CVNE Monopole Clasíco Rioja Blanco
– Cooper’s Price $27.99 –
CVNE is one of the most important wine producers of Spain, on account of its illustrious history, and its omnipresence in the contemporary Spanish wine scene. Founded by the Real de Asua brothers in 1879, it remains family-owned and family-run, with the latest generation committed more than ever to making great wine in meaningful quantities.
From the early 20th century to the 70s, Monopole was a staple of homes and restaurants across Spain. It was one of CVNE’s main wines. Sadly, fashion turned against it, sales fell, and production in this style ceased in the 80s. They have produced this wine like it was done in the good old times, adding some Manzanilla Sherry (yes, you read that correctly); they top up the Viura with Manzanilla purchased from the Hidalgo family of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Profile: Fresh, fine, bone dry, this wine had the peculiarity and originality of having some barrel aging with a percentage of Sherry wine, with written permission from the Rioja appellation. The Sherry added structure to the Rioja white, while they both integrated harmoniously in barrel and later in bottle. An amazing nose with notes of sea breeze, a slight nuttiness, and esparto grass. The palate is extremely tasty, but at the same time is light and fresh, with the acidity of Viura and the kick and pungency from Manzanilla.
Envínate Albahra Garnacha Tintorera
– Regular Price $24.99 Cooper’s Price $21.99 –
Albahra (Castilian for “small sea”) is named for the vineyard area in the Almansa region close to the town of Albacete, at the southeastern tip of Castilla-La Mancha. The Garnacha Tintorera is from a 3-parcel vineyard on clay/calcareous soils. The Moravia Agria (a high-acid, low alcohol blending grape) is from a single vineyard on sandy clay-calcareous soils in neighboring Manchuela, which is pruned to get larger grapes, since there is only 50ha of Moravia Agria left in Spain.
All grapes are hand-harvested and vinified separately by parcel. The Garnacha Tintorera is foot-trodden in vat with 30-50% stems included and 6-10 days skin maceration, then fermented and raised on fine lees in concrete for 8 months; the Moravia Agria is completely de-stemmed and sees 7 days of maceration before being pressed and raised on fine lees in used French barriques for 8 months, all without battonage (stirring of the lees). The wine is then blended and bottled unfined, unfiltered and with very little SO2 addition.
This is a wine with a pure high-toned nose, floral red fruit, with hints of spice, mountain herbs, and bursting with minerality. An extremely versatile food wine, especially with Mediterranean meats and seafood.
Cave de Serignan, Le Passage Côtes du Rhône
– Cooper’s Price $15.99 –
Côtes du Rhône is among the oldest vineyard regions on the planet. Greeks, Romans and Medieval Popes all had a liking for the native grapes and rocky soil terroir. The zone follows the course of the Rhône river southwards for 125 miles from Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône to the former, and intermediate, house of the Pope, in Avignon. (The term, Chateauneuf du Pape, comes to mind).
A small proportion of the appellation’s wines are white. However the classic Côtes du Rhône wine is a fruity, middleweight red blend based on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. As the reputation of these great wines grew, a 1729 royal edict required each cask to be branded “C.D.R.” (Côtes du Rhône), marking the best from the rest.
The Côtes du Rhône AOC (appellation) lets winemakers choose from 21 varieties (mostly red blends) for these easy-drinking and food-loving wines. Here, more than 5,000 producers, cooperatives and négociants make great value wines. This appellation accounts for 67% of wines in the region.
Profile: Grown from 55 year-old goblet-trained Grenache vines (80%) and 20 year-old Syrah vines (20%) set on clay-limestone terroir. The vineyard is surrounded by forest, which creates a cool microclimate and results in great acidity and freshness. Cool fermentation in stainless steel.
Lapis Luna Mendocino Zinfandel
– Cooper’s Price $14.99 –
Lapis Luna translates to “stone” and “moon.” The labels bring to life 400 year old Copperplate engravings to depict the relationship between the earth (stone), the moon. On our label, the heroes are depicted striving to connect with the moon and looking to it for inspiration, just as we do when creating our wines.
Since 1999, we have grown long term relationships with established growers throughout Lodi and the North Coast.
This is the newest addition to the Lapis Luna lineup. They get the grapes from Pauli Ranch in the Ukiah region of Mendocino. The cooler weather gives this Zin a bit more acidity along with being blended with some Sangiovese to add even more brightness. A younger style with only 10 months of age in a blend of Neutral French and American oak.
Profile: Fruity, smooth and delicious, this medium-bodied wine overflows with blueberry, blackberry and raspberry flavors that are very fresh and as charming as the engraved-style label. Made with an addition of 20% Sangiovese, the wine is still low in tannins and smooth in texture.
