Arnot-Roberts, Rosé of Touriga Nacional 2021
Arnot-Roberts is one of the most exciting young wineries in California, or anywhere for that matter. Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts have put together a compelling set of wines that highlight the personalities of some of the cooler-climate sites in Northern California. Most of the wines are made with a high percentage of whole clusters. Duncan and Nathan grew up around winemaking in the Napa Valley. Nathan is a second-generation cooper and personally builds all of the French oak barrels used at Arnot-Roberts wines. Over the years Duncan has worked making wine in the Napa Valley in wineries like, Caymus, Groth, Acacia, Kongsgaard.
Total production of Arnot-Roberts is around 1,400 cases per year with eleven individual wines.
Taste: Grown from Touriga Naçional vines from the Luchsinger Vineyard, is a volcanic terroir of the Clear Lake AVA in Lake County. A direct-press rosé, aged for a short time in neutral oak, the wine is mineral driven, racy, and lithe, with flavors focused on strawberry, blood orange, and flowers, lifted by emphatic minerals and acidity. Cooper’s Price $28.99 Mix & Match 3btls $26.09
Dry Creek Vineyard, Dry Chenin Blanc Wilson Ranch Clarksburg 2020
Founded in 1972 by David S. Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard paved the way for a renaissance of winemaking and viticulture in the Dry Creek Valley. Before his arrival, the Dry Creek Valley was little more than a few family farms and prune orchards.
Dry Creek Vineyard is one of the few remaining family-owned wineries in California. With more than 40 years of grape growing and winemaking experience. Founder David Stare started Dry Creek Vineyard, with a single-minded effort to offer the highest quality wine possible at a reasonable price.
Taste: At first swirl, aromatics of honeydew melon, white peach and watermelon rind spring forward from the glass with notes of orange blossom, honeysuckle and chamomile. On the palate, the wine is refreshing with flavors of lemon, pear and papaya with a hint of green apple. The mouthfeel is lively but rich,with a voluptuous texture. Cooper’s Price $17.99 Mix & Match 3btls $16.19
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Clasico, Argentina
100% Malbec grapes harvested by hand. After a careful, double sorting process, the grapes are softly pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged for a minimum of 9 months in concrete vats. No oak aging.
Tasting Notes: This wine displays a bright ruby red color, with lively violet hues. On the nose it is intense, showing notes of red fruits, strawberry and fresh plums. As the wine opens, it also shows mineral notes of graphite. On the palate it is fresh, very drinkable, with balanced acidity and supple tannins. The finish is long, fruity, and vertical. It can paired with various dishes, from red meats to pasta or grilled vegetables.
Cooper’s Price 12.99 Mix & Match 3btls $11.69
None Such Mourvedre, California
NoneSuch was established in Healdsburg by Caitlin Quinn in 2017 in the pursuit of exceptional vineyards which convey California’s expansive diversity. Caitlin is a daughter of the San Luis Obispo wine country where she was immersed in home winemaking. She has made wine for over a decade in California and abroad, finding inspiration from her family, friends, and incredible mentors including Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Unti Vineyards, and currently as assistant winemaker at Arnot-Roberts.
Caitlin’s remarks about None Such: I came up with “None Such” as a playful way of saying that I want to show distinctive vineyards that speak to me. There’s nothing else like them. They’re unique. I want to convey that with my wines. I’m only making five barrels right now. It’s almost impossible to carve out the time and space needed to do more. Our harvest season at Arnot-Roberts lasts about three months because we make so many varieties from vineyards in different regions. NoneSuch will be a very small project for now.
Cooper’s Price $44.99 Mix & Match 3btls $40.49
