Copain Winemaker Wells Guthrie started his career working at the Wine Spectator's San Francisco office as a tasting coordinator. It was during these first few years that he fell in love with Syrah and moved to the Northern Rhone. Wells worked for Chapoutier for two seasons in both the winery and vineyards learning about the Northern Rhone varietals and Biodynamics. Outside of Chapoutier, Wells spent as much time as he could with Jean Louis Chave, who he feels had an equally important impact upon his experiences in the Rhone. Following Chapoutier, Wells returned to work at Turley Wine Cellars working in both the vineyards and cellar. Today, Wells is the full-time owner and winemaker for Copain Wine Cellars. He crafts Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Rhone varietals. The wines are vinified in a modern shared winery in Santa Rosa.
Pinot Noir Les Voisins 2009 $41.99
Deep red. Intriguing aromas of red and dark berries, cherry pit, incense and cinnamon. Shows good heft but comes across as quite fresh, offering an array of palate-staining berry and bitter cherry flavors and a sexy candied rose quality. Impressively energetic pinot with excellent finishing cut, grip and sappy persistence. This benefits a lot from air. Tanzer, 91 pts
Rosé of Pinot Noir 2010 $19.99
Light, orange-tinged pink. Expansive, exotically perfumed bouquet evokes wild strawberry, tangerine and dried rose. Sappy, penetrating red berry and blood orange flavors are complemented by a sexy note of candied flowers and a touch of white pepper. Finishes floral and impressively long.
Syrah Les Voisins 2009 $36.99
Inky ruby. Intensely perfumed nose shows sexy blackberry and cassis aromas complicated by mocha, candied violet and smoky Indian spices. Sappy dark berry preserve and gingerbread flavors are energized by zesty minerality, picking up candied licorice and floral pastille notes with air. Juicy and precise on the finish, which features fine-grained tannins and lingering smokiness. I suspect that this will be approachable in the next couple of years. Tanzer, 91 pts
Viognier Tous Ensemble 2009 $21.99
Plenty of ripe flavors, balanced by excellent acidity and structure makes this modern Viognier a perfect companion to the warm summer months just ahead. Has a heady aroma, light body, bright acid, and stone fruits.
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