Boise Coop Wine Shop

3 Horse Ranch Vineyards

• May 29, 2008

This week we are tasting the newest winery addition to Idaho’s own Snake River Valley AVA. Owners Gary and Martha Cunningham did things right, planting their vineyard in the foothills above Eagle with the finest Rhône varietal rootstock available, vines brought to the U.S. by Tablas Creek from their famous French parent, Chateau de Beaucastel. Their estate wines are grown utilizing environmentally sustainable farming practices, employing hand pruning, training and harvesting. Next, they brought on the talented Greg Koenig to make their wine. Now they are ready to share the fruits of their labor. Their first bottlings include a Viognier, Chardonnay and Rosé.

2007 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards Rosé, $14.50

A blend of mostly Merlot with some Grenache, this is an elegantly styled wine, nicely balanced but with just a light touch of sweet fruit.

2007 3 Horse Ranch Viognier, $19.50

Lovely aromas of white peach, apricot and honeysuckle. Unctuous stone fruit flavors come through on the mouth nicely balanced by soft acidity. The finish is delicate but long.

2007 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards Chardonnay, $17.99

A well-structured, fairly fully-bodied Chard with a smooth richness. Aging in new French oak adds a creamy, complex nuance. Flavors of honeyed apple and ripe peach are backed by toasty oak.