Le Grand Bouqueteau Chinon Rose – This rose, from France’s Loire Valley, is made of 100% Cabernet Franc grapes from 13-45 year old vines in alluvial sand and chalky clay. This is a direct press wine, which is enough to get the clear pale rosé color. The fermentation is much like a white wine at low temperature (65 to 68°F). It is a clear pale orange color with floral and citrus notes. Dry and very aromatic, combining the complexity of a red wine with the liveliness and brightness of a white; it is soft and perfumed, with good weight and presence, and finishes on crisp and gentle notes. It will pair well with BBQ, salads, pizza, curry, or any light lunch. Great on its own as well! Cooper’s Price $12.99
Bastianich Schioppettino –The Bastianich winery, founded in 1997, strives to understand the history and culture of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and take it to a new level. They create unique wines that speak of place but, at the same time, show remarkable power and balance. A native vine of the Colli Orientali, the Schioppettino was once known as Ribolla Nera: at the time the technologies were not yet avant-garde and it could happen that the bottled wine made ‘pop’ at the opening, due to an unexpected refermentation. Historical wine of the Friulian tradition, in the interpretation of Bastianich can be classic but hilarious, with a varietal character of consistent quality as well as reliable in the price!
Intense ruby red color with bright violet reflections, the nose has captivating hints of currants and wild strawberries, raspberries with a hint of aromatic herbs and black pepper. The mouth is elegant and graceful, has a sliding and pleasant freshness, with almost imperceptible tannin and a long fruity finish.
Excellent with red meats, skewered meats, game and medium-aged cheeses, it is unique with roasted guinea fowl. Cooper’s Price $17.99
Juan Gil Honoro Vera Garnacha – Calatayud, Spain – In France’s Rhone region, grenache is used as an elegant blending grape. While in Spain, the sun-drenched, dry Aragon region, which includes Calatayud, is a great place to grow “heavy” fruit like Garnacha (the Spanish name for the grape). Here, aged vines produce fruit that exhibits the grape’s unique character and style. The grapes come mostly from old vineyards with low yields, located high on the hillsides, 700-1000 metres above sea level. The vineyards are planted in mainly decomposed slate and gravely clay soils. The fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks and then spent two months in French oak barrels. This all-garnacha wine’s bouquet features aromas of red and black cherry and blackberry. On the palate, taste plums, currants, pepper and spice notes. It has low tannins, and even with all its fruit characteristics, there’s not a hint of sweetness. Cooper’s Price $11.99
MacPhail Russian River Valley Pinot Noir “The Flyer” – James MacPhail grew up just north of San Francisco in Marin County and has been producing acclaimed Pinot Noirs for over ten years. James insists on using the finest grapes from the best Pinot Noir vineyards from the Santa Rita Hills, Sonoma Coast, and Anderson Valley. His wines exude grace, nuance, elegance, and subtlety but also carry a humble power. The MacPhail Pinot Noirs represent the upper echelon of California Pinot Noir.
Absolute minimal intervention is the foundation of winemaking at MacPhail Family Wines. The wineries approach relies on native yeasts for fermentation. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally, without his introducing a culture. James uses traditional methods: pre-fermentation cold maceration, gentle punch downs by hand, barrel aging in French oak, no fining and no filtration. MacPhail winery is equipped with small fermenting vessels — stainless steel and French oak puncheons — that allow James MacPhail to isolate exceptional fruit and produce small-batch wines.
WINESTYR REVIEW MacPhail’s “The Flyer” moniker is reserved only for special Pinots from exceptional vintages and the very best vineyards. This 2013 bottling from the Susanna’s Vineyard in the Russian River Valley AVA is rich, creamy, and full-bodied with powerful red fruit flavors and a backbone of well-integrated toasted oak and spice. Very slightly reduced, this Pinot Noir is on the powerful end of the spectrum and needs at least an hour decant to open up. Cellar up to 15 years. Aged 16 months in 45% new French oak. Bottled unfined and unflitered.
Interesting Note – MacPhail no longer makes this wine as he sold his label for an undisclosed amount of money. The regular price for this wine is $59.99, and we have it on sale for $32.99!!
