Francis Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola is famous for his movies especially for The Godfather but he is also for his wines. Indeed, for 35 years, he has been producing famous Napa Valley wines.

Story :

The Coppola Family have been producing wines for many generations. The grand father, Agostino, was already used to make wine in the cellar of his building in New York. So after the success and with the money of the Godfather the filmmakers decided to invest in a vineyard in Napa Valley, California.

The Vineyard :

In 1975, Francis Ford Coppola bought pieces of Inglenook Vineyards, a vineyard founded in 1879 by the Finnish tradesman Gustave Niebaum.

He decided to rename it Rubicon Estate. He made a first vintage under the Niebaum-Coppola label and he made it like Bordeaux wines. In 1995, he increased his field by acquiring other grounds and the castle of Inglenook. From there, Coppola took the initial name of The Vineyard and he made wines with different grapes varieties, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, cabernet franc, merlot and syrah. He wanted to bring honor to the historical reputation of the vineyard, considered until 1960 as one of the most famous fields in California.

Consequently, he brought out a white wine, Blancaneaux. And he used is Italian origins to make a new range of products called Rosso & Bianco. In 2006 a second structure in the commune of Geyserville, in the area of Sonoma was created to make a winery with a restaurant, bar and museum which became an oenotourism place and a park.

In 2011, he engaged the director of the first Grand Cru Chateaux Margaux, Philippe Bascaules, to develop the concept of “vin de terroir” in Inglenook Vineyards.

As a famous star of the American Cinema, Francis Ford Coppola received many awards and oscars just like his wines which also received many awards from many wine competitions around the world. This fame is mostly due to his sparkling wine called Sophia wich is he’s daughter’s name.

The Products :

For this first article we decided to taste one of them, to see if Coppola’s wines deserve to be as famous as his movies or if his success is only due to his reputation.

“Francis Coppola – Diamond collection – Zinfandel – 2011”

Here is our tasting sheet !

Appearance :
Clarity : Crystaline and brilliant in the glass. Like a paparazzi flash !
Intensity : Medium intensity
Colour : Pale colour and blood-like, just like the movie godfather.

Nose :
Condition : Pure and no sign of default ! As in the mafia’s world.
Intensity : Expressive and clear, as a murder’s orders in Vito Corleone !
Development : Ready to drink NOW !!
Aroma characteristics : Wild strawberries with floral aromas and wild animals smells ! You can feel the atmosphere of « Apocalypse Now » by F.F.Coppola 1979. Hidden in the woods of Vietnam !

Palate :
The Attack : Medium attack.
Tanin : Tender tanins, we expect more personality from a wine of the Italian star « Coppola » !
Body : As sophisticated and elegant as Corleone’s private buffet !
Balance : Well balanced !
Final : Full supple and silky wine, final touch of freshness, but it doesn’t last.

To sum up the tasting, we can certify the quality of this Coppola’s Zinfandel 2011. However we expected more personality and strength for this wine. With his supple aromas it is a wine easy to drink, which should please usual consumers although it is not certain that Don Corleone would be satisfied..

Bellow you can find other Coppola’s wines.

All available at « Vin de Stars » retails. http://www.vindestars.com/shop/famous-wine/25-francis-coppola-zinfendel.html