continues to evolve into something even more extraordinary. By collaborating with some of America’s finest cultural talents, Swanson Vineyards invites its guests to reinvent how they live and entertain with wine and its many accoutrements.

Swanson Pinot Grigio 2010 Tasting Notes

"Bright, fresh pear and peach fruit mingle with litchi and Meyer lemon aromas in the complex nose of this wine. On the palate, these aromas are translated directly into the generous flavor profile. There is a nice weight in the mouth due to the synergy of the Oakville Estate components: Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay." - Winemaker Notes

Swanson "Alexis" Cabernet 2008 Tasting Notes

"The 2008 Swanson Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep ruby color.  The wine was not fined nor filtered, in order to maintain maximum flavor intensity and texture.  On the nose, super-ripe black cherry and cassis mingle with blackberry and plum.  Initial flavor is juicy, with sweeter concentrated black fruits, yielding to a firm, yet balanced underlayment of ripe, supple tannins and integrated French oak.  Overall, the wine exhibits what we consistently strive for in making Alexis Cabernet -- layers of nuanced flavors, a velvety texture and a persistent finish.  This wine will continue to age gracefully through at least 2020." - Winemaker Notes
Blend: 86% Cabernet, 12% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot

Swanson Oakville Merlot 2008 Tasting Notes

"The 2008 Swanson Oakville Merlot is a charming wine, reminiscent more of the Right Bank of Bordeaux than Napa Valley. The nose offers black cherry, plum, and dried red cherry with notes of well-integrated sweet oak and mocha. Firm, ripe tannins characteristic of our Oakville Estate vineyard fill the palate nicely. In the mouth look for raspberry, black cherry, and red licorice. The Petite Verdot contributes a graceful top note of verve and spice. Velvet-smooth and long on the finish. Should continue to improve in the bottle with the optimum drinkability continuing through 2017." - Winemaker Notes

WOW: Washington State Delights, Mercer Estates

WOW: Wine of the Week

Washington State Delights: Mercer Estate


Welcome back to Mercer Estates from Washington State!  Mercer Estates was recently acquired by a larger distributor and they now have more varietals to offer in North Carolina - which allows Uncorked to ship them out to our clients!  Visit the "Wine of the Week" page on ShopUncorked.com to view the three new whites (all priced at just $12.99) and two new red (both priced at just $19.49) selections.

Winery Notes

We are now into our fourth generation of farming in Washington State's Horse Heaven Hills. We look back to earlier generations with respect and appreciation for the work they did and the legacy they established.

Our wines are produced from premium grapes grown throughout the Horse Heaven Hills (primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Mourvedre, Malbec, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Grenache), Yakima Valley (primarily Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris) and the greater Columbia Valley.

Mercer Estates Columbia Valley Pinot Gris 2010 Tasting Notes

"A nose full of ripe honeydew melon and pear continues on the palate complimented by racy green apple and nice minerality. A slight herbal note, reminiscent of fresh mown hay, adds complexity to the flavor profile. The mouth is broad and filling." - Winemaker Notes

Mercer Estates Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2010 Tasting Notes

"The 2010 Chardonnay exemplifies balance of acidity, mouth-feel, delicacy, alcohol, fruit and complexity. Aromas of pear and melon mix with lemon cream, yeast and oak spice. In the mouth, fresh fruit and acidity introduce a wine with backbone, good weight, chalky minerality and fruit purity that match well with most foods." - Winemaker Notes

Mercer Estates Yakima Valley Riesling 2010 Tasting Notes

"Delicate aromas of peach, apricot and beeswax in the nose are confirmed on the palate along with a mouthwatering acidic frame, revealing a hint of sweetness. Well balanced of acid and residual sugar, this dryer style Riesling is a refreshing aperitif or a delicious companion to crab cakes, blue cheese and spicy foods." - Winemaker Notes

Mercer Columbia Valley Merlot 2008 Tasting Notes

"Pronounced aromas of cherry, kirshwasser and cassis are completed with hints of cocoa, vanilla and allspice. In the mouth, spiced berry fruit plays a dominate role in a full-bodied, broad and structured style, finishing with moderate tannins and ripe savory overtones. Drink now through 2017." - Winemaker Notes

Mercer Columbia Valley Cabernet 2008 Tasting Notes

"Cassis and toasted oak mingle with ripe cherry and cocoa in the nose and continue on the palate with additional complexities of forest floor, sweet earth and spice revealed with air. Textured, full-bodied and long; supple tannins support the fruit which is framed by fresh acidity. Approachable and elegant upon release, this wine will age nicely and increasingly show its depth and additional complexities over time. Drink now through 2017." - Winemaker Notes

WOW: Valentine's Day Warning - Just 3 Days!

