Wine Tasting Sept 23 – 24 2022
Jean Bourdy Cremant du Jura Brut – 100% Chardonnay BIODYNAMIC
Jean-François Bourdy has been managing the historic Jura vineyards of Domaine Jean Bourdy since 1990. The history of this house, however, is amongst the longest commercial histories in any sector in any country: the Bourdy family became involved (through marriage) only in 1896, but Jean-François represents the 15th generation of family ownership stretching back to 1475.
Winemaking in Jura has always been rooted in an appreciation of its special and different geography. The new generation of the Bourdy family have an engrained understanding of their terroir after 550 years of winemaking tradition. By continuing these traditions they have found themselves at the forefront of passionate, natural, hand-made winemaking: organic and, since 2006, biodynamic.
Kevin Notes – It took me nearly 12 months to find an poutstanding sparkling wine for under $30 and finally found it with Jean Bourdy. In a blind tasting, you’d be thinking of Champagne at about $80. Hopefully, we can get the Rose soon as well. Cooper’s Price $24.99 3 Bottles Mix/Match $22.49
Birichino Vin Gris, King City, California 2021 – ORGANIC/BIODYNAMIC
About: Birichino was established by Alex Krause and John Locke, two Bonny Doon veterans. Emphasizing old vineyards in the Santa Cruz mountains appellation (though they go as far afield as the Sierra foothills), Krause and Locke craft their wines with a light hand. These are lower-alcohol, food friendly wines that have the clarity and lift to allow terroir to shine through.
The Wine: This gorgeous rose is blend of Single-Vineyard fruit – 70% Grenache, 12% 125 year old Mourvedre vines, 9% Cinsault, 35 Carignane, and 4% Rolle (also known as Vermentino)
Taste – Aromas of stone fruits, hibiscus and watermelon dominate the perfume, with the ever-delightful Cinsault contributing to the violet top note and a small quantity of fresh and vivid Vermentino from the Napa side of Carneros adding some zest. . Cooper’s Price $20.99 – 3btl Mix & Match $18.89
LaFage Retro Les Annees Folles ONE LITER
Looking to recapture Les Annees Folles (“The Crazy Years”), Jean-Marc has produced la Retro as an homage to his forebearers. Packaged in a 1 Liter bottle, this is wine meant to be drunk on a daily basis, with or without a wine glass! Roughly 60% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 7% Grenache Gris and 3% Lladoner.
What’s Lladoner? I’ll let the importer tell you; “It’s only 3%, so really, who cares, but if you’ve read this far, you’re probably the sort that likes details. Lladoner is Grenache with fuzzy leaves and smaller clusters of fruit. It is generally spicier and less flash than its smooth-leaf cousin. Genetically it is identical to Grenache, but some genes were scrambled in the past resulting in these changes. Like all things this obscure, it has a cult following.”
Kevin’s Notes – I always like to have a versatile red wine that can cover a wide spectrum of foods and occasions at a reasonable price and this it. Cooper’s Price $20.99 – 3btl Mix & Match $18.89
Caves Jean Bourdy Cotes du Jura Rouge, France 2020 – BIODYNAMIC
Caves Jean Bourdy is one of the oldest domaines in the Jura. Created in the late 1400’s, the Domaine is now run by brothers Jean-Phillipe and Jean-François, the 15th generation of winemakers at this estate. The Bourdys grow their vines on 10 hectares of land. Caves Jean Bourdy makes wine the old fashioned way, using old barrels—some as much as 80 years old—for fermentation and aging of the wines. The Domaine is known for its extensive library of old wines, with reds dating back to 1926 and whites dating back to 1911 (1865 for Chateau Chalon). The Domaine was certified biodynamic in 2006, and the combination of some of the best terroir in the Jura and careful and patient winemaking results in wines that thoroughly express the land on which it is grown.
The Wine – “A blend of Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot Noir – basically one-third of each variety.Taut & lively, offering plenty of crunchy red fruit and a whiff of autumn leaves wrapped around a dark spicy core. Super food-friendly and absolutely captivating.” Cooper’s Price $32.99 – 3btl Mix & Match $29.69
