Copain Dinner at Craft NYC

New York
Tasted Monday, April 26, 2010 by amateurwino with 774 views

Introduction

This was an event held by Copain Wines for mailing list members, with winemaker Wells Guthrie in attendance.

Flight 1 - 2006 Copain pinots (3 Notes)

Flight 2 - 2007 Copain pinots (3 Notes)

Kiser en Haut was intended to be part of this flight too, but the 07s did not arrive in time so Baker Ranch was substituted in.

  • 2007 Copain Pinot Noir Wentzel Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

    A little Burgundian earth/ mud/ funk on nose. Something pretty and a little high toned, with sweet fruit too. A bit of toasted rice cracker as well. Very pretty on the palate, with juicy acidity. 92+. Pretty use of oak here.

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  • 2007 Copain Pinot Noir Monument Tree

    USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

    Some density here. Slight bitterness to the tannin, possibly from the stems. A little flinty funk on the nose here.

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  • 2007 Copain Pinot Noir Baker Ranch 90 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

    Lighter, open, fruity nose than the other Copain pinots. Similarly light on palate. Tasty sweet light fruit. 90-91. A bit of caramel develops in time on nose.

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Flight 3 - Hors d'oeuvres reception (2 Notes)

There was a champagne served first to kick this off, but I seemed to have forgotten the producer. Does anyone remember?

  • 2002 Domaine Roulot Meursault Les Vireuils 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault

    Wasn't able to keep detailed notes but this was very good white burg, 91-92+, balanced, restrained, consistent with Roulot bourgognes I've had before in terms of style.

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  • 1994 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc Flawed

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    A bit stony, restrained - so much so that I think this was somewhat corked. Not having had Chave Hermitage blanc before, I didn't question it at the time and go back for a different sample. Didn't get much of anything from this. Judgment reserved.

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Flight 4 - Copain meets Burgundy (4 Notes)

Wells talked about how his wines wouldn't be mistaken for burgundy, but he did want to capture some of what he likes about red burgundies: notably palate weight, and going for a savory aspect. I think the part that makes the Copains among my favorite CA pinots is their acidity, which in my opinion strikes a balance more comparable to burgundies than almost any other CA pinots.

Flight 5 - Syrahs (2 Notes)

  • 2004 Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

    Amazing, crazy nose of leather, lavender, many other things. Similar on the palate, with medicinal cherry, olive, leather, provencal herbs. Terrific wine, but honestly, may have more going on here than I want in one wine.

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  • 2007 Copain Syrah Hawks Butte Vineyard

    USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands

    Shows oak, underbrush, and a savory edge on the nose. Palate shows vanilla oak, sweetness to fruit. A bit of licorice and olive too on the nose, with more air time. Good, and very CA, but comes off as a bit simple next to the Allemand.

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Closing

It was very gutsy of Wells to let his wines be tasted in the company of greats like Chave, Roulot, Rousseau, Allemand, etc. The Copain wines definitely showed as New World but held their own. Obviously, the lineup was outstanding and it was generous of Copain to reward their fans with a terrific night of great wines and food.

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