TN: 2006 Copain Roussanne James Berry Vineyard

Beautiful glistening yellowish color. On the nose, easy mineral notes, but also that waxy, oily, warm banana nose that I love. Sort of reminds me of a great Chenin Blanc from Baumard.

On the palate, a bit of lemon rind, in a good way, with a creamy, full mouth feel…but with very good acidity. Too many Roussannes have that candyish, creamy taste to them. Not this one! The finish could be a bit longer, but I really like this one. 93 pts

Wells does a great job with this. It’s one of the few Cali whites that I like and white Rhones are some of my least favorites.

Chris, I agree about the “few” cali whites comment. But how can you like this wine, and not like White Rhones? Can you give some examples? I have loved the few Chapoutier Hermitage Blancs I have had. And I do enjoy some of the CDP blancs, but they can be erratic and alcoholic.

And just for giggles, do you like Baumard Chenins?

The flavor profile of white Rhones just doesn’t take to me. I like the style that Copain makes with this though, very lean and dry with nice mineral like character. I’m still not buying a ton as there are plenty of Muscadet and Chablis(and some others) that are more of what I want when I reach for a white.

I have had some top end whites from Rhone, especially Northern that are pretty good but again the flavor profile isn’t tops on my list. We did have a Chapoutier Le Meal last week that was killer and unlike any other white I have had before. Would love to try one of those that was 20 years old. (notes here: http://www.wineberserkers.com/viewtopic.php?p=59409#p59409" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Dry Baumard Chenins mostly. Savennieres comes to mind as well as some aged Vouvrays but Chenin is very love or hate for me.

Chris,

I opened my lone bottle of '90 Chapoutier Meal White Hermitage with some friends about 5 months ago…and it was stunning. One of the best whites I have ever had. Wish I had more of those! [cray.gif]

I would consider you a lucky man for even having to try a 90 once if the 03 was any indication. Be thankful dude. [cheers.gif]

I am thankful, believe me. It was a gift from a business/friend…and I just could not open it without sharing it with some friends. It was served blind, and it absolutely stunned the table. It was a wonderful wine.

Sounds like a delicious wine - I love my Cali white Rhones!

I had to pull this thread out of the olddddddddddd days of WB. Sean Kennedy and I enjoyed one of these tonight and at nearly 10 years, this wine is drinking just fine. What a treat.

  • 2006 Copain Roussanne James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (7/12/2015)
    This showed terrific tonight. Chilled up, slow oxed for a few hours and then enjoyed over dinner when it warmed to room temp. Still plenty of acidity here and remains fresh and delicious. Picked up the last 3 on WineBid tonight. At nearly 10 years old, I don’t see these fading, as at least tonight there is no darkening of the color, no fat textures, all good.

Posted from CellarTracker

Had the 2009 at a restaurant recently and it was fantastic. Does Copain still make this? I know the Chardonnay was ripped out at JBV, is there still Roussanne in the vineyard?

Nope, no more Roussanne from Copain. 2009 is the last vintage, which is unfortunate.

Picked up a few bottles of the 08 off of WineBid recently - interested in trying for sure. Anyone try this vintage recently?

Did they rip all of the Roussanne out of JBV or is are they selling to others at the present time?

I truly dig this variety, having fallen in love with it at an Hospice du Rhone seminar called ‘Blinded by the White’. It was an eye opener, showing how elegant these wines can be both as youngsters and then again after they ‘wake up’ from their ‘slumber’.

To me, some of the best Roussannes at the present are being made by Stolpman with their L’Avion bottling (though you’ll need to give it some time since it’s 100% new oak), Qupe’s Bien Nacido bottling, and Zaca Mesa. I have not tried Kinero’s but have heard wonderful things about it, too.

I had a ‘hatred’ for the grape when I worked at another winery, as we’d also pick so late and ripe that the subsequent wines were ‘hot messes’. I started making a tiny bit in 2012, loved it, and ramped up a bit in 2013 and 2014. I love it on its own as well as in blends . . .

Cheers!

IIRC Copain stopped making wine from any grapes outside of the Sonoma Coast AVA. I’d guess JBV still ells the fruit to others (Villa Creek, Kinero, Saxum, etc.).

I think you mean from outside of Anderson Valley.

Kinero does indeed make Roussanne from James Berry Vineyard and it might be one of the best wines from the region. I’ll be buying every vintage from here on out after trying the 2013 recently. Might just be a wonderful combination of site and variety. Given the prices and relative scarcity of varietal Roussanne it sure feels like a great value.