During our trip in Sonoma, Copain Winery was a must stop for me. Having tried
mainly their Pinot Noir in Montreal at a winemaker’s tasting at Place des Arts
and briefly speaking with their wine maker, I really wanted to taste what other
wines they were producing.
Copain’s wine maker Wells Guthrie started his winemaking career in
Burgundy and Rhone before coming back to California in 1999. He and a friend started Copain (meaning
partner in French) with the intention of making wines that are very French in
style, but whose ‘terroir’ spoke Californian – proving that elegant, fresh
wines can be made there.
My friend/travel companion, along with our two babies made
our way to Copain in the Windsor area, just a 30-minute ride from Landmark
Vineyard. If I wasn’t paying
attention – I would have missed it.
The sign for Copain was no bigger than my computer screen, and it was gated!
I needed a code to get in – definitely not a walk in – appointments are
mandatory! A minute later we were
on the hilltop overlooking views of Russian River Valley, and behind us the
tasting room/winery. On a Monday
morning, we pretty much had the place to ourselves and we loved it. Jeff, our tasting guide, was so
friendly, accommodating and patient with our kids, and very knowledgeable about
the wines, vineyard and things to do in the area.
We felt at home immediately as we tasted their Single
Vineyard 2012 Laureles Grade Chardonnay while overlooking the valley outside.
What a way to start a tasting! This wine as lovely – crisp and clean, beautiful
fruit displaying red apples, citrus, a bit of pear and a hint, just a hint of oaky creaminess that tied it all
together. The acidity was just
right – leaving you wanting more.
A+.
Moving inside, we moved on to their Pinot Noirs. Accompanying the wine was a lovely
little plate of cheese, nuts, charcuterie…. Allowing us to appreciate the wines in its full potential. Copain wines can certainly be enjoyed without food, but in this case, it only enhanced the fruit and complexity
of every single wine we tasted.
The Monument Tree Pinot Noir was simply elegant – beautiful,
round, red fruit – lots of cherry and strawberry, length that went on for days
and well integrated tannin that will allow this wine to cellar for at least
another 8 years. Superb!
The Wendling Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley was equally as
impressive, this one displaying a little more texture on the palate. It went a little ‘deeper’….even with
color. All their wines spend about
9-10 months on oak…. never new.
The oak in the wines of Copain always plays a supporting role rather than
being a front-runner.
The fourth wine was the Brosseau Syrah – so complex. It danced in
your mouth. Tremendous black fruit, cherries, plums, and the famous spice that
syrah is known for – so welcoming. Great tannin structure, which will allow it to age and be
enjoyed in years to come. Again –
I was faced with the dilemma of what to buy!
There was something magical about this place; the
professionalism of the staff, the outstanding wines, and that view – so, so
special. You can tell from the
wines, the setting, and even the building that passion for wine runs deep here. Classy, elegant, fresh – best describes
this place in every way.
Thank you, Copain for making it such a beautiful, special day for us.
