The Loft @ Montage, Laguna Beach CA
Tasted Saturday, May 16, 2015 by Frank Murray III with 493 views
We've done a # of these Copain dinners over the years and I really enjoy these evenings with Wells, his wines and the OC gang. For sure, the wines just continue to stay in my wheelhouse for what I like and drink, so to have a shot at several of the current things in the Copain lineup created a cool lens into how the winery continues to march forward. The winery remains my #1 producer in my cellar and one of my few lasting relationships that has endured more than a decade now. Thanks to Wells, Alexis and all of you for attending, as well as the great meal The Loft cooked for us. Thanks for reading.
Mélange of Early Summer Vegetables, Beet Soil and Concentrated Tomatoes, Lemon Balm
Pan Seared Arctic Char, Porcini and Sweet Peas, Confit Shallots
Coq Au Vin, Tiny Vegetables and Brandy, Crispy Skin
Mix of cheeses from the Fromaggier
Venezuelan Dark Chocolate Caramel Pot De Crème, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Macallan 12 Year Foam
2012 Copain Chardonnay Laureles Grade
USA, California, Central Coast, Carmel Valley
Opened from mag in prep for dinner this evening, poured at room temp of 66f. Tasted next to the 13, and FWIW, the alc on this 12 is listed just over a point higher than the 13 (13.5% vs 12.4%, respectively). This 12 is more creamy, spicier. Apple, mandarin orange, zesty and spicy lime skin. Really long finish....over dinner, showed the flash, creaminess and overall profile that seemed to hit the target with many at the tables where I was seated. For sure next to the 13, the 12 is far better put together and ultimately we will see if the 13 passes it with more age but right now, the 12 seems king.
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2013 Copain Chardonnay Laureles Grade
USA, California, Central Coast, Carmel Valley
Opened from mag in prep for dinner this evening, poured at room temp of 66f. Tasted next to the 12, FWIW. I find that wine spicier, a bit creamier and so I wonder if the extra point of ABV on the 12 (13.5%) informs how that wine shows. This 13 is far more chiseled, showing more lemon, and not the lime skin I found in the 12. The acidity on this 13 is more square and dominant, joining zesty green apple and a big finish of energy. The 12 seems more opulent in this early look, whereas this 13 is like a laser beam of energy. Will re-taste over dinner, about 9 hours from now and lets see what some ox does to it.....at dinner, this stayed pretty true to the tasting profile I had captured in my note earlier in the day. I don't mind the 13 at this stage, but it doesn't have the overall complete profile that the 12 shows right now. Hell, the 13 isn't even released yet so when the wine is released later this year, we can see again how it is progressing forward. In total, I do think the 13 will be vintage reflective and show a more Chablis-like profile versus the higher opulence shown by the 12.
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