WOW: Wine of the Week

Valentine's Day is just 3 days away--Order Love Potions!
With Cupid knocking at your door, you ought to realize by this point that Valentine's Day is just 3 days away!

TODAY is the final day to order Uncorked Love Potion Gift Boxes for ensured delivery this Valentine's Day weekend.

With two options and price points of only $25.00 or $40.00, this is as sure of a shot as Cupid's arrow!

Choose from the following Gift Box Options:
  

• Cupid's Crush, $25.00

  Sensual Torrontes and Sensual Cabernet

• Liquid Pleasures, $40.00

  Monogamy Chardonnay and Alexander Valley "Sin Zin" Zinfandel

WOW: Valentine's Day is just 10 days away--Order Love Potions!

WOW: Wine of the Week

Valentine's Day is just 10 days away--Order Love Potions!

Uncorked is pleased to provide you with two unique gift box combinations to make your Valentine's Day gift giving as easy as Cupid's Target Practice!

Pricing for Love Potion Gift Boxes range from $25-$40.  Each packaged in Uncorked's Signature Gift Box.

All Gift Box orders must be placed by Friday, February 8th to ensure delivery on or before Valentine's Day (ground shipping).  For local delivery options, please place orders by Monday, February 11th.

Choose from the following Gift Box Options:

• Cupid's Crush, $25.00

  Sensual Torrontes and Sensual Cabernet

• Liquid Pleasures, $40.00

  Monogamy Chardonnay and Alexander Valley "Sin Zin" Zinfandel

Interested in creating a personalized gift for your Valentine?  Simply add the wines of choice to your cart and select our "gift wrap" option.  For just an additional $4.95 Uncorked will wrap your selections in our Signature Gift Box.   In addition, if there are specific wines that you seek, please do not hesitate to contact Uncorked.  Uncorked has access to all wines distributed in North Carolina but we simply do not post all available wines on the website.  Special requests are welcomed and encouraged!

WOW: Back by Popular Demand - Clos du Val Winery Selections

WOW: Wine of the Week

Clos du Val Winery Selections


Back by popular demand...Uncorked has added three selections from the Clos du Val Winery portfolio.  Each of the wines illustrate a SIGNIFICANT savings over typical retail pricing...the Cabernet alone is priced $13 UNDER retail pricing!

Winery Notes

Clos Du Val Winery, founded in 1972 has firmly established its label among the world's finest. President and winemaker Bernard Portet, raised in the Bordeaux region of France, creates wines that harmoniously marry French elegance with rich Napa Valley fruit. Following the Chateau concept that world class wines are produced from the finest grapes, Clos Du Val has 130 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel in the Stags Leap District and 140 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the cooler Carneros region of Napa Valley.

Clos Du Val "Ariadne" 2010 Tasting Notes

"Like its namesake, Clos Du Val’s 2010 Ariadne is rich, intense and elegant. Pale gold in color, the wine displays lively tropical fruit aromas with hints of melon and fig. On the palate, subtle passion fruit flavors combine with guava, citrus and light oak for a rich, creamy mouth-feel, while firm acids keep the finish crisp and light."  - Winery Notes 

Clos du Val Cabernet 2009 Tasting Notes

"Characteristic of Clos Du Val's world-class style, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon continues the winery's tradition of producing truly elegant wines of balance and complexity. Its opulent, brooding purple hue is accentuated with aromas of ripe black and purple fruit, black pepper and subtle hints of toast. The palate displays a seamless integration of intense flavors that include chocolate, toffee and blackberry. The wine has a rich yet powerful mouthfeel marked by focused, silky tannins and a long, lingering finish. Expect this Cabernet Sauvignon to age gracefully for an additional 5-10 years." - Winery Notes

Clos du Val Merlot 2010 Tasting Notes

"Characteristic of Clos Du Val's world-class style, the 2010 Merlot continues the winery's tradition of producing truly elegant wines of balance and complexity. Full-bodied and deep plum in color, it offers complex yet vibrant aromas of black currant, spice, dark chocolate and a hint of toast. The mouth-feel is warm and rich, with a solid middle marked with flavors of black cherry and blueberry complimented by a silky, lingering finish." - Winery Notes

Blend: 85% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot

WOW: Wine with a Western Spirit!

