Domaine Michel Vattan Sancerre M.K. 2021 – Organic
The Producer – Our Estate is located in Maimbray, in the town of Sury En Vaux, 7 km north-west of Sancerre and 200 km south of Paris. It exists since 3 generations. Family farming since 1930, it has progressively increased from 2 hectares (only 3 acres) of vines with cultivation and breeding, to 9.10 hectares of vineyard currently.
Originally owned by the Vattan family, it was created by Roger and Andrée, his wife, then passed on to their son Michel in 2008.
Taste – “Pale gold with silver highlights. A grassy, gooseberry nose with a soft, open palate. Bursts of citrus with a nice weight and concentration with textured fruit to drive the palate. This is energetic bottle of wine.” Cooper’s Price $28.99 Special Tasting Price $24.50
Anita & Hans Nittnaus Anita – Red Blend Burgenland, Austria
Today, third-generation Hans Nittnaus and his wife Anita helm the winery his grandfather Johann began in 1927. Hans & Anita are regarded today not only as influential pioneers of contemporary Burgenland’s dynamic wine scene, but as among the greatest growers in all of Austria. Happily, their two sons Andreas and Martin, as well as their niece Lydia, are fully involved in the day-to-day operations of the winery, and the two generations approach their work in a collaborative spirit.
The Wine – “Anita” Red Blend: Mostly Zweigelt with splashes of Blaufränkisch and Sankt Laurent, “Anita” shows off Nittnaus’ knack for producing lip-smackingly delicious reds. Soaring acidity lets the spice-drenched red and black fruits dance on the palate, and the wine—with only 15 milligrams per liter of added sulfur—bristles with energy. There is just enough structure here to keep the wine from feeling simple, but it stays out of the way of the fruit-and-spice main event. Cooper’s Price $22.99 Mix & Match 3btls $20.69
Domaine de la Ferrandiere Syrah, IGP Pays d’Oc, France 2020
The Winemaking – The vinification is short, about six days, to focus on developing the freshness of the fruit. The fineness of the grape skin allows a full and rapid extraction of colour and produces soft tannins.
Wine Education – Pays d’Oc is the IGP for red, white and rosé wines that are made in a large area on the southern coast of France. The catchment area for the IGP corresponds roughly to the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region – one of the largest winegrowing areas in France.
Taste – The color is deep and crimson. Perfectly integrated notes of plum, currant, cherry and nutmeg. Cherry and tobacco aromas are confirmed in the palate.
Kevin’s Notes – You will see this is another wonderful example of a wine tasting well above its price! This can be an excellent everyday wine as it can meet the needs of many different meals.
Cooper’s Price $14.99 – M&M 3btls $13.49
Domaine de Maison Neuve Cahors, France 2016 – 100% Malbec
The Domaine de MAISON NEUVE is an old family property acquired in 1900 and where, since that day, the vines have been cultivated from generation to generation.
It has 31 acres located between white Quercy and the Lot valley, its vines are planted on hillsides, facing south, benefiting from exceptional exposure throughout the year, on limestone and ferrous clay soil.
This pleasant exploitation on rocky land, but favorable to the maturation of the grapes, allows the Delmouly family to extract from their vats a wine that is charming in its simplicity. Insiders know this address well.
The Wine – Maturation: 12 months in oak barrels. Black ink color, purple reflections. Typical engaging nose, dominated by violet, fresh blackcurrant, discreet vanilla woodiness. The palate appears very tender from the start with a greedy dominance of fruit and flowers. An aging wine that is already very accessible. Cooper’s Price $23.99 Mix & Match 3 bottles $21.59/btl
Wine Education – What and where is Cahors? Cahors is a small town and red wine appellation in South West France, located 100 miles (160km) east of Bordeaux. In wine terms it is known for its deeply colored reds made predominantly from Malbec (known locally as both Côt and Auxerrois), with small quantities of Tannat and Merlot. Interestingly, Cahors is the only red wine appellation in the South West that does not sanction the use of Cabernet Sauvignon or Franc.
At equal distance of the Atlantic ocean, the Mediterranean sea and the Pyrénées, the Cahors vineyard benefits of a dry and sunny off-season that allows a refinement of the grapes ripeness.
