Opus One: The Old World and the New

Posted on December 1, 2015June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

If you’re a Cabernet fan who has trouble deciding between old world and new, consider Opus One, a blended Cabernet. Founded in Napa Valley in 1979, Opus One comes from the marriage of two countries, two continents, and two of the world’s most famous wine families: Robert Mondavi of California and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Mouton Rothschild, France. In the 1970s, Rothschild’s involvement was big news in the wine industry and added considerable respectability to an up-and-coming Napa Valley. In 1981, a single case of Opus sold for $24,000 at auction, the highest price ever for a California wine.

Opus One began modestly on 35 acres. The vineyards have since come to span 170 acres, producing 25,000 cases annually. Opus appears to have reached an astounding level of respect in both old and new worlds: close to 50 percent of its wine is now sold overseas, with a distribution office in Bordeaux. Its popularity extends beyond even France and the United States; Japan is one of its leading importers.

To produce its world-class wine, Opus One relies on a gentle, unhurried process. It begins with harvesting the grapes, transporting them carefully in small batches before sorting them by hand. Opus also employs the use of a highly advanced optical sorter, which recognizes a grape’s color, size and shape to ensure that only the most optimal grapes have been hand-selected. Opus dedicates each of its 50 elevated fermentation vats to a particular parcel of the vineyard, so the grapes grow and ferment together. The elevated vats use gravity to release the juice, after which the wine is aged in French oak barrels for a year and a half. Another year and a half of aging in the bottle finishes the wine.

Boulder Cork is pleased to offer Opus One in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages by the bottle as well as the 2011 vintage by the glass (a steal at $72). A winery famous for its Bordeaux-style blends (referred to as Meritage blends when from American soil), varietal percentages vary across Opus vintages to make the most of the year’s grapes and their flavor profiles. The 2010 vintage, for instance, consists of Cabernet Sauvignon 84%, Cabernet Franc 5.5%, Merlot, 5.5%, Petit Verdot 4%, and Malbec 1%. Detailed information on each year’s growing conditions is available on the Opus One website. It’s worth noting that the 2010 vintage received especially strong critical acclaim, described, for instance, as “picture perfect” by wine critic Antonio Galloni.

In the tradition of many great Bordeaux estates, Opus One began crafting a second non-vintage wine, Overture, in 1993. Because of the highly selective Opus One blending process, some lots, despite possessing outstanding qualities, are ultimately not selected for the final Opus One. These lots are afforded more time in the barrel and subsequently blended with other lots across vintages. Overture is aged in the same French oak and consists of the same five varietals as Opus One. Boulder Cork is pleased to offer Overture as well.

If you’re looking for an excellent wine this holiday season, ask us about our Opus One vintages. We love talking about wine!

From the Wine List: Inglenook Vineyards

Posted on November 16, 2015June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

Here at the Cork, we pride ourselves on our deep and diverse wine list, featuring vintages for the ages alongside everyday favorites. One wine I was particularly pleased to include on our current list is the Inglenook Cask Cabernet Sauvignon from 2010. The Inglenook tasting notes put it best – this wine offers an “alluring nose of dark cherries, blueberries, chocolate, tobacco and sweet toasted oak.” It is smooth and delicious, and has a unique story to go with its unique taste.

The Inglenook winery is inextricably linked in modern times to the filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Inglenook is located in Rutherford, California, and is one of the most famous properties in the Napa Valley. Founded in 1879 by Finn Gustave Niebaum, Inglenook boasts one of the Valley’s most historic vineyards, and the mansion and chateau that overlook the lands bear Niebaum’s name. In 1972, following the success of his film The Godfather, Coppola and his wife Eleanor purchased the Niebaum mansion for $2.2 million.

The purchase did not include the Inglenook vineyards, although it did include 100 acres of grapes attached to the mansion. Flush with his film’s success, Coppola gave no thought to winemaking at the time, only of providing a summer home for his family in the Napa Valley. The Niebaum mansion became that Coppola family home, while the nearby chateau became a museum for Coppola’s movie memorabilia – an attraction that drew tens of thousands of tourists. Over the 20 years tourists were flocking to the chateau, Coppola gradually realized how the intensity of the tourism was ruining the legacy of historic Inglenook.

While Coppola’s was souring on the commercial and tourist nature of the chateau, the legendary Inglenook winery itself had undergone a similar souring. By the time the Coppolas bought the Niebaum mansion in 1972, the quality of a wine once known as one of the finest in the Napa Valley now rated only as a jug wine. The winery had passed through a series of owners who valued profit over quality, and the vintage had suffered.

In 1979, with Apocalypse Now suffering in the press and Coppola’s filmmaking career stalled, Coppola decided to begin dabbling in winemaking with the small 100 acres of grapes that had come with his purchase of the Niebaum mansion in 1972. He bottled a few years and experienced no success until the 1992 release of his successful film Bram Stoker’s Dracula. With the success of Dracula, Coppola bought the Niebaum chateau and the mistreated Inglenook vineyards, and decided to enter the winemaking business in earnest.

Coppola has dedicated himself to turning around the vineyard and restoring quality to the Inglenook name. In 2011, he reacquired the rights to use the Inglenook name and returned the estate to its traditional title. The estate’s previous name, Rubicon, now graces the label of the Inglenook winery’s flagship red. Today, the Inglenook vineyard produces excellent wine once more, and the Cask Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect example.

Next time you are at the Cork, consider the Inglenook Rubicon, Inglenook Blancaneaux or the Inglenook Cask Cabernet Sauvignon with your steak, fish or prime rib, or ask your server about any of the other amazing wines we feature by the bottle and the glass.

