Notes from the Wine Aisle; By Gary Cummins – Cooper Wine Consultant
Cooper Wines and Spirits Spring Selection of New Wine
Stop by the store to save in our 2-fers selection:
Located in the front of the store beside our tasting barrels we have created a display of select wines our suppliers have offered to us at great value. Buy one bottle at our every low price or get 2 bottles of the select wine at an additional discounted price.
Jolie Laide – Winery Feature The staff here @ Cooper Wines have long been huge fans of Scott and Jenny Schultz’s wines. From the beginning, prior to Jenny joining Scott on his adventure, his wines had poise and a level of finesse and precision rarely seen in a young winemaker. He’s continually expanded his portfolio to include a range of whites and reds, and we’ve never had one we didn’t like. They make as many as 14 wines in a given vintage, with very small productions. Overall, they make about 3000 cases per year.
The name Jolie-Laide translates loosely to Pretty-Ugly, a French term of endearment to describe something that is unconventionally beautiful. Based out of Sonoma County, California, Scott and Jenny Schultz work with a handful of small growers to source fruit from spectacular vineyard sites, allowing them to keep a hands-off approach in the cellar. The winemaking method at Jolie-Laide is simple: grapes are left whole cluster, foot crushed, and aged in neutral oak. All ferments are done with native yeasts, and the only additions consist of minimal dose of sulfur before bottling.
Scott’s philosophy of discovering unconventional beauty led him to work with some of California’s rarest varieties. Whether it’s his fresh and electric Valdiguie, his terroir driven Syrah or his exceptionally complex Pinot Gris, every wine seems to have a sense of place and time. The wines are both unique, more balanced and “new” yet somehow speak to an era long gone. An era when California wasn’t an ocean of Pinot, Cabernet and Chardonnay vines and the wines were light on their feet, lower in alcohol unpretentiously delicious. Besides the wine being amazing, Scott also adorns bottles with new and rather lovely artwork every year. No two vintages are alike so why should the same label adorn the wines every year.
2023 Melon de Bourgogne
Chalone AVA
100% Melon de Bourgogne.
The wine opens with a fresh bouquet of sea breeze, green apple, Asian pear, and lemon zest. On the palate, it presents a striking balance between its mouthwatering acidity and the pronounced minerality that evokes images of oyster shells, delivering a refreshingly crisp finish. A great choice for pairing with for seafood, particularly shellfish like oysters and clams, where its minerality and acidity complement the brininess of the dishes. It also pairs well with light poultry dishes and salads that feature citrus-based dressings. Organic
Coopers Price $29.99 / Mixed Case Price $23.99
2023 Pinot Gris
Sonoma County
Lying south-east of the Napa Valley, the Suisun Valley is home to a variety grapes originally planted in California’s North Coast area. The grapes are harvested early to maintain natural acidity. Upon arrival at the winery the Pinot Gris was foot stomped for a 3-day whole cluster cold soak which provides phenolic texture along with a natural pink floral hue.
This wine exhibits natural pink floral hues. White teas and flower embrace the aroma; and flavors of peach cantaloupe, honeydew melon and ranpur lime. Whether you’re pairing this wine with Grilled Shrimp, grilled chicken with a salad dressed with a vinaigrette made with Pinot Gris, pork skewers and apple skewers or a vegetable risotto, you won’t be disappointed. Organic
Coopers Price $29.99 / Mixed Case Price $23.99
2023 Trousseau Gris “Funuchi Road Vineyard” (Sonoma County)
Trousseau Gris is a not a grape most people are familiar with. In fact, there are only a handful of producers in the world making single varietal wines from this “obscure” French grape – all of which are based in California. Planted in the late 1970’s, these rare, nearly extinct vines produce unique yet fascinating fruit. In turn, the wine made from them is equally beguiling. Some skin contact lends an incandescent, roseate hue, breadth of palate and subtle tannin. Wildly floral yet savory with a visceral depth. An inebriating blend of summer melon, stone fruit, white tea and wet rock weave with finessed length and elegant palate presence. This wine pairs well with dishes that are similarly complex in flavor profile. Look for recipes that include raw fish, fennel, peaches, duck, carrots, lentils, to bring out the best in this wine. Organic Coopers Price $29.99 / Mixed Case Price $23.99
Martino Wines
Luhan de Cuyo
Exceptional new additions to our selection of wines from Argentina.
Martino wines is located in the town of Luhan de Cuyo, just 20 minutes from the city of Mendoza. The winery dates back to the 19th century. Grapes for both wines are sourced from a single vineyard that sits at 38225 ft above sea level and were planted in 1942.
2021 Malbec Vina Violeta
A tip of the hat to a more European version of Malbec, not the intensely ripe, higher alcohol wine dominated by oak. The wine emphasizes, red fruits, such as ripe plums combined with hints of vanilla and chocolate, savory notes –leather and coffee.
Coopers Price $17.99 / Mixed Case Price $14.39
2020 Bonarda Vina Violeta Bonarda wines are at first very fruity on the nose, with notes of black cherry compote, fresh blueberry, and plum. Then, they become more complex, giving off nuanced aromas of violets, allspice, and peonies. Finally, depending on whether or not the wine was oaked, they may have slight smoky notes of cigar box, sweet figs, and chocolate.
Because of its lower tannin and higher acidity, Bonarda is a very diverse food pairing wine. It will match well with chicken, beef, pork, and even a more steak-like fish (think: grilled salmon steaks with hoisin BBQ)
Coopers Price $21.99 / Mixed Case Price $18.59
2021 Scribe Mission (Sonoma County) We at Cooper are very excited to offer this limited release of Scribe’s inaugural vintage of this wine. Mission grapes are a variety of Vitis vinifera introduced from Castilla La Mancha Spain to the western coasts of North and South America by Catholic New World missionaries for use in making sacramental, table, and fortified wines. The grape was introduced to present-day California in the late 18th century by Franciscan missionaries. The Flavor profile is medium bodied with elements of red and black fruits landing with nuances of the brightness of Gamay, savory flavors of Pinot Noir with hints of Syrah spiciness, and an earthy yet floral finish. Mission food pairing is simple because this wine has such an extensive and food-friendly profile. That said, when serving Mission wine, you want to go Mediterranean. Paella, churros, gazpacho, moussaka, lasagna, mushroom risotto are some of the sample dishes that match divinely with this Mission wine.
Regular Price $48.99 / Coopers Price $34.99 / Mixed Case Price $27.99
Mas de Boislauzon
A family estate for more than six generations, with 10 hectares of vineyards in Châteauneuf du Pape, 20 hectares in Côtes du Rhône Villages on the Northern border of Châteauneuf du Pape.
2022 La Chausseynette Rouge VDF
This Vin de France, uses declassified fruit from Mas de Boislauzon’s Côtes du Rhône Villages holdings. The grapes are hand-picked with 0% destemming. Vinified and aged in concrete tank for 6-9 months before bottling. A delightful blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, La Chaussynette offers a beautiful bouquet of ripe berry fruits complemented with notes of mixed herbs. The medium-bodied palate is loaded with ripe strawberry and raspberry. Cooper Price $17.99 / Mixed Case Price $14.39
See you in the wine aisle at Cooper!
