Super Bowl Snack Wines – February 3rd and 4th
Barnard Griffin Fume Blanc Columbia Valley
Barnard Griffin is the premier family owned winery in Washington and an important part of every wine afficiando’s tour of the state’s greatest wineries. Barnard Griffin winery not only has a rich family winemaking history, one that represents the true pioneering spirit of Washington State wines, but also takes you into wonderful, new varietals. Founded in 1983 by Rob Griffin and Deborah Barnard, Barnard Griffin has been producing Award Winning wines for over 30 years.
Winemaker’s Comments: “Our many years of practice blending Semillon in with our Sauvignon Blanc have created a style that exhibits richness and enhanced longevity. The wine shows dynamic orange, lime and mango flavors and aromas, shaded with sage and flint overtones. Has just the right amount of mouth cleansing acidity and pizzazz to pair well with shellfish and light cheeses.”
Cooper’s Price $12.99
Badia A Coltibuono, Chianti Classico RS (Roberto Stucchi) 2014
The “abbey of good harvest” is at least a 1,000 years old according to the Marchio Storico and the monks of Coltibuono, the Vallombrosan (the name of the Benedictine Abbey) may have been the first to cultivate Sangiovese in Tuscany.
The name implies a duality of purpose. An ancient badia, or abbey, holds a special place in the history of Western Europe. During the Middle Ages, these abbeys served not only as places of worship and spiritual refuge, but also as centers of learning, engines for economic growth, and laboratories for agricultural development: coltibuono.
The monastery was active from 1000 C.E. to around 1800 C.E. when Napoleon annexed most church property in Tuscany. Some he gave away to friends or as political favors, some he sold. Thus, there were two owners between the time of the annexation and the abbey’s purchase by the Stucchi’s ancestors in 1841. Emanuela Stucchi and her siblings are seventh generation stewards of the property. The philosophical approach is to maintain both the integrity of Sangiovese and the unique terroir of Chianti Classico through organic farming practices, clonal diversity, restrained use of new oak barrels and the shunning of dominant varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cooper’s Price $15.99
Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina
Tomero wines are traditional Argentine varietals with classic varietal character that is always true to their terroir. Most Tomero wines are sourced from high-elevation vineyards in Valle de Uco, a sub-appellation of Mendoza nestled against the base of the Andes.
The Valle de Uco is located 130km southeast from the city of Mendoza. Mr. Antonio Pulenta came upon these lands more than 30 years ago and began the planting of vineyards in what today is known as Finca los Alamos. It is undoubtedly a vineyard of inestimable value due to its location, its old age and the quality of its grapes.
TASTE: Intense red-purple color with a dark core. It has a light smoky bouquet with touches of cooked meat and sage, while the palate has a supple core of peppery red fruit and a harmonious, elegant finish.
Cooper’s Price $14.99
Bodegas Olivares Altos de la Hoya
As Spain’s winemaking revolution matures, Jumilla continues to produce some of the world’s great wine values. The region’s native Monastrell—Mourvèdre in the Rhone —is one of the most prized varieties of Mediterranean Europe. And on account of the reliably hot, dry summers, ripeness is rarely an issue.
Yet Jumilla has a diversity of terroirs, certain of which clearly transcend mere “value.” And the wines of Paco Selva’s Bodegas Olivares have done just that, thanks to a singular terroir and the perspective necessary to give it a meaningful voice. The vines here are 85 years old! They have never been crafted. The trunks on these vines are bigger than a fire hydrant. When you taste this wine you will beg me to charge you more!
As buyer for a wholesaler in Atlanta, I would order 600+ cases. Its cost to quality is among the highest in the wine industry and I’m so happy to finally find it in Colorado!
Cooper’s Price $12.99