Ah Spring

Posted on April 15, 2014June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

Farmers markets have started, flowers are blooming, birds are singing. It must be spring. For a chef this one of the most exciting times of the year. It seams so long ago that I have tasted and served fresh leafy greens and that wild king salmon and halibut were abundant. Now spring has arrived and all of nature’s bounty is here and ahead of us. It is a great time to be a chef and an even better time to be a diner at the Cork. We have Alaskan King Salmon, Halibut , Arugula, Baby Greens, over-wintered Spinach and much more to come.

Silver Oak Wine Special

Posted on February 24, 2014June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

An oenophile’s dream come true! We are offering specials from Feb. 22 through March 31, 2014, on Silver Oak’s highly regarded Napa and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and also sister cellar Twomey’s Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Prices below are by the bottle and a great value for truly distinctive wines.

The Wine

2009 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, $105

2008 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $160

2009 Twomey Merlot, Napa Valley, $80

2012 Twomey Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, $45

About the Vineyard

Established in 1972, Silver Oak Cellars is a family-owned California winery dedicated to producing distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon. The Duncan family later founded Twomey Cellars in 1999, which produces Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for approximately 25 months in American oak barrels, thought to impart less wood tannin than French oak. The winery uses sustainable methods to produce its wine, including reclaimed materials in its buildings and energy efficiency during the fermentation process. Silver Oak and Twomey wines are considered go-to vintages for wine connoisseurs and are eagerly anticipated each year. In 2012, the 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet was named one of the “Year’s Best Cabernet Sauvignon” from Wine & Spirit Magazine.

Summer-fresh Watermelon Salad

Posted on June 4, 2013June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

There’s nothing quite like a light, refreshing and delicious salad when the weather is warm and a heavy meal doesn’t sound too appealing. Chef Jim debuted this recipe last year and it was a HUGE hit. Now that the heat has reappeared here in Boulder and we’re heading into June, it seemed like a good time to pull this crowd favorite back out. It’s the Cork’s grilled organic watermelon with Cana de Cabra on Hoot and Howl Arugula, dressed with Andy’s EVOO and aged balsamic. It will be on the menu, on and off, during this warm summer months and while our local farmers are able to supply us with the ingredients, so take advantage of it while you can!

Cork and Ridge Vineyards Host Wine Tasting on April 23

Posted on April 5, 2013June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

The Boulder Cork and Ridge Vineyards of California will host an exclusive wine tasting dinner on Tuesday, April 23 at 6 p.m. at the Cork.

Christina Donely of Ridge Vineyards will be on hand to guide diners through a variety of wines, and Cork Chef Jim Smailer, who recently celebrated 31 years as chef of the Cork, will prepare an array of food to pair with each wine. Seating is limited and the cost for this event is $45 per person.

The Boulder Cork is located at 3295 30^th St. Boulder, CO 80301. For more information or to make a reservation, call 303-443-9505.

Guest Chef

Posted on March 25, 2013June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

I had a visiting chef from Nantucket last week for four nights. Chris Hinds made this pan seared Striped Bass on greens with avocado,shaved fennel and sweet potato hay.

Farmer’s Market Coming to an End

Posted on November 11, 2012June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

This Saturday was the second to the last Boulder Farmer’s Market. It has been a great season and I have been there every Saturday since the beginning of the season starting in early April except for a very few when I was out of town visiting other farmer’s markets. Still plenty of wonderful seasonal produce such as arugula, spinach, carrots, leeks, lettuces, chard, beets, chiles, shallots, onions, potatoes and winter squash. I made butternut squash ravioli and arugula salads for last night’s restaurant specials. I also have been using Triple M Bar Ranch lamb all year. The last two markets I have been buying shoulder and leg for the First Bite Menu which I am serving braised with winter vegetables and house made gnocchi. This offering is a huge hit. Triple M Bar lamb is how lamb should be – it is so mild with no gamey flavor.

It is a true young animal that has been humanely raised by two people, Mary and Dave, who really care.

First Bite at the Boulder Cork

Posted on November 9, 2012June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

First Bite is always an exciting and busy time for us here at the Boulder Cork. One of the best things about it is that it gives our chefs an opportunity to really let their imaginations run wild. While Chef Jim is already quite creative in the kitchen, with specials changing constantly, First Bite is a unique chance to develop a truly stellar menu from start to finish. This year we’re thrilled to be offering a lot of local foods as part of our First Bite Menu, including a butternut squash soup made from squash from Munson’s farms and a braised Triple M Bar Ranch Lamb. We also have our classic prime rib, with a side of our much-loved smoked mashed potatoes; a sauteed trout with polenta; a delicious yellowfin tuna; and dessert choices that will leave you wishing you could sample them all.

Chef Jim and the Boulder County AIDS Project Fundraiser

Posted on October 30, 2012June 5, 2019 by p1v0t

Our own Chef Jim Smailer was honored to participate in the recent Local Legends fundraiser for the Boulder County AIDS Project. The fundraiser raised, in total, more than $75,000, which surpassed last year’s efforts by more than $20,000! Boulder’s finest chefs joined together to serve attendees a seated five-course dinner. Jim worked on the second course, along with Flagstaff House chef Mark Monette. One special moment of the night came when BCAP honored Nama Chintamani Krishna Illo as Volunteer of the Year. He has been a volunteer for six years and has devoted more than 600 hours to the organization. He also recently disclosed his HIV-positive status. Here’s an article in the Daily Camera about his reasons for disclosing his status, his volunteerism: Why one man disclosed he has HIV

It was an honor to have our chef represent the Boulder Cork at this very special and worthwhile event. Thanks to the Boulder County AIDS Project for all its work and for including our Chef Jim as part of this event!