Stein Feinherb Trocken Riesling; Mosel, Germany 2015
Largely sourced from 80-year-old un-grafted vines, this is, despite being delicious and easy to drink, a very serious wine – head and shoulders above past vintages. “Blauschiefer” means “blue slate” and blue slate tastes good. The nose is fresh and green, a tart granny smith apple bite. More than anything else, though, what one gets here is blue slate, in all its salty, mineral-water greatness. On the palate, there is impressive concentration for such a fine, delicate wine – it has a tenacious grip, a delicate peach edge and even a limey, sappy play. The wine is super-unified, perfectly put together, crispy and delicious. This is a serious value.
The winemaker: While Dr. Ulrich “Ulli” Stein’s wines are not widely known in the U.S., he has nothing less than a fanatical following in Europe. He could likely sell every last bottle to his friends in Germany alone, yet there are places of some importance, like Noma in Copenhagen, that put in sizable orders for Stein wine. He farms meaningful parcels of land that have a few important things in common: They are not easy to work. They are commercially unknown. And, most importantly, Ulli loves them.
Cooper’s Price $16.99
Domaine Magellan FRUIT DEFENDU ROSE 2016
One of the more inventive vintners in the Languedoc is former Burgundy winemaker Bruno Lafon, who is now based in the obscure Côtes de Thongue appellation. Lafon moved to the Languedoc in 1998 to start his own winery, Domaine Magellan, with his sister-in-law, Sylvie Legros. “We in the Languedoc should make good wines that are good values as well,” Lafon says. When he and Legros bought the estate in 1999, it was a rundown collection of vineyards planted to a multitude of grape varieties; its former owner had planted the range to see which grapes would work best there. Today, Lafon has rehabilitated the estate and now manages 104 acres planted to a salad bowl of 13 different varieties. Domaine Magellan takes its name from the small town of Magalas, north of Beziers, where the winery is located.
The Rosé Fruit Défendu is 100% Cinsault pressed and fermented after short skin contact in stainless steel at cool temperature. This is a subtle rosé with deep pink color; notes of strawberry and cherry; light body and a dry, refreshing finish. Its a solid match for ham or chicken.
Cooper’s Price $11.99
Deux Moulins Pinot Noir; Loire, France 2016
The fruit is sourced from the heart of the Loire Valley in vineyards located between Anjou and Tours. The soils here are composed of gravel and schist which provide ideal drainage and impart a distinct mineral quality to the wines. Vinified only in stainless steel tanks, Deux Moulins is an amazing value and a delicious wine to enjoy anywhere, anytime.
Kevin’s Notes: Well, I must say, “I did it again!” I have found another incredible buy for $12.99 and this time it is a French Pinot Noir from the Loire region where most Pinots sell for $20+. Its fruit is brilliant with strawberries. You know like when you cut them in quarters and splash a little sugar on them and then let them sit for a while only to discover true of strawberry flavor. Don’t get me wrong this wine is not sweet, it’s just long and elegant with subtle hint of vanilla. It’s a steal!!!
Cooper’s Price $12.99
Erste + Neue Cabernet; Alto Adige, Italy 2012
The year 1900 marked an important milestone in the history of the wine economy of Kaltern: seventy wine growers in Kaltern united to form the “Erste Kellereigenossenschaft”, Kaltern’s first wine co-operative. Their aim was to take over the production and marketing of their wines themselves.
Today, 400 dedicated wine producers bring their harvests to the winery each year. The terraced vineyards of the co-operative’s members are picturesquely situated around Lake Kaltern and on the plateau at the foot of the Mendel mountain. The total area under cultivation amounts to approximately 230 hectares (575 acres), distributed between various individual vineyards, producing wines that frequently bear resounding names.
Kevin’s Notes: Ok, we’re getting a little wine geeky with a Northern Italian Cabernet from an area that speaks more Austrian than Italian and that’s what this wine is going to do to you.
It’s going to talk to you! You’ll see what I mean. Awesome 100% Cabernet with low alcohol and gorgeous texture. Who knows, your palate may having yo speaking Austrian or Italian!
Cooper’s Price $14.99
