Eliminating Bias and Just Enjoying Good Wine

The story: I have a liberal bias. Um, let's soften that up and call it a liberal 'bent.' Whatever it is, I am inclined towards the little guy. I'm not much of a sports fan in general, but when there is a big event I always root for the underdog because something about that feels better. I idealize small family-owned farms as if they are a manifestation of a purer ethic, which I intellectually know may or may not be true. Therefore I really did not want to like this wine very much. I have seen Francis Ford Coppola wines everywhere, and always assumed that the label was just another one of those stories where someone makes a fortune in one industry, and then buys there way into winemaking with no concept of what it really takes. They then use their endless fortune to find a winemaker, buy the best grapes, and create a mansion in the middle of some farm fields where butlers and personal chefs eliminate any need to get in touch with the local agricultural community.

So I did not want to like this wine, or the winery from which it came. Good thing is, I am often wrong. Lately I've been more comfortable with this fact, and this is one of those times. I heard Francis Ford Coppola on Adam Carolla's podcast and realized that my bias was built on assumptions that may occassionally be true, but are not true across the board. This man is passionate about wine, and what goes into his wines. While his production is high, he did make a fortune in the movie industry (with some damn fine films), and he does employ others to do a lot of the work, Francis Ford Coppola winery is about the wine, not about a false lifestyle for the owner. He is not making outrageous cult wines, simply to show others that he can. Rather there is a whole line of approachable, delicious, and well made wines for all types of consumers.

The wine: I was given a Francis Coppola Diamond Claret 2007 from my dear friends Tim and Sarah who are possibly the least interested in wine of all my friends, but who are also some of the most supportive of my interest and blogging efforts (thanks guys). The wine is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, 4% Malbec, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot and Cab Franc are from the Coppola estate in Alexander Valley, with the rest of the fruit coming from Napa, Sonoma, and El Dorado counties. It has a black core with dark purple hues. The nose gives off dark cherry, cedar, plum, and a dusty tar note. It is very kirsch-like upfront with some solid dark fruit across the palette, and smooth framing tannins that allow the finish to last quite a while. As the wine opened up the fruit was balanced with a great minerality and just a touch of leather.

The verdict: This bottle of classic Bordeaux blend exceeds its $12-$16 price tag. The wine is delicious and very well structured, and gets a 3.5 out of 5. This is big recommend from me, as it is widely available, approachable young, and complex but eminently enjoyable.

I guess it took a $15 bottle of wine to teach me that my 'elevated' sense of ethics is an unnecessary bias when it comes to kicking back and enjoying good wine. It takes all types and all producers have their chance to make something great. Isn't that mindset a truer expression of a liberal approach to wine? Maybe so.