I had my last bottle of this wine ~5 yrs ago. This is my final bottle. Plum skin, embers, black pepper, iron and meat. Very lovely mouthfeel, with softened tannins, showing off some savory olive paste, black peppercorns, and a hint of mint. Drink this gorgeous wine now, it is very nice.
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Double decanted and left for two hours before dinner, this is a truly beautiful bottle of wine. Herbes de Provence and olive provide the savory-floral balance for what is still a quite dense fruit core. Riper than most subsequent vintages that I’ve had, but would still hardly qualify for being called out as particularly “ripe” in this part of the world. Instead this is a deftly crafted, impeccably balanced wine that feels at peak now but has an easy 5+ years in it if you like your Syrahs aged. A textbook example of the kind of Syrah that is the perfect pairing for lamb, this was magical with Moroccan lamb meatballs. 13.9%, bought at auction for $38.
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Consistent with previous bottle. Very aromatic on the nose with notes of smoke, blueberry, blackberry, smoked meat, violet. Similar flavors on the palate with a mix of savory meat, herbs and black pepper mixed with cool climate blue and black fruit. Medium+ acid, medium tannin. Drinking great right now.
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Popped and slow ox'd for 1.5 hours. Medium purple color. Nose of blackberry, juicy black plum, herbs du provence, black pepper and a little iron. Very nice. Similar flavors on the palate with a mix of savory herbs and pepper with black fruit that leaned more tart than ripe. Medium acid and mostly integrated tannins. Smooth mouthfeel. Long finish. I think this is probably close to peak. Drinking great right now.
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Dark and very smooth. Not much structure left, muted on day one, broke down a bit on day 2 but still very enjoyable. Blackberries and licorice, plums and cherries on the nose.
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A nice cool climate Syrah, big and burly but showing Rhonish qualities of smoked meat and tapenade. Faded considerably on days 2-3, so probably peaking now.
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Tasted side by side open label with no notes, but the discussion was clear and unanimous. The Copain wines, most likely due to the richness of that California fruit. Its sweetness and richness seemed to take the day. Plum at its core and cranberry at the rim; its color does not indicate a 10 year old wine. Notes of black plum, blackberry, iodine, and coffee lift from the glass. Lean on the palate with a surprisingly medium body and mouthfeel. While the palate tracks the nose, additional notes of brown sugar and something herbal (in a good way) - maybe thyme - join in. Coffee dominates the finish. Almost no sediment. 13.9% alc. The St. Cosme greets us with rust red in color, but not at all oxidized. Licorice, anise, plum, olives and blackberry fill the nose; simply resplendent nose. Tracking the nose with exactness, the palate is full throttle with flavor. Iodine rounds out the finish. A medium bodied wine. As fine as it is, the Copain is the clear winner. Absolutely no sediment. 13% alc. With “cowboy” ribeyes (beef) from Stanley Meat Market. Andrew Hill and PMB join us. Recommended.
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Tasted over 3 hrs -opaque dark red purple -nicely complex perfumed violets fading dark berry smoked meat -med acidity, med weight faded remnants of dark berry fruit bitter earthy element on the finish -very nice, on prime drinking plateau
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My final bottle of the 2009 HB. I have already finished my 2009 Copain Pinot Noirs, and now will move through my few remaining 2009 Syrahs, to see if they show the same riper, ready to go profile. Opened yesterday, enjoyed a large glass and put the rest back in the fridge to hang out for another day. The wine showed how air acts as a catalyst for change. The aromatics of yesterday, the floral and bacon notes are gone, replaced by the savory, whole cluster-infused notes of black olive, rosemary and purple flowers. The texture has turned juicy, with a black cherry, dark raspberry profile and soy, along with a moderately approachable medium-weighted palate. It ends with an herbal, licorice note, along with juicy acidity. Overall, this is better than yesterday, when I found it more on the candied side. After a decade, this is drinking well and I am glad I decided to open this now.
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Plum at its core and cranberry at the rim; its color does not indicate a 10 year old wine. Notes of black plum, blackberry, iodine, and coffee lift from the glass. Lean on the palate with a surprisingly medium body and mouthfeel. While the palate tracks the nose, additional notes of brown sugar and something herbal (in a good way) - maybe thyme - join in. Coffee dominates the finish. Almost no sediment. 13.9% alc. With Shack (beef) burgers. Recommended.
