Tasting June 17-18 2022
Domaine Miolanne Volcane Rosé 2021
Jean-Baptise Deroche, with a BTS in viticulture and oenology (this training focuses largely on the history of wine, terroir, the manufacturing process and oenology which is a form of specialized chemistry and biology) from the University of Bordeaux and his wife Laura visited Auvergare while on vacation tasting wines and visiting wineries.
Impressed by the quality of the wines, they learned about the terroir and they visited this Domaine. Discovering the Domaine had no successors, Jean-Baptiste and Laure bought the Domaine.
The volcanic and clay-limestone soils give the wines a distinctive character. The vineyards of Neschers are the only ones, along with Vesuvius, to have this mix of soils. Currently 6 of the 17 hectares of the Domaine are planted with 50 % Pinot Noir and 50% Gamay. While considered part of the Loire valley, their vineyards are actually closer to Burgundy.
This is our 6th consecutive for buying this rose as it continues to pass our tasting requirements.
Cooper’s Price $18.99 – 3btls Mix and Match $17.09
Tenuta Le Calcinaie di Simone Santini Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG 2020
About: Simone Santini and his vineyard, Tenuta Le Calcinaie, near San Gimignano has a full range of organic, classic Tuscan wines. Across the board, both the whites and reds were ripe, pure, energetic, and utterly charming. Le Calcinaie has 12 hectares covered with vines with perfect exposure and beautifully tended. This white is made of 100% Vernaccia grape, aged in stainless steel. San Gimignano makes THE BEST Vernaccia wines – they are amazing!!!
Tasting Notes: Le Calcinaie’s Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a bright, crisp dry white ready to drink now and over the next few years. Lemon peel, orchard fruit and white flowers are all beautifully delineated in this super-expressive, vibrant white offering a captivating balance of aromatics, fruit and structure, with light tropical notes. Cooper’s Price $18.99 – 3btls Mix and Match $17.09
Domaine Geraud Pinot Noir Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2020
About: This boutique single domaine, owned by the Geraud father and son team, produces only a small amount of Pinot Noir from ten-year-old vines. The proximity of the estate to the sea produces cooling influence ensuring the grapes maintain finesse.
A catchall term for the area surrounding the Languedoc and Roussillon, Pays d’Oc
The near perfect Mediterranean climate combined with dry, cool winds from the north, optimal soils, altitudes, and exposures make Pays d’Oc an ideal wine growing region. Single varietal wines and blends are possible here and while many types of grapes do well in Pays d’Oc.
Kevin’s Notes – LOVE THIS WINE for price and quality. Wonderful aromatics and flavors of ripe cherries and plums pull you into the glass. The purity of Pinot fruit is captivating as the tannins are mellow. The wholesaler was running a one week special and I bought everything they had after tasting it. It’s a great deal!!
Cooper’s Price $14.99 – 3btls Mix and Match $13.49
Jean Leon Vinya La Scala Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes, Spain 2003
About: The single layer Vinya La Scala is interspersed with barren, rocky soils and has a size of 8 hectares. After the careful harvesting and section of the grapes, the harvested material is mashed in the Jean Leon winery for 2 weeks. This is followed by classical fermentation and biological acid degradation in stainless steel tanks. This wine is then aged for a total of 2 years in French oak barriques. For the harmonious overall picture, this Spanish red wine rests on the bottle for another 5 years before it leaves the winery.
Tasting Notes: In the glass, this wine shines in a rich garnet red with deep cherry-red reflections. The expressive bouquet is carried by varietal aromas – juicy berries (currants, raspberries, and blueberries) meet notes of precious woods and hints of spice. The palate is also pampered by the aromas of the nose. The body is wonderfully elegant and convinces with an unforgettable complexity. The texture is wonderfully soft and harmonizes perfectly with the balanced tannin structure and the delicately spicy roasted notes. The finale comes with a pleasantly persistent length.
Kevin’s Notes – Yes THIS IS A 2003!!!! I only have 21 bottles and I can’t get any more.
Cooper’s Price $36.99 – Mix and Match 3btls $33.29
