Copain “Tous Ensemble” Anderson Valley 2014 Pinot Noir
Copain Wines is perched on a hill overlooking the serenely beautiful Russian River Valley. Winemaker Wells Guthrie discovered early on that his taste in wine gravitated toward Europe in general and France’s Rhône Valley in particular. So much so, he picked up and moved with his new bride to the region to learn from the best. For two years, Wells apprenticed for esteemed winemaker and living legend Michel Chapoutier in France’s Rhone Valley. During that time, Wells was deeply inspired by the traditions and practices of French winemaking, not to mention the European attitude that wine is an essential part of life. At Copain Wines, he creates wines that are firmly rooted in California, yet with the sensibilities of the European wines that so moved him. He is as committed to crafting these elegant, nuanced wines as he is to building a legacy that will be passed down to his daughters in the great tradition of European winemakers whose estates have been in the same family for generations.
Copain’s 2014 Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir has a deep red color with light purple edges. The nose shows off aromas of red berry fruit with floral and earthy notes. The palate brings forth sour raspberry and cherry fruit, a touch of vanilla with balanced tannins and acidity. The wine had a lingering finish, nice mouthfeel; an easy wine that was a joy to drink. I recently had their Chardonnay and One BIG Negative, for both wines, was that the wine is sold with its cork exposed, no foil or wax protecting the cork! It was OK that I purchased a 2014 wine which probably didn’t spend too much time on the store shelf. However, if the wine sat for several months or if the wine shelves were regularly cleaned, any spray cleaner that might hit the cork area, the cork would absorb the impurity and the wine would be contaminated when opened. For that reason I will not purchase Copain until the cork is protected or they move to a screw cap!
Cheers!