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Black cherry and pepper, alongside savory mushrooms. Dark and brooding, with medium acidity and a moderately long and biting finish with some raspberry shining through. Quite good, drink now through 2022 or so.
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Delicious blackberry, olive, and floral notes on the nose and palate with lovely balanced acidity and tannins on the long tasty finish. Drinking well with a long life ahead.
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PopnPour, tasted over 1 hr and day 2 -nearly opaque dark red -mild reduction ripe black fruits touch of smoke; violets join the smoke and jammy black fruits on day 2 -med/med- acidity, med weight bitter coffee note dominates early some ripe dark fruit remnants burnt earth, med- tannins; bitter/burnt elements a bit less noticeable on day 2 though the tannins are more prominent -hasn't lived up to the potential that was teased from the first tasting a few years ago - maybe a slightly off bottle
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Been about 2 years since I opened one of these. 2009 was always a bigger year, if such a thing exists for Copain--the bottle lists at 13.9%. Where that riper year comes through is the wine has just a touch more riper fruit than usual but like most things the winery crafts, the balance is here. Hard cherry candy, light blueberry, and plenty of fragrant purple flower and potpourri. The fruit is laid against some tangy acidity, but it's in good ratio to the fruit, keeping the balance. Finishes with some spice, cooked game and cherry. Worth saying again, no matter the year, the winery can kick out wines that are balanced, showing good proportion of fruit, light touches of stem and really just complete expressions that can pair with food, which to me is the biggest change since the prior years when the wines were darker, heavier and showed their alcohols. Really beautiful.
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In a great place. Violets and black fruit. Nice balance, with a slight tang on the finish. Will hold the last bottle for another year, but drinking just fine right now.
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Still primary and quite fruit driven. Very precise, enjoyable aromatics and feminine in style. Currently approachable from a tannin standpoint but for those looking for complexity, it will need several years. 92-93 if scoring
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We enjoyed this over dinner, it was drained in about 45 mins. It did flesh out with air, lean down a bit, evolving from the start when it was fairly primary and suave right out of the chute. Showed the classic profile of purple flower, potpourri.
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I opened this last night, and the opening aromatics were bacony, purple flower notes. A day later, this has faded some, although the purple flower, dried potpourri note is still there, along with a good dose of powdered/crushed rock, metal shavings and face powder. The palate now reflects how I remember the last bottle of the wine, with a jammier black raspberry and strawberry, then that is washed over by a distinct mineral water and bit of brine in the finish, with a bit of black olive too. There is acid inside the core of this wine, probably best seen in the juicy, black raspberry. The vintage shows here, as I see it through the hard red candy ripe tone that sits in the wine, reminding me that this is 2009, not say for instance the leaner 2010 or more burly, dark and savory 2007 (and for what it's worth, I am keen to see what 2011 did for this bottling, yet to try it but eager to see how it turned out). What 2009 gave was enough structure in the infused rockiness this wine shows, yet the ripe tones from the year in the red and black fruit. As to a drink window, with the caveat that I tend to prefer structure and taste it with less intensity than others, this wine should do fine with a drink window of now (for the more structure lovers like me) through say 2016.
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PopnPour, tasted over 3 hrs and Day 2 -opaque deep dark red/purple -rich fragrant violets, sweet plum, spice -med/med- acidity, purple fruits dominate the sappy mid-palate, lighter weight than anticipated from the color and nose, some bitterness on the back end with med+ tannins, OK length and complexity -very good now but barely tapping into its potential, should be really special in 3-5 years allowing it to gain some complexity and better integrate the tannins
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Copain Dinner; 8/4/2013-8/6/2013 (FMIII in the OC): Lighter in color than the other two vintages. There's a smooth quality to the mouthfeel, maybe the tannins are rounding out already. Very good complexity and a long finish.
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Copain Dinner @ The House With Wells Guthrie: Listed alc of 13.9%. Drank in the same flight as the 2007 and 2010. Like with the 2009 Copain pinots we had during the dinner, this 2009 shows the riper tones like those 2009 pinots did, too. Alc here is about 1/2 point higher than the 2007. Where the riper year shows in the wine is that the fruit I perceive to be sweeter, a sweeter cherry, black raspberry and blueberry, versus the 2007 where that wine is earthier, more savory. Aromatically has a dried flower/potpourri note, some drying astringence, green and black olive, tar and a finishing sweet blueberry tone. There is acid here so enough freshness to allow some further aging and it will go another 4-6 years.