WOW: Wine of the Week

Hayes Ranch Winery: "A California Winery with a Western Spirit"


This Western inspired winery is roping in value with its two signature wines!  Both the Hayes Ranch Chardonnay and Cabernet are UNDER $7 per bottle!  These value wines are taming the "wild" West of California and are true illustrations that wine is affordable at any budget.

Winery Notes

Hayes Ranch premium California wines embrace the spirit of the American West. The Hayes family was a true California ranching family whose livelihood depended on the land. Today, the Wente Family carries on the Hayes family tradition, with 128 years of winemaking and wine growing history, crafting bright, delicious wines from premier California vineyards. We created these wines for your enjoyment, with a rancher’s pride, from excellent quality grapes. The Hayes Ranch portfolio includes playful “western” varietals that are as delicious as they are affordable.

Hayes Ranch "Best Foot Forward" Chardonnay 2010 Tasting Notes

Golden yellow in color with inviting aromas and flavors of vanilla, brown sugar and green apple with a hint of cinnamon. The mouth filling flavors are subtle, yet well integrated with oak to create a very smooth wine
with a soft fruity finish.

Hayes Ranch "In the Saddle" Cabernet 2010 Tasting Notes

This Cabernet comes from specially selected vineyards in California, where warm days, cool nights and a long growing season develop ripe, round fruit flavors. Each vineyard is sustainably farmed and harvested separately, fermented in upright fermenters, and “rack and return” was performed twice daily. Rack and return is the process of draining all of the free-run juice off the cap, then pumping the free-run juice back over the top of the fermenter. This method increases color and tannin extraction and improves the mouthfeel through the integration of oxygen. Each blend was aged separately in neutral oak.

Flavors of red cherry and anise, with a hint of vanilla, abound in this Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is well balanced, with medium tannin, a smooth mid-palate and a spicy, coffee finish.

WOW: Bring this "Troublemaker" Home...

WOW: Wine of the Week

Everyone Knows a "Troublemaker," Now Bring One Home!


This is one "Troublemaker" that you will want in your house!  From the makers of Treana, Liberty School, Austin Hope, Candor, Hope Family Wines brings us a "Troublemaker" of a Rhone blend.  Rest assured that at just $17.77 this will NOT be a "Troublemaker" to your wallet!

Product Description

A Rhone-inspired blend, Troublemaker is a unique wine made by Austin Hope. Made with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Petite Sirah, it is made with 100% Paso Robles fruit. By using a multi-vintage approach, Austin allows the wine to show uncanny complexity in its youth, yet rich and fruit-forward characteristics. With bright aromatics that evoke thoughts of smoked meat, the wine shows amazing depth and structure, bright fruit and a long finish.  Wine is best made when a winemaker has choices. This philosophy is evident in the Troublemaker, a blend crafted from multiple varietals and vintages. The selected lots of wine come from the 2008, 2009 and 2010 vintages, but the majority (65%) is 2009. Aged wine from 2008 (15%) adds complexity and structure, while the bright, young wine from 2010 (20%) brings forth a freshness that helps complete the finished wine.

Hope Family Winery "Troublemaker" Red Blend 4 Tasting Notes

"Troublemaker combines elegance and power. Bright aromas of black cherry and licorice evolve into a stronger bouquet reminiscent of smoked meats. The wine shows amazing depth and intensity with a rich and textural mouthfeel. Complete with bright red fruit flavors along with hints of leather and cocoa, it is a well-balanced wine that culminates with an extended finish." - Winery Notes

Blend: 73% Syrah, 12% Grenache, 8% Petite Sirah, 7% Mourvedre