What are we tasting this weekend??
Gruet Brut N/V
Founded in 1984, Gruet Winery specializes in Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines. Family owned and run, the New Mexico-based winery produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-based sparkling wines and a small collection of still wines, with roots originating from Gilbert Gruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France. More than 25 vintages later, Gruet Winery has achieved unprecedented acclaim and remains a favorite of the nation’s top sommeliers.
The Wine – The Brut offers a crisp, and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich complexity and fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from twenty-four months on tirage, is a complement to the sophisticated apple and citrus flavor.
Winemaker’s Note: Brilliant with ultra-fine bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style! Cooper’s Price $17.99 Mix and Match 3btl Price $16.19/btl
Piemaggio Chianti Classico 2016
The Piemaggio estate traces its roots back to the 11th century; a pieve (church) from the era located at the property’s highest hilltop (maggiore) gives the estate its name.
Vineyard work here is organic unless an entire crop is on the line, and nothing that happens in the cellar is flashy or trendy; fermentations take place in cement, and aging takes place in a combination of concrete and used wooden vats of various sizes (between 500 liters and 25 hectoliters).
A blend of 90% Sangiovese with 10% Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, and Colorino, Piemaggio’s flagship Chianti Classico ferments spontaneously in stainless steel during a 3 ½ week maceration, and spends two years aging in a combination of concrete tanks and previously used wooden casks—mainly 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak, with some 500-liter French oak employed as well.
Kevin’s Notes – Sadly, I thought all of the 2016 Chianti Classico’s were gone, but here we are with 6 cases of this stunning wine. 2016 was rated “Outstanding” with many calling it the best vintage in 100 years. This wine goes beyond what I want from a Chianti Classico as well it should – they’ve been making for over 1000 years! Cooper’s Price $17.99 3btl Price $16.19/btl
St Cosme Little James Basket Press Red (Rhone Region)
Château de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the benchmark wines of the appellation. The property has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992 making a dramatic shift to quality and converting to biodynamics in 2010.
Saint Cosme Little James’ Basket Press Rouge carries the Vin de France designation due to its unique production method. This 100% Grenache is made from blending wines from multiple vintages in concrete tanks starting with the 1999 vintage. The result is a wine that is both vibrant and complex.
Wine Critic James Suckling 90 Points
Pure grenache and made as a solera that has been alive for twenty years with half of the new harvest being exchanged into the solera each year. The final blend is 50% solera wine and 50% wine of the new vintage. The richness is really something. Such deep-set grenache red and dark berries. Long, smooth and deep. Drink now. Cooper’s Price $16.99 3btl Price $15.29/btl
Cabana Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, CA
After 19 years of making wine at Renwood, which I founded and named after my wife Rene, we were looking for a new challenge. My daughters wanted to open an urban winery and I wanted a boutique winery where we could produce wines from the best vineyards and control the process.
Cabana was born in 2011, our first 7 years were in Sacramento, as the focus became on expanding our production, we moved to Lodi. At Cabana, we ferment in small lots and barrel age the wine in French oak. Then I used my 30 years of wine making experience to produce the final blend of our award winning wines.
Our Lodi Cabernet is dark with intense flavors of mocha and lush berries, with hints of oak and soft tannin. Aged in French oak for 16 months, this wine is ready for you now! You will be surprised by the quality and length of flavor. 90 Points Wine Enthusiast. Gold Medal, International Women’s Wine Competition.
