Saint Apostoli Pinot Grigio 2015
From the Veneto region in north-eastern Italy, in the rolling hills just outside Venice comes a classic Pinot Grigio. Crisp and balanced. This is an amazing value in Pinot Grigio. Often affordable Pinot Grigio is mass produced, sweet and downright messy- not this one. It is dry with notes of apple and pear, fresh acidity and pairs beautifully with light pasta dishes.
When we opened Cooper Wine and Spirits 3 ½ years ago this wine was one of featured Pinot Grigio’s. We have carried this wine on and off in the store since but, we have not tasted it for over 2 years. This vintage is perhaps the best they have made so let’s taste it again. I have tasted a lot of inexpensive Pinot Grigios and this wine still remains my bargain PG.
Regular $12.99
Cooper’s Price $10.99
Mas Carlot Rose; Costières de Nîmes, France
A blend of Grenache 50%, Syrah 40%, 10% Mourvedre. We tasted this wine 2 months ago, but I want to taste it again, as I believe it’s even better now as its had some time in the bottle.
This wine comes from the western edge of the Rhone Valley, in the Costières de Nîmes appellation. The appellation is an ancient winemaking region that has been producing for over two millennia. Its foundations date back to the 17th century, with extensive renovations made in the 19th century, yet the presence of ancient Roman ruins suggests that this land was also being farmed at least 2000 years ago.
Mas Carlot is run by winemaker Nathalie Blanc-Marès, who succeeded her father in 1998. Her father sold their famous family restaurant in Paris in 1986 to buy Mas Carlot because of its incredible terrior and charm.
Kevin’s Notes – This is the third rose we’ve tasted in the last month and there will probably about eight to come. The Mas Carlot is too cheap. The aromatics of strawberry and watermelon will instantly make your mouth! You’ll see exactly what I mean, and then you’ll say Kevin, you’re right!
This is a fantastic wine for $10.99
Walter Scott Pinot Noir Sojourner Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills, OR 2015
Walter Scott Wines was started in 2008 by partners Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon after years of living, studying and working within Burgundy, France and the Oregon wine industry. Ken had dreams of starting his own label, but had not truly achieved his goal until Erica helped him take the leap… In the spring of that year the two partners emptied their meager retirement accounts and used the funds to design the label and launch their dream.
On the southern end of the Eola-Amity Hills, facing west towards the coast range sits the Sojourner Vineyard. At 650 feet in elevation, the site overlooks the valley and surrounding vineyards. After over 30 years with Eola Springs Vineyard, Denny found the Sojourner property and developed it into an incredible 16 acres planted to three clones of Pinot Noir and 3 acres of Chardonnay. The soils are a rocky, volcanic clay with lots of round stones littered throughout. Only 300 cases are produced!
Winemaker Tasting Notes: The wine is all wild berries layered with delicate spice with intense mineral aromas. The palate is quite gripping with medium tannins leading to a beautiful, complex & vibrant finish. Fermentation is done with ambient yeasts and then aged for 15 months in barrel, all French oak with 40% new oak in the final blend.
Kevin’s Notes: Why are we tasting a $50 Pinot Noir? Because you deserve it, and in my mind Ken and Erica are producing some of the most incredible Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the country. I put them in the top 5 and while $50 is not inexpensive, they represent a true bargain vs. their quality to that of other wineries. We will only pour one bottle each day, as our store in NOT reimbursed for the wines we taste on Friday and Saturday.
Cooper’s Price $47.99
Don’t forget mix & match 10% OFF
Mas Carlot Costieres de Nimes Rouge Mas Carlot
a beautiful oasis of rustic charm. Its foundations date back to the 17th century, with extensive renovations made in the 19th century, yet the presence of ancient Roman ruins suggests that this land has been farmed for at least 2000 years. Paul-Antoine Blanc, owner of Paris’s famous Le Pied de Cochon restaurant in Les Halles, first fell in love with the property in 1986. His daughter, Nathalie, followed him two years later, after finishing her studies in enology, and was transfixed by her new surroundings. Energetic and passionate, Nathalie is regarded as one of the most talented winemakers of the Costières de Nîmes.
Taste: The wine is a rich blend of 55% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre. Dark ruby hue. This delicious wine is pretty, fresh, perfumed and contains notes of blackberry, spice, flowers and strawberry. Medium-bodied with silky tannins.
Kevin’s Notes: This winery batted 1.000. I tasted three of their wines and I bought all three and that rarely happens with me. Another terrific buy from this winery for $12.99
