Copain 2012 Spring Release. Skipping '09 for now.

WINE TALK
1

Interesting. Have to look at the bank statement and speak with the warden first.

The latest greatest Syrah from Copain

Our spring release includes a trio of standouts from three tried and true Syrah sites. With the exception of our final release from the James Berry vineyard, we are holding back our 2009 single vineyard Syrahs until 2013 while they continue to settle into their bottles for the start of a very long life.

We are releasing instead, our 2010 wines. 2010 was an uncharacteristically cool growing season, resulting in elegant and ethereal wines that will provide many years of drinking pleasure. The 2009 vintage Syrahs are firmly structured, youthful and will benefit from an additional year before release.

2010 Hawks Butte Syrah, Yorkville Highlands 225 cases produced, 13.5% alcohol $45 per bottle

Perched 1,400 feet above the valley floor in the Yorkville Highlands, this Syrah vineyard is located just shy of the southeastern end of the Anderson Valley. The vines have struggled to get a foothold in the primarily sandstone and schist soil but are now rendering a truly site-specific wine.

“The 2010 Hawks Butte Syrah possesses excellent aromatics of meaty black cherries, raspberry, ground pepper, ripe herbs, and loads of crushed stone and rock characteristics that develop more with air. This medium-bodied, lean, yet lithe and detailed Syrah has solid underlying structure, edgy acidity, and beautiful length and focus on the finish. It should continue to evolve and drink well for 8-10 years.” The Rhone Report – December 2011

2010 Baker Ranch Syrah, Anderson Valley 246 cases produced, 12.4% alcohol $45 per bottle

High above the western edge of the Anderson Valley lays one of the only vineyards planted with any significant amount of Syrah in the valley. Our cool-climate expression of Syrah from this site at 1800 feet in elevation is one of our most sought-after Syrah. The hallmark of the 2010 vintage of Baker Ranch is its light, vibrant and Pinot Noir-like drinkability. The 2010 vintage was fermented with 50% whole clusters and aged completely in neutral 600 liter French demi-muids.

“Zingy aromas of blackberry, cranberry, violet, stem, and underlying bramble give way to a medium-bodied, lightly textured, and acid driven palate. Despite the leanness here, the acidity is well integrated and this has a delicious, ‘drink me now’ style that will be loved by old-school northern Rhone aficionados. It should be consumed over the coming 4-6 years.” The Rhone Report – December 2011

2009 James Berry Syrah, Paso Robles 150 cases produced, 14.1% alcohol $60 per bottle

Our final release from the James Berry Vineyard, the 2009 vintage epitomizes classic central coast fruit that this site is famous for. Located just 12 miles from the coast on the West side of Paso Robles, the proximity to the ocean helps regulate the high temperatures often associated with Paso Robles. Peak temperatures can reach the 100-degree range yet dive into the low 50s at night, allowing for the vines to recover. These large temperature fluctuations between high and low create a very desirable sugar to acid ratio.

“Inky ruby. Pungent, smoke-accented aromas of cassis, boysenberry, cola, incense and violet, with a hint of cracked pepper adding lift. Densely packed dark berry flavors show serious power and pick up spiciness with aeration. Really stains the palate, offering an array of floral and spice notes on the impressively long, chewy finish.” Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Center – May/June 2011

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Would love to hear additional TNs or thoughts from anyone who’s had a chance to taste these. I’m thinking they may not be the droids I’m looking for. My palate tends toward bigger syrahs, though Copain usually satisifes me, making the cut on the softer side of my acceptable spectrum. Since these sound like they might be even softer than usual, I’m wondering if that will move them out of my range. Though the James Berry sounds like it has some stuffing.

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I didnt see it in the above post, but they also have svd pinots in the spring release.

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Hmmmmm…those aren’t showing up in my allocation. I’m allocated 4 bottles (plus 1 mag) of each of the 3 syrahs.

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Chad, I posted this in another thread (on the Copain Tous Chardonnay), but the 2010 Baker Ranch syrah is not to be missed. It is truly unlike any other syrah I’ve had from California. The closest comparison I can make is to an ESJ syrah, but with brighter acids and a more complex fruit profile (think of a top St. Joseph). Both my wife and I loved it when they poured this for us at the winery in December, and I will be down for a six-pack in my next SVD order.

On a side note, it’s funny that the SVD club timeline seems a bit different than the regular releases. For example, the Hawks Butte is released in the Summer with one, and the Spring in the other.

Here’s the SVD release schedule from the email I got today…

Here is a general outline of what is being released this year:

Spring 2012
2009 Kiser “En Bas” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2009 Kiser “En Haut” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2010 Baker Ranch Syrah, Anderson Valley
2009 James Berry Syrah, Paso Robles

Summer 2012
2010 Brosseau Chardonnay, Chalone
2010 Hawks Butte Syrah, Yorkville Highlands
2010 Monument Tree Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Fall 2012
2010 Brosseau Syrah, Chalone
2010 Halcon Syrah, Yorkville Highlands
2010 Wentzel Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

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+1

Still don’t understand this whole “in the club, not in the club thing”. Guess I’m just too slow to get it.

