St Paddy’s Wine Tasting – March 17th & 18th
Château de Saint Cosme Little James Basket Press Blanc 2015
In the heart of the appellation Gigondas, the Château de Saint Cosme is an exceptional estate, with its Gallo-Roman fermentation vats perfectly preserved. This fantastic historical site gives a good idea how our ancestors the Gallo-Romans were living. The property has been in our family since 1490 and we have been vignerons for 14 generations.
An unconventional blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier take center stage in the St. Cosme Little James Basket Press White; a wine reminiscent of a warm summer nights. This aromatic white combines the freshness and acidity of Sauvignon Blanc with the flesh and depth of Viognier, creating a rare wine worthy of the masses. The vineyards have been farmed organically since the 1970s and Barruol has been following biodynamic practices since January 2010.
Cooper’s Price $14.99
Jackhammer Monterey Pinot Noir 2014
For everyday drinking, Jackhammer is your go-to Pinot Noir. Founded by California wine industry veterans Stephen Dooley and Sandy Garber with the express purpose of making delicious wine that won’t break the bank. Juicy, fruity, and not to be missed!
Producer notes: “This wine has a dark ruby color with a great nose of cherry, cola, and a wonder floral component. Flavors of cherry, cola, plum, herb, are intermixed with lovely acid to keep it fresh, lively, and not too heavy. While this is a juicy and upfront wine, this has the texture and secondary characteristics of a wine that costs much, much more.”
Cooper’s Price $15.99
Chateau St. Cosme Little James Basket Red
Ch. St. Cosme is the leading producer in Gigondas and one of the finest in the Rhone Valley. The chateau is also the oldest estate in Gigondas, with a history dating back to 1416. The current owner Louis Barruol’s ancestors bought the estate in 1570. Barroul is a firm believer in quality and produces several single-vineyard wines that explore that village’s different terroirs which is why this wine is non-vintage. This wine is primarily Grenache blended from several vintages and single vineyards. The domaine includes some of the oldest vines in the southern Rhone with several parcels over 100 years old. At Saint Cosme Little James is the wine of freedom.
Kevin’s Notes: The Little James wines from St Cosme represent incredible wines at great prices from one of the most highly regarded wineries and winemaker in the Rhone and the world.
Cooper’s Price $14.99
Carro from Yecla, Spain
Made by Bodegas Señorío de Barahonda in the DO (government regulated appellation) of Yecla. It is a blend of 50% Monastrell, 20% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 10% Tempranillo. Organically grown vines planted in 1979 is a perfect example of how Spain offers the best wine values in the world! The wine is made with grapes from vines that were planted in 1977 and are tended in limestone soil which receives a mere 8-10 inches of rainfall each year.
Carro is 100% un-oaked made with organically grown grapes. With a winemaking heritage that dates back to 1925, the Candela family owns about 340 hectares (840 acres) of vineyards. Yecla is one of only a few wine regions in Spain that has remained unaffected by phylloxera. Carro’s richness, depth and profound earthy flavors will transport you to the arid, rugged and tranquil terrain of Yecla.
TASTING NOTES: Carro is a ridiculous value in a full-bodied, complex, rich and savory dry red wine. Dense ruby/purple with notes of blackberry and blueberry fruit, licorice and camphor, the wine is totally unoaked and naked. This is a beauty of purity and richness and just goes to show what one can buy if careful with researching importers. Drink it over the next several years.
Cooper’s Price $12.99