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Tasted at the K&L Bistro in Sebastopol. 13.9% alcohol. Dark, nearly opaque ruby red. The foundation of the wine was dark fruited with smoke and herbal elements. This wine had a beautiful raspberry highlight that was irresistible. Excellent balance. Rich yet vibrant. A delightful wine with a superb meal.
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It may have suffered in comparison to the 2010 Graillot Crozes Hermitage I had the night before, but this was a little too soft, not enough acid for me. A step down from the 2010. Still a nice core of blue fruit, still relatively well balanced. A good wine, but not up to my expectations for Copain SVDs.
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2 years since the last bottle, as this was one of the cuvees that was held back while the 2010s came out first. Just Alan, Mike and I at this stage with previous notes it seems, the Copain heads that we are. I opened this about 30 mins ago, dumped into a big Reidel and let it sit. Since some like to pour and enjoy, I will offer a note from that angle, then another tomorrow and one on the third day, for a full perspective. So to tonight, the aromatics are really about white flower and bacon fat, wafting out together. The palate? Started out a little soft and plush, with lavender and red/black fruit but as it hits air, it is starting to tighten, show more acid and energy. Smoke, cooked meat, juicy blue and red fruit, and some mineral--balanced. I'm guessing this evolves with more air, moreso tomorrow. I'll check back....Day 2, and before I write further, and likely finish this bottle tonight too, I looked back at my past notes on the other HB vintages to look for consistency of expression across vintage. What words emerge, at least in my own notes, is bacon fat, zesty acidity and black cherry and black raspberry fruit. This too is what shows tonight in this 2009. Whereas the 2007 is more dense and packed, this is more delicate, so like the 2010 in that respect, yet the zesty acidity of the 2005. Juicy tonight, yet a suave texture that with air and as it warms, picks up a cooked game note, too. I suspect this will age softly and gently over the next 3-5 years, as while I don't find the structure of the 2005 or 2007, I find great balance and even tones. Delicious, but it's HB so this is what I expect from this plot and it's here.
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Copain Dinner With Wells Guthrie and Jennifer Derrick In The OC (Marche Moderne, Costa Mesa CA): As with a # of Copain 2009s that I drank at the winery a few months back, this too was one of them. I found the wine at that time light and feminine, so too tonight, especially as it laid in contrast to the 2005 and 2007 versions poured right next to it. Lots of red fruits, tight and juicy with leather and tannin, yet my notes as I mentioned again say "light bodied". Hell, this 2009 is not even released yet and I suspect it won't even be for sale until at least the Fall 2011, if not Spring 2012. I'll be interested to see how much weight, if any, it acquires in bottle but at this stage, it remains a more lighter framed expression of Hawks Butte.
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Copain Visit To Taste The 2009s and 2010s (Copain Winery In RRV): 13.9% alcohol, no new wood and 50% whole cluster. My notes say "light for Hawks", in reference to the weight of the wine. Crunchy cherry and light blue fruit, along with olive and pure mineral. That purity is what has often set apart Hawks Butte for me and was squarely what the 2007 has done for me time after time. This 2009 version seems more feminine in weight, maybe the lightest version I can recall thinking back to 2003. Yet, what is here is again terrific balance. My notes are starred, I really again likes what Hawks Butte does.
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5/12/2024 - drrobvino wrote: 92 Points
I had my last bottle of this wine ~5 yrs ago. This is my final bottle.
Plum skin, embers, black pepper, iron and meat.
Very lovely mouthfeel, with softened tannins, showing off some savory olive paste, black peppercorns, and a hint of mint.
Drink this gorgeous wine now, it is very nice.
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6/9/2023 - Benj wrote: 93 Points
Double decanted and left for two hours before dinner, this is a truly beautiful bottle of wine. Herbes de Provence and olive provide the savory-floral balance for what is still a quite dense fruit core. Riper than most subsequent vintages that I’ve had, but would still hardly qualify for being called out as particularly “ripe” in this part of the world. Instead this is a deftly crafted, impeccably balanced wine that feels at peak now but has an easy 5+ years in it if you like your Syrahs aged. A textbook example of the kind of Syrah that is the perfect pairing for lamb, this was magical with Moroccan lamb meatballs. 13.9%, bought at auction for $38.