Offline emails from Jim hinted some things would change for those of us that want to stick with the allocation system - i.e., we would not be disadvantaged vis a vis the new “club” people. But I’ve not seen anything. Frustrating. Where is the Kevin-Harvey-ease-of-use/savvy-marketing when we need him/it??

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Hi Brian,

I’m “in the club” and I still don’t fully get it. I just checked online under my “allocation” and I have nothing available. Jim’s email earlier today mentioned that he would be calling club members to discuss their orders for the upcoming spring shipment, so I’ll try to clear things up when I talk to him. I assume “club member” orders will be handled separately than the online system, which I guess is a bit of a bummer since I like the convenience of the internets.

Also in the email was this paragraph…

Throughout the year, you will receive a minimum of 36 bottles of each new release of our single vineyard wines along with priority access to re-orders, large format bottles, library releases and much more. You will have complete control over the variety of single vineyard bottles included in each shipment.

Wow, I hadn’t realized I’d signed up for 3 cases of each wine. Time to clear out the cellar!

Cheers,
Scott

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I read through the entire club thread that went around late last year.

I went to the winery and tasted, and decided I liked it enough to join. I have since purchased (and nearly consumed) a case of their wines, and still love them. I finally found my sweet spot with pinots.

I was not in the Allocation system so I cant compare, but I think it comes down to purchase commitments.

To me its simply business. I get access to all the svd wines at a discount, and he gets a minimum 3 case per year purchase from me. We both win.

I suppose on an allocation you had the option to buy x number of bottles, but not the requirement.

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I have not tasted these wines, but you will likely get some comments from the folks here like Frank and Alan, who have cultivated an early look relationship and are really great about providing notes.

I am curious about your use of ‘soft’ however, maybe you can clarify. I think of ‘soft’ as meaning approachable, some what lower acidity and tannin, and maybe a bit more fruit forward. It sounds like you are using it as more of a ‘restrained’ sort of descriptor - like not as much of a big bruiser style? Or did you mean, readiness, and approachability? In my experience, the Copain syrahs have downscaled a bit in size lately (and i’m guessing this is why the James Berry is ending), but I have never thought of them as ‘soft’, even the very large scaled, and very fruity ones (eg. Thompson vineyard). There is always quite a lot of whole cluster, and I tend to find them very clenched up and not something I have tended to want to drink for 5 years or so - and often quite longer.

Of this set, the James Berry will be by far the ripest wine. Too big for me actually. In fact I think I will be offering my vertical of JB vineyard (2003-2008) on CC soon. While I still do enjoy the others, including the Garys’ and above mentioned Thompson, I do find the JB just too big and ripe for me anymore. So i’m not a buyer, but based on what you’ve said, it may be the one you want from this group.

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I’ve had the 2010 Baker Syrah, and although it is an outstanding wine, you might likely consider it “soft”. Personally, I found it to be lighter bodied and an excellent example of cool climate syrah. If you like this style at all, the Baker is not to be missed. Otherwise, it sounds like you would love the James Berry, but don’t ignore the Hawk’s Butte, which although cooler climate and medium bodied, is not to be missed.

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My “soft” is a combo of these…mainly the lower acidity and tannins, which I think usually equates to a restrained/less bruiser style. Although I’m quite happy with fruit forward. I often (though not always) consider the cooler climate syrahs and pinots to be softer (sometimes even a little green or underripe). While it doesn’t always equate to ABV, that’s often an indicator for me. And seeing the 12.5% on the Baker Ranch raised my antenna (although Scott has now intrigued me with his description of it). Darn it, I was trying to get support for not pulling out the credit card, and y’all are just not cooperating at all. [cheers.gif]

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Ah see, now there’s a bit of support for saving my pennies (at least for one of the line-up). [highfive.gif]

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Seriously, how hard is it? Sure, there was some minor confusion at first, but Copain has bent over backwards to make everyone happy, similar to Rhys. It seems the only people who complain are those who want to simultaneously cherry-pick a few bottles AND get discounts with free shipping. Not sure if this is your intent, but it seems many people wanted it both ways.

Either you buy a certain number bottles regularly via the club or you purchase via allocation. The benefits of the club gained by agreeing to purchasing regularly are discounted SVD’s and free shipping (with higher volume orders). If you don’t like the allocation, join the club, which you can quit at any time.

By the way, the 2010 Hawk’s Butte and 2010 Baker Ranch, two of the better CA wines period, may be purchased for $38.25 via the club. What’s so bad about that?

