The collection of Director’s wines were created to honor Francis Ford Coppola’s two great loves: wine and film. The Northern California winery has added to the Director’s family with a new line-up of three limited-edition wines inspired by directors and movies that Francis holds in greatest admiration; King Kong, The Wizard of Oz and JAWS.
Francis Ford Coppola New Director’s Great Movies Wines
Each of the three new Director’s Great Movies wine labels feature reproductions of retro-futuristic movie posters by Laurent Durieux*, an artist much admired by Francis.
“Laurent Durieux beautiful work takes poster art to a high level. The images, which are stunningly executed, express ideas and themes of the movies he has chosen in new terms. They communicate much without words, and stand alongside the wonderful tradition of illustrative art.” – FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA
These wines are set apart from the brand’s original Director’s wines. They are comprised of different blends that feature fruit sourced not just from Sonoma County, but Monterey, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo as well. By blending fruit from multiple appellations, they are able to create wines with expressive textural dimension and lush, juicy fruit flavors.
The Wizard of Oz Merlot
Director’s Great Movies Sonoma County & Monterey County Merlot
2014 Merlot from Sonoma County provided this wine with lots of juicy, ripe fruit creating a full mouth of flavor. Monterey’s slightly cooler climate gave us more structured blackberry notes creating a dense but structured Merlot, perfectly blending both appellation’s features.
This 2014 Merlot features hints of black plum, tobacco, dark chocolate covered açaí berry, and exotic oak spices. Juicy, ripe plum and blackberry are accentuated on the palate while dark chocolate salted caramel and warm toasted oak lengthens the finish.
$24, buy it here
King Kong Cabernet Sauvignon
Director’s Great Movies Sonoma County & Louis Obispo County Merlot
California’s 2014 harvest featured great fruit development for Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Sonoma gave us structure and ripe juicy fruit, while San Luis Obispo supplied floral notes and red fruit flavors.
This wine is highlighted by serious blackberry flavors and a forward tannin structure. Its aroma features warm cedar spice, blackberry pie, foraged wild berries, and toasted marshmallow. It finishes with flavors of creamy toffee and black hibiscus tea.
$24, buy it here
JAWS Chardonnay
Director’s Great Movies Sonoma County & Monterey County Chardonnay
2015 was a great year for Chardonnay around the state, especially in Sonoma and Monterey. Great sun exposure and an early harvest brought fruit in at peak ripeness. Sonoma County’s harvest gave us tropical, ripe pineapple tones, and Monterey County contributed crisp, coastal lemon lime citrus.
This wine exudes flavors of tropical pineapple, aromatic Meyer lemon, and fresh baked shortbread. There is a distinctive floral oak spice with a classic Chardonnay minerality. Creamy, ripe fruit, lemon bar, and shortbread cookies open up the palate with a warm toasted oak finish.
$21, buy it here
Jaws is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All Rights Reserved.
KING KONG and all related characters and elements © RKO Pictures, Inc.
THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. (s16)
*Laurent Durieux sells some of his stunning posters and prints here