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12/4/2022 - Rich S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with previous bottle. Very aromatic on the nose with notes of smoke, blueberry, blackberry, smoked meat, violet. Similar flavors on the palate with a mix of savory meat, herbs and black pepper mixed with cool climate blue and black fruit. Medium+ acid, medium tannin. Drinking great right now.
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11/13/2022 - Bwalter17 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good. At a nice place.
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11/25/2021 - Rich S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and slow ox'd for 1.5 hours. Medium purple color. Nose of blackberry, juicy black plum, herbs du provence, black pepper and a little iron. Very nice. Similar flavors on the palate with a mix of savory herbs and pepper with black fruit that leaned more tart than ripe. Medium acid and mostly integrated tannins. Smooth mouthfeel. Long finish. I think this is probably close to peak. Drinking great right now.
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9/23/2021 - ben7210 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark and very smooth. Not much structure left, muted on day one, broke down a bit on day 2 but still very enjoyable. Blackberries and licorice, plums and cherries on the nose.
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8/11/2020 - GrapeScott wrote: 89 Points
A nice cool climate Syrah, big and burly but showing Rhonish qualities of smoked meat and tapenade. Faded considerably on days 2-3, so probably peaking now.
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7/10/2020 - timewithwine wrote:
Tasted side by side open label with no notes, but the discussion was clear and unanimous. The Copain wines, most likely due to the richness of that California fruit. Its sweetness and richness seemed to take the day. Plum at its core and cranberry at the rim; its color does not indicate a 10 year old wine. Notes of black plum, blackberry, iodine, and coffee lift from the glass. Lean on the palate with a surprisingly medium body and mouthfeel. While the palate tracks the nose, additional notes of brown sugar and something herbal (in a good way) - maybe thyme - join in. Coffee dominates the finish. Almost no sediment. 13.9% alc. The St. Cosme greets us with rust red in color, but not at all oxidized. Licorice, anise, plum, olives and blackberry fill the nose; simply resplendent nose. Tracking the nose with exactness, the palate is full throttle with flavor. Iodine rounds out the finish. A medium bodied wine. As fine as it is, the Copain is the clear winner. Absolutely no sediment. 13% alc. With “cowboy” ribeyes (beef) from Stanley Meat Market. Andrew Hill and PMB join us. Recommended.
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3/4/2020 - Cote d'Or wrote:
Tasted over 3 hrs
-opaque dark red purple
-nicely complex perfumed violets fading dark berry smoked meat
-med acidity, med weight faded remnants of dark berry fruit bitter earthy element on the finish
-very nice, on prime drinking plateau
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2/9/2020 - Frank Murray III wrote:
My final bottle of the 2009 HB. I have already finished my 2009 Copain Pinot Noirs, and now will move through my few remaining 2009 Syrahs, to see if they show the same riper, ready to go profile. Opened yesterday, enjoyed a large glass and put the rest back in the fridge to hang out for another day. The wine showed how air acts as a catalyst for change. The aromatics of yesterday, the floral and bacon notes are gone, replaced by the savory, whole cluster-infused notes of black olive, rosemary and purple flowers. The texture has turned juicy, with a black cherry, dark raspberry profile and soy, along with a moderately approachable medium-weighted palate. It ends with an herbal, licorice note, along with juicy acidity. Overall, this is better than yesterday, when I found it more on the candied side. After a decade, this is drinking well and I am glad I decided to open this now.
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9/19/2019 - timewithwine wrote:
Plum at its core and cranberry at the rim; its color does not indicate a 10 year old wine. Notes of black plum, blackberry, iodine, and coffee lift from the glass. Lean on the palate with a surprisingly medium body and mouthfeel. While the palate tracks the nose, additional notes of brown sugar and something herbal (in a good way) - maybe thyme - join in. Coffee dominates the finish. Almost no sediment. 13.9% alc. With Shack (beef) burgers. Recommended.
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8/16/2019 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Drinking really nice. Great finish and smooth tannins
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6/4/2019 - drrobvino wrote: 91 Points
Black cherry and pepper, alongside savory mushrooms.
Dark and brooding, with medium acidity and a moderately long and biting finish with some raspberry shining through.
Quite good, drink now through 2022 or so.
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1/29/2019 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious blackberry, olive, and floral notes on the nose and palate with lovely balanced acidity and tannins on the long tasty finish. Drinking well with a long life ahead.
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3/11/2018 - Jbird73 wrote: 92 Points
Better day 2. Let rest another couple of years.
