Advanced Sommelier Christopher Chan and co-founder, Peggy Reddy, established Coral Wines in 2013. Fueled by their shared interest to create a Provence style Rosé with grapes sourced from Washington vineyards, their inaugural releases include both a white and red Southern Rhone style blend alongside the Rosé.
Chan was formerly the wine and spirits director at Seattle’s Rainier Club, but has garnered a prodigious amount of respect within the wine industry for spearheading the Seattle and Oregon Wine Awards, an independent and comprehensive wine recognition program that he developed in 2006.
Coral Wines combines Reddy’s sharp business acumen with Chan’s expertise as a sommelier, as well as hands-on experience from his involvement with wine grape production at his family’s Walla Walla vineyard.
“We were sitting on our porch in Walla Walla in 2012 swilling tasty French Rosé and wondering, why can’t Washington do that?” says Chan. “So instead of making a Cabernet or Syrah in a very crowded market that would also take two-plus years to craft, I wanted to come out with world-class Rosé.”
Chan is winemaker for the Pink Coral, and Jon Meuret (Maison Bleue) was brought in to craft the Red and White Coral.
The winery’s theme fits the lineup of wines. “Coral is found in sunny, tropical and exotic areas around the world,” says Chan, “and we wanted wines that ‘sing’ in the summer, evoking thoughts of beaches, sand and warm weather, plus our family of wines works: Pink Coral, Red Coral, White Coral.” Chan told Tasting Room Magazine that a Black Coral release is in the winery’s future.
Coral Wines 2014 Pink Coral, $19.95
True to its inspirational roots from Provence, this Rosé is a scintillating blend of Mourvedre (85%) and Cinsault (15%).
Nose & Taste: With a pretty hue of pale salmon, this medium dry wine delivers aromas and flavors of watermelon rind, cherry skin and pink grapefruit framed with a refreshing saline minerality and warm stone notes.
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Production: 800 cases
Alcohol: 13.9%
Website: www.coralwines.com
Coral Wines 2013 White Coral, $19.95
Sourced from three different Yakima Valley vineyards, the fruit was whole cluster-pressed and fermented in neutral French oak barrels. After fermentation the wine remained in barrel on the lees (sur lie) for approximately 7 months, then for 5 months together in tank, adding texture and depth. A Southern Rhone style blend of Marsanne (37%), Viognier (27%), Grenache Blanc (24%) and Roussanne (12%).
Nose: Floral aromas of yellow apple, blanched almond, beeswax and citrus oil.
Taste: Creamy and rich, this full-bodied white wine exhibits complex layers of white peach, Golden Delicious apple, starfruit and tree blossom, with spice notes that linger on the dry, satisfying finish.
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Production: 415 cases
Alcohol: 14.2%
Website: www.coralwines.com
Coral Wines 2013 Red Coral, $24.95
This classically styled GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) was sourced from five different vineyards ranging from the Walla Walla and Yakima Valley appellations.
Nose: Briary aromatics of black and red berries, tobacco, sage and loam.
Taste: Soft and round on the entry with subtle favors of raspberry, blackberry and plum wrapped around an earthy core of black tea, tobacco leaf and anise.
Editor’s Choice – Excellent
Production: 195 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
Website: www.coralwines.com