1. Marotti Campi, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Superiore Luzano 2017
Regular Price $19.99 Cooper’s Price $14.99
The Marotti Campi estate is one of the most important in the Castelli di Jesi zone and has been a leading producer of Verdicchio and Lacrima di Morro d’Alba for generations. The farm, founded in the 19th century, has 52 hectares planted to vine, all of which are cultivated using sustainable techniques.
Wine Education: The Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi zone is located in northeastern Marche in central eastern Italy. The appellation is named for the city of Jesi, in the heart of the production zone. This is a moderate climate, with cool breezes from the nearby Adriatic Sea; giving the wines very good acidity, which gives these wines structure for lengthy aging.
TASTING NOTES: Straw yellow color with light green reflections. Aromas of acacia, broom and wildflowers, chamomile with hints of almond. The wine is dry with expressive aromas and flavors of citrus and pineapple. This is a real mouthful at a reduced price.
2. Colle Trotta “Q 500” Cerasuolo d’Abrruzzo
Only 130 cases made! We have only 19 bottles for sale. Cooper’s Price $34.99
In 2006, Maurizio di Nicola aided by his great nephew began the work of recuperating a century-old farm in the village of Colle Trotta, situated in the shadow of the 2900-meter Gran Sasso mountain in the Abruzzo.
The crops include farro fields, fruit and olive trees, and 3.5 hectares of vineyards. Maurizio calls the wines Q500 (Quota 500) because all of the vineyards sit at 500 meters or higher. Farming is certified organic, fermentations are indigenous, and the wines are unfiltered.
Wine Education: Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is the newest DOC of the central Italian region, Abruzzo. Created in October 2010, the title covers the cherry-red, brightly flavored wines formerly labeled as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo. To achieve the lighter, vibrant style which sets Cerasuolo wines apart from their heftier counterparts, a particular winemaking technique is employed. The most important element of this is the reduced contact time between the fermenting juice and the red grape skins. This serves to significantly lessen the red pigmentation of the must, resulting in the attractive cherry-like color which is behind the name Cerasuolo (meaning ‘cherry’ in Italian). This technique results in wines with a brighter, fruitier taste and which are also lower in tannins. Less soaking time also means less absorption of tannins from the skins, pips and stems. The same techniques are used to make Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the first wine of Sicily to be granted DOCG status.
3. Chateau de la Font du Loup Cote du Rhone 2017
Cooper’s Price $17.99
“Elegance is not the current incarnation of mainstream Châteauneuf-du-Pape. However, there are those who have bet it all on elegance and finesse, like Anne-Charlotte Mélia Bachas has. Font du Loup (Fountain of the Wolf) is located on the north side of the famous plateau, La Crau near Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Planted half to Grenache and half to Syrah, this 50-year-old borrowed plot is not far from the estate and follows Anne-Charlot’s same vineyard practices. Kept in concrete tank, this is a cuvee more for early consumption, unapologetically ‘gourmand’, generous, delicious but with a certain weight and depth. Some people call it a baby Châteauneuf but doesn’t quite have the structure of wines from the appellation.”
Kevin’s Notes: About two months, we tasted her stunning Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc and we sell three of Anne’s red wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape and now this wine. I guess you can say we’re HUGE fans of her wines. We’re going to sell a lot of this one!
4. Owen Roe Red Blend; Yakima Valley, WA
Regular Price $27.99 Cooper’s Price $22.99
“This new red blend of some of our favorite vineyards in the Yakima Valley and the most sought after fruit in Washington. This small bottling is sourced from 5 unique sites, expressing the synergy of different soil types, climate and overall terroir.
The initial aromatics show bright Cabernet Franc spice notes of cinnamon, anise and pink peppercorn. A blast of pretty plum fruit and firm tannins boasts a well-rounded mouthfeel with hints of subtle oak toast and dusty earth.” David O’Reilly Owner/Winemaker
Winery Tasting Notes: Sweet cedar accents help the finish sing. Seriously red wine fans — this stuff is awesome. 51% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Kevin’s Notes: This is a serious red wine drinker’s wine. It’s incredible for the price! This wine is primarily found in only restaurants, but here you have it ~ Cheers!!!