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11/20/2017 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Consistent with previous notes.
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8/31/2017 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Dark fruit with olive and touch of smoke. Blueberry with some minaerality. Fine tannins with a medium finish. In a good place.
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7/30/2017 - Cote d'Or wrote:
PopnPour, tasted over 1 hr and day 2
-nearly opaque dark red
-mild reduction ripe black fruits touch of smoke; violets join the smoke and jammy black fruits on day 2
-med/med- acidity, med weight bitter coffee note dominates early some ripe dark fruit remnants burnt earth, med- tannins; bitter/burnt elements a bit less noticeable on day 2 though the tannins are more prominent
-hasn't lived up to the potential that was teased from the first tasting a few years ago - maybe a slightly off bottle
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10/16/2016 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Been about 2 years since I opened one of these. 2009 was always a bigger year, if such a thing exists for Copain--the bottle lists at 13.9%. Where that riper year comes through is the wine has just a touch more riper fruit than usual but like most things the winery crafts, the balance is here. Hard cherry candy, light blueberry, and plenty of fragrant purple flower and potpourri. The fruit is laid against some tangy acidity, but it's in good ratio to the fruit, keeping the balance. Finishes with some spice, cooked game and cherry. Worth saying again, no matter the year, the winery can kick out wines that are balanced, showing good proportion of fruit, light touches of stem and really just complete expressions that can pair with food, which to me is the biggest change since the prior years when the wines were darker, heavier and showed their alcohols. Really beautiful.
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9/7/2015 - glou.sf Likes this wine: 93 Points
Spices, cherry, pepper, and leather on the nose. Herbal, with medium-high tannins and red fruit on the palate. Pretty long finish.
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4/28/2015 - BBencz Likes this wine: 92 Points
In a great place. Violets and black fruit. Nice balance, with a slight tang on the finish. Will hold the last bottle for another year, but drinking just fine right now.
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2/21/2015 - Mrp2008 wrote: 93 Points
Still primary and quite fruit driven. Very precise, enjoyable aromatics and feminine in style. Currently approachable from a tannin standpoint but for those looking for complexity, it will need several years. 92-93 if scoring
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11/30/2014 - Frank Murray III wrote:
We enjoyed this over dinner, it was drained in about 45 mins. It did flesh out with air, lean down a bit, evolving from the start when it was fairly primary and suave right out of the chute. Showed the classic profile of purple flower, potpourri.
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10/17/2014 - Bottledrainer wrote: 91 Points
Deep purple color. Fruit on the nose and initial taste with a tobacco finish.
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3/1/2014 - Frank Murray III wrote:
I opened this last night, and the opening aromatics were bacony, purple flower notes. A day later, this has faded some, although the purple flower, dried potpourri note is still there, along with a good dose of powdered/crushed rock, metal shavings and face powder. The palate now reflects how I remember the last bottle of the wine, with a jammier black raspberry and strawberry, then that is washed over by a distinct mineral water and bit of brine in the finish, with a bit of black olive too. There is acid inside the core of this wine, probably best seen in the juicy, black raspberry. The vintage shows here, as I see it through the hard red candy ripe tone that sits in the wine, reminding me that this is 2009, not say for instance the leaner 2010 or more burly, dark and savory 2007 (and for what it's worth, I am keen to see what 2011 did for this bottling, yet to try it but eager to see how it turned out). What 2009 gave was enough structure in the infused rockiness this wine shows, yet the ripe tones from the year in the red and black fruit. As to a drink window, with the caveat that I tend to prefer structure and taste it with less intensity than others, this wine should do fine with a drink window of now (for the more structure lovers like me) through say 2016.
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2/4/2014 - Cote d'Or Likes this wine:
PopnPour, tasted over 3 hrs and Day 2
-opaque deep dark red/purple
-rich fragrant violets, sweet plum, spice
-med/med- acidity, purple fruits dominate the sappy mid-palate, lighter weight than anticipated from the color and nose, some bitterness on the back end with med+ tannins, OK length and complexity
-very good now but barely tapping into its potential, should be really special in 3-5 years allowing it to gain some complexity and better integrate the tannins
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8/6/2013 - brigcampbell wrote: 92 Points
Copain Dinner; 8/4/2013-8/6/2013 (FMIII in the OC): Lighter in color than the other two vintages. There's a smooth quality to the mouthfeel, maybe the tannins are rounding out already. Very good complexity and a long finish.