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Well, Andrew, for one thing there is this…

Spring 2012
2009 Kiser “En Bas” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2009 Kiser “En Haut” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2010 Baker Ranch Syrah, Anderson Valley
2009 James Berry Syrah, Paso Robles

Summer 2012
2010 Brosseau Chardonnay, Chalone
2010 Hawks Butte Syrah, Yorkville Highlands
2010 Monument Tree Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Fall 2012
2010 Brosseau Syrah, Chalone
2010 Halcon Syrah, Yorkville Highlands
2010 Wentzel Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

For those buying 36 bottles of wine (surely it is not 36 of each wine), it would be pretty important to drink a lot of syrah. Especially so considering that '09 Kiser en Haut and en Bas are re-runs of what was offered last time. The '09 Kiser pinots are outstanding wines IMO, but if anybody bought them a few months ago, then you will be stocking up on a lot of syrah, it seems.

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Andie, you are clearly smarter than I am.

And oh yeah, I am cherry picking - I bought 42 bottles of copain last year. That’s me. Cherry picker.

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I didn’t see any Pinot in this release and have already placed my order. I’m kinda confused with the release schedule also though. The Kiser release was talked about around here in January, yet they were released to me in early December and delivered January 3rd.

I am not in the club, but have talked to Jim about it a couple of times just never pulled the trigger. I’ve purchased probably a couple cases a year for 4 or 5 years so I’m not sure what I’m missing other than the discount as I seem to be getting an early allocation.

I also don’t get the soft analogy. I would consider most if not all of these Syrahs Acid/mineral driven and restrained; even the southern vineyards (JB and Thompson) opposed to most other producers wines coming out of those places.

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I am definitely adding more of their chards. Anyone else try these? They are great.

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Indeed, there are several of us that have tasted through the 2009s and 2010s quite a bit and this is where I rely on Cellartracker to keep track of everything–I just can’t recall things on the fly as well as some of you. Below are my most recent notes on the Hawks and Baker. Andrew is correct in that the Baker is really special, and it’s pretty far away stylistically from the ripeness and alcohol of CA syrahs–it is simply lying at the other end of the spectrum. One can use the alc # in the Baker as a reference point but the wine tells the story and if you have a desire to explore CA syrah away from the Parker spectrum, the Baker is worth a stop. I’ll buy 3 bottles of it for now as it can be enjoyed this early on. The Hawks Butte bottling is simply coming from a place in CA where I really have a fondness, to include the Halcon and also the High Rock Ranch bottling, which has not been bottled single vineyard for sale, to my knowledge. The Yorkville Highlands AVA offers something where the minerality, cooler fruit notes come out. This I dig. As for the 2009 James Berry, we did have it out at Falltacular but I simply didn’t take notes and I had not tasted it previously. I will buy it, as it closes the legacy for Copain from Justin’s land and I still am enamored with the 2007, a wine that will be a pleasure to drink for several more years. Hell, I still have a single bottle of the 2003 left, a wine I have to find the right setting to open, with some Copain heads I suspect. I also pasted below my 2009 Kiser impressions, which I believe I added to a thread a few weeks ago. For all the worthy talk about Rhys and Kevin doing his thing up in the Deep End of Anderson, some of you need to taste the Kisers and give the wines a try. These too were also out at Falltacular, and from what I recall, both showed the requisite acid and minerality that draws me to pinot noir now. I also posted the Greffieux note again, too, although that wine is not being offered yet it seems and if I recall, it will only be sold in mag.

Take my comments for what you will, my notes. I offer them as a reference to have some discussion but where Copain succeeds for me is that they are cutting their own path forward with wines that make me think and enjoy. Copain is not Rhys, Wells is not Kevin, they are different wineries but I believe in both, and I buy both, and they represent where the influence of France makes its way into the approaches of both.

  • 2010 Copain Syrah Baker Ranch - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (10/30/2011)
    Copain Stopover–2011 Harvest (Copain Winery–Russian River): Pop and pour. Listed alc 12.4%. Perfumed, blue fruited and tangy. And we tasted this wine after we had previously done 4 pinots. Why this matters is that this Baker syrah is more pinot like than syrah and acts as logical bridge into the 2010 syrahs. Some cooked meat and nice mineral in the finish. Don’t look for big here but instead juicy, elegant and unique in the syrah realm. Very good for me…as a side note, I reviewed my note from this past March and I had the same narrative on this wine, relative to the elegance and pinot-like expression. So, to that extent, call this “consistent with last bottle” and one I again like.

Posted from CellarTracker

Posted from CellarTracker

Posted from CellarTracker

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Yeah, it seems like a lot of Syrah, but supposedly there’s equal numbers of SVD pinot to be released. I chose the 24 bottle red-only option, even though I typically buy more than 36 in a year.

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(edited from an earlier abrasive response)

I will simply apologize to Brian and others in this post for snapping regarding those who are confused or feel alienated by the club. On further thought, I don’t want to distract from discussion of the release and these outstanding wines.