I got the email today that the next Single Vineyard Club release is coming up, with the 2010 Brosseau chard queued up. I’ll drop y’all a note below, from my recent April trip when I tasted this wine. For those of you having punched out and left the station of the crappy, oak-driven chards that are on the shelves, this Copain will hit your target spot. I know there is a population of board people who may have got the email…if so, here is my TN in the event you want one dude’s perspective.
2010 Copain Chardonnay Brosseau Vineyard- USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone (4/8/2012)
This wine is not yet released but it has now been bottled and I got an early look at it today. I tasted this wine a couple times over the course of about 2 hours and the second time through, this wine really made an emotional and sensory connection for me. I wrote my notes down but I really don’t need them, as this was a wine that leaves a stamp, a mark. Yellow and green apple, a fennel and spicy note but where this thing lasers is on the fnish. Resonates like a chablis, as the crushed rock essence is really powerful and the lemony acidity is bracing and vivid. This 2010 surpasses the 2009, hitting a new level. As for winemaking style, I think this was labeled at about 13.5% and Wells told me this wine was done with zero new wood, and in fact, it’s simply older barrels. Pure chardonnay, done in limestone soil up in a cool elevation. What will be key for me is whether this thing rings my bell the next time I have it but today, this wine was outstanding. Like with the 2010 Rhys Alpine chard I tried two days ago, this is right there with it.
Thanks for the note Frank! I just got off the phone with Ezra and placed my club order (Brosseau Syrah and Estate Pinot also offered). Looking forward to it…never had a Copain Chard and since I luv Rhys and Ceritas, I am sure this will be in my wheelhouse…
Hey FMIII,
Thanks for the Chard note. I loved the '09 so I am really looking forward to the '10. Curious also about the Estate Pinot. Did you get a chance to try this? What’s the tariff on this?
Cheers,
Scott
Sorry Joe, I was referring to the Chard.
I wasn’t aware that Wells was using estate fruit for any PN. I was under the impression he sold it all off. I drive by the winery tomorrow. I can stop and inquire.
Chris – yesterday I got an email describing the “single vineyard club release.” It mentioned the Brosseau Chardonnay and Syrah along with a “special surprise” that turns out to be the Estate Pinot in which I am not terribly interested.
I spoke today with Hollie Schulze to place my summer Copain order. As was the case before with Jim Kuhner, Hollie was only too pleased to let me order whatever I wanted from Copain’s available wines without regard to what was contained in the release email. I wound up ordering 5 2010 Baker Ranch Syrah, 4 2010 Brosseau Chard, and 3 2010 Brosseau Syrah. The club discount and free shipping all apply, and I was told that my order will ship right away because it will be refrigerated in transit.
I am not trying to resurrect the debate about the clubs. In fact, I understand why many don’t want to join them. I just wanted to put this out there because I recall reading prior threads in which some wondered whether the club would remain user friendly after Jim left.
From my conversation with Hollie, I gathered that it is from grapes grown entirely on Copain’s property. I believe Hollie said it has an abv of 13.3% and is crafted in the lighter more acidic style of Copain’s svd pinots. That said, I didn’t ask too many questions about it and don’t even know what the bottle price is. Sorry I can’t be more help with this.
Yes, 2010 Brosseau Syrah was mentioned in the email, and I picked up a few bottles ($45 each pre-discount). I still have some 2007 Brosseau in the cellar. It is a nice bottle, but I thought it needed some time to unwind when I last had it (must have been more than a year ago).
Does anyone know if this is a Russian River valley pinot?? Or a pinot made from the vineyards that copain owns or controls in the Anderson valley. I would imagine from the the Estate moniker, that it is from the winery property, on eastside road in the Russian river. I would be kinda curious to see what that would taste like, as curious as I’ve always been about the somewhat disparate location, portfolio considered.
Ezra’s name was on the email right next to Hollie’s, so he’s still involved. Hollie answered the phone when I called, so I dealt with her and was very satisfied.
My understanding is that the Estate PN is made from grapes grown at the winery’s Healdsburg (RRV) property. The disclaimer (for which I again apologize) is that I did not dwell much on the Estate PN when I spoke with Hollie.