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8/3/2013 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Copain Dinner @ The House With Wells Guthrie: Listed alc of 13.9%. Drank in the same flight as the 2007 and 2010. Like with the 2009 Copain pinots we had during the dinner, this 2009 shows the riper tones like those 2009 pinots did, too. Alc here is about 1/2 point higher than the 2007. Where the riper year shows in the wine is that the fruit I perceive to be sweeter, a sweeter cherry, black raspberry and blueberry, versus the 2007 where that wine is earthier, more savory. Aromatically has a dried flower/potpourri note, some drying astringence, green and black olive, tar and a finishing sweet blueberry tone. There is acid here so enough freshness to allow some further aging and it will go another 4-6 years.
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5/10/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted at the K&L Bistro in Sebastopol. 13.9% alcohol. Dark, nearly opaque ruby red. The foundation of the wine was dark fruited with smoke and herbal elements. This wine had a beautiful raspberry highlight that was irresistible. Excellent balance. Rich yet vibrant. A delightful wine with a superb meal.
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4/13/2013 - Michael Davidson wrote:
It may have suffered in comparison to the 2010 Graillot Crozes Hermitage I had the night before, but this was a little too soft, not enough acid for me. A step down from the 2010. Still a nice core of blue fruit, still relatively well balanced. A good wine, but not up to my expectations for Copain SVDs.
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3/26/2013 - Frank Murray III Likes this wine:
2 years since the last bottle, as this was one of the cuvees that was held back while the 2010s came out first. Just Alan, Mike and I at this stage with previous notes it seems, the Copain heads that we are. I opened this about 30 mins ago, dumped into a big Reidel and let it sit. Since some like to pour and enjoy, I will offer a note from that angle, then another tomorrow and one on the third day, for a full perspective. So to tonight, the aromatics are really about white flower and bacon fat, wafting out together. The palate? Started out a little soft and plush, with lavender and red/black fruit but as it hits air, it is starting to tighten, show more acid and energy. Smoke, cooked meat, juicy blue and red fruit, and some mineral--balanced. I'm guessing this evolves with more air, moreso tomorrow. I'll check back....Day 2, and before I write further, and likely finish this bottle tonight too, I looked back at my past notes on the other HB vintages to look for consistency of expression across vintage. What words emerge, at least in my own notes, is bacon fat, zesty acidity and black cherry and black raspberry fruit. This too is what shows tonight in this 2009. Whereas the 2007 is more dense and packed, this is more delicate, so like the 2010 in that respect, yet the zesty acidity of the 2005. Juicy tonight, yet a suave texture that with air and as it warms, picks up a cooked game note, too. I suspect this will age softly and gently over the next 3-5 years, as while I don't find the structure of the 2005 or 2007, I find great balance and even tones. Delicious, but it's HB so this is what I expect from this plot and it's here.
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3/19/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Power and finesse. Great balance with a light, pure touch. Exceptional!
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4/30/2011 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Copain Dinner With Wells Guthrie and Jennifer Derrick In The OC (Marche Moderne, Costa Mesa CA): As with a # of Copain 2009s that I drank at the winery a few months back, this too was one of them. I found the wine at that time light and feminine, so too tonight, especially as it laid in contrast to the 2005 and 2007 versions poured right next to it. Lots of red fruits, tight and juicy with leather and tannin, yet my notes as I mentioned again say "light bodied". Hell, this 2009 is not even released yet and I suspect it won't even be for sale until at least the Fall 2011, if not Spring 2012. I'll be interested to see how much weight, if any, it acquires in bottle but at this stage, it remains a more lighter framed expression of Hawks Butte.
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3/22/2011 - alanr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Copain tasting at the winery with Wells and Jennifer: Fabulous nose, dark, deep, intense, great balance. A great Hawks Butte.
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3/17/2011 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Copain Visit To Taste The 2009s and 2010s (Copain Winery In RRV): 13.9% alcohol, no new wood and 50% whole cluster. My notes say "light for Hawks", in reference to the weight of the wine. Crunchy cherry and light blue fruit, along with olive and pure mineral. That purity is what has often set apart Hawks Butte for me and was squarely what the 2007 has done for me time after time. This 2009 version seems more feminine in weight, maybe the lightest version I can recall thinking back to 2003. Yet, what is here is again terrific balance. My notes are starred, I really again likes what Hawks Butte does.
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