Boise Coop Wine Shop

Four Great Buys from California

• March 4, 2010

A second generation Californian, Derek Benham grew up in an agricultural environment in the great San Joaquin Valley. While working summers on his Dad’s farm, he began to dream of building his own wine company. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1982, Derek went to work in sales for a small winery near Lodi. Eventually, he assumed the role of General Manager, and learned all aspects of running a wine company, culminating in the sale of the winery to La Crema Winery. In 1990 Derek founded the Codera Wine Group and created the Blackstone Merlot brand. After seven very successful years he sold the brand in 2001. When he started the trio of brands that make up his new venture, the Purple Wine Company, he brought Alex Cose on board. Alex bailed out on his banking job back in 1992, and after winemaking stints at Joseph Phelps and Peter Michael, he signed on Derek in 2002. His goal each year is to produce the best quality wine available, all the while maintaining our commitment to value, believing quality wine doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Together the are the driving force behind Rock Rabbit Winery, an homage to the down-under style, Avalon, a winery that produces only Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mark West, specializing in affordable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

2008 Rock Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc, $8.49
This Sauvignon Blanc is based on the New Zealand white wine style which offers everything not typically found in California wines—flavor, style and value. Sourced from vineyards high above Santa Barbara and the coastal vineyards just outside of Monterey, each contributes its own unique quality. Stainless steel fermented the wine sees no oak and reflects the fresh, crisp, ripe flavors of pure fruit.
2007 Avalon Caberntet Sauvignon, Napa, $14.49
One-eighth the size of Bordeaux, Napa Valley is responsible for some of the world’s most expensive wines. Avalon’s, however is not one of them. They’ve taken the ego out of the equation to bring you a world class wine at a darn good price. This 2007 offers aromas of raspberry, blackberry, mint and black cherry. Vanilla and short bread notes from oak aging bring balance and frame the ripe berry flavors. Napa Valley terroir shows through with strawberry, raspberry and a faint root beer note with quintessential Oakville dark cherry. The tannins are fine and chalky, and there’s an earthy mineral not that adds complexity. Overall, it’s supple, elegant and richly flavored—a classic Napa Valley Cabernet.
2008 Mark West Pinot Noir, $10.49
The medium ruby-hued 2008 Pinot Noir (100% Pinot Noir) offers notes of pomegranates, plums, cherries, underbrush, and herbs in a round, tasty, authentic style. Its lightness and softness are endearing, and the price is nearly unbelievable. There are plenty of domestic Pinot Noirs and French red Burgundies priced five to ten times higher that are not as good as this effort from Mark West. It should drink well for 1-2 years.
2008 Mark West Chardonnay, $9.49
The crisp, elegant 2008 Chardonnay exhibits abundant aromas of white peaches intermixed with hints of honey and wet rocks. Medium-bodied with a zesty finish, it will offer pleasure over the next year.